JUDGMENT GRANTED IN FAVOR OF CHURCH IN LSU-3 LAWSUIT
On March 5, the Riverside County Superior Court granted Summary Judgment in favor of all defendants on all claims in what has come to be known as the LSU-3 lawsuit. The court has ruled that there are no disputed issues of material fact that would need to be decided by a jury, and the undisputed facts are sufficient to allow the court to rule on the case as a matter of law. FULL ARTICLEONE PROJECT: PRESENT OR EMERGENT TRUTH?
I had made no plans to attend the One Project scheduled for February 10 and 11 in Seattle, but a mid-morning phone call stirred me from my intended Sunday morning sleep-in. A friend on the phone urged, "I've been given two tickets to the One Project. They’re free! Do you want to go? Let's go! Free tickets!" That got me up and going. FULL ARTICLE
David danced
As we saw in my previous article "Shall we dance," the English word “dance” in the Old Testament, has been translated from six different Hebrew words. The nuances of meaning between these words are significant, and can be understood only by a lexicographical survey of them. In this article we will look at 2 Samuel 6:14-16 and 1 Chron. 15:29. FULL ARTICLEPOPE'S VIDEO FULFILLS PROPHECY
By now, I expect many Christians have seen the surprising viral video of Pope Francis’ recent appeal for unity with Protestants, presented at a Kenneth Copeland conference of charismatic leaders this past January. FULL ARTICLE
IS THE FLEUR-DE-LIS A SUITABLE DECORATION FOR AN ADVENTIST CHURCH?
A couple of friends recently approached me, four days apart, complaining of decorations recently added to the Keene Church sanctuary. Someone had placed two fleur-de-lis, separated by an arrangement of candles. FULL ARTICLEThe Right Book at the Right Time
A new GLOW tract was introduced at GYC, Orlando. The tract was written by David Asscherick and titled "The Right Book at the Right Time." Check out the new tracts.
How postmodern Adventists can engage in personal evangelism
I have been working for a few months now on a set of diaries written by a certain Mr. Dortch in the mid-1880's. The diaries are part of the original manuscript collection in the Southwestern Adventist University Library. In this lecture, I focus particularly on Dortch's relations with his rural neighbors in Tennessee. FULL ARTICLEThe final generation
Why will the last generation become the last generation and not any generation before it? Is something missing? I believe we need the latter rain, but what will bring that about? I had heard that we will not receive it until we are completely without sin, so I tried very hard to get rid of all the sin in my life. I’m not the person I was when I started on my Christian journey, but I have not attained perfection. FULL ARTICLE
The human race
I knew my dad would have been proud of me, as I raced through our town. Timing the traffic lights perfectly and squealing the tires around every turn bore frantic evidence to the desperation of my charge. Was it a matter of life and death, with each passing second ticking away someone’s life? Was it the extreme anxiety of a million dollars hanging in the balance that drove me to such reckless speeds? No, it was much more important than that. I was late for church. FULL ARTICLEThe role of Ellen White's writings
I have found many people are confused about the role Ellen White's writings play in our church. Many times it seems we consider them as an addition to the Bible or on the flip side we brush them aside altogether considering them optional or even as a friend of mine says, act like a stupid angel inspired them. FULL ARTICLE
Bill Nye vs. Ken Ham
On Tuesday night, popular TV show host Bill Nye the Science Guy and biblical creationist Ken Ham (President of the creationist organization Answers in Genesis) squared off in a public debate on the topic of creationism vs. evolution. (As of today, you can watch a full video of the debate here.) I say “squared off,” but in reality, the debaters were actually very cordial, and to their credit, focused on attacking the arguments of the other person rather than resorting to personal insults. FULL ARTICLE
The Record Keeper post-production and planning continues
The General Conference is not considering stepping away from The Record Keeper project. The final stages of post-production, including writing of the original musical score, special effects, reviews of media and support material continues, albeit at a more deliberate pace. FULL ARTICLEFact or fiction: The Record Keeper misguided
Many think "The Record Keeper" is great witnessing tool, a conversation starter and a means to get unbelievers interested in our message. This is an understandable position, and one I can relate to as I am no technophobe and believe in using advancements in technology. FULL ARTICLE
Discipling the “Ordinary”
Why was Jesus so effective in making disciples among the common people? Why was His message not as readily received among the wealthy and socially elite? How might Jesus’ humble upbringing have contributed to His effectiveness in reaching the hearts and minds of ordinary people? How effective in reaching the average person might Jesus have been if He had come as a royal prince or a wealthy landowner? DISCUSSWhy you're not praying more
We should pray much. We need to pray much. Jesus prayed much. If He needed to pray much, how much more should we pray? Secret prayer is the breath of the soul, yet many of us are weak and easily overcome by sin because we do not pray much. We will never enter into the fullness of communion with God, understand His Word, or have the power to relieve the woes of sin and Satan all around us, nor will we will make it into God's kingdom, if we do not, "watch and pray" (Mark 13:33). FULL ARTICLE
Reclaiming the biblical Jesus
Today, our Lord’s quest for the lost is still controversial. There are still those, to all our shame, who—like the older brother in the prodigal son story—would treat the penitent transgressor with contempt merely because of a sinful, embarrassing past. But others, perhaps many more in this age of self-accommodation, seem to profoundly misunderstand our Lord’s practice of receiving sinners. FULL ARTICLERoundup of divisional reports on female ordination
About a year prior to the first meeting of the Theology of Ordination Study Committee (TOSC), each of the biblical research committees of the Seventh-day Adventist Church's 13 divisions were tasked with producing its own report. Some of the divisions did not have a biblical research committee, and so some committees were formed for this specific project. FULL ARTICLE
The Holy Spirit: What is He, and how to receive Him
“Have your received the Holy Spirit?” What would you say in answer to that question and how would you know how to receive Him? For many Christians, the gift of the Spirit is known through ecstatic feelings and experiences. “Being slain in the Spirit”, having the “Gift of Tongues,” etc. is the epitome of the “receiving the Spirit” experience. FULL ARTICLEADvindicate Forums: we're expanding the conversation
We're expanding the conversation by introducing ADvindicate Forums. Now readers can converse on more than just the articles. We've created some new forums for discussion, but we're also looking for suggestions, so if you have an idea for a new forum, leave a comment under the suggestions forum. FULL ARTICLE
The heart of it all
Most Seventh-day Adventists are aware there are many issues facing our church. Such problems range from women’s ordination to homosexuality in the church, the nature of Christ to the 2520 prophecy, the type of music in church to the emerging church, creation verses evolution to gospel entertainment, and many others. FULL ARTICLE
