Judas and the Sons of Eli

The question of how to deal with religious offenders, whether doctrinal or moral, is one deeply troubling to many laypersons and leaders in the Seventh-day Adventist Church today.  How are we to properly address challenges to the integrity and practice of our faith?  How are justice and mercy to be balanced in such decisions?  At what point does responsible firmness give way to undue severity, Christian tolerance to secular license?

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Herb Montgomery Aligns with Kinship

Independent Adventist seminar speaker Herb Montgomery, who describes himself as “an author, internationally recognized speaker, and director of Renewed Heart Ministries,” has aligned with SDA Kinship, a homosexual organization that, among other activities, holds Kinship Kampmeeting each summer. Montgomery, who is married with three children and lives in West Virginia, was a featured speaker at last week's Kinship Kampmeeting.

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Put the flag up

Some are crippled by bitterness, some are crippled by guilt, and some paralyzed by fear. For some there are painful memories that they cling to, allowing the pain to define them. In this condition, we are the first to criticize, and the last to forgive. Some, crippled by lies, run from relationships, fearing the honesty that they demand. But that's not who you are, friend. God created each of us with the ability to give and receive love (1 John 4:7; 2 Cor. 7:2). 

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Pope hints at change to celibate priest rule

It appears that Pope Francis may be rethinking the idea of clerical celibacy.  In an interview with La Repubblica, an Italian daily newspaper, Pope Francis described the celibacy of the priesthood as "a problem" in need of a solution.  “There definitely is a problem but it is not a major one. This needs time but there are solutions and I will find them,” Francis said, without elaborating further. 

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Moses and the origin of homosexuality

Human sexuality, along with a pleasing sexual imperative, is introduced at the very beginning of the Bible story. Mankind was created with gender. Gender was created with purpose. Compliantly, in the narrative, Adam “knew” his wife and she conceived a son, and then another, and then a third. And though we don’t have details about differing sexual orientations before the flood, it is certain that only heterosexuals were on the Ark.

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Tough questions for regional women’s ordination

Throughout those regions where WO was permitted, would WO be optional or required? What would the policy be toward dissenters? For example: What should be the policy regarding a pro-BQ congregation (or pastor) in a  pro-WO conference in a pro-BQ union in a pro-WO division? How could regions not become increasingly polarized in hiring and firing decisions?

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