La Sierra University's student paper asked, “Are we the black sheep?” The theme of the 2013 holiday issue was identity--La Sierra's identity. Criterion editor Jonah Valdez kicked the issue off with a reference to David Read’s article “The failure of the Adventist Accrediting Association." After a brief summary of Read’s arguments, Valdez asked La Sierra students if Read’s critical remarks disturbed or angered them in some way.
Read MoreADvindicate hits 1,000,000 pageviews
I am pleased to inform you that ADvindicate has just passed an important milestone today--1,000,000 pageviews. Thanks to each one of you for your faithfulness and interest in ADvindicate.
Read MoreProphets without honor
Jesus declared in the synagogue at Nazareth, “Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country” (Luke 4:24). The Gospel of John records this statement with a slight variation: “A prophet hath no honor in his own country” (John 4:44).
Read MoreAn open letter to Angel Rodriguez
I was blessed by the time I spent with you at the recent TOSC, when we sat together for breakfast. I enjoyed hearing your conversion story, and seeing your commitment to the Sabbath. It was instructive to learn how you and your wife worked through a difference in understanding of proper Sabbath observance without it dividing your home. I recognized we share a common desire to understand and follow truth, wherever it may lead.
Read MoreTheological Problems with “The Record Keeper”
In contemplating the message conveyed through “The Record Keeper” film, those assigned in the Biblical Research Institute who watched the film noted the following theological problems.
Read MoreThe insertion of gender-inclusive language in recent Ellen White compilations
Many in the church are not aware that the language of certain recent compilations from the writings of Ellen White has been altered so as to make it “gender-inclusive.” This lack of awareness—and lack of resulting controversy, thus far—might be ascribed to the fact that perhaps few who read these writings take the time to read the forewords, introductions, or other comments made in these books by the compilers. Whatever the reason, due to the use of a particular statement from one of these compilations by a leading Adventist scholar promoting the ordination of women to the gospel ministry, the church in general and the Ellen White Estate in particular will likely be forced to confront the problematic nature of this recent doctoring of inspired language.
Read MoreHomosexuality: sexual orientation or sexual preference
A very popular social columnist recently suggested that we not refer to homosexuality as a sexual preference, but rather as a sexual orientation. Until this statement, I had really never given much thought to the difference between the two terms. They seemed synonymous, but obviously to the columnist there is a difference, a clear distinction between the two terms.
Read MoreDECISION TO SUSPEND “THE RECORD KEEPER” COMES WITH STRONG ENDORSEMENT FOR CREATIVE OUTREACH
Seventh-day Adventist world church leadership today announced their decision to suspend the release of the 11-episode series called “The Record Keeper,” but agreed to explore the possibility of supporting similar creative outreach projects.
Read MoreAdventist church invites Catholic priest for Lent
The Auburn Seventh-day Adventist Church, Calif., participated in an annual Lenten series that started March 5 and ended April 9. Auburn Church invited Catholic priest Arnold Parungao from from St. Teresa of Avila Parish to speak at its March 19 Lent service.
Read MoreFakers of the lost ark
We have known for a long time that Satan gets special delight in counterfeiting the things of God. For instance, in place of God’s Sabbath day, he offers the Day of the Sun, or Sunday. In place of marriage, he offers cohabitation and divorce. In place of creation, he offers a long painful saga of progressive death, or evolution. In place of great leaders like Moses, he offers Bill Clinton. So buckle your seat belts as we look at a brand new counterfeit—straight out of Fakers of the Lost Ark. Are you ready? It’s called the Ark of Hope.
Read MoreFinishing the mystery of God
When the seventh angel sounds, Christ receives the "kingdoms of this world," in Revelation 11:15. What is the mystery? It’s "Christ in you." Paul wrote, “To whom God would make known what [is] the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The mystery is having Christ in His people, but it seems strange that in Revelation just before the seventh trumpet we would begin to have Jesus living in us.
Read MoreDrumming for the Lord?
The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit.
Read MoreAre Adventists Coalescing into Opposing Parties? Part II
I am not using the term “liberal” according to the narrow, technical definition it has acquired in theology; a truly liberal theologian rejects any supernatural influence on Scripture and proceeds as though Scripture and religion are purely human and non-supernatural phenomena. A liberal theologian approaches Scripture just as a mainstream scientist approaches origins: needing to explain it strictly and solely on the basis of natural phenomena, with no appeal to the existence and activity of God. Very few Adventists—perhaps none in positions of authority in the church or in church-related institutions—would admit to a pure liberal theology. So, in this discussion, I will be using “liberal” in a looser sense.
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Read MoreAre Adventists coalescing into opposing parties? (Part I)
Sociologist and political scientists have long understood that when people take positions on issues, they tend to do so not randomly but in predictable clusters or groups, corresponding to an intellectual system, ideology, or way of seeing and evaluating the world (“worldview,” Ger. = Weltanschauung). In the realm of secular politics and government, this phenomenon has often caused political parties to be organized based upon shared ideology.
Read MoreCouchsurfing is postmodern “witnessing” at its best
I was in Nashville, Tennessee, this last November filming an online success course for young women. It was late Friday, nearing sundown, and I had a decision to make. I would either be spending the night ( miserably cold) in my compact car, or be feeling guilty about putting $64.99 plus tax on my mom’s credit card for a night at the Motel 6. I had been there a week already, staying at a friend’s house. Now there was a bit of a snag--the sleeper sofa was double-booked! My friend’s roommate had also promised the space to his brother and sister-in-law, so rather than creating any friction between two fantastically tenacious Vanderbilt Law students, I packed up my clothes Friday morning and, during breaks from work, I looked at various free/cheap options for the night.
Read More'IN GOD’S IMAGE' SUMMIT ON SEXUALITY OPENS IN CAPE TOWN
Nearly 350 Seventh-day Adventist Church leaders, pastors, academics, and human services experts have gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, for a four-day summit intended to help the worldwide Church better address the experiences of homosexuality and alternative sexualities.
Read MoreToo much too hard too fast too quick
As I walked out into the hallway of the ocean-front condo this morning, I saw a USA Today paper lying by the door of our neighbor’s room. Like a downbeat doormat it sat there, its loud headlines easily summed up in two words: Bad, and News. I was reminded of this quote: “The final movements will be rapid ones.”
Those of us who are looking forward to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ to earth are probably aware of this ominous warning about the end. Not only is it gonna happen soon, it’s gonna happen fast!
Read MoreBiblical hermeneutics: blest be the tie that binds us
The World Church, in its General Conference (GC), has voted twice not to allow the ordination of women to the office of elder/minister. This was not because the GC saw women and men as created unequal, but because of divine order assigning different roles to the genders. Once again the issue is being urged. So the GC has invited all of its divisions to give input on the matter.
Read MoreKinship, IAGC and Seventh-Gay Adventist sponsor new website
Listen to the voices of Seventh-day Adventists who are also gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or intersex. Every story matters. Hear more stories at: http://www.WeAreSDAs.com
A new website sponsored by Seventh-day Adventist Kinship International, Intercollegiate Adventist GSA Coalition and Seventh-Gay Adventists Documentary claims lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) Adventists are being prevented from sharing their stories at the 'In God's Image:' Scripture, Sexuality, and Society Summit in Cape Town, South Africa, this month. The summit will discuss the challenges the church faces with issues surrounding alternative sexualities.
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