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.
Read MoreFact or fiction: The Record Keeper misguided
Character from "The Recorder Keeper" played by actor Aris Juson who was also the fight scene coordinator for the series.
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. My current occupation is in the technology sector and I acknowledge what modern techniques and technology have done in the advancement of truth. I am no cynic and I do not wish to judge the motives or the hearts of the producers, but with this being said I have concerns with this project.
Read MoreReclaiming 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.
Read MoreBoundaries and binaries
Most proponents of feminist ordination vigorously deny any connection between feminism and homosexuality. It is to them that I dedicate this article, because I believe it is clear that homosexuality and feminism share an ethical trajectory. Feel free to draw your own conclusions after reading.
Read MoreNAD Adventist Intercollegiate Association statement: affirmation and concern
Throughout my years in school, from junior high to graduate study, student government was one of my persistent passions. I was honored to serve as Student Association President at Loma Linda University during the final year in which my Master’s degree in systematic theology was finished. Too often, unfortunately, this particular arena of campus life has been maligned both as the province of frivolous popularity seekers and as a soapbox for the allegedly “troublesome young” who—in the words of the late U.S. Vice-President Spiro Agnew---dare to meddle in the grown-up world.
Read MoreShall we dance?
One of the interesting subjects in Scripture is the topic of dance Most of the arguments in favor of Contemporary Christian Music rely on a few verses that supposedly give permission for Christians to dance during worship. The implication is, if dancing is acceptable, then the styles and genres of music that enable it are.
Read MoreGreen Spot Whiskey: drinking with the LSU-four
The lesson is clear: systematically attacking foundational Adventist beliefs will yield zero discipline—a gaping yawn—but personal slights to church officers or minor behavioral deviations will get you fired so quick your head will spin.
Read MoreBlessings in adversity
You might have heard the adage “That which does not kill me makes me stronger (1).” However, I imagine that for most of us, it isn’t difficult to think of instances in which this has not held true for us. Physically, we suffer many injuries that leave us weaker for life than we would have been otherwise, and as we age, many diseases threaten our mental capacities.
Read MoreA popular error in prophetic interpretation
Being a Seventh-day Adventist believer, with Adventist views on Bible prophecy and eschatology, I was oblivious to the latest mania of prophetic interpretation sweeping the evangelical Christian world. It seems that there are signs in the heavens. From spring of 2014 to autumn of 2015, there will be four “blood red moons,” plus one solar eclipse sandwiched in the middle of the four lunar eclipses. These signs portend something significant. No one knows what, but something is going to change!
Read MoreBarley loaves and fishes
Late in the summer of 2005, I opened a letter from ADRA. It said that 25 cents would feed one child for one day in Bangladesh. I had just finished paying bills and didn’t really have any extra that month. I prayed, “Lord, I really do want to give, but I can’t this month.”
Read MoreA prophecy in Genesis 5
A few days ago, I was in Ohio at the invitation of Pastor Bob Helm and his small Seventh-day Adventist congregation in Harrison. I was there to give a weekend seminar on origins, highlighting some of the research I had compiled for my book, “Dinosaurs—an Adventist View.”
Read MoreLime green pants
Growing up without a TV provided some extra time in my life. After my chores were completed, I would fill those hours with three things — reading, baseball, and dirt bikes.
But I never took up golf.
Read MoreYellow stripes and dead armadillos
Recent ideological clashes in American government and society have caused certain historians and commentators—and much of the public as well—to yearn wistfully for the days when compromise and moderation more easily bridged the gap between widely different convictions and courses of action.
Read MoreThe failure of the Adventist Accrediting Association
Last week, the board of AAA, chaired by Lisa Beardsley-Hardy, voted to certify that La Sierra University is uniquely Adventist in its identity, and is adequately fulfilling its religious mission. This certification lasts for three years, through 2016. This is an appalling failure on the part of AAA.
Read MoreHoly ground
I was upstairs on the phone talking with the church clerk, when I heard the front door open and Daniel screaming, “Mom!” I heard the words, “hit” and “truck.” Panic washed over me. Had Joshua been hit by a truck? How badly was he hurt? Was he even alive?
Read MoreDividing Jesus from doctrine
In light of the following verses, one becomes notably uneasy when Christians promote agendas under such slogans as “Jesus. All,” “Just Jesus,” “Jesus only,” or “Jesus period.”
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Two visions of Christian unity
Today, the subject of Christian unity is exceedingly popular. The ecumenical movement has never been stronger. And rather than taking the approach so many ecumenists took in the old days, which involved the crafting of delicate compromises in areas of doctrine and lifestyle expectation, the contemporary ecumenical spirit seeks togetherness not by attempting to resolve differences, but by simply ignoring them.
Read MoreThe voice of melody: 10 guidelines
In my last article I gave an introduction to the music debate and now offer some general principles in selecting music.
Read MoreThe voice of melody
I remember the debates and the emotional intensity of the ‘90s regarding the pros and cons of Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Families, friendships and churches felt the strain and I queried, “How could music cause so much acrimony and dissension?”
Read MoreWhy I believe
Why did I believe so firmly in the stability of my chair that it didn’t even occur to me to check it before I sat down to type? Is that the same as faith?
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