Church Apologetics &Sola Scriptura

24 Pages·2008·6.23 MB·English

A Personal
Relationship
with God
JOHN MCLARTY
was in PaloAlto, California, to make a satisfaction that hefound on occasion when
seriesof presentations on Progressive hewaswrestling with some passageof formal,
Adventism. Ienjoyed the intellectual highly theoretical theological discourse.
stimulation of conversations about On the human level arelationship with God
geochronology and the shapeof mature will take different forms, but Jesuspictures him-
Adventism. During the worship service I self seeking apersonal connection with each
preached one of my favorite sermons about human individual. "Behold, Istandatthe door
the Friendsof St.Thomas-people whose spiri- and knock. Ifanyone will open the door, Iwill
tual lives arecharacterized by both intense come in and we will sharedinner together"
questioning and tenacious loyalty. Inthe after- (Rev3:20).Trying to work out the logistics of this
noon, we had awide-ranging Q-and-A session. picture will either getyou bogged down in the
Ithought Iwas doing pretty good at
fielding the questions until ayoung Jesus pictures himself seeking a personal
woman in her 20sseatednearthe front
connection with each human individual.
spoke up. "What about our personal
relationship with Christ?" sheasked. "It
seemsInever hearanything about that in the impossibility of apersonal God actually interact-
churches I've attended over the years. But isn't ing in realtime with billions of human
that the most important thing?" individuals or caught up in spinning highly
Iwas silenced. What useischurch if it doesn't speculative solutions. We will makethe most
connect itschildren with God?We could stream- senseof this picture by paying attention to our
line our corporate structure, rework and simplify romantic, artistic sensibilities.
our doctrinal statements and develop workable At Adventist Todaywe value human intellect.
solutions to the questions atthe interface of reli- We believe that God created usto think, to ques-
gion and science, but ifwe arenot helping each tion, to probe, to analyze, to reason.We reject
other cultivate deeply satisfying and life-forming the notion that genuine Christianity contradicts
relationships with God, what useischurch? reason. Butthis editor isequally convinced that
What doesapersonal relationship with Jesus reason isnot adequate for afully orbed response
Christ look like? Forsome it isadeep, unshak- to reality.Aesthetics-music, visual arts,pottery,
able assurancethat they havebeenforgiven. Like interior and landscape design-provides avalid,
Paul,they seethemselves asegregious sinners in- alternative way of responding to the world and to
explicably chosen by God for salvation. Forsome God. And romance-crazy, illogical, tempestu-
of my friends, it meansexpecting frequent ous, exhilarating, energizing romance-teaches
miracles of guidance or provision. Forothers "re- ustruth we can learn no other way.And then
lationship" meansasenseof participation with there areour spiritual sensibilities.
Jesusasthey engagein service.They seeJesusin TheAdventist church needscarefuIanalysis
the facesof people with needs.Thenthere are and vigorous debate. We must correct systemic
the Jobsand Habakkuks of the world whose in- injustice and the woeful inefficiency of our cur-
teraction with God ischaracterized by perplexity rent bureaucracy. We must be honest about our
and agonized questions about the justice of God history and our failures. But if we aregoing to
in the face of human suffering. Somemost addressthe spiritual needsof our members and
sharply experience God through art-performing our friends, we must certainly attend to their
\ or listening to music, painting or photographing, first spiritual need: apersonal connection with
or gazing in rapt wonder at pictures or outdoor God.
scenesof exquisite loveliness. C. S.Lewis TheSpirit and the Bride say,"Come." And let
remarked on the sweetness and spiritual everyone who hears,"Come!" •
I
21adventist today volume 12 issue1
cover story
PAGE 10
Three Angels Broadcasting Network:
A High-Flying Organization
By Edwin Schwisow
r
news
PAGE 8 features
Report on Montery BayAcademy
ByAdventist Today editorial staff
PAGE 14
PAGE 9
Consol idation of SDA Conferences,
Waco, Texas:TenYearsLater
Colleges and Universities
ByJamesStirling
ByThaine Price
viewpoint
PAGE 16
The Necessity and Utility of Antinomies
By Robert M. Johnston
PAGE 6
Readers Respond: Getting It Right
PAGE 18
By Bob Wonderly
Church Apologetics and Sola Scriptura
By ErvinTaylor
PAGE 24
A New Look at Sabbath School
PAGE 21
By Gordon Short
The Christian Aspect Review of The Da Vinci Code
By Ron Corson
PAGE 22
A Modest Proposal for Structural Change
in the Adventist Church
By George Knight
adventist today
Publisher IElwinDunn Editor IJohn McLarty Managing EditorIDianaFisher
Co-Founding EditorIRaymond Cottrell, 1911-2003 ExecutiveEditorIErvinTaylor EditorialAdvisor ISteveDaily
I Co-Founding Editor/Publisher IJimWalters Senior Associate Editor IJamesH.Stirling OfficeManager IHananSadek
adventist today
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volume 12 issue11adventist today 13
/
Authority and the Five Booles acknowledge the Bible asthe "infallible point ofcontact
with God"?... Ido well not to attribute those seeming defi-
Ireadwith great interest and appreciation the article
ciencies to itsdivine Author or evento itshuman authors
"The 5 BooksofAdventist Theology" (ATNov/Dec 2003).
but ratherto the puniness of my degenerate brain.... An '
Youmade the statement, "For aliberal like myself to affirm
observation on #5: Ithink "Christian history" hadvery little
EllenWhite asan inspired authority saysasmuch about my
to do with our maturing understanding oftheTrinity. Itwas
understanding of inspiration asitdoesabout my views on
1)ongoing Bible study; and 2)EllenWhite .... And my
EllenWhite." Ihaveconcern about what this saysabout au-
confidence in EllenWhite grows asIseeherclarity of
thority .... Ithought authority issomething that isconferred,
Scriptural understanding on this subject.. ..Shewas reading
not inspired. According to Jesusasrecorded in Matthew
~er Bible, and listening tothe Spirit.. ..Adventist theology is
28:18, NIV, "All authority in heaven and on earth hasbeen
Indeed ahuman endeavor and therefore subject to revision,
given to me." He did give His disciples authority over de-
Genuine clarification and even correction. Butgenuine Adventism
mons, but not over other human beings.... The lettertothe
doesn't do theology from the theologians orfrom the rocks
editor by Kevin Paulsonmade an impassioned argument in
Adventism orfrom human reasoning-we do itfrom the Bible; we do
favor of granting EllenWhite the sameauthority granted to
it humbly, recognizing we're frail enough to benefit from an
the Bible writers, but the Bible writers don't haveauthority
doesn't do end-time prophetic voice. Only with that foundation can it
either, becauseJesushasitall.The Bible writers were wit-
behelpful to reference the clouded "books" of nature and
nesseswho received light from heaven, andthey testified
theology Christian history.That'swhy Goldstein was right (though he
concerning that light.
could havebeen kinder) to saythat thosewho wish to do
...And just like any human witnesses,they were capable
fromthe theology from other sourcesought not to call themselves
of making some mistakes. Kevin Paulsonwould havedone
Adventists.
theologians well to review the classic statement by E.G.White in De- Dale Wolcott I Mt.Pleasant, Mich.
sire ofAges, page324, "The soul that isyielded to Christ
becomes His own fortress,which He holds in arevolted
or fromthe Conservative and Pseudo-Liberal
world, and He intends that no authority shall beknown in
itbut His own." And soneither shenor the Bible writers Ifound Timothy Standish'sdiscussion on "liberals" and
rocks or
should hold aplace of authority in my soul or your soul, "pseudo-liberals" and hismetaphor ofthe "little pond" and
for Christ intends that no authority shall beknown in itbut the "big, bad ocean" (ATSept/Oct 2003) superb. Many
fromhuman
His own. words change meaning overtime, but somedo sorapidly
Monroe Duerksen I Via the Internet and drastically .... Inpolitics, for example, "Democracy"
reasorilng-
can mean by now just about anything on the spectrum....
Prophets and Errors The meaning of "liberal" and "conservative" hasalsobeen
we do itfrom
severely distorted. The 19th-century "classical" liberal was
.You(McLarty, inATSept/Oct 2003) havefailed to recog-
strongly infavor of liberty, small government, economic
the Bible, nize the clear Biblical teaching on prophecy, i.e., asa
freedom, respectfor the individual, andgoing to war when
spokesman for Jehovah, atrue prophet isnot permitted to
unavoidable. Today's"liberal," on the contrary, wants big
speakerror (seeDeut.18:22 and 13:1-3), and will becor-
government to take careof almost everything, [and] subor-
rected should hedo so(0.Num. 12, Num. 20:10-12, and
dinates individual freedom to equality and "tolerance."
I,Chron. 17:1-4). If,indeed, EllenWhite reversedany pub-
...Inthe church context, the useof such ambiguous labels
lic statement, shedid itwhile shewas alive; and we may
leadsto vastconfusion and frequent misunderstandings.
accept herfinal teaching asauthoritative. Asyou say,even
What all of usAdventists must do isstateclearly and
aprophet may grow in understanding; but neither modern
specifically what we want to keep and change, andwhy-
"scholarship" nor "translating" haseverdisproven anything
without allowing the pseudo-intellectuals and other
EllenWhite hasprophetically proclaimed. Ifthe journalists
unbelievers inthe "big, bad ocean" (today'sorthodoxy) to
in your well-produced, albeit "progressive"-leaning, maga-
decide itfor us.Perhapssome new words areneeded to
zine will fairly consider the opinions hereand previously
expressthe various possible positions. Inthe meantime, Dr.
presented, aperspective closer to true Seventh-day Advent-
Standish'sneologism "pseudo-liberal" isanapt suggestion.
ism might one daybemore evident inAdventist Today. Hector Hammerly I Maple Ridge, B.C.,Canada
Jerry Garner I GrandJunction, Colo.
Death Before Sin?
Humility and the Five Books
Concerning the origin of our traditional view ofwhen
Ilove the conclusion of your article, "The FiveBooksof
death came into the world, you seemto suggest(ATedito-
Adventist Theology" (ATSept/Oct 2003), except for the first
rial Sept/Oct 2003) that our traditional view might not be
line ofthat lastparagraph. Why do we needto beafraid
correct. However, one source for that view isprobably
to acknowledge an infallible Bible?... Ifindeed humility
Paul.SeeRomans5:12-14 where death seemsto have
isacardinal virtue, why not accept Jesus'own assertion
entered the world through Adam's sin.
that "the Scripture cannot bebroken" (John10:35), and HowardWhite I Saniku Gakuin College, Japan
I
4!adventist today volume 12issue1
/
Goldstein and Literal 10,000 years is, in the light ofWilder-Smith's information
Reading of Genesis theory, and the issueof probability, meaningless. Ifthe
probability of asingle enzyme randomly occurring is
Ihavejust readClifford Goldstein's diatribe againstthose 1040,000 in other words, nil, then the argument about ageis
who do not accept aliteral reading of Genesis 1-2:2a. So ared herring. Ifthe earth could be shown to be
hewants Adventists like myself to leave. Bit of aquandary 8.5 billion yearsold or the universe 100 billion yearsold,
that, where does hesuggest Igo? life aswe know itwould still not exist. In principle Gen-
Itis.likethe Florentine priest who in 1614 demanded esisisright, and there isapowerful casefor creationism,
the arrestof all mathematicians and astronomers who but not asput by Goldstein and his ilk. Thetime span of
were opposing the "true" understanding of the universe as six daysor 144 hours ismore symbolic and encapsulates
taught bythe church and scripture. amicrocosm of atruth pointing to agreater reality stretch-
However, Goldstein's assumption that those who reject ing far beyond the mere text ofthe Bible.
aliteral six-day creation and a6,000-year time-span are Finally, to support that point, atCambridge University
Darwinists and macroevolutionists isuntrue. One can re- in 2002 there was aprivate meeting of the top astrono-
ject Darwinism and macroevolution, asIdo, and still not mersto discuss the problem ofthe speed of light and
hold to aliteral interpretation of Genesis 1-2:2a, or accept other issues;one of the conclusions reached was that
any imposed time span. Scientists like Behe (1990s), Sir despite the billions of light yearsof space observed we
FredHoyle and the mathematician Wickramsanghie could be living in asub-universe! The vastnessof space
(1981) usingscience and the maths of probabi Iity demol- should tell ussomething. What aGod! Living in eternity
ished Darwinism and macroevolution asuntenable, and speaking to usfrom infinity, what language can he
without making any appeals to Genesis. Hoyle's mode of useto express histime frame and his reality? Isuggestthat
creationism and argument for design isfar more danger- Genesis 1:1 alone issufficient to give support to origins,
ousto the present orthodoxy than
anything produced bythe fundamental-
istsof the Creation Science Movement
The second assumption is that the creation account in allofits
and their ilk.
The second assumption isthat the cre- parts is verbally inspired, infallible and therefore, by inference,
ation account in all of itsparts isverbally
exhaustive; this too is untrue. The Bible, while thought-inspired
inspired, infallible and therefore, by infer-
ence, exhaustive; this too isuntrue. The and progressive inunderstanding, is not inerrant, nor exhaustive.
Bible, while thought-inspired and pro-
Inthe case ofthe firstcreation story the cosmology is Babylonian
gressive in understanding, isnot inerrant,
nor exhaustive. Inthe caseof the first cre- incharacter and the progress ofcreation isvery close to other
ation story the cosmology isBabylonian
in character and the progress of creation creation stories.
isvery close to other creation stories.
The difference isthe theology and the
Hebrew understanding of God that stands in contrast to Divine sovereignty, worship, and the Sabbath, because
pagan perceptions of their deities. Itisboth aliturgical before such aBeing time ismeaningless. Itiswe who live
and theological statement containing good news, given in in time with all its limits. While embracing the great prin-
an accessible language and time frame to anonscientific ciple of creation, letthe argument over literalism cease;
people; the maths and science of it all could wait. God God istoo vastand great for such schoolmen-like ped-
begins;'where people are, and isnot afraid to allow exist- antry. Now, asan unrepentant creationist of adifferent
ing cultural models, images and metaphors, however school ofthought, Iwill look out for the postman to bring
faulty, to be used so long asHe isatthe centre. The Bible me my letter of excommunication.
isfull of such images and literary forms that have initially John Rosier I Hednesford, Staffs,England
pagan usage,the psalms, for example, and the structure of E-mail: [email protected]
the tabernacle. IfGod was to "re-encode" the same infor-
mation to ustoday the information level would be much
I more scientific and mathematically sophisticated, but not
exhaustive. One could also conclude that unlike the
Greeks, the Hebrews had no real interest inthe ageofthe
earth or the extent of the heavens, rather they were inter-
ested inthe Who ofthe heavens, and how that impacted [email protected] or
upon their existence, reason for worship, acovenant rela-
Adventist Taoday, P.O.Box 8026
tionship and ultimately salvation.
Riverside, CA 92515-8026
Thirdly, the obsession with six days and 6,000 to
volume 12issue11 adventist today 15
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Getting it Right
BOB WONDERLY
This commentary is in response to John McLarty's"from the editor"
column in the July/August 2003 issue of Adventist Today.
agree with John about getting it "Wrong One problem isthat when anyone of the
EveryTime." Iwould like to offer my constituents (components, interdependencies and
understanding of what causes usto do that interfaces) of the edifice fails, the whole structure has
and, from my perspective, how we can atendency to collapse. Then one must pick up what's
approach getting it right. From my software left and start over, or completely abandon the
engineering background Iwill contrast what enterprise. If agreat amount of energy was used in the
Iview astwo different approaches to constructing a building process, some cannot resist the temptation to
belief system, suggesting what problems are intrinsic defend the system at all cost. Others wiII abandon the
to one and what Iview asthe advantages of the other. system in its entirety rather than rebuild.
In part, the Faith and Science symposium held at There isa risk that pride-of ownership, of design,
Glacier View lastAugust dealt with the severe of creation and of construction cost-wi IIcause usto
cognitive dissonance between classical Seventh-day believe we have the ultimate system, "the whole
Adventist theology and information from science. It truth." Then we succumb to the temptation to defend
seemsto me that the root cause of this dissonance is our handiwork no matter what, and especially when it
our unrealistic notion of inspiration, which motivates isthreatened by someone pointing to compelling
usto build atheological edifice from what Iwill call a evidence from science and/or history that some
"bottom up" rather than a"top down" perspective. constituent hasaserious weakness and isprobably
While both of these approaches can be used theologically unnecessary anyway. The idea that
successfully in designing computer software, Iam perhaps we did "get it wrong" is, we then think,
suggesting here that only the latter gives superior untenable. Sowe react to protect what we have
results when designing a belief system. worked so hard to create. While such reaction is
understandable, it usually suffers from having
The risks of building from the bottom up unintended consequences and undesirable side
Inthe bottom-up approach, one starts with a Iist of effects.
doctrines. In our case, these include ayoung earth, a
Building from the top down with 3 big questions
six-day creation, young life, the fall and subsequent
expulsion from the garden, aglobal flood, no death My suggestion for getting it right isto construct the
before the fall, the cross, salvation, inspiration to only belief systemfrom the "top down" instead of from the
achosen few, and arecent prophetess. Think of these, bottom up.Then it can't collapse. My way of starting is
along with those required to complete
the Iist, assubsystem components. The
There is a risk that pride-of ownership, ofdesign, of
engineering process for designing a
theology using this approach involves creation, and ofconstruction cost-will cause us to
choosing which components will be
believe we have the ultimate system, "the whole
used, how they will be interconnected
and interfaced, and what will be their truth."Then we succumb to the temptation to defend
interdependencies.
our handiwork no matter what, and especially when
Before one startssuch an enterprise,
there must be apurpose which the itisthreatened.
resulting theological edifice issupposed
to accomplish. Presumably one important
objective isto achieve abetter understanding of God. the sameasDescartes': "I think, therefore Iam." Iexist
While the bottom-up approach sometimes does result and reality exists. Ispeak now in the first person telling
in what we view asabetter appreciation and how Iproceed from there. Iseethree big questions, the
description of God than we had before, there are answers to which, for me, setthe tone for all that
several major risks inherent in using it. follows.
61
adventist today Ivolume 12issue1
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Does God exist? How Ianswer this First Question Iview attempts to determine precisely when, where,
has no bearing upon whether or not God really exists what, how, or why, God created asfutile. These
(the word "really" in this case is meaningless anyway). questions and their answers have meaning only with
But my answer hasenormous meaning for how and respect to the Creator. Forcreated beings, it must
why Ichoose to really live my life,
"really" now being pregnant with
meaning. Imust make this decision in
/my God worthy ofThe Name transcends scientific
the complete absence of compelling
scientific or historic evidence. If there methods ofanalysis, investigation, and proof./my
were such hard evidence, Iwould not
god whose existence could be proved using the
be free to make this most important of
all decisions asIchoose.
rules ofmathematical logic or the investigative
Any God worthy of The Name
transcends scientific methods of principles ofphysics would be totallyinadequate to
analysis, investigation and proof. Any
receive my respect, love,admiration and worship.
god whose existence could be proved
using the rules of mathematical logic
or the investigative principles of
physics would be totally inadequate to receive suffice to ponder, appreciate, and creatively describe
my respect, love, admiration and worship. Worse and explai n, the observable consequences of God's
than that, Iwould always be subject to those who having created.
worked out the proof, the demonstration, obliged
to learn about and approach God through them, Discovering Godin the light
contradictory to the message of Jesuswhose mission It seemsto me that to look for God in those aspects
was to democratize knowledge about, and access of Creation for which we lack satisfactory explanation
to, God. isto make a major mistake. Better that we find the
Ihave personally answered my First Question in the character and attributes of God in the parts of the
affirmative. Forme the idea that God exists computes. created world we think we know and understand the
It ismy fundamental postulate, mybasic assumption. most, those for which we have the best ?bservations
Toargue that there can be nothing other than that for and the most complete explanations and descriptions.
which we can obtain hard evidence isarrogance. Better that we discover God in light rather than look
Toclaim possession of detailed knowledge of that for him in shadow.
"Other" isequally arrogant. The act of Creating always imbues created beings
My Second Question follows immediately: Isthis with significant properties that are inherently and
God relevant to me asa human? Are God's existence inevitably shared by Creator with the created. For
and mine connected in some important way? Ibelieve humans we refer to these asthe "Image of God in
that Iexist because God created. This second Man," identified here asfreedom, love, creativity, a
postulate establishes avery important relationship senseof beauty, curiosity and intell igence, and even.a
between God and me. God isCreator and Iam senseof humor.
created. God is God and Iam human. Being human is It seems to me that beginning at the top, deciding
my most basic permanent operati ng characteristic. first what I believe about God and the relationship
With these two most important fundamental between God and humans asdescribed earlier, then
assumptions established, Ican now look all around working down-suspending the less important and
me and seeext~nsive evidenc'e'Dhhe consequences of more detailed beliefs from that framework-gives
God's creative act(s). And whether that is plural or me two big advantages. The first isthat nothing I
singular is not only irrelevant but also undecidable. learn from either science or history can jeopardize
The important thing to note isthat the evidence my starting point. The second isthat it is much easier
follows, rather than leads, my choice of fundamental to repair, replace, rearrange, and re-suspend the
postulates. details when the need arises. My "top-down"
My Third Question is: Does God intend for me to framework can not collapse catastrophically because
be free? Free,asin sofree that Ican surprise God, it depends on nothing below. For me that is "getting
that Ican d~ some thing, create some thing, some it right." •
idea, that God has neither thought of nor done? Forit
to be otherwise would mean that Iam a mere Bob Wonderly isa retired software engineer and
computer doomed to follow a prearranged and database and computing consultant. He holds an
previously imposed program over which I have neither M.A. in mathematics from the University of North
say nor control. Carolina.
volume 12issue1[adventist today 17
/
Report on Monterey Bay Academy
ADVENTIST TODAY EDITORS
njan. 11, newspapers in central California and California Conference and former MBA staff members
Internet Web sitescarried stories about acivil have been sued civilly for alleged misconduct that
lawsuit filed against Monterey BayAcademy, near occurred more than 18yearsago.The staff members have
Watsonville, Calif., stemming from alleged not worked atMBA for some time. Attorneys have been
molestations involving two academy teachers, retained to defend MBA, the conference and the
Ronald E.Wittlake and Lowell E.Nelson, and five individuals named in the complaint. Itmust be
former students, said to have occurred some 20 yearsago. remembered that atthis time these are merely allegations,
Although the trial hasnot been held yet,Wittlake, a which haveyet to be proved."
former music teacher atMBA, committed suicide on Inthe january letter to the same parents, Keresoma
jan. 15, four days after the story appeared asfront-page declared that "four additional civil complaints have been
news in local papers. filed" against the sameentities. This letter ended with the
That the plaintiffs should take solong to presscharges is words, "Be assured, the well-being and safety of your
attributed by their attorney, joseph Scully, to their efforts child isour highest priority. We will keep you updated as
to suppress the memory of their painful experience. needed." Thejoint letter concluded with mention of the
Becauseof the delay, criminal charges were not allowed suicide ofWittlake and said the writers' thoughts and
by the court, only civil. prayers were for the surviving family.
The facts of the casewill be spelled out in detail when The letter isnoncommital, ascan beexpected under the
the casecomes to trial, although the trial hasbeen put off circumstances. Students, faculty and alumni ofthe school
indefinitely atthe request of the defendants' lawyer, Philip areanxious to seethat the school's good name isnot
Hiroshima. Alumni of the school who attended during the besmirched by idle accusations. Whatever the outcome of
years 1981 to 1989, during the tenure ofWitt lake, when the trial, the caseshould be areminder to church-run
many of the troubles were said to have occurred, have secondary schools that rumors on campus need to be
listened to by deans and administrators. Students and
faculty alike should have accessto some kind of
Itisnot enough totry toprotect the good name ofthe
counselor who isindependent ofthe school's paid staff
church or one ofitsschools atthe expense ofyoung people. and who can hear out complaints. Social work
professionals point out that all persons working inthe
IftheAdventistacademy isto serve as ahaven ofrefuge for
proximity of young people-teachers, pastors, social
the church's youngest members during their stressful workers, deans, counselors and others-are mandated by
law to report any rumors they hearto aChild Protective
adolescent years, itmust look beyond the academics and Services office. One such professional told me shethought
that, starting with the local conference secretary of
ensure the moral and ethical quality oftheir environment.
education, all teachers in the primary and secondary
gradesshould be given specific instruction on what to do
mixed recollections of the period. Some saythey heard when they hear rumors of children who arebeing
absolutely nothing untoward about the accused teachers; physically or sexually abused.They should bealert for
others saythey heard rumors. Principals ofthe school symptoms of such abuse, such asthe "acting out"
during those years included Harvey Voth, Ernie Unruh behavior of some students. And if ateacher isfired
and Keith Wheeler. TedWinn took over after the brief because of such misconduct, the school should look
tenure of histwo predecessors and continued for five further into the needsof students who were victims. Itis
years.Wittlake was dismissed from the school in 1989. not enough to try to protect the good name of the church
The plaintiff's lawyer, joseph Scully, askshow word of or one of itsschools atthe expense of young people. If
such mischief could not be known throughout a the Adventist academy isto serveasahaven of refuge for
dormitory, even awhole school. Hethinks there isan the church's youngest members during their stressful
attempted coverup here. adolescent years, it must look beyond the academics and
A letter regarding the situation was sentto alumni and ensure the moral and ethical quality of their environment.
friends of the school and signed jointly byjerry Page, Asjesus once pointed out, "The time iscoming when
president of the Central California Conference of Seventh- everything will be revealed; all that issecretwill be made
dayAdventists and chair of the academy board, and Bill public. Whatever you havesaid in the dark will be heard
Keresoma, present principal ofthe academy. Itreferred to in the light, and what you havewhispered behind closed
two previous letters sentto parents, in September of 2003 doors will beshouted from the housetops for all to hear!"
and january of 2004. The first read, "I do need to tell you (Luke 12:2, 3.) Ifever truth and justice are suppressed in
some sadnews. Monterey BayAcademy, Central the name of loyalty, the cause of God issureto suffer.•
81 adventist today 1volume 12issue1
/
JAMES STIRLING
leven years ago, in itsvery first issue,Adventist opposite end, Hall found another Davidian
Today covered the story of David Koresh's congregation. There were six people who disavowed
dramatic 51-day standoff with Federal agents Koresh asaprophet and followed instead the teachings
at Mt. Carmel, near Waco, Texas.The siege of Ben and Lois Roden, themselves also self-proclaimed
that had gripped TV audiences for weeks prophets, now deceased. The Rodens had preceded
ended with aRambo-style raid including the Koresh on the property, but he had displaced them.
exchange of gunfire and spectacular flames Charlie Pace,the current leader of this group, with his
and resulting in the death of Koreshand 73 of his wife and three children and three grown women still
followers. His Branch Davidian "compound" was turned claim the rightful title to the property. Others aswell
to asheson that day,June 19, 1993. Fortunately, nearly have disputed Doyle's claim, but after alengthy trial the
60 had left the compound before the fire. The Federal court hasdecided simply that the property belongs to
agents had acted on abelief that Koresh held
unregistered firearms and was molesting children by The question stilllingers inthe minds ofmany church
marrying them. The details of the event are still fuzzy;
members today-could such athinghappen again?
witnesses in later trials could not agree on just what
happened. Robert McCurry wrote later that "part of
America's heart and soul died" in the tragic event. "the church." Sonow these small groups, all Sabbath
What hashappened to the remaining Branch keepers, remain and try to focus on the future calamities
Davidians since Koresh died? An enterprising reporter they all are sure will come.
from the TexasMonthly magazine, Michael Hall, paid a Early on in the first wave of publicity in 1993 the
visit to Mount Carmel in the spring of 2003 to find out Seventh-day Adventist Church took pains to distance
who might still be there. Near the gate of the property he itself from the Davidian heresy, for these "prophets" and
found ~small new chapel tended by Clive Doyle, 62, a most of their followers had earlier in their lives been
preacher who lives in asmall double-wide mobile home Adventists. Hall's only reference to the church asa
next to the church. Doyle had survived the fire, though journalist was to say,"Adventists, who follow certain
his hands were badly burned. He serves acongregation Jewish traditions and rituals (such asaSaturday
of four other Davidian survivors; he estimates that there Sabbath), predict Christ's imminent return to cleanse a
are only adozen or so Davidians left inTexas, and wicked world." He didn't have it exactly right, but the
"maybe ahundred in the world." He holds his services, question still lingers in the minds of many church
or "studies," on Saturdays, sitting in achair and discuss- members today-could such athing happen again?
ing Bible themes with members and visitors. He still There isatradition of "proof-texting" in our past, the
believes in Koresh's teachings, especially those related to tendency some have to scout the Scriptures for passages
the seven sealsof Revelation, for which hethought that seem to support their pet theories; Perhaps now, as
Koresh had the essential key.And he and his flock look we grieve for the many who were once part of our
for David Koresh's resurrection and return. community but died in the tragedy, we can take note of
Elsewhere on the 77 windswept, desolate acres of the the sadending that can come from misplaced religious
Branch Davidian property, in arenovated barn atthe fervor.•
volume 12 issue 11adventist today! 9
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Did the three a~ge~sof Revelation 14 haveastifftailwind Vandeman, the cerebral rumble of an H.M.S. Richards,or
asthey shouted~th~rapocalyptic warnings from the skies? the austerereclusiveness of aWilliam Fagal.
The Bible doesn't spell out the weather report, but itdoes The Sheltons presentthemselves, instead, asasimple,
saytheangelsshowed up infull voice-energetic, hardly God-fearing family, dedicated to proclaiming Adventist
out of breath-when they delivered their messages. Christianity around the world, 24 hours aday.And many
The samecan't quite besaidthis yearfor their high-flying who know the Sheltons personally saythat what you see
Illinois namesake, satellite television network ThreeAngels on television iswhat you get in person-authenticity,
Broadcasting Network (3ABN). ----------- plainspokenness, dedication.
Forthe firsttime in itsnearly two-decade history, But3ABN's growth from amom-and-pop media outlet
donations to the independent Adventist programming and in North Frankfort, 111., to amultimillion-dollar corporation
broadcasting ministry slipped lastyear,as3ABN continues isnot happening without growing pains.
itsquestto reach every nation, kindred, tongue and people What once was seenasDanny Shelton's precocious,
on earth. And according to 3ABN president Danny Shelton, hands-on style isnow interpreted bycritics asheavy-
the reasonsfor the decline areby no means understood at handed control of 3ABN's small, compliant board. And the
headquarters. Sheltons' useofthe executive jets reinforces aview that
Some3ABN supporters, however, believe that the answer successhastainted the self-sacrificing spirit of 3ABN's first
may bewritten prominently on the inside fuselage walls of couple.
two executive jet aircraft (one now for sale,one leased)that Always aman who takespride in keeping intouch with
3ABN's founders havebeen usingfor more than ayearfor hissupporters, Shelton knows he'snot pleasing everyone
corporate travel. thesedays-he admitted asmuch in alengthy Dec. 29
telephone interview with Adventist Today. Buthestill
History believes hehasbeen faithful to the vision God hasgiven
3ABN's around-the-clock five-satellite ministry hasgrown him andthat 3ABN isoperating in an impressively thrifty,
from itsstartinthe mid-1980s to aministry receiving efficient way.
annual donations of about $15 mill ion ayear.Ledbythe "We had anAssociated Pressreporter herethis month,
country-voiced, sweet-singing Shelton and hisdemure, soft- and you could tell shewasvery skeptical about 3ABN. She
spoken wife, Linda, 3ABN's story makes inspiring reading. stayedhereseveraldays,andwe gaveheraccessto
Danny Shelton, who points to hishigh school diploma as everything, opened our books to her,gaveherthe
the epitome of hisformal education, isaposter boy for information shewanted. Bythe end, herattitude had
sanctified ambition. Some3ABN supporters speakof him as turned around completely, and we believe herstorywill be
"inspired" and almost messianic, and until lastyear,3ABN's very positive."
rateof ascentwas measured in increments ofangelic warp Thestory of 3ABN isapositive one of outstanding
speed. growth-an old, old storythe Sheltonstell often and well.
TheSheltons haveestablished anew style inAdventist Shelton, abuilder and carpenter, sawthe needto create
media, stripped ofthe aristocratic cool of aGeorge atelevision network to spreadthe end-time gospel. By
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