Reviewing the Review: Adventist World
22 July 2008
Reviewing the Review: Adventist World
July, 2008
Vol. 4, No. 1
GENERAL COMMENTS
Adventist World has a gorgeous website. Navigation is instantaneous; the contents page is even easier to read than the hard copy; and typeface, layout, and graphics are computer friendly.
Consequently, since Adventist World, the Magazine, is sent to most of you without charge, and can be read without subscription online, I’ve decided, at least for the next few issues, to award only Bouquets and Black Eyes. (Bouquets for well-written, uplifting pieces of unusual interest; black eyes for reasons explicit with each award.)
BOUQUETS
This issue is full of mission stories that make me proud to be an Adventist. Don’t miss Adventist Missionaries—Do They Still Go? By Laurie Falvo; God's Spirit at Work in Africa By Jean Thomas; Making Friends and Influencing People by Marti Schneider; and Praying for Your Pastor by Matupit Darius, director of communication for Papua New Guinea.
A Daniel in Moscow by Andrew McChesney
This is a fascinating read. David, the Adventist “Daniel” of the piece, started out as a part-time English teacher and has become a financial advisor and religious teacher to Russian billionaires.
Freedom to Care by Jan Paulsen
Editor’s note: This piece is so beautifully written, thoughtfully argued, and carefully crafted, that I couldn’t just introduce it a MUST READ. Here is a concluding paragraph.
“I see a certain circle in this. Seventh-day Adventists have always preached a spiritual message of freedom—freedom from the power of sin, freedom from fear, freedom of conscience and religious expression. Even our work of healing, educating, and providing humanitarian care is driven by a desire to free people from poverty, ignorance, pain, and injustice. And so that same concern for freedom takes us into care for the world in which we live. Being mindful of what I drink, eat, wear, use, how I travel and spend my time—these all yield certain consequences for the environment and, in turn, for each one of God’s children and His created beings. It’s not about living a somber, colorless existence. On the contrary, pulling free from relentless consumerism, focusing more on people and less on acquisitions, building a life that is focused on Christ’s priorities, not the world’s priorities—these are choices that deliver a wonderful sense of freedom, an indescribable feeling of liberation! And these are choices that yield a quality of life that is second to none.”
Is Fish Safe to Eat? by Allan R. Handysides and Peter N. Landless
Editor’s note: This quote alone makes the article a MUST READ.
“Our basis for vegetarianism is the quest for optimal health.”
BLACK EYES
The Greatest Miracle by David Marshall
The following quote is from this otherwise excellent essay, referring to the woman caught in adultery: “’Neither do I condemn you. Go …’ To say those words Jesus had to go to Calvary to buy her pardon.”
Editor’s note: The idea that it is necessary for Jesus to “buy” salvation for this woman and others is ridiculous on at least two counts: first, the author is a Trinitarian, i.e. Jesus is God. Second, the statement makes God into a shopkeeper.
It’s as if Marshall had never thoughtfully considered Jesus’ words: "Though I have been speaking figuratively, a time is coming when I will no longer use this kind of language but will tell you plainly about my Father. In that day you will ask in my name. I am NOT saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf. No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” John 16: 25-27
The End of Sin and Sinners by Angel Manuel Rodríguez
The final paragraphs of Rodriguez’ answer to the following question confuses rather than elucidates.
I hear different opinions concerning the final destruction of the wicked. Is it true that God will not destroy them, but that they will self-destruct?
“ It was necessary for Jesus to die as the Sin-bearer. He accepted the righteous and just will of the Father for Him. On the cross, He suffered up to the moment He voluntarily gave up His life to the Father. Since His death was part of the saving plan, He endured suffering for a particular period of time and at the appropriate moment gave up His life while shouting, “It is finished!”
In the case of the wicked, their destruction is preceded by their own recognition that they deserve to die. They will bow down and proclaim that indeed Christ is Lord (Phil. 2:10, 11). Yet, the wicked will struggle to voluntarily give up their lives to the Creator. Let me suggest that the intensity of their suffering may be directly related to their unwillingness to give up their lives, which is in turn related to their selfishness. That attitude may lengthen their suffering and allow each one to experience judgment according to their works.
Did that help? (Oops, I ended with a question!).
Editor’s note: Angel argues as an Arian not a Trinitarian. He goes on to suggest that Christ experienced a unique “second death”, the final death that awaits all unrepentant sinners.
Rodriquez speculates that at the second death, “the wicked will struggle to voluntarily give up their lives to the Creator”. He suggests “that the intensity of their suffering may be directly related to their unwillingness to give up their lives, which is in turn related to their selfishness. That attitude may lengthen their suffering and allow each one to experience judgment according to their works”.
Consequently, Jesus had to be tortured (since He was dying the “second death”) “for a particular period of time” before “the appropriate moment” when he could choose to die. His suffering couldn’t stop until He “voluntarily” gave up his life and “God’s justice” was “vindicated”.
If God’s universal “law” required that Jesus be tortured and killed along with every other created being who somehow violated that law, Heaven was the place to take care of this whole miserable sin business. Why get humans involved? God could have tortured and killed Jesus (or Himself in some mysterious way), and then got rid of Lucifer and the bad angels who would have ended up mutilating themselves before they finally died.
Angel, your tortured logic and byzantine reasoning didn’t help! And how could anyone “love” the God you portray in this essay?
Celebrating the Sabbath by Mark A. Finley
“Although it is possible to receive God’s blessing any day we worship, we can receive His Sabbath blessing only if we worship on His Sabbath.”
Editor’s note: “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord.” Romans 14:5,6
Andy Hanson is Professor of Education at California State University, Chico and blogs at Adventist Perspective.
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Comments
Keen commentary and perceptive, helpful insights. Thanks Andy!
I especially appreciated Paulsen's "Freedom to Care" article. It has been noted here (Spectrum) already, but it deserves the additional mention. That article marks a watershed in Adventist history - the first clearly articulated statement (that I am aware of) from a General Conference President on environmental stewardship. Three cheers for the prez!
Reviewing the Reviewing the Review: Adventist World
1. I agree that the "Adventist World" site is nicely put together.
2. Andy, it would be helpful (and grammatically correct) to put the article titles within quotation marks. It's at times confusing to read.
3. The "Daniel" article wasn't worth a bouquet. It's another one of those stories that show the fascination that Adventists have with being close to the rich, famous and powerful, while being a "witness" to them. Would the story have the same publishable merit if it was about teaching English to his middle-class neighbor's teenage children? I doubt it.
4. You're too harsh on both of the "black eyes."
First, the article by Marshall. Paul talks about us being "bought at a price" and the way Jesus talks about him giving his life as a ransom. Both Paul and Jesus would receive black eyes from Andy since Paul would also make God a shopkeeper and Jesus would make God either a terrorist or a helpless parent whose children are held hostage by Satan. We knowingly use imprecise language to communicate a grand mystery of salvation and atonement - often re-employing the same problematic metaphors and analogies found in Scripture itself. I think Marshall was simply using the commonly-employed phraseology from the song "Because He Lives" - "to buy my pardon" - to communicate Christ's forgiveness. Picky, picky, picky - just to be picky, Andy.
5. And that problematic article by Rodriguez. Andy, you seem to have some kind of a Trinitarian hangup over the way people talk about the relationship between Jesus and the Father. The reality is that the Bible is full of it. There have never been full-fledged, consistent Trinitarians--ever. Everyone is a heretic in some way when it comes to what is emphasized. So, I think we should relax a little when pointing out the deficiencies of others' (not-so-)Trinitarian expressions. 'Cause, you know why? Christ has bought our pardon, and that's what counts! :)
Other than that, I resonate with the discomfort you feel about this article. But I don't think Rodriguez meant all that you put in his mouth. For one who seems to be enamored with grace, Andy, you aren't so generous with it when it comes to certain theological perspectives on the atonement.
6. I also agree with what I think is your assessment with Finley's article. But that's a real cheap use of Romans 14:5, 6, I think. But, hey, using Scripture to attack and rebut is the traditional Adventist way, isn't it? (Now, that was a good example of a cheap shot, wasn't it?)
7. One grammatical note: You should place the periods and commas inside the quotation marks, Andy. You're inconsistent in that.
1. Thanks for taking the time to comment! Your words and the time you invested are deeply appreciated.
2. I’m still experimenting. I used quotation marks around titles for a long time, but that became confusing when working with quotations. Thanks for getting me to rethink the way I currently do things.
3. I guess we just have to disagree on the “Daniel” article. I try not to discriminate against millionaires or even rich Republicans.
4. Just because an author uses “commonly-employed phraseology” and “problematic metaphors and analogies” isn’t an excuse to continue using clichés that are bad theology. In addition, they further the idea that God required Jesus’ to be tortured and murdered to “buy my pardon”. Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”
You may be able to “relax a little” with this language, but I can’t. Those words are a careless denigration of God’s reputation (a la Maxwell) and my ability to witness as a Christian is made more difficult.
5. The fact that Rodriguez is a respected theologian with a regular column in the Review is just amazing. And by the way, “grace” means “discernment”, not “forgiveness”. The Trinity is, was, and always will be “forgiveness personified”. As I see it, my task as a reviewer and a follower of Christ is to promote “grace”.
6. Paul’s position regarding Sabbath observance is clear.
7. The grammatical note: The “style sheet” I attempt of follow requires that quotes not separated from the sentence in which they occur by a comma, require a end quote inside the final punctuation. If the quote is separated from the sentence in which it occurs by a comma, the end quote follows the end punctuation. Paragraphs quoted in series begin with a quotation mark, but only the final paragraph receives a final quotation mark.
Now, sometimes I just forget to supply a quote when I’m revising, sometimes I’m careless, and as a former English teacher, I am greatly disappointed. This happens most frequently when my wife doesn’t have time to edit my work. I can go back and make corrections after I post on my blog . And if I correct before Alex posts the review on the Spectrum blog, all is well. If not I just have to live with the shame.
You didn't respond to the usage of the term "ransom" by Jesus and "bought" by Paul. I think the phraseologies by Jesus and Paul are more problematic and egregious than Marshall's. What do you think?
I don't think we need to worry so much about God's reputation. I think Maxwell's vain attempt at guarding it only sullies that reputation. The obsession with the reputation or the picture or the image of God may seem like an upgrade on the ransom, satisfaction, or substitution, but it's just another simultaneously helpful and deeply flawed metaphor. It speaks more about human preoccupation with honor, shame, and reputation (on the part of certain educated folks) than about God.
Would you clearly describe Paul's position on the Sabbath? It may be clear to you, but seems to me that you're reading into Paul. Please help me understand your reading.
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