I am increasingly aware that behind so many of the debates that happen on this blog (and most others) and behind most of the theological and administrative hand-wringing that is, I guess, an irreducible part of Adventist life, is fear. Fear of the other, fear of a loss of identity, fear of a loss of “ground” that has been gained over many years through difficult debates.

I recently had another Adventist forward me another video of some Muslim leader talking about terrorism.

The text (I won't call it prose) accompanying the clip clearly aimed to alert viewers to DANGER, vis-a-vis recent American efforts to eschew belligerent rhetoric for more understanding. What often gets lost in the mix is that understanding functions not just as a carrot, but helps in effectively wielding sticks.