August 3, 2018

Inbox

Blessings in the Pages | “The Marriage Is the Thing You Want” | Important Issues to Work . . .

Various

Blessings in the Pages

Thank you for the blessings you share in these pages. We are excited about the Finley writings. We have always enjoyed his work and learn much from it.

We especially appreciated the feature “Even if I Don’t See It With My Own Eyes,” by Dixil Rodriguez (June 2018). It was the first time that we had seen an audio file in her feature. Listening to the experience continues to inspire our family to participate in mission more. We are fans of her column. Her stories truly touch the heart.

We appreciate all of you—every writer, editor, staff member. Thank you for your hard work! We pray for you continually . Your work is touching the world at a time of need.

Henderson Family
Nebraska

“The Marriage Is the Thing You Want”

I found the above article (May 2018) to be a breath of fresh air. In today’s culture that seems fixated on romance (so-called) and outrageous materialism, it’s nice to be reminded that marriage is about relationships, those that last longer than the glitz and glamour of many of today’s weddings. Spiritual values of modesty, economy, and family are always in vogue.

Elsa Jackson
Hoboken, New Jersey

Important Issues to Work Through

The April 2018 issue of Adventist Review was very compelling; I couldn’t put it down. I appreciated the articles on the leadership summit, Del Delker, Billy Graham, and especially enjoyed Gordon Bietz’s extremely well-written “Sunday Is Coming,” as well as the reprint from Selected Messages titled “Our Risen Redeemer.”

However, I have to admit I was disturbed by the May 2018 report “Survey Results Presented to Unity Oversight Committee.

That said, the elephant in the room hasn’t been addressed: Who decides which issues actually make it to the General Conference in session? As a pastor for nearly 30 years, I can tell that parishioners feel strongly about a number of issues. What if a group of vegetarians decided to mandate that the entire church be vegetarian, regardless of food availability or other factors? Or what if conservatives in the United States joined hands with their brothers and sisters in the Middle East to lobby for a mandated dress code requiring women to wear long dresses? My guess is that there would be strong support for either issue brought to a vote at the General Conference session, depending on the session’s cultural composition.

Is there not strong biblical support for a vegetarian diet? And for modest attire? Do these issues warrant blanket rulings from the General Conference on par with our foundational doctrines? While we certainly are not a congregational church, many issues need to be decided on a regional or even individual level. Does every issue need a judicial ruling from the General Conference? Rulings that may actually incite insubordination and needless division?

I am grateful for the godly example of my own conference leaders who prayerfully and humbly have made decisions regarding music, dietary issues, and pastoral leadership, considering the needs and culture of the region or the church.

Marlan Knittel
via e-mail

In a Few Words . . .

Choose Your Farfetchedness

Again, Clifford Goldstein’s article hits the nail on the head of the Genesis account of a superior race existing before the flood. Antediluvians enjoyed a world, a time of great advancements, the Fall notwithstanding. Let’s think about the fact that there was a fecundity in Eden, not seen since sin entered. So it is with animals such as dinosaurs, which became extinct after the flood. Ellen White, through inspiration, was able to explain why.

Milton Tomlinson, Via Web

Study Finds Connection Between Attention Deficit Disorder and Video Game Addiction

To any worried parents: if you think your kid is addicted to video games just because they are playing a lot, they don’t have a video game addiction. You’ll be able to tell when your kid is afflicted when they are failing in school, staying up extremely late to play every day, and refusing to do anything but play games. Of course video games can be played unhealthfully, but that doesn’t mean the individual is addicted. If your children are playing unhealthfully, talk to them about it, don’t accuse them of being addicted unless they show the symptoms. Too many media outlets have attacked video games for many violent behavioral changes. And while sometimes they are true, they are often exaggerated.
Mitchell Partner, Via Web

Your Turn

We welcome your letters, noting, as always, that inclusion of a letter in this section does not imply that the ideas expressed are endorsed by either the editors of the Adventist Review or the General Conference. Short, specific, timely letters have the best chance at being published (please include your complete address and phone number—even with e-mail messages). Letters will be edited for space and clarity only. Send correspondence to Letters to the Editor, Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; Internet: [email protected].

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