January 2, 2020

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What Do We Believe? | The Church I Want to Belong To . . . | More About Jesus | . . .

Various

What Do We Believe?

As an 86-year-old pastor, I was shocked and horrified when I read the results of a recent survey in our church, “Apparent Skepticism About the Imminence of the Second Advent” (October 2019). The statistics state that only 79 percent of us believe in the Second Advent, and 66 percent believe in end-time prophecies. Half of us don’t expect Christ to return in our lifetime.

If we are lukewarm as the chief proponents of the Second Coming, it is obvious why Jesus continues to delay His return. Most of the world is doomed to be lost without ever being warned. It would be wise and most expedient to urge every pastor and every alert member to revive and proclaim within our own ranks our most fundamental doctrine—the soon coming of Jesus Christ. Noah was not believed, neither was Lot, but sudden destruction surely came.

Habakkuk’s words still ring true: “Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay” (Hab. 2:3).

Edward L. Richardson
Turnersville, New Jersey

The Church I Want to Belong To . . .

I found the article “The Church I Want to Belong to Is . . . Terrible” (August 2019) very interesting. I also find some of its actions very concerning.

Why are we having noncompliance discussions, when in Joel 2 and Acts 2 the Bible says: “I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. . . . Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days”?

The Andrews Study Bible comment on this passage is: “God promises to pour out His Spirit in abundant supply, not limiting the gift by gender, age, or status.” How acceptable are our prayers to God asking Him to pour out His Spirit on the select that we have chosen? Will His answer in Isaiah 1:15 not apply? “Even when you offer many prayers, I am not listening.”

Gerhard Unger

More About Jesus

The December 2019 Adventist Review was a welcome visitor to our home. Its emphasis on Jesus, and using our talents and abilities in His service, was outstanding. I hope others were as inspired in reading it as I was. We sometimes forget that our responsibility as Christians is to reflect Christ, not simply to defend our doctrines and lifestyles.

J. J. Aragon
Chicago, Illinois

A Parent’s Love

I am writing regarding Andy Nash’s article “A Parent’s Love” (July 2019). I would absolutely love it if his words were true. Sadly, they are not. He wrote, “We cannot stop loving our children; we are incapable of it.”

As a foster mom for decades, I know all too well how untrue this statement is. Children are abandoned, abused, and killed by their parents. It is becoming an epidemic in our times. Isaiah wrote, “This is what the Lord says: . . . Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isa. 49:8-15).

There is an epidemic of mothers who have no compassion on their children. Thank God, the statement Nash made next is very true, minus the word “also.” “God also cannot stop loving His children. He also is incapable of it.” Yet comparing God’s love as equal to that of human parents does immeasurable damage to those who cannot compare to the love God has for us.

If we are honest, even our own parents—great as they are/were—are flawed. We must separate our idea of God’s parental love from how parents are today. Human parental love cannot compare. It is certainly unequal to God’s love, for His love is so far beyond anything we can otherwise know or think.

I’m glad Andy Nash had a great childhood, shown by his statement of belief that parents are incapable of not loving their children. Sadly, that is not the case for all God’s precious children.

Dolores Moore

Comments from AdventistReview.org

Constitutional Court in Russia Confirms Right to Worship in Private Homes

This appears to be straightforward, a welcome enhancement to religious freedom in Russia, and a recognition by the Russian state that God has endowed each of its citizens with an inherent and individual religious freedom to find God and worship in his or her home.

Does this include Jehovah’s Witnesses? We Adventists can scarcely claim victory if it does not.

Milton Hare
via web

Iconic Adventist Church Celebrates 125 years, Apologizes to People of Color

This is a great step in healing the wounds and division among all who strive to be united in Christ.

My Millennial children know stories of the like that happened to their grandparents, and now I can add to their memories this wonderful gesture. I grew up accepting these slights, but our children, though spiritual, are not as accepting.

My prayer, a mother’s prayer, is that they will always remain in our dear church.

Charlene Berry
via web

Constitutional Court in Russia Confirms Right to Worship in Private Homes

This appears to be straightforward, a welcome enhancement to religious freedom in Russia, and a recognition by the Russian state that God has endowed each of its citizens with an inherent and individual religious freedom to find God and worship in his or her home.

Does this include Jehovah’s Witnesses? We Adventists can scarcely claim victory if it does not.

Milton Hare
via web

Iconic Adventist Church Celebrates 125 years, Apologizes to People of Color

This is a great step in healing the wounds and division among all who strive to be united in Christ.

My Millennial children know stories of the like that happened to their grandparents, and now I can add to their memories this wonderful gesture. I grew up accepting these slights, but our children, though spiritual, are not as accepting.

My prayer, a mother’s prayer, is that they will always remain in our dear church.

Charlene Berry
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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