June 2, 2022

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Guns or Roses? | My Favorite Edition | The Christian’s Call to Civil Disobedience | God Speaks Through Introverts Too

Various

Guns or Roses?

In the pro and con articles about owning a gun, I thought Frank Hasel’s con article was much stronger. The pro article by Joseph Olstad ignores the fact that guns in homes are often misused. I recall a story a few years back about an older Adventist pastor whose granddaughter was staying with him. Very late one night he awoke to hear someone quietly entering the back porch door, took his gun, and shot (and killed) the intruder, who turned out to be his granddaughter coming home late. Just this morning I read a headline: “Toddler Finds Gun, Shoots Brother.” And with depression so prevalent around the world these days, there is the danger of someone with suicidal thoughts who has access to a gun using it at a low moment. I also thought Olstad’s “theology of protection” was a little strained when applied to gun ownership. I also appreciated Shawn Brace’s article, “We Know in Part,” about how Christian maturity is shown when we realize how limited our knowledge is and how foolish it is to think we already know everything! 

Carrol Grady 

Snohomish, Washington 


I read with interest “Guns or Roses?” April 2022; both points of view can be accepted. As for me, I tend to disagree with relying on the Christian men in blue to have to use a gun to protect me from the violence of those who would harm us, for in the process, couldn’t they lose their lives? They also should love their enemies. I have three Christian friends who are police officers, and they are now choosing to leave the state they live in for fear of being injured through defunding. I have heard their stories. I would imagine they too would model this love, the love of Jesus to not hurt or kill another human, with the courage to learn from Him to be the agents of peace. 

Robert Rouillard 

Lakewood, Washington 


My Favorite Edition

What a wonderful Adventist Review (April 2022)! I was moved to tears, joy, and deep thought. Over the years of being a subscriber, this edition will be my favorite! I was so moved by the article “Finding Disruption, Finding Church.” It reminded me of when I was a teenager who attended my parents’ Seventh-day Christian church. It was a God-fearing church with loving members, good sermons, etc. While I enjoyed it, I left church each Sabbath feeling that I was not growing spiritually. I don’t know why, because, as I said, it was a lovely Christian environment. I was so disturbed by this feeling that I left the church at 19 years old and went to a less-liberal church. The Seventh-day Adventist Church concerned me, but God said “just come . . . .” This is what God wanted me to do. That was 65 years ago. I grew one step at a time, and our loving God was patient and is still always by my side helping me to continue growing and molding me into the person He wants me to be. For 65 years I have been blessed and joyful and thank Him for helping me to be discerning of His voice and direction. Thank you for your excellent publication. 

Marilyn Marshall 


Catching up on Review reading, I ran across Paul Dybdahl’s article from November. I’m a 78-year-old with an impaired immune system and depleted energy from fighting cancer, and there is much I cannot do: no teaching Sabbath School, no active participation in the worship service, no in-person sharing, and only rarely attending church. It is easy to feel useless and worthless. Thank you, Paul, for your encouraging words and focusing on those words of Jesus to the woman with limited options: “She has done what she could” (Mark 14:8). 

Bruce McClay, M.A., M.L.S. 

Battle Ground, Washington 


From Facebook


Confessions of an Adventist Mom

Parents need to pray not only for their children but for those who will have an impact on their lives. I wish I had realized that when my children were little. 

Debbie Burns 


Children Learn How to Serve From the Heart in Mongolia

Thank you for the wonderful news from Mongolia, though a picture of a Mongolian mother with her child would have been more powerful. 

King-Yi Eugene Hsu


The Christian’s Call to Civil Disobedience

Let’s pray that church members can see/know when that happens. 

Linda Parks Chapin 


God Speaks Through Introverts Too

Thank you so much for this article. I also judge myself for not wanting to go onto the podium to speak for any reason or to offer a public prayer, and do feel as if I’m being judged for this, as if I’m lacking in faith. However, I’m always willing to help with anything else that needs to be done. 

Alicia Cardona 


Fire Hits Adventist Regional Headquarters in Central Philippines

Thankful for the protection. Praying for all who were affected by the loss. 

Sandra Holt 


After Evangelism, Churches and Radio Stations Are Rising in the Philippines

May God bless your ministry! 

Teresa Schultz 


Evangelistic Series in Central America Results in More Than 21,000 Baptisms

Praise God and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Coreana Foster Kuras 


2022 General Conference Session

Official notice is hereby given that the postponed sixty-first session of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held June 6-11, 2022, in the America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. The first meeting will begin at 8:00 am, June 6, 2022. All duly accredited delegates are urged to be present at that time. This Session will also be accessible for delegates remotely by electronic means. 

Ted N C Wilson, General Conference President Erton C Köhler, General Conference Secretary 


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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