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Pastor’s Page
Mind and Spirit: A Celebration of Faith and Learning
Once a year, thanks to the continuing generosity of the University
Church, Loma Linda University devotes a special Sabbath to consider
our ministry of education in the unique setting of a health sciences university.
Many people do not realize how unique and special Loma Linda
University is. It has the only genuinely faith-based medical and dental
programs in the United States (most of our other programs are fairly
unique as well). There are several Jesuit institutions that offer medical
programs, but none of them includes religion in the curriculum. They
are simply secular programs offered at faith-based universities. Loma
Linda is a health-science university that builds faith and wholeness into
every single degree and certificate program. In light of recent publicity
suggesting that religion can have a positive effect on overall health,
Loma Linda is well-positioned to be at the cutting edge of health care in
the decades to come. There is no better place to combine science and
faith, mind and spirit.
The program this weekend focuses in particular on the “spirit” side of
the equation. In October of 2007 there was a landmark conference at
Andrews University commemorating the 50th anniversary of the publication
of Questions on Doctrine, a book responding to a series of questions
about Adventist faith posed by significant figures in the Evangelical
world. The book convinced the Evangelicals that Adventists were
genuine Christians, but became extremely controversial in Adventist
circles, ironically, leading to serious divisions among scholars, pastors
and lay people. The conference at Andrews resulted in a significant
amount of healing and understanding among the major players in the
controversy. This was so significant for the Seventh-day Adventist
Church that it was felt a “mini-QOD” program would be a great benefit
to the Loma Linda community, featuring presenters from the local area
and a special guest, historian George Knight.
The sermon today explores a theme presented at the Andrews QOD
conference by the speaker, Jon Paulien, Dean of the School of Religion
here at Loma Linda University. Healing and understanding comes when
people discover that “there is more than one right way to think.”
Jon Paulien, Dean
School of Religion
Loma Linda University