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inbox Letters From Our Readers www.adventistreview.org September 19, 2013 Vol. 190, No. 26 September 19, 2013 Theological Seminary Insta ls New Dean Unleashing the Word The God of the Gap Two Great Articles »» I’m just sending a note of thanks for two great articles that were printed in the September 19, 2013, Adventist Review. I was saying “Right on!” to myself all the way through Andrew Kerbs’ “A Memorial to Salvation” and Bill Knott’s “Habits of the Heart.” In regard to Kerbs’ piece, I’m glad to know the under- 40 generation is hearing the gospel the way Christ intended it. And to put thoughts together from both articles, indeed, when in the solitude of the study of God’s Word we become certain of our redemption, we can relax (rest? feel “strangely warmed”?) in gratitude for so great a salvation. Ed Karlow Walla Walla, Washington Habits of the Heart »» Bill Knott’s “Habits of the Heart” (Sept. 19): What an enlightening and soul-stirring article he has shared with the Adventist Review readership! I have taken an unusually long time to read it because of the need to 10 14 17 pause frequently to contemplate and pray. The virtues in this article I hold dear, but I never could articulate to such meaningful extent their importance to my life as a Christian. How I praise God for this encounter! As I read each thought, each sentence, many people, including the entire congregation at the church I attend, raced to the forefront of my mind. Surely, given the opportunity to read this article, they too will long for such solitude, certitude, and gratitude to be their very own experience. So I shall share, as is my custom, as widely as possible this particular article, reiterating again the richness and worth of the readings in the Review. As for me, I plan to revisit this reading with great frequency so that I never forget why solitude, certitude, and gratitude are, and ought to be, the habits of my heart. May God continue to work through your editorship to bless you and your readers. Althea White via e-mail A Memorial to Salvation »» Regarding the article by Andrew Kerbs, “A Memorial to Salvation: Do Works Matter?” (Sept. 19): I came from reading the article with the perception that works do matter, but because they do not save, they do not matter that much when it comes to salvation. They are more of a memorial we observe to celebrate God’s saving grace and love for us. Ellen White writes, “Our good works alone will not save any of us, but we cannot be saved without good works” (God’s Amazing Grace, p. 309). If we cannot be saved without good works, they must matter very much to our salvation. Kerbs writes, “The Lord saved them not by works, but by faith in the blood of the Passover Lamb.” If they had not killed the lamb, put the blood on the doorposts and stayed in the house, works all done in answer to belief and faith in the God who had instructed them, salvation would not have been theirs. The author continues, “We live holy, consecrated lives not so that we may be saved, but because we are saved!” It might be better said, “We can live holy, consecrated lives and will do good works, because we are saved!” Works, good works, are not a source of salvation, neither are they a memorial to it; they are the result of living, walking, and working according to the faith we have in the One who is the source of our salvation. Ray Hickman, Sr. Midlothian, Virginia No One Close »» In his September 19 article titled “No One Close: The Finest Adventist Author,” Andy Nash writes that “Ellen White’s work is not Scripture. She grew in her understanding of the grace and love of God. It’s OK to disagree with her, to point out her mistakes. It’s OK to limit her counsel.” I agree with Nash’s first and second statement, but I question his statement about it being appropriate to disagree with White and point out her “mistakes.” If he is referring to grammar or syntax or spelling, that’s one thing; but I don’t think he meant error in the content of what she wrote in her published writings. John Blake Lacombe, Alberta, Canada »» I would like to elaborate on Andy Nash’s article. We Adventists, of course, must believe the Bible—it indicates there will be prophets in the last days. And we must use the Bible to test the prophets as to whether they “It’s time we prepare for the unthinkable! ” —lorRaine hudgins-olson, Fletcher, North Carolina 4 (932) | www.AdventistReview.org | October 17, 2013
Thank You »» After being baptized in prison, my entire life changed. It changed at such a fast clip that the speed itself was a miracle. Every day my day is blessed by His presare true prophets: “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1, KJV). What we mean by “true prophets” is that they get messages straight from God. In Ellen White’s case, there were “supernatural experiences” witnessed by others. “Supernatural experiences” only prove that the person’s messages, which are attributed as coming from God, are either from God or from Satan. Understanding this, it is important to “test” the prophets by the Bible, and come to the conclusion that our church was either founded by God or founded by Satan. Once we determine that a prophet (or messenger) is from God, we then have to believe that the messages, which are attributed as coming from God, are from God. If they are from God, then they cannot be of less importance than those of the former prophets. God doesn’t deliver two different levels of messages. Ellen White’s major work was to explain portions of the Bible that have been abused in the past. Jesus said to the scribes and Pharisees, as recorded in Luke 11:50: “That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation” (KJV). He said this because of their unbelief in the prophets. We do not want to receive the same condemnation. Fred Ellis Vale, Oregon Thinking the Unthinkable »» Kudos to Arthur F. Blinci and Adventist Risk Management for the well-thoughtthrough article “Thinking the Unthinkable” (Sept. 12, 2013). I am a fourth-generation Adventist and have been a faithful churchgoer the entire 92 years of my life, and only once during those years have I ever experienced a fire drill in church. Our family lived in Oklahoma City during the 1960s, and we experienced frequent tornadoes. I especially remember one ripping through our city and the surrounding area on Sabbath morning. Before going home after church, we toured the devastation. We drove by a church (not ours) where the roof was completely gone and seats were piled and scattered everywhere. We spotted the church roof, intact, a block away. I wonder what would have happened to the members of that Sundaykeeping church if they had been worshipping on that Sabbath morning. It’s time we internalize this article and prepare for the unthinkable! Lorraine Hudgins- Olson Fletcher, North Carolina “Works, good works, are not a source of salvation. ” —ray hickman. sr., Midlothian, Virginia Comfort and Trust »» The Adventist Review is so nice to read! I was raised as an Adventist, but went the other way when my parents divorced. I was 13 years old. I am now 45 years old and in prison. I just about cried the other day when I got hold of a mirror after a few months without looking at myself. What I saw was an older man with tattoos, scars from fights and IV drug use, missing and broken teeth, etc. I also saw mental, physical, and spiritual pain. Since then, I’ve been praying more—and reading the Adventist Review and The Great Controversy. God has been sending me little signs here and there. One sign that came to me was in the August 15, 2013, Review, in a poem on the Give & Take page entitled “Trust Me,” by Erin Burke. God talked to me through this poem—I cried. Thank you! Saulo Hernandez California ence in my life. In learning the deep meaning of His Words, my faith and understanding grow immensely. Thank you for the [New Believer] subscription to Adventist Review. I did not even know such a publication existed. It is always beneficial in the violent prison setting, ruled by gang members, that His Word is able to shine through; and I have the strength to share. Without Him in my life I would be devastatingly afraid of my environment. He gives me strength and soothes my fears. The Review is such a help! You are in my prayers. Thanks again. Scott Smith Walla Walla, Washington 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: letters@ adventistreview.org. www.AdventistReview.org | October 17, 2013 | (933) 5
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