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inbox Letters From Our Readers Only Adventist »» The January 24 article by Grenville Kent, “Listening to Atheists,” sums up the main reason I couldn’t be anything other than an Adventist. It’s not hard to see why so many Christians are leaving their churches and becoming atheists. I would too if I believed the common “Christian” belief in life after death and an eternally burning hell. I could never love or respect a God like that. I realize there are a lot of flaws in our people, myself included. I have been an Adventist all my life and don’t know of one member of my family who hasn’t been hurt emotionally, or in other ways, by someone in the church. After all, why would Satan try to discourage people who are not attempting to follow the truth of the Bible? . . . There are other reasons, too, for my love of the Adventist Church. Our Sabbath rest is wonderful, . . . then there is the health message. Most of all, when I think of my Best Friend, Jesus, agonizing on the cross for me, I have to know that Someone like that would never do anything to harm me, much less send me to an eternally burning hell. I’m so glad we know the end of the story as Revelation tells us. God wins, and I want to be on His side. Pauline N. Pierson Collegedale, Tennessee Tried and True, Old and New »» I appreciated Sandra Blackmer’s editorial “Tried and True” (Jan. 24, 2013). I identify with her not adapting readily to change. I also drive an older Honda, slightly younger than hers, but with 398,000 miles. It has never left me stranded, and has required minimal repair. Those of us who don’t make a lot of money, but still want to be faithful in tithe and support for various church ministries, can do so by denying our desire for new toys and clothes. I too want to see our church utilize new technology as well as continue polishing the “tried and true” and using them to spread the gospel. If more people would put the Lord’s work first, there would be a huge difference in the funds that went into ministry versus personal desires. Tim Arner Knoxville, Tennessee Taking the Hint »» I appreciated Andrew McChesney’s article “Taking the Hint” (Jan. 24, 2013). The lesson he shares is based on the biblical principle that it is a sin to tempt or influence others to sin. Jesus Himself made this very plain in Luke 17:1, 2. As the author implies, this principle is often violated by the adoption of provocative worldly styles of dress. But another area of concern is the advertising done by the immoral gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and theatrical entertainment interests. As conscientious Christians we shouldn’t be involved in any way with the promotion or production of advertising for these morally degenerate businesses. Leonard Lang Newcastle, Wyoming www.adventistreview.org Religious Freedom in the United States January 17, 2013 January 17, 2013 Vol. 190, No. 2 IS one of the most fundamental freedom unde attack? Religious Freedom in America »» I found Nicholas P. Miller’s brief historical sketch of the various viewpoints regarding church and state relations (“Religious Freedom in America,” Jan. 17, 2013) to be very helpful. Positioning Adventism with the “dissenting Protestants” and counseling us to support government involvement in “civil morality” while opposing its promotion of “spiritual morality” makes sense. r A Wave and a Gr eting Religiously Unaffiliated Swe l Worldwide Divine A sa sin? S 7 8 26 It seems to me that God cut the template for that approach when He fashioned the Ten Commandments. The first four define “spiritual morality”—a citizen’s relationship to religion, if he or she chooses to have such a relationship. <strong>Here</strong> civil governments should not intrude except as necessary to safeguard those freedoms. The last six commandments define “civil morality”— those that preserve the lives and well-being of all citizens, religious and secular. If civil governments do not enforce just laws here, the result is anarchy. Some might say that the commandment against coveting cannot be regulated by civil law since it is a sin of the mind. Even that commandment, however, can influence laws dealing with fraud, overreaching in business, unjust discrimination, etc. Lee Roy Holmes Kettle Falls, Washington www.adventistreview.org January 10, 2013 January 10, 2013 Vol. 190, No. 1 Ordination Study Commi t e Named Wi ling to Be Led God’s Peddler What Is a What Is a Mystic? »» This is just a note to thank you for publishing Eric Anderson’s article on mysticism (see “What Is a Mystic?” Jan. 10, 2013). I never expected to see such a thing, in view of my experience of the deep negativity toward 8 15 27 Mystic? Seeking companionShip with Christ 4 (196) | www.AdventistReview.org | March 14, 2013
Christian mysticism in Seventh-day Adventist churches. I was especially pleased to see the references to the Ellen White comments Anderson selected, Evelyn Underhill (who may not be found in Internet sources), and C. S. Lewis. I liked the whole article, especially the last two paragraphs. . . . I hope this is not the last thing you write on the subject! Lynn P. Hartzler Sacramento, California »» I looked up the word “mysticism” in response to the recent article from Eric Anderson. If you do a search in E. G. White’s writings, you will find that “mysticism” is generally used as leading a person away from God’s truth, not in leading them closer. Mystics and mysticism have been around a long time. It came out of the study of Plato leading those followers who were Christians to go into monasteries to become the first Christian mystics. Anderson is blurring the edges so that one cannot see between good and evil. Read the following quote from Ellen White: “Spiritual darkness has covered the earth and gross darkness the people. There are in many churches skepticism and infidelity in the interpretation of the Scriptures. Many, very many, are questioning the verity and truth of the Scriptures. Human reasoning and the imaginings of the human heart are undermining the inspiration of the Word of God, and that which “I’m so glad we know the end of the story as Revelation tells us. God wins, and I want to be on His side. ” —pauline N. pierson, Collegedale, Tennessee should be received as granted is surrounded with a cloud of mysticism. Nothing stands out in clear and distinct lines, upon rock bottom. This is one of the marked signs of the last days” (Selected Messages, book 1, p. 15). May the truth always stand clear! Bob Stewart via e-mail »» Eric Anderson’s article spoke to the whole issue in a positive, biblically informed, Ellen White-influenced, and personally experiential way. I was very moved by it. I plan to share his article regularly with my students and others who ask questions about spirituality, mysticism, and related issues. I want to thank Anderson for writing such a thoughtful and personally revealing piece, and to thank the Adventist Review team for giving prominence to a piece that will run counter to some unfortunate prejudices against learning from other Christians that can be found in certain Adventist circles. In a number of instances Christ held up the faith of Gentile outsiders, including the Syrophoenician woman and the Roman centurion, as models of spirituality from which the “chosen” could learn. Anyone who examines the library of Ellen White can see a similar openness to learning from the insights of other Christians. I just pray that the “chosen” of today can, along with their doctrinal faithfulness, exhibit a similar humility, grace, and openness. I think this was a very important article at a critical time, and I deeply appreciate the Review’s candor and courage in serving Christ and His church. Nicholas Miller Berrien Springs, Michigan The Place of a Servant »» Hooray for Jimmy Phillips and his article “The Place of a Servant” (Jan. 10, 2013)! His eloquent description of doing what we don’t feel like doing when people annoy us reminds me of the gospel song that goes something like “to put my human nature down, and let the Spirit take control of all I do . . .” Not easy. I am very proud of our magazine and the variety of views expressed in it. Phyllis E. DeLise New Port Richey, Florida Corrections »» We’ve published two errors related to photos. The photo that accompanied Steve R. Morris’ article “My Father Sang to Me” (Jan. 17) is a photo of another one of our authors, Larry Yeagley. <strong>Here</strong> is a photo of Morris. S. R. Morris South England Conference president Samuel Davis is the speaker mentioned in the caption with the bottom photo on page 10 of the February 14 Review, not Pastor Ian Sweeney. Our apologies for these errors. S. davis 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 | March 14, 2013 | (197) 5
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