May 1, 2016

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We All Need to Understand and Respect | Reconsidering Football | Why Are We Confused? | This New Format

Various

We All Need to Understand and Respect

I was blessed by the article “Grandpa Frederick: The Necessity of Overcoming Racial Stereotypes” (February 2016). How different would race relations be in the United States and in our church today if we approached them as the author and Grandpa Frederick did? She recognized the prejudice and dealt with it by pointing out that it was ugly and hateful, and he was willing forgive. We have made much progress in our understanding, respect, and opportunities since 1963, when I moved to Birmingham, Alabama, after graduating from Loma Linda University School of Medicine. However, we all have much to learn in regard to understanding and respect. If anything, the present tensions and issues are even more complex than they were in the 1960s.

Ron Turk
Greeneville, Tennessee


Reconsidering Football

Thank you for having the courage to publish the article “Tearing Down the Goalposts: Should Christians Reconsider Football?” (online, Dec. 24, 2015). While not fully “cured of interest in professional sports,” I realize that the questions about our “recreational” pursuits risking serious injury to the participants resonates with questions I have been pondering, particularly about supporting and rejoicing in activities injurious to others or ourselves.

More critically, the quote about the un-Christlike effects in the character of the viewers highlights three core values of contemporary society: love of domination, pride in brute force, and reckless disregard for life. These all stand in sharp contrast to the core values of Christ’s kingdom.

Stephen Bauer
Collegedale, Tennessee

The article “Should Christians Reconsider Football?” is much appreciated. I am thankful that the author had the courage to write this article and that the Review published it. Our schools and homes would do well to heed the counsel God has given through His last-day prophet regarding sports. The pride and self-glory promoted by popular sports seems out of harmony with the spirit of Christ expressed in these words: “Charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up” (1 Cor. 13:4, KJV).

Rachel Trenchuk
Smoky Lake, Alberta, Canada


Why Are We Confused?

Was anyone else besides me shocked at the four theological controversies of today given by Gerhard Pfandl in his article “Who Are We and Why Are We Here?” (January 2016). If Adventists are questioning whether the Bible is inspired or reliable, we are in grave danger. All four “conflicts” are clearly answered in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. Church: read and pray Daniel 9.

Fran Wilson
West Carrollton, Ohio

In his excellent article “Who Are We and Why Are We Here?” Gerhard Pfandl lays out some splendid advice: “We need to study Scripture and accept what it says as it reads, and not explain away its plain meaning.” Agreed!

Richard Steffanson
Clarkston, Washington


This New Format

I like the new format of the Review. I am glad you still have the same authors with their regular columns. Going monthly should save on postage. One problem I have is the size of the print. It is hard to read. I have read the Review since I was 16; I am now 74. I know you want the younger ones to read it so they can learn to love the Review. Praying the Lord continues to bless as you work for Him.

Beverly Mentzer
Yates Center, Kansas



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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