L E T T E R S 
| THAI SLAVE GIRLS I was moved by the article regarding young girls sold as slaves in Thailand (Web news report, June 15). Many are not aware that 100,000 women are brought into the United States annually for the same purpose, as reported in major newspapers. Officials say the laws on the books make prosecuting such cases less than worthwhile, since under present laws the perpetrators will receive light sentences. I believe it would behoove us as individual Christians to contact our congressional representatives to ask for laws that will stop this slave trade in America. Laura Pinyan Buchanan, Michigan ANTICHRIST In recent Reviews there have been a number of articles that are four or five pages long and present a very timely subject. It is not possible for me to mention the articles and dates since I share my Reviews with others as soon as I finish them and no longer have them to refer to. These articles have been a real blessing. One of these articles is the cover article in the May 25 issue, "The Anti-Christ." It is very clear and resents thought provoking material. There is one thing I feel could have been better. The short quotations that were highlighted and enlarged in the center of the pages could have been chosen to give a more accurate picture of the focus of the article. "We must forthrightly affirm that many positive things have taken place in Roman Catholicism" gives the impression at first glance that the article is written to support the position suggested in the Spectrum article which was alluded to. The focus of the article would have been better served by using "It is clear that Papal Rome has not changed" or "The official papal way of justification is still one grand system of works righteousness" or "the Papacy's path to justification was unbiblical and destructive of Christian peace and security." Maybe the focus of the article can be considered more carefully in future articles of this caliber. Irene Frase Ironwood, Michigan I wish to thank Woodrow Whidden for his courageous assertion that the papacy continues to fulfill the Biblical and prophetic criteria for the end-time Antichrist. Sadly, however, he conveys a popular misconception regarding the Reformation issue of justification by faith. Ellen White is clear that the issue between Luther and the papacy was not between salvation by justification alone and salvation by both justification and sanctification, but rather, between man-made ritual piety and heart-based repentance. She writes: "He (Luther) set before the people the offensive character of sin, and taught them that it is impossible for man, by his own works, to lessen its guilt or evade its punishment. Nothing but repentance toward God and faith in Christ can save the sinner" (Great Controversy 129). According to White, "repentance includes sorrow for sin and a turning away from it" (Steps to Christ 23). In other words, according to Inspiration, the issue between the Reformers and the papacy was between the divinely-empowered forsaking of sin and contrived rituals (indulgences, etc.) which promised salvation without the forsaking of sin. Salvation through sanctification and inward grace is not an echo of the Council of Trent, but of Scripture itself. Paul is abundantly clear on this point: "God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thess. 2:13; see also Titus 3:5). Kevin D. Paulson Redlands, California SECULAR MINISTRY I just finished Ms. Rydzewski's interview with Stew Harty, "Bringing 'Faith' to the Secular Mind" (June 15), and wanted to thank you for this well written, informative article. As a child, I enjoyed Faith For Today and all it had to offer. I was even privileged to appear on FFT as a member of Mount Vernon Academy's Echoliers (choir) in 1968. But I haven't watched the program for many years. It seemed to have lost it's relevance to today's society. Perhaps it's time for a new look on my part. I was especially pleased to hear Harty's views on music and drama in the church. Much of what our church teaches is not only Biblical, but also sensible. I am so often put off by those who seem to think that drama and today's music are not viable means of reaching souls. We need to maintain our purity of gospel without losing sight of the horizons of entertainment. If we can use this tool to bring others into relationship with the Master of the Universe, we should do so. These avenues to the soul provide endless opportunities that all too often go untapped by our church. Let's send a clear message to a world that desperately cries for it. Mark E. Johnson WELL I NEVER The article "Well I Never" is well written in the context of our day. In looking back when I was in academy, we could not even hold a girl's hand in public for fear of suspension. It's also sad that today far too much of the world is in our churches and in our schools. I fear so for the next generation of families whose values would fit well in such a game with laughter and enjoyment. But if Christ were standing next to us would we feel so ashamed by our acts and lifestyles of today? I hope we as a church look hard at where we are and where our children are and ask our selves "am I and my children ready for His SOON return"? Joel Allen Gold Bar, Washington WEDDING WALTZ? For the life of me I can't understand how Calvin B. Rock knows what David's dance before God looked like ("Motives," June NAD edition). When I was growing up dancing was taboo because it would lead to sex. His answer seems to be it is traditional in Adventist circles not to dance. Let's hear it for tradition! Ray Mitchem La Mirada, California BOB JONES UNIVERSITY The April 2000 issue of the Review (Newsbreak)has an article about Religious Liberty referring to the theological stand of the Bob Jones University concerning the Pope, the Catholic Church, and Mormonism. I agree with the article that the Government should stay out of this. However, I don't understand the statement--"The Religious Liberty leaders are in disagreement with the Bob Jones University theological position." Don't we hold the same position? We believe the Catholic Church System with a pope as head is the Antichrist and we also believe that Mormonism is a cult. We believe that everyone is loved by God, but our mission is to present the truth in a loving manner and to enlighten people of the many deceptions that are in the world today. We must not compromise the truth, no matter how unpopular, to promote so--called unity. We are warned against this and we can see this happening with some Protestant denominations joining with the Catholic Church which compromises their doctrinal standards. Although we love all mankind, as God does, we must stand for truth without compromise. I don't know what the Bob Jones University theological stand is on loving all mankind, but I do know that we teach, in our schools and universities, about who the Antichrist is and about other false religions. If we fail to do this we are compromising truth in the name of love and unity. Let us not be afraid to say where we stand on these issues no matter how unpopular they may be. Maybe we don't agree with Bob Jones University's methods or policies, but I believe we do agree on their above mentioned theology as far as truth is concerned. Herb Spair HEALTHCARE SALARIES The salaries of certain Adventist health care workers seems to cause a lot of concern in the church. But why should this be so? Are we jealous of someone making more money than us? No, for Christians do not covet. Inspired counsel tells us that "We are to learn to be content with simple food and clothing, that we may save much to be invested in the work of the gospel." * No doubt these workers are taking the lion's share of their $200,000+ salaries and putting it directly into the gospel work. This is cause to rejoice! Just think of the work that will be done with this money. Let's look at ourselves too. Can we not buy Doritos, Philly Cream Cheese, and the latest Nike footwear and instead put an extra $100 in the offering plate? John Kannenberg Taiwan Adventist College *Spalding and Magan's Unpublished Manuscript Testimonies of Ellen G. White, 1985 |
