The recent piece on Frederick Douglass may seem anachronistic to some in the current climate of political
correctness and affirmative action, but Rev. 6 and 18 (and EW 278) promise that
slavery is to make a comeback before Jesus returns. Today economic 'quasi-slavery'
is an accepted policy of multi-national corporations to pursue their 'bottom
line' and consolidate their control over all humanity. This final peaking of
slavery is more than racial and includes social and religious dissidents against
a prevailing 'world order', and, increasingly, the growing sector of the economically
disenfranchised. Ellen G. White made reference to this situation in ED 228.
R. Gilbert
FORGOTTEN FREEDOM FIGHTER
The article about the "The
Freedom Fighter a Nation Nearly Forgot" (February NAD issue) was inappropriate
for the Review for several reasons.
It was typical of many liberal
news magazines of today that seek to be divisive and pit one group against another.
You write of the way things
were "in the South" in 1944. Anyone with a basic knowledge of history
who lived at that time, knows things were quite different from the way you depict
them. Even the armed forces of the United States were segregated. Things you
mentioned were prevalent in other parts of the country too. I lived in Ohio
and Michigan.
Laws existed at that time and
whether we, based on our thinking today, agree with them or not, there is a
right and wrong way to go about changing them. Do you promote breaking the law just because you do not agree with it? You glorify Ms. Morgan for kicking someone in the groin. I was taught in the "old" Adventist church, beginning 80 years ago, to try to mimic the
life of Jesus. I can’t remember any place in the Bible where Jesus advocated this kind of action. In fact, Jesus said "turn the other cheek.” (Matt. 5:31)
Oh, how things have changed! You appear to also advocate that if we need
to get something very important done, we could call on the Catholic Pope for
help. My, how things have changed. Based on articles appearing for some time
now in the Review, may we expect to see articles written by Jessie Jackson
and Al Sharpten?
James Butler
ISLE OF TEMPTATION
I read your article in the Review about the television
program Temptation Island (“Resist Temptation,” February 15, 2001). Why be surprised
at that kind of program? When people are not converted it`s normal for them
to write scripts like that for a TV show.
What concerns me more is when our own people criticize them
but do not try and find out what in our Adventist culture is wrong and what
we can do to change it. Example: Before accepting a worship style or a music
style no study from the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy is presented to our
students or members, and we do not have a principle to choose from. If we would
take all the Bible verses and the Spirit of Prophecy quotations, we might be
surprised to find out that we are worse than those who write a TV show like
Temptation Island. They do not take the name of God
but we are taking His name and belong to His church and our behavior
is worse than theirs. Let us study and we will see a change in our attitude
toward them.
Andréé J. Dupuis
Delson, Quebec, Canada
LISTENING TO SERMONS
Certainly those who heard Jesus preach did not need a similar
scheme. The assumption of Bill Knott's article (“How to Listen to a Sermon,”
February 22, 2001) is that the sermon is absolutely essential for hearing the
Word of God.
I disagree. God speaks to us through sermons, but He is
most effective when He speaks to us directly. If I have to go through this much
trouble to distill the Word of God from a sermon that has been poorly prepared
and poorly presented, I may gain more by simply communing with God. A sermon
is a conversation between the pulpit and the pew. It is not a scholarly treatise.
The message, if there is one, should be as clear as if the conversation took
place in the parking lot.
Bill Knott has given us guidance on how to understand what
the pastor says, not on how to hear the Word of the Lord.
Pastor Darius A. Lecointe
Centerville, Ohio
How refreshing it is to have men
who know God and are kind and good! It is a blessing to have these humble souls
impart the Word to us each week! They tell the Word, they encourage the church
to serve and to help others be ready for Jesus to come.
Theresa Keller
CALIFORNIA RULING
I just read in this computer version of the Review,
about the Silo court case (“Silo vs. Catholic Healthcare,” Newsbreak
March 8, 2001). Isn't there something we can do to protect ourselves? The U.S.
Constitution, it seems, is in disagreement with the state ruling. Can't the
case be lifted off the shoulders of the lower court and viewed in the hyigher
court? I realize that God has already ruled and His verdict will be given. But
maybe, while not seeking to "buddy up" to the Catholic faith, we could
enter in the battle for religious rights of the "denominations" as
well as the individual. This [would] allow our church institutions a little
more time to get closer to God and prepare for the closure, censure, and take
over by the new order of things just before Christ returns. What do you think?
Bill
ONLINE REVIEW
I'm from Jamaica, W.I., one of the
Pathfinder-Adventurer directors at the Newland Seventh-day Adventist Church
in Portmore, St. Catherine.
I find your articles very interesting and look forward to each week's issue. Thank you for the good
work you’re doing and may God continue to bless you as you continue to serve
Him in every way you possibly can. I pray that we will remain faithful until
the end, keep trusting and obeying because God says He knows the plans He has
for you, plans to prosper you and to give you an expected end.
Chrisendeen Smith
Jamaica, W.I.
All I can say is wow. I enjoy the
Review each week but this is just great. Keep up the good work.
Lloyd Watson
University of California,
San Francisco
