ermeneutics is that branch of theology concerned with the art and science (for it is both) of deriving meaning. The central question hermeneutics asks is, "What does the prophet mean by what the prophet says?"

Dr. John B. Hoehn's cover article, "The Adventist Drug Problem" (April 25) makes an extremely valuable contribution to our understanding of Ellen White's counsels on drug-related issues and ably continues the work of Dr. Mervyn G. Hardinge's landmark book, A Physician Explains Ellen White's Counsels on Drugs, Herbs, and Natural Remedies, published last year by the Review and Herald. Some informed students of Mrs. White's writings consider the latter to be the most significant work of its kind in at least the past 25 years!

Predictably, some of your readers will see both Dr. Hoehn and Dr. Hardinge as having "bowed the knee to Baal" because of the position they take. But Mrs. White clearly approved of the intelligent use of available remedies that could and would do more good than harm:

1. In 1911 she approved of herself being treated with a series of 23 X-ray treatments for a skin blemish on her forehead, despite the potential danger of excessive radiation (Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 303).

2. She herself was not only vaccinated for protection during a smallpox epidemic, but she also urged her office workers to follow a similar course (Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 303, footnote).

3. Although she had earlier warned of the potentially dangerous effects of quinine upon the spinal column (Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 4, part 1, p. 139), she did not object to its use as a prophylaxis against contracting the deadly malaria by missionaries in tropical lands (Selected Messages, Book 2, p. 282, footnote).

Thank you for rendering a valuable service to the church by publishing Hoehn's sane and sensible medical advice so needed within the church today.

Roger W. Coon
Retired Associate Director for the Ellen G. White Estate
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

I was saddened to find an Adventist doctor write such apologetics for the pharmaceutical industry, cloaked in the sheep's clothing of historical fact and scientific soundness. The fact that Ellen White's denunciation of drugs referred to the improper treatments of her day does not necessarily mean she would embrace the much more widespread drug therapy of our day, scientific studies notwithstanding.

Where are the Adventist doctors who have a working experience treating and preventing disease by promoting obedience to God's health laws through dependence on Jesus? Where are those who use drug therapy responsibly, making every effort to wean patients from dependence on drugs of any kind?

I challenge the Adventist Review to be fair and print another front-page article on this topic, written by an Adventist doctor with a different perspective and a different experience.

Donna Dumar
Collegville, Pennsylvania

A loud "Amen!" to John B. Hoehn, M.D., for "The Adventist Drug Problem." Perhaps one reason some of our members have accepted unfounded health principles is that, after more than a century of our preaching and teaching the message given to us by God through Ellen White, medical science is largely in agreement with us, and these members feel that we ought somehow to have a message that is at odds with science. Thus, they follow the world into what are called "alternative" health principles.

The majority of these "alternative" practices are based on assumption (i.e. blind faith) rather than on evidence. And homeopathy, naturopathy, Ayurvedic medicine, and many others are based on a belief that some sort of spirit, perhaps divine, pervades nature, making all "natural" remedies spiritual and therefore superior to those that are man-made. This philosophy is part of several related belief systems, including the New Age, neo-Paganism, and spiritualism; it is not part of the Christian belief system. This may be the greatest danger of "alternative" medicine.

Ray Cress, Ph.D.
associate professor of pharmacology
at Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, California

Dr. John B. Hoehn (in "The Adventist Drug Problem," April 25) reminded me of the pastor I once heard solemnly warn of the (1 in 1,000) people who pay too much attention to the writings of Ellen White, but who never mentioned the (800 in 1,000) people who didn't read her writings at all! (Estimates mine.)

The truth is, the vast majority of medications can be discarded by following suggestions in her writings: a healthful diet, exercise, rest, fresh air, water, temperance, sunshine, trust in Divine Power. Even high blood pressure medications and treatments for diabetes can be reduced or eliminated by this method.

Maybe Hoehn has missed the recent news stories regarding the tens of thousands of patients each year who die as a result of medical "mistakes."

It would be interesting to have someone write about the real Adventist drug problem.

Naedo Henry
Lincoln, Nebraska

Thank you to John B. Hoehn for a validating article for health professionals and the population. Seeing family, friends, and myself ill and going through treatment has been hard. What has been more difficult was hearing outlandish theories and lack of faith statements because we were sick or had to have medicine, surgery, or radiation. I believe that the Lord has given much medical knowledge and we are grateful that we have benefited from it.

Theresa Keller, R.N.
Ronkonkoma, New York

Mrs. Carner and I both enjoy reading each copy of the Review, and we especially enjoy the new "Ask the Doctors" column. However, I have a smidgen of complaint with the cover of April 25 that featured the title, "The Adventist Drug Problem." It seems to me that we should be careful, doubly careful, to keep our family problems, sins, and disgraces within the family and to not spell them out in bold type for all to read-for thousands who have no opportunity to read the full content inside (which was excellent) to pass judgment.

Editors and staff, let's protect our church family at all times.

Joe R. Carner
Gentry, Arkansas

As a physician at Loma Linda who is deeply convinced that the Lord spoke through Ellen White, I have had to wrestle over the years with concerns over how to correlate what she wrote with modern medical practices. My conclusions are very similar to Dr. Hoehn's. He did a masterful job in writing his article. The one addition that would have made his article more meaningful would be to encourage people to secure Dr. Mervyn Hardinge's excellent recent book, A Physician Explains Ellen White's Counsels on Drugs, Herbs, and Natural Remedies.

Donald E. Casebolt, M.D.

What year did the counsel God gave Ellen White about drugs being dangerous and causing many deaths expire?

U.J. Underwood, M.D.

Thank you for an excellent article on the dilemma of modern drugs in medical care! This is information long needed by many of our sincere members. We do not need to discard Ellen White's medical advice, but look for the principles that will apply to today's world. During the 30 years of my medical career, I have been gratified to see more and more of her principles confirmed by the scientific world, but distressed to see more and more Adventist members abandoning these same principles! Please reprint this article in as many venues as possible to help educate our church members.

Warren R. Thomas, D.O.
Sugar Valley, Georgia

The article "The Adventist Drug Problem" gave valuable data but neglected to document the need of caution, the natural restorative methods that are safe, and the need of harmony with the inspired counsel. Let us have all the facts, not only the opinion of the established medical fraternity.

Ernest H.J. Steed, Ph.D.
DeBary, Florida

I am very pleased with the much-needed article you published in the April 25 issue of the Adventist Review. It was true to fact and should help clear the muddy thinking that exists in the minds of certain misguided folk regarding "The Adventist Drug Problem." I have met this problem and not infrequently, as it is held by fairly well-educated church members.

I should add to the statement about the use of naturopaths and herbalists as thought to be more in line with Ellen G. White that there are also those who feel chiropractic has such an advantage. She did urge that we start a medical school, not a college of naturopathy, one devoted to the use of herbs, or chiropractic. Until the scientific approach is utilized by these disciplines, rather than anecdotal claims for cure or improvement in illness, White's choice is indeed a wise one.

Paul W. Jackson, M.D.
Wallingford, Pennsylvania

After reading "The Adventist Drug Problem" and "Surviving Attacks," I would strongly urge the Review to offer a more balanced opinion on the issue of health. Some of us opt for a holistic approach to health, rather than one based upon prescription drugs and medications.

It is of utmost importance that we do not blindly trust in the opinions of the medical industry, but instead take charge of our own health by researching alternative treatments/remedies. The body's amazing ability to heal itself through proper diet, nutrition, exercise, and plenty of water must not be overlooked. Why do we think we can improve upon God's healing plan?

Lauren Kenner
Fairfield, California