SOFT ON SIN?
When are you going to print an article by someone who really understands the sexual abuse issues as they relate to our church, and who is also willing to call sin by its right name?

We have soft-pedaled the gravity of this sin, and have been way too eager to distance ourselves from the Catholic Church's problems ("The Crisis in the Catholic Church: One Adventist's Perspective," July 25, 2002) when really, we have behaved no better.

We have concealed, covered up, moved offending ministers and teachers to new locations without even trying to rehabilitate them (if that's even possible), or at the least warning the church or school where they are going next.

As a church we have also used strong-arm tactics to try to reduce our financial liability.

All these things are an offense to our claim to be followers of the Bible. The Bible has clear instructions about dealing with sexual offenders, those who hurt children, and those who cover up sins. Why aren't we taking those instructions to heart?

You printed a whole issue dedicated to sexual abuse back in September, 1993, and you did a splendid job. You were open, honest, and painfully direct. That issue was instrumental in beginning my healing, and I'm sure it had the same effect for many others, too.

Please be that honest and direct again. The time is right, and we are being watched by others to see how we react to and deal with sexual abuse in our church. Please, let's do it right.

Judy Bedell

Just wanted to let you know that I find the article rather like casting stones. We are very fortunate that our church isn't large enough to warrant such publicity. My guess is that proportionately we have just as many sexual problems with teachers, pastors, and other leaders. And some of these have cost the church big bucks.

We shouldn't be pointing the finger at all.

Don Stickle

In the article by Calvin Rock ("Sins of the Fathers," Adventist Review web site exclusive) he mentioned that Noah got drunk and slept with his own flesh and blood. I am familiar with Noah getting drunk but was not aware of him sleeping with a family member. Can you please ask Dr. Rock to provide the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy reference for that comment.

James Hampton

Dr. Rock was referring to the case of Lot, who slept with his daughters after their deliverance from Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:30-39). This reference has been corrected. -–Editors

FOSTER'S LIST AND FOND MEMORIES
I just read the article "Dr. Foster's List" (August, 2002), and it brought back memories. In 1946 my parents bought the home where the Fujimotos lived. My father was a doctor and moved to Campion so that all of his five children could go to Campion Academy. The Fujimotos were wonderful gardeners, and they left a legacy behind for the Romans family to enjoy. We spoke about them and thanked them often for the wonderful produce we enjoyed from their garden. Now I know their story. What a delightful treat! Thank you.

Marjorie (Romans) Pryor-Spiller

CHURCH FOR THE DISABLED
I found your recent article regarding the disabled interesting ("First Church of the Spiritually Handicapped," (July 2002). I found the picture on the front cover even more interesting.

Was it your intent to hold your services in the parking lot? Perhaps the oversight was deliberate, to see if we were paying attention. Still mystified?

OK, there's no ramp on the church in your picture. Even if you made the entire lot available, the disabled could still not get into your church. I've worked with people with disabilities for more than 10 years. One of the most frustrating things I observed was how frequently "simple things" were overlooked by well-intentioned people trying to help.

The disabled want to be treated just like everyone else. Let's start by letting them in the door.

Lynne Greene
Evanston, Illinois

OUR COMMON FAITH
Jan Paulsen's conciliatory words ("In Times Like These," July 11, 2002) about the validity of the work and witness of Christians of other faiths was very refreshing. I wish our attitudes had much earlier been affirming of other Christians and their work. I believe we have been a self-inflicted victim of our own prophetic misinterpretation. We are so concerned about the influence of false religionists and organizations that we reject any and all overtly Christian organizations and persons as if they were real or potential enemies.

The statement has often been made in my hearing that various Christian leaders either have their theology badly mixed up, or worse yet, they are not living up to the light they (presumably) have. If the test of a true Christian is true theology in all respects, that they must live up to all the light they have, practically every Adventist should resign to avoid adding hypocrisy to his or her list of deficiencies!

There is a simple fact that seems to elude us: There are many Christians who believe that the Scripture is the Word of God, and in their teaching and lifestyle sincerely try to follow Jesus. They are not now nor will they ever will be our enemy. As a church we believe that certain doctrines are "present truth," such as the seventh day Sabbath, the unconscious state of the dead, etc., and this is true. But Luther's righteousness by faith was--and still is--present truth. The Wesley brothers call to holy living was--and still is--present truth. The Baptists' emphasis on baptism by immersion was--and still is--present truth.

Ellen White wrote: "In Wesley's time, as in all ages of the church's history, men of different gifts performed their appointed work. They did not harmonize upon every point of doctrine, but all were moved by the Spirit of God, and united in the absorbing aim to win souls to Christ" (The Great Controversy, p. 257).

We like to call our movement the "Elijah Message"; unfortunately, we have followed Elijah's example when he said, "I'm the only [prophet] left, and now they are trying to kill me too" (1 Kings 19:14, NIV).

But the Lord corrected Elijah's paranoid math by saying, "I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him" (verse 18).

While there was only one Elijah, there were 7,000 true followers of God. What a wonderful concept: 7,000 true Christians where we sometimes only see one.

Bob Dahl
Plymouth, Minnesota

HOW LARGE IS YOUR TENT?
Peter Bath has it right ("Your Tent is Too Small," July 18, 2002). We could extend our influence in service organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, Lions, Heart and Cancer Societies, etc.

I was invited to join Rotary after giving a health lecture to the club. It put me in touch and fellowship with people I rarely saw before. Seeing the wonderful work Rotary was doing locally and worldwide, such as an effort to eradicate polio, I began supporting Rotary projects as well as our own.

In 1992, on a three-month relief assignment to Scheer Memorial Hospital in Nepal, I was able to secure a $4,000 Rotary grant to buy the first computers for the hospital. In 1994 I received another grant for $10,000 to buy the first monitor defibrilator and a computerized ECG that Rita and I hand-carried there. In 1997 we returned as medical director/surgeon for three years. A Rotary grant for $10,000 helped re-tile all the floors in the hospital. Through fellow Rotarian Mike Keckler, a Baptist in the medical supply business, the Rotary Foundation shipped a sea container plus 8,000 pounds by air freight of equipment and supplies including modern surgery and delivery table or lights and multi-channel monitors, all gratis. "Cast your bread upon the waters, and after many days you will find it again" (Eccl. 11:1, NIV)--sometimes multiplied.

We are currently in the final stages of securing a Rotary grant for a new ambulance for Scheer Memorial Hospital. (Greetings to fellow Rotarian Bert Beach, who I see at Rotary meetings in various parts of the world.)

Ira Bailie, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Denair, California

UPDATE THANKS
I enjoy receiving the updates about what's happening in Adventism. Sometimes this is the only way to know for sure what's going on. Keep up the good work.

Wayne Dennis