MORE GOLDSTEIN
Clifford Goldstein's column, "The Angst of the Unanswerable" (Dec. 26, 2002), is cogent and powerful. We need more of Goldstein's articles in Adventist Review. His books and articles are Christ-centered and powerful. They have led me to know God, and Jesus as my Lord and Savior, as never before. Goldstein is a brilliant theologian and writer.

Ted Gaban

THE REPORT ON KOREA
My mother recently sent me an e-mail, recommending the article, "Korea: Grace Through Suffering" (Jan. 9, 2003). I am a Seventh-day Adventist living in South Korea, where I teach English as a foreign language at a private university. I have been in Korea for seven years and have found it a fascinating place to live. I am continually surprised by new aspects of the culture, and regularly discover hidden parts of Pusan, the city where I have lived during my entire stay.

I appreciated hearing about the history of the Adventist church here--much of which I did not know. I was moved by the sense of dedication and mission that many of the young people possess. I am sure I will look at the church and its leaders in a new way from now on.

I was also pleased that you found Korea such a country of charm and grace. Having lived here for years, much that was once captivating has now become ordinary and routine. It is nice to be reminded of the "specialness" of your home.

The article refers to the huge boom in English teaching here in Korea. That is very true: language institutes can be found on almost every corner. What was not mentioned is that the Seventh-day Adventist language schools are among the oldest and most respected in Korea. Private English language education was largely pioneered by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, and has been of great benefit, not only in improving the speaking ability of its students, but in bringing many of them closer to the Lord.

The need is great for teachers here, and the opportunities are many. For individuals who are mission-minded and would like a unique way of serving the church, I recommend a year of teaching English in Korea. No special degree is needed, just a willingness to try new things and the ability to be flexible. It is also a chance to experience a fascinating blend of modern, hi-tech society with ancient customs, beliefs, and traditions.

People might even discover, as did I, that teaching language is enjoyable; a ever-changing, often challenging, always fascinating career.

Robert Snell II, Ph.D.
Pusan University of Foreign Studies

THE CHURCH AND CLONING
Cloning is altogether wrong ("Cloning Report Raises Questions," Jan. 23, 2003). People attempting to clone human life are playing God, and they are not [God].

Let's leave the creating up to the Creator. If anyone does any creating, it should be Him. At least He won't destroy what's left.

Tina Brazzel

MIXED MESSAGES?
Which message do we preach? The back page of the December 19, 2002, Adventist Review advertised Net 2003 and the message: "Trumpeting the Good News--Jesus Is Coming Soon!" But the cover article, "Faithful in Babylon," directed our attention to a message of "transitioning lives from living in the culture of the world to a new reality of the present kingdom of God." A message for today, not just for the future. It is legitimate to talk about the "Sweet By and By," but to "touch lepers, attend parties of tax collectors, and talk alone with prostitutes and other offenders of God's law" and to "enjoy sinners" is a message not often preached because it calls for action.

Thanks for the boldness of Samir Selmanovic (and the Review editors) in challenging us to "love well"--not just those of our own tribe, but people who are bleeding and whose lives are broken. Selmanovic didn't talk much about the Second Coming, but the "freedom to love the people of Babylon while walking with God" may be the way mature Christians are faithful while waiting.

Frank McMillan
Orlando, Florida

"FAITHFUL IN BABYLON" HIT ME
WITH THE FORCE OF AN 18-WHEELER!
I was baptized last June, and ever since I've been vacillating about my commitment to the church because of what I've regarded as the stuck-in-the-past attitude of most of the members of my congregation.

Pastor Selmanovic's sermon, "Faithful in Babylon", opened my eyes to a vision of what our church can and should be doing in the "Babylon" in which we live.

Well done, Brother Samir! I thank you from the bottom of my heart, and I dedicate myself to the principles you so clearly set forth. Would that the whole church had the courage and drive to do the same.

But regardless of what the church as a whole does or does not do, I can do something right here in my own community. For if I do not, then who will? And if not now, then when? At the age of 68, I'm rarin' to go.

Fredric Oppenheim
Clifton, Colorado

THE PERSONAL TOUCH
My wife and I read with interest the article regarding the North American Division's year-end meetings. We were especially encouraged to read that the NAD is not giving up on public evangelism, and noted the emphasis on the need for more of the "personal touch" in public outreach.

Ellen White strongly endorsed the personal approach when she stated, "Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as One who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them 'Follow Me.'" (The Ministry of Healing, p. 143)

We are concerned about the lack of focus on the personal aspects of evangelism. In this same article, evidence is quoted regarding the "cost" of baptisms from public evangelism being "between $1,500 to $2,000 per baptism, which is 'paid back' within six months of the new member's paying tithe." Why are we concerned with the cost of winning a person to Jesus, Who did not count the cost to save us? Will we stop evangelizing when "payback" no longer equals cost?

There is too much concern given to numbers, figures, and costs, and not enough to why we are pastoring. Consider the remuneration facts stated in this article. Larry Caviness, president of the Southern California Conference, listed reasons to increase the cost-of-living allowance: "It was really needed, though, because affordable housing (in our territory) is $350,000 to $400,000 for a 2,200-square-foot home." Caviness went on to admit that they are trying to attract pastors to their area who might find it nearly impossible to pay off a mortgage.

I know homes can be expensive; I pastored in southeastern California. Perhaps we should settle for smaller homes, or get our eyes off earthly mortgages. We are close to viewing the property which our Lord has already purchased for us! And why would we want to attract pastors who are motivated more by worldly wealth than by the Holy Spirit? What kind of spiritual leaders would that produce?

And just a word on the cost of medical care: We have the best health-care system in the world. Why do we have to charge so much? At least we should be able to provide conference workers with affordable care. The "right arm of the gospel" is giving gospel workers a knock-out punch.

Our plea to the leaders of our church is: Please, let's pull together. Or we will pull apart.

Bruce and Lori Biggs
Garden Valley, Idaho

TOUGH LOVE
Douglas Cooper's article, "Toughest Assignment" (Nov. 29, 2002) is brimming with metaphysical ("New Age") concepts and terminology. Cooper quotes Marianne Williamson, but he does not alert his readers that Williamson is a Spiritist. He also omits in his quotes key words that reveal Williamson's metaphysical theology.

I went to the Internet to find Williamson's full quote. What Cooper excised is in italics: "Love isn't seen with the physical eyes or heard with the physical ears. The physical sense can't perceive it; it's perceived through another kind of vision. Metaphysicians call it the Third Eye, esoteric Christians call it the vision of the Holy Spirit, and others call it the Higher Self."

Cooper used variations of the words "enlightened" two times and "conscious" 12 times. How does Spiritist Williamson see enlightenment? She says "Our intention [is] to be like those who have gone before us, who have attained that level of enlightenment, and who now show the way."

Metaphysical teachings and "consciousness" are prevalent, and Williamson, at the forefront, unabashedly states her goal: "Many of us who have been involved in consciousness for the last twenty to thirty years are ready now to move out into the world." The Adventist Review is promoting Williamson's goal by printing Cooper's article.

Shouldn't the Adventist Review be cautioning its readers regarding metaphysical concepts rather than giving it a platform?

Gerry Christman, Pastor
Weslaco, Texas

ABOUT FORGIVENESS
Steve Riehle responds to Gordon Bietz's October, 2002, article about forgiveness ("As We Also Have Forgiven Our Debtors") by suggesting that "Even Jesus doesn't forgive us until we ask for it." But in fact, just the opposite is true. Even on the cross, Jesus clearly forgave those who neither asked for nor desired forgiveness. For me, this is a profound revelation of the character of God and the depth of His mercy to all of us.

Robin E. Simmons
Desert Hot Springs, California

THOUGHTS ABOUT PRAYER
Thank you for the excellent article about intercessory prayer, "Unlimiting God," by D.J. Moore (Nov. 2002). Our prayer group has been studying this. Clearly the main purpose of prayer is to discover God's will. It seems that by doing so, He can then do His will. If prayer means that our will is standing on God's side, then is this what Jesus meant when He said, "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven" (Matt. 16:19, RSV)?

Sally Brehart
Saco, Maine