ADVENTISTS AND RACE RELATIONS
Thank you, Roy Adams, for your wonderful editorial, "This Time Around" (Feb. 2002). As a lifetime Adventist, but more importantly a lifetime Christian, it was refreshing to not read another sugar-coated message during Black History Month. We are not through with race relations, and probably never will be until the Lord comes. How sad though that we proclaim the truth, but only live it when it fits our human molds.

Thank you for bringing this to light. Maybe now the church will spend time healing itself.

--Rosamond Leacock Martin


Comparing present aims of the Aryan Nation with abuses of the '60s and '70s, Adams wrote: "We should have been ahead of that development. We should have led, rather than being compelled to follow."

I submit that active and militant participation against social wrongs in society is not the work of the Christian. Ellen White wrote: "It was not the apostle's work to overturn arbitrarily or suddenly the established order of society. To attempt this would be to prevent the success of the gospel" (Acts of the Apostles, p. 459. Concerning Christ and His mission, she wrote: "To be efficient, the cure must reach men individually, and must regenerate the heart" (The Desire of Ages, p. 509).

Let's diligently pray and intelligently work as the Spirit leads to help people understand the blessings of God's kind, loving, and compassionate ways--both for now and for eternity--remembering that He will repay the evildoers and bless all who yield completely to Him.

--J. Stanley (Stan) McCluskey
Naches, Washington


Adams' editorial about race relations is so potent and on target that it singes one's eyebrows. Of course, we must never forget that in the 1800's Adventists were at the forefront in the battle for racial equality. But sadly, as Adams states, for a time we got a bit waylaid with theories of the gospel that excused us from social participation.

Sooner or later we're going to understand. We will triumph gloriously; not just as a spiritual body, but as a church that implements those grand gospel principles of equity, oneness, and affirmation for all races.

Thanks again for a most lucid wake-up call in these comfy times.

--Pastor David Grams
Holland, Michigan


Adams should be reminded that even bigots have the right here in the United States to voice their objectionable opinions if they don't violate criminal laws.

Also, the criminal actions of some members or former members of the Aryan Nation does not indict the whole group. How would Adams like it, if in the Catholic Recorder mention were made of Adventists as objectionable simply because John Malvo attended an Adventist School (admittedly an extreme example)?

I suggest that Adams likewise be concerned with equally objectionable bigots, such as Minister Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam. Bigotry and hate mongering are not limited to Caucasians.

--J. R. Layman
Lubbock, Texas

SAME TOPIC, DIFFERENT EDITORIAL
In "Confidence in Tragedy" (Feb. 13, 2003), Roy Adams wrote: "The multi-cultural composition of the crew was something to remark upon. And what I personally liked about the NASA approach is that for them, apparently, it was no big deal. Had it not been for the tragedy, millions of us might never have noticed; NASA did not call attention to it. Would the day ever come when we, as a church, could be as low-keyed and matter-of-fact about inclusiveness? I was impressed. That's how the church should look--only more so--as we face together earth's final crisis."

Oh, how I enjoyed those words. I am still amazed at how much we talk about diversity in our church and how little we embrace it. There are many lessons we can learn from the people in the world.

The enmity that exists between some people in the church today is unbelievable. Unfortunately we are still divided. The eleven o'clock worship hour on Sabbath mornings is the most segregated time of the week.

It is my prayer that in this multi-cultural world of ours we will accept each other as brothers and sisters and treat everyone with respect. Let us embrace our diversity, work together, worship together, and go to heaven to live together.

As the bard and cleric, John Donne, said centuries ago: "No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less . . . any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind."

Let us go forward in faith and in unity.

--Errol A. Lawrence, Chair
Department of Religious Studies
Canadian University College
Lacombe, Alberta

ADVENTISTS AND PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH
When I read the piece, "President of the United States Appears in Adventist Religious Liberty Video" (Feb. 2003), I mentally said to our leaders: "Don't get too excited. If we bear in mind how God has led this church--really take it into account--we will understand what roles our religious and political leaders will play in these last days (I believe a few will see the light).

For me the vehemence, the intensity, the relentlessness--against all reason--with which one holds on to his wrongs because of pride or an inability to change, makes one a dangerous person. A mind set like this is dangerous, and cannot be good for God's people's welfare. Yet we know that God can use anyone, or anything.

"Your individual churches are providing hope and inspiration to countless Americans every week," said President Bush in the video. Does he really know that? Let God remove the relative safety of God's people today. Do you see such a figure defending our rights? Doubtless, the Falwells, the Roberts, the Nimms see how quickly a pariah we become. Every one of them (caustic in their theology, bitter in their politics) will immediately join together to effect our repression--and if God allows it-our persecution.

--Anonymous

THANKS, GOLDSTEIN
Thank you for Clifford Goldstein's column, "Beyond Logic" (Jan. 23, 2003). My husband and I agree that he couldn't have stated it any better. Beautifully said! Jesus, our righteousness, there's nothing sweeter in the world!

I have sinned and fallen so much short of God's will--how else could I ever hope to see Him face to face but by Jesus? I can't thank you enough for saying it again. Perhaps some of those nay sayers will get the picture. We can only hope and pray for them. Keep up the good work. God and His Spirit are using you and we are grateful.

--Ernie and Rita Back
Wasco, Oregon


Goldstein wrote my experience. If he hadn't written his column in the first person, I'd have been convinced he was writing about my experience. Isn't our God wonderful?

Even the apostle Paul experienced hostility when preaching justification by faith alone.

--Marilyn Kreuder
Caldwell, Idaho

OH, REALLY!
"Is This Woman for Real?" by Bonita Joyner Shields (Jan. 16, 2003) gave an entirely different slant to the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Just imagine that proverb applying to men as well as women.

Thank you, Shields, for challenging the prevailing perception and giving us readers a fresh perspective on Proverbs 31.

--Glenn and Jerre St Clair
Berrien Springs, Michigan

KOREAN MEMORIES
I have to respond to William Johnsson's article about Korea ("Korea: Grace Through Suffering," Jan. 9, 2003). I was with the 40th Division, 115th Medical Battalion from March to November of 1952. We were north of the 38th in the Kumwha /Kumsong area for several months before being withdrawn to a reserve position near Kapyong. It wasn't until much later that I learned that Kapyong was one of those regions of Adventist refuge during the Japanese occupation. I have vivid memories of that reserve period.

I recall seeing little kids lined up along the fence near our mess tent every once in a while breaking through to grab scraps from a garbage can. I remember bathing and swimming in the Kapyong River. But most of all, I remember an outstanding Christian boy called Lee.

As the American units rotated through that sector, they each set up their medical battalion in the same place; and Lee served each in turn as translator and dispensary aide. He was intelligent, polite, and had a certain modest dignity that marks a true Christian. He was not afraid to give a gentle rebuke when needed.

When 20 or 30 of us were swimming and bathing nude while Korean women were washing clothes a short distance upstream, Lee came and explained to us that our behavior was out of line. This was their place to do laundry, and we should show them more respect.

In Korea, if a rock falls off a mountain, it will fall on a Kim, a Pak, or a Lee. But I do wonder what happened to that Lee. I still have a picture of him.

I would love to spend at least a year teaching English in Korea, but I am retired and committed to at least two more years pastoring in the very part of Wyoming where I was born. After that, we'll see.

--John Graham
Buffalo, Wyoming