CHRISTIANS AND THE SEXUAL REVOLUTION
I appreciate William Johnnson's editorial "Adventists and the Sexual Revolution" (Apr. 8, 2004). All the points he made were well stated.

As I think back on my formative years and my education in church schools, I wish we had been given good and valid reasons for the lifestyle that was encouraged (and required at school). Youth usually see through inadequate reasons for doing or for not doing anything. Although they may comply with the rules when they have to, soon they are adults and don't have those rules any more.

We have overlooked one of the most powerful principles involved in avoiding premarital or extramarital sex. We believe we were created by God's hand. The creation story has this statement about the union between man and woman: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh" (Gen. 2:24, NIV).

God not only created sex; He did so to create a bond between husband and wife. Even the law recognizes that a marriage has not been consummated unless the man and woman have engaged in sexual intercourse. Sex makes powerful emotional, spiritual, and physical bonds. This is a prime reason for not having sex in marriage only for procreation. These bonds need to be reinforced and strengthened, just as any other communication in a relationship needs to be maintained.

However, this has serious implications outside of marriage. We cannot become one flesh with many people and remain whole; this is something overlooked, both in the psychological and the religious world. Each time someone is involved in sexual activity, he/she bonds with the other person. These bonds are strong; they are meant to be. But if the union is not permanent and is dissolved, some of each of the partners is lost to the other. And if there are multiple partners, parts of the emotional and spiritual person become scattered. Is it any wonder that people "don't even look happy," as Johnsson asked in his editorial?

By God's grace, those who have been unfaithful in this area can be healed, but the only way for a person to truly give oneself to a spouse is to keep oneself whole for that spouse. God has already given us the best reason for following His ideal.

Merlin D. Starr

OUT OF THE SALTSHAKER
I appreciate John Graz urging church members to leave their "safe" church fortress and mingle with others in his article, "The Salt of the Earth" (Apr. 8, 2004). Working for the community with other Christian groups will help us overcome that pernicious idea that Adventists are better or more highly favored than other followers of Christ. Graz mentions the problem of "individualism." Another word for it might be "exclusivism."

Graz's fourth reason for getting involved in community service, "to promote, defend and protect our values," is a loaded one. It should not the primary motive; if it is, we are likely to turn others off. Instead such promotion needs to be done indirectly, or "on demand," as others show an interest in learning more. The most important reason for serving others is to follow Jesus' example of reaching out to those who are outcasts and marginalized by society, and, like Jesus, to walk in their shoes and try to understand their needs.

Carrol Grady

CENTRAL CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE STATEMENT
Thank you for letting us know that the Central California Conference attempted to correct the media about the church affiliation of Marcus Wesson ("California Conference Releases Statement After Fresno Killings," Apr. 8, 2004). The article was beautifully written, with just the right tone of sympathy.

Unfortunately, any media retraction apparently stayed in California. I first noticed the Seventh-day Adventist connection in the Associated Press article on America Online. Later it was omitted, but there was no retraction and the public relations damage was done, with no national media attempt to undo it. We have also read that Lee Malvo (of Washington sniper fame) was alleged to have an Adventist background. It would be nice to have the retractions be as prominent news as the original misinformation. Perhaps the news media--Associated Press, etc.-- could be persuaded to make a more public correction. I, for one, am tired of being embarrassed by the media immediately blaming Adventism for heinous crimes--as if our beliefs promote criminal behavior.

The fact that the news media so readily believe the Seventh-day Adventist connection to criminals and emotionally disturbed behavior should be a clue that our General Conference Communication Department has not been effective. The only time I've seen Adventism in the national news has been when former members have gone off the deep end and done something bizarre (David Koresh, etc.). Yes, we do attract more than our share of weird people--probably because those people choose to be different for the sake of being different, and Adventism is different. However, if the General Conference would immediately counteract the negative press by publishing the positive--as the Central California Conference did, those of us in other states might be able to hold our heads high when someone asks what church we attend.

Even paid ads might be cost-effective in helping keep "normal" members in the church. I would love to see ad campaigns publicizing our beliefs: i.e., the Bible as our source of beliefs, the gift of salvation, Jesus' soon coming, re-creation in keeping Sabbath, "if ye love Me, keep My commandments," our open church services, open communion, and an invitation to attend local churches. It's hard to fight the assumption that Adventism is a cult that follows Ellen G. White and not the Bible. This is especially widespread here in the Bible Belt.

Evelyn Kopitzke

EVANGELISM AND MISSION
I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation with General Conference President Jan Paulsen, "Evangelism, Yes. But also Mission" (Mar. 11, 2004). When he began by stating that "the church should be focused on mission," and that our mission should drive decisions regarding the church's use of its resources, I became very interested in his view of mission.

As I read on, it was refreshing to see his holistic view. He described our mission as including public evangelism, but being much broader than public evangelism. This expanded perspective will give much needed affirmation to the members of our local congregations who serve in worship, outreach, fellowship, and teaching ministries, but are not usually seen as directly contributing to our church's evangelistic efforts.

I'm wondering if we will take the next step and give the much needed resources to the local churches so they can engage in this expanded mission. It's obvious that local congregations are central and strategic to all our evangelistic and mission objectives. The tenor of Paulsen's interview emphasized that lasting growth only occurs when we focus on providing local infrastructure for that growth--a place to worship, pastoral attention, youth education, church fellowship, community involvement, etc.

In an unrelated article in the same issue, the salient sentence in Stephen Chavez's editorial was, "Successful evangelistic outreach in this age boils down to one thing: the strength and vitality of the local congregation." Our primary mission takes place at our local congregations; it's time we take the next step of directing our resources accordingly.

Furman F. Fordham, II, pastor
Allen Chapel Adventist Church
Lincoln, Nebraska

PASSIONATE ABOUT "THE PASSION"
We Seventh-day Adventists need to have our eyes opened to events taking place on these last days. Our prophet wrote about false revivals that will take place in the last days. (The Sufferings of Jesus, February 19, 2004 )The movie, "The Passion of the Christ," is bringing feelings of revival among Protestants, Catholics, and many people of the Adventist faith.

I think it's a false revival. After doing research I believe the Jesus shown in this movie is not the Jesus depicted in the gospels and in Ellen White's books, which were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Mel Gibson clearly stated that he was inspired by Anne Catherine Emmerich, a famous mystic and Catholic nun who claimed to posses supernatural visions. Emmerich [supposedly] bore the actual, physical wounds of Jesus Christ, called "stigmata," where the actual wounds of Christ supernaturally appear on the hands, feet, and head.

There is no question that "The Passion" is an openly Catholic originated, inspired, and produced movie. Mel Gibson has held back nothing, confessing his complete devotion to his Catholic faith. In an interview with the Australian paper, The Herald Sun, Mel proudly admitted, "There is no salvation for those outside the Church; I believe it."

I agree with the comment by William G. Johnsson about the movie. This movie will cause many people to be curious about Jesus Christ, which could be a good thing. However, our job is not to agree with the content of this movie. Instead, we should start working to steer that curiosity toward the right Jesus. Protestants can't support what the Catholic system offers. If Ellen White was alive she wouldn't either; instead she would warn us about the deceptions of Satan.

Johnsson also mentioned that there are many additions to what the Bible teaches in this movie. God's last warning is, "If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book" (Rev. 22:18, 19).

Furthermore, the phrase "passion of Christ" is being used by Protestants and Seventh-day Adventists as part of their theological vocabulary when it is unbiblical. "The passion" is a Catholic term for the 14 stations that Jesus had to go through during His crucifixion, starting on Ash Wednesday. Gibson's movie goes through all these 14 stations, just like in the mass; and some of these stations are not biblical but satanic visions given to Ann Catherine Emmerich and then adopted by the Catholic Church.

Erika Zurita
Orlando, Florida

I appreciated W. G. Johnsson's editorial about "The Passion of the Christ." The fact that he did not view the film does not detract from his comments, since many factual reviews and reports can be perused. I also wrote reports about the film without having seen it.

I later went to view the film. Not having watched such violent films and not yet being desensitized to such an extent, I could not handle the amount of violence in the film. I had to close my eyes for large parts of the film. In my case, any possible evangelistic impact was negated by the horrific amount of bloody violence. I cannot recommend it to anyone.

I was also unhappy with the large amount of biblical and historical errors it contained. It is a Catholic film based on the visions of stigmatic nuns St. Anne Catherine Emmerich and Mary of Agreda, rather than on the Bible. The film may lead agnostics and atheists to enquire more about Christ, and as such it has value.

Dr. Bernhard Ficker
Somerset West
South Africa

As a third generation Adventist, who, by God's grace is trying to love God and my fellow man, I must comment on "The Passion of the Christ."

As the currency expert who can tell a counterfeit note by spending lots of time with legal notes, I spent two weeks reading the Gospel accounts and The Desire of Ages.

I found "The Passion of the Christ" to be a counterfeit of the antichrist, pushing the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church, Mary as co-redeemer, suffering as a means of salvation, a version of the crucifixion as the devil would have liked it to have been.

However God can use even bad things for His purpose, and the film can be used as a way of presenting the love of God in Jesus and the reason He died for us.

Michael Hamblin

VALIDATION ABOUT "VALIDATION"
I appreciate the perspective Stephen Chavez brings to our very human propensity to seek applause and validation for who we are and what we do ("Validation," Mar. 18, 2004).

Chavez asked, "What would be more persuasive in terms of validating Christianity's claims? The discovery of Noah's ark? Or the . . . Christian virtues [people] see demonstrated in your life?" While confirmation of the discovery of Noah's ark would give us something more to talk about, it might not be the most timely topic of discussion for the Seventh-day Adventist Church or for Christianity in general. The enemy of our souls would certainly jump on the event as one more opportunity to divert attention from the issue of the soul that really matters--our relationship with the One who saves us.

Because the proof of discipleship is embedded in and confirmed by the love we have for one another within the community of believers (John 13:35), it is reasonable to conclude, as did Ellen White, that the strongest argument for Christianity is a "loving and lovable Christian" (The Ministry of Healing, p. 470). This type of love is, fortunately for the power of the argument, totally unattainable. We cannot generate it nor can we induce it. But we can receive it if we will. And having received God's love, we are commissioned to use it, as Seth Pierce writes in "The Discovery Zone" (Mar. 18) and "by love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13).

So, who did you say is my neighbor?

Merlin Nichols
Chetwynd, British Columbia

COMFORTED BY CALVARY
I appreciated Arnold Wallenkampf's article, "Calvary" (Apr. 8, 2004). It is certainly a subject that should be more deeply studied, especially the legal aspects and how they affect us. It is evident that Christ's death was a corporate death; as Paul wrote: "If one died for all, then all died" (2 Cor. 5:14, NKJV). If "all were dead" as the "authorized version" says, and "he that is dead is freed from sin" (Rom. 6:7), it is clear that Jesus' death affected the whole human race. Ellen White wrote: "[Jesus] restored the whole race of men to favor with God" (Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 343). And Paul wrote: "He hath made us accepted in the beloved" (Eph. 1:6).

Again, Mrs. White wrote: "The Lord would have His people sound in the faith--not ignorant of the great salvation so abundantly provided for them. They are not to look forward, thinking that at some future time a great work is to be done by them; for the work is now complete" (Selected Messages, vol. 1, pp. 294, 295).

So, what must we do to be saved? "Man is given the privilege of working with God in the saving of his own soul," wrote White. "He is to receive Christ as his personal Saviour and believe in Him. Receiving and believing is part of the contract" (In High Places, p. 12). She also wrote: "Men fail of salvation through their own refusal of the gift of life" (The Great Controversy, p. 262).

It has become a great comfort to realize that my salvation depended on His performance, not my own.

Norwood Smith
Georgetown, Tennessee