KUDOS TO RODRIGUEZ
Angel Rodriguez has done it again! If the height of art is to conceal art, surely the mark of great scholarship is to conceal it in simple, living language that makes it accessible to ordinary people. His column, "Implications of Creation" (July 8, 2004) is another little gem. Too many people think scholarship is indicated by technical vocabulary and opaque prose. Dr. Rodriguez brilliantly models for his readers the very conclusion of he wants to communicate. From the beginning of the piece, he brought the passage down to our level to reveal to us its beautiful meaning.

It was a taste of heaven, where each of us will share with everyone else what God revealed to us. Blessings to you, Dr. Rodriguez. Blessings to the Adventist Review for printing it, for it blessed me.

Ed Dickerson
Garrison, Iowa

A DELIBERATE SNUB?
The author of the article, "A Deliberate Snub? Or Something Beyond Words?" (July 8, 2004), fails to consider another possibility. It could very well be that Jesus made it look like He was intending to pass on by and to the disciples it "appeared" he was doing just that. However, Jesus' actual intention may have been (and I consider this highly likely) to force the disciples to call to Him for help. In other words, they must willfully ask for help before He could become available to assist them. This is certainly the way He confronts us today. He has created within us the freedom of choice and the will to submit. He expects us to utilize these gifts in order to receive His aid.

Archie McCluskey

DO INTENTIONS EQUAL ACTIONS?
I agree completely with the article, "Good Intentions," by Leakey Mokua Nyaberi (July 8, 2004). Good intentions are not enough, and we must follow through with good actions. But on behalf of our "walking wounded" (of whom I am chief), may I offer another perspective? This article deals primarily with our horizontal relationships--between us and our fellow humans. In the vertical dimension--our relationship with God--I dare to say the dynamics change.

I formerly suffered great guilt on account of my "sins of omission." It helps me to realize that "intentions" can actually be the same as "motives." God doesn't care as much about what we do as about why we do it. Ellen White put it so well when she wrote: "When it is in the heart to obey God, when efforts are put forth to this end, Jesus accepts this disposition and effort as man's best service, and He makes up for the deficiency with His own divine merit" (My Life Today, p. 250).

When I have tried and failed, tried and failed, tried and failed again, it is a much-needed comfort to trust a God who knows me better than I know myself, and judges my motives, not just my success rate.

On another subject: The reprinted article, "Sexual Misconduct In Ministry: Unforbidden Fruit" (Adventist Review Online) had many worthwhile points, most of them biblical. I pray Miroslav Kis' words will promote right living with those who struggle with temptation.

But I am puzzled by the title. Unforbidden? Is there a misconduct that is permitted? If so, how is it considered misconduct? What is it?

There are many who would love to follow some third way--frowned upon by part of society but overlooked or unforbidden by God. Since this concept was not in the article, should we conclude the "un" was a typo?

I look forward to reading the remaining articles in this series.

D. Durham

CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS, OUR BENEFIT
I couldn't help wanting to share how the article, "Coronation of Shame or Coronation of Glory" (June 24, 2004), touched me deeply, especially now that I'm reading The Passion of Love, a portion of Ellen White's book, The Desire of Ages.

Even though I read The Desire of Ages from cover to cover while in college, it was done more for satisfying the requirements for a Bible class I had to take as part of my undergraduate degree. Beatrice Neall painted the portrait of a loving Savior, who is willing to wear the crown of thorns, while taking all forms of abuse, so that we can have salvation. The meaning of His suffering for us may never be explained in human terms, but one thing I do know for sure: He loves us in spite of ourselves. Thanks for the article.

Daniel Y. Chin
Renton, Washington

THANK YOU, NATHAN
In the article, "Suffering's Glorious Unanswer" (May 20, 2004), Nathan Brown wields a level of scholarship, fresh insights, and journalistic talent that belies his youthful visage.

Thanks, Nathan, for describing the cosmic gamble that is the story of the book of Job. Keep pounding the keys; we need to hear what God has given you to say!

Daryl Hoyt
Gerrardstown, West Virginia

TAINTED MONEY?
I smiled after reading Roy Adams' editorial on hygiene ("Sorry to Meddle," May 13, 2004) and the letters in response (July 8). If preachers are worried about shaking hands with people who don't wash their hands, and if women are worried about eating potluck food from those with dirty kitchens, can you imagine how we church treasurers feel when we count hundreds of dirty, filthy dollar bills each week? The wadded up, limp ones in particular make me wonder, How many people held this thing before me, and what diseases did they carry?

By the way, I prefer large denomination bills since fewer of them have to be counted. And I especially prefer checks, since I then have no coins to count. Auditors prefer checks too, since they present less temptation to treasurers. My favorite donors are those that give accumulated tithes and offerings just once a month or quarter rather than weekly. Lightening the load on your local treasurer in this way just might save his/her health, not to mention time.

Robert Johnston, treasurer
Brazosport Seventh-day Adventist Church
Richwood, Texas

NOT REALLY NEW FUNDAMENTAL BELIEF
The proposed "new" fundamental belief entitled "Growing in Christ" (June, 2004) is a welcome addition. But we should make it clear that this is new only in its formal articulation. It is not a recently discovered doctrine but rather was so fundamental to our understanding that we had, heretofore, taken it for granted.

This is much like the fact that we have no "No Smoking" signs on our church properties. It is just understood. It is part of our worldview. This "new" belief is useful because makes manifest our commitment to such practices as prayer. I urge our leaders to adopt the proposed language.

Pastor David A. Pendleton
Kailua, Hawaii

ARCHIVED ARTICLES ONLINE
I can't begin to tell you how much I appreciate the Adventist Review Online. Ever since I discovered it, it continues to be a discerning, present-time, God-inspired voice.

I was especially delighted with the article "Church Structure in 2025" by Harold L. Lee. The insight, clarity, and practicality of it astounds to me. It should be read by every officer on all levels of our organization. Vision and spiritual discernment of the time is truly needed at this point in our journey.

Thank you, Adventist Review, and a special thanks to Harold L. Lee for letting God speak through you this way. Praise God for He is still--as He promised--always with us.

Danise Taylor
St. Louis, Missouri