More was revealed of Seventh-day Adventist conclusions about the created earth than was forthcoming from official sources. The usage of "short" and "long," undefined as such, allows for an elasticity for each interested reader. The only conclusion that might well come from this is that creation was the focus of the commentary and other mentioned discussions, not the age of the earth as such.

Willis Coffeen
Walla Walla, Washington

I had to go back to the Nov. 25, 2004 Review and reread Goldstein's column, "Turtles All the Way Down." How appropriate to have it so close to his column in the December 23 issue. Keep up the good work.

Lester Medford
Loma Linda, California


TURNING UP THE COMMANDMENTS
Nathan Brown's column, Of Beatitudes and Commandments" (Dec. 16, 2004), significantly enlarged the way I view Christian living. Mr. Brown has clarified, convicted, and challenged me on the idea of turning up "the impulse of the commandments."

I have never murdered anyone. But turning up the impulse of the commandments injects into my daily life a more difficult but infinitely greater drive toward "authentic Christianity." I am already experiencing a clearer view of what it means to live a more compassionate, satisfying, and joyful Christian life.

What activist, Christian or otherwise, can rip that off my billboard?

Caesar Nawalkowski


MUSICAL TRADITIONS
I read the article When in Our Music God is Glorified" (Dec. 2004). It started out with an interesting look at the way music has permeated our souls and even shaped our very existence.

However, I found it puzzling that the author focused only on hymns. You cannot begin an article about music and end with Western, or culturally influenced hymns. I didn't understand the progression of thought. Does God no longer give us inspiring music? Was it only 50 and 100 years ago that the Holy Spirit influenced music that glorified God?

I'm sure that's not what the author intended, but the article references only Adventist hymns, and speaks only about songwriters who lived a long time ago. It is misleading to imply that only hymns and those songwriter's lives "provide great inspiration and insight" to Christianity. There's so much more when it comes to glorifying God in music.

Chris Blunt


When I first looked at Wolfgang H. Stefani's article, I immediately thought of a beautiful spring afternoon when I decided to distribute literature in the neighborhoods around our church.

Walking toward one house I paused and noticed the front yard. It was simply dirt with evenly dug holes filled with many large, beautiful rose bushes. As I drew closer to the house, rich, wonderful music greeted me and so touched me that I stopped to listen. The music seemed to fulfill the words of Bach, "The aim and final reason of all music is the glory of God."

Thank you for printing this touching article. I will listen to more good music.

Patricia Cook
Colorado Springs, Colorado


GOING BY THE BOOK
The article, A Rabbi, a Jug, and a Christian" (Dec. 2004) was of special interest to me. I too have struggled with the question: Why are intelligent people unable to comprehend the truth?

I joined a group studying Revelation. I was amazed at how much Scripture they were able to amass to support their weird conclusions. They sealed their false conclusions in their own minds.

I ran across a statement in Ellen White's book, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students: "The student of the Word should not make his [or her] opinions a center around which truth is to revolve. He should not search for the purpose of finding texts of Scripture that he can construe to prove his theories; for this is wresting the Scriptures to his own destruction" (p. 463). This is a danger to us all.

Following Gugliotto's counsel should prevent that. Preconceived conclusions will do us in. I've seen it happen too many times.

Norwood Smith
Georgetown, Tennessee


I agree with Lee Gugliotto about why it's important to read the Bible on our own. It is the most important link to the Holy Spirit.

I have been studying the Bible for more than 20 years. My first study was a life-changing event. I use the concordance (now a computer version) on a regular basis, and I now have more than 600 studies on just about every subject you could imagine. The Holy Spirit has never let me down and has never stopped coming up with the most amazing things to learn about in the Bible. All we need to do is be open and spend the time.

I would deprive you of the experience of witnessing this yourself, so no details from me. But here are a few words to check out in your own Bible, using your own concordance, during your own time with God. Just look at the simple words "eye" and "wing," and you'll see God's hand in your studies. Pray and be led.

Dennis Herman
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin


TWO MEN, TWO DESTINIES
The article, Belshazzar Versus Belteshazzar," by Don Leo Garilva (Dec. 9, 2004), is a must read. The author shows insightful study of Daniel 5, which records a historical event that changed the world forever. The comparison of those two famous men in Babylon reveals serious implications for our time.

This world is closer to reaching its appointment with destiny than many want to admit. Either we stand with God, or we stand against Him.

It is also encouraging to read about Sir James Carlisle, governor-general of Antigua and Barbuda, who understands his first loyalty is to the "King of kings and Lord of lords."

Natalie Dodd
Centerville, 0hio


TOO MUCH ABOUT GIVING?
I have never written a letter to the editor before, but after reading Gordon Bietz's article, White-collar Thieves" (Dec. 23, 2004), I had to.

All I hear from my denomination is about tithe, to the point of members accused of being thieves. It's enough, don't you think? Every letter we get from our local conference has to do with money. Shouldn't our church leaders/writers concentrate on pointing us to Jesus instead?

I return to God what belongs to God, and frankly, I've had it with this issue. Please, let's let our leaders/church concentrate on members' spirituality and prove that there's still integrity in our denomination by bringing people closer to God in a genuine, clear, and honest way, like Jesus did when He was on earth. Then the money will flow in a way that the church will be unable to handle.

Hery Hetze
Houston, Texas