I enjoyed the article by Jennifer Mae Barizo, "Presenting the Altino Brothers" (June 18, 2005). However, I feel compelled to reply to two of the comments.
The first comment: Nerva Altino is quoted as saying, "A part of the problem is that the church does not take music seriously." I completely disagree with that premise, and I'm somewhat surprised that the Review printed it.
The second comment: Altino also remarked, "The Adventist Church does not invest wisely in music. Sometimes they pay, but it's rare." A 400-member church, such as I belong to, has more than 30 leadership positions, with more than 150 volunteer positions filled for two-year terms. These are people, some of whom have more than one position, who work for free, including the music department. Where would our church be financially if we paid those members, some of whom work hundreds of hours in one term of office?
The Adventist Church does take its music seriously. Thousands of musicians spend thousands of hours honing their skills, and serve without pay to enhance our church services. They serve without pay, and I am sure they will continue to do so, because they love our Lord Jesus, just like the rest of us, who are looking for His Second Coming.
Ferd Moreno
Tigard, Oregon
I wondered what happened to Jennifer Barizo, but she's back with the best of them.
On one hand she has a point: Our church does not emphasize music education enough. Leadership doesn't know beans about music. I can see my daughter, Marianne, looking elsewhere for a job (except for, perhaps, teaching in one of our schools).
But the last time I went to Andrews University I saw a tremendous choir, directed by Stephen Zork, and listened to the finest music; 200 superb voices. Bravo! We have dedicated musicians and tremendous talent coming along at the Howard Performing Center.
As for the brothers Altino, their papa deserves a medal of honor.
Michel Kordas
Serving With Distinction
The cover story by James E. Appel, "Where God Led Me" (May 12, 2005), reminded me of my time at Ile-Ife hospital in Nigeria, where conditions were almost perfect (even though the overseas doctors didn't think so) compared to the conditions that James has to contend with. I take my hat off to this young man, who is working under what could be very discouraging circumstances.
May God give him the strength to face the problems he faces each day. Our prayers are with him and with others who work under similar conditions.
Stanley V. Maxwell
Watford, England
Thoughtless Appearances
My husband and I enjoy very much most of the articles published in the Review every month. Thank you for the inspiration they bring to our spiritual lives.
But the article, "Mature Faith" (June, 2005) could have been more inspirational if, instead of a woman exercising, you would have pictured a man. The exposure of the woman's back is not very appealing to the soul. To the Latin mind it is a call for flesh-driven thoughts.
We are in a pilgrimage to heaven's gates, waiting for our Jesus. This magazine is given to friends and acquaintances who expect a more decent presentation of our true colors.
Please do not take this as an insult. We love our literature. God bless you in your mission.
Alex and Myriam Muniz
The Judgment--Believe It Or Not
Regarding "What We Really Believe About the Judgment" (June 9, 2005): Kevin Ferris makes the statement: "For if each of the 6 billion inhabitants of today's world were granted the same privilege, the judgment would take more than a million years from start to finish! . . . Of course this is not a problem to God, who can bring any dimension to time He requires."
Ellen White wrote: "In the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God" (The Great Controversy, p. 480, emphasis supplied). This would eliminate the appearance before God's judgment for those who practice Confucianism, atheism, etc.
Ferris concludes, "The gateway to heaven is not via the judgment, but through Calvary.
"The judgment hour message we are commissioned to take to the world is the message of Calvary atonement. It's the message humanity most needs to hear in this crucial time."
Again, Mrs. White wrote: "Solemn are the scenes connected with the closing work of the atonement. Momentous are the interests involved therein. The judgment is now passing in the sanctuary above. For many years this work has been in progress. Soon--none knows how soon--it will pass to the cases of the living. In the awful presence of God our lives are to come up in review. At this time above all others it behooves every soul to heed the Saviour's admonition: 'Watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.' Mark 13:33. 'If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.' Revelation 3:3" (The Great Controversy, p. 490).
In another place Mrs. White wrote: "In the typical service only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the Day of Atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative judgment the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God" (The Great Controversy, p.480). Praise the Lord for Calvary!
I hope Kevin Ferris writes more thought provoking items.
Art Miles
Apison, Tennessee
From my childhood I have observed the elation in my mother as she eagerly read inspiring reports from the world field and the enlightening and uplifting articles that deepened her knowledge of, and faith in, the Adventist message. I have also looked forward to the opportunity to broaden my own understanding of some of the more abstract biblical concepts as elucidated by those whom God has blessed with spiritual eyesight.
But my spirits were dampened as I read "What We Really Believe About the Judgment." The general tone of the article left one with an uneasy feeling that something was out of kilter, and that the author either does not understand or does not accept the one teaching that is most uniquely "Adventist," the doctrine of the Investigative Judgment.
Just one observation will illustrate my point. The author repeatedly and most pointedly stresses the idea that our atonement was completed and finished at Calvary. Were that true, then in the typical service described in Leviticus 16, the killing of the goat upon which the lot fell [the Lord's goat] would suffice and with a triumphal shout all the congregation could go home rejoicing.
But there was more to be accomplished in order to achieve full atonement. The high priest had to take the blood of that goat and minister it (sprinkle it on the mercy seat) in the Most Holy place.
That is just what Christ is doing now. He is pleading His blood in the Most Holy place in heaven for those who have confessed their sins and have brought our lives into conformity with His will. Atonement is still in progress and will continue until probation closes.
In the interest of the eternal destiny of readers who might have been misled by the article cited above, I suggest that one of our Sanctuary scholars, such as Roy Adams, Richard Davidson, or Roy Gane write an article clarifying our real understanding about the Investigative Judgment.
Frederick C. Phipps
Cincinnati, Ohio
Reacting to Readers' Reactions
I read with interest the comments about the standards of our church in the letters reacting to the article by Cesar Gonzalez, "Something Has to Change" (Apr. 21, 2005).
Being a long-time Seventh-day Adventist, I have noticed changes within the church. When I was growing up standards were mostly black and white. But it seems that the standards have changed so much that it's confusing to me. What must the young people feel?
I know that our relationship with the good Lord, and lots of prayer, affects our salvation--not works. But is it only the day we keep that makes us different? (Even then, the Sabbath is kept in so many different ways.)
Are we just a grace church, so everything is OK? I wonder where the standards are going, and where they will stop.
Janet Edgren
Redding, California
