The beliefs and sentiments expressed by those whose letters appear here are not necessarily shared by the Adventist Review or its editorial staff. These letters have been edited for clarity and length. -- Editors

Session Coverage: Reactions and Reflections
I congratulate your team and all the delegates at the General Conference Session for the outcome of their deliberations. But as an Adventist and an ardent follower of Bible principles and doctrines, my opinion differs on the following matter:

Paul, in his epistle to the Corinthians, made it explicitly clear that women should neither teach in the church nor usurp authority over men. He further admonished women to learn in silence. His reason was that it was a woman (Eve) who was deceived, and not a man (Adam). That reason is different from what most pastors give for Paul's admonition, which they often say is due to the unruly behavior of Corinthian women at that time. This is false, unfounded, and unbiblical.

Thus I am strongly against the fact that the delegates, having known of this explicit injunction, ignored it and went ahead to elect a woman as a vice president, thereby usurping authority over men.

You point to Deborah and Israelites but forget that she was a political leader, not a religious one. There were no female priests, Rabbis, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc. If this were happening in a secular set up, I would not complain. But the church should be unique and uphold all the doctrines and teachings of God.

The role of women in the church is to nurture the young ones. This they have left and are pursuing shadows. The result is moral decadence among Adventist youth. Ellen White, with all her great works, never aspired to lead the church, knowing full well that man is the head of the woman, just as “Christ is the head of the Church” (Eph. 5:23, NKJV).

Friends, God has not changed; neither has His word changed. We are at the time of the end and the church should not allow passion to take over its sense of reasoning or becloud its understanding of God's words.

--Okezie, Nwokedi George Jr.
Rivers Conference , Nigeria

Baptismal vows constitute the standard for admittance into the Seventh-day Adventist Church . With the approval of the alternate set of baptismal vows, pastors and congregations now have the freedom to admit people into membership into the Seventh-day Adventist Church simply on the basis of their acceptance of Jesus Christ. Accordingly, there is no requirement to either believe or practice several historic beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church .

There will be those who claim that this is a positive step, and takes us from the position of a sect to a more Christian position. Others will argue that this is not a positive step. In any case, it is a step toward moving the church to a common standing with Protestant Christianity. One might now argue that we are now no different from other major Protestant denominations. In any case, this now blesses what many of our pastors have been doing for years.

--Gregory Matthews
Denver , Colorado

I am an avid reader of the Adventist Review . To be blessed by personal write-ups are more than a comfort and inspiration every time. Thank you for the articles from your office. They feed my soul in this non-English speaking country.

Yesterday, I read that Pastor Paulsen was re-elected. Today, another highlight on re-election was posted. As the re-elected ones were highlighted from one bulletin to another, I started to consider the feelings of those who are not re-elected, especially if they read these highlights. I wonder if it is proper to highlight church figures in this way at this time. Just a thought.

All the best in your endeavors, Godspeed!

--Rowe Antemano

I hate to be picky, but I'm going to be anyway. The photograph that accompanies the story on page 9, “Studio in a Car” (July 6, 2005), shows a picture of a vehicle next to a thatched roof hut. That vehicle happens to be an International Scout II and not a Land Rover, as claimed in the photo caption. The Scout II model was manufactured by The International Harvester Corporation from 1971 to 1980. There are no identifying marks other than the chrome frame around the sliding rear window, and front vent window and the roof rack. This would place the vehicle's production during the latter part of it production cycle.

Thank you for the 2005 General Conference coverage for those of us unable to attend.

-- Burton Briggs

Nice job covering the General Conference Session. Thanks!

--Art Miles
Apison , Tennessee

I thoroughly enjoyed the article, “Behold the Lamb” (General Conference Bulletin No. 1, July, 2005). It is easy to get lost in the lifestyle of Christianity, to take our salvation for granted, and to esteem its value far too lightly. But the pure essence of our faith is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. If we would be fitted for the weight of eternal glory that is promised, we must take up our cross and follow our Master's footsteps.

The author beautifully balances the theme of our Father's love for us with His abhorrence for sin, and its tremendous cost--the torture and torment and death on Calvary of our innocent Creator, who never did anything but good for humankind--nailed, hanging, bleeding, and dying because of the little sins, as well as the big ones, in my life and yours. We don't understand how wretchedly miserable, how maliciously evil, how insidiously poisonous sin really is. And it is not until we have a true concept of these things, and of the immense cost of our forgiveness, that we shall seek God with all our heart, plead earnestly with Him to change our hearts and minds, and make us like His Son Jesus in every thought, word, and deed. Only when this happens will God have a people who can stand firm and unmoved, our lives totally connected with His and fully reflecting His character during the final crisis of this age of suffering and death.

I wanted to send this article to a friend of another denomination, because it expresses so well that which is most central to our faith as Seventh-day Adventists. But I can't, because I don't agree with one statement in the article, which is not supported by Scripture. The author wrote: “The Bible is clear: God never forgives sin. Never! He only forgives sinners.”

The words of God Himself are: "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exod. 34:6, 7). And, “I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more” (Jer 31:34. Jesus said, “That ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins” (Matt 9:6). And Paul wrote about Jesus: “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph 1:7).

The Bible is clear: God never excuses sin. Never! Its forgiveness cost Him what was dearest and most precious to Him--the life of His only begotten Son--at a price that will take us all eternity to understand.

This article is beautifully written, and its profound spiritual insights clearly outline the most important themes in Scripture. Thank you for sharing it.

--Dietmar May
Lansdowne , Virginia

I was appalled and extremely dismayed to see in the first General Conference bulletin (NAD July 2005), on page 28, recommendations to eat, that is, fuel God's temple entrusted to us, at several fast food dining establishments. If one of the main fundamental beliefs/doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is to promote a healthy and nutritious lifestyle, why in of all places, a General Conference Bulletin would the General Conference recommend such places?

Numerous studies, including those outside the scope of the Adventist church, have proven again and again that such places have nothing healthy or nutritious to offer. Their “offerings” are nothing but high fat, high calories, and low nutrition. Must we stoop to the level of “convenience,” when I'm sure, if the time had been taken, there would have been much better choices to mention?

Shame on you for allowing this, and shame on the Seventh-day Adventist Church for not standing up for its principles, especially during the General Conference.

--Adina M.
San Jose , California

Most fast food restaurants, in addition to the typical fare of burgers, shakes, and fries, now offer vegetable and fruit salads, along with other menu items, that even the most conscientious health reformers can eat guilt-free. --Editors

A Union by Any Other Name
I was pleased that the Review featured a story about the Adventist leader of the most powerful union of organized medicine in the United States .

To be consistent, and for acknowledgement of the large body of blue collar workers within Adventism, similar recognition should be given for any Adventist holding a prominent leadership position in a labor union.

--Steve Riehle
Santa Maria , California

Thinking About Jesus
Thank you for the inspiring article by Dolores Moore about the passion of our Lord (“He Prayed, Sang, Trusted,” June 23, 2005). It was refreshing to read an article in the Review that showed careful study of Scripture and an understanding of the Jewish roots of our faith. The inclusion of the Hallels and their message brings the events to life and helps us understand what was going through the mind of Jesus during those trying hours.

This should inspire other writers to also sensitively research their topics in preparation for articles that appear in the Review .

--Connie Dahlke
Napa , California

Down Memory Lane
When I read the editorial, “Sentimental Journey,” by William Johnsson (June 23, 2005), I experienced my own sentimental journey to the campus of Spicer Memorial College , from which I graduated in 1967. Dr. Johnsson was one of my Bible teachers. I appreciated Johnsson's kind and generous remembrances of his family's experience in India .

Although Spicer College did not have first-rate classrooms, dormitories, library, or other facilities, Dr. Johnsson and the rest of the teachers instilled in us the basic principles of Adventist faith and Christian living that we continue to uphold.

Thank you, Dr. Johnsson, for sharing your memories. God bless you and the Adventist Review .

--Y. Rathan Raj
Silver Spring , Maryland

Prejudice Redirected
I was enlightened, yet saddened, to read Bill Knott 's article, “A Journey and a March” (May 26, 2005), about the four young Seventh-day Adventist men who courageously participated in the civil rights events of 1965. To read that these men, along with Oakwood students, were “abruptly pushed out the front door” of a local Adventist church and “abused with foul language” was a painful reminder of our church's history.

However, the official church proclamation was encouraging: “It is our belief and conviction that all persons should be given full and equal opportunity within the church . . . on the basis of qualification without regard to race.” While there have been great improvements in racial diversity in church participation, I am discouraged to realize that in 2005 that statement cannot be applied to women. Seventh-day Adventist women are still excluded from full participation in the ordained ministry on the basis of gender.

--Jeanne Kinzer Murdoch
Loma Linda , California

Turn Up the Volume
Regarding Clifford Goldstein's column, “Cultural Adventists” (Apr. 28, 2005): I'm compelled to share an experience I had years ago when we visited my husband's uncle, who was elderly and nearly bedridden. My husband and I had been married only a short time and I had not yet met this uncle, so I was a bit timid. But he graciously welcomed me into the family and promptly asked whether I was an Adventist. When I replied, yes, I was, he responded with the words: “Well, that speaks volumes.”

I've never forgotten that statement, because I believe it whole-heartedly. To meet a true, born-again Adventist, is to almost know them personally. We have the same beliefs, the same hope, the same lifestyle, and a burning desire to share our faith, which, in my opinion, speaks volumes.

--Maida Fowler Law
Hagerstown , Maryland