March 23, 2015

Inbox

Missed?

I found Nathan Brown’s article “A (Missed?) Moment of Spiritual Possibility” (Feb. 26, 2015) to be helpful in encouraging calm dialogue in the church. He does well in putting the present debate in the context of belief number 11, “Growing in Christ,” and correctly argues how that could do much to reduce the ill will that’s out there.

Brown often mentions the “extremes” as being the troublemakers. It would have been helpful if he’d given practical definitions or illustrations of those extremes. For instance, I believe in and try to live in harmony with the 28 fundamental beliefs of the Adventist Church. Would a significant number of our church members today label that extreme? Does belief in the Spirit of Prophecy—all of it—make me an extremist? What about believing that rock music, nudity, caffeine, and wine sipping should have no place in Adventism?

Brown correctly puts the focus on Jesus as the solution to whatever hostility and division there is in the church. But today there are many “false Christs” (Mark 13:22, KJV). One has to carefully examine which Christ is being promoted.

“The end of all things is at hand” (1 Peter 4:7, KJV).

Lee Roy Holmes
College Place, Washington

The Longue Durée

According to Gerald A. Klingbeil, in his editorial “The
Longue Durée” (Feb. 26, 2015), the upcoming General Conference session is not being anticipated “exuberantly” by the Review staff. But I pray for our delegates and leaders, especially this year with the ordination question.

This church and its leaders are dear to me. I pray that God will guide the actions taken at our forthcoming meetings in San Antonio, Texas.

Catherine Lang Titus
Glendale, California

God and Adventist Schools

For the first time, Andrew McChesney’s contribution has been a disappointment. In his editorial “God and Adventist Schools” (Feb. 26, 2015), McChesney takes to task an art teacher in an Adventist university who, when queried, stated, “I don’t think of God in terms of playing a role in my artistic practice.”

On the basis of this reply, McChesney questions the fact that this is a committed Seventh-day Adventist teacher. I suggest referencing Matthew 25:31-40. Those the Son of man declares righteous when He comes as king don’t “think about God” when they perform the acts that enable them to “possess the kingdom.”

Andy Hanson
Chico, California

When the Body Isn’t Wheat

I was glad to see Heidi Ashton’s article “When the Body Isn’t Wheat” (Feb. 19, 2015). Until a few years ago the information about wheat/gluten intolerance had been very scarce.

When I was diagnosed in 2000, doctors knew little about it or how to treat it. Of the six different gluten tests I had, five came back positive, which is a definite intolerance. There was sparse gluten-free food available, and what is on the market even now is not always edible for one with wheat/gluten intolerance. If left untreated long, this intolerance weakens the immune system and creates more allergies.

Processed gluten-free food is seriously lacking in balanced nutrition. When one has multiple allergies, even gluten-free recipes have to be changed so much that the original recipe bears little resemblance to the original.

Another factor that is often overlooked is that a gluten-free diet is usually low in nutrients (especially the B vitamins), causing more digestive problems; so good plant-based supplements are critical. One is often left to deal with the issue alone, so much research and tolerance to a monotonous diet may be needed.

Esther Oldham
Montrose, Colorado

Threatened Closure Serves as Wake-up Call

Regarding Robert E. Lemon’s article “Threatened Closure of Adventist Academy Serves as Wake-up Call” (Feb. 19, 2015): I have to wonder if the $3 million offered by the General Conference toward moving the North American Division (NAD) offices from the General Conference building could best be spent at Mount Vernon Academy. The reasons given for that move led some of us to question whether our Lord was leading in that issue. It’s a sad thought, but is there a possibility that if the NAD waits a little while, an empty academy might be available for their occu-

pancy?

With regard to that $3

million, to paraphrase a statement by Senator Everett Dirksen many years ago when reflecting on congressional spending: “A million here, a million there, and pretty soon you’re talking about real money.”

Gene Truax
Apison, Tennessee

What Should I Learn?

Reading the letter in response to Onaolopo Ajibade’s article “Who Knows Why?” (Feb. 12, 2015, pp. 4, 5) prompted my response. Having faced some major challenges lately, the “why me” question has come to mind more than once. I found an old book in our library,
How Dare You Judge Us, God, by Clifford Goldstein. Goldstein wrote on the life of Job; and it is an exceptional read. If nothing else, I am learning the question should never be “Why me, God?” but instead “What do You want me to learn from this experience?”

I am still learning.

Bettigene D. Reiswig
Gresham, Oregon


We welcomeyour letters, noting, as always, that inclusion of a letter in this section does not imply that the ideas expressed are endorsed by either the editors of the Adventist Review or the General Conference. Short, specific, timely letters have the best chance at being published (please include your complete address and phone number—even with e-mail messages). Letters will be edited for space and clarity only. Send correspondence to Letters to the Editor, Adventist Review, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600; Internet: [email protected].

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