Adventism in the Public Square

Spectrum Website
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With the candidacy of Ben Carson creating new media interest in Adventism, the topic of Adventism in the Public Square chosen by the Adventist Society for Religious Scholars for their annual meeting could not have been more timely.  Last week the scholars met in Atlanta, Georgia to present papers, draft statements, worship and in all these things, explore the topic with creativity.  

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://spectrummagazine.org/article/2015/11/25/adventism-public-square
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Great words and great ideas but that is were they stay , just words, it remains but wishful thinking. I do recognise individual members who risk helping outside the Church boundaries.
I work in refugee detention centres every week, I have yet to meet on solitary Adventist they are not to be seen in the trenches of human miseries. I meet Catholics, Presbyterians, Unitarians, Baptist organisations working with Refugees but never Adventist they prefer to just talk.

The reality is that officially Adventism has never practice social Justice you cannot genuinely help Refugees if you don’t understand Social Justice . We have several Gay Ugandan Adventists they have been granted Refugee Status in Australia one could hardly assign an Adventist to assist them given the Church’s anti Gay and anti same sex rhetoric.

Equal pay for Women was a Social Justice issue, we socialist fought hard for women I clearly remember in the early 1970’s 1980 the SDA’ in Australia were fighting in the courts not to give equal pay to women teachers. Adventist continue to criticise the world and secularism , yet they eagerly accept pensions, sickness and unemployment benefits, 40 hours working week and universal health care.

These big Social Justice issues were fought for by Trade Unions, socialist …remember EGW counselled against being members of Trade Unions. I have yet to to meet one Adventist who would not accept these benefits yet few of them have never been involved in issues of Social Justice but they eagerly claimed and accepted these benefits without having lifted a finger to get them.

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An excellent statement on the current refugee crisis.

I was interested sometime ago when an evangelical Christian pastor was interviewed on CNN regarding his own concern relative to contemporary Christian attitudes toward immigration in America. He spoke of how the Bible is full of immigrants, specifically Abraham and the story of Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. He also spoke of Jesus’ admonition regarding the taking in of strangers, and how mercy to the stranger is a theme found throughout Scripture, in both Testaments.

What I wish he would have mentioned is what we find in the above statement on the refugee crisis—that in fact we as Christians are all strangers and pilgrims on this earth, and that thus the metaphor of immigrants on their way to a better land applies to all who bear the name of Christ.

I have a sermon on this topic myself, titled “Hope and Tears,” taken from the slogan historically applied to Ellis Island. I mention in this sermon that this planet is our spiritual Ellis Island, and that we too are on our way to a home where the tired, the poor, and the huddled masses seeking freedom are invited—to a home whose haven of rest will be eternal.

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It is indeed nice to think about Adventism in the public square. The problem, however, is that unless some theological changes are made, and some historical facts are recognized as flawed, and discrimination against women is eliminated, it will not be safe to expose Adventism on a public square. It may end up being a disaster!

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I totally agree with Kevin. This is a refreshing contrast to what we are hearing from certain presidential candidates, Fox News pundits, and some of our friends on Facebook.

Let’s applaud our academics.

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Keith wrote the true story of Adventist standing apart when others fought for the benefits we all enjoy. It’s similar to a stadium of cheering fans for a football game who celebrate their win afterward with: “We won, we really beat those guys” when they were mere spectators.

Not willing to do the dirty work of actually working for justice has been the church’s continuing policy of not becoming involved in civil matters as its primary mission is to tell others of the disaster that will soon be upon them and they must get ready by confessing all their sins and keeping the commandments.

The greatest command was given us 2,000 years ago: “Love your neighbor as yourself” which is to care for the homeless, forgotten ones in society and live by example: “What does the Lord require of you but do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” When the church fulfills this more important task it will be truly representative of Christ’s message.

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I have to agree with George. Some media people have already read Adventist material (eg Great Controversy) and have viewed Ben Carson’s statements over the years. This has not gone well with members of the general public who have read or viewed the media comments. The persecution narratives tend to make the church look downright weird and people are affronted by the treatment of women. I like Ben, but he needs to check his facts before he speaks. I believe in the Spirit of Prophecy, but we have to contextualize these writings and remember that prophecy can be conditional, symbolic or literal. I also believer that the church cannot move forward with power unless it ceases to discriminate against women. Rene G.

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Keith1949 said:
“Great words and great ideas but that is were they stay , just words, it remains but wishful thinking. I do recognise individual members who risk helping outside the Church boundaries.
I work in refugee detention centres every week, I have yet to meet on solitary Adventist they are not to be seen in the trenches of human miseries. I meet Catholics, Presbyterians, Unitarians, Baptist organisations working with Refugees but never Adventist they prefer to just talk.”

Sadly, I have to agree with Brother Keith. Lately, we don’t even do much talking any more. For years as a former Pastor and then a Chaplain working for interfaith hospitals, hospices, and mental health agencies, I had urged and begged the local Adventist pastors in several large cities where I worked, to become involved and stand up for social issues that are in the “trenches of human miseries” as Brother Keith eloquently refers to. Some of these are AIDS Ministry, Domestic Abuse, Homelessness, Hunger, Prison Ministry, Hospice Volunteer Pastoral Care, Refugees, etc. I never once got a positive response or anything that resembled a sustained effort from any SDA Pastor.

In one pathetic encounter I was told by a colleague in ministry that he had been reprimanded by the local conference leaders for “wasting time” or being “distracted” by the community’s needs that he was serving in. He was told to prioritize his time and attention with issues and concerns having to do with his church’s growth and visibility in the community. He was also told to focus his ministry on “positive causes” (health screenings, Wealth management and Estate Planning classes for the potential converts and then donors in the community). He was told that he should target his efforts and ministry would produce “the highest caliber of church members”.

As a retired Pastor and Chaplain Educator I was recently invited to present a Crisis Intervention Seminar at an Adventist Church, with the proviso that I emphasize evangelizing persons in the community who are vulnerable and in a crisis mode. The Elders and the Pastor preferred a short course on “showing concern” but limiting our follow-through as church members with platitudes, “Glow Tracts” and “preparing them for the next evangelistic outreach”. Before declining this invitation I met with them and tried to explain what the Bible and ethics teach us about helping others. It was a sad exchange when at the end they said they were representing and fulfilling their mission to protect “Historical Adventism”.

As a retired Pastor and Chaplain Educator I was recently invited to present a Crisis Intervention Seminar at an Adventist Church, with the proviso that I emphasize evangelizing persons in the community who are vulnerable and in a crisis mode. The Elders and the Pastor preferred a short course on “showing concern” but limiting our follow-through as church members with platitudes, “Glow Tracts” and “preparing them for the next evangelistic outreach”. Before declining this invitation I met with them and tried to explain what the Bible and ethics teach us about helping others. It was a sad exchange when at the end they said they were representing and fulfilling their mission to protect “Historical Adventism”.

In response to Brother Keith’s statement “Adventist they prefer to just talk.” Brother K. Paulson says; “I have a sermon on this topic myself, titled "Hope and Tears,…” More words! Donate money for a refugee camp or better yet go to a UNICEF refugee camp Brother Paulson, and keep your sermon safely in your files.

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worldchange.jpg960×960 215 KB

Most of our “Community Programs” of health is an effort to entice persons to become SDAs. One was done recently on Reversing Diabetes at my church. This was one of the goals. We have had 2 persons attending as visitor for the past couple of weeks. And every one is quite excited.

The World Wide SDA church is NOT The Healing Church. We have NO “healing ministry”, healing of Spirit, Mind, Body for the sake of “healing” Spirit, Mind, Body of those in the communities in which our church plants find themselves.
If they are not interested in becoming “members” we are not interested in them.

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@Keith1949, @ageis711Oxyain, @sam

While I certainly am not naive enough NOT to understand your senitments, I wish to open up another European / German perspective.

  1. The refugee crisis in the US is a joke, compared to that in Europe. Tens of thousand refugees flooding through Europe on a daily basis - most of them claiming Germany and Scandinavia as their ultimate destiny. (Expected intake of refugees this year in Germany: 1.5Mio).
  2. The SDA Church in Germany is extremely pro-active in assisting refugees in various ways. Churches are advised to open their doors, practical training material is being distributed on how to deal with issues around refugees (like cultural sensitivity, trauma etc.). Training sessions are being offered for church members who want to volunteer in the crisis etc., a standing committee of ADRA, AWW (our German SDA welfare organisation), Friedensau Adventist University and the two Germany Union is dealing with coordination of these efforts.
  3. There is absolutely no understanding for a certain presidential candidate and his position among Adventist leaders in Europe - and mostly members just would agree.
  4. Whole churches as well as individual members are strongly involved in helping refugees in various ways - from shelter to food, to language classes etc.
  5. Friedensau Adventist University has Syrian refugees in their German course. The university has been asked by the local government to provide strategies to decentralize refugee camps in the area (as they are volatile, being centers of attention and “attraction” for neo-nazis)…

Is enough being done? NO, definitely not.

Yet … reading the statements above … it sounds like a very different Adventist church in terms of outlook and attitude. Am I surprized about such differences? Not any longer. There simply is no “worldwide Adventist church” as there (perhaps to some extent) used to be…

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perhaps our current emphasis on uniformity, despite clear differences in regional culture, is the real culprit…

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Thank you Andreas, Great to hear that Adventist in Germany, Nederland, Belgium and France are being active and practice caring for the Refugees. .Especially the Adventist in Germany are showing concrete acts and not platitudes.
As per Leviticus 19:33-34 " You shall not mistreat the foreigner… The stranger who de dwell among you, and you shall love him as yourself."

In Australia the Adventist Church does absolutely nothing accept a preach few homilies and platitudes printed in the internal RECORD magazine recording a meagre protest. The Refugee concentration camps at Manus Island and Nauru is where Refugee women are raped, children kept from their parents and abused, Medical staff put in prison if they report abuse of children.
The Adventist Church does absolutely nothing, no concrete action, no massive protest against the Government. If the Church protest ADRA may not receive further Government Grands, ADRA is largely funded by the secular Australian taxpayer, as are Adventist Schools, so one does not protest the hand that feeds it. Did any one mention ethics, let alone justice.

The United Nations and The European Community had denounced Australia for its Offshore Refugee Detention Centres. When some Refugees come to Australia in a boat without papers, they sometimes granted a Temporary Protection Visa which means the can stay but are not allowed to work.
Thanks to hundreds of Christians, not Adventist, who are providing work so these poor Refugees can eat. These Christians are at risk of being caught by the Australia Government of breaking a very bad law. My Grand Parents and hundreds of Dutch people broke the law during World War II when the were hiding Jews, Gays, Jehovahs Witnesses and Gypsies…

Meant while the Adventist in Australia hears nothing , do nothing and see nothing, shame. By the way some friends get my name mixed up with Kevin Paulson, while I respect Kevin we are like cheese and chalk me the Socialist progressive Christion…and Kevin is not -:slight_smile: Agape to all.

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INDEED, more action than talk. Matthew’s Sheep and Goats comes to mind. Proud to hear of our SDA brothers and Sisters in Europe responding to the refugees with compassion. Ashamed of our “Christian America” believers who are freaking out over a handful of those seeking a place of safety and a chance at life. Let’s face it, Jesus said they shall know we are His by the love we show, not by the words we speak or the proclamations of the end time we give. The gospel embraces the work of sharing the good news of Jesus’ healing love in practical activity of service to aid others in achieving human dignity.

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Keith1949, I recently viewed a brief YouTube video of the Syrian refugees coming ashore in Greece, in their inflatable boats, and for a brief second or two the camera focused on the back of one of the greeters. On the back of his T-shirt were the words “Adventist Help.” So you may not have seen SDAs where you are, but they are out there nevertheless. Elijah thought that he was the only one left in Israel who served God, but he had to be reminded that there were still 7,000 who had not bowed their knee to Baal.

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You are right Kathleen there are, I posted a picture of Adventist Doctors assisting Syrian Refugees through Adventist Help , that warmed my heart.
This Friday a group of Doctors led by an Adventist women and myself is convening a meeting to confront the Australian Government about the physical abuse that women and children experience in Australias despicable off shore Detention/ Concentration camps.
But these activist Adventist are not the normal compliant Adventist, they fully accept the GLBTI community and same sex families and are totally inclusive and practice Agape.

In view of the Church always boasting of its 18 million world wide member ship it is in comparison doing very little. Praise God for the individual Adventist and the Churches in Germany and Nederland the work of which is not publically endorsed by the GC.

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