Thursday, July 5, 2012

Reviewing the Adventist Review


June 14, 2012
Vol. 189, No.16
http://www.adventistreview.org/index.php?issue=2012-1516

NOTE TO READERS:
WORLD NEWS AND PERSPECTIVES is an important section of each magazine. I don’t usually report on its contents because it is available at the online address I provide with every review.

GENERAL COMMENTS
Reading this issue was a bit of a slog. However, I do have a comment or two.

COMMENTS
Bill Knott’s editorial, THE PROBLEM WITH NOSTALGIA, only discussed life style. Our church’s problem is that our leadership is in love with nineteenth century theology.

IN MAKING AN ETERNAL DIFFERENCE, Charles Medley reminded readers that 50,000 Adventist raised young people attend public and private colleges and universities that aren’t Adventist institutions. He argues that local churches should “shower these students with love”. He leaves the important question unanswered: “Why aren’t these students not beating down the doors of Adventist institutions of higher learning?”

WORLD NEWS AND PERSPECTIVES chronicles Ted Wilson’s travels through South America. Along the way, he used ink impressions on the soles [of his feet] to evoke God’s promise to Joshua to receive every place where his feet touched the ground.

SHUT IN AND LEFT OUT by Kimberly Luste Maran, chronicled the fact that homebound members are all too often forgotten by our church. She suggests that readers check out Care Connections. www.adventistreview.org/careconnections

Dixil Rodríguez can be counted on to write a devotional column is consistently well written and thoughtful. She doesn’t disappoint. JUST TRYING TO GET HOME is the story of a random act of kindness that inspires without sentimentality.

Monte Sahlin consistently provides useful information about what is happening in churches across the North American Division. Did you know that the median number of people in attendance at Adventist churches is only 55, the smallest number for any of the major denomination in America? According to Sahlin, only 8 percent of Adventist churches report that their music is contemporary or progressive.

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