The Post-Modern Acts of God
Presidential Address— Adventist Society for Religious Study
November 18, 2004
By: Jon Paulien

PostModernism: Reality or Label

In an article at www.secularpostmodern.org/res_art9.php4 , The Post-Modern Acts of God, Jon Paulien, gets into the subject rather deeply as it relates to the outreach to this group by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, moving from a feeling of "self-evident truth" that "Only an egotist would claim to have a handle on all truth," to a warning to the Adventist Church that "The Seventh-day Adventist Chruch, with its rigid structures and traditional approach to outreach, will certainly not be able to continue with business as usual in a post-modern world."

His use of the fortress and salt parable contrasts relative to a suggested paradymn shift in evangelizing was refreshing, relaying how salt mingles in food to the point that it is imperceptably except that it makes the meal taste better.

The challenge addressed in the article is in an era where absolute truth may be an oxymoron, he recommends I Cor 9:19-23 to "Become all things to all people in order that you might save some."

The challenge for the SDA church as he presents it is to become more relational in its evangelism so "Traditional Adventist evangelism" no longer "invests in public meetings, tries to move people to baptism in 3-5 weeks, and then breathes a sigh of relief for the next year or two."
From Bob Sands

Judgment Day - Adventist Review

Judgment Day by Clifford Goldstein, is a psuedo intellectual treatise on Reality which culminates with this message: "The question I ponder, though, is this: on judgment day, how will I--with all my selfishness, errors, and unrighteousness--fare before the Absolute standard of selflessness, truth, and righteousness? To stand before the Absolute is a thought that makes me cringe with fear! The only hope I harbor, the only one, is that Jesus--"the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6), the "express image" of the Father (Heb. 1:3)--will take my place. How could anyone, with all our contingency and compromise, stand before the Absolute unless we have Someone in whom that Absolute has been met, in whom that Absolute has been fulfilled?

If I have no Substitute, one who embodies the Absolute, then on judgment day I will be condemned, and if condemned, lost. If so, though not in the sense she meant it, my mother would be right: my life's a waste."

Is this what Christianity has become? The God of the Universe, the God of love, the friend of sinners on Judgment day becomes the terror that we must hide from. What kind of Judgment is made if someone takes your place in that judgment? Is there some place in the Bible that tells us Jesus Christ stands in our place in the Judgment. Who are we trying to fool here? Does he really think that God does not see who we are?

And this is one of the leaders of the SDA church. Did he ever read where Jesus the one who is God calls us his friends. It is honestly hard to critique this article since it is so pathetic. There is no substance here just his certainty that he must have a substitute before God.

Of Beatitudes and Commandments - Review Article

Here is the response to Nathan Browns Article Of Beatitudes and Commandments
The Review did not publish this letter. In fact they have only printed letters who approve of their chosen boy.
......

Maybe it is my age or Nathan Brown's (Of Beatitudes and Commandments) Australian culture but I find his latest article to be a backhanded slap at political conservative Americans. As we have seen lately there are strong feelings in parts of the world that they know so much more then those here in America, except for those Liberals here in America who are certainly held to be worldly wise.

I note my age in the equation because Nathan mention "Commentator Kurt Vonnegut" who is one of the most famous living American authors, maybe over in Australia he is a commentator who knows, certainly an author and social commentator would be accurate. But maybe in Nathan's generation Vonnegut's books are unknown. Certainly he has a way with words yet I would not go to him for moral or religious instruction. When was the last time anyone demanded the posting of the 10 commandments in a public place? Most likely the tear in their eye was because the previously erected monument of the 10 Commandments is about to be removed. Vonnegut’s words here are as deceptive as Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 911 propaganda.

There has been little attempt made recently in America to place the 10 Commandment in any public places. Often times the plaques have been in place for many decades. What is new is the recent removal of such plaques. The attempts by certain secularists to remove from America its Judeo-Christian heritage. Both Jew and Christian readily accept the moral clarity of the 10 Commandments as a foundation upon which Western Law has been based. Which is why the 10 commandments displays were placed in Public buildings.

The Sermon on the Mount is a brilliant theological and philosophical treatise yet it would be totally useless as a basis for a legal system. Our courts are already filled and do not need to be further burdened with treating those who hate to a trial as if they had killed people. To God our thoughts are important; to a legal system our actions are important.

So I would say that before Mr. Brown declares, "much of what is offered publicly as Christian religion is conservative political activism", he should expand his own perspective. He should pay some attention to the actual history of this country as well as the anti-Christian activities in this country before he writes his material. As every year Christmas comes under more attack in America it becomes easier to see the anti-Christian bias in the media and segments of society. When Jewish and Islamic symbols can be displayed in New York public schools but not Christian symbols, it is time to wake up to some realities. I would suggest that Nathan begin his education by reading David Limbaugh's book "Persecution: How Liberals Are Waging War Against Christianity"

As to why the beatitudes are not posted in public buildings it is most likely because they all have to do with human conditions which can only be rectified or rewarded by God. For the final line of the Beatitudes says:

"Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Mat 5:12 NIV)

Whereas the 10 commandments give clear instructions as to specific things to do and not do. A good moral code for society verses the beatitudes blessings for perseverance in following God.

It is sad to see our Christian heritage, the very name of Jesus Christ be so systematically removed from our nation as members of our Church Administration and even our own Religious Liberty Magazine cheer on the deconstruction. It will not be long until America has joined the European nations as they seek to abandon Christianity. And it appears the Editor of South Pacific edition of Signs of the Times and the South Pacific Division Record has made his choice.

The Liberal tendancies of the Religious Liberties dept.

Many probably have not noticed just how Liberal our SDA Religious Liberties department has become. They stand against Christianity in most cases. Here is a letter sent out before the election that shows their perspective and you can read between the lines to see who they want the members to vote for.

Religious Liberties Newsflash

The newsflash lists serveral Religious liberities points among them:
3. Faith-based funding. The expansion of federal funding for churches and their ministries is a bad idea that violates the constitution and distorts the mission of churches.

If the Republicans gain control of the Senate and the White House, the path will be clear for easy confirmation of the most extreme judicial nominees. Bush has already declared that Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas are his model for future Supreme Court appointments. This is downright scary, as these are the two justices most hostile to religious freedom.

The "faith-based initiative" was started under the Clinton administration. Bush has taken it to new levels, and has expanded funding opportunities to local churches, something that is clearly unconstitutional.

Much has been made, in this election, of the candidates' religion. The Bush campaign has appealed to evangelicals in a blatantly unconstitutional effort to encourage making his religious faith a test for the presidency.

Now However even noted Liberal Hillary Clinton acknowledges that Faith Based initiatives do not conflict with the Constitution.

Sen. Clinton urges use of faith-based initiatives

By Michael Jonas, Globe Correspondent | January 20, 2005

On the eve of the presidential inauguration, US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton last night embraced an issue some pundits say helped seal a second term for George W. Bush: acceptance of the role of faith in addressing social ills.
In a speech at a fund-raising dinner for a Boston-based organization that promotes faith-based solutions to social problems, Clinton said there has been a "false division" between faith-based approaches to social problems and respect for the separation of church of state.

"There is no contradiction between support for faith-based initiatives and upholding our constitutional principles," said Clinton, a New York Democrat who often is mentioned as a possible presidential candidate in 2008.

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Storm clouds on the horizon Review Article

New Review Editorial

The New issue of the Adventist Review is out
Storm Clouds on the Horizon


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