News
What Jesus Died For - by Loren Seibold | 17 May 2022 | “All of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth.” Romans 8:22 (Good News Translation) “Was everything OK?” he asked. Yes, we said. As good as usual. Curious why our Cracker Barrel waiter was a middle-aged man, soft-voiced and serious, when usually they’re young people, students, […]
Teacher, Students Attack Ugandan Adventist School Over Sports Game - After losing a football/soccer match, two students led by a teacher from a rival school allegedly attacked Ruhanga Adventist Secondary School with machetes and sticks. 9 people were seriously injured during the attack, a school laboratory was destroyed, and the school truck was damaged. Riots and inter-school invasions following football/soccer competitions are not new to […]
An Adventist truth, courtesy of Ameme😀 - Adventist adrenaline rush…
Jennie was elected as Executive Secretary - Hi guys! I’m Daniel Mora, the editor for AToday Latin-America. I decided to sneak away for a while, and I came to visit you in your English space. Loren Seibold doesn’t know I’m around, and please don’t tell him. A few weeks ago, Loren asked me to write something from Latin America to commemorate the […]
Washington Adventist University Tuition Lowered to $12K for Adventists in CUC - “Christian education is the guaranteed pathway to the workplace and to eternal life,” wrote WAU President Weymouth Spence. In 2018-19, WAU tuition cost was $25,200. In 2020, WAU suspended several degree programs due to economic factors. 16 May 2022 | Washington Adventist University (WAU) is offering to all Seventh-day Adventist members of the Columbia Union […]
Family of Adventist Church Member in Ukraine Saved When Invading Russian Troops Turned on Themselves - Adventist woman said her son’s family were able to flee Makariv after the Russian troops fired on each other. The Guardian reported that Russian troops had run over their own commander with a tank in Makariv. The Guardian also reported that Russian soldiers are refusing to go fight in Ukraine. Hundreds of people in Russia […]
‘What the Hell…?’: Jamaican Adventist Leader Speaks Up Against Violent Crime - Glen Samuels, president of the West Jamaica Conference of the denomination, spoke out against violence in Hanover Parish, Jamaica, soon after a triple murder in the Santoy neighborhood. The Adventist denomination is partnering with local police to discourage violent crime in the area. The denomination has a history of partnering with the police force in […]
News Briefs for May 12, 2022 - News stories from Loma Linda University Health, Southern Adventist University, the Trans-European Division, Albania and Papua New Guinea. Straight A’s From an LLUH press release: Loma Linda University Medical Center and East Campus hospitals received their 7th and 8th consecutive “A” safety ratings, respectively, from the Leapfrog Group for spring 2022. This national distinction recognizes […]
ATSS: Dr. Robert Johnston on Jesus as Parabler - 11 May 2022 | Please read these rabbinic parables to prepare for Dr. Johnston’s class. From a literary standpoint the parables of Jesus were like those of his contemporaries, but their purpose and effect were dramatically different. This presentation will examine the importance of the parables, the narrative technique of Jesus, and how they should […]
Brother of Woman in Abuse Case Resigns in Protest of Adventist Leaders’ Alleged Mistreatment of Family - Attila Erdeg is the brother of Anita Erdeg Trto, who alleged abuse by her ex-husband and mistreatment by church leaders when she reported it to them. Attila Erdeg, who resigned as Media Director for the South-East European Union Conference, said, “The church failed because they just don’t want to face the mistakes they’ve made with […]
Student Beaten with Belt by Another Student’s Mother at Adventist School in Florida, U.S. - Incident began when Zendre Pollard’s son allegedly bullied by another student, then Pollard’s son retaliated. Other student’s mother then came to the school to attack him with a belt. Restraining order filed against Kady Ann Sewell, who was also charged with child abuse. Pollard questioning security of Bethel Junior Academy, that someone could walk into […]
Alabama Athletic Association ‘Disappointed’ Oakwood Adventist Academy Is Suing Them - The AHSAA said Oakwood had agreed to follow the rules of the association and participate in all playoff games without petition or forfeit. Oakwood Academy knew that playoff games were usually held on a Friday or Saturday, and that a “specific discussion” was held on the matter, according to the AHSAA statement. AHSAA said it […]
Commentary
Whom Does Abortion Kill? - by Richard W. Coffen | Morning news, noontime news, evening news—the media are reporting a leak of a legal opinion allegedly supported by the majority of the justices of the United States Supreme Court. Someone, somewhere, somehow has released to Politico, without authorization, a 98-page “Opinion of the Court” written by Justice Samuel Alito. The force […]
Cancelling “Cancel Culture” - by David Geelan | 11 May 2022 | To be honest, I’m not 100% sure what I think about “cancel culture.” Often when I sit down to write for Adventist Today I have a fairly clear idea of the conclusion I hope to share, or at least the question I want to leave you with. […]
Adventists and Interfaith Weddings - by Loren Seibold | 10 May 2022 | “Where’d you get married?” I asked. “In Jim’s church,” Terry said. Jim is a Seventh-day Adventist; Terry isn’t. “The Adventist pastor stood up in front with us and preached a sermon,” she said. “But he said he couldn’t marry an Adventist with a non-Adventist so we had […]
Every Child Born Should Be a Wanted Child - by Lindsey Abston Painter | 6 May 2022 | My job is to train professionals who work with children and families in a variety of needs. One is the foster care system: I train new foster parents, seasoned foster parents, foster family case workers, social workers, and floor staff in group homes. In my work […]
Ramadan, Easter & Warped Apocalyptic Exclusivism - by Admiral Ncube | 5 May 2022 | Recently I saw on the General Conference Youth Ministries Facebook page an announcement that on Sunday, May 1, 2022, our denomination would commemorate the global Ramadan prayer day, the keynote speaker being General Conference President Ted Wilson. This initiative was championed by the Global Center for Adventist-Muslim […]
Four Misused Texts about Biblical Interpretation - by Olive Hemmings | 2 May 2022 | Much of what we say we know about Biblical interpretation is derived from what the Bible says about itself. While the Bible has the right to self-identify itself as an inspired book, the problem is that several of the oft-used passages are taken out of context, and […]
You Can Trust Science—and the Bible - by Paul Priest | 28 April 2022 | I am a Bible believer. But I also believe in dinosaurs. I have seen their bones. Science says the dinosaurs died out about 65 million years ago. My church says life was created in six days, 6,000 to 10,000 years ago. My church bases this belief on […]
The Way Home: Variation on an Old Family Story - by Melissa Brotton | 25 April 2022 | “And where I go you know, and the way you know.” (John 14:4 NKJV) “Beverly, do finish your breakfast, and gather your books. Grandpa will have the sleigh at the door in just a few moments, and he won’t want to keep the horses waiting in cold […]
The Hypnotic Allure of Groupthink - by Thandazani Mhlanga | 22 April 2022 | My picture of hypnosis, thanks to the movie industry, involves an unimaginably comfortable couch, a swinging pendulum, and the hypnotist’s persuasive and gentle voice counting down. But that concept always calls to arms the thinker in me to defend logic. Thus, I have tended to write hypnosis […]
From the Top to Rock Bottom - by Christopher C. Thompson | 21 April 2022 | You know, it’s amazing how one decision and corresponding action can change your entire life! At this point, you have at least heard about “The Slap” that disrupted the Oscars live show. I know you’ve at least heard about it because not only did it disrupt […]
Is There a Different Gospel for LGBTQ+ People? - by Alicia Johnston | 18 April 2022 | I work to understand and articulate theologies of marriage and gender. I’m also an LGBTQ Adventist person. In both my theological work and my personal life I’ve come to realize that the church has two different gospels. There’s the normal one. This is the one I grew […]
Has God Planned Your Life for You? - by Tyler Kraft | 15 April 2022 | A few years ago rap superstar Drake had a hit titled “God’s Plan” that won numerous awards, including a Grammy for best rap song. The song chronicles the ups and downs of Drake’s life and concludes that everything, from riches to critics, is part of God’s plan […]
Features
Aunty, what about people with sexual sins in the church? - 16 May 2022 | Dear Aunt Sevvy: I just recently read Aunt Sevvy’s response to a person who had issues with having a drug addict attending church with them. I have a related question. How should the church handle a person addicted to pornography, masturbation, or illicit sex? The church manual lists these as issues […]
Aunty, are black people cursed by God? - 9 May 2022 | Dear Aunt Sevvy, Is Jesus white, and are we black people a cursed race? Signed, Puzzled African Dear Puzzled: The short answer is an emphatic no, to both questions. Jesus was a Jew of the Levant, and though artists pictured him for centuries with European features, he undoubtedly had dark skin, […]
Four Misinterpreted Texts About Bible Interpretation - 8 May 2022 Much of what we say we know about Biblical interpretation is derived from what the Bible says about itself. While the Bible is right to self-identify itself as an inspired book, the problem is that several of the oft-used passages are taken out of context, and in some cases wholly misinterpreted. This […]
Memories of My Wonderful, Bold and Unusual Mother - by Jay Linthicum | 6 May 2022 | This was originally presented by Jay during a Mother’s Day Sabbath at the Gathering Place Sabbath School, Loma Linda University Church. It being the time of the year when we honor our mothers, I thought I would tell you some stories about my remarkable mom. Ducks Once […]
Aunty, why is Ukraine Union now run by the General Conference? - 2 May 2022 | Dear Aunt Sevvy, Is detaching the Ukraine Union from the Euro-Asia Division and attaching it directly to the General Conference a good thing? What impact will the change have? Just Curious Dear Curious: According to the press release, “a 21-member Ukrainian Union Conference Oversight Committee, chaired by GC general vice president […]
I want a call to ministry, Aunty, and I need a wife! - 25 April 2022 | Dear Aunt Sevvy, I’m a ministerial student. I have been urged that I should have a wife to get a call. Why won’t anyone date me? Signed, Lonely wannabe pastor Dear Lonely, When Aunty was in college, she remembers ministerial students being told that they needed a wife before they’d be […]- Aunty, why don’t we hear more from African theologians and preachers? - 18 April 2022 | Dear Aunt Sevvy: We all know that Africa has seen the most growth of any region in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the entire world. Why, then, do we see so many fewer Africans representing and speaking for the church? For example, though I know there are many African theologians, I […]
Pontius Pilate: A Novel. Reviewed by Victor Lee - 17 April 2022 | by Victor Lee Pontius Pilate: A Novel. by Paul Maier. Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 1968. For several days recently, I got lost: buried in the pages of a historical novel sent to me by my nephew. In Pontius Pilate, a novel first published in 1968 and now in its 3rd […]- Dear Aunty: Is Oral Sex a Sin? - Dear Aunt Sevvy: Is oral sex a sin? Signed, Consenting Adult Dear Consenting: Aunt Sevvy has addressed this before. You can read her response here. But since this keeps coming up, let me say again that the simple answer is no. The Bible doesn’t say anything about it either way, and what consenting spouses enjoy […]
- Aunty, my 10-year-old daughter was raped. - 4 April 2022 | Dear Aunty Sevvy, My 10-year-old (at the time) daughter was raped on her way from school by unknown men. We were born-again Christians and had been members of the Adventist church for over 18 years. I had specifically prayed and trusted God for my children’s protection every day. Since then, whenever […]
Can the Church Love LGBTQ+ Adventists? - 4 April 2022 | LGBTQ+ Adventists have concerns and complaints about how they have been treated in the church. How does biblical love inform our beliefs and the challenges presented by LGBTQ+ Adventists? Before you go…The April 1-10, 2022 AT Spring Fundraiser is ON. Your donations are funding AT’s pioneering content for young people in […]- Aunty, how can I find an Adventist man to marry me? - 28 March 2022 | Dear Aunty: I want to marry an Adventist man. How can that happen? Signed, Someone to Share my Faith Dear Someone, You are not alone! There are many young (and not-so-young) people who want a spouse who shares their beliefs. Especially after a person has left formal Adventist education, the dating […]
All
- What Jesus Died For - by Loren Seibold | 17 May 2022 | “All of creation groans with pain, like the pain of childbirth.” Romans 8:22 (Good News Translation) “Was everything OK?” he asked. Yes, we said. As good as usual. Curious why our Cracker Barrel waiter was a middle-aged man, soft-voiced and serious, when usually they’re young people, students, […]
- Teacher, Students Attack Ugandan Adventist School Over Sports Game - After losing a football/soccer match, two students led by a teacher from a rival school allegedly attacked Ruhanga Adventist Secondary School with machetes and sticks. 9 people were seriously injured during the attack, a school laboratory was destroyed, and the school truck was damaged. Riots and inter-school invasions following football/soccer competitions are not new to […]
- An Adventist truth, courtesy of Ameme😀 - Adventist adrenaline rush…
- Jennie was elected as Executive Secretary - Hi guys! I’m Daniel Mora, the editor for AToday Latin-America. I decided to sneak away for a while, and I came to visit you in your English space. Loren Seibold doesn’t know I’m around, and please don’t tell him. A few weeks ago, Loren asked me to write something from Latin America to commemorate the […]
- Aunty, what about people with sexual sins in the church? - 16 May 2022 | Dear Aunt Sevvy: I just recently read Aunt Sevvy’s response to a person who had issues with having a drug addict attending church with them. I have a related question. How should the church handle a person addicted to pornography, masturbation, or illicit sex? The church manual lists these as issues […]
- Washington Adventist University Tuition Lowered to $12K for Adventists in CUC - “Christian education is the guaranteed pathway to the workplace and to eternal life,” wrote WAU President Weymouth Spence. In 2018-19, WAU tuition cost was $25,200. In 2020, WAU suspended several degree programs due to economic factors. 16 May 2022 | Washington Adventist University (WAU) is offering to all Seventh-day Adventist members of the Columbia Union […]
ATSS PRESENTS: Robert Johnston on Jesus and the Parables - 16 May 2022 | From a literary standpoint the parables of Jesus were like those of his contemporaries, but their purpose and effect were dramatically different. This presentation will examine the importance of the parables, the narrative technique of Jesus, and how the parables should be interpreted. Our familiarity with them and the tradition of […]
ATSS Presents: Laurence Turner on Adventism and the Cosmic Week - 15 May 2022 | Seventh-day Adventism arose in the aftermath of the Great Disappointment of 1844. Despite numerous “proofs” culled from Scripture, used confidently to pinpoint the date of the second advent to October 22, 1844, Christ did not return. This failure of chronological calculations ensured that official Adventism would never predict a precise time […]- Whom Does Abortion Kill? - by Richard W. Coffen | Morning news, noontime news, evening news—the media are reporting a leak of a legal opinion allegedly supported by the majority of the justices of the United States Supreme Court. Someone, somewhere, somehow has released to Politico, without authorization, a 98-page “Opinion of the Court” written by Justice Samuel Alito. The force […]
- Family of Adventist Church Member in Ukraine Saved When Invading Russian Troops Turned on Themselves - Adventist woman said her son’s family were able to flee Makariv after the Russian troops fired on each other. The Guardian reported that Russian troops had run over their own commander with a tank in Makariv. The Guardian also reported that Russian soldiers are refusing to go fight in Ukraine. Hundreds of people in Russia […]
- Cancelling “Cancel Culture” - by David Geelan | 11 May 2022 | To be honest, I’m not 100% sure what I think about “cancel culture.” Often when I sit down to write for Adventist Today I have a fairly clear idea of the conclusion I hope to share, or at least the question I want to leave you with. […]
- ‘What the Hell…?’: Jamaican Adventist Leader Speaks Up Against Violent Crime - Glen Samuels, president of the West Jamaica Conference of the denomination, spoke out against violence in Hanover Parish, Jamaica, soon after a triple murder in the Santoy neighborhood. The Adventist denomination is partnering with local police to discourage violent crime in the area. The denomination has a history of partnering with the police force in […]