Leaderboard

I am in my 80's and in reasonably good health. My brain is still active, even if it is somewhat diminished. I have reasonably good physical health. However, I am having problems with my vision. I receive regular eye injections, which were not on my list of things that I wanted do in life. I am aware that my published posts may contain typos that I have not seen. I work on it, but I have not resolved the issue. I have decided that I will not let that stop me from posting. God does not require perfection. If there is anything of value in my posts, God will use them despite my imperfections. Gregory Matthews

David–Eulogy R: ‘090624b David Milton Matthews began life in 1972. His Father, Gregory was a Seventh-day Adventist congregational pastor, and his mother, Sharon, would later become a Licensed California Marriage and Family Therapist. His middle name honored his maternal Grandfather who spent his life working for the California Department of Corrections, as a Correctional Officer. At birth, David joined his older brother, Gregory # 4. As was typical for the denomination of his parents, David moved several times in Virginia during his early years as his Father began to pastor larger congregations. A major change in David’s life came as his Father moved from congregational ministry to becoming a full-time U. S. Army Chaplain. That change resulted in a move to Ft. Ord, in Central California. This resulted in the family living near maternal relatives in the Sacramento area and other relatives living in the Modesto area. That was a positive change which was enjoyed by all. While David was living at Ft. Ord, a major change came in his life. His parents decided to separate. His mother moved to Sacramento to be near her relatives and to begin graduate schooling. His Father continued on as an Army Chaplain. Both parents shared joint custody of David and his brother. Over the next years David traveled between locations in the United States, Asia and Panama as visits ranged from short periods of two weeks to longer periods of thirteen-months. After several years as a single parent, his Father married a woman, also named Sharon, who gave David and his brother freely of her love. Christopher later joined this family as David’s younger brother. It was characteristic of David for him to want to earn money. In one visit with his Father, David began working for the apartment manager on the first day of his visit. On another visit with his Father in New Jersey, he made the acquaintance of the son of a Colonel. One Halloween evening they went out to have some fun. It ended with the Military Police escorting him back to his Father with a full report of his fun activities, which had included smashing pumpkins sitting by people's front doors. Later in life David decided to follow in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather and he applied to the California Department of Corrections to train at the Academy. He was accepted in 1996, graduated and was assigned to The California State Prison, Sacramento, located in Folsom, California. He retired in 2022. In the year 2000, David married Denice, the love of his life. She brought a daughter, Tiffany, into the marriage. David came to deeply love her as a daughter. With the passage of time, Alayna was born, and David had two daughters whom he deeply loved. He felt good about the accomplishments that both daughters had made in their lives. In our society today, every family has stress points. David and Denice were united and met them together. As David, shortly before his death said to his Father, there is no daylight between Denice and I as to how to handle issues as they arise. As a Correctional Officer, David held high ethical standards. On one occasion he witnessed a prisoner being mistreated. It was investigated and David told the truth. Administrative and criminal convictions were obtained and the Governor of California awarded David the third highest Department of Corrections medal, for his cooperation in this matter. On another occasion, while driving to work, David noticed a fire in a nearby apartment building. He stopped, entered the building and began to awaken and evacuate the people living there. In 2017, the Department of Corrections awarded him the Gold Star, it’s second highest award, for heroic deeds under extraordinary circumstances in saving the lives of those people. David enjoyed frequent trips going exploring, camping and fishing with family, friends and cousin Jeff. In brief, David lived a full life of giving himself to others, and loving all of his family. He both loved and was loved. His life was cut short well before his time. He is deeply missed by the many who knew him.

Like bonnie1962 I can't fathom the heartache and pain either. My brain scampers for words to put together for you Pastor Matthews but I know anything I could say would fall infinitely short. Your Family and your Son will be in my wife and I's prayers.

Some of the old timers here, like me, can remember a time when their grandparents were alive. Mine lived with our family when I was about 6-10 years old for my mother's side, and from around 19-23 for my father's side. My mother's parents were amazing by today's standard. He was a former supervisor at GM, throughout the great depression. He taught me things and was very smart. His vocabulary was extensive. Using words I never heard of. He was born around 1890 I believe. He was alert right up to his death in his 80's. I never saw him drink or smoke. My fathers, father, was interested in baseball. Every week he would receive a small publication of the game from the previous weeks. He knew the statistics of every player. His children would test him, and he always had the answer. He knew the "at bats", RBI's, everything. On hundreds of players. This was in the 60's and 70's. This was before television. He lived to be 94. Smoked occasional cigars until in his eighty's. I never saw him drink. I don't remember any of them taking any medicine. There was no Alzheimer's then. But today, we have videos converted from film, of life in the 1960's and 1970's . There are not many candid interviews of ordinary people back then, but enough that we can understand the culture. Ordinary people from this time were smarter and more knowledgeable than people in their age group today. Few ordinary people went to college in the 60's and 70's . Yet they had a great understanding of social dynamic, life skills and very different values. People were thin back then. The people have changed so much in my lifetime. They have changed so much in the last 50 years. There is even a big change in the last 10 years.

* The word of God is always true. Sometime, it is partial and incomplete. In addition, we may not correctly understand it. * God used Ellen White in the development of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. * God used Ellene White to urge people to turn to what we commonly call the Bible as the source of ultimate authority as to what God wanted us to know. * Ellen White, in her humanity was imperfect. Her spirituality grew, and changed, over the years of her life. She probably never fully understood what God was communicating to her. * It is clear to me that that modern Adventists of today, often misunderstand what she said, and often mis-use her writings. * Her writings were often sensitive to the time, culture and the circumstances of the person to whom she was writing. With that in mind, one cannot always apply what she said to one person in that same manner to someone today. None of this detracts from her leadership and the value of her ministry to us in our development.

Biden signed several bills to rename federal buildings. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) community clinic in Lynchburg, Va., will now be known as the Private First Class Desmond T. Doss VA Clinic. NOTE: For those who do not know, Doss was a Seventh-day Adventist conscientious objector medic during WW II, who was awarded the Medal of Honor. He has also been the subject of some movies, such as Hacksaw Ridge.

November 4, 2024 One aspect of David's personality was to play down the issues when he did something that was right. As I have stated, he was awarded the 2nd and 3rd highest medals from the Department of Corrections. He typically dismissed those as simply doing what was right. In regard to the evacuation of the burning building, he sometimes dismissed that by stating that people had left the building prior to his arrival. I will point out that the Department of Corrections would never award the 2nd and 3rd highest awards without fully investigating the incidents and discovering the truth. David told me that when he arrived, some people had already left the building. But, he then entered the burning building to discover others who may have been sleeping and needed to be wakened and evacuated. Yes, he did not do it all. In addition, another Correctional Officer also stopped and assisted in the evacuation of the burning building. That person also was recognized with an award. NOTE: A decision has been made to have services for David, by his wife, on February 2025, at a local SDA Church, but conducted by a pastor of the church that she attends. It is expected that the Department of Corrections will provide full honors.

SDA Video Services: Many SDA Congregations are providing video services for people unable to attend. One such is the Gracepoint SDA Church in Northern California. It uses "youtube" to host its services and it keeps its services available for about 6-months. It also broadcasts live each Saturday at 11:10 AM. To access its services, click on the link below. Then click on one of the following links: * Home: This i sthe home of the Gracepoint congregation. It contains links to videos and other information related to the congregation. * Video: This is the home of videos for the past six months. * Live: This is the location of a current live service. * Playlist: Videos are listed here that are not listed elsewhere. https://www.youtube.com/@GracepointAdventistChurch/streams NOTE: All people are welcome to view the videos. They are watched by people as far away as Iceland, as well as in other nations.

The Adventist church is growing very strong here in the Philippines. The Division head is here. There have been major changes in leadership in the last 5 years. We had a new div president who only lasted a couple of years before moving up to the GC. He made many changes in personnel. The new div president is focused on growth. He has promoted splitting Conferences in half. Some were over 40,000 members. He promoted splitting some unions. All of these splits have been very beneficial to grow and leadership.

Gustave: I have never heard a SDA suggest that the reason for Mary not to touch him was because He might not be worthy of worship, or that He was uncertain as to whether or not His sacrifice had been accepted by the Father. I will not suggest that there is a clear Biblical picture as to why Christ may have wanted to return to the Father at that time. All is probably speculative and your opinion is as likely to be correct is my opinion on that issue. In any case, in my thinking the 1st Advent was completed in those few days prior to the report in Acts 1, as Christ guided in the beginning of the organization and functioning of the Christian church. From this perspective, I see a 1sst advent that has occurred in the past, and a 2nd Advent that will occur in the future.

Sister Bertken was a devout Roman Catholic, born in 1457. The following article suggests that her life has something to contribute to us today. https://atoday.org/the-two-windows-of-sister-bertken/

The People of God: In the following article, Loren Seibold challenges us to think beyond what he calls the norms. https://atoday.org/gods-many-many-people/

Gustave: That is why I made my post telling all that it was a joke. I realized that some might not understand.

Surprised he lived this long.

Rachell, the various denominations are divided as to the nature of the bread that Christ used for the Last Supper. * I note that in one post you say: " I told you that "artos" is unleavened." and is a second post, you say: "Artos" is WITH leaven>" I assume that one is a typo. However, let us look at the actual definition of the Greek words. * Artos is the common bread of a family meal. It is considered by many scholars to always be leavened bread. Thiis word tells us that Christ celebrated the Passover with the common bread served at a family meal. * Azumos is a term that references unleavened bread. https://www.onthewing.org/user/BS_Last Supper - Unleavened Bread.pdf#:~:text=The Greek for what we read as "unleavened,and not on bread%2C e.g.%2C I Corinthians 5%3A8. Rachel, I do not know where you got your definitions of the Greek words. But, I will tell you: Never use either Strong or Young to define the meaning of a Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek Biblical word. They are used to tell us how such a word has been translated, which is quite different from telling us what that word means. For the Greek, your best source of the Greek is the so-called Arndt & Gingrich. Always use a lexicon.

Wow. I never thought about that. The way you expressed it is an eye opener. All of the Dispensationalists I have read on forums are elated that they will not have to pass through any tribulation.

Consider: As I followed up on a reference to a SDA leader, I noted that he had a nicely trimmed beard, cut to a short length. As I reflected on this, I realized that he was also bald. I wondered if there is any relationship between bald males who also like to demonstrate that they are able to grow facial hair?

Unfortunately, I do not believe we will be able to have an open discussion on this topic. Prior links to other websites regarding the actions of the Potomac conference have been deleted and apparently only acceptable politically correct websites (ie, those supporting the progressive agenda in the church) will be referred to. Spectrum, as usual, is engaged in another character assassination of someone who does not toe the progressive line. They are doing it to Bohr and have done it to others. This quote from the Spectrum article was concerning: The most recent example is in the Gaithersburg (Maryland) Hispanic church in the Potomac Conference, where Bohr joined church members in defying not only the conference and the pastor, but the standard procedures for inviting speakers into churches. The statement above reminded me of something I saw in a Greek orthodox church one time. The priest told the congregation that the "fathers" had decided and it was their duty to obey. The members of the church in question wanted to hear Stephen Bohr, however, the conference seems to think that they should determine who the members have speak in their church. Never mind that the Potomac conference says nothing to the pride festivities in other conference churches. Never mind that some of these churches were funded by the sacrifice of the members. (This is what happens when you let the conference hold the title to the church that the local members have struggled and sacrificed for to bring about.) Stephen Bohr is a properly credentialed SDA pastor with "no demerits" on his record. There was no valid reason for this kerfluffle to be happening. The Potomac conference is doing to Bohr what the Florida conference did to Doug Batchelor. Bottom line: Stephen Bohr does not support the ordination of women. The Potomac conference is in full on rebellion against the greater church over this matter. So they will cancel him in the Potomac conference.

Dr. Diehl did more to improve the lot of the sick and suffering in his 77 years than most people would do in several lifetimes. It's not always the length of life that matters. Quality is important!

Thanks for that Kevin! Based on your comments I re-read Life Sketches where those quotes came from and then re-read LOCRP-01. I've got some other files in a folder I put together some years ago I also need to read. I'll definitely respond again but not until I review what you've said against the materials I've collected.

Guinea Worm Disease is a tropical disease caused by drinking unfiltered water in Africa. In 1986 3,500.000 people were affected by it. In 2022, a total of 13 people in the entire world are known to have been affected by it. This is due to the work of organizations such as The Carter Center, and others. For more information see: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/guineaworm/index.html NOTE: Currently The Carter Center is working on River Blindness.

Yes, perhaps, but a problem is that Ellen G. White was a female leader in the SDA denomination. One can debate whether or not she was ordained. But, it is unlikely that any informed person would argue that she was neither female nor a leader in this denomination. Some might say that she never held an elected office. But, it is clear that she was given, the same credentials, over a period of several years, that we give SDA pastors. If we consider SDA male clergy to be SDA leaders we must consider EGW to be a SDA female leader.

Don't know much about parenting but I guess you are going to have a major problem with your daughter if you sneak into her room and remove her property. OTOH, it is your house. You can ask your daughter to take her bag with her and move out or get rid of it if she wants to stay. Or you could change your own mind and develop a closer relationship with your daughter. This is a matter of conscience for you but not for her. I doubt she is a satanist or will become one because of a pentagram. Matters of conscience are important ones, however. You need to realize the problem is not with the symbols but with your conscience. While I respect your disdain, even fear, of things related to the enemy of mankind it is you who are giving those things the power to interrupt your family's harmony. Intrinsically, they are nothing, as Paul said, "An idol is nothing in this world." They have no power, vibration, energy. They are nothing, unless you make them into something.

Leroy Leiske died in 2016, But he should not be forgotten as a SDA leader who helped make the SDA denomination what it is today. See: https://adventistreview.org/news/leiske-remembrance/

NOTE: Gustave is correct: "Evenings and mornings" is a more accurate translation. SDA publications have recognized this for many years. Whether the typical SDA member is aware to this is going to vary from person to person.

Failure: Recent news stories have reported on apparent failures in Adventism. The following article exams that perspective and suggests that life is often a cycle of beginning, success and ending. One interesting aspect of this relates to her example of a marriage that was successful, as she put oit, yet finally came to an end. https://atoday.org/its-been-a-success-and-now-its-ended/

The Center of SDA Doctrine: The following article suggests that the doctrinal center of Adventism may not be what we think it is. https://spectrummagazine.org/views/adventisms-least-present-present-truth/

The following is a link to an article published in 2011, informing us as to evangelism in New York City in the late 1970's and 1980's. This was a period of time in which Ted Wilson served in the Greater New York Conference. https://spectrummagazine.org/post-archives/mission-city-pastor-remembers-his-dream-job/ During part of that period of time the Conference owned a building in Manhattan, often called the New York City Center (NYCC). It was intended to be a center of evangelism for New York City. The article above points out the specifics of how Ted Wilson planned to evangelize New York City. It also points out the failure of the New York City Center to be effective and its eventual sale to a controversial religious cult. I lived in New York City from June of 1975 to September of 1975 and also from July of 1979 through December of 1979. My overall evaluation of SDA work in NYC and of the New York City Center, was that it was ineffective. As just one example, and I could give many others, is the time that members of the NYCC spent an evening giving our copies of Our Little Friend to people attending the theaters in the area. I give this as an example that I consider to fairly demonstrate the quality of the SDA efforts for NYC. My point in all of this is: In the End Time of today, we need SDA leadership that plans effective programs for today. We have not always done so in the past. Those who have not been successful in the past should not be continued today.

Society calls it mental illness bible calls it demon possession think about it

Liberal and conservative are very hard to define, especially as we have so many different options that get both labels. In the religious field on the one hand those who minimize the Bible are seen as the liberals, and those who maximize the Bible are labled as conservative. But those who question 1844 as well as those of us who support 1844 are Biblical maxamists, but the Fordites are called liberals and we supporting 1844 are the conservatives. But many of us believe that the Bible teaches women's ordination, and others believe that the Bible does not teach women's ordination, so here we who believe in women's ordination are considered liberals and those who are against women's ordinaiton are seen as the conservatives. There are people who question Mrs. White's inspiration and those who believe in her ordination, the questioners are called liberals and those of us who believe in her are conservative. But there are prople who see her pre-1888 writings as from God and her post 1888 writings from what she read, her increased interaction with non-Adventists, and very much influenced by people such as Willie, Daniels and Prescott, so the everything before 1888 are called consdervatives and those who include her post 1888 writings liberals. The list goes on and on and on. We need to develope better vocabulary. Same thing with the terms "Old" and "New" Theology. "New Theology" has been used as a lable for such groups as those who did not accept the fundamentalist view of inspiration. It has also been used for Mrs. White's post 1888 writings and Adventists who believe in the trinity. It has also been used to seperate the Fordites from the rest of the Adventists. And the so called "Historic Adventists" use it for anyone who does not fit their subgroup of Adventists, no matter how similar or different any specific idea is to theirs.

For those who may have GA and are not aware of the two injections that are authorized to treat it in the u.s., the following are the two allowed injections: 1) syfovre (pegcetacoplan): This is the first authorized injection, which became available in 2023. 2) izervay (avacincaptad pegol). This is the injection that I receive. it was approved in 2024. It is believed to achieve a better 12-month reduction in the GA than is achieved by Syfovre. NOTE: My approach to medical care is to be an informed person. If a physician is going to inject medication into my eyes, on a regular basis, I am going to be well informed as to the treatment plan.

yes very much so our beautiful stories must be shared no matter how painful😶 my heart is glad you have a place here 🥰 again my deepest sympathies

Calvin B. Rock has served the SDA Church for some 60 years. This service has included being the President of Oakwood University and as a Vice President of the General Conference. In my view of him, he has often been a voice that the SDA Church has needed to hear. He has now filmed a video in which he endorses a candidate for President of the United States. This is clearly outside of what is expected for SDA clergy and leadership. The following link takes you to an article with a link to that video. https://atoday.org/calvin-rock-retired-gc-vice-president-records-promotional-video-for-kamala-harris/

Gustave said: "Obviously our eternal destiny is formalized at the point of our death (not prior) so the idea of a judgement of investigation prior to death seems alien (and odd). " This issue is complex and consists of several parts. * What is sin? Sin might be said to be anything that is in violation of the will of God, whether known, unknown, intentional or un intended. As our spiritual knowledge is limited, it might be said that we are always sinning as we never in this life are fully informed as to God's will for us. We are constantly learning, but never in this life knowing and understanding the totality of God's will for us. This knowledge of God's will for us comes through the agency of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. * God, in my understanding, only charges us with sin when the Holy Spirit has convicted us on that point, and we in rebellion have decided to go against the leading of the Holy Spirit. None of us know how the Holy Spirit has led in the life of other people. The Bible does not indicate that growth in spiritual life comes in a set of uniform steps that is the same for all people. As an example, I consider my friend Gustave to be an honest follower of Christ. I assume that Gustave does not keep the Sabbath in same sense that I do. On the assumption that my understanding is correct, God is not charging Gustave with sin if the Holy Spirit has not convicted Gustave in the same manner that I believe that I have been convicted. * How does this relate to what we call the investigative judgment? It does not show that people have come into a total knowledge of God. That will only come in eternity. Rather it shows to all of the created intelligent beings that: 1) The Holy Spirit has reached out to every person. 2) Every person has been given an opportunity to become a dedicated follower of Christ, wherever that might lead. 3) Every person has made a final decision on whether or not to be a follower of Christ. 4) These are the set of people who have made the decision to spend eternity with God. These are the people who have made the decision not to spend eternity with God. 5) Consistent with the SDA understanding, those who decide not to spend eternity with God will be separated from the life-giving power of God which sustains us today and will therefore cease to exist. * From this perspective, the investigative judgment has a focus on God. It is God who is shown to all created, intelligent life, to be just in the decisions as to giving some eternal life, and it shows that sin will never rise again, as it has been removed from those who have been granted eternal life.

If I were a Jesuit, I would have no interest in the SDA Church. It would not be important enough for me to consider. My attention would be focused on much more important issues. Yes, I have known a Jesuit priest.

America's Prophet: In the following article, Cliff Goldstein suggests that someone other than Ellen White is, America's Prophet. See: https://adventistreview.org/perspectives/columnists/americas-prophet/ In the distant past, I have often not favored Cliff Goldstein's published views. In more recent times, I have occasionally thought highly of his viewpoint. On this one, he has struck a home run. The lesson to me, I guess, is: We should never allow our preconceived bias to affect our evaluation of where a person is now. I found the following to be of special interest:

SDA Military Service: The following article reports on the experience of an SDA who served in the US military during the early 1940s. In the comment section, I have written a more up to date report on military service and the SDA Chruch. https://adventistreview.org/experiences/testimonies/our-boys-in-the-army/#comment-6478571785

introversion & Church: The article linked below is an interesting comment on doing Church. It links to two books that have been written on this subject. Give it some thought. https://atoday.org/an-introvert-in-a-happy-church-world/

NOTE: I am in contact with a SDA scholar who is willing to assist us.

US Federal Chaplaincy: Some may have wondered what are the requirements are to become a Federal Chaplain in the United States. The following is the announcement for a job opening om a VA hospital in Arzona. Slight differences exist for military chaplains and probably for other Federal agencies. The following is a good summary of the requirements. As an example, the military has an age limit. The VA does not have an age limit. I have served as both an Army chaplain and as a VA chaplain. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/781217900

It's just my humble opinion but I think that even the angels and Saints in heaven are unable to fathom God. There would seem to an infinite distance between the finite (everything other than God) and infinite (God). All we can know is that God is ONE and God is the Divine Attributes Sacred Scripture attributes to God. We're told its a great mystery and I'm certain it absolutely is.

Lawrence, born Sidney Liebowitz in Brooklyn, was the son of Max, a cantor and house painter, and Helen. He started singing in the synagogue choir. After dropping out of Thomas Jefferson High School, he won a spot on Arthur Godfrey’s morning radio show and recorded what became a string of solo hits in his smooth baritone. He met Eydie (born Edith Gormezano, the daughter of Sephardic Jewish parents Nessim Hasdai Gormezano and Fortuna Gormezano, in the Bronx) when both were regular singers on “The Steve Allen Show” (later retitled “The Tonight Show”). They married in 1957. The pair won a Grammy Award in 1960 for their first complete duet album, “We Got Us.” https://www.jta.org/2024/03/11/obituaries/singer-steve-lawrence-son-of-a-cantor-and-half-of-steve-and-eydie-dies-at-88?

LOL! I was tempted to comment on this post yesterday thinking that it was a joke but thought what if it wasn't.... 🤣 A bad burnt offering lol! I get it.

On page 234. of the 2022 book on EGW and the Historians, it mentions EGW dreaming of talking to her dead husband.

110 Representatives from 13 denominations attend a SDA religious liberty prayer breakfast. \https://www.nadadventist.org/news/tapestry-faiths-north-american-divisions-fifth-prayer-breakfast-sparks-unity-mission

The following article on the role and function of prayer is well worth reading. https://atoday.org/aunty-is-god-more-likely-to-answer-prayers-when-many-people-are-praying-for-the-same-thing/

For what it's worth, I agree with this policy. Those who have issues with Spectrum, AToday, or Fulcrum 7, Advindicate, and others should discuss those issues on those boards. Unfortunately, those boards are known to ban people who don't subscribe to, for example, the "queering" of Adventism or extreme views in other directions. Definitely a "my way or the highway" attitude. What I don't understand is why links on this website often lead to Spectrum or AToday but not to Fulcrum7. Obviously that is perceived as an endorsement of the "woke" perspective and disapproval of the conservative one. Whatever the reasons, I still respect the decisions made here.

Maybe you already posted this but here’s my latest information. Insurance companies will no longer cover people for hurricanes and tornadoes in the prone areas. I'm guessing drought lee side areas won’t be covered for fire either. its on the fringe of end times and things are only going to get worse unfortunately. As sdas we know what’s happening.

When your son invites you and his dad and your best friends to dinner in Ohio and you are in MN

The following are books that you may find of value. * McAdams, Donald R., Ellen White & The Historians: A Neglected Problem & A Forgotten Answer, Oak & Acorn Publishing, 2022, 258 pages. * Campbell, Michaell W., 1919: The untold Story of Adventism's Struggle With Fundamentalism, Pacific Press, 2019, 124 pages. * Capmbell, Michael W., 1922: The Rise of Adventist Fundamentalism, Pacific Press, 2022, 144 pages. * Jackson, Maury D. & Brown, Nathan, Editors. A house on fire; How Adventist Faith Responds to Race & Racism. Signs Publishing, 2022. 244 pages. * Rogers, Lynden G., Editor. SThe Biblical Flood: Context & History of Adventist Understanding, 2nd Edition. Avondale Academic Press, 2020, 238 pages. * Bull, Brian, Guy, Fritz, & Taylor, Ervin, Editors. Understanding Genesis: Contemporary Adventist Perspectives. Adventist Today, 2006, 195 pages. * Bull, Brian & Guy, Fritz, God, Sky & Land: Genesis 1 as the Ancient Hebrews Heard it. 2011, Adventist Today, 190 pages. * Bull, Brian & Guy, Fritz. God, Land, & The Great Flood: hearing the Story with 21st Century Christian Ears. Adventist Today, 2017, 211 pages. NOTE: I do not list the above books because I agree with everything that they say. Rather, I list them because they raise issues that deserve thought. With the exception of Adventist Today all of the above publishers are official SDA publishers.