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I am assuming that when we refer to coffee (or tea or hot chocolate) drinking it is the caffeine in the beverage that makes it a "sin" FWIW years ago I suffered from severe migraine headaches. Any one that deals with migraines can attest to wishing you could put your neck on a chopping block to remove your head! Finally my Dr found something that, perhaps didn't always completely take away the pain, but made it possible to function with it. Most of the time it took the pain completely. One day I was at the drug store getting a refill I was told that the price had increased, I complained!!!. The pharmacist said why are you buying the pills? I began to explain, and he said, "Just get a strong cup of coffee." I self-righteously explained that , "I Don't drink coffee!" He smiled and said perhaps you don't need to .... because you certainly get enough caffeine in these pills. They were caffeine pills!!! Needless to say, I never had another prescription of "caffeine" pills refilled. Color me a sinner .....

Viewpoint: The Hollywood Church Emphasized Justice, but Not Righteousness 19 January 2015 | Melody George Ryan Bell was my pastor from 2007 to 2010. When I first heard about his one-year experiment with atheism, I stayed largely absent from the conversation. I didn’t read his blog or the articles in the Times. I didn’t listen to the stories on NPR. It was too emotional, too painful. I tried to ignore it. Perhaps now that the experiment is over and the outcome known to all, it’s time to confront those feelings. During my time in Hollywood, I spent over two years filming a documentary about Ryan’s team and their radical work at the Hollywood Adventist Church. I also became a member and an active participant in the congregation. My time at Hollywood was, without doubt, the most fulfilling church experience of my life thus far. I’ll never forget how Ryan immediately invited us into a conversation about what the church was to become. I’ll never forget how he sought me out as a new attendee and set up a lunch meeting just to get to know me better. I’d never had a pastor take personal interest in me before. Ryan saw community as the key to real spiritual growth and impact, and he pursued it with genuine warmth and friendship. What followed was certainly the highlight of my Christian experience. Over the next three years, I had a front row seat as God began to do something exquisite in this tiny church community. Ryan tasked us with a question: “How can we be a people among whom God dwells?” and let us young adults take ownership in shaping the church. We had desired this ownership, this place at the table, our entire Adventist lives. We invited God to dwell at our small purple-colored church in Hollywood, and he came. We asked him how we could make room for him to work, and he answered. It was almost as if a beacon had been lit. There was an uncanny convergence of young, talented, creative, passionate Christians showing up at the church. If I remember correctly, the size of the congregation doubled in about a year. But it wasn’t just the numbers that changed. There was a very deep sense of family that emerged. I knew most of the people in the congregation, and I loved them, and they loved me. We worshipped together. We hung out together. We ministered in Hollywood together. They became my family. And I had the chance to catch it all on camera, in what became the North American Division web series, “Stained Glass: Hollywood Blvd.” My whole life I had wanted to believe that an early-church type of experience was possible. God gave the church power to heal the sick, cast out demons, and spread the good news. This was the first group I’d encountered that took that charge seriously, and humbly asked questions about how to realize the dream. And in Hollywood of all places. The potential for a life of thrilling ministry and transformative church community boggled my mind. I felt more alive than I ever had. But no church is perfect. I left the Hollywood Church in 2010, well before Ryan announced his experiment with Atheism. But I believe I saw the seeds of that journey planted. And in watching the Hollywood Church’s story unfold, and Ryan’s, I have learned a lot that I feel compelled to share. I won’t address the question of God’s existence in this article; my thoughts are for those who embrace a Christian worldview. In my last year at Hollywood, I watched the slow dimming of the light that had been lit on Hollywood Blvd. The culture that had emerged in the church was “we’re non-judgmental; everyone’s welcome here.” But I watched as Ryan and the leadership took this beautiful principle to an extreme that, I believe, barred God from continuing to work there. When the subject of sexual purity within the congregation became an issue, I watched as elders were too afraid of appearing judgmental to lovingly challenge people to be their best. So they implicitly and explicitly supported immoral behavior instead. When hot-button issues of the day came up, I saw a knee-jerk allegiance to political correctness that overshadowed our previous humble stance of, “Lord, what would you have us do?” I watched as any incidence of demonic influence was labeled “mental illness,” and as the charge to “heal the sick,” got relegated to fixing healthcare at a systemic level. We began taking political action to address homelessness, but walked past the homeless man standing outside the church. In Bible studies we would commiserate about the impossibility of really knowing God’s will or overcoming sin. I will always remember the day an theist friend visited the church. His reaction was, “I don’t have any respect for this church because you try to appeal to everyone; you don’t stand for anything.” Psalm 89 proclaims, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation” of his throne. At the Hollywood Church, justice reigned, and people got a little uncomfortable when someone said the word righteousness. But there’s a reason those two words are paired together. I believe there’s a place for political action as Christian individuals, and a place for fighting systemic social problems as well. But when Jesus said we would do the same things he did, and greater things, he meant it, and he meant it in a spiritual, supernatural way. And his power can only descend on us to the degree that we embrace righteousness and truth in our lifestyles. Ironically enough, the very things we were afraid to stand for—sexual purity, as an example—were quite possibly the truths that could have blessed our neighbors in Hollywood the most. In short, within the Hollywood Adventist Church community during the Ryan Bell years, there grew a fear of appearing intolerant that superseded our desire for truth. There was a fear of appearing judgmental that turned righteousness into a bad word. There was a desire to be politically correct that made us forget Christianity was never intended to be cool to the world; a desire to fit in with the culture that kept us from getting too spiritually radical. And there was an “open-mindedness” that precluded the possibility of traditional thought being right. Political correctness is a wonderful thing when it reminds us to be fair and unbiased, to be sensitive to people’s differences and treat others with respect at all times. But it can also lead us to obscure truth for fear of offending. And there are times when offensive things need to be said. Jesus was certainly one of the most offensive public figures of his day, yet he was never obnoxious just for the heck of it. He had a close enough connection with the Father to know truth, and he spoke it unflinchingly. Sometimes that truth turned people away, as in John 6: “On hearing it, many of his disciples said, ‘This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?’ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus asked them, ‘Does this offend you?’. . . From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” On a day that is burned into my memory, the church office got a phone call from a woman pleading for help. She said she was being attacked by demons every night, and in desperation had called the first church she could find in the phone book. Our response to the call? We’ll pray for her. That day, I knew my time at the Hollywood Adventist Church was coming to an end. How could we confront such a thing when our thinking had become so secular that we didn’t take spiritual warfare seriously? Even if we did take it seriously, how could we enter that situation with any spiritual authority when we as a body had allowed sin directly and intentionally into our midst? Had we tried to help her, would our outcome not have been the same as the seven sons of Sceva? “The evil spirit answered them, ‘Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?’ Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding.” A church located in the heart of Hollywood, one mile from the Kodak/Dolby Theater and the Walk of Fame. A building seen by hundreds of thousands from the 101 Freeway every day. Such potential. But we fell short of our impact because we were too afraid to call sin “sin,” to challenge each other in love to rise above it, and to believe God’s miraculous power is still available to the church today. I’m not suggesting we run up and down the aisles of our churches shouting, “Sinner, sinner!” But there is wisdom in James’ words, “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” There is a place in the modern church for holding each other accountable in love and working together to pull each other higher. Indeed, I would call this true church. And at Hollywood, we were close enough friends to be able to respectfully confront each other. But we rarely did. Many terrible acts of intolerance have been perpetrated by religious people and institutions in the past, and those acts are never condoned by God. But now, classically, the pendulum swings too far in the opposite direction. In a culture of moral relativism—one which celebrates open-mindedness, claims all paths are equal, praises those who “don’t have answers,” and even lauds those with courage to doubt — have we forgotten the exclusive nature of Jesus’ claim: “There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved”? Have we forgotten the Gospel record that demons trembled in his presence, knowing exactly who he was: “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God?” They still react to his name in the same way today. When the Samaritan woman questioned Jesus on where to worship, he didn’t say, “All paths are equally valid,” but responded with a firm, “Salvation is from the Jews.” Where is the good old-fashioned common sense that tells us we can say boldly “I believe this is true,” and still be loving and respectful to all who believe differently? Where is the wisdom that instructs us on how to walk that fine line, case-by-case? Where is the deep love that accepts people exactly as they are and yet inspires them to be all they can be? Where are the holy, spirit-filled people who will not compromise their integrity, but will love and serve with the tenderness of Christ himself? “I don’t condemn you. Go and sin no more.” If a church member struggles with drug addiction, is the appropriate response, “We won’t judge you here”? Or is it to rally around him and bolster his sense of self-worth, give him back a picture of his future, drive him to his court dates and sit beside him while his body screams through the pain of withdrawal? What is the true picture of a Christ-follower? It is neither the person who shouts, “You sinner!” nor the one who turns a blind eye so as not to offend, but the one who holds back a brother’s hair as he vomits into a bucket on the way to recovery. Ryan Bell was and is a brilliant speaker, a radical thinker, a voracious learner, a truly compassionate person and a good friend. I have seldom seen someone work for justice as tirelessly as he. How does this person, seemingly so connected to the James 1:27 definition of “true religion,” go down the road toward Atheism? I don’t know. There are many sides to the story which I’m sure we’ll never hear. But I have great fear for a generation of Christians that thinks truth is relative and morality is self-defined. It leads toward a dangerous line of thinking that says, “I will be like the Most High.” There is, and always will be, great disagreement on what constitutes truth and morality. But I trust to Jesus’ promise that “anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own.” What can we learn from Ryan Bell? We would do well to adopt his willingness to think critically about how we do religion, his searching mind, his great compassion for the oppressed and his desire to work for justice. We’d also be wise to remember the cautionary tale of the Hollywood Church, so afraid of appearing judgmental that it actually deprived the city of some of the greatest gifts it had to offer. Many criticize the conference for asking Ryan to step down from his position as pastor. But Ryan wasn’t teaching Adventism. Even he wouldn’t deny that. So how can one fault the Adventist Church for simply upholding what it believes to be true? It is possible for a group of spirit-filled believers to know with authority what is right and wrong. It is possible to know in your heart of hearts that God exists, and to say with authority that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life—and at the same time, to love, respect, and learn from others who see the world differently. I will always love and respect Ryan Bell. I’m so grateful for the opportunity he gave me to take ownership in my church, and to think critically about what it means to be a church. I will never forget the wonderful years I spent there . . . and will always experience an acute sadness over his loss of faith. I know God is alive, and slowly I’m learning I don’t have to be ashamed to say I know it. “How can we be a people among whom God dwells?”

Jackson, I was giving my opinion only - concerning just what Daniel might have understood from the words of the angel. According to Dan 10:14, "I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come." Daniel was told to "seal the book" - the whole book - "until the time of the end" (12:4). I know that Adventists teach that the "latter days" began in 1844, but that's not certain to me. I know some folks who have beat their heads for 50+ years, trying to understand just what "the daily" represents. But I don't believe that we WILL understand this prophecy UNTIL "the time of the end", which is WHY I have NOT put up any commentary concerning Daniel 9, on my website. Until the Book is opened, it's all just theorizing. Respectfully, Rachel Cory Prophecy Viewpoint

What "former commandment" was "set aside", (disannulled, abrogated) because of its weakness and inefficacy? Didn't the author of Hebrews just say that the "blood of bulls and goats" was weak, and could not take away sin? I would say that the "blood of bulls and goats" and the whole system that supported it, was "set aside" (disannulled, abrogated). Hebrews 7:18 Thus, on the one hand, the earlier rule is set aside because of its weakness and inefficacy (CJB) Hebrews 7:18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof. (KJV) Hebrews 7:18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless (NIV) Hebrews 7:18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, (NKJ) Hebrews 7:18 There is, on the one hand, the abrogation of an earlier commandment because it was weak and ineffectual (NRS) Did the author of the Book of Hebrews also have the "Spirit of prophecy" ? If so, then SOMETHING has been annulled by the LORD - some "earlier" or "former" COMMANDMENT.

I think there are limits to free speech in ethical context, and not necessarily legal. A lot of comedians feel like it's their duty to test the limits of free speech via satire or humor, but some things are just not that funny. Southpark I thought satirized the Mohammed issue the best. They made fun of the issue within the limits of cultural constraints. They put the guy in a bear suit, and the irony is that it was a Mohammed in a ridiculous attire, which would be more offensive... yet the constraints of religion make it less outrageous than drawing a decent-looking picture of the guy. I really don't think pushing these limits is necessary, because it doesn't end well. It angers people, turns them against each other, and makes them isolate in their own little community bubbles where they tell their children exaggerated stories about why the other guys are bad. It does the opposite of what it intends to do. The reality is that political and religious propaganda is a form of its own "serious satire". The exaggerations that are floating in Adventist churches about Catholics is borderline satirical. There are a million things to make fun of, why would you make fun of something you know will anger millions of people? No one is satirizing Holocaust. It's just not that funny. It can be in certain absurd context, but the seriousness of the subject weighs over the satire. I think it's the same way for many other people. Satirizing people who struggle with their weight can be demoralizing... etc. I think we should have an ounce of decency to talk about serious subjects in a serious manner.

I am going to add another comment to the above. In the same book but in a different chapter: Richard M. Davidson, "Biblical Interpretation," on page 60 says: It should be clear: The Bible ins the final doctrinal authority in SDA teaching.

And you base your conclusions on what source? Obviously they do not originate from the Creator. God is Love! Jesus saves!

That's right. Because Jesus prayed for unity among his followers (John 17:11), and denominations cause divisions within the followers of Jesus, I believe that Jesus never authorized his followers to create denominations.

Well - thank you for expressing your opinion Primevil60. I don't personally agree with your view. But thanks. That's what this forum is for.

I'd say my name wasn't Shirley..

"Mr. Klinger, a former cop and author of “Into the Kill Zone: A Cop’s Eye View of Deadly Force” (2006)." Its weird how this guy's "research" seems to be supportive of the cop's perspective. Lyndon, why base you argument on research that the researchers say bears "no relation to actual shooting events"?

Satire: the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, I would say Jesus used satire..... Blind guides! You strain your water so you won't accidentally swallow a gnat, but you swallow a camel! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are. I'll say it again--it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!"

I'm thinking that the war on women is something that certain individuals/organizations are not going to give up on for awhile. The posting and reposting of articles/opinion blogs/etc, seem to be continuing on these forums. Hats off to the women though, they take it all in stride....as they have been doing for years!!

Union College has posted the following information as of 4 PM, today, local time:

Wondering where this 'fad' will end and when. I am waiting, still, for a good explanation of why men would leave the church if 'feminization' were true. Why would that be an excuse? With men being the predominant feature of the church, currently, why have not women left in large numbers? Have women been seen as too passive to care? My personal belief, it is the fear of losing the male dominance of the past that brings out all these ridiculous ideas, a last gasp effort to hang on to the past. Maybe God has gotten tired of the delay by men and said I am calling everyone, with a loud voice, to finish the work. No longer will womens voices be drowned out by religious maneuvering because Gods voice is louder. I would suggest we start listening that voice.......in everything.

I recently read the thought that the basis of unity is equality. If you place all human beings including yourself, on an equal plain, equally sinners, equally needing a savior, and among believers, you do not see yourself above or superior but rather equal, regardless of income, education, experiences, but on the same level ground at the floot of the cross, then you are able to experience unity in the family of God. ....apologies for the run on sentence.... Jesus placed himself on equal footing with us all. He became connected to us all. And offers to every person to become united with them if they are willing. We may not be able to discern God's light bearers, in different places and walks and circumstances. We are not to be a discouragement to anyone traveling this sod. We cannot judge anyone's heart. But we can know what spirit to follow, we can hear Jesus voice for ourselves. and just as we grow and learn as we go we need to leave room for others to do the same and not feel we have to be in charge of anyone's walk. There is one God. For example, I don't fear jewelry in the Church, God is in Charge. I can safely rest it with Him.

For a photo of Heather click on: https://www.ucollege.edu/files/styles/story-image/public/captioned-images/Boulais-Heather.jpg?itok=ywCMHW3n

praying.

It should be noted that the injured woman has relatives who attend the SDA Church that I attend and that she graduated from a local SDA academy. On the basis of what I heard from a physician today, her injuries are indeed critical and she and her family and friends are much in need of prayer.

SDA Colleges traditionally use such activities to recruit students and to obtain favorable publicity for the school. Therefore, I believe that she was injured while doing something that was in support of the school and approved by the school. Therefore I believe that the school should do as I said.

I am attempting to post the following on the REVIEW Website:

Persoanlly Restin I have found that those wanting to leave will find any excuse! Doesn't mean that its not legit to them, but they were looking for it and found it.