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The more I hear about Stephen Haskell, the more I tend to identify him as one of the great villain's of the church. If it hasn't been done, I hope some scholar will accurately document the harm or good he did to the church

Back into the 1970s, we were people of the "red" books. Pastors, evangelists, friends, relatives were all pushing EGW. If it wasn't her, it was Uriah Smith. In a very short time I went from a person with a remarkable personal encounter with Christ to blabbering on about the trumpets, the mark of the beast, the state of the dead. There's one thing that really matters--Christ and Him crucified.

With this Sabbath School quarterly being on Genesis, Dr. Doukhan is the major contributor, this would be a good time to get and read his Commentary on Genesis. It is outstanding!!! Of course he was one of my favorite professors. I just finished reading the commentary about a month ago. Some highlights includes that the creation story has at least 3 levels. White it is focused on the special 7 days, it also branches out to the creation of the entire universe, and the creation of the great controversy, all before that special week. Part of this made it into the quarterly, but part didn't He points out how the message to the woman comes right out of what God said to the serpent. The phrase "your desire will be for your husband, and he shall rule over you" the "he" is not the husband who she will desire, but the redemptive "He" of Genesis 3:15. The promised seed is to rule over her, and through her to her husband. The quarterly put in a Mrs. White quote that superficially sounds like it contradicts what Doukhan pointed out in his commentary. Besides the commentary, may I also recommend a DVD series from the Great Courses on Genesis by Gary A. Rendsburg. (look for it when it's on sale) https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/book-of-genesis

This book was recently discussed and I obtained a copy. I am deep into the book, even nearly done, but this is not the review of the book. It has been a bit of an experience acquiring this book and making sure it was legitimately mine. I buy a lot of books off Amazon as used books (more than 25 books are in my "to buy" list!). Every so often one arrives and is marked in a way that makes me wonder if the seller should have been selling it. One book I bought came marked from the Carnegie Library in Pittsburgh. Checking it out they informed me that due to the fact that it was a medical related book they are sold off after five years. They did not want old medical info in their library. JCAHO will mark it against a hospital if a healthcare text older than five years is found on a unit where it might be used in patient care. So, Handbook for Bible Study (HBS) arrived with the name of a church written in the back cover. Oh boy! I am thinking. This book wasn't cheap and arrived in nearly new condition. So, I needed to track it down to find out if the church intended for it to be sold. Googling the church gave me a phone number of the church of which no one ever answered the phone. This led me to believe it was a small church with no staff during the week. Calling on a Sabbath morning had me talking to someone, probably whoever was walking past the phone(!), and they had no idea about the church library which was just a bookcase in the lobby! So, I was off to find the church pastor and speak directly to him. I call the conference the church was in. The person answering phone asks, "What is this about?" Apparently they weren't aware that sometimes people want to talk confidentially to a pastor and who was this gatekeeper for the pastors of the conference? They refused to give me his phone number! This included even the ministerial department. I was quite surprised that so many people would run interference and not allow someone to be able to reach the pastor. So, I got no further this time with the conference office. However, I did know a pastor in that conference. Thinking he might have a conference directory and could help me get connected I called his home. His wife, who I have known for 50 years, answered the phone. I explained why I was calling and her first response was, "What did he do?!" "No!" I said, "Nothing like that. Just need to talk with him." Well they did not have the info I needed and it was back to the conference office. Calling there again, they still refused to give out contact info, which to me is very strange. So, I gave them my number and asked them to call him and give him my number with a request that he call me. They agreed to do that. Two days later, I get a call and I am talking to the pastor. I explained the situation and what book I was referring to. It was felt that this book probably went over the heads of most everyone in the congregation and he said to keep the book and enjoy it! I sort of felt uneasy that we could conclude that most people would not even be able to understand the book. However, I have met a church elder who has serious prejudices against "learned scholars" and all their books and papers they write. Unfortunately, the same elder dismisses anything that anyone has written and concludes that you only need to read the Bible. Unfortunately, not all of his theology is correct and the current disagreement is whether or not there is such a thing as a Holy Spirit. (However, he is a good friend of mine and we do talk spiritual things a lot.) So, a bit more time and I will put down some thoughts on HBS. It has been quite the read so far.

(N)The Lord hears my cry Psalm 22:24 For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.

On Saturday, April 30 at noon (Pacific) / 3:00 p.m. (Eastern), Dr. Roman Pawlak will present for the Asheville Forum: “Dietary Misconceptions among Vegetarians.”. . . Pawlak, PhD, RDN, is an associate professor of nutrition at East Carolina University, . . . Vegetarians gain their knowledge regarding vegetarian nutrition from a variety of sources. Unfortunately, not all information regarding vegetarian nutrition is consistent with the best available evidence. Sometimes, information is selectively quoted or reflects personal bias. . . . To attend, email alexander@spectrummagazine.org before 5:00 p.m. (Pacific) on Friday, 4/29, to receive Zoom login info.

The following website provides important information related to SDA history: https://www.blacksdahistory.org/?msclkid=a2f1b5edbfea11ec886cf03a011159f7

He did both good and harm. The most harm was his view of how inspiration works, it is surprising because Mrs. White kept trying to tell him how inspiration worked for her, and he would disagree and try to tell her how inspiration worked. He wanted to take her nearly word for word, except when she would try to tell him how inspiration works.

Mrs. White and Willie, as well as people such as Prescott and Daniels talked about how Mrs. White should be understood and used. This was a big part of the 1919 Bible Conference. Sadly in 1922 this truth was rejected. Most Adventists sided with Stephen Haskell's approach to her works (She and he had some very sharp discussions on the topic. Both were frustrated that they could not convince the other to come over to their view, but remained good friends. After she died he continued the discussion with Willie, but he was not as friendly with Willie as he was to Mrs. White. He wanted to marry Mrs. White but she refused. That was wise. I'd hate to have seen how this discussion would have been with Willie if Haskell was his step dad. or how their differences in how to use Mrs. White's writings would have been if he was her husband). Second and third are too close to call, but one was the view of the leaders who's ideas have developed into the so called "Historic Adventists" and those who wanted to see her as merely a devotional writer. These three approaches are still the 3 most popular views in the church. Her views on this topic are rejected. We would have been more balanced and focused on Christ and Him crucified had we followed her view and allow the 1919 Bible Conference to continue. And with Uriah Smith, he wrote before Mrs. White got most of her visions and insights on the issues of last day events. It's a shame that again we take Uriah Smith over Mrs. White on this topic. (Even Stephen Haskell pointed out in his book on Daniel that the image has, not 4 parts, but 7 parts)

Ph, Sometimes it's just easier to admit that Luther wrote some strange things. I try to focus on the obviously good things he wrote. Thanks for bringing that article to our attention

If you go to this hospital, do not drink the water. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/04/13/13-billion-hospital-dods-newest-still-without-drinkable-water.html

While this notice is under other public figures; we could consider brother Shanks as an honorary Adventist.

This war is simply horrible. I'm amazed as to how well the Ukrainians are defending their country, and wowed by the leadership of President Zelenski. I saw a 30 minute documentary on his life a few weeks ago from PBS if I recall correctly. His work as a comedian has caused the Russians to be aware of him in a positive light. It's amazing how God can use something that looks so small and insignificant to prepare someone for a time of crisis.

Lord is my strength ?? (N) Psalm 18:2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

(N) A pure heart is life to you. Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Was grateful for his ministry.

Currently, April 16, 2022, Amazon has eight (8) paperback copies of the book on sale for $25.00. It is well worth that price. ,

That book is of great value.

He is a friend of mine I was at the award ceremony with him when it was recognized Gold standard or sow thing by the Evangelical Press it should say in the back cover.

Sad that not just SDAs have died, but that so many have died needlessly, because of this so-called peace keeping intrusion into Ukraine!!!!!