Racism in the Adventist Church

[lazarus]

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Neil D said:

One, it says that whites are always racist...

I am not sure that is the case.....If I have misspoken, it is due to ignorance, but not all whites are racist. In fact, I tend to think that over half of them are not racist.

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I don't think all whites are racist either. I have no idea what the figures are. The only thing I have read recently is that about 24% of the whites is Scotland admit to being racist! If that figure were mirrored in the US that would be alot of people.

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But I fear that blacks view whites as racists...and at that point, I give up

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I don't think that all blacks think that all whites are racist. I think that many blacks think that many whites are racist. This is the problem. Its nebulous.

Here's why think this situation exists. I think that the political, social, cultural acceptance that blacks now experience is not as a result of a change of heart by whites in power. It came as a result of protest, boycott, riot, assasination etc. If blacks had waited, been polite, calm etc. they would sill in 2006 have had to use separate water fountains. As liberals as he was Kennedy was not saying lets give black people full and equal rights!

This is mirrored in the SDA church.

the white community came kicking and screaming in to an era of acceptance of all peoples!

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The inability to forgive can lead to violence. And that is an issue that I can not deal with.....

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I deal sometimes with black young men who have been shot/ stabbed by other black youth. As I talk with them I see the rage against their fathers, against the "white man" , "the system". They can't forgive what they don't understand. When I preach on the race issue I challenege the racism of whites and the lack of forgiveness on the part of blacks.

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unless we talk...And I don't know how to talk about it....except to say, 'Let's be friends, and lets go do something together. Let us build trust among us to the point that others would notice and take note."

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Sounds good to me. I think the fact that we can share is a good start. I don't claim to be totally right on this issue. I will learn something by hearing others. I share my opinion on this issue openly and forcefully. Somebody may get upset and offended. Its part of the process.

What if the GC sponsored a symposium of racism in the SDA church with a view to reconcilliation. It would be scary, painful but a great witness to the world and the church and some hearts may get healed.....black and white.

[Gerr]

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Folks, the issues regarding the Regional Conferences are complex.

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[:"blue"]Then let's simplify it. To me, it boils down to this: Me first. Those in power & privilege want to preserve the status quo, and those who are not want to have it. It is no longer about service. It is about power & privilege. Look at the move to put women pastors. As I see it, it's not about servanthood, it's about power.

Some years ago I was at the Honolulu SDA Central church one Sabbath, and during the potluck, I happened to be in the pastor's study. On the wall were pictures of all the pastors that have ever served there in that racial melting pot. Guess what? In that racial melting pot where whites are now a minority, how many non-whites have served as pastor of that church? Zilch, zero, nada.

So as long as 'Me First' remains in the church, so shall racism continue to live well. [/]

Gerry

Gerry

[Gregory Matthews]

Gerry, yes, there are issues of power and turf.

Is it possible that some of those issues are valid?

Is power and turf a valid point?

Is it possible that there may be circumstances when the work of God if advanced in situations where power issues are advanced?

[David_McQueen]

We have to realise as much as we try to differ the church is a microcosm of the world we live in. The same issues that say an Aboriginal would have with white in Australia, or a white, black, hispanic in the US, the Caribbeans of African descent as opposed to East Indian, and then the clashes of cultures with Serbs and Croats or Spanish and Catalonian and Ghanian and Nigerian, or Korean and Japanese.

It pains me that whole families can fall apart because someone wishes to date, marry or even worship outside of there cultural group. And as for leadership, the same issues that say blacks have had in the USA, whites are arguing why does black leadership have to dominate the British and South England Conferences in the UK? I cant mince my words on this. I think it is all [censored].

All cultures are guilty of discriminatory behaviour, sometimes as a means of "protecting" their cultural identity or just out of plane ignorance. It may take a Peter vs Paul conforntation to address these discrepances but frankly I dont hold out much hope.

Truth be told most of us have specific preferences for our children. Whether it be racial, social or cultural no matter how much we try to iron it out the social construct that have played a role in our development leave is inherently prejudcicial. No matter how we play the blame game unless we move forward I dont have much hope for such differences to be reconciled in this generation.

Call it cultural remnant theology!

[Jeannieb43]

I don't think this problem is unique to the SDA Church - or to any church. It's common to the entire U.S.

I heard the actor Morgan Freeman, when being interviewed on 60 Minutes recently, say he was not in favor of celebrating Black History Month. He says Black history is U.S.History. In other words, it's inextricably intertwined with our entire history. Blacks should not be treated any better than, or worse than, those from other ethnic extractions.

And, speaking of the Honolulu Adventist Church's pastors... I have a very close friend who is 3/4 native Hawaiian (his father was half Irish). He visits me periodically. Says that during his childhood the mysogynation laws would have prevented him from accompanying me to dinner in any public place. Hawaiians have been discriminated against, also, when they married Caucasians. But since the VietNam War, when Hawaiians (as new U.S. citizens because Hawaii had by then become a State and the Hawaiians became subject to the draft) started traveling around the U.S.military bases, and thus began meeting U.S. women, there have been many "mixed" marriages. However, it's my observation that when a Caucasian marries a Hawaiian, they usually tend to settle down in Hawaii (rather than in the Continental 48) to live and raise their families.

[Gerr]

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Gregory Matthews said:

Gerry, yes, there are issues of power and turf.

Is it possible that some of those issues are valid?

Is power and turf a valid point?

Is it possible that there may be circumstances when the work of God if advanced in situations where power issues are advanced?

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[:"blue"]Is power and turf ever valid in the kingdom of God where the greatest in the eyes of the King are the servants? [/]

Gerry

[Gregory Matthews]

Re: "Is power and turf ever valid in the kingdom of God where the greatest in the eyes of the King are the servants?"

We do not live in the kingdom of God. On some levels we can attempt to reach that level. But, there are other levels in which we will never reach that level here on earth.

As an example: I might think that if I were to live on the level of God's Kingdom, we should have female pastors. If I thought that, should I take the position that the SDA Chruch should only work in Saudi Arabia if SA allow female missionaries to work there?

Gerry, you have posted the following statement:

Re: "Some years ago I was at the Honolulu SDA Central church one Sabbath, and during the potluck, I happened to be in the pastor's study. On the wall were pictures of all the pastors that have ever served there in that racial melting pot. Guess what? In that racial melting pot where whites are now a minority, how many non-whites have served as pastor of that church? Zilch, zero, nada."

You raised the issue of power and turf. Your point may be valid. In any case, you have raised that same issue that African-Americans raise: They want the right to direct (power) SDA work among other African-Americans (turf).

You made the point. Give it now to others.

[Gerr]

So, whether white or black or whatever, it all boils down to power, privilege, & control. Someone has it and wants to keep it. Someone who doesn't have it wants to have it.

You say, "we do not live in the kingdom of God." Is not the gospel about the kingdom of God? Are not believers called to be a "kingdom of priests"? Until we go through that 'upper room' experience, we will continue to strive for first place, and who is the greatest.

Is it not possible for African-Americans to work for African-Americans but still within the framework of ONE conference? If we carry the same arguement, then there should be a Hispanic Conferences, Chinese Conferences or at least an Asian conference, White Conferences, ad nauseam.

Gerry

[Gregory Matthews]

Gerry, you did not respond to the point that you made: The multi-ethnic churche in HI had never had an ethnic pastor. You took the position that you now argue against! You raised the issue of power and turf in a context that inplied it was valid! Now you argue against it!

Re: "Is it not possible for African-Americans to work for African-Americans but still within the framework of ONE conference? If we carry the same arguement, then there should be a Hispanic Conferences, Chinese Conferences or at least an Asian conference, White Conferences, ad nauseam."

You have actually made several valid points that are fundamental to the issue.

Re: "Is it not possible for African-Americans to work for African-Americans but still within the framework of ONE conference?"

No, not if:

a) Those Afircan-Americans do not have the same potential to rise to positions of leadership that non African-Americans have.

The work of God, whatever that means, does better when the African-Americans direct their own work, and are not suborbanate to others.

Let us say that I am a CEO in a company that produces bottled soda. I advertize in main-line publications. One day the Chief of advertising tells me that I can increase my sales by 5 per-cent if I begin to advertize in JET. What do you tink that I am going to do? Do you think that I am going to tell him that I will continue to give my sole advertising budget to main-line publications as I do not want to participate in anything that is segregated? Let us be real.

Re: "If we carry the same arguement, then there should be a Hispanic Conferences, Chinese Conferences or at least an Asian conference, White Conferences, ad nauseam.

No, we do not need such Conferences, if a & b above are not true.

If they are true, we may need such.

But, this then raises the issue of church organization in the 21st Cent. That is a big one. Perhaps we need re-organization in more ways than one?

Gery, you are comming accros to me as thinking that the issue of Regional Conferences is based soley on skin-color, race, ethic group, or some other such external characteristic. Perhaps I am wrong. But, that is how you are sounding to me.

The issue of the Regional Conferneces is not based upon such external factors. It is based, on the a & b listed above, and more.

If you view is as it comes across to me, I am sorry, and hope that you come to understand it more clearly.

If my perception of your view is wrong, I am delighted.

[Gerr]

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Gregory Matthews said:

Gerry, you did not respond to the point that you made: The multi-ethnic churche in HI had never had an ethnic pastor. You took the position that you now argue against! You raised the issue of power and turf in a context that inplied it was valid! Now you argue against it!

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[:"blue"]I said that I understood the original reasons for the Regional Conferences because of the white power structure that excluded people of color, and I don't mean just blacks, that power structure excluded Asians too. But now many of those in power & privilege are finally realising that this exclusion cannot go on, that perpetuation of white power will only cause detriment to the body of Christ. So, to the extent that the white power structure is crumbling, so should all these separate conferences. As you know, here in SECC, under ONE umbrella, we have ministries along ethnic lines led by people along the same ethnic lines. IMO, this is probably as good as we will ever get this side of eternity. [/]

Gerry

[Gerr]

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You have actually made several valid points that are fundamental to the issue.

Re: "Is it not possible for African-Americans to work for African-Americans but still within the framework of ONE conference?"

No, not if:

a) Those Afircan-Americans do not have the same potential to rise to positions of leadership that non African-Americans have.

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[:"blue"]To say that African-Am or any one of color do not have the "same potential to rise to positions of leadership that non-African-Am have" is to suggest that one is inferior & the other superior. That is patently untrue. [/]

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The work of God, whatever that means, does better when the African-Americans direct their own work, and are not suborbanate to others.

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[:"blue"]That may very well be true, & the validity of this thinking is recognized here in SECC, & ministries along ethnic lines have been implemented which are also headed along ethnic lines but still within one umbrella. [/]

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Gery, you are comming accros to me as thinking that the issue of Regional Conferences is based soley on skin-color, race, ethic group, or some other such external characteristic. Perhaps I am wrong. But, that is how you are sounding to me.

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[:"blue"]No, I don't view Regional Conferences as a matter of skin color. I view them as a matter of a struggle for power - on both sides, i.e. one side wanting to preserve power, control & privilege while the other wanting the same. I believe that when we become thoroughly converted and understand servant-leadership, that these jockeying for positions of power will disappear. I view Regional Conferences as a black in the body of Christ. [/]

Gerry

[Gregory Matthews]

Re: "

To say that African-Am or any one of color do not have the "same potential to rise to positions of leadership that non-African-Am have" is to suggest that one is inferior & the other superior. That is patently untrue."

No, it is not to say that one is superior to the other.

One may not have the same potential to rise to a leadership position due to externam factors that are unrelated to the individual. If it is true that African-Americans do not have that same potential, I believe that it is due to external factors.

You and I may believe that African-Americans have the same opportunity to rise to a leadership position as does anyone else. But, what do the African-Americans think of such? Do they beleive such?

You cite the SECC as an example of all haveing that opportunity. I remind you that this occured only after (and some time after) there was a movement to introduce a Regional Conference into the Pacific Union.

Re: " . . . ministries along ethnic lines have been implemented . . . "

Yes, such has been implimented in a number of Conferences. That has worked best when the authority of do that ethnic ministry has been given to the coordinator of that ethnic ministry. It has worked less well when that authority to direct that ethic ministry rested with a non-ethnic person.

Re: "No, I don't view Regional Conferences as a matter of skin color. I view them as a matter of a struggle for power - on both sides, i.e. one side wanting to preserve power, control & privilege while the other wanting the same."

I agree that this is part of the issue. But, I do not believe that it is the sole issue. There are people on both sides of the issue who sincerely believe that the work of God will best go forward when it is organized either with or without a Regional Conference.

Re: "I believe that when we become thoroughly converted and understand servant-leadership, that these jockeying for positions of power will disappear."

Let us not question the conversion status of one who does not act in a manner that we percieve to be the mark of a converted person.

Further, a desire for power can be a desire to further the work of God in the best way possible.

Re: "I view Regional Conferences as a black in the body of Christ."

Perhaps they are. But, you have not provided us with the answer to all of the fundamental issues that presently continue them. You have not given us an example as to how we could function in the NAD, without them, and without the underlying issues that present exist.

You tell us that you are knowledgeable of their history and the reasons for their beginning. Yet you come across to me as not understanding the present reasons as to why some acvocate thier present existance.

Yes, there are members of the African-American community who agree with your basic positions. But, the African-American community has not reached unity on this point.

I have not given my personal position yet. It is: I would like to see the Regional Conferences done away with. But, I would want that to only happen when:

a) I could believe that the work of God among the African-American was enhanced by doing away with the Regional Conferences.

African-Americans had equal and fair opportunity to advance to leadership posiitons that was equal to ther ethnic groups.

c) The African-American community came into greater agreement that the Regional Conferences should be done away with.

Until all three of the above are cachieved, I believe that the Regional Conferences shuold continue.

[Clio]

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Gerry Cabalo said:

Until we go through that 'upper room' experience, we will continue to strive for first place, and who is the greatest.

Gerry

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And unless and until we put Jesus in first place in all things, humanity, individually and collectively will continue to strive for power and turf.

Once Jesus is in first place, then His guidance reigns supreme. Individually and collectively.

It is irrelevant that we do not yet live in Heaven. We are His, and should reflect Him as our Master.... But I am not a member, and will never again be a member of any denomination, so my perspective is unapologetically individual rather than denominational.

The church age is ending, and these kinds of disputes distract us from what is really occurring.

Time is very very short. Business as usual is no longer usual.

Clio

[Gerr]

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Gregory Matthews said:

Re: "

To say that African-Am or any one of color do not have the "same potential to rise to positions of leadership that non-African-Am have" is to suggest that one is inferior & the other superior. That is patently untrue."

No, it is not to say that one is superior to the other.

One may not have the same potential to rise to a leadership position due to externam factors that are unrelated to the individual. If it is true that African-Americans do not have that same potential, I believe that it is due to external factors.

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[:"blue"]I misunderstood you. I thought you meant lack of innate potential! [/]

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You cite the SECC as an example of all haveing that opportunity. I remind you that this occured only after (and some time after) there was a movement to introduce a Regional Conference into the Pacific Union.

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[:"blue"]Hmmmmmm. Is that what it takes to make changes in the body of Christ? Threat of schism? [/]

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Re: "No, I don't view Regional Conferences as a matter of skin color. I view them as a matter of a struggle for power - on both sides, i.e. one side wanting to preserve power, control & privilege while the other wanting the same."

I agree that this is part of the issue. But, I do not believe that it is the sole issue.

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[:"blue"]If power, control, & privilege are not the common denominator, then what are these other issues? [/]

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Re: "I believe that when we become thoroughly converted and understand servant-leadership, that these jockeying for positions of power will disappear."

Let us not question the conversion status of one who does not act in a manner that we percieve to be the mark of a converted person.

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[:"blue"]While it is true that converted people do not shed overnight the baggages that they had been carrying during their unconverted days, I do have some reservations about leaders who have been in high places a long time who are continue to be preoccupied with positions of power. [/]

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Further, a desire for power can be a desire to further the work of God in the best way possible.

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[:"blue"]I'm not sure about that. [/]

Re: "I view Regional Conferences as a black eye in the body of Christ."

Perhaps they are. But, you have not provided us with the answer to all of the fundamental issues that presently continue them. You have not given us an example as to how we could function in the NAD, without them, and without the underlying issues that present exist.

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[:"blue"]You have not asked for the answer. [/]

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You tell us that you are knowledgeable of their history and the reasons for their beginning. Yet you come across to me as not understanding the present reasons as to why some acvocate thier present existance.

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[:"blue"]Perhaps. In my simplistic church-view, the only way to eliminate the spirit of "me first" is a deeper spiritual transformation. The natural heart's desire is for first place, power, control. This can be modified by external pressure, certainly, but as you know, the real change can be effected only from the inside by a supernatural power.

And I certainly agree that the desire to discontinue the Regional Conferences has to be a majority decision among those involved. But as long as they remain, they will continue to be a sign of a deeper problem in the church, which to me detracts from a more effective witness. For how can we preach the power of the gospel to save people if it has not the power to change our thinking & attitudes? [/]

Gerry

[Gail]

Wow- this is a most interesting discussion! Thank you for keeping it civil!

[Gregory Matthews]

Gail, I am quite please with it. Gerry and I have been the two main people discussing an emotional subject. We have both been frank, and open. But, I don't think that either of us has taken anything as a personal insult. We have agreed in areas, perhaps disagreed in some, and freely discussed this issue.

I hope that it has been helpful to others reading it. That is why I have continued it, and I thank Gerry for his participation in this discussion.

[lazarus]

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And I certainly agree that the desire to discontinue the Regional Conferences has to be a majority decision among those involved. But as long as they remain, they will continue to be a sign of a deeper problem in the church, which to me detracts from a more effective witness. For how can we preach the power of the gospel to save people if it has not the power to change our thinking & attitudes?

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Its has been an interesting discussion but with just one problem as I see it. As it seems to me, as illustrated by the above quote, there has been a tendency to see regional conferences as "the problem".

As well as discontiuning regional conferences there should be a move to discontinue "white" conferences. Their existence was the reason for the formation of regional conferences. I am repeating what Gregory said(perhaps is a different way) but the point warrants repetition.

[jasd]

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"But I am not a member, and will never again be a member of any denomination, so my perspective is unapologetically individual rather than denominational.

The church age is ending,..." --Clio

Considering..., the above bears repeating for its import and for what it implies.

[lazarus]

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jasd said:

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"But I am not a member, and will never again be a member of any denomination, so my perspective is unapologetically individual rather than denominational.

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Just out of interest...What denomination were you a member of and why did u leave?

[Nicodema]

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Gerry Cabalo said:

Those in power & privilege want to preserve the status quo, and those who are not want to have it. It is no longer about service. It is about power & privilege. Look at the move to put women pastors. As I see it, it's not about servanthood, it's about power.

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What about "the move to put women pastors" -- what do you mean by that? -- to put them WHERE?

As a woman who intends to serve God according to where HE desires to place me, not according to where flawed, faulty, selfish human beings think I do or do not "belong", I feel concerned about how this statement reads to me. As a sentence it is vague and incomplete so I could be reading it wrong -- in fact, I certainly hope I am.

My desire, intent and aspiration is entirely to obey and serve God. Were it not so, were this NOT the case, I would not be preparing to return to school to continue my long-abandoned studies in theology. I would not be planning to put five figures' worth of profit from the sale of my home into an education when it is the only thing remotely approximating a "nest egg" I may ever see in my lifetime. To charge me as a woman with "me first"-ism and wanting "power" and "privilege" just because I am following a call God has placed in my heart, is a very serious accusation indeed -- not to mention a false one. The only "power" I am interested in is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live a life pleasing to God. The only "privilege" I seek is the privilege of serving Him, of having Him live His love through me, of experiencing His miraculous transformation in my character, of laboring by His side for the salvation of souls and the relief of human suffering in whatever capacity He leads and equips me. Now THAT is a PRIVILEGE.

Wow, I sure hope I misunderstood you there, Gerry.

[Nicodema]

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Clio said:

And unless and until we put Jesus in first place in all things, humanity, individually and collectively will continue to strive for power and turf.

Once Jesus is in first place, then His guidance reigns supreme. Individually and collectively.

It is irrelevant that we do not yet live in Heaven. We are His, and should reflect Him as our Master.

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AMEN, Clio. This is clear sight.

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The church age is ending,

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According to some, it has already ended.

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Time is very very short.

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And that means you-know-who is very VERY busy ... with "great wrath" no less.

[Gerr]

If that is what you understood from my posts, then I did not make myself very clear. I don't consider Regional Conferences as the problem. I understand the original reason for their existence, i.e. black exclusion from the white church power structure.

I see three problems with this set up:

1) Whites trying to maintain power, control, & privilege,

2) African-Americans trying to do the same under a different system.

The common denominator of both being: "me first". Neither reflects the spirit, as I see it, that Paul was trying to inculcate when he said, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself..... "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant..." Phil 2:3,5-7 NKJ.

3) The negative witness that these separate entities convey to the world.

How can the world believe our preaching that the "gospel...is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" if it has not the power to change minds and attitudes?

As the leadership begins to show diversity as seen in the multi-ethnicity of the GC and many conferences, it's high time, IMO, for all parties involved to start thinking about merging, for the sake of the witness of the body of Christ.

Gerry

[Gerr]

Nico, I have no problem having women pastors. I would welcome women serving in any capacity. My problem is when certain people or conferences go against what the world body has voted. How can those leaders that are going against what the world body decided preach or teach about submission to the authority of Christ if they cannot submit to the authority of the world body? When this happens, I no longer see it as a matter of service, rather it is another fight for first place.

It would have been a far greater witness to the world, IMO, if those women that were publicly ordained a few years ago against the expressed wishes of the GC in session, had publicly refused to be ordained, proclaiming instead that they will accept ordination only when the world body approved.

If a woman is called by God to serve, what does the ordination of mere man matter anyway?

Gerry

[Nicodema]

Thank you for your explanation, Gerry. You are entitled to your view of the matter and your opinions on what would constitute a "better witness." However, I hope you are able to recognize that even if someone disagrees with the "logistics" you outline it does not mean they are "fighting for place." I see things quite differently, and I do not feel it is appropriate to attempt to manipulate my thinking by insinuating that if it is not in line with yours I shall be judged that way.

The issue is a complicated one because the world body contains a majority in nations where women are still considered as little more than cattle and in some cases with even fewer rights. Even scripture acknowledges that there is a time when denying submission to human authority is appropriate, and that is where it conflicts with submission to God's authority. "We ought to obey God rather than men." If we cannot recognize the possibility of this type of situation ever occurring under the auspices of the church itself, then we might as well ditch the entire Protestant Reformation and go back to Rome and obey the Pope on those grounds.

As to your question, "If a woman is called by God to serve, what does the ordination of mere man matter anyway?" -- that reads to me like a major cop-out, and a one-sided one at that. Would you address that same question to any male person with a call to serve and tell them don't bother to be ordained, it is not necessary so long as God has called you? At this point I only know God has called me to go back to school; I do not even know what He intends for my path. However, if God should happen to call me to become an ordained minister of the gospel, then being denied ordination on the opinions and generalizations of mere human beings most certainly would stand in the way of that, wouldn't you think?

It is like saying "if God calls someone to fly a plane, why bother getting a pilot's license? If God has truly called you, you shouldn't NEED a license, right?" Of course we can both see that would be ridiculous. In this world that is simply how things work. To fly a plane one must have a pilot's license. To operate a motor vehicle one must pass certain tests and obtain a license to drive. To serve in ministerial capacity within the church one must be granted the necessary credentials. There are human gatekeepers everywhere in all walks of life, but in the Body of Christ, their occupation and chief concern, as you have already pointed out, should be with glorifying God, which means getting themselves OUT OF THE WAY so they will not block the forward motion of His work. Anything less than this is, as you have already pointed out, a selfish grasping after a status quo which serves their interests rather than God's.

[Clio]

I was a SDA. When my mother died, I didn't choose to move my membership from the west coast to the east coast, and was dropped from the rolls.

When I returned to the West Coast, I was rather surprised to discover I was no longer a member.

I've had both good and bad experiences with the SDA church, I've worshipped with members of other denominations as a visitor. None of that is of particular import now.

The church age is ending. A remnant is a very small thing. A remnant, no matter how one wishes to believe otherwise, is not large enough to populate a denomination.

A remnant doesn't apply to just believers in the US, it applies to the entire world. A remnant is a very small, tiny thing.

It's not about religion, it's about the heart-relationship one has with the Most High.

We know that the whole world follows after the beast and the false prophet... except the remnant. And the remnant isn't going to be sitting in corporate church pews.

That time is not yet, but it's close enough I'm not going to join any denomination.

I know who I am in Abba's Family. He knows me and I know Him. I know where and what my spiritual authority is, and where it is derived from. I am a True Jesus blood sealed, Blood Covenant acknowledged, bought, redeemed and delivered, Daughter in the House of the King. Abba can no more reject me or that covenant than He could tear Himself in half. It is so totally foreign to His nature as to be an impossibility.

Clio