"We Still Believe"

... is the title of a brand-new book written by the president of our General Conference, Robert H. Pierson. It is refreshing to the soul to know that our world leader has no misgivings or questions regarding our basic doctrines. We place such a high estimate on this book that we are reviewing it in the editorial section.

The backbone of the book is the statement on "fundamental beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists." Using these beliefs as a skeleton outline the author proceeds to put flesh on the bones. By the time you finish the book you get an unmistakable picture of our whole body of truth. There is nothing dim, faded, or obscure about that picture, either!

The language is simple and straightforward. No gobbledygook. No theorizing. No guessing as to what the author means. No double talk. It is written pointedly without being harsh. It pricks the conscience without bringing discouragement. When you finish reading this volume you are proud to be a Seventh-day Adventist. On the other hand, however, you don't feel like a saint patting himself on the back. You know that in your own heart changes need to be made. And best of all, those changes are possible through Christ. The latter point is the heart of almost every chapter.

I admire the president's courage as he points out certain trends in which the church is clearly straying from the blueprint. For in stance, when discussing the 6,000- year period since the Creation week, the author declares, "The Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy are not on trial!"

On Sabbath-keeping the author points out that we should not be surprised to see the church be coming more Laodicean in its behavior. He identifies current rationalization such as, "Eating out at restaurants is justified because it saves the wife and mother of the home from working on her rest day after a week of toil." Bi cycling, going to the beach, as well as other Sabbath afternoon diversions, are, by many, not considered a violation of God's fourth commandment. But Pierson raises the thought-provoking question, "How do these square with inspired counsel?"

Chapter 14 deals with the problem, "Does a leavening process threaten God's remnant?" The subjects of jewelry and music are thoughtfully discussed. Included in this chapter's appeal are these words: "If the love of the world is in our hearts, the love of the Father can't be there too."

"Ellen G. White Was Indeed God's Messenger to the Remnant." The chapter bearing this title contains no hesitancy on the part of our president in declaring that the gift of prophecy was given to Ellen White. Further more, her messages have not be come outmoded. "In this very critical period in our church history we need the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy more than ever before to hold us on course for the kingdom," he states, and adds, "Little wonder, I say again, that the dragon is wroth with the church and goes to make war on the remnant because they have the Spirit of Prophecy! And, brethren and sisters, never forget it this is war! This is no picnic or playing of games!"

Perhaps the supreme warning in this chapter is that built upon the exposition of the statement, "The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God." Selected Messages, book 1, p. 48. (Italics supplied.)

Chapter 22 entitled, "God Is No Respecter of Persons," gives revealing insights on the church's posture relative to slavery and race relations. A section in this chapter titled "A Black Prophet in the Adventist Church?" reveals certain information that this writer at least had never read before. The chapter is summed up with the words, "Seventh-day Adventists, of all people, should be a church bound together by the love of Christ and love for one another. That love, like the love of Christ, should rise above the national, racial, and cultural barriers that so divide and harass the world about us. God calls us to be truly one in Christ Jesus not only in word but in all walks of our church life. May the love of Christ pull us together!"

The book's largest section deals with salvation through Christ alone. The proper relationship between law and grace is spelled out beautifully. The reader can detect quickly that the author is not writing one thing and living an other. The flow of thought comes from a heart that has had an experience with the Subject of the book Christ crucified, risen, ascended, and soon to return.

Why is this brief book review placed in our editorial section? Simply this. We believe that every Adventist who understands English, no matter where he lives, should secure and read this special volume carefully. I know of no other book, outside the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy, which will help clarify our thinking and strengthen our commitment to Christ and His church as much as this one. Pastors, please set up a special plan to get this book into the hands of all your members. In these treacherous days our people need their confidence strengthened in the doctrines of the Advent Movement. Our second plea is that you will place this work in the hands of every person preparing for church membership. They will be stronger members and certainly will have a firmer grasp of our entire message if you do.

Pierson tells the story of the Roman orator, Cicero, whose speeches caused his hearers to say, "How well you speak." In contrast with this, when Demosthenes, the great Greek leader, finished his oration, the people cried out, "Let us march." Drawing a lesson from this, our president-author says, "I do not want anyone to come to me and say, 'How well you wrote'; but I pray that God by His Holy Spirit will light a spark that will kindle a fire in the hearts of our workers all around the world and that it will compel every member to cry out, 'Let us march!'

"Let us march first to the foot of the cross, and there in sincere repentance and in deep contrition yield ourselves to the Man of Calvary. Then let us march to the upper room, where in quiet confidence we may be filled with Pentecostal power. . . .

"Oh, brethren, sisters, leaders, and members of God's remnant church everywhere, let us respond to the voice of God the call of the Holy Spirit. It is a call to primitive godliness, to Pentecostal living. It is a call to renewed latter-rain action. Then will be fulfilled the precious assurance that 'when divine power is combined with human effort, the work will spread like fire in the stubble.' May God hasten that day!"