Seventh-day Adventists In Russia
In December, 1977,1 visited with E. A. Tarasov, Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs in the Soviet Union. Our one-hour conversation ranged over many areas of religious liberty. I suppose the diplomats would characterize our exchange as a "frank" exploration of differing concepts. In other words, we didn't see eye to eye on many issues, but neither did we engage in fisticuffs or denigrate each other's parent age.
During our conversation I requested that a few young Seventh-day Adventists be permitted to study theology at one of the church's seminaries outside the Soviet Union. I mentioned also hopes of Soviet Adventists' being able to publish a magazine—already a subject of discussion before my visit. Dr. Tarasov responded that both requests were—since the October, 1977, revision of the constitution and in the existing church-state climate—"theoretically possible."
Today, two Soviet Adventist theological students are at Newbold College, Berkshire, England; three more attend Friedensau Seminary in East Germany. And pictured on this page is the cover of the first Seventh-day Adventist magazine to be published in the Soviet Union in more than fifty years! The cover reads: "Desk Reference Serving the Seventh-day Adventist Christian Churches, 1980."
What are the contents of its 146 pages? The two lead articles reflect a theme dear to Soviet officialdom—and to all citizens who endured the Great War—peace. Few Christians anywhere would object that peace is a political rather than religious concern. Preaching the gospel is, after all, possible only for survivors. A nuclear war would leave few. The articles: "In Defense of Peace—The Christian Peace Conference (CPC) Session" and "Christian Peace Conference Delegation in the Countries of East Africa." (It is not likely that either conference lamented the invasion of Afghanistan!) It may be assumed that these articles were obligatory.
Beginning on page 9 is a section of "Spiritual Meditation." Contents: "Two Worshipers"; "The Bible Speaks on God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit"; "True Repentance"; "A New Commandment"; "Reflection on Romans"; "Reformation— True or Spurious"; and "You Will Find Rest for Your Souls."
A section titled "Fraternal Ties" has three features: "Visits to Neighbors and Friends"; "A Pastoral Letter" from the Adventist General Conference president Neal Wilson and vice-president Alf Lohne to Adventist Christians in the Soviet Union (encouraging divided brethren to get together); and an article "In Support of Fraternal Ties."
In following sections, D. O. Yunak explores fifty years of Christian witness in Bessarabia. Leaders of worship services learn "Some Principles of Bible Interpretation" and what ordination is all about. Choir directors are given "friendly suggestions" and readers learn the why of the "copper serpent" and the what of legalism.
There is local news: "Inter-republic Meeting of SDA Ministers," "Reconstruction of the Church Building in Tula," and "Good News From the Ukraine." The magazine also includes Week of Prayer readings and morning devotional materials for 1981.
Bug-free chapel
If California prison chaplains have their way, the only one who will hear prayers and other conversations in chapels of that State's correctional facilities for youthful offenders will be the Lord Himself.
The chaplains are fighting a plan by the California Youth Authority to put bugging devices into the chapels. Bugs are not used in adult correctional facilities.
A spokesman for the youth authority said the devices were needed in the chapels for security reasons, but confessed that he could not recall any serious incidents that had taken place. C. E. Curtis, president of the Greater Stockton Ministerial Association, charged that the plan would violate the youths' religious freedom and the priest-penitent privileges of the clergy. Inmates, he said, "need a sanctuary where they can go without fearing that 'Big Brother' is listening."
Forced attendance
What preacher wouldn't covet informed members able to communicate exactly what the sermon was all about? Try to find one who does in one small Eastern European country! Baptist clergymen there report that the ratio of believers to informers in services used to be about ten to one, whereas the ratio now is three to one. Every Monday morning pastors are required to submit a written report on weekend church activities to the office of the local Ministry of Cults. What was the content of the sermon preached? Were there visitors? If so, who were they? Were there conversions? Pastors refusing to report have lost their licenses. Of course, there are always the informers. And some are among the converts. They are one source for this report. Now, if only some officials of the Ministry of Cults decide to attend . . .
Unfit for parenthood
Harry and Esther Hough, a Leigh, England, couple who have been foster parents to 47 children, recently applied for permission to adopt a child. Social service workers in this city north of Manchester turned them down. Their marriage was just too happy, the workers explained! A child growing up in their home would not be sufficiently exposed to "negative experiences."
Not only that, the officials went on, the two "had few, if any, negative experiences when children yourselves, and also seem to enjoy a marital relationship where rows and arguments have no place." The best one can say for the ruling is that it leaves most parents eligible to adopt a child. There aren't many parents like the Houghs. On the other hand, the ruling does, indeed, seem to be just what Mr. Hough called it—"beyond belief."