J.R. Spangler

Dime-store divinities, model mangers, plastic virgins, shepherd and sheep facsimiles, will soon be flanked by Santa Claus cos­tumes and Christmas-tree decorations. The incomparable revelation of God in human flesh will lie buried beneath…

We are stepping into a new year in the sense of time, but old in relationship to world tensions and indi­vidual problems. Reflection on the past always sobers the mind and tends to increase one's feeling of responsibility for the future.…

The words of the song were written by an American; put to a Russian tune; played by a German pianist; and sung in English by a quartet of Spaniards. This in­teresting episode was only one of many that touched hearts with the sense of spirit­ual…

Tuts issue emphasizes the recent plan known as the "School of Prayer." Those who developed this excellent program have been leaders in the work for years. What these faithful servants have done is to bring the art of praying within the grasp…

The photo we selected for our cover picture (see PDF) this month is of the 160-year-old First Presbyterian church of Port Gibson, Mississippi. The striking feature of this edifice…

"Passenger Pigeons" was the title of an article I read recently in one of our prom­inent Adventist college papers. It was not lacking in forthrightness. As to the validity of its claims, you be the judge! It opened with the question, "What…

Henry Ford once said, "Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small jobs." The truth of this statement is proved by the existence of Ford's multi-million dollar auto empire. The fantastic accomplishments of legitimate business…

In the conflict between Christ and Satan one should be aware of the weapons Satan uses in his attempts to tear down truth and elevate error. One scheme is to make error tangible. He marches relics, images, beads, incense, pronouncements,…

During my visit to Europe in the fall of 1964 I had the opportunity of visit­ing a sixteenth-century Carthusian monas­tery near Zaragoza, Spain. A short time in this gloomy, austere atmosphere convinced me that we Adventist ministers have…

Only God can create a right principle. It is man's duty and privilege to put principle into practice. Policies are made by men. Policies are changeable. Principles are eternal. It has been said, "Honesty is the best policy." Some practice…

Stones were tightly clutched by dead-in-sin Pharisees and scribes. Some hands were empty, but eyes fastened to brains ready for murderous action had spotted rocks lying here and there in the dust. These "twice dead" (Jude 12) sons of Satan,…

The church bleeds to death when its ministry and laity stop winning souls. Soul transfusions are constantly needed to keep our movement alive and virile. Soul-winning programs tend to fill the collapsing veins of the church with new blood.…

Several months ago I heard the word serendipity and its meaning for the first time. It was coined by Horace Walpole after his tale of "The Three Princes of Serendip." Evidently these princes had the ability to accidentally make fortunate…

"The only green spot in all New South Wales." these words, used in legislative assemblies and newspapers, de­scribed a 1,500 acre tract of land during the dread­ful drought that caused hardship and famine shortly after Ellen G. White's departure…

For most conferences the beginning date for the greatest single concerted en­deavor of the church is fast approaching. In 1963 the November issue of THE MINIS­TRY magazine carried an editorial entitled "Ingathering Methods and Motives." The…

THE strange fascination of fire has gripped the minds of men since God "had respect unto Abel and to his offering" (Gen. 4:4). Our cover picture was chosen pri­marily to emphasize the importance of National Fire Prevention Week —October 9-15.…

THE 1966 Ministerial Convention and Re­vival held in Detroit, Michigan, is now a matter of history. The combined impact of Spirit-filled sermons, panel discussions, and demonstrations of evangelistic and pastoral ideas and concepts will never…

A young Royal Australian Air Force lieu­tenant along with 1,500 other men was ready to embark on the old S.S. Ulysses bound for England. The first world war was at its height. Just before boarding the ship he and his younger brother…

This year commenmorates a great event. One hundred and fifty years ago the American Bible Society came into being. And what a tremendous work has been accomplished by this Spirit-inspired organization. Throughout the history of the Seventh-day…

How much public evangelistic work have you done since you have been a minister?

I BORROWED the title of this editorial from a little booklet entitled Christian Morals Today by John A. T. Robinson, Bishop of Woolwich. Discussions centering on society's behavior under certain situa­tions are consuming the valuable…

SEVERAL years ago I met a dedicated woman who first embraced the Advent message in 1944. Soon after her baptism she entered the colporteur work. Her train­ing as a teacher eventually placed her in one of our schools. This good soul told me…

THE recent war in the Middle East has gripped the world's heart with tragic fear. Charges and countercharges relative to who is at fault have been hurled back and forth. Regardless of who won, if there is a winner, one thing is certain,…

JOHN GUNTHER, well-known author, has writ­ten books revealing the inside, story of various countries. His most re­cent work, Inside South America, came off the press during my three-month journey through the South American…

AS A BOY, not yet in my teens, I accompanied my parents on several occa­sions to the Fall Coun­cils held in Battle Creek, Michigan. My father at that time was a layman. It was not uncommon in those days for the lay­men to outnumber the official…

 A PIECE of Eden planted on a Danish M fjord was graced by the presence of 370 Scandinavian Adventist workers, wives, and children. At our Vejlefjord Danish Junior College, the ministers of the West Nordic Union and Swedish…

A certain advertisement of religious  films embraces a picture of an Ameri­can Indian communicating via the ancient smoke-signal system. The caption reads, "You don't change the message . . . you change the method." This eye-catching an­nouncement…

"Applied theology" in word and deed occupies an impressive place in the over­all training of ministers at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. One fourth of the credit required for the Bache­lor of Divinity degree is earned in…

Financiers claim that within five decades the income of an American wage earner will increase eleven times over his current income. For example, a six-thou­sand-dollar family income today would es­calate to sixty-six thousand dollars fifty…

Perhaps our title, borrowed from Reve­lation 14:6, is somewhat literalistic for the theme of this editorial. In this issue we are honoring those of our ministerial-medi­cal forces who use planes in their work. The first denominationally owned…

C. E. Moseley, Jr., a field secretary of the General Conference, recently returned from a successful evangelistic series in the city of Djakarta. J. R. Spangler, THE MINISTRY magazine editor, took the first opportunity to probe Pastor Moseley's…

Soybean-and peanut-butter-eating Ad­ventists have been the target of many a joke in the past. Literature such as the Corn-flake Crusade has directly or indirectly ridi­culed the eating habits of those who have eliminated meat from…

Even a verbatim account of the 1967 Autumn Council would be like making a molehill out of a mountain. This statement applies not only to the council's moments of deep spiritual significance but also to the time spent on tortuous problems…

EACH year on the campuses of our liberal arts colleges and seminaries, a tension builds up in the breasts of certain young men those studying theology and about to be graduated but who are yet single. To what extent will their unmarried status…

LEIGHTON FORD'S opening remarks at the recent U.S. Congress on Evangelism have particular bearing on the Advent Movement. Fie tells of the inscription found on a huge granite pillar erected over the grave of Karl Marx, the father of Communism.…

TOWARD the end of the nineteenth century one of the burning issues of the day was bimetallism. A number of countries were involved in crucial debates as to whether gold alone or gold and silver would be the foundation of their currency. In…

I NEVER hear a sermon from one year to the next in my own language. I can't thank you enough for the excellent material in the Tape-of-the-Month Club." These words were spoken to me by a missionary on my recent visit to Africa. Other workers…

But what about the work of our church in Africa? From the viewpoint of accomplishments, we can pat ourselves on the back. From the viewpoint of what remains to be done, we can only fall to our knees and beg God for help and power to finish…

AFRICA projects a picture of yesterday and tomorrow, the ancient and the ultra modern. Donkey trains burdened with cotton or coffee struggle beside paved highways that are hosts to the latest cars and trucks. In Nairobi the roar of lions…

THE history of the Christian church has a sickening repetitious note. One movement after another had its genesis accompanied by extraordinary zeal and energy for winning souls only to gradually wither in a vacuum of witnessing inactivity.…

LAST month we reported the first part of our discussion with Charles R. Ausherman, director of Church World Services Planned Parenthood Program. In explaining our position, we used statements from the Spirit of Prophecy indicating the Christian…

A KEY factor in the Chesapeake Conference's outstanding soul-winning record is the unique daily radio broadcast. This saturation-type evangelism has become the focal point of the conference's Crisis Hour program. In conjunction with the beautiful…

Pastor and Mrs. Merlin Kretschmar, of Salvador, Brazil, related to me an interesting story. At a certain non-Adventist Protestant church business session a list of names was presented for church disfellowshiping. The first case involved a…

IF BIRTH CONTROL per se is a moral problem, Satan, at this point, must be about as exuberant as he was when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. What would the world, especially the Christian world, talk about if we solved the birth control…

ONE of the most avid Adventist readers of religious and theological journals is Chris P. Sorensen, former president of the Far Eastern Division of Seventh-day Adventists. Some of the "crumbs," as he labels them, are shared with us. Fortunate…

ELIHU, the son of a Buzite, one of Job's friends, was an eloquent debater. His material fills several chapters in the book of Job. Listen to one of his confessions that zeros in on the subject under discussion:

"I also will give my…

" 'How is it,' . . . 'that this untrained man has such learning?'" (John 7:15 N.E.B.). This question obviously did not imply that Christ was illiterate, but rather that He had no formal theological training. Even as a 12-year-old child He…

As ADVENTIST ministers, we have a confession to make. We have neglected to a degree our duty of becoming more involved with ministers of other denominations. We have failed many times to communicate our concern and love for you and other…

Would our lives be any poorer if Handel's Messiah, Michelangelo's Moses, and Milton's Paradise Lost had never existed?

I can't remember when, where, or what magazine I read it in. The author, whoever he was, impellingly described…

Mrs. White, what is the benefit and place of music in the life and ministry of the Christian?

"The history of the songs of the Bible is full of suggestions as to the uses and benefits…

... 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…

We're interested in how you, as a busy mother in your earlier years, were able to help your husband in his various responsibilities. First of all, tell us about your family. How many…

IF the words that Christ spoke are spirit and are life (see John 6:63);

IF the Scriptures "cannot be broken" (John 10:35);

IF the Scriptures testify to One who alone can give…

WHO is going to retire this General Conference session? For the past few weeks this question has been a popular one. Several on the GC staff have already announced their intentions. As to others, if any, we will have to wait and see. Guessing…

WE MINISTERS, regardless of the academic sophistication that seems to crown with a halo the art of counseling, are often faced with the need to counsel. In our attempts to help people solve their problems, we face certain pitfalls as counselors.…

Dear Brother Pierson:

The Annual Council of 1974 is now history. I wish that every member and worker of the church could have been present to share the spiritual impact received by the delegates. The heart-searching emphasis at our…

THREE articles in this issue deal with the problem of communicating the gospel to the masses. I appreciate the emphasis Authors Beaven, Guy, and Scragg have made in their articles. Your time will be well spent in considering the challenge…

A RECENT report in Time magazine revealed that various prison systems are attempting to modify behavior through a variety of programs. One facility gives inmates who commit infractions, such as lying or swearing, a shot of apormorphine,…

THE increasing number of marital problems among Adventist clergymen prompts this editorial. I recently received a letter from a minister whom I have known for a number of years. The content is heartbreaking. He is no longer in the work and…

ONE NIGHT Zechariah was awakened out of his sleep by an angel. The angel portrayed before him a rather interesting combination of golden candlesticks, bowl, lamps, olive trees, and pipes. The profane reader of the fourth chapter of Zechariah…

YES, that's the name of a television program that Adventists can view without fear of contamination, or can they? "It is such an interesting and innocuous pro gram," said one of our conservative members. Yet the basic element of the show…

THE real energy crisis facing the world is not related to oil. It is a spiritual energy crisis of Gargantuan proportions. Paradoxically, there is no lack of power available. The resources for this type of fuel are boundless. Unfathomable…

Mrs. White, as you view today's events in the light of what you have been shown about last-day events, what is the next major landmark on the prophetic scene?

"A…

THE disappointment that results from sacrificing our lives to the gods of materialism has been termed by one keen observer, "the tyranny of things." It takes more "things" than ever before to satisfy the average American today. Soon he's…

EVERYWHERE TODAY there is a real health-emphasis explosion. People are interested in health problems and in protection of our environment. They are concerned about diet, and there is a fast-growing interest in the prevention of disease.

Even…

HAVE you ever had the experience of yawning simply be cause someone in your presence yawned? A simple illustration of the power of influence. Influence is felt in every area of life. Even the animal kingdom is included. The Talmud puts it…

I HAVE been reading an in teresting book entitled Helping Youth in Conflict by Francis I. Frellick and published by Prentice- Hall. It describes the problems of the juvenile delinquent and how the church can help those youth with problems.…

A WELL-KNOWN physician among us was working on a particular degree at one of America's universities. During his eight-month sojourn in a strange city he attended our Adventist church. He didn't miss a single Sabbath attendance at either Sabbath…

The Bible points to God as its author; yet it was written by human hands; and in the varied style of its different books it presents the characteristics of the several writers. The truths revealed are all "given by inspiration of God" (2…

THE CURRENT battle among evangelicals over the understanding of the inspiration of the Scriptures has become a divisive issue and is most unfortunate. It revolves around the question of whether or not the Bible is inerrant in the autographs.…

A plaque outside the office of Reginald Ansett, owner of the largest private travel network in the Southern Hemisphere, is a lengthy quotation that someday could well be his epitaph. It reads:

"Nothing in the world can take the place…

IS IT true that "all members of the family center in the father"?¹ Is it true that "the father represents the divine Lawgiver in his family"? ² Is it true that "the father . . . will bind his children to the throne of…

IN HIS May 7 article in Christianity Today, the editor, Harold Lindsell, stressed the need for a return to a more careful and meaningful observance of Sunday. We obviously agree with him when he quotes Jesus' statement that the Sabbath was…

THE particular title of this editorial is one that is used in our health section. The January subtitle read, "Ellen G. White's Comments on the Value of Exercise With Scientific Confirmation." An interesting and provocative response from one…

Q. Someone told me that one of your White Estate secretaries was being interviewed by a professor in a meeting of scholars overseas. He stated…

PUTTING doctors and ministers together in the grand work of saving souls is not impossible as in the case of Humpty Dumpty, who couldn't be put together again. Proof? Let's turn time back to the week of January 28 to February 3 at Union College…

IN  OUR  September,  1975,  editorial, we  apologized  to  our  non-Adventist colleagues  in  the ministry  for,  along with  other  failures  in  communication and  fellowship,  "not  making  it abundantly clear that we believe…

RESEARCH  reports  often  substantiate  the  obvious.  Another  such  report has just been released by Andrews University.

Dr.  Gottfried  Oosterwal, chairman of the  Seminary  Department,  of  World Mission,  recently  released…

THE thousandth chapter of the Bible, John  3,  should really have started with the last three verses of  chapter 2. Jesus was  in  Jerusalem  at  the  time  of  the Passover,  and many believed on Him as they  saw  the miracles…

SEVERAL years ago on hoard a plane from Geneva to London my seatmate and I began comparing beliefs. He, a French-trained philosopher-evolutionist, presented scientific evidence that he felt supported the theory of evolution, and I endeavored…

THE work of God is retarded by criminal unbelief in His power to use the common people to carry forward His work successfully." --Review and Herald, July 16, 1895.

These words, penned in 1895, are found in a two-part Review…

"I know that an intimate relationship should ever exist between the medical missionary work and the gospel ministry. They are bound together in sacred union as one work, and are never to be divorced." ¹

No doubt most…

WHEN the State of California officially recognized the First National Church of Satan as a church authorized to perform marriages and baptisms in the name of Satan, the rebellious race of mankind took another step toward fulfilling the words…

Mrs. White, we are in a day of a women's lib movement that has as one of its goals the freeing of 'women from what is called the drudgery of the home. What would be your comment on this as you see the place and role of the Adventist woman?

Woman…

ELECTION time for the United States is right upon us. Political word battles are interspersed with a few bullets. The fire and smoke resulting from political elections are not reserved exclusively for the North American continent…

WHY did such a talented man as Jim leave the ministry and go into business for himself?" "What happened to our pastor? How could he leave his wife for another woman?" "What's wrong with preacher Bill? His attitude toward his work as a minister…

IT WAS a first for the Far Eastern Division! A doctor-minister team accompanied by Royce C. Williams, division Ministerial secretary, made a tour of the division that brought them in contact with nearly every minister and a number of doctors.…

GOD continually tried to say something through His prophets to His people in Old Testament times. When they were responsive to His instructions prosperity resulted. In fact, Biblical history is simply a recital of failures and successes stemming…

Present plans indicate that the "Reach Out for Life" sermons will be in the hands of our North American Division ministers before September 30. This article will guide you in the use of them.

Your "Reach Out for Life" sermon package…

ONE HUNDRED MILLION die together" was the slogan of an entire nation during the second world war! In spite of their colossal losses these people fanatically believed in their system and their motto! They would not surrender until they were…

MRS. WHITE, practically the entire Christian world celebrates December 25 as the birthday of Jesus. Isn't this sufficient evidence for believing that this date is the actual birthday of our Lord?

". . . There is no certainty…

[EDITOR'S NOTE: This message was given by the writer at the recent General Conference Ministerial Pre-session in Atlantic City.]

IT IS said that while revolution was raging in Petrograd in 1917, the Russian Orthodox Church was in…

HAVE you ever watched twentieth century divine healers pack the crowds in? Seeing the masses jam tents and halls almost causes a covetous spirit to possess me. True, the antics and general confusion present at most of these healing sessions…

Mrs. White, the attention of the world today seems to be focusing more and more on healthful living. Do you believe we should capitalize on this fact?

"No subject which is presented to the inhabitants of our…

IN THIS age of ear-shattering noises we feel the following information might be helpful for sermon preparation on noise pollution. The human race is enduring more noise today than at any other time in history. Some of this noise comes as…

Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 contain Christ's skeleton outline of important events that transpire prior to the end of time. As He presented this to His disciples He skillfully intermingled prophecies of two events—the destruction…

The June, 1977, issue of THE MINISTRY contained an interview article entitled "Ministering to the Neglected 'Singles.'" If you read that article you will re member that in America single people, including the unmarried, the divorced,…

HAVE you ever been mislead by following a street sign that had been turned in the wrong direction by some prankster? William Barclay tells of an old man as he lay near death. He was obviously troubled. When asked what was disturbing him he…

WHAT DO you think might happen if you were to put the president and three vice-presidents of the General Conference, ten North American union presidents, the president of Andrews University, the dean of the Seventh-day Adventist…

Mrs. White, what are your feelings regarding the end of time for the human race? Is it near?

"We are near the close of time. I have been shown that the retributive judgments of God are already in the land. . . .…

Recent participation in four MINISTRY Professional Growth Seminars in North and South Dakota again highlighted the need to inform you, our readers, as to why we are sending our journal to nearly a quarter of a million clergy of…

In an age when charismatic gifts are being emphasized among Christians a claim that the gift of prophecy has been manifested in recent times is not so startling or earthshaking as it might otherwise seem. In fact, it is likely to…

The most important step in the history of the magazine is about to be taken. Beginning with the January, 1978, issue, the P.R.E.A.C.H. project is being expanded to make THE MINISTRY available to the majority of Protestant, Catholic,…

Census reports indicate that in America "singles," including those rearing children, now account for one out of every three households. This is bringing about changes that affect every part of the country, and single people are…

[At the close of the devotional message presented by J. R. Spangler to Annual Council delegates, General Conference staff, and Review and Herald employees, Monday morning, October 16, Robert H. Pierson announced that after prayerful…

People who come to the Arthur Weaver home in Northville, Michigan, to share an adventure in eating, soon find "soul food" prominent on the menu. Whether it's the do-it-yourself salad or the let-Christ-do-it spiritual emphasis, the…

The recent convention of religious booksellers in Denver, Colorado, dis played thousands of volumes on every conceivable spiritual subject. New titles pour from the presses daily. Books dealing with personality problems, social…

Those who carefully read my third installment dealing with righteousness by faith, which appeared in the August MINISTRY, no doubt understand my position on the relationship between justification and sanctification, but may have…

This question is typical of a number that have come to our office recently. There seems to be sincere confusion on this particular point expressed in numerous ways. One Baptist pastor from Michigan wrote, "While there are many commendable…

My second installment of the answer to the above question (see MINISTRY, June, 1978) concluded with an appeal to keep in balance the great themes of salvation, and to stop pitting one phase of salvation against another. Admittedly,…

The following is an edited condensation of a recently taped discussion hosted by J. R. Spangler, editor of MINISTRY, on the subject "A Biblical Perspective of Homosexuality.'' Also taking part are Dr. Robert Wilson, chairman…

I briefly answered the first part of this question regarding the nature of Christ in the April MINISTRY. I concluded that in the final analysis unanswerable questions face the Bible student who attempts to develop a precise definition…

Why don't the editors of MINISTRY have more to say on the current discussion regarding the nature of Christ and righteousness by faith? Where do you stand on these issues?

Let us first assure our readers that we…

Dear Brother Wilson:

I'm writing you while in the midst of an itinerary through the Trans-Africa Division. The challenge of such a vast continent as Africa has strongly aroused my conscience, and partially motivated the…

In my June editorial, I pointed out that Ellen White referred favorably to the writings of such seventeenth-century English dissenters as Baxter, Flavel, and Alleine, along with Bunyan. After having begun to read some of these books…

The young man who knocked on my door was clean-cut. His speech indicated that he had a thorough knowledge of his particular brand of religion. As we stood under my carport discussing the Scriptures, I waited for the right moment…

A non-Adventist reader of MINISTRY recently wrote us this letter: "We appreciated having the local Seventh-day Adventist clergyman in our area ministerial association until he moved. We have missed his successor being with us. After all,…

Spangler—Pastor Wilson, I think our readers would appreciate a bit of bio graphical background concerning your experience. Would you please give us a few details?

Wilson—Almost half my life I have…

When you walk past his office you usually see his back, since his attention is focused on a Kaypro computer behind his desk. His name, in its longest form, is Kenneth Robert Wade. We welcome Ken as the new assistant editor of our journal.…

Since the articles in Ms series build closely upon one another, we would suggest that readers refer to the first three (March, May, and July, 1980) as a back ground to this discussion. Those who did not receive the preceding…

It is not too difficult to write a brief but enviable history of a team of God's workers who are spiritual parents to…

The Glacier View Sanctuary Review Committee meeting and the events leading up to it (see October, 1980, MINISTRY) have impressed a number of important lessons on my mind. In this editorial I want to share one lesson that stands…

Spangler: I'm tremendously impressed by what I've seen of the Lake Union Soul-winning Institute, Mark. Your pro gram may be a pattern of what we should be doing in the great cities of the world—New York, Los Angeles,…

Last summer I had the opportunity of conducting a series of public evangelistic meetings in the large black township of Soweto near Johannesburg, South Africa. I learned that these fine people can teach us much about worshiping God. At the…

Not too long ago a new church was erected along the route I take to the office. It's a beautiful little church, and I'm sure it has a lovely congregation. On Tuesday evening the parking lot is jammed. On Sunday morning not nearly…

This is the most difficult writing assignment I've ever had. Why? Because Dr. Desmond Ford and I have been close friends for the past fourteen years since we first met at an Andrews Seminary Extension School on the Avondale College…

Recently my wife and I purchased a microwave oven. It sat for several weeks without being used, simply because neither of us had time to master the voluminous book of instructions! Could a high school dropout possibly learn to operate…

The command of the Lord through David, "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no help" (Ps. 146:3, R.S.V.), needs to be heeded vigorously in today's church. Frail human nature, like the tender vine, desperately…

"Oh, yes, the current one has been around for nearly forty years." That's the answer I got from an individual, who, while I was working on this editorial, asked me what I was writing. Maybe we do need a new hymnal! At least, this…

Spangler: To get right to the point, Bob, give us a little background on this problem that seems to be surfacing today in which Ellen White is accused of literary dependency on other sources and in which her inspiration is…

In this second article exploring the meaning of Revelation 14:9-12, the key point is the relationship between "the everlasting gospel" proclaimed by the first angel (verse 6), the announcement of Babylon's fall by the second angel (verse…

In sending forth this first in a series of articles exploring the meaning of Revelation 14:9-12, I am well aware of the fact that there are those who feel that much, if not all, of the book of Revelation is so mysteriously symbolic that it…

I have just reread "The Pearl Harbor Blunders," an article in the December 14, 1965, Look magazine, adapted from Forrest C. Pogue's book, George C, Marshall; the War Years. This suspenseful story, ending in the tragic loss of thousands…

Some readers have questioned our emphasis on creationism, wondering what relevance it has for promulgating the gospel. One reason is that interest in creationism is on the upswing in the United States. Even though a recent court decision…