In Adventism, we still have not accepted our own historical time. We try to live as if we were in apostolic times, committing two raw mistakes: 1) excessively over-idealizing apostolic times; and 2) undervaluing our own time. Our hermeneutics should take seriously into account the Bible, but also the important questions of the today’s reader.

Ich möchte diesen Artikel zunächst mit der Feststellung beginnen, dass es sich nicht um eine theologische Präsentation zur Frage "unterstützt oder oder belegt die Bibel die Rolle der Pastorinnen" handelt? Ich verstehe, dass unsere Kirche in diesem Thema zerrissen ist, und ich versuche nicht, gegensätzliche theologische Vorstellungen zu widerlegen. In Anbetracht der Tatsache, dass ich eine Pastorin bin, ist es kein Geheimnis, wo ich in dieser Frage stehe.

God created mankind as free moral agents, with the choice to worship. Anything, anyone, or any entity that deviates from allowing choice is anti-God. It is my humble opinion and observation that what we are witnessing today is “the turning of America,” where this great land that was founded on Christian values of freedom of conscience and freedom of religion is now more than ever before speaking “like a dragon,” and beginning to use force and laws as the mechanism by which to govern its people.

When I survey the history of the Bible, it’s obvious that God has always been active in the work of deliverance, liberation, and empowerment to those who are oppressed. The prophets all spoke of God’s judgment against those who sought to abuse His children. What gives me courage is that God has never ceased this work.

As a female pastor, I believe it is my duty to break the barrier of silence and paralysis on the topic. My ultimate aim is not to defeat or to humiliate the General Conference and the Church, but to win an understanding of the unjust policy and practice against female pastors.

Even though Paul is diplomatic with his new members, not wanting to unnecessarily discourage or offend them, the point is obvious: the least desirable gifts are those that create friction and disunity, such as speaking in tongues. The “best” gifts — such as faith, hope, and love — unify! And unlike tongues, prophesying, and healing, faith, hope, and love are the most widely distributed spiritual gifts. All members have them, and for that reason alone they are the most important.

Women have been taught that their sexuality is defined by their relationship to men. Instead, we should reprioritize and advance healthy ideas about sex for both men and women. By definition that requires placing an equal emphasis on women’s sexual needs.

If we cannot interpret our eschatology in such a way as to buttress, not weaken, passion for social justice, we cannot legitimately call ourselves Christian, let alone indulge the fantasy that we, and we alone, are the bearers of God’s last word to the world.

What happens when an Adventist gives up sugar for a month?

Does our church really believe in the Great Controversy? That we are, in a very real sense, engaged in open warfare? I’m not so sure.