2 Timothy 2:23
New King James Version (NKJV)
But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they
generate strife.
We attended church one Sabbath in one of the larger Adventist
churches in Michigan. Two of my cousins were with me, one Adventist and the
other Lutheran. We were planning to eat at the Sabbath potluck after the
service. (Dad always used to say, “If you want to taste good vegetarian food, attend an Adventist church potluck.”)
While we were waiting for the good ladies to get things
going on the potluck, I noticed an old man in a wheelchair. On a second look I
recognized him as Edward Specht, my major professor from college days some 50
years previously. He was well up in his nineties but still totally with it
intellectually. I knew him to be someone who “did not suffer fools kindly.” We
were having a great time reminiscing when a woman walked up to me and demanded,
“Are you from La Sierra?”
“I am!” I replied, and turned back to Ed.
“Well, it’s a crime what you are teaching to those Adventist
youth.” She was on her soap box in full style. She went on and on with
accusations and misinformation.
I tried to gently and politely get rid of her or shut her
up: to no avail. She was just itching for a fight. Finally, I assumed my voice
of authority and commanded her, “Listen, lady, I am visiting with my former
major professor whom I haven’t seen in decades. Leave us alone!” I turned my
back on her and continued talking with Ed. She finally left in a huff, figuratively
shaking the dust off her feet. Ed looked half amused and half pained. I knew he
had been subject to controversies and bigots before that he simply had to walk
away from.
I began to sympathize with Paul who had to face bigots who
criticized his stance on things like circumcision and eating of certain foods.
Over the years the topics have changed from the nature of Christ, to communion
service, to baptism, to origins, to ordination, to wearing of clothes or
jewelry, to evolution, to the role of women in church, to sexual preference.
Historically people have actually died for their stance in the particular argument
of the day
La Sierra and all other Adventist universities are walking a
serious tight rope between keeping their secular accreditation and meeting
church expectations. To best meet the intellectual and spiritual needs of the
students, La Sierra requires all students who take freshman biology, where the
subject of evolution is ever present, to take a 10 week seminar to help them
reconcile science and Scripture.
Lord, may Your prayer
for us to be one in Your love be fulfilled in Your church today in spite of our
different understandings!
