“Spinning at Spectrum,” a playlist of the latest music in and around our community. Curated by Maxwell Aka.
Recent Articles
Kill Prey, Love: A Review of The God of Wild Places by Tony Jones
A crisis of faith leads pastor and theologian Tony Jones to a life more focused on paddling a canoe, hunting with his dog, and butchering deer. Can the merging with the untamed environment lead to spiritual rebirth?
Anne Valen Næss Paintings Express Balance and Confront Inequality
The vivid values Valen Næss employs make her images easy to recognize. Some have described her as one of Norway’s foremost colorists. She thinks that’s an overstatement. “Perhaps I’m one of the boldest,” she offers.
Money, Sex, Power, and Better Communication: Spring Meeting Takeaways
The most attention-grabbing item, a plan to exert more control over Adventist educators, came on day two, but other business included financial reports, more presentations from a sexuality taskforce, and new leaders elected.
Denis Fortin’s New Butler Biography Addresses 1888 and Ellen White Tensions
An important, recurring, theme in Fortin’s book is Butler’s relationship with other leaders, and in particular with the White family, which often proved to be quite problematic. In the earlier part of his career Butler had to deal with James White, his predecessor as General Conference president.
Doubt vs. Unreflective Loyalty
If we recognize that there is fallibility to knowing, and are suspicious of certainty, doubt can be a welcome relief. But we sacrifice our innate curiosity when we cling to comfortable beliefs, and with it, lose the freedom to think beyond current orthodoxy.
Making Idols of Our Beliefs
Is it ok to question our faith? This week’s Sabbath school lesson opens a conversation about idolizing church policy and doubting our faith. (Commentary on the Adult Bible Study Guide for April 13–19.)
You Say You Are Pro-Life, What Does That Mean?
In many ways Jesus answered what it means to be truly pro-life in the gospels. “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, pray for those who use you badly,” he said.
“The Rainbow in the Room” Aims to Create Conversation in Berrien Springs
We have two goals: first, sharing information about current research in the United States—including Berrien County—surrounding informed care for LGBTQ+ individuals. Second, we’d like to invite community comments.
Nefarious: a Film Review
Don Barton reviews a film about a man possessed by a demon on death row. A psychologist must figure out if this man is sane or not.
At Spring Meeting, General Conference Votes More Control over Adventist Educators
The General Conference proposes creating a new assistant to the president or field secretary in every world division who will oversee hiring religion faculty and directing theological education curriculum. The GC will fund the position for the first year before the cost shifts to the division.