I came across this from John Thomas McLarty in "Adventist Today:
"Adventists have a unique identity born of our pioneers, our denominational history, the Bible, the work of the Holy Spirit. But we are growing up... We are recovering old ways of cultivating spiritual life and seeing new light in the gospel. The leaders of our church are learning to think and talk like the international statesmen they must be. We are embracing our essential role in the secular world where God has placed us.
This maturation of the church annoys the ideologically driven purists among us-whether right-wing historicists or evangelicals or liberals. The church refuses to be simple (or pure). It will not remain "what it was." Nor will it entirely quit being "what it was." The grownup church has renounced its "purity" in its mature commitment to serve all its children . . . and their friends . . .and the neighbors . . . and the folks across town.
If we try to return to the role of our simpler, younger days, we will not be more holy or effective. We'll just look silly, like grownups aping teenagers. The only way to relive our childhood is to step forward into the roles of maturity, offering hospitality and encouragement to our children and their friends in their own passages toward maturity."
Should Adventist vote for the election of their representatives and of the government? Would not this kind of political involvement lead into forcing Adventist to take political positions that might split them from fellow Adventist such as the Liberal vs the Conservative struggle going on in the America political arena. The decision to join political parties or even more complex to run as a candidate are filled with many unforeseen issues and reguire careful consideration. Here is what Ellen G. White said on the issue:
"Source: Adventist News Network"
Seventh-day Adventists have a legitimate role to play in political leadership say a large majority of those responding to a recent online poll conducted by Adventist News Network. The poll, in which visitors to the Adventist Church's web site registered their opinion on the question "Should an Adventist run for political office" drew some 2,800 responses. Sixty-six percent of respondents said that Adventists should run for office; 28 percent disagreed, and 6 percent were undecided.
Dr. Angel Rodriguez, an associate in the Adventist Church's Biblical Research Institute, says that there is no official Adventist Church position on whether individual church members should, or should not, run for political office. "It is a matter for the individual, and his or her conscience," adds Rodriguez. He says that some elements of political life can prove difficult for people of faith and for Adventists in particular.
"Campaigning doesn't automatically stop on Sabbath [or Saturday]," says Rodriguez, who adds that an individual's commitment to Sabbathkeeping may often be challenged by the demands of political office. He also points out that truth is often perceived to be a casualty in the political process, and that the culture of political give-and-take and compromise may also make it difficult for people of faith to maintain allegiance to their principles in some circumstances.
Tim Poirier, an associate in the Ellen G. White Estate located at the Adventist Church's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, points out that Ellen White, a pioneer of the Adventist Church, counseled against the church as an institution becoming involved in partisan politics. He adds, however, that she did not take the position that individuals should refrain from playing a role within the political sphere.
Addressing Adventist teachers and students in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1883, White said: "Have you thoughts that you dare not express, that you may one day . . . sit in deliberative and legislative councils, and help to enact laws for the nation? There is nothing wrong in these aspirations."
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"Source: Adventist News Network" is a review of news and information issued by the Communication Department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist News Network. Reproduction is encouraged.
"Adventists have a unique identity born of our pioneers, our denominational history, the Bible, the work of the Holy Spirit. But we are growing up... We are recovering old ways of cultivating spiritual life and seeing new light in the gospel. The leaders of our church are learning to think and talk like the international statesmen they must be. We are embracing our essential role in the secular world where God has placed us.
This maturation of the church annoys the ideologically driven purists among us-whether right-wing historicists or evangelicals or liberals. The church refuses to be simple (or pure). It will not remain "what it was." Nor will it entirely quit being "what it was." The grownup church has renounced its "purity" in its mature commitment to serve all its children . . . and their friends . . .and the neighbors . . . and the folks across town.
If we try to return to the role of our simpler, younger days, we will not be more holy or effective. We'll just look silly, like grownups aping teenagers. The only way to relive our childhood is to step forward into the roles of maturity, offering hospitality and encouragement to our children and their friends in their own passages toward maturity."
Should Adventist vote for the election of their representatives and of the government? Would not this kind of political involvement lead into forcing Adventist to take political positions that might split them from fellow Adventist such as the Liberal vs the Conservative struggle going on in the America political arena. The decision to join political parties or even more complex to run as a candidate are filled with many unforeseen issues and reguire careful consideration. Here is what Ellen G. White said on the issue:
"Source: Adventist News Network"
Seventh-day Adventists have a legitimate role to play in political leadership say a large majority of those responding to a recent online poll conducted by Adventist News Network. The poll, in which visitors to the Adventist Church's web site registered their opinion on the question "Should an Adventist run for political office" drew some 2,800 responses. Sixty-six percent of respondents said that Adventists should run for office; 28 percent disagreed, and 6 percent were undecided.
Dr. Angel Rodriguez, an associate in the Adventist Church's Biblical Research Institute, says that there is no official Adventist Church position on whether individual church members should, or should not, run for political office. "It is a matter for the individual, and his or her conscience," adds Rodriguez. He says that some elements of political life can prove difficult for people of faith and for Adventists in particular.
"Campaigning doesn't automatically stop on Sabbath [or Saturday]," says Rodriguez, who adds that an individual's commitment to Sabbathkeeping may often be challenged by the demands of political office. He also points out that truth is often perceived to be a casualty in the political process, and that the culture of political give-and-take and compromise may also make it difficult for people of faith to maintain allegiance to their principles in some circumstances.
Tim Poirier, an associate in the Ellen G. White Estate located at the Adventist Church's world headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland, points out that Ellen White, a pioneer of the Adventist Church, counseled against the church as an institution becoming involved in partisan politics. He adds, however, that she did not take the position that individuals should refrain from playing a role within the political sphere.
Addressing Adventist teachers and students in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1883, White said: "Have you thoughts that you dare not express, that you may one day . . . sit in deliberative and legislative councils, and help to enact laws for the nation? There is nothing wrong in these aspirations."
*****************************************
"Source: Adventist News Network" is a review of news and information issued by the Communication Department from the Seventh-day Adventist Church World Headquarters and released as part of the service of Adventist News Network. Reproduction is encouraged.
