In case you missed last week's profile of Senate Chaplain Barry Black on PBS's Religion & Ethics Newsweekly, you can watch it online (you need a high speed internet connection). You may know that Barry Black is the first African-American and the first Seventh-day Adventist to ever be the Senate Chaplain.
I am one who feels that military chaplaincy is inconsistent with the witness Christians should be giving about the gospel of peace. I also have very serious reservations about a Christian chaplain in the Senate.
However, all that being said, I was very impressed with this expose. It packs a lot in a small time frame, showing how he grew up in the housing projects and was raised in the church. I have no doubt that God is working through him in the Senate. The world is a complicated place and some are called to minister in some very unique places.
May God continue to bless you, Pastor Black!
Seventh-day Adventists are mostly very wonderful people but their theology about the USA is purely anti-USA, anti-Roman Catholic and anti-Protestant and anti-government.
Don't take my word for it. Read their most widely distributed book, The Great Controversy, pages 440-449 and 573 to 626. They teach that the USA is the false prophet of Revelation 13 and that all who worhship on Sunday will try to kill SDAs and will be destroyed by Christ at his second coming. Since this is true it amazes me that SDAs are even allowed to become congressmen and military chaplains.
Posted by: Russell Earl Kelly | June 27, 2007 at 07:18 PM
Russell, I'm glad you have found Seventh-day Adventists to be "mostly very wonderful." I would characterize our theology as anti-imperial. And as my mom used to say, "If the shoe fits, wear it!" Unfortunately you are right to say that Adventists have been know for what they are against rather than what they are for. Some of us are trying change that. And surely you must know that the most extreme sides of any group do not represent the whole. Peace to you!
Posted by: Ryan Bell | June 27, 2007 at 10:16 PM
Interestingly, Ellen White, author of The Great Controversy, encouraged Adventists to "be Daniels," to participate in politics and rise to whatever heights God should will. And since our eschatology is based just as much in Daniel as in Revelation, it's good to remember that Daniel was a high-ranking official of that empire whose name is so synonymous with evil.
Posted by: Tompaul | June 28, 2007 at 08:21 PM
and i get help but think of Esther in this conversation. not much that can be agreed with in terms of her experience, how she got to where she was. but as you stated, Ryan, some are called to minister in very unique places. i'll check out the link - thanks for providing the link!
Posted by: kirsten | June 29, 2007 at 04:37 AM
i'm rolling my eyes...i can't seem to type very well @ 4:30 am ;-). i MEANT to say, "and i CAN'T help but think of Esther....". btw, the link above doesn't get me anywhere. help?
Posted by: kirsten | June 29, 2007 at 04:47 AM