We are a part of the society in which we live. We can’t avoid it, nor should we try. Jesus calls us to help give our society a certain flavor as salt helps to enhance the taste of food during a meal, to bring light into its dark places through good deeds (Matthew 5:13-16). The best thing you can do for your society is to be the kind of person God wants you to be, and to live your Christianity openly.
In most places it is impossible to ignore popular culture even if you wanted to because the media places it before you in a variety of ways. In past ages, it may have been possible to avoid issues pushed by our society, but now we must make intelligent and informed decisions about our Christian response and choices concerning them. Not all popular culture is bad, but what can you as a Christian support? Some political endeavors should have Christian backing--in the 19th century, for instance, the Adventist Church was outspoken in its support for the abolition of slavery. Some secular literature can be profane and immoral or amoral, but not all. Some can be quite profound in their insights into the human condition and help us understand each other better. Not everything that is secular is without value.
The apostle Paul said it well: “Those in frequent contact with the things of this world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away” (1 Corinthians 7:31, NLT).
Simeon Stylites (387-459 A.D.) felt he had the answer to that question by living on top of a 72-foot-high pillar in Syria for some 30 years and preaching to those who would gather periodically at its base. That was not only an extreme response, it was also a poor way of dealing with the question of how Christians should relate to the world around them.
Jesus’ example shows Him mixing with a whole range of people. He enjoyed the society of people from many different backgrounds; he met with the rich and poor; women and men; Jews and Samaritans.
In many ways we are unable to be a “people apart,” even if we wanted to be. Most of us work with people or study with people who are not Christians. We go to shops not owned or run by Christians, which means we do business with them. Our recreation may be with those who are not Christian.
Yet we are to be a people apart because we are told not to copy the pattern of this world (Romans 12:2). Colossians 3 (verses 1-17) is worth reading because it provides a list of things we “used to do . . . when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language” (verses 7, 8, NLT). God has chosen us to be “holy people” (verse 12), which is quite different to giving the impression we are holier-than-thou people. We must shun what could be called the attitudes of the world, but never the people.
Should Adventists be involved in politics? Do Adventists have anything to contribute to public life?
In many parts of the world Adventists are very much involved in politics. In Papua New Guinea, for instance, a number of politicians are Adventists including one who has served as acting Prime Minister. Another was Governor General for the five-year term ending in 2003. Throughout the world there are Adventists who are judges, ambassadors, and parliamentarians. They follow in the footsteps of the prophet Daniel who held high office in the government of Babylon and yet also remained true to God.
If it is possible without compromising their beliefs, Adventists should be involved in public life at a variety of levels. Someone who has an understanding of the great conflict between God and Satan; who supports religious liberty; who knows that people are more important than things; who has a deep respect for God's creation; who practices wholistic living; and who places God first in their lives definitely has something to contribute to public life! And this is a description of most Adventists. Of course, there may be times of tension between their life of faith and their public office, but these happen in many other work places as well.
You’ve asked an important question. As a church, Seventh-day Adventists are committed to being peacemakers. Jesus Christ says His followers are to be peacemakers in society and calls them blessed (Matt. 5:9). From its very beginnings, then, the church has promoted reconciliation between God and humanity, as well as between people who have found themselves caught up in various conflicts. The church has said that in all relationships we are to follow the Golden Rule, which asks us to “do unto others as we would wish them to do unto us.”
In practical terms, the church has issued a number of statements that deal with peace and harmony. In a 2002 statement, the world church singled out violence and terrorism, as well as wars, as aspects of “the ongoing controversy, in theological terms, between Christ and Satan.”
But we want to do more than just talk about peacemaking. Plans are underway to encourage the more than 6,000 Adventist schools, colleges and universities around the world to set aside time with their students to highlight respect for others, cultural awareness, nonviolence, peacemaking, conflict resolution, and reconciliation. The Education department of the church is preparing special materials for this program.
It’s also important to educate the church members in the pew about the role they can play in promoting nonviolence, peace and reconciliation. Pastors are being asked to emphasize more often the gospel of peace, and to promote peaceful human relations between individuals, groups and nations. All this is a way to make a specifically “Adventist” contribution to a culture of social peace and harmony.
Remember that it’s not just the church as a whole that has a responsibility for peacemaking. It’s also the job of every single church member to act in a way that reflects the loving, forgiving example of Jesus Christ. And this is an important contribution you can make right now to promoting peaceful human relationships in your community.
What is the Adventist Church’s stand on preserving the environment?
Adventists have a very special relationship with God's creation. After all, every Sabbath we're remembering and celebrating the fact that God made this world and everything in it! The delicate balance of nature--the ecological harmony that allows life to flourish on this planet--is one of the amazing parts of God's handiwork.
God has also asked us to look after His creation; in the Bible He asks humans to be "stewards" or caretakers of what He created. (text)
It's true that in most parts of the world the church is not often seen on the frontlines of environmental protests! But many of our core beliefs and teachings emphasize an "environmentally friendly" lifestyle.
For a start, we emphasize through our beliefs and practices a wholesome, simple lifestyle. Vegetarianism, which is promoted by the church, is an environmentally friendly choice--many studies have shown that the cultivation of plant food is far more efficient, and less destructive to the environment, than the development of animal food products.
The church also advises its members not to get caught up in materialism and to resist the pressure of our consumer society. In fact, in one statement the church says that today’s abuse of our natural environment is often related to this human selfishness and greed, which results in "ever-increasing production, unlimited consumption, and depletion of non-renewable resources."
(You can take a look at the whole statement about the church's stand on the environment at: http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements/main_stat9.html)
What does the Bible say about abortion, and when does human life begin?
Abortion is not a topic covered in the Bible. The whole focus in Bible times was on reproducing as many children as possible, and children were viewed as real blessings from the Lord. The woman who went childless felt great loss and reproach. Some examples, such as Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah, illustrate this anguish. This was not just because of sexist role playing, but because children provided joy, comfort, support and security for their old age.
For Christian families, children still represent joy and comfort. But advances in science, like prenatal diagnosis, have made the situation more complex; rape and sexual deviancy bring pain and distortion. Yet, abortion for many Christians is not the answer. For those who see it as their only way out, the church feels compassion and sorrow, but recognizing free will and choice, encourages members to examine their conscience and act in accordance with it. I’d suggest that you take a look at the church’s guidelines on abortion, which can be found at: http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/guidelines/main_guide1.html
The second question about when life begins is an extremely interesting one that theologians, no doubt, can discuss at length. When God breathed into Adam the “breath of life” he became a living soul, so some would argue that life begins with the first breath. But a baby, even before birth, which moves and responds to stimuli, is clearly “alive” much before this. The biblical concept of “in the blood is the life” might make some think there is no life if there is no blood, which is formed about the first couple of weeks after conception. But concepts of life also relate to cells--so once a normal 46 chromosome fertilized egg cell is formed many believe a unique life has begun.
The silence of the Bible on some of these exact questions does not mean we should not consider them. The conclusions we draw will depend on our reasoning capacity and the various assumptions which we begin from. Prayerful contemplation requesting spiritual guidance will lead us to conclusions we live with in good conscience.
Finally, if your question about abortion is prompted because you are personally facing a decision on this issue, I would urge you to seek advice from someone you trust and who can help you think through all the consequences. Talk with your parents, confide in your pastor or youth leader, or a professional counselor who shares your spiritual values. Decisions relating to abortions affect more than just one person, and a poorly thought-through action could have a long-lasting impact on your life.
What is the Seventh-day Adventist church’s stand on abortion? Is abortion really murder?
The Adventist church does not believe abortion is an appropriate action to be taken. Specially, it says that abortion should never be used as a contraceptive measure. It recognizes the difficulties confronting couples who may have been told their fetus has a major development problem, such as, no brain (anencephalic), or a condition that means it will not live past birth. A couple told they have conjoined twins (Siamese twins) for example, may wish to terminate a pregnancy. Sometimes a “minor” (or under-aged female) becomes pregnant through rape, and this is truly a tragic situation. Even here the church does not recommend abortion.
But the church backs away from condemning the person or couple who uses abortion in such difficult circumstances, because such condemnation after an abortion is not consistent with Christ’s example. Consider His treatment of the woman caught in the act of adultery. “… neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin.” (John 8:11 NIV).
Individuals need to make their own decisions, after prayerful study of the Bible, talking with people they trust, and carefully examining their own conscience. The frequently heard call for a hard-and-fast church stand on tricky issues may sometimes simply be a way to avoid individual responsibility, or a way to get ammunition against others--neither of which is Christian behavior