Adventist Today Blog: How Shall We Regard Ellen White?: A Review of "The Red Books: Our Search for Ellen White." Nathan Schilt writes "Those who attend the play, anticipating a Norman Rockwell picture of a revered Adventist pioneer, will be disappointed. Unlike the advance billing, which hints at a bucolic stroll down memory lane, the actual production is for "mature" Adventists." More here.

The Great Controversy Blog: You have to appreciate the effort of historical Adventist Danny Winters, now living in Thailand, who is on a mission to translate and spread the 1858 version of the Great Controversy into several languages. This YouTube video taken from his blog explains it all. One wonders if Danny will run into any copyright issues translating this gospel of the "Time of Trouble" into Swahili or Armenian.

The Adventist Church at Corinth: Blogger Austin Abbott has no problem church hopping on Saturday AND Sunday. He takes in a J. David Newman sermon Sabbath morning and digs on old Episcopalean liturgy on Sunday.

I Am a Missionary Kid: Bloggers Hannah Venn (eight) and Josh Venn (nine) are Adventist missionary kids in Thailand who report regularly on important matters like church planting, stamp collecting, and of course, kittens, puppies and frogs.

Right End of the Telescope: Ken McFarland's modus operandi is "to assemble the most complete and comprehensive directory of Adventist blogs available." Got a blog? Let Ken know.

Ruminations from a Seventh-day Adventist Christian Mind: New blogger "Wandering Monkey" begs her readers to explain how it's possible to have multiple paths to God. Is Jesus really the only way to the Father (John 14:6)?

Theoechnology: Todd Mace mixes up his theology and technology skills into helpful tips for ministry. He also likes to deliver seminars on postmodernism, as he did for his church (video software download required).

Adventist Environmental Advocacy: Latest reports coming from the unofficial "greenest" blog in the Adventist blogosphere includes British SDA Ph.D. candidate Chantel Davies' efforts to have environmental issues put onto the agenda of her church board and a video speech by urban environmental activist Majora Carter.

Fearless Wonder: Blogger Ann Cordis encourages everyone to practice Mitzvah (one of the 613 commandments in the Torah), as a way of doing our "good deeds" in the world.

Visit our home page for all the latest news. 

New Adventist Today Magazine Just 4 Weeks Away

Note to Newsbreak Readers: Effective January, only subscribers to Adventist Today Magazine will receive full access to our online news coverage and new web features. To receive Adventist Today Magazine (and full online news coverage) for only $19.50 a year, click here!

Bill Hybels' "Wake Up Call"

Many Adventists have followed with interest Willow Creek Community Church 's candid assessment of their own ministry successes and failures. While thousands of unbelievers have come to Christ at Willow Creek, the church has admitted trouble in helping those new believers mature in their faith walk. Click here to read an article on these developments from Christianity Today-and click here to listen to Willow Creek Pastor Bill Hybels talk about what his church has learned.

Follow Up Report on Same-Sex 'Wedding' by Adventist Mayor
excerpted from CNSNEWS.COM and the Philadelphia Inquirer

As reported on several news outlets two weeks ago, Philadelphia Mayor John Street, a devout Seventh-day Adventist, officiated at his first same-sex commitment ceremony on November 17. According to a pro-family organization the event marked a "dark day in the history of the City of Brotherly Love." Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA-PA) stated in a news release, "Mayor Street has drifted off course during his political career. Once a strong advocate for traditional values, he can no longer be trusted to uphold those values that are supposedly part of his belief system."

The ceremony celebrated the relationship of 33-year-old Micah Mahjoubian, who serves as deputy secretary of external affairs in Street's administration, and his male partner, 32-year-old Ryan Bunch (pictured, right). "Micah is my friend. He has been in my campaign and has been in my administration for eight years," Street told the Philadelphia Inquirer last week. "I've come to respect him as a person, and if this is something he would like for me to do, then I'd like to do it for him."

Gramley said that Street's actions contradicted the beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and that Street's decision to preside over a same-sex commitment ceremony offers an explanation of the course Philadelphia has taken in the past several years as the city has become more "gay-friendly."

Montenegro: Momentous Actions Taken at Winter Meetings
reported in the Trans-European Division of Seventh-day Adventists newsletter

Budva, Montenegro - The Winter Meetings of the Trans-European Division (TED) - an annual gathering of the 13 unions saw some interesting developments and actions take place. Among them, reports that over 3,212 persons were baptised while more than 500 had left the church in TED in a twelve month period leading up to June 30. Also reported was the implementation of a new salary scale to be introduced by 2013, and a major decision to support Newbold College with a £1,000,000 grant. More here (first item from the top).

Solusi University Experiencing Food Shortage

Andrews University reports that Solusi University, an Adventist college in Zimbabwe, is facing a humanitarian crisis in the country which has brought on a desperate food shortage. Messages from the Adventist church administrators there state:

"The situation is exceedingly difficult; many of the stores are out of food. Some food can be purchased on the 'parallel market' but prices are soaring. Individuals are without food in many places. At Solusi University, the campus is running out of food. We have even had to discuss sending the students home, but the situation is no better elsewhere. Immediate assistance is needed in order to sustain the campus at this time." More info about how to donate.

Most diverse Christian gathering ever to discuss unity and common witness
reported in the World Council of Churches website.

A unique gathering on November 6-10 near Nairobi, Kenya, featured the broadest range of Christian traditions ever represented at a global meeting, allowing for a discussion of unprecedented ecumenical breadth on what Christians are called to do - together if possible - in the world today. The gathering, called the Global Christian Forum, brought together about 250 high level representatives of all the main Christian traditions, including Seventh-day Adventists, Evangelicals and Pentecostals. The Forum's stated purpose is to create a new, open space in which a broad range of Christian churches and interchurch organizations can gather in a multilateral setting to foster mutual respect and explore and address together common challenges. The theme "Our Journey with Jesus Christ, the Reconciler,"aimed to discuss how best to promote dialogue and co-operation on issues of Christian unity and common witness to the world. More...

Actor Cast for Role of Thoreau

The production team for Marbles with Thoreau, a short film on the life of American author, essayist, poet, and philosopher Henry David Thoreau, has cast actor Chris Ackerman (pictured) for the lead role of Thoreau. Ackerman played the character of "Tattoo" in the movie Elektra with Jennifer Garner, and is currently studying under the man who coached Jim Caviezel (Passion of the Christ). The film, currently in pre-production, is the work of Southern Adventist University film graduates Melody George (director/writer) and Thomas Wentworth (producer). Regarding the choice to cast Ackerman, George states, "Combine Chris's level of talent with a long-standing love of Thoreau's work, a passion for the message we're trying to communicate, and an absolute commitment to living for God in the industry, and well... we had our man!" For more information on Marbles with Thoreau, visit the website.

"College Faith" Books Feature Testimonies of University Leaders
excerpted from Andrews University Press

The "College Faith" book series published by Andrews University Press so far include three volumes consisting of short articles by 150 Christian administrators and educators sharing personal faith stories from their student days. Testimonies come from leaders at more than 100 colleges and universities, including: Azusa Pacific University, Loma Linda University, MidAmerica Nazarene University, Southern Adventist University and Oakwood College. More info.

 Visit our home page for all the latest news.

Dispute Over Bible Display at Texas Courthouse Comes to an End at Supreme Court
in the Americans United for Separation of Church and State newsletter

"Courthouses are not the place for religious symbols," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. "Government should never send a message that a person's belief about religion is a factor in a hall of justice." More

Latest Global Warming DVD Attacks the Left

A new DVD called "Global Warming or Global Governance" claims discoveries that a "non-elected and non-accountable governing body is gaining control of the US economy by scaring the public with bogus claims about global warming." It offers evidence from scientists that debunks Al Gore's documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. Producers of this video claim that the environment is being used to create centralized government - a one-world government, thus, resulting in the loss of our national sovereignty. View the promotional video (Windows Media Player required)

Shoot UK Teacher, Says Protesters
in the BBC News

UK teacher jailed in Sudan after allowing children in her class to name a teddy bear Muhammad. According to some agencies, some of the protesters chanted: "Shame, shame on the UK", "No tolerance - execution" and "Kill her by firing squad!" More...

Pat Robertson Not Down With Yoga
in the Huffington Post

Evangelical fundamentalist Pat Robertson answers the question, "what is the Christian view of this form of exercise?" View the video.

MSU removes Christmas tree after complaint from Jewish professor
in ky3.com

Missouri State University department head took down a 20-foot Christmas tree after a diversity official reported a complaint that it was insensitive to other religions. More...

Visit our home page for all the latest news.