Unity and Tolerance

Congratulations to Dr. Mark Carr and the Pacific Union Recorder for the courage to publish “Unity and Tolerance in the Church” [Dec. 2006]. In many cases, the pain and discouragement experienced by literally thousands of church members as the result of the major schisms that the Adventist Church has experienced over its relatively short history could have been avoided if some very simple principles could have been followed.

One of these has been raised in this excellent article, namely that unity and uniformity are not the same thing. A second is that unity will not come “from an overwhelming assertion of what we do believe,” especially if a particular belief is the subject of widespread dispute among major segments of the Adventist community.

I am sure that many will being looking forward with great interest to reading the other articles by Dr. Carr on this important subject.

Ervin Taylor

Loma Linda, Calif.

Tolerance Is Sin

In his recent piece on “Unity and Tolerance in the Church,” Mark Carr intimated that unity in the church should be achieved through tolerance of doctrinal diversity. In terms of race, culture, and personality, members need more tolerance. And patient tolerance is due to new and not-yet believers as they interact with the lifestyle guidelines of Adventism.

And Scripture indicates that we must make room in the church for diverse viewpoints on a number of questions. Paul calls these "doubtful" topics where every man should be "fully persuaded in his own mind" (Romans 14:1-5). Such questions are often diversionary. They distract members from core issues, from the truths for this time. But is a six-day creation periphery to our mission today? Unchecked, false doctrine would spread throughout the church and destroy it.

In urging tolerance for those who promote the view that God created the world in millions of years, Carr runs afoul of the church-discipline guidelines of the New Testament reflected in our Church Manual. He asks the church to tolerate an internal attack on its core by one of its own.

When we become church members, we vow to uphold these beliefs, with all the other fundamental teachings of the church. If some members decide they no longer fully believe those teachings, is it ethical to ask the church to accommodate the promotion of their new beliefs?

Unity founded on compromise has the capacity to unravel the entire spiritual fabric of our church. Is it not high time for the church at every level to arise and "purge out" the "old leaven?"

Larre Kostenko

Via e-mail

Disabled Skiers

What a Christmas blessing I received from reading this wonderful story! [“LSU Professor Teaches Disabled to Ski,” May 2005, accessed via Recorder website.] I was so touched by Ray Shelden's ministry of love to the disabled in this exceptional program. A lovely surprise to learn that someone I knew over 35 years ago is involved with such a worthy and awe-inspiring cause.

Cheryl (Wagerle) Munson

Via e-mail