Tony Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern University and founder of …

Comment on LA SIERRA: Four resign after recording emerges by Steve Billiter.

Tony Campolo, professor emeritus at Eastern University and founder of the Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education, will be the featured speaker for Black History Weekend at Walla Walla University, held Feb. 1–2. [2008] A Sabbath afternoon forum, “The God of Intimacy and Action: The Challenge to Welcome and Embrace Diversity,” is jointly sponsored by the Black Faculty and Staff Fellowship, the Faculty Development Committee, the School of Theology and the Association of Adventist Forums. http://www.gleaneronline.org/103/1/34188.html

Tony Campolo says in his book Letters to a Young Evangelical: “Intimacy with Christ has developed gradually over the years, primarily through what Catholic mystics call “centering prayer.” Each morning, as soon as I wake up, I take time–sometimes as much as a half hour–to center myself on Jesus. I say his name over and over again to drive back the 101 things that begin to clutter up my mind the minute I open my eyes. Jesus is my mantra, as some would say. The constant repetition of his name clears my head of everything but the awareness of his presence. By driving back all other concerns, I am able to create what the ancient Celtic Christians called “the thin place.”… After a while, an inner stillness pervades.”

Tony Campolo states that he “learned about this way of having a born-again experience from reading the Catholic mystics, especially The Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius of Loyola” who developed “a ‘oneness’ with God,” through contemplative practices. Campolo says that when the Reformation took place, we “left too much behind” and that “some Catholic saints” helped to deepen his prayer life. He later reiterates: “Having an intimate relationship with Christ is at the core of being an Evangelical.” He explains there are three things to consider: 1. “Centering prayer,” 2. “Contemplative Bible study” and 3. “Spiritual Disciplines.”
http://www.fromthelighthouse.com/blog/index.php?cat=24

Steve Billiter Also Commented

LA SIERRA: Four resign after recording emerges

Ron&#032Stone&#032M&#046D&#046:
@Steve Billiter, Campolo (along with his wife) is also one of the most vocal “gay marriage” and “gay is A-OK” proponents in America.

Ron, I guess that Tony just names his poison that he likes. What does he say about gay’s who do contemplative prayer? Is he trapped?


LA SIERRA: Four resign after recording emerges
I sure hope and pray that these resignations will lead to a “cleaner house” at LSU–A University in our church that faithfully upholds the Bible origins and all 28 7th day Adventist beliefs. But its far from over and evolution is certainly not the only weirdness happening at LSU.

I am a junior at the University Of Nevada Reno, and a year ago I tried to enroll at Walla Walla. I was and am fully qualified, but I nearly went into shock at the way they treated me in the process.

My old criminal record was being held against me with no regard for my re-conversion and re-baptism. I was actually denied entrance solely based upon that criteria alone–by my own church!

During the process, God sent me a clear message to withdraw my application and He actually worked a miracle to return my 40.00 application fee to me. I clearly understood the LORDs leading here.

I won’t go into all the sordid details, but the Lord saved me from much grief; of that I’m sure.

History now repeats itself on a huge scale;

“Students are sent from a great distance to attend the college at Battle Creek for the very purpose of receiving instruction from the lectures on Bible subjects. But for one or two years past there has been an effort to mold our school after other colleges. When this is done, we can give no encouragement to parents to send their children to Battle Creek College. The moral and religious influences should not be put in the background. In times past, God has worked with the efforts of the teachers, and many souls have seen the truth and embraced it,
and have gone to their homes to live henceforth for God, as the result of their connection with the college. As they saw that Bible study was made a part of their education, they were led to regard it as a matter of greater interest and importance.” {5T 21.3}

There is also a problem with Jesuit Spiritual exercises in some of our colleges. Derek Morris is a well known promoter of these spiritualistic exercises–most unabashedly so. I have no problem at all naming him as a spiritualist. He’s on the Hope Channel, has books published by the R&H; and recommends the Andrews Study Bible which has at least one more spiritualist professor at Andrews who teaches Spiritual Formation and is exposed by Amazing Discoveries, who also provided hie perverted commentary to this Bible.

Derek writes, “For much of the Christian era the practice of spiritual direction was confined to Catholicism, particularly monasticism and the Society of Jesus [the Jesuits]. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in spiritual direction as a resource for spiritual formation among both Catholics and Protestants. A leading Protestant advocate of spiritual formation is Tilden Edwards, director of the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation in Washington, D.C. [CC note: Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries is promoting the Shalem Institute as the leading place for studying to become a Spiritual Director. Shalem is staffed with Roman Catholic nuns who are experts in the Spiritual Exercises of Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, with Episcopal priests, psychiatrists, etc.] As I began my own prayer search for a spiritual friend, I came across the significant work by Tilden Edwards, Spiritual Friend: Reclaiming the Gift of Spiritual Direction. I [Derek Morris] strongly recommend this book as a valuable resource…(http://www.sdadefend.com/MINDEX-S/Spiritual-form.pdf).

http://www.revivalsermons.org/forums/index.php?action=printpage;topic=3592.0

“Spiritual Formation: A movement that has provided a platform and a channel through which contemplative prayer is entering the church. Find spiritual formation being used, and in nearly every case you will find contemplative spirituality. In fact, contemplative spirituality is the heartbeat of the spiritual formation movement.” http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/spiritualformation.htm

At La Sierra
RELP 345 Spiritual Formation (2-4)
Personal spiritual growth is fostered through the study and practice of the spiritual disciplines and the principles of Christian discipleship. Students are also exposed to an understanding of the work of God’s grace in the process of spiritual formation in both clergy and congregation. (http://www.lasierra.edu/index.php?id=3016&print=1

Could this be the contemplative spirituality that originated from the Jesuits? It’s at Andrews and Southern Adventist College…or at least was when Derek Morris was there.

Over and over again the following EGW text just burns itself in my brain;

Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out–the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. . . . The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy (Letter 55, 1886). {7BC 911.6}


LA SIERRA: Four resign after recording emerges
@BobRyan:

Psa 141:10 Let the wicked fall into their own nets……..

I like this application–it fits.


Recent Comments by Steve Billiter

The Heroic Crusade Redux
As a fledging writer myself still at the University of Nevada Reno, I highly object to the style of writing that Dr. Kime exhibits. While we note he is obviously highly educated and very intelligent to boot, this article reeks of me, me, me, look what I can do, see how clever I can write and spin these matters with my crafty words. I simply prefer a straightforward, no-nonsense style that presents my thesis or argument logically and systematically, while attempting to abide by the rules of good expository writing. Furthermore, his information is not correct concerning the scientific community. [edit]

Many other scientists such as Dr. Walter Vieth (http://amazingdiscoveries.tv/c/9/Science/) lectures on the flaws found in evolution, and on the scientific evidence for creation. The carbon-14 dating system has long been known by many scientists to be flawed—it is based on assumptions. Indeed, considering the scientific evidence, and the Bible evidence, for which a serious study of prophecy proves the Bible true—creationists have the luxury of solid, irrefutable evidence proving creation, while evolutionists must exist on blind faith, assumptions, and lies.

The crux of the matter is this: evolutionists have virtual control of America’s public school system aside from Christian Bible–based schools, and because they have rejected the claims of the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, found in Holy Writ–to simply come to Jesus and have eternal life—they have therefore rejected the entire Bible including the Genesis account. Because they have rejected the truth that will save them, God has given them over to the delusions they love (2Thess. 2:9-11). Through it all, evolutionary scientists have attempted the impossible, which is to apply the human measuring system to understand God’s creation—an impossibility. Sadly, the evolutionary scientific community will continue to suffer the results of misconceptions, false science, assumptions, blind faith, and quite simply, the most abject lies.

Job 11:7 Can you by searching find out God? Can you find out the Almighty to perfection?
Job 11:8 It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know?
Job 11:9 The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.


Further definition on tap for Adventist fundamental belief on creation
This process reminds me of politicians milking out their legislative work ensuring that they have plenty of work and the paychecks to follow. Essentially, our Creation belief is already clear, and the Bible in Genesis 1 and 2 is very clear indeed. Add to that what Ellen White says about creation that sheds light upon God’s Word.

If any Adventist doubts God’s Word, it is because he/she has shut their eyes to the truth choosing to believe lies. For this reason, I sincerely doubt a 5-year process will cause any to believe the truth. It is not the GC that creates truth; but God Himself.

Exo 20:11 “For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: why the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it” (AKJV).

Had God chosen to take 6000 years, or 6 million years to create the earth, He would have said so.

1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.


The Metamorphosis of La Sierra University: an eye-witness account

If you want to capture more readers, you might want to expand your format. Or, if you have no other burden, you may not. I know it takes a lot of time and even money if you expand too much.

Great idea Bill! La Sierra isn’t the only game in town for sure. Everywhere I look the church is faster and faster fulfilling Ellen Whites below prophecy:

“Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out–the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. . . . The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy” (Letter 55, 1886). {7BC 911.6}.

It is all of God’s truth that we must stand on if we shall be in the kingdom at last. We can only expose so much error and then it becomes useless debate and arguing for which I’ve done more than my share. I think when the devil has victories like this at LSU, and the rest of us spend copious amounts of time hashing and re-hashing the same old lame errors, then the devil ties us up in knots when we should be promoting the 3 angels messages more often in some capacity. Obviously nothing will be done at LSU in my opinion, or it would have already been done.

As I read Ellen White, the severest shaking will come at the Sunday law. So that means the apostasy will get much worse until then. Elder Ted Wilson I believe will be a fine leader for the church, but he is only one man, and liberalism has a controlling lock on the conferences now for sure.

Without conversion of the heart, nothing will change for sure. So presenting Christ to the unbelieving and backsliders is the work we need to be doing. Remember, Satan has a thousand diversionary tactics to keep us from soul-winning or supporting evangelism.


Biblical Interpretation and Credibility

Professor&#032Kent: You have listed five supernatural events (virgin birth, resurrection of dead, future life in heaven, Noachian flood, and recent fiat creation of life) that cannot be validated empirically.

@Professor Kent,

There is scientific evidence for the flood, although not for Christs’ Resurrection, or His resurrection of Lazarus, etc. The remains of fossilized fish have been found buried at the tops of the highest mountains on earth–which by far precludes fairly recent climbing expeditions eating the fish, and burying the remains which would leave no time for fossilization. Please see Dr. Vieth’s Lecture # 102, http://amazingdiscoveries.tv/c/9/Science/ And I quote from the site:

“Science today denies a universal flood, as it would destroy the continuity of the fossil record in the geological column. In this video, evidence for precisely such a universal phenomenon is presented with fascinating video material from modern day catastrophes on a smaller scale.”

Moreover, we need not make Bible study so convoluted by presenting this or that theory which has no bearing on truth, or that just muddies the waters on how we are to understand the Bible. God has granted to each person a measure of faith, and we know that without faith it is impossible to please Him. How do we increase our faith? It is not wholly by considering the scientific evidence or the lack thereof:

Rom 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

So it is by diligent Bible study that our faith increases. We come to God humbly asking Him for understanding–after all, He gave the Word. It is that longing after righteousness and the doing of His will that reveals truth to us:

John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

By and large, a secular/scientific education even at some Adventist colleges tends to undermine true faith in the Bible. I know from my own experience as a junior now at the University of Nevada, Reno–that if my own Bible knowledge and faith had not been so strong, then academia would have naturally destroyed what little faith I might have had under different circumstances. Many times I have questioned my present course as to its wisdom (Social Work) but its far to late to turn back. Every semester I deal with un-Biblical teachings in my classes. I’ve seen how Satan has moved on faculty and admn. who know not Jesus to attack me in different ways assaulting my character.

That aside, how can we presume to teach anyone how to understand the Bible without presenting a single Bible/EGW text as support in a comprehensive manner? Is this a denial of the Master? I believe so.

Mat_10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

We don’t need to guess–we don’t need to present speculations and theories, Christ tells us in John 7:17 (and elsewhere) precisely how we are to understand His Word.

God gives light to guide those who honestly desire light and truth; but it is not His purpose to remove all cause for questioning and doubt. He gives sufficient evidence to found faith upon, and then requires men to accept that evidence and exercise faith. {5T 303.1}

He who will study the Bible with a humble and teachable spirit will find it a sure guide, pointing out the way of life with unfailing accuracy. But what does your study of the Bible avail, brethren and sisters, unless you practice the truths it teaches? That holy book contains nothing that is nonessential; nothing is revealed that has not a bearing upon our actual lives. The deeper our love for Jesus, the more highly we shall regard that word as the voice of God directly to us. {5T 303.2}


The ANN Highlights LSU’s Dr. Lee Grismer – An Evolutionary Biologist

Pastor&#032Ron&#032Cook:
Once again I am amazed at the nativity, ignorance, or treasonous behavior of some people in high places. The very foundation of our beliefs are being eroded and we laud Dr. Lee Grismer’s thrilling exploits.

Pastor Ron Cook

Amen Pastor!
My position is as always; if any Adventist church member denies any one of our Biblically sound 28 beliefs persistently so, then that person should be removed from the church rolls and invited to join another church that’s more comparable with his/her beliefs.

It does the LORD Jesus Christ much discredit when outsiders, and or potential members see this confusion which could result in eternal loss. Ditto for any professor at any Adventist school from kindergarten through higher levels of college that does not teach according to our beliefs.

While we can rejoice that we have a solid world church leader in Elder Wilson; unfortunately he cannot do it all and just walk into LSU and fire these offenders.

However, in terms of the following prophecy by the LORD’s servant, Ellen White, we can know that our redemption is very close!

Satan will work his miracles to deceive; he will set up his power as supreme. The church may appear as about to fall, but it does not fall. It remains, while the sinners in Zion will be sifted out–the chaff separated from the precious wheat. This is a terrible ordeal, but nevertheless it must take place. None but those who have been overcoming by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony will be found with the loyal and true, without spot or stain of sin, without guile in their mouths. . . . The remnant that purify their souls by obeying the truth gather strength from the trying process, exhibiting the beauty of holiness amid the surrounding apostasy (Letter 55, 1886). {7BC 911.6}