When I was a student at La Sierra in the …

Comment on Revisiting God, Sky & Land by Fritz Guy and Brian Bull by Richard Wright.

When I was a student at La Sierra in the 1960s, there was a very different atmosphere on campus. Professors of religion — and of other subjects, such as history, physics, and even biology — all defended the authority of both the Bible and the writings of Ellen White. Dr. Fritz Guy was a professor at the time. I took one class from him — Christian Ethics. I also heard him speak on various occasions. Dr. Guy never gave any impression that he had doubts regarding the Bible. Maybe he had the type of thoughts he has now, but was afraid to state them publicly. I don’t know. However, I am quite disappointed that a man whose scholarship and opinions I respected is now promoting the evolutionary origins of this earth.

Recent Comments by Richard Wright

La Sierra University gets 3-year AAA Accreditation
Based upon Ellen White’s writings, I do not believe in giving my tithe money to organizations other than the SDA Church. However, I too am concerned that the AAA has delined to do its job.

My greatest fear at this point is that some of our other colleges and universities will interpret this decision as an invitation to openly (and I emphasize the word “openly”) follow the example of La Sierra. This cancer will spread.


Louie Bishop Testifies, Again, about His Experience at La Sierra University
I also praise Louie Bishop for his bravery in standing up for Biblical truth. However, I am curious about his current situation. Is he still a student at La Sierra? If so, how is he being treated by the administration, the faculty, and his fellow students? If he has finished his coursework, what is he now doing? I know that he gave-up a promising career in professional golf, due to his unwillingness to play on Sabbath. How is he doing now?


La Sierra University Hires Another Darwinist
I am beginning to believe that the leadership of our SDA church is schizophrenic. Our current — approved — Sabbath School Lesson Study Guide (“Origins”) promotes Creation, as described in Genesis. There have also been many favorable articles on Creation in the “Adventist Review.” On the other hand, our leaders seem to be unwilling to take a stand against the promotion of evolution at our universities. How long can this confusion continue?


NCSE Report: Adventist Education in the Midst of a Sea of Science
I noticed that the author of this article was eager to give Ellen White credit (or was it blame?) for all of the beliefs that our denomination accepts. He leaves the reader with the impression that neither our Adventist pioneers, nor we today, have ever engaged in our own study. This is a common approach used be critics of Adventism and of Mrs. White. And it is false. Our beliefs were arrived at after intense Bible study, prayer, and prolonged discussion by many different people during the formative years of our movement, and most of us today agree to accept these beliefs only after we also have engaged in our own study and prayer. I thank God for giving us the prophetic gift of Ellen White, but the author of this article has distorted her role in our history.


What is taught at LSU
Shane,

I appreciate your efforts in maintaining this website and providing us with such up-to-date and relevant information on La Sierra. When I attended La Sierra during the late 1960s, La Sierra was very different. Professors in all the fields of study promoted and defended SDA beliefs. They provided us with evidence that supported creation and the flood. They were not hostile to E.G. White. How things have changed!

As a parent, I would have been outraged if either of my two children had encountered, when they were in SDA colleges, what some of the students, such as Louis Bishop and Carlos Cerna, have described. I have actually discouraged students from attending La Sierra in recent years, and have instead encouraged them to attend Andrews or Southern. When the alumni office has phoned us, both my wife and I have told them that we cannot, in good conscience, contribute to La Sierra at this time.

I have also heard reports from former students that the Religion department is made up of “Progressive Adventists,” and no longer promotes our beliefs. I would appreciate learning about what is happening in the Religion department, as well as the Biology department. For that matter, what about other departments, such as English, Education, and History (my major)? If anyone has any such information, I urge you to share it with us.

As a teacher, I have always promoted Adventist education, but I am very concerned that we will begin losing our colleges and universities, if something is not done soon.