Dear Leona,
In Western societies and in Seventh-day Adventism, we can no longer tolerate people who dream up doctrines without a plain thus saith the Lord. The beating of your drum is heard but we shall not follow its calling.
"Why not", you ask?
Here's why:
"Again and again did Wm. Miller [Like the reformers] urge that if his doctrine were false, he should be shown his error from the Scriptures. In an address to Christians of all denominations he wrote: “What have we believed that we have not been commanded to believe by the word of God, which you yourselves allow is the rule and the only rule of our faith and practice? What have we done that should call down such virulent denunciations against us from pulpit and press, and give you just cause to exclude us (Adventists) from your churches and fellowship?” “If we are wrong, pray show us wherein consists our wrong. Show us from the word of God that we are in error; we have had ridicule enough; that can never convince us that we are in the wrong; the word of God alone can change our views. Our conclusions have been formed deliberately and prayerfully, as we have seen the evidence in the Scriptures.” Spirit of Prophecy V4. p 217
And so, Ms Running, it appears you are on the wrong side of a SOP quote. Come on Leona, where is your Bible proof? It is hard for thee to kick at the pricks. And the largest prick, the Sword, i.e. the Word, is not easily defeated by your musings.
It's amazing how such an intelligent woman such as you would try and stoop to referring to diatribes such as The Welcome Table as a reference work in this discussion. How sad that such an eminent Biblical scholar (or, perhaps more accurately "Biblical Languages Scholar" ----- big difference!) such as you would fall for or even be a part of the higher-critical method of Biblical interpretation such as is seen in The Welcome Table. Again, I understand that you're not a Bible scholar, merely a teacher of ancient languages.
But be not amiss, we all know you come from the rabid feminist camp of way-out-there left-wing liberal Adventism. Thusly, we should expect nothing less than this kind of sad letter from you to your President.
"Through the years, Dr.Running has vocally and financially supported the idea of women
ministry. Her students have listened to her wax eloquent on the topic. She constantly seeks
to encourage women in their endeavors and to help men see the need for the participation
of women in church activities at all levels. Because of her reserved demeanor, several of
her former students remember their shock and glee when she came to class one day wearing a
T-shirt emblazoned with the words,“A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle.”"
www.andrews.edu/sem/article.php?id=110Tell me when to laugh Leona, because I think I missed the joke....
And like William Miller said, we're tired of your ridicule.
SDAminister