Adventist Voices by Spectrum: The Journal of the Adventist Forum

In preparation for next week’s Annual Council meetings which set up major Adventist church actions, Bonnie Dwyer, Spectrum’s editor, and I discuss the agenda. We note questions of power and compliance as well as some pending items about board make-up and proscribed duties in overseeing higher educational institutions and Union Missions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I interview Stephen Chbosky, director of the movie version of Dear Evan Hansen about his motivations for turning the successful Broadway hit into a musical film. He famously wrote the best-selling coming-of-age novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower (1999). We also discuss the fraught relationship between adolescence and faith and what we both love about the musical genre. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I talk with Sduduzo Blose about his graduate work at the University of Kwazulu-Natal on the book of Romans, colonialism in Africa, and institutional power in Adventism. We also discuss how opposing racism and sexism in Adventism informed his theological interests as well as how he connects his love for road cycling and ministry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I talk again with legendary Adventist editor, pastor, college administrator, author, and longtime Spectrum board chair Charles Scriven. We explore two more essays from his series “Time to Start Over” on “Reconceiving the Sabbath” and how our beliefs should lift us up. In addition, we weave in conversations about time in the Washington, D.C., area as senior pastor of the Sligo Church and as president of then Columbia Union College. He shares what he loved about being a pastor and his role in a major church/state legal battle and the ordination of three women. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I interview Jon-Philippe Ruhumuliza about his social media-based “Radical Adventist Project.” We discuss his education in Berrien Springs, Mich., his later punk rock days, and his recent graduate work in New Testament studies at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. We talk about his practice of meditation and breath work, and his critical engagement of Paul through his research involving GIS mapping and social theory. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I interview Tom Stone about his new book, In the Shadow of the Pyramids: A Reflective Commentary on the Narrative of Deuteronomy, published by Westbow Press, a subsidiary of Thomas Nelson. Tom earned a BA in Theology from Newbold College and a PGCE in Religious Education from the University of Oxford. He is an ordained elder at the Newbold Church. We discuss how Tom, a young religious education teacher, decided to pursue this writing project, how this grew out of his own devotional practice, why he argues that Deuteronomy is a story of liberation with themes of social justice, and how God wants us to change our society so that we prioritize the marginalized and oppressed. In the Shadow of the Pyramids on Westbow Press - Amazon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I speak with the legendary historian of Adventism, Jonathan Butler, PhD, about his rediscovery of an 1988 article by Malcolm Bull analyzing Ellen White’s first vision. Titled “Eschatology and Manners in Seventh-day Adventism” and first published in Archives de sciences socials des religions, Butler discusses the ideas provokes and the joy he discovered as he read it for the first time. The full article and an introductory essay by Dr. Butler are featured in the current issue of the Spectrum journal. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I speak with two young Adventist intellectuals in Brazil who publish an online magazine (Zelota) with investigative journalism and detail-rich op-eds calling out the authoritarian leadership in the South American Division. Sharing their deep Adventist roots, André Kanasiro and Elias Batista, Jr., also discuss concerns for their generation of questioning Adventists, and why they work so hard for theological and institutional reform. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this first of several Legend of Adventism conversations, I talk with Charles Scriven, PhD, about his biography while we also discuss his recent Spectrum series “Time to Start Over.” We start this multi-part series exploring some teachers from Walla Walla and Andrews who influenced him theologically and grammatically. In addition, Chuck references Bonhoeffer’s journey while expanding on what he means by “Christ without Christ,” the hermeneutical tool of and against oppression, and why close community matters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I interview Edson Oda, the Japanese-Brazilian writer and director of the profound film, Nine Days. The story centers on a man, played by Winston Duke (Black Panther), who interviews and judges five souls to see who will be granted embodied life on earth. A fun conversationalist, Oda talks about his Catholic upbringing and how artists use spiritual metaphors to create meaning for humans. We also discuss what he likes to read and watch for inspiration and how his film uses empty spaces to open up interpretative possibilities. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I talk with attorney Stephen Allred, who also pastored for fourteen years, about his lucid new book Do Justice: The Case for Biblical Social Justice. We discuss how he artfully weaves together Ellen White and major Biblical passages with Ta-Nehisi Coates, his own story to make the case that following Jesus means caring for structural change in society. We discuss how his use of Ellen White made me excited to read more of her writings and how his focus on racial justice, economic justice, and his third section which includes very traditional Adventist interpretations of Revelation supports his overall argument that Christians have an ethical duty to be in involved in politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I talk with Sarah Sulton, CEO of the Adventist Musician Network about gospel music and how the internet allows artists to reach new audiences. Building on Alita Byrd’s interview regarding the Adventist Musician Network right before COVID-19 hit, I check-in on how streaming three shows online has grown the org during quarantine, how Ted Wilson’s comments offended gospel musicians, and I find out what’s next for this growing community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We talk about the new release of Martin Luther King’s iconic talk at Oakwood University in 1962 on Dr. Benjamin Baker’s famous website blackSDAhistory.org. In addition, we address the Critical Race Theory scare, share interesting anecdotes about famous Black Adventists, and explore what’s bringing hope to historian, archivist, and educator Dr. Baker in these uncertain times. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Pride! I interview Floyd Poenitz, Kinship International's next president, about the organization's multi-decade ministry creating a safe community for LGBTIQ+ Adventists. Floyd shares his story of growing up conservative and coming out and discusses the incredible number of countries that have Kinship members as more and more church members around the world grow to understand their sexual identity. We also talk about a good resource for parents from the North American Division, Kinship's current free book offer, and how Zoom in transforming LGBT+ support groups on Adventist college campuses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elder Gregory L. Hoenes, PhD, Director of the West Region of the Southern California Conference, talks about his recently completed dissertation in Practical Theology at Claremont School of Theology. Focusing on food and ecological responsibilities, Dr. Hoenes talks about how his conservative upbringing shaped his relationship to nature, how pastoring and eating out in Southern California shaped his research and spiritual practices, and how the activism of woke young people give him hope. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Pride Month! Four years ago Alicia Johnston resigned from her job as an Adventist pastor due to her bisexual identity. This week she joins me to talk about her new book, The Bible and LGBTQ Adventists: A Theological Conversation About Same-Sex Marriage, Gender, and Identity. We discuss why she aimed her book at Adventists with a conservative hermeneutic, what's bringing her joy these days, and how folks can support her project. Alicia's Website Alicia's Instagram Alicia's Twitter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A teacher at South Bay Christian School, near Los Angeles, and a grad student at La Sierra University, Raquel Mentor is also a social media expert who has written for Spectrum. We discuss how she survived poverty while attending university, what she loves about Adventist education, and some tips she’s learned from her social media success. Raquel Mentor's Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I interview Chris Blake, Lead Pastor of the San Luis Obispo Adventist Church, author of numerous books including Swimming Against the Current, Searching for a God to Love, and Reinvent Your Sabbath School, professor emeritus at Union College, and former editor of Insight magazine, about how he’s putting his vision for Adventism into action. An always fun conversation partner, we discuss what he learned playing basketball at Cal Poly, how he joined the church, his longtime advocacy for LGBT+ equality, and what he enjoys about pastoring on California’s central coast these days. Referenced Content: Five Beliefs - SLO Adventist Church Justin Lee Video When Scripture Meets Life: Book Review of Unclobber Enough Room Film Swimming Against the Current by Chris Blake Searching For A God To Love by Chris Blake Reinvent Your Sabbath School by Chris Blake See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Spectrum's Interviews Editor Alita Byrd shares her conversation with composer James Lee III, whose works have been commissioned and premiered by the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Chorus, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and others. His music has been played at Tanglewood and championed by famed conductor Leonard Slatkin. Some of Lee’s biggest sources of inspiration are the books of Daniel and Revelation, the story of the great controversy, and the second coming of Jesus. Lee is a lifelong Adventist — he attended Andrews Academy and Andrews University before he went to the University of Michigan where he earned his first degree in piano performance and then his masters and doctorate in composition. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie Dwyer, editor of Spectrum, shares key moments in her life that shaped her career as a journalist and leader in the Adventist community. Bonnie discusses her love for the local church, the key first decisions that created the iconic journal, and what she's learned from a career trusting in God and caring for community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Abraham Joshua Heschel, Jewish rabbi and theologian, civil rights advocate, Holocaust survivor, and champion of interfaith dialogue, is the subject of a new documentary "Spiritual Audacity," produced and directed by Martin Doblmeier of Journey Films. On Sabbath, May 1, Doblmeier discussed the making of the documentary during a special Adventist Forum/Spectrum webinar hosted by the St. Paul/Minneapolis Adventist Forum Chapter and the Minnetonka SDA Church. Alexander Carpenter, host of the Adventist Voices podcast, interviewed Doblmeier and was joined by Loma Linda University theologian Richard Rice, St. Paul Forum Chapter President Gary Blount, and Spectrum editor Bonnie Dwyer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie Dwyer, Spectrum's editor, and I interview Oscar-nominated filmmaker Tomm Moore, director of The Secret of the Kells (2009) about his new animated movie, Wolfwalkers available to watch via Apple TV. The story takes place in 1650 and follows a spirited Irish girl who fights the control of civilization and finds transformative friendship and spiritual power in the forest among a pack of wolves. We discuss Irish mythology, the beauty of Tomm Moore's hand drawn animation style and how stories connect humans to deeper spiritual truths. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Osborn, PhD, talks about his missionary upbringing, early connection to Spectrum, and how he got his start leading educational institutions. Dick, who recently retired as the Vice President of the WASC Senior College and University Commission and was the former president of Pacific Union College shares some lessons about what’s worked and what hasn’t in schools and Adventist life. Dr. Osborn is Board Advisor/Member: Loma Linda University Health, Los Angeles Pacific University, Pacifica Graduate Institute, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, United States University, University of Silicon Andhra, Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation (COCA), Charles Weniger Foundation, NAD Higher Ed Task Force See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I interview a recent student of mine, Pacific Union College graduating senior Morgan Williamson on the state of Adventist education and the future of online learning. We discuss why Adventist and public education matters to her, how her student missionary teaching experience in Fiji influenced her career choice, as well as what she’s learned doing her student teaching online with elementary age students. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back from a spring break in this weekly podcast, I interview Todd Leonard, Senior Pastor of the Glendale City Church, a beautiful Adventist church that’s been a sanctuary to generations of marginalized believers. We talk about how Todd is transitioning back to in-person worship, how he journeyed from the South to Southern California, his love for community activism, and his new podcast UnCollared https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncollared/id1554375187 which he hosts with two other Los Angeles Christian pastors. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week I talk with Kaleb Eisele, creator of Humans of Adventism, about his new ten-part documentary series in which Adventists tell their stories of culture, change, miracles, etc. We also discuss the state of creativity and community-building in the church. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I talk with my wife, Doris Tetz Carpenter, Adventist Health Human Performance Executive (Talent Strategy and Total Rewards), about the tension between the mission and business of faith-based health care. We also chat about how she moved from education to her seventeen-year career in Human Resources and how spending all day in online meetings at home has changed her ideas about work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bobbi Jo Reed, the subject of the eponymous documentary, along with Brent and Donna Jones, the directing and producing team, share the inspiring story of Bobbi Jo's transformation from homelessness, addiction, and prostitution to healing hundreds of addicts in her Kansas City-based Healing House ministry. We briefly discuss Bobbi Jo's testimony (watch the film for more) and then talk about the power of story and what hope means to the least of these in America. Healing House provides recovery housing to nearly 200 individuals every day in their thirteen private homes and two apartment buildings. Learn more about the film Bobbi Jo: Under the Influence here https://www.facebook.com/thebobbijomovie See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spectrum’s editor Bonnie Dwyer and I celebrate 2021 by talking about what’s new and news in Adventism. We discuss the GC Session, the North American Division’s tithe story as well as trends in Zoom Sabbath Schools around the denomination. We express concern about the link between conspiracy theory religious thinking and insurrection and find hope in driving slower, upcoming Spectrum articles, and getting a vaccine to be a good neighbor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing our legends of Adventism series, Dr. Larry Geraty shares leadership insights into his decades leading institutions like Atlantic Union College and La Sierra University. Additionally he shares anecdotes about protecting freedom of expression on campuses and speaks personally about how he finds meaning in Adventism. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Larry Geraty shares key moments that shaped his life from his missionary upbringing, how he convinced his wife Gillian to marry him, as well as his relationship with Siegfried Horn and how he ended up studying at Harvard. In this first of a two part episode, Dr. Geraty tells the story of how Spectrum began in the 1960s. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pete Docter, chief creative officer of PIXAR and director of the upcoming Disney+ release of animated film “SOUL,” answers questions from me along with other Christian media representatives. He talks about the mix of spiritual language and philosophical existentialism that drives the film’s story as well as how his team infused the story with authentic African-American cultural moments.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Book editor at Signs Publishing and prolific Adventist author Nathan Brown talks about his new book “Advent: Hearing the Good News in the Story of Jesus’ Birth.” We also discuss his own Australian Christmas tradition, favorite carol, and the state of Adventist writing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reporting on recent meetings of the Society of Adventist Philosophers and the Adventist Society for Religious, Spectrum editor Bonnie Dwyer shares new ideas on Sabbath and social justice. We also discuss what’s in the new issue of the journal and what she’s looking forward to this Advent season.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Marci Corea joins me to discuss her role as the University Outreach Coordinator for Adventist Peace Fellowship. In addition to learning more about what the org does we discuss some of what both of us recently learned on Spectrum’s Civil Rights Journey in Alabama and how growing up doing short-term mission trips inspired Marci to care about justice work.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Father Leahy, O.S.B., headmaster of St. Benedict’s Preparatory School in Newark, NJ, shares about a new documentary, executive produced by Steph Curry, that explores how his own basketball program offers personal growth, but often false social hope for young American men. We also talk about how his Catholic faith informs his social values and has fueled his decades of academic leadership as well as the history of how alumni saved St. Benedict’s by converting it into an elite school serving disadvantaged youth.The film, Benedict Men, viewable on Quibi, follows the “St. Benedict’s boys basketball team as they strive to add another state championship to their legacy. Along the way, they uncover the true meaning of unity, selflessness, and hard work.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Alex Bryan, chief mission officer for Adventist Health, talks about reading a biography on every American president. We discuss his insights into the meaning of the presidency, who he learned to love, and some major lessons on leadership.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Continuing our American politics series from last week, Vanessa Corredera, PhD, chair of the English Department at Andrews University and Courtney Ray, PhD, ordained minister and president of the Society of Black Neuropsychology, explore the problem of epistemic closure and others issues like race and abortion. Additionally, they both share very personal examples of their own social views changing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa Clark Diller, PhD, chair of the History department at Southern Adventist University and Jason Hines, PhD, associate professor in the department of Healthcare Administration at AdventHealth University join me in a spirited debate on U.S. politics and the problems of a fragmentary civic epistemology. Approaching issues from progressive and even anarchist perspectives, they talk about what’s at stake at the Supreme Court, for folks of faith, and those who care about social justice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spectrum managing editor Alisa Williams reports on global Adventist finances, electronic voting, and the changes to next year’s GC Session. We also discuss the rise of Adventist pioneer parody Twitter accounts and why they might be good for learning our history.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With sports increasingly back from quarantine, I talk with a London-based Adventist who played semi-pro football (soccer) before returning to Sabbath observance. He shares his story of struggling with his faith, being an Everton FC fan, and how he continues to combine his love of sport and community uplift.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alisa Williams and Julius Nam join me to each tell and discuss stories from the less well history of Adventism. Alisa shares a story of a planted letter at the Ellen White Estate vault about a fake prophet (and attempted murderer) and Julius take us to Korea where an American missionary became an international pariah for punishing a young boy for stealing an apple.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three emerging filmmakers share the inspiration for their beautiful and theologically complex retelling of the Hosea Bible story. Writer and director Ryan Daniel Dobson with producers Suzanne Watson and Avril Z. Speaks talk about setting “Hosea” in Oklahoma, deconstructing the chauvinism by focusing on his wife, and focusing on the divine in sensuality, art, pain, and relationships that redeem.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I talk with Adventist Health + Rideout president Rick Rawson about how COVID-19 and mitigation controversies have impacted his community. We also discuss the conclusions he learned from racial health inequalities and how “defunding” healthcare offers hope for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adventist Forum board chair, Carmen Lau, shares about how her white Southern Adventist upbringing blinded her to the realities of racism. We also talk about “Spectrum’s early history” with the Civil Rights movement and the plan for a group of Adventists to visit Alabama next month to learn more about that history of social justice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie Dwyer, editor of Spectrum, talks about the latest issue of the journal, including the Black Lives Matter articles and the focus on science and art. In addition, she discusses the controversy surrounding Doug Batchelor's Amazing Facts walkback on accepting government money. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This documentary, The Right Girls (2020), is about transgender women from Central America traveling in a caravan to the US border I talk with co-producer Amador Jaojoco about how design and activism work together.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winner of the U.S. Documentary Competition Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, “Boys State” explores a thousand member annual effort to form a representative government for a week in Texas. In my interview with the husband and wife directing team, Jesse Moss and Amanda McBaine, we explore the unexpected ideologies and personalities of the four boys they profile and how they created an exciting film that raises questions about power, belief, and the future of democracy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ryan Parker, PhD, joins me in discussing thoughtful cultural summerfare: Palm Springs, First Cow, House of Leaves, and how major sports are handling COVID and justice. We also reflect on how Christians benefit themselves and others by engaging popular culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Garrison Hayes, Pastor for Generational Ministries at Community Praise Church, and I discuss the current news of public monument removal. We examine the statues' connections to racism, specifically lynching, as well as the ways that iconoclasm creates hope.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.