Cracking the compassion code by Anthony MacPherson I t’s a paradox. The more the early Seventh- I suspect that behind the rapid pace and constant intro- day Adventist Church prepared for the imminent return duction of new reforms in the early Adventist Church was of Jesus, the more it made a difference in the world. a specific Divine purpose. God wanted to place into the Typically, churches focused on the end of the world small, embryonic Adventist Church a particular philosophi- exist for themselves. But Adventists did more than convert cal DNA which, once established, would reproduce itself as people and build churches. They built schools, hospitals, the Church spread across the world into new environments medical clinics, started up food businesses, publishing desperately in need of gospel witness and transformation. houses and engaged the community. This DNA centres around a holistic concern for the restora- Activism tion of the total person (social, mental, physical, relational, There was an activism in early Adventism and a deep, emotional, spiritual, moral) based in the power of the holistic philosophy behind it. In an age of reforms the tiny, Gospel. Jesus wants to open up the fullness of His victory but rapidly growing Adventist Church was often at the fore- against sin, selfishness, suffering and Satan to all nations front of reform. Adventists opposed slavery. They worked before He returns. While this DNA sometimes parallels in the southern states of America, often amid danger and elements of secular reforms or progressive legislation, opposition, to help advance the recently freed black popu- our motives and methods are to uniquely reflect Christ’s lation. They became leaders in the dynamic arena of health ministry. That's a personal work in harmony with God's law, reform and advocates of the temperance movement. They motivated by grace that mobilises churches and individual tackled the complex issue of education reform, and spoke members to embody God's love.1 out on matters as diverse as dress reform, opposition to Denaturing the DNA gambling and religious liberty. When this DNA deteriorates the Church stops making a This dynamic reforming element appealed to people healing difference in the world. If the DNA is neglected we wanting to change the world. It contrasted with the later become dull reflections of our consumerist culture, instead fundamentalist withdrawal from engaging society that hap- of the living counter-cultural anticipation of Jesus’ kingdom pened in conservative American Protestantism after the that God intends. At other times fanaticism cripples this 1920s and in Adventism after the death of Ellen White. In- DNA and makes us narrow, sectarian and extreme. Health deed, Ellen White was usually at the forefront of this broad reform turns into health deform. Or we love the latest pro- vision of reform, constantly pushing the Adventist Church phetic speculation more than our neighbour. Either way the into new areas and challenging it to express a unique voice. Church becomes irrelevant, trivial and incapable of retaining or inspiring its youth. 16 September 21, 2013 • record.net.au FEATURE Recovering the DNA people are bombarded with images of photoshopped and Whenever this DNA is recovered the Church is re- airbrushed beauty. Even worse, the cosmetically enhanced, energised. The Gospel is seen, heard and felt. Advent hope surgically altered and botoxed celebrity has become a intrudes into present pain. The emergence of organisations cultural icon. Even secular commentators are deeply con- such as ADRA and programs like StormCo and Complete cerned. We speak now of the "sexualisation of children" Health Improvement Program (CHIP) are examples of this and of the "pornification of culture". Perversity is being DNA re-expressing itself. All seek to bring God’s love to normalised. This is the suffocating air we all now breathe some damaged element of humanity. One gets a sense of and choke on. the gracious scope and restorative balance of this DNA by Young girls, in particular, bear the damaging psychologi- reading Ellen White's book Ministry of Healing. cal prospect of internalising this demoralising environment. A humbling and hopeful history They have to resist immense pressure to cave in to voyeur- If we are honest the subsequent istic fashion trends and adopt distorted history of the Adventist Church reveals ideas of body image. Young men are a mixed obedience to this DNA. Let’s Either way the unconsciously trained in a subtle mi- not be naïve or triumphalist. The good Church becomes sogyny. Guess what? This is what dress and the bad in our history is important reform is now about! Granted, we for us to see. We need to be chal- irrelevant, trivial probably need a new name. Unfortu- lenged by both our faithfulness and and incapable nately, our natural traditionalism risks our failures. thinking in terms of a list of rules and Greater rediscovery of retaining or regulations and not the transforma- We have never lost this DNA. This inspiring its youth. tive philosophy and values behind our is why good things are happening in standards. When this happens the so many churches. ADRA continues to be a vital part of our misplaced goal is gaining conformity instead of helping wider ministry.2 And yet God’s Spirit wants to do so much young women cultivate inner resilience and a protective more. I offer two suggestions of how a continued rekindling moral integrity. of our God-given DNA might impact our churches and our Refinding our voice world. These are just examples. God calls us to much more. The Church must re-express its full spiritual genome. I’ve deliberately picked one example you’ll instantly warm How? We must remember what's encoded in our past and to (the fight against slavery) and—just to make it hard on embody it in today’s environment! We must again help myself—I've picked one you’ll possibly cringe at (yes, I’ve people made in God’s image find freedom from literal picked dress reform). slavery by supporting modern anti-slavery efforts. And find Slavery full freedom from spiritual slavery by encountering Jesus The early Adventists opposed the horrors of slavery, Himself. Contrary to the forces that would distort a young even to the point of advocating civil disobedience. It was person’s body image, we must unmask the predatory pow- something of absolute importance. Unfortunately, slavery’s ers by teaching young people to think critically in a Christ- curse is still with us. Among its worse forms are bonded centred, biblical fashion. They should know they are being and forced labour of children and the hideous sex slave preyed on and manipulated. Let’s provoke godly revolt and trade. Just as early Adventists joined in the wider 19th cen- holy rebellion! We can cultivate an environment where tury movement to abolish slavery, we should also join in the women and men model the confidence, self-respect and current movement to end modern slavery. I realise some spiritual strength that resists demeaning fashion and reveals Adventists are already making such efforts. But what has a relevant alternative. Young girls and guys are most pow- been missing is the wider realisation that this is in our DNA. erfully influenced and informally mentored by being able to It's not some foreign add on. We must care about this. And observe dynamic Christians (think intergenerational activity I believe many young Adventists are longing to make a dif- and community!). My prayer is that God unleashes yet again ference in this area. this reforming impulse; that new expressions of this DNA Dress reform deep in the genome of church are seen, heard and felt by a What of dress reform? I deliberately picked this because broken world. 1. We are not to be a "religious right" or like liberal churches of the left that too it appears impossible to rehabilitate. It conjures up images readily baptise secular causes (some even in tension with Scripture) and confuse the of overzealous guardians harassing sparsely clad young Church's mission with political advocacy. The world does not set our agenda. That ladies. And, yet, originally dress reform was as much a way honour belongs to Matthew 28:18-20 and Revelation 14:6-12. 2. Great good would come if more churches explored ADRA’s local community pro- to counter the physically damaging effects of fashion on jects (such as social inclusion programs which assist refugees, prisoners, indigenous women as it was to encourage modesty. I believe the issue people, create community gardens or youth resiliency programs and the like). of fashion, self-image and mental wellbeing is more press- ing now than in the 19th century. Every moment young Anthony MacPherson is pastor of Plenty Valley and Croydon churches, Vic. Comment? Go to record.net.au/comment record.net.au • September 21, 2013 17