The Woman Who Didn't Like God

FRIDAY April 18

Further Study:

In the centuries-old controversy over the person of Jesus, the Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451) marked a significant milepost. Essentially, it agreed and proclaimed that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man: ". . . we all with one voice teach that . . . our Lord Jesus Christ is one and the same God, the Same perfect in Godhead, the Same perfect in manhood, truly God and truly man, . . .[one] with the Father as to his Godhead, and . . .[one] with us as to his manhood; in all things like unto us, sin only excepted. . . ." —Cited in Justo L. Gonzalez, A History of Christian Thought, vol. 1 (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1970) p. 390. For an assessment of the implications of the Chalcedon statement from an Adventist perspective, see Roy Adams, The Nature of Christ (Hagerstown: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 1994), pp. 57-72.

"In contemplating the incarnation of Christ in humanity, we stand baffled before an unfathomable mystery. . . . The more we reflect upon it, the more amazing does it appear. How wide is the contrast between the divinity of Christ and the helpless infant in Bethlehem's manger! How can we span the distance between the mighty God and a helpless child? And yet the Creator of worlds, He in whom was the fullness of the Godhead bodily, was manifest in the helpless babe in the manger. Far higher than any of the angels, equal with the Father in dignity and glory, and yet wearing the garb of humanity! Divinity and humanity were mysteriously combined, and man and God became one. It is in this union that we find the hope of our fallen race."—Ellen G. White, in Signs of the Times, July 30, 1896.

Discussion Questions:

What for you are the big issues surrounding Christ's humanity? Why are they important for you? At the same time, why must we be careful not to be too harsh or dogmatic about the finer points of Christ's humanity? Ellen G. White says that Christ's humanity is everything to us (see Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 244). What did she mean? In what practical ways does the idea of Christ's humanity affect you in your Christian walk? How might we use what we have studied in this week's lesson in our personal witness? How does the reality of Christ's humanity touch people where they live today? I N S I D E Story The Woman Who Didn't Like God by HEIDEMARIE KLINGEBERG On a snowy March day in Germany, a woman who had not liked God was baptized into the Adventist Church. "I thought Christians were weak people who could not manage their lives by themselves," Ute testified. "Then I met my neighbor Frank. He manages his life and a demanding job quite well. One day he invited my children to join Pathfinders at his church. 'They will learn a lot of useful things, and it will be good for them,' " Frank said. "Why not? I thought. My youngest daughter joined Pathfinders and really enjoyed it. "Frank invited me to attend a Pathfinders reception in the church. I wasn't so sure I wanted to meet these strange people, but I decided to go in spite of my concerns. "I entered the church with mixed feelings and looked around the sanctuary. It was so simple, not as I had expected. And the pastor seemed normal and friendly. "I liked the people I met that day. They were not weird at all. I started attending church and had to admit that I really enjoyed it. The warmth and love the people showed me made me feel accepted and loved. Each week I took part with greater enthusiasm and commitment in the worship at the Adventist Church. I was growing spiritually. "I began reading the Bible for myself, starting with the Old Testament. But that was too hard. I went on the Internet and searched for something in German to help me understand the Bible better. There I discovered the Voice of Hope Bible correspondence course. I enrolled, and I began completing the Bible study guides with growing enthusiasm. Studying the Bible became almost an addiction! My coach encouraged me when I got stuck and answered my frequent questions. "I have learned so much from the Bible studies, and my life has changed a great deal. I have discovered that the Bible gives me what I call operating instructions for my daily life, and from studying God's 'manual,' I get great joy. I have discovered that I have a loving heavenly Father who will help me through life's bumps. "I sealed my commitment to God through baptism and started a new life. My sorrows are not all gone, but Jesus goes with me into battle and has promised never to leave me. I have seen Him work out several problems already. "The future may not be easy, but I am confident in spite of problems, for Jesus and my new brothers and sisters in Christ are beside me." HEIDEMARIE KLINGEBERG works with Stimme der Hoffnung, the Voice of Hope Media Center in Darmstadt, Germany. Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Web site: www.adventistmission.org