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Ratthedd
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Username: Ratthedd

Post Number: 38
Registered: 2-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 11:29 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I don't know if anyone else posted it yet (I didn't see it listed.)

A seminary student has been arrested for attacking a professor. The details are a bit vague, but here are some links:

http://www.wndu.com/news/headlines/7075596.html
http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070418/News01/704180429
http://www.andrews.edu/news/2007/4/update.html

(Message edited by admin on October 25, 2010)
Jonah
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Username: Jonah

Post Number: 10
Registered: 3-2006
Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 11:35 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

A friend of mine posted the following account on his website:

Tuesday, April 17, 2007


A Dark Day in the Seminary : Attack of the Seminarian (updated)

(important note: keep in mind that this blog is satirical in nature; and while there is plenty of satire in this piece; i really appreciate russell burrill and his ministry. he is a fine teacher and i am so glad he is ok. and as for the seminarian, please keep him and his family in your prayers)

It was been a long time friends. A very long time since I have recorded seminarian antics. This is not because there hasn't been any--just nothing that I felt was a real standout--until now.

Apparently, the lack of exceptional nonsense has merely been what I will call 'A Gathering Time'. This is a time where the festering crazy has been building and has now revealed itself. What you are about to read is real. This is no joke. This actually happened. I know the parties involved. So, without further ado, I present:

ATTACK OF THE SEMINARIAN


The Facts

At around 9am yesterday, a first-year seminarian from Romania asked Dr. Burrill--retiring proffessor of church growth--if he could talk privately in his office with him. Burrill agreed and the two went into the office. (note: never be alone with a seminarian).

Obviosuly distraught the student asked for prayer and naturally Burrill agreed. After a looooong time praying, Burrill interrupted and asked 'How can I help you?" (note: a perfectly logical and reasonable question, making what follows absolutely stunning)

The student then began to threaten Burrill and then HIT HIM IN THE FACE. Swiftly after the first blow was dealt the student wrapped his hands around Burrill's neck and pinned him to the floor and told him:

"You won't make it out of this office alive."

Intermission

I have paused here to allow you a moment to recover from the shock you are no doubt experiencing. I first learned about this assault yesterday via sister M who was shamelessly using MSN Messenger during an intensive that was less than intense thereby warranting the misuse of her electronic devise. Honestly, people if you are going to have an intensive why not make it intensely interesting? I then learned more details from sister A who was one of the staff present when this incident took place. Finally I have more details from the debriefing in seminary chapel this monring--which was full by the way; indeed a rarity; but there is nothing that will bring the folks together for worhsip like an assault debriefing. Alright, back to the story.

Part 2

Burrill screamed for help at this point and sister A and sister C (his wife) along with another secratry came running. The door was locked; but thankfully sister A had the master key (note: always have a master key handy...even if the powers at be don't know u have one--especially in the semianry) and deftly unlocked the door where they pulled off the attacker. sister A later told me the guy just sort of gave up and then sat in a chair quietly awaiting his punishment.

Campus security was on the scene first and was forced to hodl this guy as he tried to escape and attack them in the process...

(note: this HAD to be campus securities dream. i mean, many of the people that take those jobs (save the real officers working there) are authority-obsessed folks who have personal collections of throwing stars, nunchuks, bo staffs, and swords which they dont know how to use. so here's to their dream come true; the dream of actually catching a criminal instead of handing out parking tickets and wearing their uniforms even when they are not on duty. kudos.)

The student was promptly arrested and, according to one source that was there when to happened--charged with attempted murder.

Burrill's Condition

Thankfully Mr. Burrill is ok, had some bruising and had trouble swallowing/talking yesterday; but he is on the mend will finish teaching out the year. Everyone is truly grateful that he is ok and wishes him a speedy recovery.


Speculations on the Catalyst that Caused the Crazy

Sister M reports that she talked with a friend who is married to someone who works in campus safety and learned two important things:
A. The Romanian student worked at campus safety......wow. Now either that creeps me out or explains a lot of the questions I have about those people who work in campus security.

B. They did some drug testing and the results came back that the student was (literally now, not just figuratively) on crack. That's right--crack. And really, how else could you explain such an outburst?

Crack kills friends--not just your health, but your relationships, career, and sometimes other people. If you have a drug problem take care of it now--dont be stupid.

(note: a drug problem means that you do drugs regardless of quantity)

Additional Information: Why Burrill?

Burrill is not a teacher that tends to have controversial classes. Heck, its about planting churches and evangelistic strategies. If you dont like what he suggests its not like you have to use em much less try and inflict physical violence on his person. His classes arent nebulous either. He gives you a notebook with fill in the blanks as he lectures. Its easy to follow. There is a lot of work, but no more than any other teacher worth his weight in academic gold. So why Burrill?

I ran into sister S at the bank today and through her sources she told me that the student was upset about field school assignments.

For those non-seminarians, we are all required to do a 4-6 week session somewhere on God's green earth, involving helping with an evangelistic series and taking a class. Everybody has to do it and there is a huge mass sign up first semester.

Now yours truly here, along with brother G and sister M is going to Bermuda for 4 weeks. Booyah.

But many others are stuck going elsewhere because the locations are on a first come first servie basis. Other sites include sunny california, southern hospitality in alabama, and northern crazy in southwestern michigan. Perhaps this student was stuck in Michigan and saw where others were going and got tore up about it.

But two observations are in order:

1. this was a first year student; only second years can sign up for field school. so either he was an exception or just couldnt wait to go, or he wasnt upset about field school and he attacked burrill for some other reason.

2. trying to kill a proffessor becaue you dont like how he does things is probably the worst thing you can do if you are trying to get him to change his mind.

regardless of his reason is is a combination of stupid + crack (if indeed that report pans out); we will have to wait for more details...

ASSESSMENT FROM DOC PIERCE AS TO WHAT CAN BE DONE
AT THE SEMINARY TO PREVENT FURTHER CRITICAL MASS STUPIDITY
EXPLOSIONS

First, I must give props to the dean , Denis Fortin, as he dealt openinly and honestly with the issue this morning at chapel and is having a special service tonight at 6:30 for those affected by this occurence who need prayer and encouragement. Well done.

Here are some personal suggestions:

1. Mandatory Drug Testing: I dont care what excuse someone comes up with , its pee in a cup time. crack kills as we have witnessed, and for the sake of campus safety, and the delicate ecosystem of the seminary which hangs in the balance anyway; we need to find where else the drugs are. i guarantee you they aint just in benton harbor and i have a hard time believeing that this is the only drug abuse going on.

2. Personal Interviews in the Seminary Application Process. you can fake sanity over the phone, but i tell you i have been at the seminary for 2 years now and can usually spot potential insanity at 100 paces. i think there should be three progressively more difficult and personal interviews to get through before admission into the seminary, followed by a rigorous obstacle course in the vein of American Gladiators and Most Extreme Elimination Challenge. I dont are what you eat or dont eat, if you cant do an obstacle course in the designated time you dont believe in the health message.

3. Seminary Prefects that carry tasers and nerf bats. I think each class and hallway and office should have two, pre-tested, seminarians who pass a rigorous mental test, academic test, have numerous recommendations, and pass the obstacle courses in record time should be given tasers and nerf bats to guard these designated area sin. Firsly, the nerf bats would be a warning. If someone asks a stupid question, derails a lecture, or acts crazy, they get whapped a few times with the nerf bat unexpectedly. if they respond angrily they are tasered and carried away. now thats security and stupidity management done right.


A FINAL THOUGHT...FROM RUSSELL BURRILL

I just recieved Burrill's official statement. Here it is:


At 9:00 am on Monday, April 16, 2007 I entered the seminarybuilding. As I approached second floor, <seminary student B> met me at the top of the stairs and said he wanted to see me for just a minute. (He is currently in 2 classes that I teach). He followed me to my office, I unlocked the door and went in and he followed, then shut the door behind him. I did not know at the time that he had locked the door.



He then asked to pray. He sat down, grabbed my hand and prayed for the next 10 minutes. His prayer did not make sense and I realized that something had happened and he needed psychiatric help. As his incoherent prayer mumbled on, I wondered how to stop it and move on. He seemed to be upset about my book, Revolution in the Church, and kept saying my revolution failed and his true revolution was going to begin today. He made statements about he had died and I needed to realize that unless I repented, I too would die. At one point he mentioned something about a knife, but I never saw one.



After 10 minutes of this, I interrupted him and asked him how I could help him. He responded for me to shut up and repent. He had hold of my hands for the prayer. I then tried to release his hold on me, but he resisted. However, eventually I broke free and said please tell me how I can help you. At that moment, he raised his head (he was bowed down on my desk the whole time). He then punched me in the face and hit my upper lip. He then said I was not going to leave the room alive and he lunged for my throat.



I immediately hollered for help. But before anyone could get here, he was pressing on my throat for all he was worth. I resisted and got free and he then wrestled me to the floor and got on top of me and continued pressing on my throat. I thought I was dying. I was beginning to have difficulty breathing.



My wife, Cynthia heard my cries and came and found the doorlock. She called for Andrea Pusey who had a master key. She came and opened the door and Cynthia attempted to pull him loose. It was enough with her pulling and my pushing him off that it freed me to breathe again. I think Andrea also came in and tried to help. He then ran out of the office and was captured shortly by security.



As a result I have a very swollen upper lip and have difficulty swallowing. I went to the doctor and they took x rays and found no permanent damage, but I will suffer from swollen muscles for the next couple weeks in my throat area.




PS: Russell Burrill's book, Revolution in the Church, is available at www.adventistbookcenter.com, Andrews Univeristy Book Store, and the ABC...

(Message edited by admin on October 25, 2010)
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 5701
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 12:39 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ohmygoodness—I'm glad Professor Burrill is going to be OK. What is this, the week for campus violence?

Thanks for the blog entry, Jonah! I'm not being flip when I say I believe it is important for us to pray, as Jesus modeled in the Lord's prayer, that God will protect/deliver us from evil. The nature of evil being what it is, our only power and protection comes from being hidden in Christ and wearing His armor (Ephesians 6). We do not need to fear evil when we are in Jesus, but our fight is not against flesh and blood.

Praise Jesus that in Him we are secure!

Colleen
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 1029
Registered: 4-2000


Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 9:49 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

MORE SDA NEWS

According to Bonnie Ensminger, secretary to Doug Batchelor, Amazing Facts and 3ABN are uniting. Danny Shelton is resigning from 3ABN and Doug Batchelor is assuming the presidency of 3ABN. Remember how Danny used to hold Linda's hand continually on the TV program? They looked like old love birds. However, Danny is now holding another hand. You may want to check out Linda Shelton's latest lament at: www.lindashelton.org.

The 3ABN-imposed gag order is now over, and Linda received her financial settlement. Robert Folkenberg's dream of taking over 3ABN is finally happening. The General Conference and ASI have approved this merger.

Dennis Fischer
Bigal
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Username: Bigal

Post Number: 63
Registered: 9-2006


Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 10:50 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This Shelton and Folkenberg link is interesting. Here is Gentry, Arkansas on March 17th of this year Danny Shelton spoke at the local SDA church. Robert Folkenberg was in attendance in the audience. Apparently they were here for a funeral of a prominent donor to 3ABN. Shelton had the sermon which can be heard here newurl{http://www.tagnet.org/gentrysda/multimedia/07_03_17.WMA, Keeping Focused}.

I highly do not recommend you listen to this. Posted it just to let you know what's going on even here in remote Arkansas.

Alan
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 5713
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 7:11 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

How interesting, Dennis!! Well, the church has wanted "control" of 3ABN for a long time, but Danny resisted. I can't say I'm sorry this happened, because I believe Danny lacked integrity (to put it extremely mildly). The games he played with people and money...

Hmmm--what a plum for Doug Batchelor! The troublesome part of this is that Doug Batechelor is more "slick" than Danny, and he's likely to deceive more people from a different socio-economic class.

There is justice here (and I have true compassion for Linda, Danny's ex wife), but overall, I see this as a consolidation of power within the church. Hmmm...

Yes, I would agree, based on the involvement of ASI AND the GC, that Folkenberg is definitely involved.

As they always say, "follow the money".

Colleen
Snowboardingmom
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Username: Snowboardingmom

Post Number: 262
Registered: 11-2005
Posted on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 10:45 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

This quote is found on the 3ABN website before the announcement:

“If Christians were to act in concert, moving forward as one, under the direction of one Power, for the accomplishment of one purpose, they would move the world.”-- Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 221.

Creepy when you start thinking about what that "One Power" is or what that "One Purpose" is... Her quotes take on a whole new perspective when you start thinking about the source of her "wisdom".
Jeremy
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Username: Jeremy

Post Number: 1759
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 12:06 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Yes, Grace, it is very creepy! Also, that quote is contradictory (what's new?!) to all of her quotes that talk about "the three highest powers in the universe," "three great, infinite powers," "the three highest powers in the heavenly courts," etc.

Jeremy
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 5717
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 12:40 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Creepy indeed.

Dennis, Richard just researched the 3ABN and Amazing Facts websites. Both are announcing the merger and state that both sides are researching how best to merge their boards, etc. Neither mentions Danny's resignation nor that Batchelor is president.

Hmmm...interesting info you got from Doug's secretary, Dennis!

Colleen
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 1030
Registered: 4-2000


Posted on Friday, April 20, 2007 - 8:27 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Colleen,

For further confirmation of Doug Batchelor becoming the new 3ABN president, check out the following links:

www.atoday.com
www.save3abn.com

Dennis Fischer
River
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Username: River

Post Number: 692
Registered: 9-2006


Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 9:26 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Alan, Arkansas ain't remote, it's just to hilly and woodsy to see the folks.
River
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 5724
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 10:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Thanks, Dennis. We learned from my in-laws that this fact had been announced yesterday in their church. So interesting!! Richard had also found the atoday announcement. Thanks so much for informing us of this!

Colleen
Jdpascal
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Username: Jdpascal

Post Number: 49
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 10:10 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I wonder about any fall out for Amazing Facts that may come from this law suit in connection with 3abn and save3abn website owners?

http://www.blacksda.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13383&st=195

post 202

I don't see how this can do anything other than diminish the witness of 3abn/AF and the SDA church by bringing greater attention to the allegations and accusations.
Dennis
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Username: Dennis

Post Number: 1034
Registered: 4-2000


Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 4:33 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

An Open Letter to Danny Shelton

Read it at: www.atoday.com/index.php

Dennis Fischer
Jeremy
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Username: Jeremy

Post Number: 1776
Registered: 10-2004


Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I found it hilarious that AToday is all excited about that recent finding of a planet that "may" be hospitable to life!

It's totally incredible, all the weird stuff (such as aliens on other planets) that we had to believe in as Adventists--and all just because "Ellen had a vision..."! (And it looks like even the liberal SDAs believe her!)

Adventism is even a UFO cult!

Jeremy

P.S. EGW's visions where she talked to aliens on other planets is more evidence of her occultic connections.

(Message edited by Jeremy on May 02, 2007)
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 5784
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Wednesday, May 02, 2007 - 5:48 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Ha! Not to mention seeing Enoch and Paul...hmmm...where's the soul sleep?

Colleen

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