Ever long for the bad old days when you could at least depend upon yourself?

We tire of grace when we’re tempted by the easy arrogance of effort. “If I just say another prayer; read another Bible verse; light another candle—then I can pull the love of God toward me and close up any distance.” We think to work our way back toward His will with scrupulous self-discipline—with vegetables, and fasting, and money given to the homeless. We want connection, but without the cross.

As satisfying as it can feel to deliberately make the life of faith more painful and intense, the gospel shines with clarifying grace: “We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” (1 Cor 1:24).

The self-denial for which Christ calls isn’t made of beets or gruel or things we naturally dislike. It’s the denying of our own efforts, of the value of our “good deeds,” and yes, of our own homemade theology to which the Saviour calls us. “Christ made us right with God; He made us pure and holy, and He freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord’” (I Cor 1:30-31).

“Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent’” (John 6:29).

Now stay in grace. -Bill Knott

The great illusion of our age is that the world must be divisible into clans and races and nations who inevitably hate each other.  The histories of some countries—and entire political careers—have been built on this dangerous idea. 

Left versus right; rich opposed to poor; theists against atheists; the educated despising the illiterate. Trillions of dollars, euros, yen and rubles have been invested to sustain this pernicious illusion, for much money can be made by channeling hatred and distrust. 

So it is that grace, which teaches us that “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5)—grace will always seem so strange and otherworldly to people who believe that they have been fated to hate those different from themselves. The gospel declares of Jesus, “For He is our peace; in His flesh He has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” (Eph 2:14).

Grace is the promise that we can learn to love without divisions, without malice, without hate.

And when it comes to you, you’ll stay in grace. -Bill Knott

Welcome to Episode 6 of unScripted — live real talk on what's happening in the Seventh-day Adventist Church right now. Shawn Boonstra and Justin Kim unpack the latest Adventist Review, Bible truths, and jaw-dropping mission stories.

New March 2026 Adventist Review spotlight: Superstition cover story + Justin's editorial "etcetera" on Daniel 3—why the Bible's repetitive lists poetically shout God's total supremacy over every power and ritual.

No fluff, just honest encouragement on faith, prophecy, and God's leading.

If you should meet a person happy with his life, or joyful in her story, you’ve likely met someone experiencing the deep security of living in the grace of God.

He can look upon the rubble of his past with clarity but without shame—for he has found the liberating power of forgiveness. She can candidly assess the threats and stress the future may portend without the customary fear: her “life is hid with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).

They do not take themselves too seriously, for they are quick to tell that all they have and all they are is given them in mercy.

You watch them pour themselves into the broken, fear-filled lives of those around them, for grace never was for them alone. Their peace shines like a steady and unblinking light in all the aching darkness.

Mark them well, for this is who you want to be—who you can be—by saying “Yes” to grace.

“Since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Rom 5:1).

And when your life is also glad and free, you’ll stay in grace. -Bill Knott

Can the SDA Church ever be wrong? Was Hitler really a Christian? And was that "impression" from God... or just last night's pizza? 😅

We dive into:

Audrey Anderson's powerful GC article: "Could the Church Be Wrong?" – Yes, mistakes happen, but God still uses a broken people (home for sinners being mended).

Plus: Jonathan shares his journey from Austria to the Review, the vital role of Adventist artists in mission (submit your work to [email protected]!), why the Review focuses on positive mission (not stone-throwing), and how slow change can be a blessing.

📖 Read the articles:

Could the Church Be Wrong? 

Subscribe to the Adventist Review print + digital: 

Adventist Review – the official voice of the Seventh-day Adventist Church since 1849. Grounded in the Bible. Focused on mission.

It’s the critic’s counterclaim, the “faithful doubter’s” last redoubt:

“Say less about the grace of God, and more of human duty.”

Afraid that others may secure by gift what they haven’t won by long, intensive effort, persistent voices challenge those who speak and preach of grace. 

“You make it all too easy,” they complain. “Where’s the struggle, pain, and sacrifice? Where are the nights of deep uncertainty when you despair of ever being right with God?” 

There’s just one answer for such fears, and it originated in the mind of God: “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God” (Eph 2:8). 

Only the Word that comes from God can overcome the human pride that needs its efforts recognized. The apostle Paul, filled with the truth that rests in God, emphatically declared: “For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law” (Rom 3:28).

Those who truly grasp God’s grace are never slow to live His love. The life of holiness begins when we receive what we can never earn. 

So stay in grace. -Bill Knott

In this episode of unScripted from the Adventist Review, Shawn Boonstra sits down with associate editor Sikhu Daco to unpack the powerful February 2026 issue.

They dive deep into:

Emily Gibbs' raw testimony: diagnosed with a brain tumor while pregnant — "Not One Miracle" explores why God sometimes works beyond physical healing.

Dr. John Shin (Loma Linda oncologist): "Dying to Live" — what if the SDA health message isn't primarily about living longer on earth?

James & Ellen White's real marriage: poverty, arguments, ministry strain, wayward kids, and deep mutual respect.

Whether you're wrestling with health challenges, supporting someone who is, questioning the health message, or navigating family/marriage pressures — this conversation brings honest hope grounded in Scripture and Adventist experience.

Timestamps:

Grace seems to fail a million times an hour. In every place where mercy isn’t honored and accepted, grace appears an unwise use of heaven’s kindness and forgiveness. 

Hard hearts chill with chosen hate. Clenched hands will not open to the gift. Death and dryness multiply. 

But grace is never limited by how it is received. Like some deep-hidden spring whose source cannot be found, grace flows to sinners and to saints, without regard to worthiness. Some are only temporarily dampened by the flow, but remain defiantly unchanged. Others are made soft and pliable by the same unending grace—new clay from which the Lord will fashion recreated men and women. 

So grace is neither a reward for good behavior nor a prompt to honor good intentions. Grace is the decision of our God—who cannot fail—to offer all of us what we have not deserved, have often not desired, and certainly could never earn. It flows from God’s unending heart of love. 

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift” (Rev 22:17).

Now stay in it. -Bill Knott

Join Shawn and Justin on Unscripted from the Adventist Review for honest talk about life in the SDA Church in 2026. From exploding interest in astrology (80% of young people believe it!) to how Daniel 2 battles false worldviews with real prophecy.

1:29 Astrology apps, NASA data + AI, and the spiritual vacuum it reveals 

 3:13 Postmodern search for meaning – prophecy answers what horoscopes can't

4:40 Ancient zodiac echoes in Israel's tribes? Connecting Daniel to today 

6:50 Adventist Review origin: Ellen White's 1848 vision of streams of light going global – now digital! 

9:38 No AI in our writing – authentic human voices only 

10:38 Shane Anderson at Annual Council: humility, service, education networks, and sleeping leaders (travel is brutal!) 

17:05 Prexad meeting insights & Erton Kohler's mission focus 

19:48 Dr. Shin (Loma Linda oncologist) on anointing, miracles that fade, and health for service – not escape from death 

26:03 Eternal life as quality now, not just quantity later 

Visit AdventistReview.org or scan the QR for full articles. Share your story: Have you seen healing prayers answered – or not? Let's discuss below.

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Review Hosts Shawn Boonstra and Justin Kim dive into candid, unfiltered conversations about faith, ministry, and the global Seventh-day Adventist Church.

In this episode:

Justin Kim shares his journey from wanting to be a doctor to becoming Editor of the Adventist Review.

Whether you're a longtime Adventist or exploring faith, this episode will inspire you to engage with the world church's mission.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro & Welcome

Adventist Review Spanish Whatsapp—  https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb34ag4CXC3FajyBo00x