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User:Colin MacLaurin/Contributions

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This is a list of my articles, letters to the editor and so on, outside of Wikipedia.

Authored by myself

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Working on:

Submitted for publication:

  • Lesson 1, “The Gospel Comes to Thessalonica”. Evidence section, June 30 – July 6. CQ Bible Study Guide, 3rd quarter 2012, theme 1 and 2 Thessalonians

Already published:

In the latter, we gave an "elementary" proof that "The Euler characteristic of an Euler complex of odd dimension is zero." Very roughly, the Euler characteristic is a simple indication of the 'shape' of an object. This result arose as an assignment Guyan set me, in our class together (I was the only student)! He said there may not be a solution, but he would try to grade me fairly, based on my attempt. As it happened, I took to the challenge and got close to the solution. He successfully completed the proof. I wrote it up, with input from him, and he got it published. (I believe the final steps of the proof could be tweaked to apply to even dimensions also.) The abstract reads:

"It is well known that the Euler characteristic of an odd dimensional compact manifold is zero. An Euler complex is a combinatorial analogue of a compact manifold. We present here an elementary proof of the corresponding result for Euler complexes."

Mentioning myself

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  • I've randomly been on TV a few minor times as part of a background shot, or written up in the local newspaper a couple of times, etc. For example, in an early primary school trip to the Shortland Wetlands in Newcastle I was on the news (local?) apparently. Also a shot of mine at a soccer camp in Armidale was on TV. I also appeared on the local weather report in 2007.

Letters to the editor

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  • 2011, about perfection...

"Diversity in Adventism", Colin MacLaurin, QLD [Record 115:9 (April 17, 2010), p21]. Nathan Brown told me (in-person conversation on 25th May 2010) that Bruce Manners, a pastor and former Record editor, had written a very similar letter which also drew together these three items (told to Nathan in an earlier conversation). However the staff preferred not to associate his name with the point, but rather use a "random"'s (my term):

"I applaud RECORD for acknowledging the diversity of Adventist views about the remnant (Feature, March 6). From one perspective, Dr Rodríguez promoted a traditional view, yet his priorities in describing the remnant as "deeply connected to Jesus" before even mentioning the Sabbath, were a welcome innovation. From another perspective, the online poll admitted many disagree with the traditional position, and Berto's cartoon poked fun at Adventists for thinking "they're the only ones that will make it into heaven".

"Stellar contribution", Record 114:42 (October 31, 2009), p12. Milton Hook affirmed me in writing, as did my friend Clinton. Sheros SMSed (text messaged) me about it

"Nathan Brown has made a stellar contribution as editor of RECORD. Some recent editorial nuggets that come to mind include his commitment to empowering others rather than promoting self (“Thirty-five,” March 7). His editorial “Recommended reading” (September 19) reveals a broadminded seeker of truth. “I hope. . . Part 2” (August 22) was read at my church as part of the welcome, in the worship service.
Yet I was most impacted by the attention given to the prominence of social justice in the Bible—more than 2000 verses worth (“2103” September 20, 2008). I have been challenged to adopt a more biblical, Christ-centered focus.
Personally, I consider Signs Publishing to be the best Adventist publishing house worldwide, and look forward to its increased book production under Nathan."
  • "God does it", Record August 22, 2009, p13. A quote was also taken for the magnified inset: "Indeed, much is good and distinctive about our church but our focus must not be self-promotion."
"A double centre" (Letters, July 18) argues that Adventists "must not be tempted to make an idol out of the contribution of our uniqueness to Christian belief."
The builders of the ancient tower of Babel said, "Come, let us... make a name for ourselves" (Genesis 11:4, NIV). In contrast, the focus was reversed for Abram when God affirmed, "I will make your name great" (Genesis 12:2, NIV).
Indeed, much is good and distinctive about our church but our focus must not be self-promotion. God will do the promoting if He wishes; we should focus on living in the covenant." [like Abram]

Colin MacLaurin, Vic "I feel proud of my church for interacting with Christian musician Geoff Bullock (“Of music, grace and ‘being moved,’” Feature, February 28). At a combined churches concert last year, I was deeply impressed by both his musical talent and personal sincerity. He has played in several Adventist churches since leaving Hillsong and his moderate style fits comfortably with Adventist churches, irrespective of their view on Hillsong music."

A response to: http://record.adventistconnect.org/news_entries/5786. "Of music, grace and 'being moved'" by Kandus Thorp. Record 114: ? (February 28, 2009), p10–11

Adventist Today 's "Adventist Man" humorously answered my question:

  • "Adventist Man: Historic Claims, Sabbath Evening, Jesus the Omnivore". Adventist Today May–June 2008, p23
  • Adventist Today 17:1 (Winter 2009), p5; "Letters" section: "Adventist Man and now the Adventist Caricaturist make me laugh out loud and bring joy to my faith. But let's keep it even and tease the liberals too - those leftie "movers to music" who couldn't tell truth from error if it sloshed their Shiraz over their sirloin steak!"
  • "Adventist breadth". Record April 7, 2007, p13. A quote from the letter also appears in large print in the middle of the page! One friend told me he read it, appreciated it, then visited ProgressiveAdventism.com and bookmarked it. Others said they saw it, but either couldn't remember enough about it to comment, or didn't understand it. I was replying to the interview "Looking at Adventism" of Keith Lockhart (co-author of Seeking a Sanctuary), by Julius Nam in the Record, March 17, 2007, p8–9. A friend from Avondale College told me he read the letter which inspired him to visit the webpage and was sufficiently impressed to bookmark it! Clinton told me on my old MySpace account (now deleted): Subject: Letter to Record. Body: "Good letter to the Record. Well done. Have a great day." 07 Apr 2007, 01:37 PM
  • My letter to the editor in Record 113:36 (20 September 2008), p12, with minor editing (I mentioned Robert Brinsmead specifically as an example). It was a reponse to "What’s the difference?".
  • I wrote a letter to Record they didn't publish, responding to the following article: Chuang, Linden (April 5, 2008). "Students not disadvantaged by Christian studies" (PDF). Record. 113 (12). Warburton, Victoria: Signs Publishing Company: 7. ISSN 0819-5633. Retrieved 2008-08-26. Reprinted on the Avondale College website here

It went something like this:

"Catholics beat Adventists in Christian Studies II at Avondale College ("Students not disadvantaged by Christian studies", 5 April 2008)? Perhaps the conspiracy theorists are right – that Jesuit priests (super smart Catholics) are infiltrating our church. More likely however, if less sensational, is that Avondale offers a high quality and non-discriminatory education."

I thought it was funny, as ultra-conservative Adventists have suggested Jesuits are trying to bring down the Adventist church. An editorial assistant emailed me, "We’d like to include your submission in the Letters page of Record", but nothing eventuated. :-)

See word search for "MacLaurin" in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI)

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