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Question for the SDA Folks

So, during my morning worship today, I was reading my Sabbath school lesson. It's about the prophetic gift for those who may now know. Anyway, it made me wonder something. Our church recognizes Ellen G White as a "modern-day" prophet. I put that in parenthesis simply because she's been dead for so long that it's hard for me to think of her as modern. Let me get back to the point. A lot of Adventists, particularly the younger folks, don't give as much credence to her writings as the older people. I wonder if it's because people don't read her books as much and are simply going by what they're heard. Or, is it that people don't think her writings are relevant?

I have read several of her books:
"The Great Controversy"
"The Acts of the Apostles"
"Patriarchs and Prophets"
"Last Day Events"
"Counsels on Stewardship"
"The Desire of Ages"
"The Story of Redemption"

and parts of the following books:
"Christ's Object Lessons"
"The Adventist Home"
"Child Guidance"

I am sure I've left a couple of books out of these lists. This is just what I could remember while typing this post.

And here are my thoughts on the matter:
The first time I worshipped in an Adventist church, I kept wondering "who is this Ellen White person and why do they keep quoting her". I immediately sort of dismissed her based solely on what I had heard. But then, I read "The Great Controversy" which is probably the longest book I've ever read in my life. The things I read in that book honestly made me want to do research to disprove what I had read. Instead, my research (which included no writings by Adventists) led to my subsequent conversion and baptism into the Seventh Day Adventist church. I believe that her books must be read in order to be fully appreciated. Often times, we hear the same quotes over and over and get tired of them. Or, we hear some of the quotes that may have been more applicable for the time period of her own life and discredit everything she may have written. In my opinion, her books have really good information in them, including good advice for dealing with your own children, as well as reminders of how to live a more holy life in such an unholy world.

So, the whole point of this post is to get your opinions. What do you all think, honestly, about Mrs White? Have you read any of her books in its entirety? If not, why not?

Comments

Anonymous said…
I have not read any of her books. For two reasons: it was never a requirement growing up (although reading the bible was) and because when I was much younger many people put her and her writings on a pedestal....above the bible. Some people would just go with her writings without confirming they are in line with the Bible. In addition it was as if other writings were not applicable. This caused me to feel very negatively about her writings. So...I never read them. It wasn't until recently that hearing her name/book in a sermon didn't bother me. I mean VERY recently.

Your view makes me want to pick up a book though. Hmmmm....
TERA said…
I have never read any of her books. At present I have no desire to read any of her books either. I probably wouldn't mind reading them but only as a source of inspiration or devotion. I have found that everything that I need in life is written in the Bible. Sometimes I dont want to read it because I want to do it my way and not God's way, sad but truly. We always want to make it easier for ourselves instead of obeying God at all cost. I don't have a problem with Ellen White but I do have a problem with how many adventist who quote her like she is a higher power than God or the Bible. There are many prophets who presence graces us all the time and none of them are bigger than The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Anonymous said…
I've read two of her books and I'm constantly referring to her child guidance book. I grew up Adventist and tried everything I could not to return but when I read her books along with the Bible I couldn't deny the truth. I'm not what most would call an old school Adventist but I do feel her writings are relevant to my life but NEVER to be elevated above the Bible. We as Christian Adventist must remember that The Bible is the greater light.

Joelle
Anonymous said…
I have read several of her books and know that she was a prophetess. Her writings have been taken out of context just like the Bible and other books for that manner. She has NEVER placed her writings above the Bible. People have done that and that is wrong. I am glad that I have read her books for myself and have found the truth about what she said versus what others tell me she said.

When I read the Bible, I like to read her writings for more information. She was truly used by God just like all of the other prophets and prophetesses of God.

Red
Sis. Hardy said…
E.G.White never called herself a prophet. She called herself a messenger. Her writings have been a great benefit to the church. Read Patriarchs and Prophets, Prophets and Kings, The Desire of the Ages. Magnificent literature. There will always be controversy over E.G. White. But discover her for yourself. She never put her writings above the Bible, and neither has the Adventist Denomination. Individuals have done that to the harm of the weak in the faith. Her writintgs will always be modern just as the writings of the Bible, as long as time lasts, will always be modern. So long as sin exists,the Bible and the Spirit of Prophesy will be relevant.

F. Hardy
EC said…
Hi all, I'm new here, but I hope it's okay to post my 2 cents because this is near and dear to my heart.

I would like to capture some of the comments made by different blogger in this forum and will try to address them separately.

The first one is that some of us are discouraged to read the writings of EG White mainly due to perceptions that some advocates of her writings are putting her above God and the Bible.

I would like to say that this is "perceptional" and may not be "actual." I haven't met a person that reads her writings that says, "I consider her writings above the Bible," but on the contrary, if they are truly convicted of the Spirit of Prophecy books, then they should have read the familiar quote that it is the "lesser light."

So IMHO, this is most likely perceptional probably because they've encountered people that like to quote a lot from her writings and that could be a turn off to some especially if you're a new member of the church.

However, my concern with this is why allow the attitude of some to dictate your own conviction? I would rather be convicted by my own efforts in proving her writings rather than being reproved by those who lauds them.

Just my humble 2 cents on this.

Maranatha!

EC
EC said…
Hi again, the next one I would like to address is the part about her writings as the "lesser light" and not the "greater light."

But first, let me cite this verse from the greater light...

"As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction." (2 Pet. 3:16)

Clearly, the Bible is not an ordinary book. Some truths may be found on the surface, but some are not and digging in requires studying using the correct method found in Isaiah 28:9,10, 2 Pet. 1:20, 1 Cor. 2:14 and James 1:5, but not a lot are following this method and thus fulfilling the words of the Psalmist in Psalms 56:5.

For this reason, God gave the "lesser light" for the benefit of His people.

"Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light."--The Review and Herald, Jan. 20, 1903.

Now, the concern I see with this quote is some would make it mean that her writings are not "authoritative" to interpret the principles of the Bible since they are called "lesser light."

The natural result of this attitude is that the person has no other recourse but to treat her writings as just as good as anyone's opinion of the Bible teachings.

After all, anyone can just as much say and write inspirational things as she has. So purely "devotional," but not necessarily "authoritative."

However, how should we then understand these other comments:

"Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy Have Same Author.--The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy. These are not to be twisted and turned to mean what man may want them to mean, to carry out man's ideas and sentiments, to carry forward man's schemes at all hazards." (3SM 30)

She has always said that the Bible is the main book and to get our proofs from the Bible, but when do we pull out her writings?

"Bible Principles First, Then the Testimonies.-- It is my first duty to present Bible principles. Then, unless there is a decided, conscientious reform made by those whose cases have been presented before me, I must appeal to them personally." (3SM 30)

"The Word of God is sufficient to enlighten the most beclouded mind, and may be understood by those who have any desire to understand it. But notwithstanding all this, some who profess to make the Word of God their study are found living in direct opposition to its plainest teachings. Then, to leave men and women without excuse, God gives plain and pointed testimonies, bringing them back to the Word that they have neglected to follow." (3SM 31)

Maranatha!

EC
EC said…
Hi! It's me again.

I would like to address about Mrs. White as "messenger" vs. "prophetess" idea.

When she was asked if she was a prophet of God, she said that she never called herself the latter, but a messenger. I've encountered brothers and sisters in the faith that understood this as that Mrs. White is NOT a prophet because she did not claim this title, but I would beg to differ with this interpretation. Let's read the quotes...

"Some have stumbled over the fact that I said I did not claim to be a prophet; [REFERENCE IS HERE MADE TO A DISCOURSE GIVEN AT BATTLE CREEK, OCTOBER 2, 1904, IN WHICH SHE SAID, "I DO NOT CLAIM TO BE A PROPHETESS."--COMPILERS.] and they have asked, Why is this? (1SM 31.5)

"I have had no claims to make, only that I am instructed that I am the Lord's messenger; that He called me in my youth to be His messenger, to receive His word, and to give a clear and decided message in the name of the Lord Jesus. (1SM 32.1)

"Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am the Lord's messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. My Saviour declared me to be His messenger. 'Your work,' He instructed me, 'is to bear My word. Strange things will arise, and in your youth I set you apart to bear the message to the erring ones, to carry the word before unbelievers, and with pen and voice to reprove from the Word actions that are not right. Exhort from the Word. I will make My Word open to you. It shall not be as a strange language. In the true eloquence of simplicity, with voice and pen, the messages that I give shall be heard from one who has never learned in the schools. My Spirit and My power shall be with you.'" (1SM 32.2)

So, with the quote above, is it right to understand that she is not a prophet only because she never claimed the title?

Let's read on...

"Why have I not claimed to be a prophet?--Because in these days many who boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and because my work includes much more than the word 'prophet' signifies." (1SM 32.4)

"When this work was first given me, I begged the Lord to lay the burden on someone else. The work was so large and broad and deep that I feared I could not do it. But by His Holy Spirit the Lord has enabled me to perform the work which He gave me to do." (1SM 32.5)

It would seem that she is a prophet and much more, but never boast about it. It leads to think if there are any prophets in the Bible that boastfully claimed the title and went around saying "I'm a prophet of God." Do you know of any?

Maranatha!

EC
EC said…
The last thing I would like to address is the question whether her writings are relevant for us today?

To answer this, I would like to cite the Bible being much much older than any of EG White's writings yet everything written has end-time applications and lessons (1 Cor. 10:11).

EG White's writings are not in addition to the Bible, but to lead us to its correct understanding therefore, if the teachings of the Bible (as antique as it is) is relevant today and her writings are subordinate to the Bible, then logically, her writings must also be relevant today.

Gob bless,

EC

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