Newbold College

Department of Theological Studies

THE PASTORAL / DOCTRINAL AUTHORITY OF ELLEN G. WHITE

FOR SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISTS

Research Paper

 Presented in the Fulfilment

of the Requirements of the Course

BICS 330 Ellen G. White and Seventh-day Adventism

By

 Allan Falk

 April 2006

INTRODUCTION

Statement of the problem

Ever since E. G. White got her first vision, Seventh-day Adventists have been divided over the issue of authority and use of her writings; how much pastoral/doctrinal authority should she be given?

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of this study is an attempt to answer two questions.

1)      How much authority can an Adventist pastor give Ellen White, when he deals with pastoral or doctrinal challenges in his local congregation?

2)      How should an Adventist pastor introduce the writings of Ellen White, to a person attempting to become an Adventist?

Significance of the research

I am doing this research because I have seen that a lack of understanding concerning these issues has been the cause of many conflicts in local congregations.

 Limitations

This being a small research paper, I will limit my sources only to Adventist publications, very well knowing that other thinkers also have something to contribute. It should also be noted, that this paper is not evaluating the quality of Mrs. White’s writings or the benefits of reading them. It is only dealing with the two questions put forward in the purpose of the study.

 Basic Assumptions

The basic assumptions for this work are that the Bible is God’s true word; E. G. White is a prophet of God (officially believed by Adventists), Mrs. White’s writings are not a part of canon and should therefore be measured by the Bible, and that the reader has some basic knowledge about Mrs. White.

 Procedure

This task will be accomplished in the following steps:

1)      The authority of Mrs. White’s writings.

2)      The use of Mrs. White’s writings.

3)      Concerns related to members of the local congregation.

4)      Concerns related to the public in general.

5)      Conclusion.

Authority of Mrs. White’s writings

Whenever the task is to evaluate the authority of a book or any other writings, the first question most be who is the author, how qualified is the author within the topic concerned and which positions have he/she held?

        Even a small research will reveal that Mrs. White’s formal education ended when she was nine years old, so her level of education does not bring authority to her writings. What about her position then? When Mrs. White was asked about her position she answered. ‘I am instructed that I am the Lord’s messenger’.[1] If God is the originator of the messages Mrs. White presented in her writings,[2]

then they have both veracious and delegated authority.[3]

        The next question raised would be, have the Adventists really believed that Mrs. White’s writings were inspired by God? This small sentence from a statement of confidence, which was voted by the General Conference session in Utrecht, June 30, 1995, answers the question. ‘We consider the biblical canon closed. However, we also believe, as did Ellen G. White’s contemporaries, that her writings carry divine authority, both for godly living and for doctrine.’[4]

         Having in mind as it is assumed for this work, that Mrs. White is a prophet and realising that the AdventistChurch believes that her writings carry divine authority, the following conclusion could be made. Mrs. White’s writings are applicable and authoritative especially for Adventists.[5]

        Having realised that Mrs. White’s writings have their authority from God, it becomes very important to know how they are supposed to be used and how they should be presented to people; these questions will be dealt with in the next three sections.

The use of Mrs. White’s writings

Looking at the use of the writings, the assumption that they are not part of canon most be remembered; Mrs. White herself had this comment. ‘The Lord desires you to study your Bibles. He has not given any additional light to take the place of his Word.’[6]  So we are dealing with writings having divine authority, which is not adding to the light given in the Bible, and the question is how we are supposed to use them?

        Mrs. White made this comment concerning the use. ‘The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed.’[7] After having studied the subject carefully, I found that it makes sense to divide the answer into three sections.[8]

1)      Leading to the Bible: Mrs. White’s writings seen as the lesser light will lead people to read the Bible being the greater light.[9] It seems that the first major reason that these writings have been written is to stimulate or motivate people to read their Bibles more.

2)      Explaining Biblical truth: It has already been mentioned that the writings are not bringing additional truth and a little research into the writings themselves, will soon reveal, that they are very useful as a guide to the understanding of Biblical teaching.[10] This pretty much sounds like an inspired commentary,[11] but here it should be mentioned that most of the writings are homiletic or evangelistic, not exegetical in nature. However the essence is that they are useful as a guide to understand the Biblical truth.

3)      Applying Biblical principles: The third job the writings are doing is according to Mrs. White her self, that they illuminate and apply the Biblical teachings/principles.[12] This means according to my research, that her writings apply the Biblical principles and counsels to everyday life.[13]

        Having looked at the uses of the writings, it remains to study the special concerns relating firstly to the members of the Adventist faith, and thereafter to the public in general.

 Concerns related to members of the local congregation.

The first important question in relation to Mrs. White’s writings and membership of the AdventistChurch is. Can you become or be a member of the Church without believing in her writings? Let us analyse the answers or statements from Mrs. White herself and a few other Church leaders:

1)      Mrs. Whites comment and answer was everybody should be allowed to benefit from the church, if they have a good Christian course and character.[14]

2)      Mr. White said that Adventist do not make belief in Mrs. White’s writings a test of Christian fellowship.[15]

3)      J. N. Andrews said that members, whom have little or no opportunity to know the writings, should not be required to accept them as divine.[16]

4)      In the book Questions on Doctrine, the Church still holds the position, that belief in the writings is not a most for membership.[17]

        It seems that ever since the beginning, the firm position has been that belief in Mrs. White’s writings has not been a requirement for membership.

        Now we are ready to tackle the first main question. How much authority can an Adventist pastor give Ellen White, when he deals with pastoral or doctrinal challenges in his local congregation?

        The quick answer is straight forward; the pastor can only use the writings when he is dealing with members believing in them.

        A more nuanced answer can be developed from Mrs. White’s own statements:[18]

1)      A pastor’s first challenge is to help create trust in the writings among the members; that can be achieved if members read portions of her writings, letting the Holy Spirit convince them.

2)      A pastor should be wise enough to use the writings according to the level of knowledge and faith the individual member has in the writings.

3)      A pastor should never use the writings as a measuring stick everybody most be measured by.

It seems that the writings and the Bible has at least two things in common:

1)      They only have authority toward people believing in them.

2)      Only the Holy Spirit can convince anybody about their origin.

Concerns related to the public in general

Now it is time to deal with the second major question. How should an Adventist pastor introduce the writings of Ellen White, to a person attempting to become an Adventist?

        As far as my studies have reached, this can be answered in three steps:

1)      The writings should never be quoted in public evangelism, to support any doctrine. All public teaching most have its authority from the Bible.[19]

2)      New members should be thought and accept the doctrine of Spiritual gifts; which includes the possibility that Mrs. White might be a prophet.[20]

3)      A pastor should introduce Mrs. White and her writings, and the use of these writings to new members. Then they should be given chance to read some of her writings; leaving them amble time and freedom to make up their own mind.[21]

        In addition to this answer it should be mentioned, that it was Mrs. Whites opinion[22] and the Adventist Church still support it, that many of her books should be sold to the public.[23]

 Conclusion

It has become clear that dealing with pastoral challenges the pastor can only use the Bible as a standard, when he is correcting members or addressing issues related to Christian practice within the congregation. Concerning Mrs. White’s writings the pastor can only encourage the members and the congregation to seek and accept the advice given in them.

        In relation to doctrinal issues the pastor can use the writings of Mrs. White to explain the truths and Christian practices already given in the Bible, but only when he is dealing with members already having faith in them.

        During evangelistic meetings Mrs. White’s writings should not be used. However, dealing with an individual attempting to become an Adventist, the pastor most explain the Biblical truth that prophets can still occur. Secondly he most introduce Mrs. White and her writings, giving the person interested a chance to make his or her own evaluation.

        This exercise has been very helpful for my own personal understanding of the challenges related to Mrs. White’s writings, if anybody else can benefit from them also, then it is just an extra blessing. 

Bibliography

 Andrews, J. N., ‘Our Use of the Visions of Sr. White.’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        15 February 1870, p. 65

 Biblical Research Institute, ‘The inspiration and authority of the Ellen G. White writings:

        A statement of present understanding’, Adventist Review, 23 December 1982, p. 9

 Coon, Roger, Writings of Ellen G. White, (1993, Part 2, teaching material)

 Delafield, Arthur D., Ellen G. White and the Seventh-day Adventist Church,

        (CA: Pacific Press, 1963)

 Douglass Herbert E., Messenger of the Lord: The prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White,

        (US: Pacific press, 1998)

 Dudley, Roger L., and Des Cummings, ‘Who reads Ellen White?’, Ministry,

        October 1982, pp. 10-12

 Fortin, Denis, ‘Should a Prophet tell Me What to think?’, (2005)

       <http://www.andrews.edu/~fortind/EGWAuthority2005-10.ppt> @accessed 5 March 2006#

 Knight, George R., Meeting Ellen White: A fresh look at her life, writings and major themes,,

        (MD: Review and Herald, 1996)

 Knight, George R., Reading Ellen White: How to understand and apply her writings,

        (MD: Review and Herald, 1997)

 Newport, Kenneth G. C., ‘The Seat of Authority: Reason and Revelation in Seventh-day Adventist

        Education’, (1989) <http://www.aiias.edu/ict/vol_03/03cc_231-248.htm>

        @accessed 5 March 2006#

 Questions on Doctrines: Adventist Classic Library, ed. by George R. Knight,

        (MI: AndrewsSprings, 2003)

 Reid, George W., ‘Is the Bible Our Final authority?’, (1990)

        <http://www.adventistbiblicalresearch.org/documents/Bible%20Final%20Authority.htm>

        @accessed 5 March 2006#

 Seventh-day Adventists Believe, (WA: Ministerial Association, 1988)

 Seventh-DayAdventistChurch, ‘A Statement of Confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy’, (1995)

       <http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements/main_stat24.html?&template=printer.html>

        @accessed 5 March 2006#

 Seventh-DayAdventistChurch, ‘Resolution on the Spirit of Prophecy’, (2005)

       <http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements/spirit-of-prophecy.html?&template=printer.html>

        @accessed 5 March 2006#

 Smith, Uriah, ‘Do we Discard the Bible by Endorsing the Visions?’,

        The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, 13 Januar 1863, p. 52

 Spicer, William A., The Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent Movement,

        (WA: Review and Herald, 1937)

 Thompson, Alden, escape from the flames, (ID: Pacific Press, 2005)

 White, Arthur L., The Ellen G. White Writings, (WA: Review and Herald, 1973)

 White, Ellen G., ‘A Messenger’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        26 July 1906, p. 8

 White, Ellen G., ‘”An Open Letter”’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        20 January 1903

 White, Ellen G., ‘Early Writings’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols (MD: Academy), I, 1109-1196

White, Ellen G., ‘Gospel Workers: Instruction for All Who Are “Laborers together With God”’,

        in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols (MD: Academy), I, 1769-1901

 White, Ellen G., ‘Selected Messages, Book 2’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 1476-1604

 White, Ellen G., ‘Selected Messages, Book 3’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 1608-1734

 White, Ellen G., ‘Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 7-197

 White, Ellen G., ‘Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 741-948

 White, Ellen G., ‘Testimonies to Ministers: and Gospel Workers’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), I, 1619-1766

 White, Ellen G., ‘The Great Controversy: Between Christ and Satan’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), I, 777-956

White, James, ‘A test’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        16 October 1855, p. 61

 White, James, ‘Gifts of the GospelChurch’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        21 April 1851,  p. 69

 White, James, ‘Western Tour’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        13 Jun 1871, p. 205

[1] Ellen G. White, ‘A Messenger’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        26 July 1906, p. 8

 [2] Ellen G. “White, ‘Selected Messages, Book 2’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 1476-1604, p. 40

 [3] Denis Fortin, ‘Should a Prophet tell Me What to think?’, (2005)

       <http://www.andrews.edu/~fortind/EGWAuthority2005-10.ppt> @accessed 5 March 2006#, p. 10

 [4]Seventh-DayAdventistChurch, ‘A Statement of Confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy’, (1995)

       <http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements/main_stat24.html?&template=printer.html>

        @accessed 5 March 2006#

 [5] Biblical Research Institute, ‘The inspiration and authority of the Ellen G. White writings:

        A statement of present understanding’, Adventist Review, 23 December 1982, p. 9

 [6] Ellen G. White, ‘Selected Messages, Book 3’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 1608-1734, p. 29

 [7] Ellen G. White, ‘Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 741-948, p. 665

 [8] Seventh-day Adventists Believe, (WA: Ministerial Association, 1988), p. 227

 [9] Ellen G. White, ‘”An Open Letter”’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        20 January 1903, p. 15

 [10] Seventh-day Adventists Believe, p. 228

[11]Newport, Kenneth G. C., ‘The Seat of Authority: Reason and Revelation in Seventh-day Adventist

        Education’, (1989) <http://www.aiias.edu/ict/vol_03/03cc_231-248.htm> @accessed 5 March 2006#, p. 5

 [12] Ellen G. White, ‘The Great Controversy: Between Christ and Satan’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), I, 777-956, p. vii

 [13] Seventh-day Adventists Believe, p. 228

 [14] Ellen G. White, ‘Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 7-197, p. 328

 [15] James White, ‘Western Tour’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        13 Jun 1871, p. 205

 [16] J. N. Andrews, ‘Our Use of the Visions of Sr. White.’, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,

        15 February 1870, p. 65

 [17] Questions on Doctrines: Adventist Classic Library, ed. by George R. Knight,

        (MI: AndrewsSprings, 2003), p. 84

 [18] Ellen G. White, ‘Testimonies for the Church, Volume 1’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 7-197, p. 382

 [19] Ellen G. White, ‘Selected Messages, Book 3’, in Spirit of Prophecy, 3 vols

        (MD: Academy), II, 1607-1734, p. 29

 [20] J. N. Andrews, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, p. 65

 [21] J. N. Andrews, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, p. 65

 [22] Ellen G. White, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, p. 15

 [23]Seventh-DayAdventistChurch, ‘A Statement of Confidence in the Spirit of Prophecy’, (1995)

       <http://www.adventist.org/beliefs/statements/main_stat24.html?&template=printer.html>

        @accessed 5 March 2006#

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