Not everyone in a given audience believes in this gift of the Spirit, but all agree in the inspiration of scripture. She went on to say that all public teaching was to come from "the bible only", and that her writings as a "messenger of the Lord"(not a prophet, which she always denied being) were for the individual reader to benefit from, and not for public teaching, scolding.etc. WHAT?! Yes.that is what she wrote concerning the use of her writings to establish or settle matters of truth. Seems I am rather late to this party, but I do have a comment on this topic, but actually it is not MY comment, but from Ellen herself: "Do not quote Sister White". They were using the Oral Torah for something other than the original intention.Īnd is it quite possible that we today are using Ellen Whites writings for the wrong purpose to judge and control one another, to run a stopper on an argument we want to win, rather than as an illumination on scripture. They started judging one another by the Oral Torah rather than using it as an illumination of the Written Torah. I think that was the problem the Jews had with the Oral Torah. The illumination is useful when used for the purpose that it was intended, but when we start looking at one another with that illumination, then we run into trouble. However I have to remember that when I am talking to other people who are with me I have to turn off the light otherwise it shines directly in their eyes and spoils their night-vision, or worse. It is very good for finding birds at night. I wear a strap-on headlamp which always points in the direction that I am looking. I sometimes go spotlighting at night looking for night-birds. Let me illustrate with a bit of an analogy. Just reflecting a little bit on the Written Torah and the Oral Torah in New Testament times: is is possible that the Jews lost sight of the written Torah in the illumination of the Oral Torah? I suspect that if we were to do an analysis of the Sabbath School lesson study guides over the years we would find the Ellen White percentage of the lesson content would be quite high. there is always a relevant quote or three. The place of Ellen White's writings is a bit of an enigma for us because while we profess Sola Scriptura, hardly any discussion proceeds without references to what Ellen White had to say on the topic.
#ELLEN WHITE ESTATE WRITINGS SERIES#
It was unintentional, but Carmel had a series of routine medical tests that she has every couple of years and we got busy doing those (She is fine by the way - these are just that standard tests that people have when they are above a certain age to ensure that we don't fall to bits without knowing we are doing so!) I was quite surprised, given the importance Seventh-day Adventists attach to Ellen White, that so few have chosen to comment so far. I am writing this comment quite late in the day. How can we learn to appreciate better the amazing light coming from her while also upholding the supremacy of Scripture? Think about what an incredible gift we have been given through the ministry of Ellen G. She never intended her writings to take the place of Scripture instead, she elevated the Bible as the only standard for faith and practice. Her writings are not an addition to Scripture but are subject to Holy Scripture. They share the same kind of inspiration as the biblical writers had, but they have a different function than does the Bible.
605.Īs such, her writings are to be appreciated. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourself with God’s inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies”. If you had made God’s word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. In fact, she comments: “You are not familiar with the Scriptures. Her writings are never a shortcut to or replacement for any serious Bible study. White’s own view, her writings, when compared with Scripture, were a “lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light”, the Bible (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, January 20, 1903). Moreover, she clearly supported and upheld the great Protestant principle of sola Scriptura (see The Great Controversy, p. In fact, she repeatedly affirmed that the Bible is the highest authority and ultimate norm and standard for all doctrines, faith, and practice ( see The Great Controversy, p. White’s writings shows clearly that for her, the Bible was foundational and central in all her thought and theology.
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