Assignments for Life and Ministry of Ellen White, Summer 2009.
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Andrew Pearce
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Andrew Pearce Reflection 1
Ok, I get to be first then!
Though it is not part of our assigned reading for the class, I am making my first posting from the Introduction of the book. I am a little confused about a statement made on page xiv. The beginning statement under the heading “God’s Communication System” starts by stating, “Even after God became man, He could not be everywhere at once. Nor could Jesus be physically present everywhere after His ascension. ..” It may be that this statement is just poorly worded. Or, even perhaps I am not understanding what the author is stating here. The part that seems to confuse me about the authors explanation is the very first word, “even.” To say even after God became man, He could not be everywhere at once, seems to imply that “before he became man” he was not able to be everywhere at once as well. We know that God is Omnipresent. We confess that Christ set aside His Omnipresence as he became man and retains the humanity in body. The passage continues by stating that because Jesus was no longer Omnipresent, that “God added to His Self-communicating system a very humanly oriented plan—He spoke in ‘many times and in many ways through the prophets’ (Heb. 1:1-3, TEV).” Is not this passage that Paul wrote speaking of the prophets that we would consider in the Old Testament? Though this does not limit God from speaking through prophets in Paul’s day, and even our day as well, as the passage states “many times and in many ways,” it seems that this statement is particularly speaking of the prophets in the past, because of the past tense in the word “spoke.” If his passage is speaking of the Prophets of the Old Testament era, then the whole paragraph seems to not make sense to me, as Christ did not lose his Omnipresence until he “became flesh and dwelt among us.” I am not attempting to be over critical about this, but in my mind I am not seeing how the author is making this statement in accordance with what we confess as a body of believers. What do you think?
Although this isn't from the reading, in class we've been discussing how some members of our church have misconstrued the role of Ellen G White (EGW) and how it has caused others to draw away from her writings.
I understand this personally because I had a similar experience. When I was about 14 or 15 years old, I was privy to a conversation between two men on the front step of our church in the summer. They were discussing whether EGW's writings were as important as the Bible. The two men went back and forth for several minutes, one stressing the importance of the word of God above all other sources, the other stressing the importance of EGW. Eventually the man who was "fighting" for the Bible asked the man a question. "If you had to go to an uninhabited desert island, and you had only one to take, either the Bible or EGW's writings, which would you take?" As I sat, there I thought to myself, "This is such a silly question. How could anyone not choose the word of God in this situation? I don't see how this question advances the argument any." It then occurred to me that in all the time I had been thinking these thoughts, the other man had not answered. After much anguish, the man had to reluctantly admit that he would take the Bible. It was at that moment that I said to myself, "If reading EGW does that to you, I want no parts of her."
I didn't read anything from EGW until I was 23 years old. I was in a particular spiritual dilemma and somehow (it must have been God) told me that I should read Messages to Young People. I was truly blessed by interacting with EGW's words for myself, and I have been a supporter of her work and her status ever since.
I guess my point here is that I appreciate that this course is helping us all to see the proper context for Sis White and I think that will be important for this church going forward.
Over the past week we have looked at the ministry/life and role of Ellen G White (EGW). From a brief look at her life I have come to realize that her story is both like and unlike many of ours today. In fact, there are three main events or circumstances depicted that played a direct role and shaped the rest of her life. Number 1) Her physical trauma, 2) the preaching of Mr. Miller and 3) her religious experience (pg. 48). It was from reflecting on these three life-changing realities EGW faced that made me realize that everyone’s story is significant and it is from these similar events that God longingly and patiently reaches and waits for us to either surrender to him or reject him. Let’s look at this a little deeper.
1) No matter who we are we each have needs. For Mrs. White hers where physical needs. Either way, we seek for a way to meet those needs. Some like Mrs. White find the solution in Jesus. Yet others seek elsewhere and often never finding what they’re looking for.
2) The truth is we are all influenced by someone. Just look at the movies playing lately. They are hero-based action packed films that suggest that there’s a hero in all of us or, we need something or someone to believe in. From this reality two questions are raised. One, who are we listening too? And two, who are they pointing us too? For Mrs. White, Miller who pointed to Jesus influenced her.
3) And lastly number 2 ties directly into the religious or non-religious experience that will result. Either from a good encounter with a believer who loves and disciples or the opposite.
The main point and humbling truth that came from this realization for me was why then am I so fast to judge others?
The answer: It’s because I forget where God has taken me from and I believe EGW never forgot this.
The thing that impressed this week from my reading on Ellen G. White was how much she was really able to accomplish. Reading Unit II has shown me that EGW lived a very well-rounded life and was able to mean so much to so many people. I was really impressed with the her ability to create so much written material, and the precision with which she shepherded the process of the team of researchers and editors who worked with her. Furthermore, I was struck with how much traveling she did and how harrowing some of those treks could be. The author made a good point, which I had forgetten – that traveling for EGW was drastically different from the way we travel today, even in the modes of transportation that were available to both generations. The book told many anecdotes about the poor transportation amenities that EGW and her traveling companions experienced trying to make it from event to event. This showed to be a level of dedication to this fledging movement in which she played so important a role. In connection with this, I was impressed with how much speaking she did. In her travels, she often went to a place and spoke at more than one session a day, for several days in a row. She then went to and from several meetings week after week, engaging in the same schedule of speaking events. As someone who does seminars from 8-10 weekends a year, I can’t envision myself trying to meet the pace at which EGW spoke. I was also moved by her skill as a wife, mother, and a confidante. Although she was constantly on the move, or writing a lot, she still had time for her husband, and her children, and as an advisor to all those who sought counsel. Finally, I was also amused by her sense of humor. I genuinely laughed at some of the anecdotes! :-D I mention this point last because one of the things that has blessed me in this course is a realization that EGW was a human, just like us. Because we have conferred this hyper-spirituality on her, we have robbed her of her human element, which I think is just as important to her ministry as all of her writings.
This is more of a reflection than anything else. Since reading about it in our textbook, I have been thinking about the account given about some people's oppinion that Ellen White's visions came as a result of a type of Epilepsy called complex-partial seizures from the blow of the rock to her temporal lobe.
A few years ago I was working in my district on the Eastern Shore of Maryland when I found that I was living in the same neighborhood as Harriet Tubman. I have always been fascinated with the legacy she has left, and remember reading of her and being amazed how she was used since I was very young. Since I found myself near her childhood home I started investigating about her life. I checked out a biography on her at the local library and was able to even find the land where the plantation was that she initially escaped from. The same trees still lined the drive that were there when she was there. In this book, I found a little known, but very fascinating fact about Harriet Tubman. When she was young, she was in a local store when the clerk got angry at her and hit her in the head with a fishing weight. This blow was serious and gave her health problems the rest of her life. Eventually, There were times when it was recorded that she seemed to have visions about what she was to do to help the African Americans to freedom. Though it is not commonly spoken of, the things she learned in these visions helped her in her very successful ministry to her fellow slaves. The same explanation was given for her "supposed" visions by sceptics, that it was really just a type of epilepsy caused from a blow to the temporal part of the brain. I find it very fascinating that these two contemporaneous women have such similar experiences. Now I will have to dig out my notes I kept from reading that book!
Some people have said that the teachings of Ellen White are not to be used when presenting a message to non-Adventist. Some goes beyond in saying that even to Adventist in sermons we should not use her writings. Why…Is this right…To what purpose should the writings of EGW…By answering those questions we can distinguish from the extremes that this taught have caused to be in adventism.
The idea of not using EGW in some setting is not new. She, herself address this to the people of her time that was not using her writings wisely. The misuse of a prophets writing by someone can be explained by the misconception of the role of a prophet. Because she said once that her writings should not be used in a specific context, we should not apply for all the cases. Hence, what she said about her writings…In this point, Ellen White’s comment of her role is important. She said her main goal was to direct people to Jesus.
So our use of her writings should consider first the Great Controversy issue. We are in a war between good and evil. And the actions that we should make need to be placed on either side. If we are on God’s side representing Him, we should use with wisdom the ways God gave us to represent His character to other. So it is not so much on if we should use or not, but will this way of presenting the truth, be most effective.
In explaining why we should not use her writings with non-adventist she present the main reason, misleading. We should not use her writings because non-adventist may misunderstand her role as a prophet. And this is still happening today. Some Adventist are using her writings pressing a quote from her as to push to someone his opinion. This way of presenting the truth, she said, would make people go away instead of coming to the truth.
By it is not because the water in the baby bath is dirty that we will throw away everything that is in it. Some people doing that have throw that baby all together. So, if we can use other writings to teach a Bible doctrine, why not use hers… In Brazil one non-adventist doctor received the book ministry of healing from a Adventist fellow. After the reading, he wanted to meet the author. His Adventist friend said that she was dead. The doctor said that it was impossible, because her writings was very actual. After receiving a Bible study he become an Adventist.
You see, the right use of the messenger of the Lord will always bring some fruit. And this apply also to her using in the Adventist pulpit. I think we have fall in both errors of not using her writings at all, or using her writing to push down the truth. This we do by neglecting the purpose of her writings. So we should not be afraid of using her writings both with Adventist and with non-adventist. Just use wisely point to Jesus in this Great Controversy.
Andrew... Thank you very much to bring the information about Harriet Tubman. I did not know about her, but when you mention I looked it up in the web to learn more about her. And I question myself if we can say that she had also a vision from God. Not that I am suggesting that she was inspired with the ministry of prophecy, but that she could be used by God to free people. This is not what revelation is all about...to let freedom ring to those in captive...food for tought
Leo, I really appreciate the 3 points in relation to all human experience. Maybe latter I can mention a little of what a have learn about the second point of receiving influence from another person. We are a result of many influences we receive from other we shaped ourselves...I am researching about the danger of getting into idolatry in this ´´beholding example" pattern that every man has...
Jason, When I read your text I become concerning about the danger of our witness. I think we sometimes are giving a bad example about the things of God instead of a good report...this is the reason that I wrote a littler about that, because we need to be careful how we handle the light God have given us...
Chapter 11 deals with Ellen G. White as a prolific author. It addresses the issue of revisions and the question of how we view inspiration. In addition it mentions the idea that while the Whites had teams of editorial staff including an education expert this did not detract from the guidance and direction of God and his desired communication of ideas. One aspect it does not mention which I have read about is the idea that Sister Bolton in particular felt that she Bolton was not merely editing at times but actually writing a fair amount of the material. Critics of Ellen White suggest that the atmosphere between Bolton and Sister White was tumultuous on more than one occasion. As a matter of interest I am merely exploring both sides of the issue. What are your thoughts? The second thing I want to mention is how the Whites addressed the issue of her health. Being challenged with health issues and being disciplined to meet deadlines is an enormous achievement. If nothing else Ellen G. White has gained my respect for that phenomenon. It is easy for discouragement to set in at times of suffering. Realistically when you are obeying God fully in the best way that you know how and then you are deprived of basic necessities like those determined by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs you can become very cynical and distrustful of God. If these periods are extended significant levels of anger can arise. I am impressed with the attitude that both James and Ellen manifested. Within the constraints that they faced and the deaths of their children, just one death of a child can alienate people form God for eternity. Sometimes we are angry with God and never even realize. I want to comment next on the class discussion about the physical and the spiritual church that God envisions. As I travel to various places and I meet people from all walks of life, of all faiths and Christian denominations I know that God is not limited to any denomination. His Spirit pervades all of this earth and no man can contain Him and confine Him. I have a bus ministry where I take trips on the bus and minister as God provides the candidates. Sometimes we ride together for fifteen hours or more and I get to give a snapshot of what Christ means to me, why I believe what I do and our Adventist doctrines. They ask every imaginable question from inspiration to translation. I have one chance and one chance only. I know that nine times out of ten I will never see that person again on this earth. Time and time again I am struck by their relationship with a personal God whoever they perceive Him to be. Time and time again I learn something crucial from their walk. I am fully convinced in my own mind that life is prolonged continual learning, no one has a proxy on truth and possibly no one knows everything. I was so blessed by the class today finally I can embrace a God who acknowledges all who call on His name, whosoever will. I have long wondered about those promises God made to Israel about them being his people and their blessings. I have observed how successful they are in every country they exist in outside of Israel and up to and including the nation Israel. They are a remarkable people. Jews for Jesus is a growing facet of Christianity. Just the reestablishment of Israel at all is a miracle in itself. As I listen to other denominations that assist Jews in Russia and Ethiopia to relocate to Israel I question whether we have a full understanding of all that the scripture teaches about this peculiar people. In my experience with Adventism thus far I think where our ellipse breaks down is in the area of subjectivity. For me as an individual I have the opposite problem my challenge is to temper my tendency to lean to feelings and visual evidence as the measure of weight. Both extremes results in the distortion of truth.
About the elipse of truth and the need of balance in our attitudes and thoughts, one little comment. Temperance is not only to eating modestly of good food but NOT eating of bad food. In our theology we do not need to balance with BAD theology. So we need to becaurful not to take this BALANCE thought wrong...
There is an interesting quote on page 160 of the book that I wanted to comment on this week. Under the section “Rise of Papal Influence,” EGW is quoted, “Let the principle once be established in the United States, that the church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of the church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country [the U.S.A] is assured.” On a personal note, I came to the seminary so I could receive my MA in Religion as part of a move into academia to teach and write and present on the subject of religious liberty. This subject blends the two subjects I enjoy most – religion and the law. A quote like this I think is important for us as Christians (and Adventists) to understand. Christianity for the last 30 years has become increasing involved in the political structure of this country, seeking to legalize certain elements of their religious beliefs. In the last fifteen to twenty years, the Adventist Church has joined these people in their efforts, often putting money and legal resources behind those who are seeking to challenge the “liberal” concepts of religious freedom that our present in our laws and founding documents. This turn of events has greatly distressed me and, as I said, earlier, caused me to change my career in order to do something about it. As I have interacted with those with whom I disagree, I have noticed that the discussion is almost never about the Biblical concepts of freedom of conscience, but rather they are political discussions about whether this is something that can be done in America. Certainly the counsel of EGW has never been considered. As we will see later, EGW, never used the phrase, “separation of church and state” I think statements like this and others show that EGW was at least very wary of religious interaction with the government. I wish we had the same sense of caution today as we deal with the American government of our era. If we did, I think we would realize that in this day and time and under these circumstances, places our religious beliefs in the hands of an irreligious government is not the best course of action in order to promulgate our beliefs, and that in truth, we are creating problems for ourselves that we will not be able to handle.
As I read this week I was introduced to EGW’s prophetic role in greater detail. The text that came to mind was Jer. 28:9 But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true." As I looked over some of her visions to see if the above scripture could be put to the test I couldn’t believe the messages she was receiving and how the Lord was leading in her life and ministry. In fact, there were times when she tried to share the whole message but the Holy Spirit knew that if she shared the message in its entirety it would come across as false information as in the case of the Salamanca vision in 1891. The timing was on point and the message clear, especially to those whom it was intended for. It was interesting to see how her visions worked on the hearts of those intended and how the events unfolded just as the Lord desired. But what I found also interesting was how the vision also impacted her own counsel also like on page 154. Often, her visions would also help change or strengthen and even mold her theological understanding and convictions. Probably the vision that left me intrigued the most was the one with brother Faulkhead (p164). Why? Because I am just like him when it comes to needing proof before I will believe or disbelieve. He was asked what he would do if EGW had a testimony about his lodge affiliation and he said, “it would have to be mighty strong” for him to believe in her counsel (pg. 164). As the story unfolds EGW does indeed produce a sign that only individuals in the lodge would know. The end result is Faulkhead is convicted and leaves the lodges. Again for me the desire of needing a sign as Faulkhead desired is sometimes a weakness I believe on my part. In Jesus’ day the Pharisees were seeking the same thing from Jesus so that they might believe in Him. Aren’t we to walk by faith and not by sight? Why is this the case and am I the only one who struggles?
I want to discuss a few things. Firstly the idea of dreams as revelations. Although the Advent movement is known for its emphasis on prophecy and Daniel and the revelation not much is spoken about dreams other than in the context of Nebuchadnezzar. Ellen White wrote that the multitude of dreams have nothing to do with the Spirit of God. Interestingly enough I have found that the discourse of dreams and their meanings is more prevalent in the rest of Christendom. What has been your experience in this regard? God deals differently with each of us. I am thinking of the concept of inspiration intertwined with questions of how God speaks to each of us. Every day I encounter more and more people who seem to hear an almost audible voice, greater than a thought but not quite like speaking to someone on the phone. As I watch 3ABN so many times I hear people using the phrase “God told me.” These are startling phenomena. We live in exciting times. Secondly I wish to address the Sister White’s comment on hasty speaking, jesting and joking even laughing during public testimonies when she spoke to Edson. The pulpit has become a stage for much showmanship. Oftentimes it is difficult to draw the line on what is appropriate in storytelling and in the use of humor. In the effort to be liked or even be successful we aim to please and can forget our boundaries. As budding preachers and actual pastors what are the challenges you face as you prepare sermons and enter the realm of public speaking? Is the postmodern audience different to previous groups? Thirdly I want to mention Spiritualism and how serious and deceptive it is. It is like an invisible force that only the recipient of the heat can perceive sometimes. Spiritual warfare is intense. Douglass suggests that adherents come from all sectors of society. Witches no longer wear tall cone shaped black hats. They wear designer clothing, business suits and a few of them taught me at public university. They were Wiccans. At my Women’s Studies Department the head witch of the world came for a series of lectures. Many depend on spiritualist mediums for daily advice. With growing numbers of Adventists yes I said Adventists going for bush baths to ward off evil and young adults reading how to cast spells, we don’t discuss these topics. I work with Adventist youth in Canada at public campuses to keep their faith alive and temptation to satisfy immediate gratification is everywhere. What Ellen White said one hundred years ago is more relevant today than ever.
On the topic of Organization I feel that the democratic system the church has is excellent with particular regard to church boards and delegates who represent local conferences at the General Conference Session. Having said that I do notice that most of the voting delegates are normally male. While I will not belabor the point I feel that our youth both female and male should be educated and given the chance to make a difference in the world church. Just for conversational purposes I attended a seminar by David Gates last November where he mentioned that some changes to church administration had been proposed. Removal of church boards and lessening of dependence on the writings of Ellen G. White. He suggested that by the end of 2009 we should be hearing, more about this. As we study her life and her mission as a messenger of the Lord I think it would be tragic if the church remotely went in that direction. On the west coast many Adventists no longer accept The Creation Story as we know it. Many embrace a joint venture of Evolution and Creation and as such dismiss the seven day theory as well as the importance of the Seventh day Sabbath. While they are at it they toss out the Sanctuary Doctrine and how could I forget the Investigative Judgment. So is it any wonder that I ask what a Seventh - day Adventist is? These issues may seem insignificant to insiders but to the heathen it makes for a much divided front. Should I just work out my own salvation with fear and trembling and ignore these glaring anomalies? Well I can’t I keep abreast because youth are quite sharp these days; they are falling away in droves. They want explanations and it is no longer Do as I say. Would the church be making the same mistake they were about to in 1901 if they decide to centralize the power once more. Can Ellen G. White’s counsel come to our rescue again if such a crisis arises?
When I was reading chapter 18 of the Messenger of the Lord, I saw the relation between all the crisis (sanctuary, holy flesh, pantheism) with the doctrine of God. Especially with the human misunderstanding of the person of the Holy Spirit. And this is interesting because when the Bible promises a more deep revelation of His person in the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, Satan counterfeit this work. Movements such as spiritualism, Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness come up with their own ideas about God, misapplying the teaching of Scripture on the subject.
Looking with the frame of the Great Controversy between God and Satan, Ellen G. White wrote about the crisis that it (those movements such as pantheism) was a snare “prepared” by the enemy for last days. She said that those theories, of misunderstanding the Godhead and their work, would open for unholy spiritual love, free love, that was actually fleshly lusts from sin instigated by Satan. (Review and Herald, Oct. 22, 1903; see also Letter 216, 1903, cited in Bio., vol. 5, pp. 298, 299.)
This is very in helpful in understand how Satan is working now. Through the misunderstanding of God in the minds of humans, even in Adventism, I see the same issue that happen in heaven. When Lucifer misunderstood God’s revelation in His Son and raised up questions, he got into trouble. A wrong idea about God is seen in most of our crises.
And not only with Adventism or Christianism, but with creation in general. Religion is based on the relation a person makes with his cosmology and life. If a Indian believe that God is the one who sent rain, and that he need to offer human blood to receive rain, he will do it, like the Mayas in Mexico. If I believe that God is coming to this earth to take me out of here if I follow what His book is saying, I will follow the book. This what Christians do. Our concepts of God influence all our lives.
Regardless with we even accept His existence or not. Like the foolish in the Psalm 14 “said the fool in his heart, there is not God”. His way of leaving is set by this belief of the absence of a superior being. So he leave his life with expecting another one. So he will enjoy as much as he can this one. He will explain all events based on scientific ideas. All because his notion of God is that God does not exist. What we can not ignore is that the thought of God does not influence humans.
Taking the message of Gunton in his book Act and Being I really agree with him that we (as humans) need to really get in deep study about the God. And trying to understand if He exist and, or, who He is, set our life right. In this context I see the Adventist message of the Great Controversy very helpful. Because explain me in a very reasonable manner, the existence of God and how can I live better in the earth and in the world to come.
Looking to the past, I see Ellen White living a wonderful and happy life, and those who misunderstood the God of Bible ended up in a sad end. So I believe the Bible message has something really important to tell us. And communication between humans and God is not what the Holy Spirit is all about! Do you see how all fit!
Jason, The issue of conscience domination is repetdly found in the book Great Controversy. I actually did a research for this in Brazil. For her, the tune of the Great last crisis, as was in history, is the mandate of conscience and who should be worshipped. And I agree with you that her writings have not been considered by us carefully enough in this so important issue.
Leo, this is my great burden also, the relation between sight and faith. Since I did communication with theology, I have seen how important is this issue in the light of the Great Controversy. The Bible says that is by faith with sight, but sight should never be the test for truth. So the balance is needed and the Bible even more. I encourange you to read chapter "Our only safeguard" in the Great controversy about that...
Debbie, maybe dream and visions are more frenquently out of SDA, because we have so much little that God does not need to appear in a vision to SDA's. See (Jo.6, Lc.16)And about the issue of witchcraft and spiritualism is more subtle then some of us think. It have become normal for adventist and christian in general to watch and read Harry Potter and things alike. This worries me as a pastor. Every day I realize how subtle Satan is in his deception and how much more I should depend on the HS influence.
I as you had this "mythological" mentality in relation to Bible characters. It is true that the faith of Abraham and other were not that great thing we thought. But this does not mean they were not great in the eyes of the Lord. I think that is not so much on how we misunderstood Abraham's character, but we have not really grasp about how God deals with human fallen beings.
Ref#3 This last week in class we talked about an issue that’s so debated yet relevant and essential in our church today. The topic, “the idea/ model for evangelism” and then, what should it look like? Both these issues have not only driven people out of the church but have caused some to turn from God altogether. I have been privy to many individuals who have been hurt and down right offended because of some of the strategies and methods some have used to save souls. Arguments over controversial beliefs and methods have led some to fist fights and hardened hearts. This indeed is a vital and sensitive task and topic and I have been comforted this week by the words and advice from EGW that I believe makes it clear foundationally on how we ought to act and minister. And I quote “Christ’s example included avoiding “controversies,” identifying with each person’s “interests and happiness,” watching “the faces of His hearers…” (Pg. 213). 1) I feel that we as a church have become so out of touch with reality/ our community that we miss opportunities to meet their needs or learn what makes those around us happy. This I’m sure comes from the idea of needing to be a “peculiar” people that some have taken to the extreme at times. 2) I feel we are so rushed when witnessing because we live in a faced paced society and therefore need to be intentional about slowing down so we can “see the faces of the hearers” as Jesus did. And lastly the second part of the quote says, “speaking with “simplicity” by not bringing “many things before them at once, lest He might confuse their minds” (Pg. 213). 3) We still do this by sharing all our doctrines in such a short time frame. I get that time is short but we are still missing the boat. When am I going to learn I wonder? My prayer is that I will be more cognizant of Jesus’ model and less worried about the agendas so that I will take time and really get to know those around me. Will you join me on this quest? A text that comes to mind is 1 Thess. 2:7,8 which I think sums my desire.
I remembered that one of the examples that Douglass tell in this section is the of standard measuring stick. This stick is found in the National Bureau of Standards at Gaithersburg, Maryland. It is the National Prototype Meter. By it everything that is to be measure is based according to it size. So if someone have doubt about the size of the football field, just go to Maryland, get the measures right and compare with the field again.
This is the same thing with revelation from God. When I start to read the section of hermeneutics (starting with chapter 32) one of the issues that bothered me was about the comparison of further prophets (light) with prior (light). This seems to be fair, and right because the Bible teaches it (Is.8:20). But I start to thing if there was no prior revelation to compare with? If the measure stick of Gaithersburg was stolen?
Before you think I am a fatalist, and we do not need to think that way because we have the Bible to compare things with, just think of Abraham. There was no prior written revelation before Moses that we know about. Job, Lot, Isaac, Jacob, did not have a book to compare like the Israelites after Moses. You could say that God appeared personally to those people! It is true that God appeared to Abraham, once to Jacob and Job. But Isaac?
He could compare with the teachings of his father. If you agree with this argument, so tradition have a place in knowing God. So how we deal with other traditions like the apocripha…The Catholic Church says that we should listen to tradition and Scriptures. Are they right? And Abraham, did he had tradition…If yes, the tradition would have probably taught him that God is against murder. See the story of Cain and Abel.
But how would Abraham know that the God who told him to leave and kill his son was the true God…To kill is against God’s law, and to leave his house is something very weird. So how could Abraham know that was the true God that spoke. On that time, many gods were adored, and could easily be anyone of them. And it was probably against tradition.
And Melquisedek, the priest of the Almighty, where did he learn from God…these type of question make me thing of how broad a range is God’s revelation. But this do not answer all the questions. Maybe tomorrow, after reflecting a little more I can write some answers instead of questions. Today I conclude with a question, if they steal the measure stick?
I was originally planning to talk about how my views on EGW had changed over the last month, but that idea was taken up by the exam, so I guess I’ll have to talk about something else. I think one of the things that has been impressed upon me about the life of EGW is how difficult it is to be a “prophet.” While many of my misconceptions about EGW have been done away with by taking this class, one of the things that I have always thought was that she lived a life that was almost not her own because of the amount of things that she had to do. While it is true that we all should be living lives that are “not our own,” (that’s a nice slogan too) it seems as if the Whites definitely were consumed with getting our fledging movement off the ground and established as a viable denomination and not just a flash in the pan. So my admiration of EGW’s ability to cope with the difficulties of being a prophet comes in two forms. First, the amount of positive work she had to do. As we all know, she wrote a ridiculously large amount of literature. And while she did not necessarily write every single page herself, the truth of the matter is that most of the work is either work she wrote for the books as written, or they are compilations of other things that she wrote. Therefore, contrary to what critics would have us think, EGW wrote almost every word of what is published under her name, with only the most minor exceptions. On top of the fact that she wrote as much as she did, she also traveled extensively. There was one chapter where it talked about how she traveled back and forth across the country at a time when that type of travel is difficult. It reminds me of how we sometimes complained when we have to travel back and forth and our travel is much easier than hers. In her travels of course, she was always speaking as well in those travels, and public speaking can be a very draining experience. Finally, in addition to all of this, she spent countless time as an advisor, and receiving visions, and having to reveal sensitive matters to people, and all types of this sort as well. It just makes me wonder how much “rest” she really had and how much she felt the weight of the responsibility of being God’s messenger. The second thing that impresses upon me the difficulty of being God’s messenger is the amount of criticism she had to deal with. On top of all the works she was doing, she also had to deal with people who challenged her motives, challenged her theology, and sought to tear her down. Of course what made this particular element interesting is that these people were usually people with whom she had worked with closely and at least some that she considered to be friends. It just seems to me that it would have been personally difficult and she would have dealt with feelings of personal rejection, not just a disassociated feeling that the word was not being accepted, especially because it seems that the attacks at time were personal. The combination of both of these factors make it clear to be that it is difficult for anyone, EGW included, to be a prophet.
1) 3 historical facts from the life of EGW that became more significant to me. And why it is significant
One fact that impressed me is related in chapter 4 of the book Messenger of the Lord.. It was during the 1840s when Miller was already preaching. She was afraid of God. That part I learned from my Adventist childhood. But what was new for me was the presence of Elder Stockman in her life. This sensitive preacher said to this young girls that God was preparing her for some greater work. And her acknowledgement that she learned more about God in one conversation with Stockman than in all other sermons.
I understood more of Ellen’s fear when I read the religious background of her youth. In America the famous preachers would preach in a fearful manner about God and His judgment. I remember to study about a sermon of that time titled “Saints in the hands of an angry God”. Everybody was so frightened, that people would search God out of fear, not of love. And since Miller was saying that Jesus (the judge) is soon coming, people had a short time to get ready. This maybe was fearful thoughts that Ellen White cherished, as is seem in the book Early Writings.
And this mean a lot to me because my wife had (or still have) this problem of misunderstanding God’s character. As Ellen White, she was taught that God and His judgment is a way to punish wicked people, and those who do not keep the commandments of God will burn, soon. No love was shown by those who taught her, at least she never mention it. I was perplexed when in our first year of dating, in our devotional time, she declared afraid of the Second Coming of Jesus.
To me this could not fit in an Adventist. My home experience was that Jesus’ coming is the happiest event ever. So I begin to realize the influence of how we portray Jesus character to other. As Ellen White and my wife’s experience show (and probably this is the experience of much more Christians) the manner that a message is presenting influences a lot in its content.
I - continuation So my reflection is “How are we to present Jesus to the people?” As “someone worst than the devil” (as Luther believed before his conversion), or the lovingly Father of Scriptures !? The class of professor Hanna and the book about Ellen G. White, taught me that is not only a matter of passing the right information, but HOW do you transfer Jesus love to other in our biblical message that influences people to the kingdom.
A second event of her life, not actually one, but one aspect of her life that helped me in the first reflection (the “HOW” we pass Jesus to others) was her life of self-sacrifice service. Many events are described in the text book of Douglass. But the whole life of her and James White showed how self-sacrifice they were for Jesus. She would rather having nothing to eat some days, to give food for the poor, than to spent her just money with her.
On many occasions, she donated her royalties and personal fund to build churches and school, and in feeding and clothing the hungry. This reflects the relationship she had with God and how her knowledge about a loving God influence her life in service for others. This is a perfect way to transmit God to people, living like Jesus. She had authority in her preaching because she lived it.
And this is a personal challenge. Not only study or talk about God, but live a life of self-sacrifice for His kingdom. And like Ellen G. White said, we I do this, instead of one conversion, 10 people would be converted to God. Figure of speech that shows my poor reality and my need of spiritual growth.
A third event that impressed me was the 1888 event and how she handled conflict. She first did not set a right or wrong position, but said she would study from Scriptures and seek the Spirit guidance. She then reproved the satanic, proudly and harsh way to talk about Bible truths, shown in the General Conference meetings and latter on the paper (Review and Herald versus Signs of the Times). This “enemie” thinking of our those who disagree with us in our community of faith is not healthy for the body of Christ.
She again put some weight on how we handle the truth. The manner we teach something has a lot to say on what are we teaching. Since I studied communication in Brazil also, this kind of study just fascinates me. Ellen G. White stand for the right truth (because there is wrong truth, a truth said in a wrong manner) and for God going against the wrong positions of people of influence in the church. I think this should be our position also. Depend upon Jesus, showing love and respect to our fellow workers without compromising our faith.
2) How my perspective of interpretation of EGW changed, how was.
Before this summer class my view of inspiration was narrower. I did had some thought about a holistic model of inspiration, but not as good as I learned in class. Before class I everybody should read Ellen White and the Scriptures like I read. And this should not be true. Since God speak in many ways to different people, I need to be more open to a broader work of the Holy Spirit in the life of humans.
I did believe that the work of the Spirit of prophecy was not only in Ellen G. White, but I did not apply this broad principle to other areas of the Spirit’s work. And in class my comprehension of inspiration and God’s way of work deepened. God is not and can not be limited in our way of thinking about Him. And instead of putting our thinking of God upon other we should share our views and learn from each other, comparing all to Scripture.
When I now read Ellen G. White I will try to apply this principle of openness to what the text is really saying, not what I want it to say. And in this period that I study at the seminary, I want to review my thoughts about God, getting as much as I can from a more thoroughly study of inspired writings.
Because I still held the thought Ellen G. White writings were something very precise, as a rule, to admonish people the EXACT way they should leave. I learned that in my interpretation of her writings I should use common sense, guided by the Spirit. And the same thing happened with Scripture. The major thing that I learned was that even though truth is unchangeable, the way of transmitting it changes in time and space. Even tough I taught this in Brazil, in some areas of my life I did not apply it fully. So I think I will be more aware of what I am doing and thinking.
This approach will help me in evaluate types of ministry, worship, and opinions of others about God and reality. This does not mean that I will agree with them, but from a healthily conversation I can grow more than If I confronted with them with my cherished ideas that can be wrong.
It is refreshing to review the health principles taught by James and Ellen White as outlined in our book. I have read Ministry of Healing before and referenced it a few times. I have read many of Ellen Whites other works. And there were not really any new principles outlined in this chapter that I did not know she already upheld. But it is interesting to see how easy it has been for myself to forget some of these basic guidances. Perhaps this is one of the reasons some people are not particularly interested in reading Ellen White's writtings, because it certainly does call us to a higher standard of living!
It does not take long for us to search until we can easily find that when we would least expect it, and in the least expected manner, God works some of the greatest wonders! For instance, we have always been critical upon the lives of the Desciples, and we state how God took those simple men and turned them for His Glory. Especially this can be seen in the life of Paul. Starting out as a Feared Foe of the church, he ends as one of its' earliest champions. I see this same pattern in the life of Ellen White also. As I read this last section of our book assigned for this class, I am amazed all over again at the work that God has done through His servant. He calls whom He wills, and is the giver of great gifts. Ellen White, who received hardly any formal education, became the driving force behind the educational movement in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and, as in many other areas, was way ahead of the common understandings of her time in education principles. Today we have some incredible schools of learning which can be traced directly back to her early work. What a mighty God we serve to take the weak and helpless and use them to shake the world for His Glory!
For a while I have hid behind the slogan “The Bible and the Bible only” as a smokescreen for the real issues I debated in my mind. I saw only those listed in the canon as prophets. I thought that my perspective had always been that the thoughts of prophets were inspired and not their words. The reality is that as I memorized the words of the scriptures I subconsciously internalized that their words were in fact inspired. Conversely it appears that I saw other writers as being thought inspired. This course forced me to define and unpack every phrase I had so loosely put forward. I was encouraged to define, define, and define. I could ask all my questions and rehash my dilemmas in open forum. As we discussed in class I realized that I had crossed the line many times in my understanding of the entire topic and that I didn’t have a genuine understanding. I recalled not too long ago a quarterly on the subject but I had not progressed significantly in my understanding. Now I can see that God does not dictate the words of the prophet. How could I have thought otherwise? Yet this affected my perspective on the interpretation of inspired writings. A wrong understanding led me to be in a quandary as to any distinction between the common and the sacred. In addition I would have a hierarchy in my mind of levels of inspiration. What is clear to me now is that The Holy Spirit as the Gift of Prophecy. He is the author. If that is true then while the prophet is not infallible the prophet is inspired. Douglass puts it nicely “ Ellen White recognized that the Holy Spirit guided her in the writing process even as He was impressing her in the revealing process, although in a different way” (p.421). I cannot emphatically say that God has never and will never dictate words to anyone. But I can say that he is divinely present with his prophets giving a sense of divine direction. I will hazard a guess that that is consistent and like Douglass says “will for the most part keep them from commenting on matters on which they have no special light” (p.421). For me the overall tone of the life and message of the prophet contributes to the entire package. The key element in this course was establishing from the beginning from scripture that the testimony of God is Jesus, that the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy, that the latter is the Holy Spirit and that the testimony of the Holy Spirit is the Gifts of the Spirit. This plus a holistic view of learning sets the foundation for correct understanding.
The first historical aspect of the Life and Ministry of Ellen G. White which is most significant to me for my understanding in her role as prophetess is that she changed her counsel whenever the Holy Spirit guided. In his book Douglass asserts that John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ’s kingdom. In 1902 at a special meeting at Elmshaven, the leaders needed counsel regarding denominational debt. At first she said to close the Nashville press and then she received a vision which altered her first directive. I agree with the Douglass when he says that “prophets grow in grace and knowledge as do other believers…They had much to learn and unlearn” (p.155). Secondly White’s adherence to the Great Controversy theme is critical for me. The theme is consistent with the writings of the prophets who have gone before her. Every aspect of her writing corresponds to pointing to the battle for the mind and ultimately for the souls of individuals. The enemy of souls has fought me terribly in the last month to increase and foster my doubts about her writings. By God’s grace and the leading of the Spirit to take this course I have gotten the victory over this hurdle. Indeed I agree that “the very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic” (p. 535). How did I get to this place initially? It was because I entertained the doubts of others. As I listened I became agitated and one question led to more questions. Thirdly I am confronted with her setbacks in health and lack of extensive formal schooling. Her accident as a young girl and the trauma which God allowed served as a thorn in the flesh yet as a catalyst to lean on him more intensely. Clearly as I look at the extensive writing she achieved and the quality of the authorship, it is impossible to ignore the divine intervention involved. Anyone can have visions, anyone can display physical phenomena that seem supernatural but only the presence of The Holy Spirit can change the hearts of men. My spirit was critical of Ellen White, my struggle was real, but so is my deliverance. These aspects of her life are important to me because somehow they seem plausible. Douglass presented a very balanced and objective view of her life and work. Oftentimes Ellen White’s writings are misconstrued and a legalistic reading of scripture causes some to use her writing out of context to support their views. This complete overview of her writings has put her in the correct framework when compared to The Bible.
As my final entry I must state that this course was necessary at this point in time in my journey with Christ. After visiting Battle Creek this Sabbath I feel like a weight has been removed from me. All the doubts and questions and turmoil regarding Ellen G. White, all my demons have been exercised. The truth is that the message and the messenger are inseparable. I agree wholeheartedly that rejection of the ministry of Ellen White will shake a person out the door. This is certainly in the spiritual sense but potentially in the physical sense also. A very critical spirit starts to take over and after a while you the individual start to feel like you are losing control. The intense program here at the seminary with reduced rest, quick meals and amplified stress is a breeding ground for problems. One of the deceits the enemy uses is paradoxically the idea of “the Bible and the Bible only” (p.377). Isn’t that incredible? He has a counterfeit for that too. It is a distortion of the application. Herbert Douglass says that White uses this phrase in the same sense the prophets did as representative of authority. She did not mean that we cannot read anything outside of the Bible on Scriptural matters. In addition some even reject her writings using this same slogan. She did not mean that we cannot read non Adventist authors. Have any of you ever been blessed by the writings of other Christian writers? Have God ever used any sermons on television to discipline you or give you comfort? One of my personal favorites is Charles Stanley. This question of to the law and the testimony if they speak not according to my word and the idea that they are not 7th day Sabbath keepers, can I listen to them? How does the ellipsical view of Spiritual Israel and truth factor in? I especially liked the class discussion as we talked about our avoidance of the use of a creed deferring to a statement of beliefs. This reminded me of why I first was attracted to the Seventh day Adventist message for the clarity of the beliefs and the amazing light that it helped me to discover. Where I started to go awry was during Sabbath School where many times we were basing all conclusions on mere opinions. We never verified sources, quotations or understandings. All issues were black or white. An ellipsical view of matters never entered our discussions. There was no definition. This class has provided a framework to question. I believe as my creed in the holistic approach to scripture but I am tempted sometimes to be legalistic and I recognize that I have to be cognizant of that at all times.
Final Essay 1, part 1: The first thing that has become more significant to me in our study of the life and ministry of Ellen G. White has been how God has used her as a reformer in the area of education. The most intriguing part of this subject is how God took her from such a terrible accident in early childhood and performed such incredible work out of her through the rest of her life. It seems evident that the injury that she suffered in early childhood was likely a frontal attack by Satan to prevent what God would do through her. Whether I am right or wrong on this statement, it is clear that God was able to take the feeble mind and almost lifeless body and work through it to teach His children and give them direction in the most incredible manner. The reason this is so significant to me at this point in my life is because of the deep mental and psychological struggles I am enduring myself right now. These struggles bring me often to the point where I am ready to withdraw myself from formal education in order to rest, but I really want to complete this course. In addition, I fractured my tailbone earlier this summer from a fall and sit every moment in pain. I know that what has happened to me is an attack from the enemy as well, and that God can do great things through me regardless of these attacks. Though I am not a prophet, I know that God has spectacular work that He desires to work through me, as He does for all of us. It is encouraging for me to see how God was able to take even greater destruction to the human body and use it for His glory, which gives me a kick of confidence that He is not finished with me yet either.
Final Essay 1, part 2: The second thing that really grabbed my attention this summer during this class is the realities of the progression of the health message in early Adventism. When we sit in Sabbath School and discuss things such as the health message today, we so easily might be tempted to believe that James and Ellen White and those that were with them, studied at the table one day to ensure they were doing things according to the scriptures and came away with the whole message all at once. Somebody preached a sermon about their early studies once, and somehow this is the picture I got out of it, that they sat down and figured everything out and accepted it all right away. It is a shocking realization to understand that when the movement began, eating pork was not one of the big important issues. Because we think in pictures, I am now brought to think of the group of young pioneers sitting and studying, and when they are finished, they pray, put away their Bibles, and set the table for a meal together, sitting down to eat a roasted ham! What a concept! Though I have not come near to the place I am sure God wants me to be in the matter of health, I am reassured of the possibilities He has yet to work within me His will, as it is evident that He moved upon the early pioneers at a pace that was correct for them, and did not dump all of His desires on them at once. I can see how God has led me part way, but I can see other areas in Health where I must still learn to submit. The third thing that rose to the top of my list was the discussion of the events around 1888 and the disagreements that were occurring, along with the counsel from Ellen White on those issues. I have never known much of the 1888 discrepancies, and didn’t understand the conflict so well. But through this class, I have been better enabled to understand what went on. As she stated, the Moral and Ceremonial laws are our schoolmasters. The fact was pointed out, and I have been guilty of it myself, that Adventists still tend to dismiss the ceremonial law, saying it was done away with. Though the fulfillment of what this law was pointing forward to came, it is still law. This is an interesting thing to me and I will have to rethink this issue in depth.
Final Essay 2: In the past, when considering the interpretation of inspired writings, especially those of Ellen White, I confess that I have had struggles on several occasions to understand why what she said was actually true and the will of God for our situation today. This class has helped me to step back into her time a little better. Similar to the ever so famous bicycle “prohibition”, which is so well understood and often referred to, there were many times when the counsel she gave was directed specifically at issues that were going on around her in her day. This does not necessarily excuse the same behaviors today, since we are living in “modern” times, but is a fact that must be understood to derive a fuller understanding of what she was instructing us to do. Those same counsels, though they may not be as applicable to our current situations, can themselves be applied to our lives by the understanding of the principles that lay behind the formulation of her words. Setting aside bicycles, another issue that I have recently had to work with is on the subject of magnetic therapy. While Ellen White did give clear words against trusting in them for healing in the Testimonies, we cannot ignore the realities of what occurs around us today. There are, for instance, Medical Doctors who use, and claim that the use of electromagnetic therapy is proven effective, for the treatment and eradication of certain types of cancer. While some of my church members were active in selling magnetic products, others were reminding us that Ellen White spoke against using magnets for healing, and therefore, they must be evil. But if we look at God’s creation, we cannot escape the magnetic fields He has placed upon the globe, though this is not readily clear. I attempted to research the methods that were used in magnetic therapy in her day and was unsuccessful at finding much. But when viewing the other issues surrounding the common health practices of the day, it gives us a little light. Whether it be the fact that 3 months could earn a medical degree, as was stated in our book, the recommendation by Medical Doctors to use tobacco, which is unthinkable in our understandings, or the strange notion that was so commonly practiced in taking Goat body parts and sewing them into the human body for the healing of various diseases, we are better enabled to see the much shallower understandings of health in that day. God had a great work to do for health reform in that day, as He does in our own day. From the evaluation of these and similar instances, that God was using the gift of inspiration to work on particular issues that were occurring in the day they were given. Sometimes they may have been directed towards activities that were being practiced then, but are no longer the same situation. While we might take Ellen Whites counsel on Bicycles and defend our use of these instruments today, as they are extremely economical, environmental, and healthful in comparison to automobiles, the principles lying behind her counsel are still applicable today. So, while we will look and interpret that particular inspired writing as a problem of history, the same principle should be applied to our own modesty, whether it be in a bicycle or an automobile. This understanding has helped me to approach the inspiration to both accept it for her day, and try to make it applicable today. In addition, while accepting her writings as inspiration and prophecy, it has been helpful to understand that not everything she wrote was in either of the two categories. Therefore God has developed within me a greater caution for real understanding of the context when reading inspired writings.
Exam Post #1 The three events from the life of Ellen G. White that particularly impressed me and were significant to me in my understanding of Mrs. White as a prophetess are the health reform vision of 1863, her response to the controversy of the 1888 General Conference Session, and the circumstances surrounding her time in Australia in 1891. I think these three events showed me three important lessons about her role as a prophet. First, it showed that the prophet could be misguided about certain principles and has to receive correction from God. Second, it shows that the prophet sometimes can be reluctant about their responsibility. Finally, Ellen G. White’s decision to go to Australia shows a certain amount of humility that is necessary for the prophet. Ellen White received her most central health vision in 1863. In this vision White received instruction from God that, among other things, warned her to the dangers of pork. Up until the late 1850s there is evidence that the Whites did eat swine, although they had already been convinced of the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee. This is an interesting situation because up until the health vision in 1863, the Whites believed that the dietary health laws found in Leviticus were part of the Jewish ceremonial law, and therefore held no weight after the death of Christ. Of course they refrained from the consumption of pork after the vision. I think this is especially significant because it shows that just because White was a prophet it does not mean she was somehow superhuman and incapable of making theological mistakes. She was corrected in vision and accepted that correction. The controversy at the 1888 General Conference Session drained White emotionally. She wrote at one point, “I would if I had dared, [have] given up this field of conflict long ago, but something has held me.” This quote in this circumstance is significant because it shows the reluctance that prophets have in accepting the responsibility of being a prophet. We often have the perception that prophets live an easy life or some sort of better life because they are “closer” to God than “normal” people. However, what White expresses in this quote is how frustrating and lonely it can be to be the messenger of God. Of course, the most important point is that White persevered in her God-given responsibility. Finally, White followed the counsel of the leaders of the Adventist Church in going to Australia in 1891. There have been many reasons suggested for why the Church sent her there, and many of them are not positive. Some scholars have hypothesized that the leaders of the church had grown tired of her agitating them on many issues, including race. I think her reaction is important for us to note, especially if the hypotheses are true. Instead of asserting her position as the messenger of God, in order to chastise them for their spirits, she shows great humility by submitting to authority and accepting the possibilities of the new assignment. By doing so, she was able to still exert influence in America even as she expanded the work in Australia. The humility that she showed is a lesson that we all should learn.
Exam Post #2 There are several ways that my perspective on the interpretation of inspired writings has developed and changed over the course of this summer session. First, I now fully understand the inspired writings are more than the writings of Ellen G. White. Through our study of the biblical phrase “Spirit of prophecy,” I was able to fully understand how the spirit of prophecy rest on all of us in different ways. Therefore there are many different ways in which the spirit manifests itself and that how we judge whether the Spirit is present is whether the message is in line with the word of God. Now because the spirit manifests itself in different ways, there is an office of prophet which belongs to Ellen G. White, but that is not to the exclusion of others through whom the Spirit has also been expressed. I have to admit that coming into this point I had never really considered “the Spirit of prophecy” as a biblical term and that it could mean more than just the ministry of Ellen G. White. Second, the concept of right and wrong when it comes to inspired writings and prophets has to be adjusted. Many people criticize the inspired writings of Ellen G. White based on the fact that some of the things she saw in vision did not come to pass or that the information in her visions may have been incorrect based on the knowledge we have today. However, this course has shown me that we have to have a more flexible view of prophecy and its fulfillment. An example that I think is particularly apropos is the vision she had about astronomy. While it may not have been technically accurate by the astronomical knowledge we have today, its purpose may not have been to be technically accurate, but give people confidence in her visions, which means that the information given had to conform to the astronomical knowledge of that time. To criticize based on this issue solely is to assume that we understand why God gave the vision in the first place and to make judgment based on that understanding, which is a dangerous position to take. Prior to this course, I was tempted to look at some of these visions in a static “right” or “wrong” way, and I now see that we have to be willing to move away from that idea and embrace a more flexible understanding. Third and finally, we have to be careful about the way that we present inspired writing and particularly the writings of Ellen G. White. I have never necessarily been an advocate for recommending the writings of Ellen G. White, although I am supportive of the works in and of themselves, but the way my mind has changed about the writings themselves and our understanding of them has made me see that she is someone to be recommended and not just tolerated. I think that by showing people how she fits into the broader scope of Adventism, Christianity, and Scripture, we can bring people to a better understanding and place them in a mindset of being more receptive to what God has led her to say to us. I think that process can work because I have seen it work in be over the course of this summer session.
Essay Question 1: Discuss three historical aspects of the Life and Ministry of Ellen White, which are most significant to you for your understanding of her role as a prophetess. Explain why these aspects are especially significant to you. As I reflect over this past semester of class three things have become very clear concerning the life and ministry of EGW and the historical role she’s played in our church. #1, the biblical test for a prophet being challenged and seen through her ministry. #2, Her role as a messenger as she saw it. #3, How visions played a role in changing counsel and opinions throughout her ministry. 1) To me the issue of biblically testing of a prophet is foundational before one can use the council from said individual. Through her life and ministry it is clear that she indeed holds the office of prophetess. The 4 major tests found in scripture and the advice from Paul who said, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast that which is good” 1 Thess. 5:19-21. This semester it has been made clear that EGW in fact does meet the standards set forth in scripture and I have personally began to apply and appreciate the role and ministry she plays in the church not only then but today. 2) EGW never personally claimed the title as prophet but simply a messenger of God (pg 170). She knew that God worked through prophets in the past and realized that God was leading now as never before (pg. 170). She also never claimed to hold superiority through her writings over that of scripture. But, through time has helped to bring clarity and harmony through biblical studies. The amazing thing however in all this, is how some individuals have used her contrary to her own statements. 3) Throughout her ministry this has probably been one of the biggest blessings and curses at the same time. Some have used the changes found in her statements concerning issues said at one point and then compared to later statements to imply her visions were not true or fulfilled. When truly, even in scripture Nathan the prophet could be charged with the same account. Yet on the other hand, visions have help to clarify and correct statements made. Oct. 19, 1902 is one example where a night vision changed her opinion of the very counsel she gave the night before. She was indeed led and guided by God but at times was given further light which in turn made things clearer or different altogether. Each of these three aspects after reflecting and reviewing them have indeed made me a believer in the role and ministry EGW plays in my life today.
Exam question #2 Describe how your perspective on the interpretation of inspired writings has developed or changed as a result of your study in this course. What was your perspective? What is it now? How has this course contributed to the development or change? The idea/ concept of inspiration has always been one of interest for me. The how and why factor of inspiration and whom God uses is remarkable. I once thought however, that there was only one way God inspired the writers and that was through word inspiration. God would speak and those whom He chose would write the things they saw and heard. In other words God would dictate word for word and the hearer would copy each word. As I studied however with this idea in mind most of my life, I became very clear of different accounts and contradictory sayings throughout scripture. This raised huge questions about the authority and truth of scripture for me. Manly, because I didn’t know how to answer and account for these so called mistakes/ differences. Wasn’t the word of God perfect? Then why all the contradictions? However, over this semester and the course of my time here at Andrews my thought proses and ideas have been challenged and I’ve become aware of yet another type of inspiration. Thought inspiration is not done mechanically as word (verbal) inspiration would accrue. God instead, works on the prophet’s hearts and thoughts verses telling them what to write. The power that comes from this is that the prophet uses their own thought proses and uses words and ideas of that day. This in turn, allows the hearers to understand and helps in the understanding and choosing process of believing the message. To account therefore for the so-called mistakes I have concluded that they are not contradictions on God’s part but simply human copyist errors or views as they looked at and retold an event or story. And, in no way shape or form change the overall purpose or plan God was intending the reader to hear or understand. Revelation also plays a major part in inspiration process. This is the very thing that causes the content/ thoughts to be not only infallible but applicable and authoritative today just as it was then. This concept and understanding of inspired writings and thoughts is a major foundational aspect that many still today struggle with. I am grateful that from the results of being here and sitting in this class that I have come away with a deeper and better understanding of inspiration and the writings of EGW and scripture.
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Andrew Pearce
Reflection 1
Ok, I get to be first then!
Though it is not part of our assigned reading for the class, I am making my first posting from the Introduction of the book. I am a little confused about a statement made on page xiv. The beginning statement under the heading “God’s Communication System” starts by stating, “Even after God became man, He could not be everywhere at once. Nor could Jesus be physically present everywhere after His ascension. ..”
It may be that this statement is just poorly worded. Or, even perhaps I am not understanding what the author is stating here. The part that seems to confuse me about the authors explanation is the very first word, “even.” To say even after God became man, He could not be everywhere at once, seems to imply that “before he became man” he was not able to be everywhere at once as well. We know that God is Omnipresent. We confess that Christ set aside His Omnipresence as he became man and retains the humanity in body.
The passage continues by stating that because Jesus was no longer Omnipresent, that “God added to His Self-communicating system a very humanly oriented plan—He spoke in ‘many times and in many ways through the prophets’ (Heb. 1:1-3, TEV).” Is not this passage that Paul wrote speaking of the prophets that we would consider in the Old Testament? Though this does not limit God from speaking through prophets in Paul’s day, and even our day as well, as the passage states “many times and in many ways,” it seems that this statement is particularly speaking of the prophets in the past, because of the past tense in the word “spoke.”
If his passage is speaking of the Prophets of the Old Testament era, then the whole paragraph seems to not make sense to me, as Christ did not lose his Omnipresence until he “became flesh and dwelt among us.”
I am not attempting to be over critical about this, but in my mind I am not seeing how the author is making this statement in accordance with what we confess as a body of believers. What do you think?
Although this isn't from the reading, in class we've been discussing how some members of our church have misconstrued the role of Ellen G White (EGW) and how it has caused others to draw away from her writings.
I understand this personally because I had a similar experience. When I was about 14 or 15 years old, I was privy to a conversation between two men on the front step of our church in the summer. They were discussing whether EGW's writings were as important as the Bible. The two men went back and forth for several minutes, one stressing the importance of the word of God above all other sources, the other stressing the importance of EGW. Eventually the man who was "fighting" for the Bible asked the man a question. "If you had to go to an uninhabited desert island, and you had only one to take, either the Bible or EGW's writings, which would you take?" As I sat, there I thought to myself, "This is such a silly question. How could anyone not choose the word of God in this situation? I don't see how this question advances the argument any." It then occurred to me that in all the time I had been thinking these thoughts, the other man had not answered. After much anguish, the man had to reluctantly admit that he would take the Bible. It was at that moment that I said to myself, "If reading EGW does that to you, I want no parts of her."
I didn't read anything from EGW until I was 23 years old. I was in a particular spiritual dilemma and somehow (it must have been God) told me that I should read Messages to Young People. I was truly blessed by interacting with EGW's words for myself, and I have been a supporter of her work and her status ever since.
I guess my point here is that I appreciate that this course is helping us all to see the proper context for Sis White and I think that will be important for this church going forward.
Over the past week we have looked at the ministry/life and role of Ellen G White (EGW). From a brief look at her life I have come to realize that her story is both like and unlike many of ours today. In fact, there are three main events or circumstances depicted that played a direct role and shaped the rest of her life. Number 1) Her physical trauma, 2) the preaching of Mr. Miller and 3) her religious experience (pg. 48).
It was from reflecting on these three life-changing realities EGW faced that made me realize that everyone’s story is significant and it is from these similar events that God longingly and patiently reaches and waits for us to either surrender to him or reject him. Let’s look at this a little deeper.
1) No matter who we are we each have needs. For Mrs. White hers where physical needs. Either way, we seek for a way to meet those needs. Some like Mrs. White find the solution in Jesus. Yet others seek elsewhere and often never finding what they’re looking for.
2) The truth is we are all influenced by someone. Just look at the movies playing lately. They are hero-based action packed films that suggest that there’s a hero in all of us or, we need something or someone to believe in. From this reality two questions are raised. One, who are we listening too? And two, who are they pointing us too? For Mrs. White, Miller who pointed to Jesus influenced her.
3) And lastly number 2 ties directly into the religious or non-religious experience that will result. Either from a good encounter with a believer who loves and disciples or the opposite.
The main point and humbling truth that came from this realization for me was why then am I so fast to judge others?
The answer: It’s because I forget where God has taken me from and I believe EGW never forgot this.
The thing that impressed this week from my reading on Ellen G. White was how much she was really able to accomplish. Reading Unit II has shown me that EGW lived a very well-rounded life and was able to mean so much to so many people. I was really impressed with the her ability to create so much written material, and the precision with which she shepherded the process of the team of researchers and editors who worked with her.
Furthermore, I was struck with how much traveling she did and how harrowing some of those treks could be. The author made a good point, which I had forgetten – that traveling for EGW was drastically different from the way we travel today, even in the modes of transportation that were available to both generations. The book told many anecdotes about the poor transportation amenities that EGW and her traveling companions experienced trying to make it from event to event. This showed to be a level of dedication to this fledging movement in which she played so important a role.
In connection with this, I was impressed with how much speaking she did. In her travels, she often went to a place and spoke at more than one session a day, for several days in a row. She then went to and from several meetings week after week, engaging in the same schedule of speaking events. As someone who does seminars from 8-10 weekends a year, I can’t envision myself trying to meet the pace at which EGW spoke.
I was also moved by her skill as a wife, mother, and a confidante. Although she was constantly on the move, or writing a lot, she still had time for her husband, and her children, and as an advisor to all those who sought counsel. Finally, I was also amused by her sense of humor. I genuinely laughed at some of the anecdotes! :-D
I mention this point last because one of the things that has blessed me in this course is a realization that EGW was a human, just like us. Because we have conferred this hyper-spirituality on her, we have robbed her of her human element, which I think is just as important to her ministry as all of her writings.
This is more of a reflection than anything else. Since reading about it in our textbook, I have been thinking about the account given about some people's oppinion that Ellen White's visions came as a result of a type of Epilepsy called complex-partial seizures from the blow of the rock to her temporal lobe.
A few years ago I was working in my district on the Eastern Shore of Maryland when I found that I was living in the same neighborhood as Harriet Tubman. I have always been fascinated with the legacy she has left, and remember reading of her and being amazed how she was used since I was very young. Since I found myself near her childhood home I started investigating about her life. I checked out a biography on her at the local library and was able to even find the land where the plantation was that she initially escaped from. The same trees still lined the drive that were there when she was there. In this book, I found a little known, but very fascinating fact about Harriet Tubman. When she was young, she was in a local store when the clerk got angry at her and hit her in the head with a fishing weight. This blow was serious and gave her health problems the rest of her life. Eventually, There were times when it was recorded that she seemed to have visions about what she was to do to help the African Americans to freedom. Though it is not commonly spoken of, the things she learned in these visions helped her in her very successful ministry to her fellow slaves. The same explanation was given for her "supposed" visions by sceptics, that it was really just a type of epilepsy caused from a blow to the temporal part of the brain. I find it very fascinating that these two contemporaneous women have such similar experiences. Now I will have to dig out my notes I kept from reading that book!
THE PROBLEMS OF MISUSING PROPHETS
Some people have said that the teachings of Ellen White are not to be used when presenting a message to non-Adventist. Some goes beyond in saying that even to Adventist in sermons we should not use her writings. Why…Is this right…To what purpose should the writings of EGW…By answering those questions we can distinguish from the extremes that this taught have caused to be in adventism.
The idea of not using EGW in some setting is not new. She, herself address this to the people of her time that was not using her writings wisely. The misuse of a prophets writing by someone can be explained by the misconception of the role of a prophet. Because she said once that her writings should not be used in a specific context, we should not apply for all the cases. Hence, what she said about her writings…In this point, Ellen White’s comment of her role is important. She said her main goal was to direct people to Jesus.
So our use of her writings should consider first the Great Controversy issue. We are in a war between good and evil. And the actions that we should make need to be placed on either side. If we are on God’s side representing Him, we should use with wisdom the ways God gave us to represent His character to other. So it is not so much on if we should use or not, but will this way of presenting the truth, be most effective.
In explaining why we should not use her writings with non-adventist she present the main reason, misleading. We should not use her writings because non-adventist may misunderstand her role as a prophet. And this is still happening today. Some Adventist are using her writings pressing a quote from her as to push to someone his opinion. This way of presenting the truth, she said, would make people go away instead of coming to the truth.
By it is not because the water in the baby bath is dirty that we will throw away everything that is in it. Some people doing that have throw that baby all together. So, if we can use other writings to teach a Bible doctrine, why not use hers…
In Brazil one non-adventist doctor received the book ministry of healing from a Adventist fellow. After the reading, he wanted to meet the author. His Adventist friend said that she was dead. The doctor said that it was impossible, because her writings was very actual. After receiving a Bible study he become an Adventist.
You see, the right use of the messenger of the Lord will always bring some fruit. And this apply also to her using in the Adventist pulpit. I think we have fall in both errors of not using her writings at all, or using her writing to push down the truth. This we do by neglecting the purpose of her writings. So we should not be afraid of using her writings both with Adventist and with non-adventist. Just use wisely point to Jesus in this Great Controversy.
Andrew...
Thank you very much to bring the information about Harriet Tubman. I did not know about her, but when you mention I looked it up in the web to learn more about her.
And I question myself if we can say that she had also a vision from God. Not that I am suggesting that she was inspired with the ministry of prophecy, but that she could be used by God to free people. This is not what revelation is all about...to let freedom ring to those in captive...food for tought
Leo,
I really appreciate the 3 points in relation to all human experience. Maybe latter I can mention a little of what a have learn about the second point of receiving influence from another person. We are a result of many influences we receive from other we shaped ourselves...I am researching about the danger of getting into idolatry in this ´´beholding example" pattern that every man has...
Jason,
When I read your text I become concerning about the danger of our witness. I think we sometimes are giving a bad example about the things of God instead of a good report...this is the reason that I wrote a littler about that, because we need to be careful how we handle the light God have given us...
Chapter 11 deals with Ellen G. White as a prolific author. It addresses the issue of revisions and the question of how we view inspiration. In addition it mentions the idea that while the Whites had teams of editorial staff including an education expert this did not detract from the guidance and direction of God and his desired communication of ideas. One aspect it does not mention which I have read about is the idea that Sister Bolton in particular felt that she Bolton was not merely editing at times but actually writing a fair amount of the material. Critics of Ellen White suggest that the atmosphere between Bolton and Sister White was tumultuous on more than one occasion. As a matter of interest I am merely exploring both sides of the issue. What are your thoughts?
The second thing I want to mention is how the Whites addressed the issue of her health. Being challenged with health issues and being disciplined to meet deadlines is an enormous achievement. If nothing else Ellen G. White has gained my respect for that phenomenon. It is easy for discouragement to set in at times of suffering. Realistically when you are obeying God fully in the best way that you know how and then you are deprived of basic necessities like those determined by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs you can become very cynical and distrustful of God. If these periods are extended significant levels of anger can arise. I am impressed with the attitude that both James and Ellen manifested. Within the constraints that they faced and the deaths of their children, just one death of a child can alienate people form God for eternity. Sometimes we are angry with God and never even realize.
I want to comment next on the class discussion about the physical and the spiritual church that God envisions. As I travel to various places and I meet people from all walks of life, of all faiths and Christian denominations I know that God is not limited to any denomination. His Spirit pervades all of this earth and no man can contain Him and confine Him. I have a bus ministry where I take trips on the bus and minister as God provides the candidates. Sometimes we ride together for fifteen hours or more and I get to give a snapshot of what Christ means to me, why I believe what I do and our Adventist doctrines. They ask every imaginable question from inspiration to translation. I have one chance and one chance only. I know that nine times out of ten I will never see that person again on this earth. Time and time again I am struck by their relationship with a personal God whoever they perceive Him to be. Time and time again I learn something crucial from their walk. I am fully convinced in my own mind that life is prolonged continual learning, no one has a proxy on truth and possibly no one knows everything. I was so blessed by the class today finally I can embrace a God who acknowledges all who call on His name, whosoever will.
I have long wondered about those promises God made to Israel about them being his people and their blessings. I have observed how successful they are in every country they exist in outside of Israel and up to and including the nation Israel. They are a remarkable people. Jews for Jesus is a growing facet of Christianity. Just the reestablishment of Israel at all is a miracle in itself. As I listen to other denominations that assist Jews in Russia and Ethiopia to relocate to Israel I question whether we have a full understanding of all that the scripture teaches about this peculiar people.
In my experience with Adventism thus far I think where our ellipse breaks down is in the area of subjectivity. For me as an individual I have the opposite problem my challenge is to temper my tendency to lean to feelings and visual evidence as the measure of weight. Both extremes results in the distortion of truth.
About the elipse of truth and the need of balance in our attitudes and thoughts, one little comment. Temperance is not only to eating modestly of good food but NOT eating of bad food.
In our theology we do not need to balance with BAD theology. So we need to becaurful not to take this BALANCE thought wrong...
There is an interesting quote on page 160 of the book that I wanted to comment on this week. Under the section “Rise of Papal Influence,” EGW is quoted, “Let the principle once be established in the United States, that the church may employ or control the power of the state; that religious observances may be enforced by secular laws; in short, that the authority of the church and state is to dominate the conscience, and the triumph of Rome in this country [the U.S.A] is assured.”
On a personal note, I came to the seminary so I could receive my MA in Religion as part of a move into academia to teach and write and present on the subject of religious liberty. This subject blends the two subjects I enjoy most – religion and the law. A quote like this I think is important for us as Christians (and Adventists) to understand. Christianity for the last 30 years has become increasing involved in the political structure of this country, seeking to legalize certain elements of their religious beliefs. In the last fifteen to twenty years, the Adventist Church has joined these people in their efforts, often putting money and legal resources behind those who are seeking to challenge the “liberal” concepts of religious freedom that our present in our laws and founding documents.
This turn of events has greatly distressed me and, as I said, earlier, caused me to change my career in order to do something about it. As I have interacted with those with whom I disagree, I have noticed that the discussion is almost never about the Biblical concepts of freedom of conscience, but rather they are political discussions about whether this is something that can be done in America. Certainly the counsel of EGW has never been considered. As we will see later, EGW, never used the phrase, “separation of church and state” I think statements like this and others show that EGW was at least very wary of religious interaction with the government. I wish we had the same sense of caution today as we deal with the American government of our era. If we did, I think we would realize that in this day and time and under these circumstances, places our religious beliefs in the hands of an irreligious government is not the best course of action in order to promulgate our beliefs, and that in truth, we are creating problems for ourselves that we will not be able to handle.
As I read this week I was introduced to EGW’s prophetic role in greater detail. The text that came to mind was Jer. 28:9 But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true." As I looked over some of her visions to see if the above scripture could be put to the test I couldn’t believe the messages she was receiving and how the Lord was leading in her life and ministry. In fact, there were times when she tried to share the whole message but the Holy Spirit knew that if she shared the message in its entirety it would come across as false information as in the case of the Salamanca vision in 1891.
The timing was on point and the message clear, especially to those whom it was intended for. It was interesting to see how her visions worked on the hearts of those intended and how the events unfolded just as the Lord desired. But what I found also interesting was how the vision also impacted her own counsel also like on page 154. Often, her visions would also help change or strengthen and even mold her theological understanding and convictions.
Probably the vision that left me intrigued the most was the one with brother Faulkhead (p164). Why? Because I am just like him when it comes to needing proof before I will believe or disbelieve. He was asked what he would do if EGW had a testimony about his lodge affiliation and he said, “it would have to be mighty strong” for him to believe in her counsel (pg. 164). As the story unfolds EGW does indeed produce a sign that only individuals in the lodge would know. The end result is Faulkhead is convicted and leaves the lodges.
Again for me the desire of needing a sign as Faulkhead desired is sometimes a weakness I believe on my part. In Jesus’ day the Pharisees were seeking the same thing from Jesus so that they might believe in Him. Aren’t we to walk by faith and not by sight? Why is this the case and am I the only one who struggles?
testing
I want to discuss a few things. Firstly the idea of dreams as revelations. Although the Advent movement is known for its emphasis on prophecy and Daniel and the revelation not much is spoken about dreams other than in the context of Nebuchadnezzar. Ellen White wrote that the multitude of dreams have nothing to do with the Spirit of God. Interestingly enough I have found that the discourse of dreams and their meanings is more prevalent in the rest of Christendom. What has been your experience in this regard? God deals differently with each of us. I am thinking of the concept of inspiration intertwined with questions of how God speaks to each of us. Every day I encounter more and more people who seem to hear an almost audible voice, greater than a thought but not quite like speaking to someone on the phone. As I watch 3ABN so many times I hear people using the phrase “God told me.” These are startling phenomena. We live in exciting times. Secondly I wish to address the Sister White’s comment on hasty speaking, jesting and joking even laughing during public testimonies when she spoke to Edson. The pulpit has become a stage for much showmanship. Oftentimes it is difficult to draw the line on what is appropriate in storytelling and in the use of humor. In the effort to be liked or even be successful we aim to please and can forget our boundaries. As budding preachers and actual pastors what are the challenges you face as you prepare sermons and enter the realm of public speaking? Is the postmodern audience different to previous groups? Thirdly I want to mention Spiritualism and how serious and deceptive it is. It is like an invisible force that only the recipient of the heat can perceive sometimes. Spiritual warfare is intense. Douglass suggests that adherents come from all sectors of society. Witches no longer wear tall cone shaped black hats. They wear designer clothing, business suits and a few of them taught me at public university. They were Wiccans. At my Women’s Studies Department the head witch of the world came for a series of lectures. Many depend on spiritualist mediums for daily advice. With growing numbers of Adventists yes I said Adventists going for bush baths to ward off evil and young adults reading how to cast spells, we don’t discuss these topics. I work with Adventist youth in Canada at public campuses to keep their faith alive and temptation to satisfy immediate gratification is everywhere. What Ellen White said one hundred years ago is more relevant today than ever.
Continued....
On the topic of Organization I feel that the democratic system the church has is excellent with particular regard to church boards and delegates who represent local conferences at the General Conference Session. Having said that I do notice that most of the voting delegates are normally male. While I will not belabor the point I feel that our youth both female and male should be educated and given the chance to make a difference in the world church. Just for conversational purposes I attended a seminar by David Gates last November where he mentioned that some changes to church administration had been proposed. Removal of church boards and lessening of dependence on the writings of Ellen G. White. He suggested that by the end of 2009 we should be hearing, more about this. As we study her life and her mission as a messenger of the Lord I think it would be tragic if the church remotely went in that direction. On the west coast many Adventists no longer accept The Creation Story as we know it. Many embrace a joint venture of Evolution and Creation and as such dismiss the seven day theory as well as the importance of the Seventh day Sabbath. While they are at it they toss out the Sanctuary Doctrine and how could I forget the Investigative Judgment. So is it any wonder that I ask what a Seventh - day Adventist is? These issues may seem insignificant to insiders but to the heathen it makes for a much divided front. Should I just work out my own salvation with fear and trembling and ignore these glaring anomalies? Well I can’t I keep abreast because youth are quite sharp these days; they are falling away in droves. They want explanations and it is no longer Do as I say. Would the church be making the same mistake they were about to in 1901 if they decide to centralize the power once more. Can Ellen G. White’s counsel come to our rescue again if such a crisis arises?
THE BIBLE HELP ME
When I was reading chapter 18 of the Messenger of the Lord, I saw the relation between all the crisis (sanctuary, holy flesh, pantheism) with the doctrine of God. Especially with the human misunderstanding of the person of the Holy Spirit. And this is interesting because when the Bible promises a more deep revelation of His person in the out pouring of the Holy Spirit, Satan counterfeit this work. Movements such as spiritualism, Mormonism and Jehovah’s Witness come up with their own ideas about God, misapplying the teaching of Scripture on the subject.
Looking with the frame of the Great Controversy between God and Satan, Ellen G. White wrote about the crisis that it (those movements such as pantheism) was a snare “prepared” by the enemy for last days. She said that those theories, of misunderstanding the Godhead and their work, would open for unholy spiritual love, free love, that was actually fleshly lusts from sin instigated by Satan. (Review and Herald, Oct. 22, 1903; see also Letter 216, 1903, cited in Bio., vol. 5, pp. 298, 299.)
This is very in helpful in understand how Satan is working now. Through the misunderstanding of God in the minds of humans, even in Adventism, I see the same issue that happen in heaven. When Lucifer misunderstood God’s revelation in His Son and raised up questions, he got into trouble. A wrong idea about God is seen in most of our crises.
And not only with Adventism or Christianism, but with creation in general. Religion is based on the relation a person makes with his cosmology and life. If a Indian believe that God is the one who sent rain, and that he need to offer human blood to receive rain, he will do it, like the Mayas in Mexico. If I believe that God is coming to this earth to take me out of here if I follow what His book is saying, I will follow the book. This what Christians do. Our concepts of God influence all our lives.
Regardless with we even accept His existence or not. Like the foolish in the Psalm 14 “said the fool in his heart, there is not God”. His way of leaving is set by this belief of the absence of a superior being. So he leave his life with expecting another one. So he will enjoy as much as he can this one. He will explain all events based on scientific ideas. All because his notion of God is that God does not exist. What we can not ignore is that the thought of God does not influence humans.
Taking the message of Gunton in his book Act and Being I really agree with him that we (as humans) need to really get in deep study about the God. And trying to understand if He exist and, or, who He is, set our life right. In this context I see the Adventist message of the Great Controversy very helpful. Because explain me in a very reasonable manner, the existence of God and how can I live better in the earth and in the world to come.
Looking to the past, I see Ellen White living a wonderful and happy life, and those who misunderstood the God of Bible ended up in a sad end. So I believe the Bible message has something really important to tell us. And communication between humans and God is not what the Holy Spirit is all about! Do you see how all fit!
Jason,
The issue of conscience domination is repetdly found in the book Great Controversy. I actually did a research for this in Brazil. For her, the tune of the Great last crisis, as was in history, is the mandate of conscience and who should be worshipped. And I agree with you that her writings have not been considered by us carefully enough in this so important issue.
Leo,
this is my great burden also, the relation between sight and faith. Since I did communication with theology, I have seen how important is this issue in the light of the Great Controversy. The Bible says that is by faith with sight, but sight should never be the test for truth. So the balance is needed and the Bible even more. I encourange you to read chapter "Our only safeguard" in the Great controversy about that...
Debbie,
maybe dream and visions are more frenquently out of SDA, because we have so much little that God does not need to appear in a vision to SDA's. See (Jo.6, Lc.16)And about the issue of witchcraft and spiritualism is more subtle then some of us think. It have become normal for adventist and christian in general to watch and read Harry Potter and things alike. This worries me as a pastor. Every day I realize how subtle Satan is in his deception and how much more I should depend on the HS influence.
Fred,
I as you had this "mythological" mentality in relation to Bible characters. It is true that the faith of Abraham and other were not that great thing we thought. But this does not mean they were not great in the eyes of the Lord. I think that is not so much on how we misunderstood Abraham's character, but we have not really grasp about how God deals with human fallen beings.
I highly recommend to all of you the section 5 of the volume 8 of Testimonies by EGW. It is about ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE...wonderful
Ref#3
This last week in class we talked about an issue that’s so debated yet relevant and essential in our church today. The topic, “the idea/ model for evangelism” and then, what should it look like? Both these issues have not only driven people out of the church but have caused some to turn from God altogether. I have been privy to many individuals who have been hurt and down right offended because of some of the strategies and methods some have used to save souls.
Arguments over controversial beliefs and methods have led some to fist fights and hardened hearts. This indeed is a vital and sensitive task and topic and I have been comforted this week by the words and advice from EGW that I believe makes it clear foundationally on how we ought to act and minister.
And I quote “Christ’s example included avoiding “controversies,” identifying with each person’s “interests and happiness,” watching “the faces of His hearers…” (Pg. 213). 1) I feel that we as a church have become so out of touch with reality/ our community that we miss opportunities to meet their needs or learn what makes those around us happy. This I’m sure comes from the idea of needing to be a “peculiar” people that some have taken to the extreme at times. 2) I feel we are so rushed when witnessing because we live in a faced paced society and therefore need to be intentional about slowing down so we can “see the faces of the hearers” as Jesus did.
And lastly the second part of the quote says, “speaking with “simplicity” by not bringing “many things before them at once, lest He might confuse their minds” (Pg. 213). 3) We still do this by sharing all our doctrines in such a short time frame. I get that time is short but we are still missing the boat.
When am I going to learn I wonder? My prayer is that I will be more cognizant of Jesus’ model and less worried about the agendas so that I will take time and really get to know those around me. Will you join me on this quest? A text that comes to mind is 1 Thess. 2:7,8 which I think sums my desire.
AND IF THE MEASURE STICK IS STOLEN ?
I remembered that one of the examples that Douglass tell in this section is the of standard measuring stick. This stick is found in the National Bureau of Standards at Gaithersburg, Maryland. It is the National Prototype Meter. By it everything that is to be measure is based according to it size. So if someone have doubt about the size of the football field, just go to Maryland, get the measures right and compare with the field again.
This is the same thing with revelation from God. When I start to read the section of hermeneutics (starting with chapter 32) one of the issues that bothered me was about the comparison of further prophets (light) with prior (light). This seems to be fair, and right because the Bible teaches it (Is.8:20). But I start to thing if there was no prior revelation to compare with? If the measure stick of Gaithersburg was stolen?
Before you think I am a fatalist, and we do not need to think that way because we have the Bible to compare things with, just think of Abraham. There was no prior written revelation before Moses that we know about. Job, Lot, Isaac, Jacob, did not have a book to compare like the Israelites after Moses. You could say that God appeared personally to those people! It is true that God appeared to Abraham, once to Jacob and Job. But Isaac?
He could compare with the teachings of his father. If you agree with this argument, so tradition have a place in knowing God. So how we deal with other traditions like the apocripha…The Catholic Church says that we should listen to tradition and Scriptures. Are they right? And Abraham, did he had tradition…If yes, the tradition would have probably taught him that God is against murder. See the story of Cain and Abel.
But how would Abraham know that the God who told him to leave and kill his son was the true God…To kill is against God’s law, and to leave his house is something very weird. So how could Abraham know that was the true God that spoke. On that time, many gods were adored, and could easily be anyone of them. And it was probably against tradition.
And Melquisedek, the priest of the Almighty, where did he learn from God…these type of question make me thing of how broad a range is God’s revelation. But this do not answer all the questions. Maybe tomorrow, after reflecting a little more I can write some answers instead of questions. Today I conclude with a question, if they steal the measure stick?
I was originally planning to talk about how my views on EGW had changed over the last month, but that idea was taken up by the exam, so I guess I’ll have to talk about something else. I think one of the things that has been impressed upon me about the life of EGW is how difficult it is to be a “prophet.” While many of my misconceptions about EGW have been done away with by taking this class, one of the things that I have always thought was that she lived a life that was almost not her own because of the amount of things that she had to do. While it is true that we all should be living lives that are “not our own,” (that’s a nice slogan too) it seems as if the Whites definitely were consumed with getting our fledging movement off the ground and established as a viable denomination and not just a flash in the pan.
So my admiration of EGW’s ability to cope with the difficulties of being a prophet comes in two forms. First, the amount of positive work she had to do. As we all know, she wrote a ridiculously large amount of literature. And while she did not necessarily write every single page herself, the truth of the matter is that most of the work is either work she wrote for the books as written, or they are compilations of other things that she wrote. Therefore, contrary to what critics would have us think, EGW wrote almost every word of what is published under her name, with only the most minor exceptions. On top of the fact that she wrote as much as she did, she also traveled extensively. There was one chapter where it talked about how she traveled back and forth across the country at a time when that type of travel is difficult. It reminds me of how we sometimes complained when we have to travel back and forth and our travel is much easier than hers. In her travels of course, she was always speaking as well in those travels, and public speaking can be a very draining experience. Finally, in addition to all of this, she spent countless time as an advisor, and receiving visions, and having to reveal sensitive matters to people, and all types of this sort as well. It just makes me wonder how much “rest” she really had and how much she felt the weight of the responsibility of being God’s messenger.
The second thing that impresses upon me the difficulty of being God’s messenger is the amount of criticism she had to deal with. On top of all the works she was doing, she also had to deal with people who challenged her motives, challenged her theology, and sought to tear her down. Of course what made this particular element interesting is that these people were usually people with whom she had worked with closely and at least some that she considered to be friends. It just seems to me that it would have been personally difficult and she would have dealt with feelings of personal rejection, not just a disassociated feeling that the word was not being accepted, especially because it seems that the attacks at time were personal. The combination of both of these factors make it clear to be that it is difficult for anyone, EGW included, to be a prophet.
1) 3 historical facts from the life of EGW that became more significant to me. And why it is significant
One fact that impressed me is related in chapter 4 of the book Messenger of the Lord.. It was during the 1840s when Miller was already preaching. She was afraid of God. That part I learned from my Adventist childhood. But what was new for me was the presence of Elder Stockman in her life. This sensitive preacher said to this young girls that God was preparing her for some greater work. And her acknowledgement that she learned more about God in one conversation with Stockman than in all other sermons.
I understood more of Ellen’s fear when I read the religious background of her youth. In America the famous preachers would preach in a fearful manner about God and His judgment. I remember to study about a sermon of that time titled “Saints in the hands of an angry God”. Everybody was so frightened, that people would search God out of fear, not of love. And since Miller was saying that Jesus (the judge) is soon coming, people had a short time to get ready. This maybe was fearful thoughts that Ellen White cherished, as is seem in the book Early Writings.
And this mean a lot to me because my wife had (or still have) this problem of misunderstanding God’s character. As Ellen White, she was taught that God and His judgment is a way to punish wicked people, and those who do not keep the commandments of God will burn, soon. No love was shown by those who taught her, at least she never mention it. I was perplexed when in our first year of dating, in our devotional time, she declared afraid of the Second Coming of Jesus.
To me this could not fit in an Adventist. My home experience was that Jesus’ coming is the happiest event ever. So I begin to realize the influence of how we portray Jesus character to other. As Ellen White and my wife’s experience show (and probably this is the experience of much more Christians) the manner that a message is presenting influences a lot in its content.
I - continuation
So my reflection is “How are we to present Jesus to the people?” As “someone worst than the devil” (as Luther believed before his conversion), or the lovingly Father of Scriptures !? The class of professor Hanna and the book about Ellen G. White, taught me that is not only a matter of passing the right information, but HOW do you transfer Jesus love to other in our biblical message that influences people to the kingdom.
A second event of her life, not actually one, but one aspect of her life that helped me in the first reflection (the “HOW” we pass Jesus to others) was her life of self-sacrifice service. Many events are described in the text book of Douglass. But the whole life of her and James White showed how self-sacrifice they were for Jesus. She would rather having nothing to eat some days, to give food for the poor, than to spent her just money with her.
On many occasions, she donated her royalties and personal fund to build churches and school, and in feeding and clothing the hungry. This reflects the relationship she had with God and how her knowledge about a loving God influence her life in service for others. This is a perfect way to transmit God to people, living like Jesus. She had authority in her preaching because she lived it.
And this is a personal challenge. Not only study or talk about God, but live a life of self-sacrifice for His kingdom. And like Ellen G. White said, we I do this, instead of one conversion, 10 people would be converted to God. Figure of speech that shows my poor reality and my need of spiritual growth.
A third event that impressed me was the 1888 event and how she handled conflict. She first did not set a right or wrong position, but said she would study from Scriptures and seek the Spirit guidance. She then reproved the satanic, proudly and harsh way to talk about Bible truths, shown in the General Conference meetings and latter on the paper (Review and Herald versus Signs of the Times). This “enemie” thinking of our those who disagree with us in our community of faith is not healthy for the body of Christ.
She again put some weight on how we handle the truth. The manner we teach something has a lot to say on what are we teaching. Since I studied communication in Brazil also, this kind of study just fascinates me. Ellen G. White stand for the right truth (because there is wrong truth, a truth said in a wrong manner) and for God going against the wrong positions of people of influence in the church. I think this should be our position also. Depend upon Jesus, showing love and respect to our fellow workers without compromising our faith.
2) How my perspective of interpretation of EGW changed, how was.
Before this summer class my view of inspiration was narrower. I did had some thought about a holistic model of inspiration, but not as good as I learned in class. Before class I everybody should read Ellen White and the Scriptures like I read. And this should not be true. Since God speak in many ways to different people, I need to be more open to a broader work of the Holy Spirit in the life of humans.
I did believe that the work of the Spirit of prophecy was not only in Ellen G. White, but I did not apply this broad principle to other areas of the Spirit’s work. And in class my comprehension of inspiration and God’s way of work deepened. God is not and can not be limited in our way of thinking about Him. And instead of putting our thinking of God upon other we should share our views and learn from each other, comparing all to Scripture.
When I now read Ellen G. White I will try to apply this principle of openness to what the text is really saying, not what I want it to say. And in this period that I study at the seminary, I want to review my thoughts about God, getting as much as I can from a more thoroughly study of inspired writings.
Because I still held the thought Ellen G. White writings were something very precise, as a rule, to admonish people the EXACT way they should leave. I learned that in my interpretation of her writings I should use common sense, guided by the Spirit. And the same thing happened with Scripture. The major thing that I learned was that even though truth is unchangeable, the way of transmitting it changes in time and space. Even tough I taught this in Brazil, in some areas of my life I did not apply it fully. So I think I will be more aware of what I am doing and thinking.
This approach will help me in evaluate types of ministry, worship, and opinions of others about God and reality. This does not mean that I will agree with them, but from a healthily conversation I can grow more than If I confronted with them with my cherished ideas that can be wrong.
It is refreshing to review the health principles taught by James and Ellen White as outlined in our book. I have read Ministry of Healing before and referenced it a few times. I have read many of Ellen Whites other works. And there were not really any new principles outlined in this chapter that I did not know she already upheld. But it is interesting to see how easy it has been for myself to forget some of these basic guidances. Perhaps this is one of the reasons some people are not particularly interested in reading Ellen White's writtings, because it certainly does call us to a higher standard of living!
It does not take long for us to search until we can easily find that when we would least expect it, and in the least expected manner, God works some of the greatest wonders! For instance, we have always been critical upon the lives of the Desciples, and we state how God took those simple men and turned them for His Glory. Especially this can be seen in the life of Paul. Starting out as a Feared Foe of the church, he ends as one of its' earliest champions. I see this same pattern in the life of Ellen White also. As I read this last section of our book assigned for this class, I am amazed all over again at the work that God has done through His servant. He calls whom He wills, and is the giver of great gifts. Ellen White, who received hardly any formal education, became the driving force behind the educational movement in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and, as in many other areas, was way ahead of the common understandings of her time in education principles. Today we have some incredible schools of learning which can be traced directly back to her early work. What a mighty God we serve to take the weak and helpless and use them to shake the world for His Glory!
For a while I have hid behind the slogan “The Bible and the Bible only” as a smokescreen for the real issues I debated in my mind. I saw only those listed in the canon as prophets. I thought that my perspective had always been that the thoughts of prophets were inspired and not their words. The reality is that as I memorized the words of the scriptures I subconsciously internalized that their words were in fact inspired. Conversely it appears that I saw other writers as being thought inspired. This course forced me to define and unpack every phrase I had so loosely put forward. I was encouraged to define, define, and define. I could ask all my questions and rehash my dilemmas in open forum. As we discussed in class I realized that I had crossed the line many times in my understanding of the entire topic and that I didn’t have a genuine understanding. I recalled not too long ago a quarterly on the subject but I had not progressed significantly in my understanding. Now I can see that God does not dictate the words of the prophet. How could I have thought otherwise? Yet this affected my perspective on the interpretation of inspired writings. A wrong understanding led me to be in a quandary as to any distinction between the common and the sacred. In addition I would have a hierarchy in my mind of levels of inspiration. What is clear to me now is that The Holy Spirit as the Gift of Prophecy. He is the author. If that is true then while the prophet is not infallible the prophet is inspired. Douglass puts it nicely “ Ellen White recognized that the Holy Spirit guided her in the writing process even as He was impressing her in the revealing process, although in a different way” (p.421). I cannot emphatically say that God has never and will never dictate words to anyone. But I can say that he is divinely present with his prophets giving a sense of divine direction. I will hazard a guess that that is consistent and like Douglass says “will for the most part keep them from commenting on matters on which they have no special light” (p.421). For me the overall tone of the life and message of the prophet contributes to the entire package. The key element in this course was establishing from the beginning from scripture that the testimony of God is Jesus, that the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy, that the latter is the Holy Spirit and that the testimony of the Holy Spirit is the Gifts of the Spirit. This plus a holistic view of learning sets the foundation for correct understanding.
The first historical aspect of the Life and Ministry of Ellen G. White which is most significant to me for my understanding in her role as prophetess is that she changed her counsel whenever the Holy Spirit guided. In his book Douglass asserts that John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ’s kingdom. In 1902 at a special meeting at Elmshaven, the leaders needed counsel regarding denominational debt. At first she said to close the Nashville press and then she received a vision which altered her first directive. I agree with the Douglass when he says that “prophets grow in grace and knowledge as do other believers…They had much to learn and unlearn” (p.155). Secondly White’s adherence to the Great Controversy theme is critical for me. The theme is consistent with the writings of the prophets who have gone before her. Every aspect of her writing corresponds to pointing to the battle for the mind and ultimately for the souls of individuals. The enemy of souls has fought me terribly in the last month to increase and foster my doubts about her writings. By God’s grace and the leading of the Spirit to take this course I have gotten the victory over this hurdle. Indeed I agree that “the very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic” (p. 535). How did I get to this place initially? It was because I entertained the doubts of others. As I listened I became agitated and one question led to more questions. Thirdly I am confronted with her setbacks in health and lack of extensive formal schooling. Her accident as a young girl and the trauma which God allowed served as a thorn in the flesh yet as a catalyst to lean on him more intensely. Clearly as I look at the extensive writing she achieved and the quality of the authorship, it is impossible to ignore the divine intervention involved.
Anyone can have visions, anyone can display physical phenomena that seem supernatural but only the presence of The Holy Spirit can change the hearts of men. My spirit was critical of Ellen White, my struggle was real, but so is my deliverance. These aspects of her life are important to me because somehow they seem plausible. Douglass presented a very balanced and objective view of her life and work. Oftentimes Ellen White’s writings are misconstrued and a legalistic reading of scripture causes some to use her writing out of context to support their views. This complete overview of her writings has put her in the correct framework when compared to The Bible.
As my final entry I must state that this course was necessary at this point in time in my journey with Christ. After visiting Battle Creek this Sabbath I feel like a weight has been removed from me. All the doubts and questions and turmoil regarding Ellen G. White, all my demons have been exercised. The truth is that the message and the messenger are inseparable. I agree wholeheartedly that rejection of the ministry of Ellen White will shake a person out the door. This is certainly in the spiritual sense but potentially in the physical sense also. A very critical spirit starts to take over and after a while you the individual start to feel like you are losing control. The intense program here at the seminary with reduced rest, quick meals and amplified stress is a breeding ground for problems. One of the deceits the enemy uses is paradoxically the idea of “the Bible and the Bible only” (p.377). Isn’t that incredible? He has a counterfeit for that too. It is a distortion of the application. Herbert Douglass says that White uses this phrase in the same sense the prophets did as representative of authority. She did not mean that we cannot read anything outside of the Bible on Scriptural matters. In addition some even reject her writings using this same slogan. She did not mean that we cannot read non Adventist authors. Have any of you ever been blessed by the writings of other Christian writers? Have God ever used any sermons on television to discipline you or give you comfort? One of my personal favorites is Charles Stanley. This question of to the law and the testimony if they speak not according to my word and the idea that they are not 7th day Sabbath keepers, can I listen to them? How does the ellipsical view of Spiritual Israel and truth factor in? I especially liked the class discussion as we talked about our avoidance of the use of a creed deferring to a statement of beliefs. This reminded me of why I first was attracted to the Seventh day Adventist message for the clarity of the beliefs and the amazing light that it helped me to discover. Where I started to go awry was during Sabbath School where many times we were basing all conclusions on mere opinions. We never verified sources, quotations or understandings. All issues were black or white. An ellipsical view of matters never entered our discussions. There was no definition. This class has provided a framework to question. I believe as my creed in the holistic approach to scripture but I am tempted sometimes to be legalistic and I recognize that I have to be cognizant of that at all times.
Final Essay 1, part 1: The first thing that has become more significant to me in our study of the life and ministry of Ellen G. White has been how God has used her as a reformer in the area of education. The most intriguing part of this subject is how God took her from such a terrible accident in early childhood and performed such incredible work out of her through the rest of her life. It seems evident that the injury that she suffered in early childhood was likely a frontal attack by Satan to prevent what God would do through her. Whether I am right or wrong on this statement, it is clear that God was able to take the feeble mind and almost lifeless body and work through it to teach His children and give them direction in the most incredible manner. The reason this is so significant to me at this point in my life is because of the deep mental and psychological struggles I am enduring myself right now. These struggles bring me often to the point where I am ready to withdraw myself from formal education in order to rest, but I really want to complete this course. In addition, I fractured my tailbone earlier this summer from a fall and sit every moment in pain. I know that what has happened to me is an attack from the enemy as well, and that God can do great things through me regardless of these attacks. Though I am not a prophet, I know that God has spectacular work that He desires to work through me, as He does for all of us. It is encouraging for me to see how God was able to take even greater destruction to the human body and use it for His glory, which gives me a kick of confidence that He is not finished with me yet either.
Final Essay 1, part 2: The second thing that really grabbed my attention this summer during this class is the realities of the progression of the health message in early Adventism. When we sit in Sabbath School and discuss things such as the health message today, we so easily might be tempted to believe that James and Ellen White and those that were with them, studied at the table one day to ensure they were doing things according to the scriptures and came away with the whole message all at once. Somebody preached a sermon about their early studies once, and somehow this is the picture I got out of it, that they sat down and figured everything out and accepted it all right away. It is a shocking realization to understand that when the movement began, eating pork was not one of the big important issues. Because we think in pictures, I am now brought to think of the group of young pioneers sitting and studying, and when they are finished, they pray, put away their Bibles, and set the table for a meal together, sitting down to eat a roasted ham! What a concept! Though I have not come near to the place I am sure God wants me to be in the matter of health, I am reassured of the possibilities He has yet to work within me His will, as it is evident that He moved upon the early pioneers at a pace that was correct for them, and did not dump all of His desires on them at once. I can see how God has led me part way, but I can see other areas in Health where I must still learn to submit.
The third thing that rose to the top of my list was the discussion of the events around 1888 and the disagreements that were occurring, along with the counsel from Ellen White on those issues. I have never known much of the 1888 discrepancies, and didn’t understand the conflict so well. But through this class, I have been better enabled to understand what went on. As she stated, the Moral and Ceremonial laws are our schoolmasters. The fact was pointed out, and I have been guilty of it myself, that Adventists still tend to dismiss the ceremonial law, saying it was done away with. Though the fulfillment of what this law was pointing forward to came, it is still law. This is an interesting thing to me and I will have to rethink this issue in depth.
Final Essay 2: In the past, when considering the interpretation of inspired writings, especially those of Ellen White, I confess that I have had struggles on several occasions to understand why what she said was actually true and the will of God for our situation today. This class has helped me to step back into her time a little better. Similar to the ever so famous bicycle “prohibition”, which is so well understood and often referred to, there were many times when the counsel she gave was directed specifically at issues that were going on around her in her day. This does not necessarily excuse the same behaviors today, since we are living in “modern” times, but is a fact that must be understood to derive a fuller understanding of what she was instructing us to do. Those same counsels, though they may not be as applicable to our current situations, can themselves be applied to our lives by the understanding of the principles that lay behind the formulation of her words. Setting aside bicycles, another issue that I have recently had to work with is on the subject of magnetic therapy. While Ellen White did give clear words against trusting in them for healing in the Testimonies, we cannot ignore the realities of what occurs around us today. There are, for instance, Medical Doctors who use, and claim that the use of electromagnetic therapy is proven effective, for the treatment and eradication of certain types of cancer. While some of my church members were active in selling magnetic products, others were reminding us that Ellen White spoke against using magnets for healing, and therefore, they must be evil. But if we look at God’s creation, we cannot escape the magnetic fields He has placed upon the globe, though this is not readily clear. I attempted to research the methods that were used in magnetic therapy in her day and was unsuccessful at finding much. But when viewing the other issues surrounding the common health practices of the day, it gives us a little light. Whether it be the fact that 3 months could earn a medical degree, as was stated in our book, the recommendation by Medical Doctors to use tobacco, which is unthinkable in our understandings, or the strange notion that was so commonly practiced in taking Goat body parts and sewing them into the human body for the healing of various diseases, we are better enabled to see the much shallower understandings of health in that day. God had a great work to do for health reform in that day, as He does in our own day. From the evaluation of these and similar instances, that God was using the gift of inspiration to work on particular issues that were occurring in the day they were given. Sometimes they may have been directed towards activities that were being practiced then, but are no longer the same situation. While we might take Ellen Whites counsel on Bicycles and defend our use of these instruments today, as they are extremely economical, environmental, and healthful in comparison to automobiles, the principles lying behind her counsel are still applicable today. So, while we will look and interpret that particular inspired writing as a problem of history, the same principle should be applied to our own modesty, whether it be in a bicycle or an automobile. This understanding has helped me to approach the inspiration to both accept it for her day, and try to make it applicable today. In addition, while accepting her writings as inspiration and prophecy, it has been helpful to understand that not everything she wrote was in either of the two categories. Therefore God has developed within me a greater caution for real understanding of the context when reading inspired writings.
Exam Post #1
The three events from the life of Ellen G. White that particularly impressed me and were significant to me in my understanding of Mrs. White as a prophetess are the health reform vision of 1863, her response to the controversy of the 1888 General Conference Session, and the circumstances surrounding her time in Australia in 1891. I think these three events showed me three important lessons about her role as a prophet. First, it showed that the prophet could be misguided about certain principles and has to receive correction from God. Second, it shows that the prophet sometimes can be reluctant about their responsibility. Finally, Ellen G. White’s decision to go to Australia shows a certain amount of humility that is necessary for the prophet.
Ellen White received her most central health vision in 1863. In this vision White received instruction from God that, among other things, warned her to the dangers of pork. Up until the late 1850s there is evidence that the Whites did eat swine, although they had already been convinced of the dangers of alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee. This is an interesting situation because up until the health vision in 1863, the Whites believed that the dietary health laws found in Leviticus were part of the Jewish ceremonial law, and therefore held no weight after the death of Christ. Of course they refrained from the consumption of pork after the vision. I think this is especially significant because it shows that just because White was a prophet it does not mean she was somehow superhuman and incapable of making theological mistakes. She was corrected in vision and accepted that correction.
The controversy at the 1888 General Conference Session drained White emotionally. She wrote at one point, “I would if I had dared, [have] given up this field of conflict long ago, but something has held me.” This quote in this circumstance is significant because it shows the reluctance that prophets have in accepting the responsibility of being a prophet. We often have the perception that prophets live an easy life or some sort of better life because they are “closer” to God than “normal” people. However, what White expresses in this quote is how frustrating and lonely it can be to be the messenger of God. Of course, the most important point is that White persevered in her God-given responsibility.
Finally, White followed the counsel of the leaders of the Adventist Church in going to Australia in 1891. There have been many reasons suggested for why the Church sent her there, and many of them are not positive. Some scholars have hypothesized that the leaders of the church had grown tired of her agitating them on many issues, including race. I think her reaction is important for us to note, especially if the hypotheses are true. Instead of asserting her position as the messenger of God, in order to chastise them for their spirits, she shows great humility by submitting to authority and accepting the possibilities of the new assignment. By doing so, she was able to still exert influence in America even as she expanded the work in Australia. The humility that she showed is a lesson that we all should learn.
Exam Post #2
There are several ways that my perspective on the interpretation of inspired writings has developed and changed over the course of this summer session.
First, I now fully understand the inspired writings are more than the writings of Ellen G. White. Through our study of the biblical phrase “Spirit of prophecy,” I was able to fully understand how the spirit of prophecy rest on all of us in different ways. Therefore there are many different ways in which the spirit manifests itself and that how we judge whether the Spirit is present is whether the message is in line with the word of God. Now because the spirit manifests itself in different ways, there is an office of prophet which belongs to Ellen G. White, but that is not to the exclusion of others through whom the Spirit has also been expressed. I have to admit that coming into this point I had never really considered “the Spirit of prophecy” as a biblical term and that it could mean more than just the ministry of Ellen G. White.
Second, the concept of right and wrong when it comes to inspired writings and prophets has to be adjusted. Many people criticize the inspired writings of Ellen G. White based on the fact that some of the things she saw in vision did not come to pass or that the information in her visions may have been incorrect based on the knowledge we have today. However, this course has shown me that we have to have a more flexible view of prophecy and its fulfillment. An example that I think is particularly apropos is the vision she had about astronomy. While it may not have been technically accurate by the astronomical knowledge we have today, its purpose may not have been to be technically accurate, but give people confidence in her visions, which means that the information given had to conform to the astronomical knowledge of that time. To criticize based on this issue solely is to assume that we understand why God gave the vision in the first place and to make judgment based on that understanding, which is a dangerous position to take. Prior to this course, I was tempted to look at some of these visions in a static “right” or “wrong” way, and I now see that we have to be willing to move away from that idea and embrace a more flexible understanding.
Third and finally, we have to be careful about the way that we present inspired writing and particularly the writings of Ellen G. White. I have never necessarily been an advocate for recommending the writings of Ellen G. White, although I am supportive of the works in and of themselves, but the way my mind has changed about the writings themselves and our understanding of them has made me see that she is someone to be recommended and not just tolerated. I think that by showing people how she fits into the broader scope of Adventism, Christianity, and Scripture, we can bring people to a better understanding and place them in a mindset of being more receptive to what God has led her to say to us. I think that process can work because I have seen it work in be over the course of this summer session.
This is just a test for my friend Max
Essay Question 1:
Discuss three historical aspects of the Life and Ministry of Ellen White, which are most significant to you for your understanding of her role as a prophetess. Explain why these aspects are especially significant to you.
As I reflect over this past semester of class three things have become very clear concerning the life and ministry of EGW and the historical role she’s played in our church. #1, the biblical test for a prophet being challenged and seen through her ministry. #2, Her role as a messenger as she saw it. #3, How visions played a role in changing counsel and opinions throughout her ministry.
1) To me the issue of biblically testing of a prophet is foundational before one can use the council from said individual. Through her life and ministry it is clear that she indeed holds the office of prophetess. The 4 major tests found in scripture and the advice from Paul who said, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast that which is good” 1 Thess. 5:19-21. This semester it has been made clear that EGW in fact does meet the standards set forth in scripture and I have personally began to apply and appreciate the role and ministry she plays in the church not only then but today.
2) EGW never personally claimed the title as prophet but simply a messenger of God (pg 170). She knew that God worked through prophets in the past and realized that God was leading now as never before (pg. 170). She also never claimed to hold superiority through her writings over that of scripture. But, through time has helped to bring clarity and harmony through biblical studies. The amazing thing however in all this, is how some individuals have used her contrary to her own statements.
3) Throughout her ministry this has probably been one of the biggest blessings and curses at the same time. Some have used the changes found in her statements concerning issues said at one point and then compared to later statements to imply her visions were not true or fulfilled. When truly, even in scripture Nathan the prophet could be charged with the same account. Yet on the other hand, visions have help to clarify and correct statements made. Oct. 19, 1902 is one example where a night vision changed her opinion of the very counsel she gave the night before. She was indeed led and guided by God but at times was given further light which in turn made things clearer or different altogether.
Each of these three aspects after reflecting and reviewing them have indeed made me a believer in the role and ministry EGW plays in my life today.
Exam question #2
Describe how your perspective on the interpretation of inspired writings has developed or changed as a result of your study in this course. What was your perspective? What is it now? How has this course contributed to the development or change?
The idea/ concept of inspiration has always been one of interest for me. The how and why factor of inspiration and whom God uses is remarkable. I once thought however, that there was only one way God inspired the writers and that was through word inspiration. God would speak and those whom He chose would write the things they saw and heard. In other words God would dictate word for word and the hearer would copy each word.
As I studied however with this idea in mind most of my life, I became very clear of different accounts and contradictory sayings throughout scripture. This raised huge questions about the authority and truth of scripture for me. Manly, because I didn’t know how to answer and account for these so called mistakes/ differences. Wasn’t the word of God perfect? Then why all the contradictions?
However, over this semester and the course of my time here at Andrews my thought proses and ideas have been challenged and I’ve become aware of yet another type of inspiration. Thought inspiration is not done mechanically as word (verbal) inspiration would accrue. God instead, works on the prophet’s hearts and thoughts verses telling them what to write. The power that comes from this is that the prophet uses their own thought proses and uses words and ideas of that day. This in turn, allows the hearers to understand and helps in the understanding and choosing process of believing the message.
To account therefore for the so-called mistakes I have concluded that they are not contradictions on God’s part but simply human copyist errors or views as they looked at and retold an event or story. And, in no way shape or form change the overall purpose or plan God was intending the reader to hear or understand. Revelation also plays a major part in inspiration process. This is the very thing that causes the content/ thoughts to be not only infallible but applicable and authoritative today just as it was then.
This concept and understanding of inspired writings and thoughts is a major foundational aspect that many still today struggle with. I am grateful that from the results of being here and sitting in this class that I have come away with a deeper and better understanding of inspiration and the writings of EGW and scripture.
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