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Ellen G. White Estate

How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century

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Mechanical Inspiration

How God Communicates Scripture Ellen White and the Bible How to Read Ellen White How to Deal with Criticism

The Great Controversy


Degrees of Inspiration


George Ide Butler


How was the Bible Written?



How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century How was the Bible Written?


“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pe 1:21)




“For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Pe 1:21) “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Tim 3:16)




“1 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus.” (Luke 1:1-3)




“The Bible points to God as its author; yet it was written by human hands; and in the varied style of its different books it presents the characteristics of the several writers. The truths revealed are all ‘given by inspiration of God’ (2 Tim 3:16); yet they are expressed in the words of men.” (GC v)




“As presented through different individuals, the truth is brought out in its varied aspects. One writer is more strongly impressed with one phase of the subject; he grasps those points that harmonize with his experience or with his power of perception and appreciation; another seizes upon a different phase; con’t




and each, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, presents what is most forcibly impressed upon his own mind – a different aspect of the truth in each, but a perfect harmony through all. And the truths thus revealed unite to form a perfect whole, adapted to meet the wants of men in all the circumstances and experiences of life.” (GC vi)


How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century What about Ellen White?


God

Bible Writers Bible

Ellen White Her writings

~ 2000 – 3000 years


Are there Errors in the Bible?



How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century Are there Errors in the Bible?


“Man is fallible, but God’s word is infallible.” (1SM 416)




“In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it; God alone is infallible.” (1SM 20)




“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.’” (Num 20:12)




“He was not authorized of God to concede as much as they asked.” (AA 405)




“When copies of it [Bible] were few, learned men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition.” (EW 220)




“He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cu-bits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.” (1 Ki 7:23)




“He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.” (1 Ki 7:23)

10 cubits

Circumference: • Diameter x Pi




“He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.” (1 Ki 7:23)

10 cubits

Circumference: • Diameter x Pi • 10 cubits x 3.14 = 31+ cubits




“Some look to us gravely and say, ‘Don’t you think there might have been some mistake in the copyist or in the translators?’ This is all probable, and the mind that is so narrow that it will hesitate and stumble over this possibility or probability would be just as ready to stumble over the mysteries of the Inspired Word, because their feeble minds cannot see through the purposes of God. con’t




Yes, they would just as easily stumble over plain facts that the common mind will accept, and discern the Divine, and to which God’s utterance is plain and beautiful, full of marrow and fatness. All the mistakes will not cause trouble to one soul, or cause any feet to stumble, that would not manufacture difficulties from the plainest revealed truth.” (1SM 16)


Reasons for Doubting



How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century Reasons for Doubting


“The mysteries of the Bible, so far from being an argument against it, are among the strongest evidences of its divine inspiration. If it contained no account of God but that which we could comprehend; if His greatness and majesty could be grasped by finite minds, then the Bible would not, as now, bear the unmistakable evidences of divinity. con’t




The greatness of its themes should inspire faith in it as the word of God.” (Ed 170)




“In almost every case where persons become unsettled in regard to the inspiration of the word of God, it is on account of their unsanctified lives, which that word condemns. They will not receive its reproofs and threatenings because these reflect upon their wrong course of action.” (1T 440)


How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century Summary


1. Only thoughts are communicated 2. The Bible is written in human

words 3. The Bible is inspired in its entirety 4. It may be that there are a few

minor, factual errors (which will lead nobody astray)

5. All this applies to the Bible and Ellen White


Ellen White and the Bible



How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century Ellen White and the Bible











“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev 12:17)




“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Rev 12:17) “For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.” (Rev 19:10)




“Sola scriptura … is the doctrine that the Bible contains all knowledge necessary for salvation and holiness. Consequently, sola scriptura demands only those doctrines are to be admitted or confessed that are found directly within or indirectly by using valid logical deduction or valid deductive reasoning from scripture. con’t




However, sola scriptura is not a denial of other authorities governing Christian life and devotion. Rather, it simply demands that all other authorities are subordinate to, and are to be corrected by, the written word of God.”


How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century Ellen White and Sola Scriptura


“The Bible and the Bible alone, is our rule of faith.” (TSS 32) “We then took the position that the Bible, and the Bible only, was to be our guide; and we are never to depart from this position.” (CW 145)




“You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God’s word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God’s inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies. con’t




The Lord designs to warn you, to reprove, to counsel, through the testimonies given, and to impress your minds with the importance of the truth of His word. The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed.” (2T 605)




“I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the ‘last days;’ not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth.” (EW 78)




“While at family prayers one morning, the power of God began to rest upon me, and the thought rushed into my mind that it was mesmerism, and I resisted it. Immediately I was struck dumb and for a few moments was lost to everything around me. … A card was held up before me, on which were written in letters of gold the chapter and verse of fifty texts of Scripture. con’t




After I came out of vision, I beckoned for a slate, and wrote upon it that I was dumb, also what I had seen, and that I wished the large Bible. I took the Bible and readily turned to all the texts that I had seen on the card. I was unable to speak all day.” (EW 22)


Ellen White and Sola Scriptura





Prophets and Kings, chapter 5 (“Solomon’s Repentance”) • 12 pages of text • 22 direct quotations from the

Bible • They account for roughly 5 of

the 12 pages




Desire of Ages, chapter 17 (“Nicodemus”) • Based on John 3:1-17 • Almost continuous textual

reference • 13 direct quotations from

Scripture


Ellen White in Relation to the Bible



How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century Ellen White in Relation to the Bible


“The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man’s duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God’s word, yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God has con’t




through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse. The Testimonies are not to belittle the word of God, but to exalt it and attract minds to it, that the beautiful simplicity of truth may impress all.” (5T 665)




“The Lord has sent His people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.” (CEv 37)




Adventists Catholics

Ellen White tested by Bible

Bible tested by tradition / Pope

Ellen White points to and uplifts Bible

Tradition / Pope add to and change Bible




“He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16)




Books: “Sister White is not the originator of these books. They contain the instruction that during her lifework God has been giving her. They contain the precious, comforting light that God has graciously given His servant to be given to the world.” (CM 125)




Articles: “I do not write one article in the paper expressing merely my own ideas. They are what God has opened before me in vision – the precious rays of light shining from the throne.” (5T 67)




Letters: “Weak and trembling, I arose at three o’clock in the morning to write to you. God was speaking through clay. You might say that this communication was only a letter. Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the spirit of God, to bring before your minds things that had been shown me. con’t




In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to me.” (5T 67)




1. “Sola Scriptura” stands for the primacy of the Bible, but does not exclude other authority.

2. Ellen White is below the Bible because: • She is tested by the Bible. • She points to the Bible.

3. Ellen White’s message is as authoritative as the Bible’s, because the Author is God in both cases.


How to Read Ellen White?





1. Prayer




2. Consider all the prophet has said about the topic




3. Study the context




4. Find the principle


How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century How to Read Ellen White











1. Study with a prayerful attitude 2. Consider all the prophet has

said about the topic 3. Study the context 4. Find the principle


How to Deal with Criticism



How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century How to Deal with Criticism


“… to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” (1 Pe 3:15)


Ellen White’s Astronomy Vision



How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century Ellen White’s Astronomy Vision


• Ellen White never mentioned the name of the world she has seen.

• She never said that the world must only have seven moons.

• The purpose of the vision was to convince Joseph Bates.




• Ellen White never mentioned the name of the world she has seen.

• She never said that the world didn’t have more than seven moons.

• The purpose of the vision was to convince Joseph Bates.




“… the mind that is so narrow that it will hesitate and stumble over this possibility or probability [of errors] would be just as ready to stumble over the mysteries of the Inspired Word, because their feeble minds cannot see through the purposes of God.” (1SM 16)


St. Bartholomew Massacre


The Great Palace Bell


How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century St. Bartholomew Massacre


“The framework of the great temple of truth sustained by her writings was presented to her clearly in vision. In some features of this work, information was given in detail. Regarding some features of the revelation, such as the features of prophetic chronology, as regards the ministration in the sanctuary con’t




and the changes that took place in 1844, the matter was presented to her many times and in detail many times, and this enabled her to speak very clearly and very positively regarding the foundation pillars of our faith. In some of the historical matters such as are brought out in Patriarchs and Prophets con’t




and in Acts of the Apostles, and in The Great Controversy, the main outlines were made very clear and plain to her, and when she came to write up these topics, she was left to study the Bible and history to get dates and geographical relations and to perfect her description of details.” (3SM 462)


Unfulfilled Predictions


“Old Jerusalem never would be built up.” (EW 75)


How to Deal with Criticism


Conclusion


How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century How to Deal with Criticism


• http://egwwritings.org • http://ellenwhite.org • http://drc.whiteestate.org


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How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century

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How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Centurylightchannel.weebly.com/uploads/2/3/3/7/23371834/how_to_read_ellen... · Ellen G. White Estate How to Read Ellen White in the 21st Century