Why I Believe Ellen White Was Inspired

[Guest]

Why I Believe Ellen White Was Inspired

By Maurice Hoppe

Since the time I began reading the writings of Ellen White, some 60 years ago, I have never doubted, that she received special instruction from heaven. I was not a Seventh-day

Adventist at the time, but that did not matter. The evidence was in the reading.

One day a friend was telling me about a book entitled The Great Controversy and about the interesting explanations of end-time events contained in the book. I inquired where I could obtain the book. As soon as I could find the time, I drove 30 miles and purchased the book at a Seventh-day Adventist book store.

Upon arriving home I began reading the book. After I read some time I was convinced that the writer had more

than human insights about the subjects upon which she was writing. I also observed that this book was volume five of a set. I knew I needed the complete set so the next day I

drove again the 60 mile round trip and obtained the other four volumes.

Although the pages are worn and the covers have been repaired several times, my wife and I still have and use these books. This was my introduction to the Spirit of Prophecy and my favorite reading material over the years. For me the

greatest evidence of her inspiration is that she constantly lifts up and exalts the character of our Lord and Savior

Jesus Christ. Let us consider the following quotation:

“The story of Bethlehem is an exhaustless theme. In it is hidden ‘the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God.’ Romans 11:33. We marvel at the

Saviour’s sacrifice in exchanging the throne of heaven for the manger, and the companionship of adoring angels

for the beasts of the stall. Human pride and self-sufficiency stand rebuked in His presence.

Yet this was but the beginning of His wonderful condescension. It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man’s nature,

even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin.

Like every child of Adam, He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these

results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our

sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.”

The Desire of Ages, 48, 49. How thankful we should be for these inspired words concerning the condescension

of Jesus to come to this earth and accept the heredity of our fallen nature to give us an example of a sinless life to follow. Let us not show despite to the love of God and His Son by rashly declaring them to be uninspired.

“Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself

was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe,

subject to the weakness of humanity.

He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of

humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.” Ibid., 49.

Here we are informed that Jesus went before to fight the battle that each of us must fight to be an overcomer.

What an encouragement for the struggling sinner to keep pressing on to follow Jesus and gain the victory.

Only one under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit could write such encouraging words of heaven’s provisions to

help the weary believer. “The heart of the human father yearns

over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life’s peril. He longs to

shield his dear one from Satan’s power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict.

To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only-begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. ‘Herein is love.’ Wonder, O heavens!

and be astonished, O earth!” Ibid., 49.

Notice the description of the heavenly Father and His concern for the safety of His Son born of Mary and laid in a

manger. What human being with their natural abilities could write such insights about the fears of God the Father concerning the safety of His Son such that it caused Him to

tremble except it had been revealed to them through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Who in his human nature can understand the Father’s longing to

shield His beloved Son from Satan’s power? If man in his fallen nature could understand the Father’s concern

for His Son would he not prostrate himself before the Father pleading for the protection of his own soul?

I will cite one vision that shows that future events were revealed to her that were unknown or believed impossible

at the time. Ellen White had many, many visions of this nature. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina withdrew

from the union. The north did not take seriously this move. On January 12, 1861, she was given a vision concerning

the Civil War that was to come in the United States and she related that vision to the congregation. She said to those

present, “People are making light of the secession ordinance of South Carolina.”

Then she commented, among other things, that it would be a most terrible war, and men in that room would lose

sons in that war. Because of the prevailing attitude in the north, several men in the audience sneered at her comments

concerning the war.

History reveals the accuracy of her comments. The Civil War was one of the most devastating wars in terms of lives lost ever engaged in by the United States. There were at least ten

men in the audience that day in Parkville, Michigan, that lost sons in the war, and among them were the very fathers who sneered when the vision was related.

For me descriptions and insights such as these demonstrating divine revelation provide the greatest evidence of the inspiration of Ellen White and the materials that she has

provided to guide us safely on the narrow road that leads to the gates of the Holy City.

There are literally hundreds of such references scattered

throughout the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy that could be commented upon with great benefit to the reader. It is my prayer that every faithful believer guided by this light

in conjunction with the Holy Scriptures will have a safe journey along the narrow road to the Holy City.

[phkrause]

Good post Richard. I have always thought that EGW was inspired, but never wanted to read her books. The only book I did read was the GC, I really loved it. I've started reading other books now and am really enjoying them. Still she is very hard to read.

pk

[Woody]

Hey pk. You would just love 'Christ's Object Lessons' ... one of my dear favorites. And much more easier to read.

[Guest]

I have always found her quite easy to read, and very profound. She can say a whole lot with only a few words. Of course I didn't want to read her when I wasn't willing to follow the advise. She can be very direct, and to the point.

[Robert]

Still she is very hard to read.

pk

You mean hard to understand?

[Robert]

Why I Believe Ellen White Was Inspired

I too believe EGW was inspired, but she's not infallible. Even some of her dreams were tainted with her own views so that they are imperfect.

EGW always maintained that if SDA had read their Bibles there would have been no need of her. She was the lesser light to point Adventists back to the Bible - the greater light. But many SDA, assuming she has all light, stick with her.

[pnattmbtc]

Quote:

Since the time I began reading the writings of Ellen White, some 60 years ago, I have never doubted, that she received special instruction from heaven. I was not a Seventh-day

Adventist at the time, but that did not matter. The evidence was in the reading.

This was my experience too, although the book was different. In my case it was, "The Desire of Ages." I didn't know that Ellen White was supposed to be a prophet, but it was evident to me just from reading the book that the author must have been inspired.

[pnattmbtc]

I too believe EGW was inspired, but she's not infallible. Even some of her dreams were tainted with her own views so that they are imperfect.

Wouldn't this be true of anyone, save Christ? For example, wouldn't Paul's dreams have been "tainted" with his own views so they would be imperfect? Or John? Or anyone else?

Also you wrote "some of her dreams." Shouldn't this be "all of her dreams."? And wouldn't this apply to all of her waking life as well? And similarly for everyone?

That is, any thought that any prophet every had, whether from a dream or vision, whether awake or asleep, would be "tainted" with his or her own views. It would be impossible for this not to be the case. The prophets weren't blank slates that God wrote upon. They weren't dictating machines. They were people with views whose views/paradigms/experiences/world view etc. impacted how they perceived what God told them, just as for anyone else.

The miracle is that God is able to communicate His perfect truth through imperfect individuals.

[Woody]

The difference is no one has all the words ever breathed by them like our prophet does. We now have the option to worship each and every word she spoke. Whereaas we didn't have that option for Paul etc.

[Guest]

The difference is no one has all the words ever breathed by them like our prophet does. We now have the option to worship each and every word she spoke. Whereaas we didn't have to option for Paul etc.

I don't think we are supposed to worship her or her words. But to just take the advise, apply it to our lives, and follow it.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

The difference is no one has all the words ever breathed by them like our prophet does. We now have the option to worship each and every word she spoke. Whereaas we didn't have to option for Paul etc.

off topic for a second: Woody, why do you always refer to Ellen White as "our prophet"? You NEVER write her name. Are you really that much in awe of her that you refuse to identify Ellen White by her name....or do you have some other person in mind when you say "our prophet"?

[Woody]

I wasn't aware that we had more than one Pam. But if we do ... I will stop using that phrase. I just figured that all knew what I was referring to. Can you fill me in further ?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I wasn't aware that we had more than one Pam. But if we do ... I will stop using that phrase. I just figured that all knew what I was referring to. Can you fill me in further ?

Sure and I can fill you in further.... I had always noticed that you ALWAYS use "our prophet" instead of using Ellen White's name. That strikes me as weird....as if writing her name was somehow wrong or that you were intimating that there was another prophet you were thinking of. Or that you were intentionally using that phrase to irritate people who don't believe that EGW was a prophet.

[karl]

Good post Richard. I have always thought that EGW was inspired, but never wanted to read her books. The only book I did read was the GC, I really loved it. I've started reading other books now and am really enjoying them. Still she is very hard to read.

pk

EGW has an astounding vocabulary. Her sentence structure is often long and sometimes difficult to follow. Still, in the Arkansas vernacular, she's real good readin'. Our little girl has been raised reading EGW worship books and, as a result, has a better grasp of the English language than anyone her age we have met.

[Dr. Rich]

Can you answer one simple question--please? Why did/does God need a prophet other than the disciples that He had? Or--why does anyone need a prophet other than the words of Jesus? Hmmm?

[Robert]

For example, wouldn't Paul's dreams have been "tainted" with his own views so they would be imperfect?

Nope....Stop trying to make EGW part of the Bible....She is not...

[phkrause]

Originally Posted By: pkrause

Still she is very hard to read.

pk

You mean hard to understand?

Thanks Rob. That is what I meant to say.

pk

[oldsailor29]

Originally Posted By: Robert

I too believe EGW was inspired, but she's not infallible. Even some of her dreams were tainted with her own views so that they are imperfect.

Wouldn't this be true of anyone, save Christ? For example, wouldn't Paul's dreams have been "tainted" with his own views so they would be imperfect? Or John? Or anyone else?

Also you wrote "some of her dreams." Shouldn't this be "all of her dreams."? And wouldn't this apply to all of her waking life as well? And similarly for everyone?

That is, any thought that any prophet every had, whether from a dream or vision, whether awake or asleep, would be "tainted" with his or her own views. It would be impossible for this not to be the case. The prophets weren't blank slates that God wrote upon. They weren't dictating machines. They were people with views whose views/paradigms/experiences/world view etc. impacted how they perceived what God told them, just as for anyone else.

The miracle is that God is able to communicate His perfect truth through imperfect individuals.

you are absolutely correct pnattmbtc. This is the way inspiration works.

[Dr. Rich]

Please tell that to Daniel and John. Good luck with that view!

[Musicman1228]

Why is it OK for some to promote their opinion that EGW is a true prophet of God and not OK for others (as I) to also promote their opinion that she isn't? In an open forum discussion such as this why is one perspective promoted and the other disallowed? Is your 'faith' so tenuous that it cannot stand up to testing? If it cannot stand up to this mild form of testing now what will you do later when the testing of your 'faith' will mean the difference between life and death?

[John317]

Quote:

Dr. Rich: ... Why did/does God need a prophet other than the disciples that He had?

Because his disciples didn't reveal all the truth that God has for His church throughout all of history.

Quote:

Dr. Rich: Or--why does anyone need a prophet other than the words of Jesus? Hmmm?

Because Jesus Himself says that He couldn't reveal all truth to his disciples during the time He was on this earth. They weren't ready for it yet.

It obviously must be left up to God Himself to determine when He wants to speak to His people through a prophet. People can't decide that.

[Dr. Rich]

John, could you please explain what truth the disciples didn't reveal? It would sure surprise me to see this!

Didn't Jesus say what you claimed before He died? Didn't John write that Jesus did lots more stuff (and therefore said more stuff), but what good would it be for us to know?

Do you believe that the Holy Spirit failed to reveal all truth to the disciples?

And no John, it is not obvious to me on when God wants to speak to His people because He has already done that and all one has to do to hear is read what He said.

But it is clear that those sealed by God prior to the tribulation will have special powers and do things that have never been done before, because they will actually be Sons and Daughters of God at that time. However, these will be living humans who are alive during this time. Much like the ONE left in charge of the Master's house who will be feeding the fellow servants spiritual food when Jesus comes like a thief, (not in the clouds).

[John317]

Quote:

Musicman1228: Why is it OK for some to promote their opinion that EGW is a true prophet of God and not OK for others (as I) to also promote their opinion that she isn't?

As moderator:

This is a Seventh-day Adventist Forum. Please follow the agreement that we came to a long time ago. I posted instructions about this about a year ago.

Quote:

Musicman1228: In an open forum discussion such as this why is one perspective promoted and the other disallowed? Is your 'faith' so tenuous that it cannot stand up to testing? If it cannot stand up to this mild form of testing now what will you do later when the testing of your 'faith' will mean the difference between life and death?

With moderator's hat:

I thought we discussed this and came to an agreement last year.

As I told you in person, it has nothing to do with being unable to stand up to testing. I think you should know that by now. It has to do with the fact that this is an Adventist forum, and we have to consider all the members who come here. It's not about a few people but about hundreds of regular members and visitors. They don't want to come here and have to see trash written about Ellen White or Paul or other books of the NT on all the threads. If people want to see that, they can go to the websites who specialize in it. We're not going to allow the Forum to be used to bash Ellen White or Paul or Jesus or the SDA church. Stan has worked too hard to build up the forum. People are free to express themselves within limits. All forums have limits. The limits are found in the rules.

If you want to see how people can stand up to testing on these issues, you are invited to bring them up and post anything you want on the private thread that was made for that purpose.

Why is this subject and question brought up after it has already been settled and undertood?

If you or Dr. Rich or Wayfinder have any further questions or want clarifications, please feel free to send me a PM.

[John317]

Quote:

pnattmbtc: For example, wouldn't Paul's dreams have been "tainted" with his own views so they would be imperfect?

Quote:

ROBERT: Nope....Stop trying to make EGW part of the Bible....She is not...

I really don't think anyone here is trying to make Ellen G. White part of the Bible. You are right that she is not. She was a true prophet of God, but she is not part of the canon.

Personally I do not believe prophet's dreams are "tainted" with their own views. That would apply to both Ellen White and the apostle Paul. It doesn't mean they don't have their own personal views. Of course they do. But that doesn't mean that the visions God gave them are "tainted" by those views. God takes the prophet's life and mind into consideration when He gives the visions, and He knows how to inspire them in such a way that His messages are delivered to His church so that the people can understood them as He intended them to be understood.

All prophets of God are equally inspired. If a prophet is inspired, he is inspired. A prophet can't be partially inspired or half inspired in the biblical sense. But at the same time, no prophet except Christ has ever been infallible. Therefore, Ellen White was not unique in that sense. Paul also was not infallible, and neither were Peter or the apostle John.

[Robert]

Quote:

Dr. Rich: ... Why did/does God need a prophet other than the disciples that He had?

Because his disciples didn't reveal all the truth that God has for His church throughout all of history.....Jesus Himself says that He couldn't reveal all truth to his disciples during the time He was on this earth. They weren't ready for it yet.

Here's what is wrong with your view on Ellen. Notice that it is opposite what you state, John. I'll use her own quote:

The question has been asked me, "Do you think that the Lord has any more light for us as a people?" I answer that He has light that is new to us, and yet it is precious old light that is to shine forth from the Word of truth [the Bible]. We have only the glimmerings of the rays of the light that is yet to come to us. [1SM 401]

Note, Ellen didn't have more light than what the disciples had....In fact she had only "the glimmerings" that was in the Bible.

This preoccupation with Ellen White has side-tracked you....Ellen was given as the lesser light to get folks back to their Bibles and not the other way around.