What is a compilation?

[Woody]

What rules are there for compilations? For instance could a compiler stop a sentence mid stream and just state: "What rules are there" and then put the famous dot dot dot? OR even perhaps NO dot dot dots?

Are we trusting our eternal salvation to those who compile thoughts and put them together. Are these works inspired of God? What amount of confidence can we have in them?

Furthermore what about context? Or is context important?

[SivartM]

Well, compilations do have references so that you can find the context. Not that anyone reads them, except all the people who will reply to this and say that they do. But at least they are there.

The Desire of Ages and Steps to Christ were compilations put together by Ellen and her book makers, you just can't tell because she filled in the gaps.

[John317]

Can you show examples of where the compilations of Ellen White's writings have changed the meaning of the original?

[Woody]

Well, compilations do have references so that you can find the context. Not that anyone reads them, except all the people who will reply to this and say that they do. But at least they are there.

The Desire of Ages and Steps to Christ were compilations put together by Ellen and her book makers, you just can't tell because she filled in the gaps.

Not all of the compilations have each quote reference given. And at times ... you would have to read volumes and be a detective to determine where each quote came from. This is very deceptive. Unless you are a PhD and doing research ... it simply is not practical. And for over a hundred years ... most of the references were not readily available for the common reader ... only for the eliet.

[John317]

Originally Posted By: SivartM

The Desire of Ages and Steps to Christ were compilations put together by Ellen and her book makers, you just can't tell because she filled in the gaps.

Not all of the compilations have each quote reference given. And at times ... you would have to read volumes and be a detective to determine where each quote came from. This is very deceptive.

There was nothing deceptive about the compilations made by the Ellen G. White Estate. They almost always gave the original source. Where was the decepetion?

[Woody]

John. The compilations are only as good as their compilers. If a source is not readily available to the AVERAGE reader ... it is deceptive. For most of the past since EGW died ... some of the references were not readily available to the average Joe.

[Dr. Shane]

Many Bible scholars believe that 2 Corinthians is a compilation with part of a third epistle stuck in it. A fourth epistle to the Corinthians is believed to be lost.

[John317]

Ellen White put it in her will that she wanted the Estate to publish her writings in the way that they have.

The Estate isn't doing anything that way that Ellen White didn't want done. So if anyone is going to accuse the Estate of being deceptive, they would need to include Ellen White, since she made the plans for them to print her writings as they have. That doesn't mean they've done everything perfectly and without making any mistakes, but it does mean that Ellen White wanted this work to be done. I have no doubt that since God inspired the writings in the first place, He is watching over them.

[Woody]

What I've found is that many humans are not always good at following directions. Just look at God's "chosen" people such as Israel ... What happened there? OR David. What a disaster.

The proof is in the pudding.

[ClubV12]

Compilations have been a special interest of mine since a recent sermon from someone in our church stated that all compilations should be thrown out.

So far, my analysis shows that there is a sufficient number of quotes, on any given subject, that the compilation is dealing with, to get a clear picture of the concept(s) presented. Whatever the subject matter may be. A quote that "sticks out like a sore thumb" draws attention to itself, and like a single bible verse, will need to be compared to the other quotes to arrive a reasonable conclusion on the matter. The principle's involved. But it is safe to say the vast majority of bible verses can "stand alone". Such is the case with EGW counsel as well.

There is usually sufficient data contained within a given quote to logically deduce the principle and compare it to known principles that one is already aware of. When it doesn't fit with other known principles, THAT is a red flag which requires additional research.

Like the infamous bible verse, often quoted as stand alone, "Verily I say unto thee this day, thou shalt be with me in paradise." With a knowledge of the principles of death, as a sleep, and the knowledge of the time frame of the resurrection, the verse is a "red flag". It just doesn't fit with the whole.

But what if you don't know the principles of death as a sleep? Confusion reign's! So it is with EGW quotes, when you know the principles, things just fit. If you don't know the principles, you will be easily duped by a seemingly out of context quote, that actually fits quite nicely with the whole.

This is where so many loose their way, picking up a quote here or there and presenting it without an understanding of the larger principles in play. Thus they wrongly conclude; The quote can't be right, it must be merely her opinion. Or it wasn't inspired or some other excuse for misinterpretation of, often, a very straight forward and plain speaking counsel.