Best paper-back Great Controversy to hand out?

[Lysimachus]

I have no idea which forum to post this in, but I thought I'd try this one.

In your opinion, what is the best paper-back Great Controversy that you like to hand out to people?

It seems like some of the older ones are nice because they have charts and a lot of quotes from Catholics and Protestants. The most famous one I hand out is "The Great Controversy Ended..." by the Happiness Digest Series published by Better Living Publications.

It's broken into 2 columns per page, which makes it easy reading on the eyes. But what I don't like about it is that it has no appendixes.

I was looking on the net, and found another paperback. This one:

http://www.greatcontroversyproject.org/

Or this page:

http://greatcontroversyproject.com/

Two questions about the above paperback:

1. What are the pages, contents like? Does it have an appendix? Do they have charts/graphs, and quotes?

2. Where do you buy this version? I can only find it on amazon, but there must be a store that you can buy them in bulk.

I love the cover, and it looks like a great version on the outside.

Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks! :)

[John317]

I don't have the edition of Great Controversy that you refer to there, but I've seen it. I just don't remember what it looks like inside the covers.

The edition I like best for giving out is the one published by Harvest Time books. I'm not sure if they still publish this particular edition, though. It is the 1884 edition. It contains some practical diagrams concerning the prophecies and also important historical information about the papal power.

See this edition here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GREAT-CONTROVERS...=item3f0cfe6405

[ClubV12]

I keep a couple of copies of the Havest Time edition, which is the complete 1884 edition with some added text from the 1888 edition. The cover (blue and red) has a picture of planet earth surrounded by hands reaching out to and/or holding the planet. I like the introduction to each chapter it has, plus the BOLD TYPE for emphasis on certain paragraphs or statements through out the book. A couple of nice indexes as well. For my friends, who virutally nothing of our faith, this has a good feel, look and presentation to it, plus it's inexpensive.

There is some controversy over the exactness of every word and chapter in the early editions however. In that respect, I guess you can't go wrong with an original version (1884). But I like the price and the look and don't feel any potential errors are a serious issue. But I could be wrong...

[Lysimachus]

Thanks guys! I have several copies of the Harvest Time editions myself. But what I don't like about them is that they are the 1888 edition, and there is just too much missing information in my estimation.

It would be nice if some Adventist ministry would come up with a nice paper-back that is based on the 1911 edition, yet contains all the charts and quotes from Catholics and Protestants as well, along with an Appendix!

Most 1911 paperbacks are nothing but cluttered text, and almost no images, along with the Appendix taken out (lol).

[Lysimachus]

Interesting. I never knew there was an 1884 edition. I always thought only an 1888 and 1911. At least those are the two given in the EGW-CD-Rom.

I personally prefer the 1911 edition. Ellen White herself read it and fully approved it before it went into print, from what I understand.

[ClubV12]

I agree, the 1911 edition is the one I first read and I think the best overall edition. BUT, I've yet to see one in an inexpensive paperback that is as well done as the Harvest Time 1884/1888 paperback. The key for me is to keep it cheap, have an interesting look and the chapter descriptions with bold type helps keep the reading more fluid.

The 1884 edition was around 37 chapters and the 1888 edition is around 42. The Haverst 1884 with SOME additional 1888 information (but not all of it) is the one I like and it is also only 37 chapters.

I don't know if the one I'm talking about is the one John is talking about though? BOTH have the planet earth on the cover, but the one I use has "hands" holding the planet instead of free space.

[Lysimachus]

I agree, the 1911 edition is the one I first read and I think the best overall edition. BUT, I've yet to see one in an inexpensive paperback that is as well done as the Harvest Time 1884/1888 paperback. The key for me is to keep it cheap, have an interesting look and the chapter descriptions with bold type helps keep the reading more fluid.

The 1884 edition was around 37 chapters and the 1888 edition is around 42. The Haverst 1884 with SOME additional 1888 information (but not all of it) is the one I like and it is also only 37 chapters.

I don't know if the one I'm talking about is the one John is talking about though? BOTH have the planet earth on the cover, but the one I use has "hands" holding the planet instead of free space.

Looks like I found a website that still prints the book. Only one I found so far. For some reason I always loved Teach Services! =]

http://www.teachservices.com/great-controversy-the-white-ellen/

[Lysimachus]

Okay, never mind. I'm confused. It looks like the version above is the 1888 edition and is 736 pages. But it has the globe on it! I wonder if they have all the nice charts like the 1884 one? I have an 1884 one in my hand right now.

I found this:

http://www.harvestimebooks.com/MBO%209-13-2010.pdf

So both the 88 and 84 editions from Harvestime have globes on them?

[Windsor]

If you haven't read the 1884 edition then you're missing some of the best parts from the Snares of Satan. Essentially some of the most interesting parts were left out as they were meant only for Adventist believers and not for the masses that would receive the later editions.

[ClubV12]

The one I use has the globe, BUT, it has HANDS holding the globe and one hand reaching toward it. Same issue, different cover maybe. But mine doesn't have charts. 678 pages.

Whew, good luck with all this!! :)

[nuff sed]

In my opinion the full volume of the Great Controversy is too involved hisoricaLLY for the average person and they have difficulty wading through it to get to the part that I really want them to read. The little booklet, "Darkness before Dawn" contains the last nine chapters of the book starting with "Why Sin was permitted".It also has a tear-out page for further Bible Study guide. It is available through the ABC at only 50 cents per copy if you buy by the case of 100. Nuff Sed

[John317]

I tend to agree with you. I like giving out the last parts of the Great Controversy, and then if people read it and want the whole book, I give it to them. There have been quite a few books published containing only the last nine or so chapters.

I think educated people in the late 1800s generally were better read in history, and they also knew how to read and writer better than most people today.

For instance, if we look at the Lincoln-Douglass debates, we can see that those debates wouldn't go over very well today because people have less ability to comprehend and concetrate on complex issues and argument. Some orators in those days would talk for 2 to three hours straight, and the people actually listened. Today they wouldn't do it, and they wouldn't have an inkling of what those orators were saying.

We can clearly see the difference in the Review and Herald articles of the 1800s and the Review articles of today. Today they contain shorter, simpler sentences and paragraphs, and the argumentation also is far less complex.

Doubtless Ellen White's books would be shorter and be of a different style if she were writing them for modern audiences. Personally I love the Victorian style of writing, and I love big, involved, complex books, but my experience is that most people are bored to tears with them.

[Lysimachus]

There are some Adventists who think that we'd be far better off at mass-printing Last Day Events instead of the Great Controversy, as people would be far more receptive to it, as it is short but contains the necessary Three Angel's Message elements to awaken them. What do you guys think?

[Lysimachus]

I tend to agree with you. I like giving out the last parts of the Great Controversy, and then if people read it and want the whole book, I give it to them. There have been quite a few books published containing only the last nine or so chapters.

I think educated people in the late 1800s generally were better read in history, and they also knew how to read and writer better than most people today.

For instance, if we look at the Lincoln-Douglass debates, we can see that those debates wouldn't go over very well today because people have less ability to comprehend and concetrate on complex issues and argument. Some orators in those days would talk for 2 to three hours straight, and the people actually listened. Today they wouldn't do it, and they wouldn't have an inkling of what those orators were saying.

We can clearly see the difference in the Review and Herald articles of the 1800s and the Review articles of today. Today they contain shorter, simpler sentences and paragraphs, and the argumentation also is far less complex.

Doubtless Ellen White's books would be shorter and be of a different style if she were writing them for modern audiences. Personally I love the Victorian style of writing, and I love big, involved, complex books, but my experience is that most people are bored to tears with them.

This is one thing I really struggle with with this modern generation. I feel as though sometimes it is impossible for me to help someone see the "full picture" if they get weary too quickly of my long speeches or long essays. I have lost many people's interest like this, because everyone just wants something short, sweet, and to the point. Trying to make my points short, sweet, and to the point, has seemed almost next to impossible. There is just too much involved if one is to truly and fully appreciate the message.

I have discovered that no one gets tired of reading Steve Wohlberg's book "End Time Delusions". He sure does a great job at captivating their attention through the "Sherlock Holmes" investigation style. Almost everyone I gave the book to read the whole thing from beginning to end in a relatively short time period.

If they they enjoyed that one, I give them his other book "Truth Left Behind" which introduces the Lamb-like Beast, the United States of America, the Sabbath and the Mark of the Beast. End Time Delusions lays the "foundations"--exposing Futurism and Preterism, establishing Historicism as the foundation, helping understand the true nature of modern Israel, the Temple, and the Antichrist. Once End Time Delusions lays the "foundation", then they are ready to advance to understanding the Sabbath and the Mark of the Beast.

[ClubV12]

No question attention spans have shortened dramatically. In Sister Whites day what else WAS there to do except attend a meeting a listen to a long talk? Go home, to what? No TV no other distractions. Back then you read a book because there was no radio.

We have a ton of stuff demanding our attention today. I've heard people in my church comment on how they can't get through the Conflict Series without falling asleep. That the Great Controversy is simply to long and boring.

The last nine chapters sounds like an excellent idea to me!

[Gordon1]

Club, have you considered the 1884 GC paperback? Many fewer words.

Or The Story of Redemption? It's a 1947 compilation of early books - short chapters and fast paced in a compact size.

[Gordon1]

At campmeeting last month, Ted Wilson announced plans for a Great Controversy blitz amounting to 125 million copies.

A more compact version might be more fruitful & less expensive.

[Tom Wetmore]

Story of Redemption, Christ's Object Lessons, Steps to Christ, Desire of Ages - all good choices.

[John317]

I'm all in favor of President Wilson's "blitz" but I believe that it would be even better if those books were given to people who had previously been given Bible studies and had shown interest in receiving the Great Controversy.

We have to realize, I think, that out of 125 million copies distributed, only a very small percent will be read and understood.

I know from personal experience that many people are so used to following their priest or pastor that they don't read on their own. If you give such people a Bible study to read, they don't pay attention to it unless a priest is teaching it to them. Even if you showed them proof that the Bible differs from what the church practices, they wouldn't be influenced in the least because they believe that only the priest understands it and knows what is best. Many also believe that church tradition is more important than going exactly by what the Bible teaches. They have been taught this since childhood.

I believe that the Third Angels Messages will best and most effectively be proclaimed by individuals in face to face talks. TV, radio, newspaper, and the distribution of books by mail can all do wonderful work, but in the final analysis, it will be the individuals filled with the Holy Spirit, who know Christ personally and have studied their Bible, who will reach the most people for the gospel. Ellen White said she saw such believers going door to door.

[ClubV12]

I concur John, some small tracts and literature can and should be scattered like the winds of autumn. Other larger tracts or books with more "meat" should be handed out where an INTEREST IS SHOWN.

Sister Whites comments that some who receive the books, and I believe she was talking specifically about Great Controversy, may put it on the book shelf, unread. BUT, WAIT,,,, there will come a time when they will find that book, search for it and read it eagerly! Thus one could say handing out the Great Controversy is handing out a time bomb of truth.

125,000,000 copies? Lets carpet bomb this place! :)

[John317]

I think it would be great if all the church members would pay to send a personal message along with Steps to Jesus or chapters of the Desire of Ages or GC to all the homes within a certain area of their town or city. I'm planning on doing that here in my home town, and then a couple of weeks after they receive the literature in the mail, I will go to the homes and talk to the people. It would really be for the purpose of getting to know them and finding out their interests.

[Tom Wetmore]

...We have to realize, I think, that out of 125 million copies distributed, only a very small percent will be read and understood...

In a time when we are faced with limited resources competing for unlimited needs and opportunities, this begs the question of the stewardship wisdom of of the substantial expenditure for this limited "success".

And an unread book is of no value and a book read without understanding can result in misunderstanding which is arguably worse than not reading it at all.

[Gordon1]

It's a lot of trees. A fairly massive undertaking all 'round.

Perhaps you could confirm the figures and some details Tom.

[Tom Wetmore]

I couldn't tell you. But you could start here if you want to find out - http://greatcontroversyproject.adventist.org/

[John317]

http://greatcontroversyproject.adventist.org/

Good link. Thank you.