The Role of EGW in the SDA Chruch

[Gregory Matthews]

Introduction:   Some of the discussion here in Club Adventist has focused on Ellen g. White and the role that she has played in the SDA Church.  This has stimulated my thinking and I have decided to put into print some of my ideas.  These ideas are my personal thoughts and I do not suggest that they should be imposed on others.  In putting these into print, I could reference them with citations from Scripture and from the writings of EGW.  But, that would increase the time that is required for me to do this and probably is not needed.  So, I will not do that.

 

Prophet:  In modern times we commonly think of a prophet as one who knows what is going to happen in the future and communicates that to others.  In my understanding, that is not the basic role that is described in the Bible.  Yes, Biblical prophets did at times describe future events.  The Biblical books of Daniel and Revelation are two examples of this.  However, in my understanding, the central, Biblical role of a prophet was to speak God’s message to others.   It is in this sense that the writers of the Biblical books may be called prophets. 

Ellen White clearly did not take on for herself the title of “prophet.”  In my understanding, that was because she rejected the common understanding of her day as to the role of a prophet being that of telling others what was going to happen in the future.  She called herself a “messenger.”  This is in line with the Biblical view of speaking God’s message, whatever that might be. 

 

Administrative guidance:  In my view, the major role that EGW played in the SDA Church was that of giving administrative guidance.  We were a developing denomination.   I believe that God used EGW to guide us in the direction that we developed.   Ellen White guided our development in three major ways—health, publishing and education.  Without her guidance, I do not believe that we would have become what we are as a denomination today in those three major areas. 

She also played a role in other areas, for example missions.  However, I see her has having a lessor role than she had in the three that I have listed above.  I believe that we would have developed a mission emphasis without her.

She also gave administrative counsel to individuals.  Some was personal in nature.  Some related to administrative issues that the developing denomination faced.  Some amounted to reproof of sin.

In short, to me her role in administrative guidance to this developing denomination is the largest focus of her ministry and her role as a prophet.   We would not be the denomination that we area today if it had not been for her ministry and the manner in which God used her.

 

Biblical doctrine:   In my comments here I will reference the foundational doctrines of our Church.  These were formulated in the so-called “Sabbath Conferences.”    At these conferences denominational leaders determined what were the central, core beliefs of the developing denomination. 

Ellen White actually played a very small role in these conferences.  These meetings focused on the Bible, not the writings of EGW.  These were an effort to determine what the Bible taught.  During the discussions, EGW became convicted on the basis of the Biblical teachings.  She was not the source of those teachings.

 

Other teachings:  Ellen White did play a role in the development of teachings that were not considered to be part of the Central focus of this denomination.    She spoke and wrote about healthful living, diet, dress, medical care and much more.  

Theses teachings are not considered to be requirements for membership by the majority of the SDA denomination.  We do not require that people eat a vegetarian diet.  We do not disfellowship people who drink coffee, rather we serve it in many of our churches.    Certainly, EGW was the source for much in this a rea.  That cannot be denied.  But, it is the Biblical teachings that are considered foundational to the SDA denomination and its message.  Teachings that go beyond the plain word of the Bible are not considered to be at the core of SDA belief.

 

Summation:  God used Ellen White to guide us as a developing denomination in the early days of our Church.  But, she was not to be used as a source for our foundational doctrines.  Our doctrines were to be judged by the Bible and founded upon the Bible.

Two extremes exist within the SDA Church in regard to Ellen White.  On the one end of the spectrum are those who dismiss her and think that she has little relevance to SDAs today.    These people fail to understand the role that God gave her to guide us as a developing denomination.  At the other end of the spectrum are those who base their doctrinal beliefs on what she has written.  The either elevate her writings to a canonical status equal to that of the Bible, or to that above the Bible.  Both extremes are wrong.

[B/W Photodude]

Prophet:  In modern times we commonly think of a prophet as one who knows what is going to happen in the future and communicates that to others.  In my understanding, that is not the basic role that is described in the Bible.  Yes, Biblical prophets did at times describe future events.  The Biblical books of Daniel and Revelation are two examples of this.  However, in my understanding, the central, Biblical role of a prophet was to speak God’s message to others.   It is in this sense that the writers of the Biblical books may be called prophets. 

Ellen White clearly did not take on for herself the title of “prophet.”  In my understanding, that was because she rejected the common understanding of her day as to the role of a prophet being that of telling others what was going to happen in the future.  She called herself a “messenger.”  This is in line with the Biblical view of speaking God’s message, whatever that might be. 

Good review of a prophet's role. I have been reading thru the OT and recently went past the story of Obadiah and how he hid one hundred prophets in caves. Why did Israel need one hundred in addition to Elijah? Because their function as you have outlined went beyond just foretelling the future. And when Nathan visited David with the story of the lamb, he was not foretelling the future, he was illuminating the past. Samuel went on errands for God went he anointed two future kings of Israel. He also was bringing errors to discussion when he discussed with Saul as to why he had not destroyed everything he was ordered to, hence, we have the saying "to obey is better than sacrifice."