The Power of Prophecy

[Gregory Matthews]

 

The Power of Prophecy is the 1983 PhD Dissertation for Dr. Graybill's work at The Johns Hopkins University, with some minor updates and typo corrections.  In short, it examines the role that Ellen White had in the U.S. religious life during her lifetime.  I had low expectations for it when I purchased it.  I expected it to be scholarly, somewhat dry, and probably tendentious.   It is scholarly.  On the other points I was very wrong.  I have been fascinated by it, as well as instructed in areas of knowledge where I was little informed.   I have come to value it in two major areas.

*  This book adds to my knowledge in a number of areas of SDA history.  One example in the 3rd chapter which tells me much that I did not know about Edson and Willie White, who were sons of Ellen.

*  A major focus of the book is to compare and contrast Ellen White to other to the other female spiritual leaders of her time:  Mary Baker Edy (Christian Science), Catherine Booth (Salvation Army), and Alma White (Pillar of Fire).  

This book does introduce issues related Ellen White's use of other sources in her published works.  However, that issue is largely saved for a 275-page book:  Visions & Revisions: A Textual History of 'Ellen G. White's Writings. 

See:

Graybill, Ronald D.  The Power of Prophecy:  Ellen G. White and the Women Religious founders of the Nineteenth Century.  Oalk & Acorn, 213 pages, 1983 & 2019.   It may be purchased from Amazon for $15.