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Commentary on "The Inspiration of the Prophets"

ROY TINKER

 

Day 5: Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The lesson for today is a response to criticism that Ellen White has received for her use of editors and “literary assistants” in her published works. The argument goes that if she were truly inspired as a prophet, she would not need editors. This lesson responds to that criticism by attempting to compare Ellen White to Biblical authors who dictated to scribes, who then wrote down what they said. The comparison is contrived and is designed to put doubts to rest regarding the integrity of Ellen White's process of authoring and publishing.

Before we go further, let's ask the Lord to renew our minds and help us see these things from His perspective, in the light of truth. Lord Jesus, thank you for your promise to send the Holy Spirit, who is our counselor. Thank you, Lord, that the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. Thank you for the freedom that comes from knowing the truth. Lord Jesus, make our ears open and our eyes to see what is real. Help us to know you and to know Your word, and to treasure You, and thus treasure Your word. Thank you in Jesus' name, amen.

The comparison between Ellen White's process and Bible writers' use of scribes is distracting from the real issue: are Ellen White's writings true? How they came into being may or may not be a problem, but it is certainly a problem if we read and trust in words that are untrue and untrustworthy. What they are is the most important issue, not how they came into being.

There are two tests for truth for any system of belief:

Applied to Ellen White's writings, the tests become these two questions:

As you consider these questions, remember the promises of God regarding truth and our relationship to it:

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me [Jesus].” (John 14:1)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. (John 14:6)

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17)

Finally, let's remember Paul's word of exhortation to the Colossians:

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. (Colossians 2:6-10)

 

Let's Pray

Lord Jesus, we acknowledge Your lordship and headship over all things. Thank you again for your promise that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. Jesus, you are the truth—keep us from straying, we ask. Guide our hearts and minds as we seek to know truth and as we continue in Your word. We praise you for the profound mystery that you are—the fullness of Deity in bodily form. May our hearts find rest in You alone. Thank you for Your rest—we ask for it in Jesus name, amen.

 

Summary

For further discussion of the criticism Ellen White has received, I refer you to www.lifeassuranceministries.org – there are links to many good resources there.
 

 

Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised January 28, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com. Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE ®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

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The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.

 

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