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Commentary on "The Integrity of the Prophetic Gift"
Day 7: Friday, February 27, 2009
The last day of this week’s study asks the reader to do some further study of Ellen White’s writings, especially “The Question of Influence” in Selected Messages Book 3, pages 62-67. This section of her writings mainly speaks to the source she believed her writings to originate from. Many people questioned, and still question this source, but she continually said she believed her messages came from God.
A quote is then given from Clifford Goldstein, author of Graffiti in the Holy of Hollies. The gist of the quote is that Ellen White made many claims about her visions, saw many things and claimed that they were from God. Because of the loftiness of her claims and the detailed nature of her “visions,” she does not leave us with many options when making conclusions about her writings. “Either we take her for what she has claimed for herself…, or we have to reject her as [a] liar, a lunatic, or someone inspired by the devil. These are the only logical options.”
The study ends with two discussion questions. With what we know of Ellen White and her writings, what is the best and most logical explanation for her life and ministry? Of the questions that remain about her ministry, should we focus on these few questions and miss the big picture of her work or should we focus on the big picture?
Problems
After reading the passage from Selected Messages, I noticed that any questioning of the source of her “visions” was frowned upon, to say the least. In one passage she calls God’s judgment upon those who do not see the truth she is presenting. “Those who have disregarded the messages of warning have lost their bearings. Some, in their self-confidence, have dared to turn from that which they knew to be truth, with the words, "Who has told Sister White?" These words show the measure of their faith and confidence in the work that the Lord has given me to do. They have before them the result of the work that the Lord has laid upon me, and if this does not convince them, no arguments, no future revelations, would affect them. The result will be that God will speak again in judgment as He has spoken heretofore.” (Review and Herald, May 19, 1903, p. 8. {3SM 62.1})
Just as a side note, judgment is not a future conclusion for those who trust in Christ Jesus as savior. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 ESV) Judgment of sins occurred at the cross for those who have faith in Jesus when he died for our sins. That is why the text uses the word “now.” The word implies finality at the cross and current forgiveness in our own life. That is why Jesus said “It is finished” just before He died on the cross. (John 19:30)
We are supposed to ask questions. In everything we do we should ask for guidance from God. (Proverbs 3:5-6) We are also supposed to test the spirits. The Bible says, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1 ESV)
In Ellen’s quotes she clearly is upset that anyone would dare question the source of her messages. This quote, also from Selected Messages Book 3 shows that she felt it was an insult to God to question her authority: “For the future, I shall not belittle the testimonies that God has given me, to make explanations to try to satisfy such narrow minds, but shall treat all such questions as an insult to the Spirit of God.” It is hardly an insult to God to question the spirits when He commands us to do just that. In fact, Ellen White should have welcomed the scrutiny, for if her words were truly from God they would easily stand under any questioning.
So how do we know what is truly from the Lord and what is not? The Bible clearly provides the methods by which we are to test the spirits. Deuteronomy 22 plainly states that if what a prophet says does not come to pass then they are not a prophet of God. Deuteronomy 13 also addresses if what a prophet says does actually come to pass but leads you to follow other gods; this is also a false prophet and should not be followed. Even Paul tells us in Galatians 1:8-9 that even angels can appear with a wrong message.
So, as the study rightly points out, Ellen White leaves us with very few options. She is either a messenger from God or a messenger from the devil. Guidance from the Bible clearly shows which conclusion is true.
Summary
- God commands us to test the spirits. (1 John 4:1)
- God provides us with a clear test of the prophets. (Deuteronomy 18:22, 13:1-4)
- Ellen White avoided questioning of her messages.
Copyright 2009 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised February 25, 2009. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
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Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 9
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 9