Transcript The Achilles’ Heel of Adventism Should a Prophet Tell Me What to Think? Denis Fortin The Writings of Ellen G.

The Achilles’ Heel of Adventism
Should a Prophet Tell Me What to
Think?
Denis Fortin
The Writings of Ellen G. White
Achilles’ Heel
The concept of authority has become
one of the most controversial notions
of modern times.
Just as much as authority in society is
being challenged, the authority of
Scripture is also challenged.
How about the authority of Ellen
White and her writings?
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What shall we do with Ellen White’s
ministry through her writings?
Should we continue to give her
writings the authority we have given
them in the past?
Or should we limit her authority?
In fact, does she have any authority?
Challenge to Ellen White’s
authority
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Her authority in areas of spiritual
discernment and homiletical
application of Scripture is not usually
challenged.
The challenges to her authority are
largely in the area of doctrinal
authority.
What is authority?
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Bernard Ramm defines authority as
"that right or power to command action
or compliance, or to determine belief
or custom, expecting obedience from
those under authority, and in turn
giving responsible account for the
claim to right or power." (The Pattern of
Authority, p. 10)
Kinds of authority
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Imperial authority
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Delegated authority
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Veracious authority (authority of truth)
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Functional authority
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Authority of custom
Authority in religion
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Bernard Ramm comments, "When one
turns to the question of authority in
religion the basic problem immediately
arises: is there anything in religion
which demands that a man think a
certain way about religion and not
another? Is there a man, a society, a
principle, or a document which has the
right to prescribe religious belief?”
Authority in religion
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"Nothing could be more foolish in
religion than the rejection of an
authority which contained the truth of
the living God; and nothing could be
more tragic than the substitution of the
voice of man for the voice of God."
(Pattern of Authority, p. 16)
Authority of God
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God is the supreme and absolute
authority in the universe.
His authority is intimately related to the
revelation of himself.
He revealed himself to prophets.
Prophets were his spokespersons in
spoken and written word.
Authority of Scripture
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Word of God spoken and written by
prophets has both veracious and
delegated authority.
Thus, to disbelieve the prophetic
utterance of the prophet is to
disbelieve God.
Authority of Scripture
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2 Peter 1:19-21 : “And we have the word of
the prophets made more certain, and you
will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light
shining in a dark place, until the day dawns
and the morning star rises in your hearts.
Above all, you must understand that no
prophecy of Scripture came about by the
prophet's own interpretation. For prophecy
never had its origin in the will of man, but
men spoke from God as they were carried
along by the Holy Spirit.”
Authority of Scripture
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Ramm concludes, “The Bible is not the authority for
the Christian because it was written by religious
geniuses. Nor is it the Christian's authority because
it has been pragmatically verified through the
centuries, nor because it inspires great religious
experience. The Bible is binding upon the Christian
because it is part of the organism of divine
revelation. It is authoritative because it shares in
revelation. It is a divine revelation in written form in
various literary genres. (Continued)
Authority of Scripture
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"The Bible is authoritative because it is the Word of
God. . . . Through the Holy Spirit it possesses
delegated imperial authority and veracious authority
in all matters in which it intends to teach. All other
reasons for giving the Bible the supreme role in
religious authority are defective. The content of the
Bible is given by the double action of special
revelation and divine inspiration, and therefore it is
for the Christian the revealed word of God." (Pattern
of Authority, p. 38)
Authority of Ellen White’s writings
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Seventh-day Adventists claim that
Ellen White was inspired to the same
extent as were Bible writers.
Yet, we view her prophetic ministry as
similar to that of non-canonical
prophets and that the Bible is our rule
of faith and practice.
Ellen White Exalted the Bible
“The truth of God is found in His word.
Those who feel that they must seek
elsewhere for present truth need to be
converted anew. They have wrong habits
to mend, evil ways to be abandoned.
They need to seek anew the truth as it is
in Jesus, that their character building
may be in harmony with the lessons of
Christ.” (8T 192)
A Proper Relationship
“Brother J would confuse the mind by
seeking to make it appear that the light
God has given through the Testimonies
[i.e., Ellen White’s writings] is an addition
to the word of God, but in this he
presents the matter in a false light. God
has seen fit in this manner to bring the
minds of His people to His word, to give
them a clearer understanding of it.” (4T 246)
Ellen White’s perception of her
authority
“During the night season I was specially
moved upon by the Spirit of God. My soul
had been drawn out in earnest supplication
to God. I was distressed on account of the
backsliding of His people. While lying in bed,
unable to sleep because of the burden
resting upon me, I was pleading with the
Lord. I fell asleep, and in the night season I
was taught of God. (continued)
Ellen White’s perception of her
authority
“My guide said, "I have a work for you to do.
You must speak the words given you by the
Lord. After these words have been spoken,
your duty here is done. You are not required
to enter into details before individuals,
whatever may be their position or work, if
they do not recognize the voice of God in
the message He gives you to bear in His
name. (continued)
Ellen White’s perception of her
authority
“All your efforts to remove their doubts will
be of no avail if they gather the clouds of
darkness about their souls. If you enter into
particulars, you weaken the message. It is
not you speaking, but the Lord speaking
through you. Those who want to know the
will of God, who do not desire to follow their
own will and judgment, will be easily
entreated. They will be ready to discern the
right way. (continued)
Ellen White’s perception of her
authority
“The whys and wherefores are concealed
from you; yet speak the words I give you,
however painful it may be to you. The ways
in which God leads His people are generally
mysterious. You have asked to know God's
way. Your supplication has been answered.
God knows better than you do what is good
and essential for His children. (continued)
Ellen White’s perception of her
authority
“He never leads them otherwise than
they would wish to be led, if they were
able to see as clearly as He does what
they must do to establish characters
that will fit them for the heavenly
courts. . . . You are to act your part,
and then leave the rest to God. (continued)
Ellen White’s perception of her
authority
“You will have startling, surprising messages
to bear, but if those who hear cannot see the
import of these messages, explanations
from you will not lead them to understand
any more clearly. They have ears, but they
hear not. Satan takes control of their
unsanctified reason, and leads them to
misunderstand and misapply.” (Ms 29, 1900; in
UL 339)
Ellen White’s writings
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Conflict of the Ages series:
"Sister White is not the originator of
these books. They contain the
instruction that during her lifework God
has been giving her. They contain the
precious, comforting light that God has
graciously given His servant to be
given to the world." (CM 125)
Ellen White’s writings
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Periodical articles:
"I do not write one article in the paper
expressing merely my own ideas. They
are what God has opened before me
in vision--the precious rays of light
shining from the throne." (5T 67)
Ellen White’s writings
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Testimonies:
"Those who carefully read the
testimonies as they have appeared
from the early days, need not be
perplexed as to their origin. The many
books, written by the help of the Spirit
of God, bear a living witness to the
character of the testimonies." (Letter 225,
1906 in 1SM 49)
Ellen White’s writings
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Unpublished letters (testimonies):
"Weak and trembling, I arose at three
o'clock in the morning to write to you. God
was speaking through clay. You may say
that this communication was only a letter.
Yes, it was a letter, but prompted by the
Spirit of God, to bring before your minds
things that had been shown me. In these
letters which I write, in the testimonies I
bear, I am presenting to you that which the
Lord has presented to me." (5T 67)
Prophets are human . . .
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Used fallible and imperfect modes of
communication
Influenced by culture and personal
subjectivity
Limited in their knowledge
Their influence upon people and
events is limited
. . . but have a supernatural work
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Sometimes supernatural phenomena
accompany their visions
Given supernatural knowledge of past,
current, and future events
Given supernatural understanding of
issues related to events and people
Their writings are inspired
So what about her authority?
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If we claim that Ellen White was inspired
and that her writings bear the imprint of God
than we must conclude that her writings are
authoritative; that, although secondary to
Scripture, they are an authoritative source of
guidance, instruction, and correction for the
church.
But what kind of guidance and instruction do
they provide for the Adventist church?
So what about her authority?
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Ellen White’s writings provide
authoritative guidance in the following
areas:
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Spiritual life and growth
Pastoral life and activities
Doctrinal insights
Theological focus and context
Spiritual Guidance
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Ellen White’s writings have provided
our church with spiritual guidance.
She emphasized our need for
a close walk with God,
 of regular Bible study,
 of witnessing for Christ,
 of living a genuinely committed Christian
life.
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Pastoral Guidance
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Ellen White’s ministry has provided
pastoral guidance to the whole church.
Her writings have provided
Guidance to church leaders and pastors
 Guidance for the establishment and
activities of church institutions
 Focus for the mission of the church
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Doctrinal Insights
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Beyond the spiritual and pastoral
guidance and correction provided by
the writings of Ellen G. White, her
writings also provide doctrinal guidance
valid applications of biblical teachings
 interconnectedness of biblical doctrines
 steering Adventists away from errors of
interpretation
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Doctrinal Guidance
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Ellen White showed doctrinal authority
when the church was confronted with
difficult doctrinal issues
Centrality of Christ’s death on Calvary
 Kellogg’s teachings on pantheism
 Ballenger’s teachings on the sanctuary
 Importance of healthful living
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Doctrinal Guidance
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But in some other areas Ellen White
refused to be the arbiter of biblical truth
and asked people to study the Bible to
find the answers
Law in Galatians
 “Daily” of Daniel 8
 Shut door of salvation
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Theological Focus
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Perhaps more crucial to Adventism
is how Ellen White’s writings have
provided the church with
theological guidance, with
interpretative themes and motifs
for a proper understanding of
God’s revelation.
Theological Focus
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Major themes:
 Great controversy between good and evil
 Love of God for humanity
 Salvation in Jesus
 Primacy of Scripture
 Second coming of Christ
 Christian living and character
development
Theological Guidance
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Ellen White’s theological themes
provide Adventism and Christianity with
theological presuppositions and
assumptions (like a pair of eye glasses)
with which to study Scripture and
understand its meaning for our lives
today as we wait for Christ’s second
coming.
The Future of Adventism
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the last 150 years, Ellen
White’s ministry and writings
have given spiritual, pastoral,
doctrinal, and theological
guidance to Adventism.
The Future of Adventism
Who we are and what we do today
is largely the result of her ministry
and guidance.
 Who we will be in the future
depends to a large extent on what
level of guidance and authority we
will still allow her writings to
provide.
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