LIGHT–HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR US!
In the beginning God said, “Let there be light” (Gen. 1:3). A few days later He created Adam and Eve, clothing them “with a covering of light and glory.”1 Many years later in the wilderness He led Israel by the pillar of cloud by day and light by night (Ex. 14:19, 20). God has employed light in its many forms–real and symbolic–for the benefit of His people. Ellen White unhesitatingly declared that “Christ loves His church.”2 Is it any wonder then that exactly as foretold–at the same time as God called our church into existence–in His love and wisdom He gave us another special gift of light by renewing the gift of prophecy in our midst? Since our earliest days Seventh-day Adventists have believed that Ellen White was the recipient of the gift of prophecy. Our pioneers witnessed for themselves God’s leading in the founding of our movement, experiencing firsthand His blessing through the messages He gave Ellen White. They soon learned that when they followed her counsels, they prospered and were blessed; but when they did not, they faltered and stumbled.
Today, various voices both inside and outside Adventism are urging that we take another look at Ellen White. Some are now saying that, like eccentric old Uncle Homer and Aunt Hortense, whom all in the family know but hope will not show up at the next family reunion, it is time for the church to consign Ellen White to the denomination’s attic. She was OK in her time, but, they claim, that time has now long passed.
As I’ve listened to the crescendo of calls for us to abandon Ellen White, I have sometimes wondered what Adventism might be like today were it not for God’s guidance and counsels through her. Let me mention some of the things she’s contributed, none of which, I assume, any of us would want to give up:
- The great controversy theme. Not only do her insights help define for us the essence of Adventism, including our emphasis on the three angels’ messages, but that theme also impacts almost everything else that we teach and do.
- Her strong emphasis on the centrality of the Bible in the life and witness of our church, as well as her insights regarding inspiration. These emphases have spared us the challenges faced by those who believe in the inerrancy of prophetic writings.
- Her emphasis on righteousness by faith. Without this influence it’s doubtful that A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner’s views (at the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference) would have gone anywhere.
- Her emphasis on Christ and His eternal preexistence. She also taught the full personhood of the Holy Spirit.
- Her emphasis on health and healthful living (which led to the establishment of our worldwide health work).
- Her emphasis on education (resulting in the establishment of church schools, academies, and colleges around the world–and now full universities).
- Her call for publications (resulting in our worldwide publishing ministry). Couple with that the impact of her own classics, including Steps to Christ, Christ’s Object Lessons, the Conflict of the Ages Series, plus many others.
- Her impact on our church’s organization (including the unifying effect of her writings on the church, both theologically and organizationally).
- Her emphasis on religious liberty and human rights (including her strong support for the Black work here in America). Included also were her calls to help the poor, resulting in the worldwide humanitarian work of the church today.
- Her call for worldwide evangelism (coupled with her call to witness to our own neighbors who live nearby).
At the beginning of my list, I mused about how Adventism might look today were it not for Ellen White. Besides all these theological and organizational contributions, one doesn’t have to look far to find another difference. Shortly after the Great Disappointment in 1844, the Advent Christian Church–Sundaykeeping Adventists who trace their origins back to the Millerite movement–had an estimated 30,000 to 50,000 followers. Today, they have about 75,000 members in 19 countries. Back then Sabbathkeeping adventists totaled somewhere between 50 and 150. The Advent Christians rejected Ellen White’s prophetic ministry, and the results are obvious. Today, instead of our approximately 13.5 million members worldwide in more than 203 countries,3 we too might be “enjoying” 100,000, or fewer, members had we also rejected God’s loving gift to our church.
Three Groups Trouble Me In 1907 Ellen White wrote, “Abundant light has been given to our people in these last days. Whether or not my life is spared, my writings will constantly speak, and their work will go forward as long as time shall last.”4
For most Seventh-day Adventists, that prediction has proved true. However, tragically–especially in recent years–an increasing number have been turning from the special messages God has given us. Some are outright rejecting everything bearing the name Ellen G. White. Predicting this, Ellen White warned: “There will be a hatred kindled against the testimonies which is satanic. The workings of Satan will be to unsettle the faith of the churches in them, for this reason: Satan cannot have so clear a track to bring in his deceptions and bind up souls in his delusions if the warnings and reproofs and counsels of the Spirit of God are heeded.”5
A second group views Ellen White as a devotional writer, but they are unwilling to give her any real authority. These people also miss the blessing God intended for us. Though they claim to retain her writings devotionally, they disregard the counsels God has given through her.
And there’s a third group who also puzzle and trouble me. These individuals thrive on misinterpreting God’s messages found in Ellen White’s writings. They find a quote or two and turn these into their entire religion. In their missionary zeal, they try to force their narrow views upon everyone else. For whatever reason, they have overlooked the fact that God’s plan for His church, as found in Ellen White’s writings, is balanced; it is not one-sided.
Eight Reasons At this point I want briefly to share eight reasons that the writings of Ellen White are still relevant–and hold authority–for me. These are not deep theological reasons, but rather simple, practical things that speak to my own heart.
1. Ellen White constantly uplifted Christ and pointed people to Him. One cannot read far in her writings without coming across references to Jesus and comments that reveal her deep love for Him, and her strong desire for others to come to love Him also. Several of her most beloved books deal directly with Christ: Steps to Christ, The Desire of Ages, Christ’s Object Lessons, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, and The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels and Satan and His Angels.
To me, Ellen White’s constant uplifting of Christ, and pointing people to Him, are very persuasive evidences in favor of her claim. Would Satan continually urge people to go to Christ? The very thought is ludicrous. So, as a sinner, realizing my own deep need of Christ, going to a time-proven source of help in this area is one reason I find Ellen White’s writings extremely valuable in my own life.
2. Ellen White’s teaching of the great controversy theme makes sense out of our troubled world. Rather than the view of many people that God is angry with us, Ellen White’s understanding was that the real struggle is between Christ and Satan, not between Christ and me. That insight permeates all her writings. When bad things happen to God’s people, thanks to our understanding of the great controversy that is going on between Christ and Satan, we can keep our perspective.
3. Following the counsels God has given us through Ellen White results in positive lifestyle blessings. Let me start with some spiritual/devotional examples.
Some years ago the North American Division conducted a church growth survey. One of the survey questions asked about the extent of one’s regular study of Ellen White’s books. From their answers, 2,848 were classed as “readers,” and 5,375 as “nonreaders.” Later the data was reanalyzed to see what impact regular reading of Ellen White exhibited in the lives of members.6 Notice some of the findings in the sidebar.
Apart from what’s listed in the sidebar, there were 11 other categories. In every single one, those who read Ellen White regularly ranked considerably higher than did the nonreaders.
4. Besides the spiritual benefits that come from reading and adhering to the counsels found in Ellen White’s writings, I also derive health advantages. And I must say that I do find it very odd that today, when in so many areas of health the world is mirroring what God showed Ellen White 140 years ago, some Adventists are abandoning her counsel. In its October 28, 1966, issue, Time magazine, reporting on the initial results of the first Adventist health study done in California, described them as “The Adventist Advantage.” The difference between the general population and Adventists who follow the typical Adventist lifestyle was truly phenomenal.
5. Another compelling reason I personally find Ellen White’s messages authoritative is that she gave us no new Bible. Throughout her long life Mrs. White continually pointed people to the Scriptures. In her first book, of 64 pages, originally published in 1851, now reprinted in Early Writings, the 23-year-old author said, “I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice.”7
Toward the close of her long life, the nearly 82-year-old servant of the Lord attended the 1909 General Conference session held in Washington, D.C. As it turned out, it was the last session she ever attended. Elder W. A. Spicer, secretary of the General Conference, recalled Mrs. White’s last talk to the delegates.
“She came to the platform, on the last day of the session, to speak a . . . few words of good cheer and farewell, and then turned to the pulpit, where lay a Bible. She opened the book, and held it out with hands that trembled with age. And she said: ‘Brethren and sisters, I commend unto you this Book.’
“Without another word, she closed the book, and walked from the platform. It was her last spoken word in the world assembly of the remnant church.”8
Throughout her long life Ellen White constantly uplifted the Bible. Nowhere can one find her claiming that her writings supersede the Bible. On the contrary, she always said that her writings are to be tested by the Scriptures. Not once does she say that the Bible is to be tested by her writings. This makes her unique among those who claim to have been given new light. Ellen White wrote: “Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.”9
6. Another reason I find Ellen White’s counsels still relevant has to do with her impact on the church’s institutions, both in establishing them and in administering them.
Adventists sponsor both a worldwide education system and a worldwide publishing work. In addition, our medical program is internationally known, all largely the product of Ellen White’s nurturing. But it’s not their worldwide scope that makes them special; rather, it is their unique objectives. Some non-Adventists have conjectured that without Ellen White, Adventists would not have survived as we are known today. Kenneth L. Woodward, Newsweek magazine’s religion editor, observed: “If it [the Seventh-day Adventist denomination] loses its founding mother, the church may find that it has also lost its distinctive visionary soul.”10
7. Another thing about Ellen White that gives her authority and relevance for me is the fruit of her life. During her lifetime she held no church offices. Surprising as it may be for students of nineteenth-century religious movements, Ellen White left no monuments to herself. Rather, her life was driven by a sense of destiny wrapped up in her call to be God’s messenger. She focused on making God better understood as she relayed to others His messages to her.
A. G. Daniells, General Conference president from 1901-1922, and longtime fellow worker with Ellen White, wrote in 1935:
“I can say that it is my deep conviction that Mrs. White’s life far transcends the life of anyone I have ever known or with whom I have been associated. . . . I never once heard her boast of the gracious gift God had bestowed upon her, or of the marvelous results of her endeavors. She did rejoice in the fruitage, but gave all the glory to Him who wrought through her.”11
8. Let me share one last reason that I find Ellen White’s messages personally valuable. Admittedly, it is a very subjective reason, but that doesn’t lessen its validity. When I read her writings, I hear the voice of God speaking to my soul–in other words, her writings are self-authenticating.
When I read The Desire of Ages, I do not just read about Jesus; I actually meet Him in the pages of that book. In the chapter “Gethsemane,” of her description of Christ’s trial and crucifixion, I don’t find myself just being a bystander. On the contrary, I am drawn into the story. I am there with the sleeping disciples in the garden. Christ is asking me to watch and wait with Him. It’s not just Peter who is standing by the fire–I am there too. And I can go on.
Likewise, in reading the Testimonies, I am driven to my knees, just as were the people to whom the messages were originally addressed 100 or more years ago. Tragically, some people get all hung up on what they view as the “don’ts” in Ellen White’s writings. Those very same “don’ts” that some people see, Ellen White viewed as opportunities to draw even closer to God as in love we do those things that He as our Creator knows will bring us the greatest amount of happiness.
Do you want to be more like Jesus? Do you want a stronger Christian experience, a closer relationship with Christ, a longer, healthier life? If so, I recommend to you anew the special gift God has given our church through the writings of Ellen White. For me, they are as up-to-date as next week’s newspaper, and even more relevant than the latest published self-help book.
That’s why I have come to the place where I readily acknowledge that the testimonies are for me. And I find King Jehoshaphat’s admonition to ancient Israel as relevant today as when he first uttered it: “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper” (2 Chron. 20:20).
The above is a condensed version of James Nix’s presentation to the Spring Meeting of the General Conference Committee on April 15, 2004. The full text may be found on the following Web site: www.whiteestate.org.
_________________________ 1 Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 45. 2 White, Sons and Daughters of God, p. 13; manuscript 52, 1901. 3 Statistics from the Office of Archives and Statistics, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Apr. 14, 2004. 4 White, Selected Messages, book 1, p. 55. 5 Ibid., p. 48; letter 40, 1890 (originally written to Uriah Smith, Dec. 30, 1890). 6 Roger L. Dudley and Des Cummings, Jr., “Who Reads Ellen White?” Ministry, October 1982, p. 10. 7 White, Early Writings, p. 78. 8 The Spirit of Prophecy in the Advent Movement, p. 30. 9 White, Colporteur Ministry, p. 125. 10 Newsweek, Jan. 19, 1981. 11 The Abiding Gift of Prophecy, p. 368.