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Why She’s Still Relevant — 47 Comments

  1. Thank you Cindy! I could not agree more! Ellen White was very "with it" and also very balanced. Too bad she has been misquoted and misrepresented to the point where many people will not read her and meet her for themselves. She has been a treasure in my life for years. I love your application of Mark 12. Last fall I was visiting with a gentleman who told me he did not believe God is merciful and loving. Another time he told me everytime he hears someone say "Ellen White" he immediately tunes them out. I then realized the reason he does not believe God is merciful and loving is because he has tuned out the messenger of God's love and mercy. Sad.

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    • William,

      I have traveled and preached in 61 countries, in all 13 Divisions of the SDA church. I have noted that in places where Ellen White's writings are appreciated as a gift of God to strengthen our faith and alert us to the times in which we live, the church is growing and thriving. In geographic areas where she is largely ignored or mocked, the church is usually stagnant and membership growth, if any, is largely from immigrant populations who still uphold the veracity of EGW's messages.

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      • I totally agree with you William. We know her words are inspired and science is only now saying what this frail woman said years ago through inspiration. I too believe that if churches embraced her Divine inspired messages they would be better off. It seems to me we use excuses to continue in our wrong ways, hence the reason some churches shun her. I trained my children using many of her precepts and try to live my life guided by the bible and the things she has made clearer for me through her simple language. I still feel she is a blessing to our Church today (Still relevant) and will continue to be a blessing to all who embrace her inspired wisdom.

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      • I am very concern, that some people by lamenting on the importance and relevance of E.G White have cross the line to the worship of a mortal. I would like to see people on fire for the scriptures that cuts both ways.

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        • Matthew, I do agree with you that some people have made an idol out of Ellen White as they do other things. Paul seems to have had the same problem in the Corinthian church (1 Cor 1:12-13).

          Along this line it is interesting that Ellen White herself tried to stay away from this problem when she said, "The Lord has sent his people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light" (RH, January 20, 1903 par. 9).

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  2. am so edified with these touching comments. I was personally changed to adventism by the book of great controversy more especially its chapter " God's Law Immutable". For the critics of her writings, i would only say that they will remain the agents of evil till the day we go home and remember them no more. GOD BLESS YOU.

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  3. Thank you Cindy. God has touched your fingers as you wrote this piece. I personally believe the modern day ignoring of the counsels that God has used our dear sister, his inspired daughter to bring to us can be credited for the feebleness and demise of our church.

    As you said, I guess when she gives inspirational and motivational advice, we get excited, or when like the destruction of the twin towers in New York some SDAs were using her writings where she painted a picture of major destruction by fire to justify her as a prophet.

    However, when she speaks out against things and influences we revel in, we quickly take the side of her critics and discard her as a plagarist or giving her opinion.

    However, I have seen the change her work has made in my life and in the lives of others that read it as complimentary to the Bible, and I thank God for our prophetess.

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  4. Sis White is still relevant because she was a messenger of God, and God's message, the "everlasting gospel" is always relevant. And, as an end-time prophet, her messages are particularly geared to the current challenges of God's people.
     

    --"Believe in the LORD your God, so shall ye be established; believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper." (2 Chronicles 20:20 KJV)

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  5. I say, I was changed from Protestantism to Adventism because of Ellen White's books, most especially the Great Controversy focus on "God's Law Immutable." I was thrilled by the way she put right the illustrations on the Law of God and for sure I found myself in a doom surrounded by wolves in lambs' fur.

    For the critics of her writings, I would say that these will remain until the end of the world. They were born to be critics, and remember they did not dare fail to criticize the Son of God who was sent to save the world. How can't they instill the spirit of negation of the Word which is spilling their hidden rot and make people discover the truth about them?

    I know and believe that one day I and others that were changed by her writings will one day meet her in Heaven and discuss about how her inspired writings saved us.

    God Bless everyone.

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  6. I don't know if she was a prophet or not. But if she loved the Lord and tried to be good and be just and fair and show mercy and realise all have sin and come short and most important accepting JESUS as LORD and SAVIOR, that's good enough for me. MAY THE life she lived speak for HER.

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  7. Right on Cindy,
    We have become shy mentioning Ellen White's name these days. And we are told if we mention her name our people will be less likely to read her writings. So we refer to her as the messenger of God. We don't withhold the name David and always refer to him as a man after God's own heart. Yes, we refer to him as David the Psalmist, David the man after God's own heart, or King David.
    A modern prophetic atheist and I sat down talking about the Bible. He said, "I don't believe that is in the Bible; you must have been reading from the writings of that 19th century lady some call a prophetess. I don't need her, I have my Bible." After a little discussion I knew I was not getting anywhere. I happened to have a copy of the Desire of Ages and handed it to him saying, "Read a couple of chapters for me, with open Bible to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Will pick up this discussion next week."
    Good day,
    John

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  8. Cindy, you said,

    "But some Adventists find her uninspired when it comes to Messages to Young People, Counsels on Diets and Foods, or The Great Controversy."

    I don't understand why people would find The Great Controversy a problem except that some of those same people also have a problem with many of our fundamental beliefs.

    When it comes to compilations I view them differently than I do the Conflict of the Ages series or the Testimonies because they are often quotes removed from the context in which they were written. To me the context is very important in understanding what Ellen White was saying and the issues she was addressing. Many of those compilations do not have that information in them much less reference to the original source of the quote.

    What I like about the Testimonies is that the EGW estate often has a historical introduction and because they are grouped chronologically, they can also be researched using her biography and diary notes. This gives valuable information in determining the points that she was making.

    As for the Manuscript Releases many of them were never published by Ellen White and probably for good reason. For that reason to me they are interesting but often do not carry the strength of published material.

    To me Ellen White's counsel is timeless because she is often dealing with principles more than specifics. It is also of great benefit to know that she also struggled with things in her own life just as we all do and yet God used her in spite of her weaknesses. To me that is really good news to this old underachiever whose life looks more like Samson's rather than Paul's.

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    • Amen, Tyler. Good advice. Quotes taken out of context often get used as a whip by someone with an unbalanced agenda.
      Also we need to allow her to be human. It appears that she grew in her understanding of what she wrote or at a minimum shifted emphasis (for example her comments on Zech 3 from 5T (1885), MB (1896), COL(1900), and PK (1917)) as needed to help a (spiritually) growing church. Thus I tend to put more weight on later published works over those of her early ministry (in addition to whole works over compilations.) I don't quite identify with Sampson; but I know I need grace just the same.

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  9. Praise God for the article, I am just too pleased to do studies that prove that Ellen G White is a prophetess. I praise the Lord that she was used by God to expound on the scriptures. That has truly helped my life.

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  10. The Bible is where she got it all from, and God is calling on His people to focus more on the Scripture rather than on His prophets.

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    • Ellen White continually pointed her readers back to the Scriptures. Though we are blessed when we follow the counsel God gave through her, our primary source of wisdom is the Bible. And it is the Bible that tells us repeatedly that the gift of prophecy is part of the gifts of the Spirit. So when we refuse the gift of prophecy, we are refusing to heed God's Word, the Scriptures.

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  11. Without her writings i would not have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Savior. Her writings have helped many the world over to understand God and His message to us living at the end times. How i wish that those criticizing her message would humble themselves and pray to God for His Spirit to help them understand her message. I thank my God for using her.

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  12. Back in the days of Josiah a book of the law was found in the house of God that had been lost for years. I believe in a way the Spirit of Prophecy has been lost in the church for a while but will be found again.

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  13. It's only when one studies Ellen White's writings that they are able to appreciate what Cindy is saying. She was indeed inspired. It's very sad that most of us are perishing for lack of knowledge when we have everything revealed to us. May God help us.

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  14. I like the 'Ellen white' counsel on food and diet. Infact in the modern world and time;our needs have shifted and our temperament is wanting

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  15. I grew up SDA and have read Ellen White's writing all my life. I agree that Ellen White says a lot of wonderful things, but she was not perfect and should not be treated as such. Read Testimonies Vol. 9 for instance. What she said about segregation within the church and other things about racism was clearly not in the character of my loving God. Not then or now. Also, just as God used various prophets in every era in biblical times, He still has prophets today in our time since Ellen White that are being ignored because the SDA church holds Ms. White up as the only prophet to the SDA faith. This is a mistake. God has not stopped speaking since Ellen White died, but are we listening and would we use another "prophet's" writings as we have used hers in our sermons and as a guide to the world. When Ellen Whites writings are in keeping with the word of God, they are relevant. They were never to be used as the only voice of prophecy to the SDA church. God is still speaking and my prayer is that we as SDA christians would be just as open to receive modern-day prophets as we have received Ellen White as long as their words were in keeping with the word of God. God Bless us as as we continue to listen to "His" voice.

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    • Peaches, I've been reading some of those passages in the Testimonies, Volume 9. Ellen White was absolutely and totally against any kind of racism. She was a practical person, however, and very anxious to do as much good as possible for the African American people -- and even for the bigots who hated them. Therefore, in certain locations, and on a temporary basis, she recommended segregated worship as a practical necessity at the time. Personally, based on what I read, I do not believe that she would approve of segregated worship today.

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    • Peaches, to me there always will be things in both Ellen White's writings and the Bible that simply doesn't seem right. For instance, Paul's statement concerning women, "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church" (1 Cor 14:34-35 NKJV), ouch!

      I also have stated several times in other comments Jesus was silent on women's rights and the slavery issue. So was He against God in ignoring those things? Ellen White was simply doing the same thing. Incidentally she venomously defended the evangelicalism efforts of Edson White, her son, of the African people in the deep south of the United States against her adversies in the General Conference.

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      • Just an FYI regarding the passage in Corinthians 14, Tyler. The Greek word translated as "women" (γυναικες) could just as correctly be translated as "wives." In the early church, women and men sat separately in synagogue. Could you imagine the chaos if women were speaking with their husbands and asking them questions during the service from across the room? We tend to view this from the perspective of modern times when husbands and wives sit side-by-side and we loose perspective on what might have been really going on.

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    • I Hope no one ever read into Ellen White's writings that she was a perfect person. Because we know that Christ was the only perfect person walk the earth. But for another prophet no. so many people are having proplems with Ellen White now, we have not even read and apply 1/4 of the message that God have given her, why would he send another prophet when we don't accept the one we have. But if he chooses to send another it will be the same message, because we are so stiff neck.

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  16. The relevance of Ellen White is far less dependent upon the efficacy of her writings than upon the use to which they are put by "well meaning" church members. Those who could hardly relate what was created on which day of Creation per Genesis are however, very skilled at compiling multi-page documents comprised of selected quotes from Ellen White about what someone should not be doing. Those who would be hard pressed to locate the Jordan River on a map, can nonetheless cite every quotation from "Counsels on Diet and Foods" dealing with cheese.

    On a recent trip to one of our book centers, I noticed that Ellen White's writings are now being bound in black leather to look like the Bible. We are also publishing Bibles with Ellen White's comments included with the Biblical text. I am deeply moved by the account of Jesus' life in "The Desire of Ages," but I would never advocate it as a fifth gospel to be bound with the Bible. In view of her "lesser light" statement quoted above by Tyler Cluthe, I doubt she would feel comfortable with the direction the use of her writings has taken.

    Far too often, whenever a point of contention arises, The Bible is not the first authority appealed to, instead it is the Ellen White Estate online, an Ellen White CD ROM or the Ellen White printed indexes. We have become a people who are weak in rightly dividing the Word of God unless we also have Ellen White readily available to us.

    If we truly believe that there is a coming Time of Trouble, which will be of more value to us as we flee, an Ellen White library, or the Bible? Shouldn't we be making the Bible our primary resource now?

    This is not a rejection of Ellen White or her prophetic gift. It is simply an appeal to restore the Bible to its rightful place as the primary foundational text of our faith.

    King David knew that if he lifted up his hand against King Saul that it would lessen respect for all kings. When we lower the Bible from its primary place, we lessen respect for its inspiration and reduce respect for all inspiration, Ellen White notwithstanding. I think she knew and understood this principle very well. Hence, her "lesser light" statement.

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    • Stephen,

      You might be interested to know that the Bible that integrates EGW's writings into the text and binds the whole thing in black leather (and other bindings) is not endorsed by the White Estate, for the very concerns you state. In fact, the White Estate asked the organization NOT to publish that particular Bible, but the organization chose to do so anyway. Please be aware that the EGW Bible was not published by the Seventh-day Adventist church-owned publishing houses, but rather by an independent organization.

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      • Cindy, perhaps the request by the Ellen White Estate does not override the implied denominational endorsement inherent in offering these items for sale in our Adventist Book Centers. To my knowledge, there has never been a statement in our official publications on this issue, nor from any other source than the White Estate. Under these circumstances, maybe the membership can be forgiven for thinking that these items are endorsed by the denomination.

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  17. Often in the reading of inspired writings-be they Paul, John, Peter, or Ellen White, we stop at seeing the glass (human instrument), rather than seeing through the glass to God. Or another metaphor might capture it: We content ourselves to hear the music of the instrument only. (It is far more convenient to the 'we-will-not-have-this-Man-to-rule-over-us' carnal mind, which wishes to quibble away the right God has to tell His creatures how they must live.) Beyond the music of the instrument is the One playing the instrument; it is He we are criticizing when we say the pitches coming from the instrument do not meet our fancy.

    In the compiled series 'Articles on Romans', E.J. Waggoner, commenting on how God's voice speaks to us in His moral law, puts forth a principle which applies to all Christian writings, and more especially to the inspired writings of the prophets God commissions. Waggoner, commenting on the phrase, "Every Mouth Stopped":
    "The law speaks that 'every mouth may be stopped.' And so every mouth would be, if men would only consider that it is God that is speaking. If men realized that God himself speaks in the law, they would not be so ready to answer back when it speaks to them, and they would not frame so many excuses for not obeying it.
    "When some servant of the Lord reads the law to people, they often seem to think that it is only man's word to which they are listening, and so they feel themselves privileged to parley, and debate, and object, and to say that, although the words are all right, they do not feel under obligation to obey, or that it is not convenient. They would not think of doing this if they heard the voice of God speaking to them."

    Are we listening--straining to catch--the lightest whisper of the voice of God? Are we surrendering our damnable, perpetual quibble with every means, every venue, through which--were we quiet just a moment--we would hear God speaking. Am I longing to hear Him? or, treating His voice like a harsh winter breeze, am I chinking up every hole and crack through which a Divine breeze might blow. If so, it will be too late I learn I have so effectively blocked His access to me that I am suffocating, when God's desire was to refresh and revive me.

    'He that hath ears, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.'

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    • Dear Daryl,

      I appreciate what you have shared with us, and I believe it is a point well worthy of our consideration. I do have a question for you. I can see how the principle enunciated by E. J. Waggoner applies to the inspired writings of God's prophets or messengers, but how do you see it applying to all Christian writings? Does a Morris Venden book, for instance, come to us with the authority of God? Perish the thought!

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  18. I remembered hearing about a comment that Sister White made about her being a prophet or a messenger so I went searching through her writings and finally found it. It might be well for us to take the same stand that she did and refer to her as a messenger rather than a prophet and leave it at that. It is the work of satan to enter into these conversations with doubters as he is then able to draw us from the sanctifying work that is being carried out in our lives while focusing on these topics. Jesus never defended Himself and we don't have to defend her as her life already bore testimony as to Who she followed. Those of us who value her writings as a 'lesser light' to a clearer understanding of the 'greater light' in the Bible will indeed bear testimony to her and to her writings as the Light of heaven shines through us. I choose to keep on being led by the Spirit and praising God for giving her such beautiful insights that make me take a second look at my life and how I am or am not living it...Just saying! This is what she had to say about the matter.
    "I have had no claims to make, only that I am instructed that I am the Lord's messenger; that He called me in my youth to be His messenger, to receive His word, and to give a clear and decided message in the name of the Lord Jesus. {1SM 32.1}
    "Early in my youth I was asked several times, Are you a prophet? I have ever responded, I am the Lord's messenger. I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title. My Saviour declared me to be His messenger. "Your work," He instructed me, "is to bear My word. Strange things will arise, and in your youth I set you apart to bear the message to the erring ones, to carry the word before unbelievers, and with pen and voice to reprove from the Word actions that are not right. Exhort from the Word. I will make My Word open to you. It shall not be as a strange language. In the true eloquence of simplicity, with voice and pen, the messages that I give shall be heard from one who has never learned in the schools. My Spirit and My power shall be with you." {1SM 32.2}

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    • Hi Marilyn,

      Thank you for those quotations. To complete the subject, perhaps we should include this paragraph as well:

      Why have I not claimed to be a prophet?—Because in these days many who boldly claim that they are prophets are a reproach to the cause of Christ; and because my work includes much more than the word “prophet” signifies. {1SM 32.4}

      I believe that`s significant because too many have used the statement "I know that many have called me a prophet, but I have made no claim to this title" to imply that Ellen White considered herself to be less than a prophet, when the opposite is true.

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      • Thanks. I went on to read more and found this quote fro SM."During the discourse, I said that I did not claim to be a prophetess. Some were surprised at this statement, and as 36
        much is being said in regard to it, I will make an explanation. Others have called me a prophetess, but I have never assumed that title. I have not felt that it was my duty thus to designate myself. Those who boldly assume that they are prophets in this our day are often a reproach to the cause of Christ. {1SM 35.6}
        My work includes much more than this name signifies. I regard myself as a messenger, entrusted by the Lord with messages for His people.--Letter 55, 1905. {1SM 36.1}
        I am now instructed that I am not to be hindered in my work by those who engage in suppositions regarding its nature, whose minds are struggling with so many intricate problems connected with the supposed work of a prophet. My commission embraces the work of a prophet, but it does not end there. It embraces much more than the minds of those who have been sowing the seeds of unbelief can comprehend.--Letter 244, 1906. (Addressed to elders of Battle Creek church.) {1SM 36.2}

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  19. As many of you have said, it is important that we do not put Ellen White's writings in the same position as the God's word, the Bible. It was never meant to be that and should only be used to magnify a point the Bible has already made. I do not agree with everything Ellen White has written, but I agree with the things she has written that agree with the word and the "character" of God. It is also important that we understand that God is still speaking and that we be just as open to hear and accept the words and views of modern-day prophets/messengers who are speaking in accordance with the Word of God. The whole point of what I wrote is that God did not stop speaking when Ellen White died. He is still speaking today, but are we listening or are we only willing to accept it if it is coming from the Ellen White writings or endorsed by the Ellen White Estate? Ellen White has been dead for a long time. For the continued production of her writings as new books is absurd to me. There are enough of her writings that have already been produced to get across the messages of Ellen White to the SDA church and the world. Why do we continue to do it? We have to really ask ourselves, is it for profit? Are there not people today who also hear from God that are trying to get their books acknowledged by the SDA church for publication? I know for a fact, there are many. But will they be accepted even if they are in keeping with the word of God? This is something we in the SDA church really need to consider and pray about. God used Ellen White in a mighty way, but Ellen White is dead, but God is still alive Forevermore and He is still speaking. I believe that God is soon to come and it is important that we continue to listen to what God is saying to us today as we prepare for heaven.

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  20. Folks,
    I do believe that we often take Ellen White's writings out of context, as RG pointed out. If we read many area's on the subject, and believe that she was inspired by the Holy Spirit, we can see how it all falls together. Now day's it is very easy to put her writings into context. Except when I typed in the word grace, 14,300 some hits praise the Lord came up. It takes some diligence to become thoroughly knowledgeable of grace. I often type in grace in gatewayBible and see how many quotes I can get to illuminate the Bible text. Our 28th belief talks about growing in Christ. It was put in as the 11th belief. We all have work to do in this category.
    Happy Sabbath
    John

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  21. Peaches - If we are unwilling to comply with the plain "thus saith the LORD" in the Scriptures, unwilling to listen to what He used Ellen White to impart to us, whatever makes you think we will listen to modern "prophets" if what they are telling us is going against our pet sins? In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Jesus said they have Moses and the prophets if they will not believe them neither will they believe one who comes back from the dead.

    The truth of the matter is we don't want to hear what GOD is saying to us so we find it a lot easier on the conscience to ignore and or criticise the human instruments rather than consider what GOD would have us do. We want to cozy up to the world and hang on to Jesus too. Certainly GOD can understand that - after all I acknowledge Jesus as my Saviour. GOD is not as straight laced as they (the prophets) make Him out to be. Don't believe me? Look at the attitude of ancient Israel to the prophets and the end results. Me thinks we are no different than ancient Israel.

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  22. I have a bit of a problem here. I understand White considered herself 'the lesser light' and a messenger. I believe her messages have been inspired by the same God who inspired the writings of the Bible, and it is only that those messages come at the end of times for the last generation. These messages lift up Christ just like the prophets in the Bible. Therefore the writings of Ellen White are just as relevant as the writings of the prophets in the Bible.

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  23. Sister White is still our inspiration, her writings, her visions and even her life sketches are still relevant and the world need to uphold such a wonderful message of God that testifies the amazing love of God,and the grace that was issued on the cross of Calvary. Basing my point on the book of Isaiah 8:20 'To the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, It is because there is no light in them' (Isaiah 8:20). The prophecies of Sister White and her writings have the authentic proof and reliability based on the Living word of God. The another issue that one cannot dispute is the world will always object to the truth but the underline fact is that the truth shall always prevail in the end.

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  24. MaryAnn & Daniel, in my opinion Ellen White's writings are not holy, the Bible is "Holy." Her writing are the "lesser" light. Ellen White's writings are "not" just as relevant as the writing of the prophets. Don't be deceived, and continue to listen to God's voice today. He really is "still" speaking. Even in Bible times, even though there was disobedience, God "never" stopped sending new prophets and new light in every generation. It could be that you are not listening for the new things that God may be telling you through other people other than Ellen White. We really cannot speak to what other people are thinking or doing. We as individuals can only speak for ourselves. Many in the SDA Church feel that they have all the truth they will ever need and tend to be very judgmental. Let's stop being judgmental and seek the truth that God is telling us through His word which should be the only "Primary"" source of truth that we should have. Then, as a "lesser" light, we must continue to seek to hear God's voice through others who also may receive a message from God that is in keeping with the Bible. God is continuing to speak. To think that He would only use one "prophet/messenger" outside of the Bible for the SDA church and the world is not logical and out of character for our loving God. God loves and wants to save "every" generation and He is "still" speaking. We would do well to "still" be listening. This is my last post on this subject. I have really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts. God Bless You.

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  25. Peaches,
    We should listen to what the greater light has to exclaim, “There is nothing new under the sun” as stated by Solomon (Eccl.1:9). We have a wealth of knowledge that is accessible to us as Seventh Day Adventist Christians, why should we look to others for new information while we ignore that which has been allocated to us as heralds of truth. The inspired word of God is just that and I truly believe that God uses Mrs. White writings to expound upon the greater light to clarify His inspired word; therefore, allowing His children to comprehend in dept what His message of hope is for us to a dying world. The fact that there is so much confusion over this subject of belief should alert us that Satan, the Author of Confusion, would have it to be while his objective of deceit is being accomplished and many will fail to comprehend what God’s true will is for us merely because we have refused to accept the unequivocal words of His messenger.

    Please remember that Mrs. White was not the first human messenger that God attempted to employ but she was the one that embraced the calling. While Mrs. White's writings may or may not be holy is not the issue but did the Holy Spirit inspire her to write is the question.

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    • Jean, I can appreciate your position but I believe it is dangerous for us to think that the church has nothing further to learn. Truth like all other things that come from God is without end and is constantly unfolding.

      To my knowledge Ellen White never said that there wouldn't be any more prophets in fact one of the arguments we have always presented in defense of Ellen White has been that scripture doesn't terminate prophecy at the end of the apostolic age but warns of false prophets to the end of time. Furthermore, she never said that all the light was already given. What she did say was things like this:

      It is a fact that we have the truth, and we must hold with tenacity to the positions that cannot be shaken; but we must not look with suspicion upon any new light which God may send, and say, Really, we cannot see that we need any more light than the old truth which we have hitherto received, and in which we are settled. While we hold to this position, the testimony of the True Witness applies to our cases its rebuke, "And knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked." Those who feel rich and increased with goods and in need of nothing, are in a condition of blindness as to their true condition before God, and they know it not. But the True Witness declares, "I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see." {RH, August 7, 1894 par. 2}

      Both Ellen White and the Bible call us to test the prophets, not to immediately reject what some would call new light. We are to be good Bereans never automatically rejecting or accepting but always testing.

      Even the testing process can become flawed if the position we stand on is not sound so we need to be sure that we are in the light that presently exists in order to receive more. For more information the book Counsels to Writers and Editors, Chapters 4 & 5 has some good quotes from Ellen White on the subject of new light.

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  26. Tyler,

    I agree that God has more light to share with His obedient children but when we neglect and reject the light that He has provided it renders us incapable of relating or linking it to present day events; therefore, what would be the necessity of new light when we blindly ignore what we already have at our disposal. Therein lies the danger in all of this. My previous intent was not to imply that the church has nothing more to learn, quite the contrary, but I certainly want to divulge that many of us, hindered by skepticism, are unable to recognize any new revelations while we continue to refute and squander valuable time.

    Consequently, my prayer is that collectively we can abort and dispel the ideas of disbelief, which continues to stagnate the remnant church and begin to cooperate with the Spirit of God by utilizing these truths to move upon the hearts of as many as possible so that we can all meet the Lord in peace. Members of God’s chosen church perhaps should revisit the one accord message of Pentecost.

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    • Jean, I agree and as I read what Ellen White has to say about it so does she. I have always understood that the reception of new light depends on our acceptance of the old. That seems to be one of the things that hindered the Jews from accepting Jesus as the Messiah.

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