Understanding Ellen White

Introduction

Merlin D. Burt

The world and church today are vastly different from that of Ellen White’s lifetime. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has become truly a global movement with many millions of members from diverse cultures and backgrounds; many people are not familiar with the history of God’s leading and the prophetic experience of Ellen White. The rise of the information age and Internet has opened a wide variety of perspectives on her life and ministry. Many critical sites present arguments against her that misrepresent reality but have influence because people do not have adequate information or an experiential understanding of her writings. UEGW v.1

Ellen White is no longer alive to represent herself or her era. This book builds a foundation for interpreting her experience with God and her prophetic ministry. This volume does not attempt to be comprehensive or provide final answers on every issue. Instead it provides succinct and substantive answers to specific questions regarding Ellen White and her prophetic ministry that provide principles for addressing further questions. UEGW v.2

Too often Ellen White has been presented as having two passions—rebuking sinners and giving rules. Although she did find herself obligated to do this at various times, it was not her personal life emphasis or even the focus of her ministry. Seventh-day Adventists and others who have a “hard” view of Ellen White need to reframe their understanding in terms of who she really was, what she truly thought, and what she actually said and did. UEGW v.3

Basic to any understanding of Ellen White is her own walk with God. Everything she did must be understood and interpreted within this context. To open a window of understanding to Ellen White’s heart, readers need to know and even experience her passions. There are two braided golden threads that weave through her entire life and experience that are central to who she was and what she accomplished—the love of God in Christ and a focus on Scripture. Her orientation toward the love of God and the Bible were integrally interwoven with her prophetic ministry. Her writings, which were guided by prophetic revelation through visions and prophetic dreams, must be read and understood with this perspective. UEGW vi.1