Understanding Ellen White

Ellen White’s relation to Scripture

Ellen White was an unmitigated Bible loyalist who used Scripture as the bedrock and hallmark of her writings. What she thought of the Bible emerges early in her experience as an Adventist pioneer. In recounting the experience of those who left their churches and led out in the Advent movement, she said that they early “took the position that the Bible, and the Bible only,” would be their compass. ² This was an irreversible position that reverberated throughout White’s life and ministry, and heavily shaped her theological understanding. She embraced the Protestant principle of sola Scriptura, bemoaning the absence of the principle among the Christians of her era, and imploring all well-meaning Christians to return to it. “God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms.” ³ UEGW 46.2

The Bible was the authority for Ellen White even when, or especially when, she had received a vision containing direct instruction from God on a particular subject. In dispensing counsel in individual cases, Ellen White pointed first and foremost to the Bible. “It is my first duty to present Bible principles,” she stated. “Then, unless there is a decided, conscientious reform made by those whose cases have been presented to me, I must appeal to them personally.” ⁴ The point cannot be made clearer or emphasized more. Ellen White saw Scripture as primary, foundational, formative, and guiding in matters of faith and action, holding to this view even when she received visions on a particular matter. Only when those in question balked at curbing their ways or being pointed to Scripture did Ellen White sense a need to direct them to the counsel contained in her visions. Following is her most pointed comment in this regard: UEGW 46.3

You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God’s word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God’s inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple direct testimonies. . . . The Lord designs to warn you, to reprove, to counsel, through the testimonies given, and to impress your minds with the importance of the truth of His word. UEGW 46.4

The written testimonies are . . . to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. ⁵ UEGW 47.1

The truth that Scripture was foundational, central, and integral to Ellen White finds support in the fact that she often literally held the Bible on high while preaching and quoted copiously from its pages. On several occasions while in vision she held the Bible aloft; the action in and of itself underscoring the Bible’s preeminence and prominence in her life and understanding. Perhaps not coincidentally, she ended the last sermon she was to preach at a General Conference session by holding up her Bible and intoning before the assembled delegates and church leaders, “Brethren and Sisters, I commend unto you this Book.” ⁶ UEGW 47.2

Yet it is in her use of Scripture that Ellen White shows her deep and abiding appreciation for Scripture. To say that her writings are amply seasoned with Scripture is to utter an understatement. More accurately, Scripture saturates the writings of Ellen White, with extended biblical passages sometimes forming the bulk of a particular testimony or admonition. For example, the chapter titled “Nicodemus” in The Desire of Ages, based on John 3:1-17, is an almost running quote of the scriptural rendering of the encounter between Nicodemus and Jesus. Some books by White, such as Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing and Christ’s Object Lessons, are but commentaries that draw heavily from the parables and words of Jesus to teach timeless truths. UEGW 47.3

That Ellen White made ample appropriation of Scripture in her writings is indisputable, yet how did she interpret Scripture? As a modern-day prophet, did White’s interpretation of Scripture show her to be primarily an exegete, a biblical theologian, an expository preacher, or a topical evangelist and preacher? The evidence suggests that her primary objective when interpreting Scripture was not these but rather to put the passage to work as an instrument of renewal and growth. Ellen White believed that Scripture should impact and transform lives. ⁷ Fundamentally, she provided linkages between Scripture and the contemporary context, which is not to say that for her relevancy trumped accuracy. Her use of Scripture is trustworthy. UEGW 47.4

As far as Ellen White was concerned, her writings, when compared to Scripture, were a “lesser light,” not new or additional light. Referring to her writings, White 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.” ⁸ Elsewhere she stated, UEGW 47.5

The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. Man’s duty to God and to his fellow man has been distinctly specified in God’s word; yet but few of you are obedient to the light given. Additional truth is not brought out; but God through the Testimonies simplified the great truths already given and in His own chosen way brought them before the people to awaken them and impress the mind with them, that all may be left without excuse. ⁹ UEGW 48.1

The writings of Ellen White were not an addition to, or extension of, Scripture, but instead were subject to it. Again and again, she sought to make it crystal clear that her writings were secondary and subject to Scripture: “ He [the Lord] has not given any additional light to take the place of his Word. This light is to bring confused minds to his Word.” ¹⁰ In a specific instance she stated, “Brother J would confuse the mind by seeking to make it appear that the light God has given through the Testimonies 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.” ¹¹ Throughout her life, Ellen White resolutely encouraged people to go back to the Bible and to read and absorb it. She passionately pleaded for people not to view her writings as an addendum to Scripture, but only as an attempt by God to bring clarity to some issues. UEGW 48.2

Moreover, Ellen White did not believe that her writings were to supersede or in some way trump the Bible. Said she, UEGW 48.3

The testimonies of Sister White should not be carried to the front. God’ s Word is the unerring standard. The Testimonies are not to take the place of the Word Let all prove their positions from the Scriptures and substantiate every point they claim as truth from the revealed Word of God. . . . Our position and faith is in the Bible. And never do we want any soul to bring in the Testimonies ahead of the Bible. ¹² UEGW 48.4

Even so, the writings of Ellen White did not contradict Scripture and were a veritable continuation of the truths contained in the sacred canon. ¹³ Indeed, White asserted that the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy were inspired by the same Source, the Holy Spirit, ¹⁴ and that the work of the Holy Spirit was in alignment with Holy Scripture, which confirms and authenticates it. “The work of the Holy Spirit upon the heart is to be tested by the Word of God,” the reason being that “the Spirit which inspired the Scriptures, always leads to the Scriptures.” ¹⁵ UEGW 48.5

Ellen White was clear and emphatic that her writings were neither to be viewed nor applied as the Christian’s rule of faith. The Bible, not her writings, was the standard for the believer’s faith and behavior. Her writings were intended to reprove, correct, exhort, and guide people back to the Bible, where all that is necessary for their salvation and Christian growth may be found. She wrote: “I recommend to you, dear reader, the Word of God as the rule of your faith and practice. By that Word we are to be judged. God has, in that Word, promised to give visions in the ‘last days’; not for a new rule of faith, but for the comfort of His people, and to correct those who err from Bible truth.” ¹⁶ Elsewhere, she could not be clearer or more emphatic, asserting that “the Bible is the only rule of faith and doctrine,“ ¹⁷ and that “the Bible, and the Bible alone, is to be our creed.” ¹⁸ UEGW 49.1

Ellen White asked that her writings be denied the prominence that belongs only to Holy Scripture in public venues, and she stressed that people err when they point others to her and not to the Bible for warrant and backing for their beliefs and perspectives. She pleaded, “In public labor do not make prominent, and quote that which Sister White has written, as authority to sustain your positions Bring your evidence, clear and plain, from the Word of God. A ‘Thus saith the Lord’ is the strongest testimony you can possibly present to the people. Let none be educated to look to Sister White, but to the mighty God, who gives instruction to Sister White.” ¹⁹ As for quoting her when the Bible had not been obeyed, Ellen White said, UEGW 49.2

How can the Lord bless those who manifest a spirit of “I don’t care,” a spirit which leads them to walk contrary to the light which the Lord has given them? But I do not ask you to take my words. Lay Sister White to one side. Do not quote my words again as long as you live until you can obey the Bible. When you make the Bible your food, your meat, and your drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know better how to receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious Word before you today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, “Sister White said this,” and “Sister White said that.” Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do what He commands. ²⁰ UEGW 49.3

Her writings, then, play “second fiddle” to the Bible, which, in her thinking, held primacy and preeminence over all her counsel. UEGW 49.4