Understanding Ellen White

Prophetic authority in today’s changing world

Our world has changed significantly since Ellen White’s death in 1915. From a philosophical perspective, modernism was overshadowed by postmodernism, and postmodernism gave place to a new trend sometimes called “post-postmodernism” and “pseudo-modernism,“ ²⁵ or even “post-contemporary.” ²⁶ In many workplaces, the traditional career ladder has been replaced by career roller coasters.²⁷ Within the religious realm, by 2015 Christianity was already fragmented into some forty-five thousand different denominations. ²⁸ Postmodern theology has transferred the focus of authority from the consistent and coherent teachings of the Bible to the emotional and contradictory opinions of the multitude of readers. ²⁹ Overwhelmed with uncertainties and anxieties, many—including Christians—seek assurance today in mysticism and even modern prophetism. ³⁰ UEGW 61.5

By contrasting our contemporary world to the world in which Ellen White lived, one might easily wonder: Are her writings still relevant and authoritative in the twenty-first century? Crucial to answering that question is one’s hermeneutical perspective—or way of viewing things. For instance, twentieth-century modernists are tempted to consider her writings as obsolete and irrelevant. While many twenty-first-century millennials will probably appreciate the spiritual tone of her writings but not acknowledge any absolute authority. Yet the method of allowing the prophetic writings to interpret themselves and accepting their authority in our lives allows the reader to regard her writings as still prophetically relevant and authoritative for each generation. ³¹ UEGW 62.1

In a world without absolute values and an unknown future, Ellen White’s writings play a crucial role. They (1) uplift “the Bible, and the Bible only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms” ³² (2) They counteract the Satanic delusion that “the requirements of Christ are less strict than they [Adventists] once believed, and that by conformity to the world they would exert a greater influence with worldlings.” ³³ (3) They unveil the final events of earth’s history that bring the redeemed children of God to His everlasting kingdom (Rev. 21:1-4). And (4) they reveal God’s perspective and priorities in human history. ³⁴ UEGW 62.2

Ellen White’s writings are still a considered a powerful prophetic filter in-tended to remove misinterpretations of Scripture developed over the centuries within human tradition. Instead of replacing the Bible, her writings draw the attention away from artificial human interpretations back to Scripture, so that its original message can continue to flow pure and refreshing to us today. Seventh-day Adventism will be able to keep its prophetic identity as long as it remains grounded on the unmovable platform of Scripture (Matt. 7:24-27) and faithful to the legacy of light inherited through Ellen White’s prophetic ministry (2 Chron. 20:20). UEGW 62.3

Recognizing the authority of Ellen White’s prophetic message suggests a process that brings a person from uncertainty to confidence. Ellen White herself understood the need to evaluate and consider before accepting that God was indeed speaking. The key word for Ellen White in accepting her authority is “ experience.” ³⁵ Divine illumination must attend a reasoned consideration of her writings and ministry. It is the Spirit of God, the same Spirit that brings assurance as we read the Bible, who uses Ellen White’s writings to connect us to God and to the message of the Bible. This brings recognition of the veracity of a prophetic special revelation. The only way one can come to a personal experience as it relates to Ellen White is to actually read her writings. UEGW 62.4