Understanding Ellen White

3. Focus on central issues

A person can read inspired materials in at least two ways. One is to look for the central themes of an author; the other is to search for those things that are new and different. The first way leads to what can be thought of as a theology of the center, while the second produces a theology of the edges. UEGW 68.4

For years I followed the second way in my reading of Ellen White and the Bible. Without thinking through the consequences of what I was doing, I began to make collections of those Bible verses and Ellen White quotations that seemed out of the ordinary, that provided “new light” that no one else had discovered or was emphasizing. In the process I often searched for the more extreme statements on the “new and different” topics I was interested in, removed them from their contexts, and formed my own compilations. After I was quite satisfied with my discoveries, my mission then was to convince fellow believers on the “advanced insights” I had culled from Ellen White and the Bible. Unfortunately, that method led to distortions and emphases not found in the original inspired writings. UEGW 68.5

One of the tragedies of many avid readers of Ellen White is that they tend to focus on reading for a theology of the edges. Mrs. White had to take a firm stand against such a use of her writings during her own lifetime. She cautioned her readers “to beware of these side issues, whose tendency is to divert the mind from the truth” ⁹ She counseled: We should be careful how we receive everything termed new light. UEGW 69.1

We must beware lest, under cover of searching for new truth, Satan shall divert our minds from Christ and the special truths for this time. I have been shown that it is the device of the enemy to lead minds to dwell upon some obscure or unimportant point, something that is not fully revealed or is not essential to our salvation. This is made the absorbing theme, the “present truth.” ¹⁰ UEGW 69.2

Closely related to the principle of focusing on central issues is that of emphasizing the important. This is significant because too many readers of Ellen White have gotten into massive and divisive arguments over such topics as the proper length of Communion towels, the propriety of shaving one’s beard, and the esoteric aspects of health reform. UEGW 69.3

What makes the teachings of many advocates of “new light” so impressive is their obvious sincerity and the fact that much of what they have to say may be needed truth. How can we tell when we are on center or chasing stray geese near the edges of what is really important? Let’s let Ellen White supply us with her answer to that question. UEGW 69.4

One significant passage on the topic appears in the book Education. “The Bible,” she writes, “is its own expositor.” She continued: UEGW 69.5

Scripture is to be compared with scripture. The student should learn to view the word as a whole, and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand central theme, of God’s original purpose for the world, of the rise of the great controversy, and of the work of redemption. He should understand the nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great consummation. He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found. ¹¹ UEGW 69.6

In such passages we find our marching orders for the reading of both the Bible and the writings of Ellen White. Read for the big picture; read for the grand central themes. The purpose of God’s revelation to humanity is salvation. That salvation focuses on the cross of Christ and our relationship to God. All our reading takes place within that context, and those issues closest to the grand central theme are obviously of more importance than those near its edges. UEGW 70.1

It is our task as Christians to focus on the central issues of the Bible and Ellen White’s writings rather than on marginal ones. If we do so, the marginal issues will fit into place in their proper perspective within the context of the “grand central theme” of God’s revelation to His people. On the other hand, concentrating primarily on the marginal issues of Christianity not only leads to distorted understanding, but also creates problems as we seek to apply God’s counsel to daily life. Dwelling on the marginal is fertile ground for imbalance and fanaticism. UEGW 70.2

“And what,” some may be asking, “is the difference between a central theme and a marginal one?” Ellen White answers that question for us. “The central theme of the Bible, the theme about which every other in the whole book clusters,” she writes, “is the redemption plan, the restoration in the human soul of the image of God.” In another connection she notes that “there is danger of bringing before the people theories which, while they may be all truth, will create controversy, and will not lead men to the great supper prepared for them.” ¹² She often offers specific examples of marginal issues. To one person she wrote that “you have no time to engage in controversy regarding the killing of insects” And in another place she points out that “when men pick up this theory and that theory, when they are curious to know something it is not necessary for them to know, God is not leading them. . . . It is not His will that they shall get into controversy over questions which will not help them spiritually, such as, Who is to compose the hundred and forty-four thousand” ¹³ UEGW 70.3

We find a general principle in those quotations. The closer a topic is to the core of the plan of salvation or the essential knowledge needed for salvation or to those issues that will advance a Christian’s spiritual journey, the closer it is to the great central thrust of the Bible. UEGW 70.4