101 Questions - About Ellen White and Her Writings

Question 3: Are Ellen White’s writings a “lesser light”? (“Lesser Light, Greater Light”)

I have heard many people say that the writings of Mrs. White are a lesser light compared to the Bible. They usually quote a statement she made that’s in the Review and Herald, January 20, 1903 (also Selected Messages, 3:30). 101Q 21.1

However, in that statement she does not explicitly say the Bible is a greater light and the Testimonies are a lesser light. The first paragraph states that her books are to lead men and women to the Savior. She says that people have neglected the Bible, the mission of which is to point people to Christ, and God has sent a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light, which should be Christ according to the context of the statement. In that letter she was not discussing the relationship between her writing and the Bible. The context is about the light that needs to reach the people by the Testimonies. I believe that if the Bible was written by people who were inspired and E. G. White was inspired, then they’re on the same level, since it is the Holy Spirit who inspires. 101Q 21.2

What you say about the paragraph just before the often-quoted one is true: Mrs. White does say that her books are to lead people to the Savior. But neither in that paragraph nor even in the whole document does she identify Jesus as the “greater light.” You will notice that in the paragraph we are discussing she describes the lesser-light writings in theological terms, “carry out the principles they contain” and “rejoicing in the light of present truth,” rather than in personal terms, such as “come to know the Savior” or “give one’s heart to the Lord.” If her point were that the greater light is Jesus, and the lesser light was to bring people to Him, wouldn’t we expect her to develop this personal side of the matter as she enlarged on her statement? But instead, she develops her statement along the lines of principles and truth, such as we would associate with the Bible. 101Q 21.3

Here is the full paragraph:
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. Oh, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! There would be a thousandfold greater vigilance, a thousandfold more self-denial and resolute effort. And many more would now be rejoicing in the light of present truth. 101Q 21.4

In context, the paragraph above is clearly talking about her own books as providing “much instruction” that “the Lord has sent His people” and as “containing this light”—an expression she used in the very next sentence after the famous quote about the lesser and greater light. The natural way to understand her reference here, it seems to me, is the way we have always done so: lesser light—the contents of her writings; greater light—the Bible. 101Q 22.1

This conclusion is strengthened, I think, by noting another place where Mrs. White explicitly spoke of the relationship between her writings and the Bible: Testimonies for the Church, volume 5, pages 663-665. 101Q 22.2

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. 101Q 22.3

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. . . . 101Q 22.4

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, calling your attention to the words of inspiration which you had neglected to obey, and urging you to fashion your lives in accordance with its pure and elevated teachings. 101Q 22.5

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. The written testimonies are not to give new light, but to impress vividly upon the heart the truths of inspiration already revealed. 101Q 22.6

There are important parallels between these two statements, the famous one you asked about and this one. Both refer explicitly to the Bible and to Mrs. White’s writings. Both make the point that Mrs. White’s books will help a person see the light. And in this second reference, it is clear that Mrs. White’s writings direct people’s attention to Scripture. 101Q 23.1