Counsels on Christian Worldview

Counsel #8 — Hard Sayings: Amalgamation

Picture: Counsel #8 — Hard Sayings: Amalgamation CCW 160.1

Ellen White's 1864 writing mentions "amalgamation of man and beast" before the flood.^[236] This has been interpreted by some as humans and animals interbreeding. However, no dictionary has ever used “amalgamation” to describe the sexual union of animals with man to produce some sort of centaur, sphinx or other half animal, half human combination. Ellen White herself never hinted of subhuman beings or any kind of hybrid animal-human relationship. She did speak of “species of animals” and “races of men.” One plausible interpretation of the passage could be “the amalgamation of man and the amalgamation of beasts.” CCW 160.2

Mrs. White used "amalgamation" metaphorically elsewhere to describe mixing races of humans. She categorized two races: 1) the "sons of God" (faithful believers) mingled with 2) the "daughters of men" (faithless worldlings). This co-mingling of "believer" with "worldling" was the "one sin above another which called for the destruction of the race by the Flood."^[237] It was this unholy "amalgamation" that brought about idolatry, polygamy, and degradation - defacing the image of God in man.”^[238] CCW 160.3

“The sons of God saw the daughters of men, that they were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves of all whom they chose.” Genesis 6:2 NKJV CCW 160.4

"Unhallowed marriages of the sons of God with the daughters of men, resulted in apostasy which ended in the destruction of the world by a flood." Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 93 CCW 160.5

Reflect: What principles of interpretation do you use to understand difficult Bible texts or difficult passages of Ellen White’s writings? CCW 160.6