Ellen G. White — Messenger to the Remnant

How to Study the Writings

There are three principles which, if followed in the study of the testimonies, will help one to learn what they really teach, and to gain a balanced view of this instruction. EGWMR 88.3

Study General Teaching

1. The general teaching of all the applicable counsels should be studied before conclusions are drawn. Each statement in each book, considered in its context, should be allowed to make its contribution to our understanding of the whole subject. EGWMR 88.4

Many have erred in interpreting the meaning of the testimonies by taking isolated statements or statements out of their context as a basis for belief. Some do this even though there are other passages, which, if carefully considered, would show the position taken on the basis of the isolated statement to be untenable. At times someone will quote a portion of a sentence, which, if quoted in full, would show his reasoning based on half a sentence to be fallacious. EGWMR 88.5

“Why will not men see and live the truth? Many study the Scriptures for the purpose of proving their own ideas to be correct. They change the meaning of God’s Word to suit their own opinions. And thus they do also with the testimonies that He sends. They quote half a sentence, leaving out the other half, which, if quoted, would show their reasoning to be false. God has a controversy with those who wrest the Scriptures, making them conform to their preconceived ideas.”—Manuscript 22, 1890. EGWMR 88.6

It is not difficult to find individual sentences or paragraphs in either the Bible or the Ellen G. White writings, which may be used to support one’s own ideas rather than to set forth the thought of the author. EGWMR 88.7

Take, for instance, the “for ever and ever” of Revelation 14:11. Does not our understanding of the teaching of the whole Bible on the meaning of “for ever” cause us to reach a different conclusion regarding the meaning of this verse than if we took the verse all by itself and compared it with no others? EGWMR 88.8

Mrs. White recognized this possibility of misuse on the part of both friends and foes of her work. EGWMR 88.9

It is neither fair nor honest to use anything other than a complete picture of the instruction given. Gather from all sources counsel pertaining to the same subject, put it all together, and draw conclusions on the basis of everything found. EGWMR 88.10

Consider Time and Place

2. The time, place, and circumstances of the giving of certain messages should be considered. While general principles always hold, some messages have a specific application, and their specific instruction cannot be applied in general cases. EGWMR 88.11

“Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered.”—Writing and Sending Out of the Testimonies, 25. EGWMR 88.12

Take a Biblical example. In Jeremiah 16:2, 3, the prophet was forbidden to take a wife and have a family. Does that mean that none of God’s people are to marry? No. In fact, under inspiration, Jeremiah later wrote a letter to the captives in Babylon (Jeremiah 29:6) and said, “Take ye wives, and beget sons and daughters.” Jeremiah was God’s prophet. God intended to use the prophet as an object lesson to his people, so He gave instruction that fit the situation. But it was not something that would fit every other person at all times. EGWMR 88.13

Notice another bit of specific instruction. In Numbers 15:38, God instructed Israel to put fringes on their garments and a ribbon of blue. Does that mean that every Christian today must wear a blue ribbon on each garment? See how time and place are considered and application is made to today’s circumstances. EGWMR 88.14

“The children of Israel, after they were brought out of Egypt, were commanded to have a simple ribbon of blue in the border of their garments, to distinguish them from the nations around them, and to signify that they were God’s peculiar people. The people of God are not now required to have a special mark placed upon their garments. But in the New Testament we are often referred to ancient Israel for examples. If God gave such definite directions to His ancient people in regard to their dress, will not the dress of His people in this age come under His notice? Should there not be in their dress a distinction from that of the world? Should not the people of God, who are His peculiar treasure, seek even in their dress to glorify God? And should they not be examples in point of dress, and by their simple style rebuke the pride, vanity, and extravagance of worldly, pleasure-loving professors? God requires this of His people. Pride is rebuked in His Word.”—Ellen G. White, The Health Reformer, February, 1872. (Italics supplied.) EGWMR 88.15

It may be seen easily that even though some specific bit of counsel may not fit every individual, or every age, there is something contained in all instruction that is helpful to every person all the time. We must search to find the applications that fit us personally. How this may be done will now be considered. EGWMR 89.1

Discover The Basic Principles

3. One should try to discover the principle involved in any specific counsel. By so doing, one may be sure that he will be able to make application to his own life and circumstances of all the instruction God has given. EGWMR 89.2

“I was then directed to bring out general principles, in speaking and in writing, and at the same time specify the dangers, errors, and sins of some individuals, that all might be warned, reproved, and counseled.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:660. (Italics supplied.) EGWMR 89.3

Specific applications are made of principles so that the manner of applying principles may be illustrated. It is intended that all should be warned through the instruction given to a few. EGWMR 89.4

“The Word of God abounds in general principles for the formation of correct habits of living, and the testimonies, general and personal, have been calculated to call their attention more especially to these principles.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:663. EGWMR 89.5

The illustration regarding the blue ribbons, in section 2, is an excellent example of the present day application of a principle that was applied in a specific way in ancient times. Here is the way it works: EGWMR 89.6

a. The principle is that God’s people should be distinguished as such by their dress. EGWMR 89.7

b. In ancient times, when the mode of dress was very similar among many nations, God specified that a special mark—a blue ribbon—be used to designate His people. EGWMR 89.8

c. Today, by their modesty, simplicity, and lack of pride, vanity, and extravagance, God’s people are to glorify God and distinguish themselves from the world. EGWMR 89.9

Bicycle testimony another illustration.—Dealing in principles is so important that another illustration should be given. In Testimonies for the Church 8:50-53, is recorded a portion of a letter addressed to the Battle Creek church in 1894. It was a letter of warning and reproof sent by Sister White from Australia. One section of the letter deals with bicycles. Reproof was being sent because some of the members of the church had purchased bicycles. On the surface it seems rather strange that such a matter should be considered important enough for a prophet to deal with. It appears doubly odd when we notice that the things mentioned had been specifically revealed in vision. What was wrong with owning a bicycle? Does it mean that today there should be no bicycles among Seventh-day Adventists? EGWMR 89.10

The background is this. In 1894 the modern version of the bicycle was just beginning to be manufactured, and there was a considerable fad to get the bicycles, not for the purpose of economical transportation, but simply to be in style, to parade about town, or engage in bicycle races. In The Reader’s Digest of December, 1951, there appeared an article called “When All the World Went Wheeling.” A few sentences from this article will be enlightening. EGWMR 89.11

“Toward the end of the last century the American people were swept with a consuming passion which left them with little time or money for anything else.... What was this big new distraction? For an answer the merchants had only to look out the window and watch their erstwhile customers go whizzing by. America had discovered the bicycle, and everybody was making the most of the new freedom it brought. The bicycle began as a rich man’s toy. Society and celebrity went awheel. EGWMR 89.12

“The best early bicycle cost $150, an investment comparable to the cost of an automobile today. Those were the days when $100 a month was an excellent wage, when a good suit cost $15, and meals were a quarter. Every member of the family wanted a ‘wheel,’ and entire family savings often were used up in supplying the demand.” EGWMR 89.13

In the light of this brief history, Sister White’s statements take on real significance. “There seemed to be a bicycle craze. Money was spent to gratify an enthusiasm. ... A bewitching influence seemed to be passing as a wave over our people there... to invest their time and money in gratifying supposed wants. ... the example will be followed, and while hundreds are starving for bread, while famine and pestilence are seen and felt,... shall those who profess to love and serve God act as did the people in the days of Noah, following the imagination of their hearts?. ... There were some who were striving for the mastery, each trying to excel the other in the swift running of their bicycles. There was a spirit of contention among them as to which should be the greatest.”—Testimonies for the Church 8:51, 52. EGWMR 89.14

Only portions have been taken to show something of the burden of the message. Read the whole section to gain a full view. (See also Testimonies to Ministers, 83, 84.) But does it look strange that under these circumstances God would have something to say through His messenger? Would it not have been more singular if He had said nothing? EGWMR 89.15

All this brings to focus that there was something more involved than riding or not riding bicycles. Bicycles, as they soon came to be the most economical means of transportation, were not the issue. Had some of the church members found it helpful to purchase bicycles because they would be greatly aided in their work, had there been no waste of needed funds, had there been no spirit of contention and no strife, it is extremely unlikely that the Lord would have found occasion to make any comment on such an item as bicycles, which today seemingly constitute no real problem. But just because bicycles create no comparable problem now, are we to set aside the warnings given and say, “That simply doesn’t apply to us any more”? EGWMR 89.16

Every message from God contains instruction of value to us in every generation. What are the principles involved in this matter? It is pointed out that there was a needless spending of money for selfish gratification. Is that any more right now than it was sixty years ago? Is it not an unchanging principle that it is always wrong to spend money needlessly and for the selfish gratification of one’s own desires, especially when there are others in need? The thought is also brought out that there was a spirit of strife and contention. Are these characteristics any more proper now than they were then? Is it not everlastingly true that God’s children should do nothing that will foster a spirit of strife and contention? These are principles that fit into our everyday life. They touch our homes, our means of transportation, our recreation, our association, our business life. We cannot get away from them wherever we go. Far from setting the specific instruction aside, when we discover the principles involved, we broaden the scope and sharpen the point of the counsel to make it fit everybody all of the time. EGWMR 90.1

Similarly the principle may be discovered in any portion of the writings, and applications may be made in every circumstance of life. By a careful discovery and application of principles, the scope of the instruction is broadened so that no person may say, “This is old-fashioned, it no longer applies to the church today.” None of the testimonies are to be set aside as no longer applicable. All will have lessons to teach us until the coming of the Lord. Set no instruction aside because the specific application does not fit your life. Discover the basic principle, and it will not be difficult to discover an application to be made. EGWMR 90.2