Messenger of the Lord

Ellen White’s Relation to the Bible and to Bible Study

We have elsewhere noted Ellen White’s undeniable submission to the Bible as the test of faith and practice. ⁹ She understood herself as “a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light [Bible].” ¹⁰ She made it clear that her testimonies would not have been needed if people were studying earnestly to understand the Bible. ¹¹ She urged people to “cling” to their Bibles, and stated that none who believe and obey the Bible would be lost. ¹² MOL 417.2

Not another Bible. Neither Ellen White nor the pioneers of the Advent movement ever considered her writings another Bible. No one made that clearer than she herself. No writer ever exalted the Bible more! ¹³ MOL 417.3

Bible study precedes inspired confirmation. A real life incident occurred in 1888 when thoughtful leaders were in conflict over the law in Galatians. Some remembered a position that Ellen White was supposed to have taken some years before—and they wanted to find that manuscript! Ellen White indeed tried to find the manuscript, but with all her many moves it could not be located. She was troubled by its absence. ¹⁴ MOL 417.4

But in her last spoken message to the 1888 General Conference session she referred to the incident: “Why was it that I lost the manuscript [on the law in Galatians 3] and for two years could not find it? God has a purpose in this. He wants us to go to the Bible and get the Scripture evidence....This investigation must go forward. All the object I had was that the light should be gathered up, and let the Saviour come in.” ¹⁵ MOL 417.5

In other words, even as in 1848 when Adventist Bible students grappled with salient Biblical teachings, Ellen White emphasized the Adventist principle of Bible study first, and then, when needed, the confirmation of prophetic revelation. In that order! ¹⁶ No prophet since Enoch and Moses has had a complete understanding of truth. All prophets have had to wait for the Lord to reveal His mind, not only through visions but also through Bible study. When God wants truth confirmed, He makes His mind known to His messengers. MOL 417.6