A Specific Situation
Let us take the very specific situation that generally prompts the question before us. Some observe that the Bible permits meat eating but that Mrs. White urges abstinence from it. Therefore, they believe that Mrs. White’s counsel is extrascriptural and thus not binding on us. But the Bible also permits slavery—and atheists keep us reminded of that fact. Nor do the apostles raise their voices calling on masters to free their slaves, or rallying slaves to revolt. And atheists keep us reminded of that also. But what of Mrs. White? From almost the beginning of her public life she thundered against what she declared was the sin of slavery. Incidentally, even as she began to speak out there were almost half of the clergy in the United States who declared that slavery was a part of the divine plan and wholly justified by Scripture.
WBEGW 110.2
Now was Mrs. White extrascriptural, simply offering us counsel that was “good,” or otherwise, depending on our personal mood in the matter? None of us would say so today. We would vigorously declare that she was setting forth the original plan of God as pictured in the story of Eden, and also pointing us forward to the ideal in the earth made new.
WBEGW 111.1
Because God permits something, it does not follow that that is the ideal. Take, for example, the Mosaic permission for divorce. Christ declared that such permission was given because of the “hardness” of the hearts of the Israelites. But He immediately added that this was contrary to the original plan of God for man. (See Mark 10:2-9.) Christ’s words apply to all the permissives of Scripture that seem so strangely different from the original Edenic picture, or the ultimate picture of Eden restored. Our dim vision, our unheavenly heritage, and other factors explain the permissives. But such permissives do not warrant our concluding that Mrs. White does not offer us inspired instruction because, forsooth, she lifts our eyes above the permissives to the ideal. And should that not uniquely be the mark of a prophet who seeks to prepare us for the better world so soon to come? And in that better world, even as was true in original Eden, there will be no flesh eaters. “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain” (Isaiah 11:9).
WBEGW 111.2
There is nothing extrascriptural in the advocacy of vegetarianism. That was the diet set down in Eden and will be the diet in Eden restored. And no permissives of Scripture change that fact. Remember that the permissives permit not only flesh but also strong drink, easy divorce, plural marriages—to mention some of the more startling. And these permissives reveal, not the standards of a gross God—as atheists charge—but the long-suffering and patience of a holy God. They certainly do not offer to us any permanent standard for life or any justification for living below the level of the light that has been revealed to us.
WBEGW 111.3
Ever and anon God’s prophets seek to lift us to higher levels, to help us to set our “affection on things above” (Colossians 3:2). And in doing that they do not depart from all that Moses and the prophets wrote. They simply build for us steps of divine principles that would lead us above the sad level of permissives to the high level of the heavenly country.
WBEGW 112.1
657
WBEGW
Why I Believe in Mrs. E. G. White
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White","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0000_eng_f_by_francis_d_nichol_657_2.mp3#duration=14&size=287603"},{"para_id":"657.9","title":"Chapter One\u2014An Unusual People","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0001_eng_f_chapter_one_an_unusual_people_657_9.mp3#duration=165&size=1190074"},{"para_id":"657.17","title":"The Prime Question","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0002_eng_f_the_prime_question_657_17.mp3#duration=359&size=2355943"},{"para_id":"657.31","title":"Background of Seventh-day Adventists","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0003_eng_f_background_of_seventh_day_adventists_657_31.mp3#duration=199&size=1397710"},{"para_id":"657.41","title":"Chapter Two\u2014Truth, Stranger Than Fiction","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0004_eng_f_chapter_two_truth_stranger_than_fiction_657_41.mp3#duration=216&size=1497086"},{"para_id":"657.50","title":"Testimony of Captain Bates","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0005_eng_f_testimony_of_captain_bates_657_50.mp3#duration=240&size=1641938"},{"para_id":"657.60","title":"No Mass Movement Toward Mrs. White","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0006_eng_f_no_mass_movement_toward_mrs_white_657_60.mp3#duration=143&size=1055940"},{"para_id":"657.65","title":"A Significant Bible Prophecy","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0007_eng_f_a_significant_bible_prophecy_657_65.mp3#duration=174&size=1245669"},{"para_id":"657.72","title":"A Frank Admission","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0008_eng_f_a_frank_admission_657_72.mp3#duration=203&size=1421873"},{"para_id":"657.83","title":"Chapter Three\u2014Saved, From the Folly of Time Setting","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0009_eng_f_chapter_three_saved_from_the_folly_of_time_setting_657_83.mp3#duration=169&size=1213095"},{"para_id":"657.90","title":"A Pertinent Question","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0010_eng_f_a_pertinent_question_657_90.mp3#duration=569&size=3613088"},{"para_id":"657.115","title":"Chapter Four\u2014Streams of Light Around the World","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0011_eng_f_chapter_four_streams_of_light_around_the_world_657_115.mp3#duration=110&size=861190"},{"para_id":"657.121","title":"A Hard Question","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0012_eng_f_a_hard_question_657_121.mp3#duration=92&size=750611"},{"para_id":"657.124","title":"First Journal Published","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0013_eng_f_first_journal_published_657_124.mp3#duration=190&size=1342434"},{"para_id":"657.132","title":"Only One Answer","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0014_eng_f_only_one_answer_657_132.mp3#duration=82&size=690426"},{"para_id":"657.138","title":"Chapter Five\u2014Saved From the Danger of Disintegration","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0015_eng_f_chapter_five_saved_from_the_danger_of_disintegration_657_138.mp3#duration=171&size=1228895"},{"para_id":"657.144","title":"Life of Church Threatened","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0016_eng_f_life_of_church_threatened_657_144.mp3#duration=184&size=1304772"},{"para_id":"657.153","title":"Looking Back on a Great Event","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0017_eng_f_looking_back_on_a_great_event_657_153.mp3#duration=224&size=1545394"},{"para_id":"657.166","title":"A Reasonable Conclusion","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0018_eng_f_a_reasonable_conclusion_657_166.mp3#duration=94&size=762689"},{"para_id":"657.170","title":"Chapter Six\u2014Visions on Healthful Living","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0019_eng_f_chapter_six_visions_on_healthful_living_657_170.mp3#duration=103&size=818504"},{"para_id":"657.175","title":"Reformers Arise","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0020_eng_f_reformers_arise_657_175.mp3#duration=192&size=1355434"},{"para_id":"657.183","title":"A Distinctive Position","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0021_eng_f_a_distinctive_position_657_183.mp3#duration=169&size=1215053"},{"para_id":"657.194","title":"Her Selection No Accident","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0022_eng_f_her_selection_no_accident_657_194.mp3#duration=76&size=658885"},{"para_id":"657.197","title":"Chapter Seven\u2014Visions on Healthful Living-Continued","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0023_eng_f_chapter_seven_visions_on_healthful_living_continued_657_197.mp3#duration=123&size=941285"},{"para_id":"657.203","title":"The Poor \u201cGrass Eaters\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0024_eng_f_the_poor_grass_eaters_657_203.mp3#duration=273&size=1838879"},{"para_id":"657.211","title":"Value of Physical Exercise","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0025_eng_f_value_of_physical_exercise_657_211.mp3#duration=100&size=803653"},{"para_id":"657.217","title":"Comments on Cancer","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0026_eng_f_comments_on_cancer_657_217.mp3#duration=159&size=1157592"},{"para_id":"657.224","title":"Tobacco is a Poison","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0027_eng_f_tobacco_is_a_poison_657_224.mp3#duration=236&size=1616113"},{"para_id":"657.239","title":"Chapter Eight\u2014Eminent Testimony on Mrs. White\u2019s Health Teachings","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0028_eng_f_chapter_eight_eminent_testimony_on_mrs_white_s_health_teachings_657_239.mp3#duration=320&size=2123878"},{"para_id":"657.255","title":"A University Professor Speaks","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0029_eng_f_a_university_professor_speaks_657_255.mp3#duration=147&size=1084831"},{"para_id":"657.260","title":"Summary by Dr. McCay","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0030_eng_f_summary_by_dr_mccay_657_260.mp3#duration=164&size=1186150"},{"para_id":"657.272","title":"Chapter Nine\u2014Schools and Foreign Missions Begin","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0031_eng_f_chapter_nine_schools_and_foreign_missions_begin_657_272.mp3#duration=143&size=1059036"},{"para_id":"657.279","title":"Testimony of Dr. Stratemeyer","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0032_eng_f_testimony_of_dr_stratemeyer_657_279.mp3#duration=215&size=1492528"},{"para_id":"657.290","title":"Adventist Mission Program","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0033_eng_f_adventist_mission_program_657_290.mp3#duration=90&size=740167"},{"para_id":"657.296","title":"The Inspired Challenger","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0034_eng_f_the_inspired_challenger_657_296.mp3#duration=173&size=1238266"},{"para_id":"657.305","title":"Chapter Ten\u2014Reading the Thoughts of Men\u2019s Hearts","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0035_eng_f_chapter_ten_reading_the_thoughts_of_men_s_hearts_657_305.mp3#duration=167&size=1201558"},{"para_id":"657.312","title":"Testimony of Mrs. White\u2019s Translator","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0036_eng_f_testimony_of_mrs_white_s_translator_657_312.mp3#duration=243&size=1659928"},{"para_id":"657.324","title":"Confession of R. S. Donnell","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0037_eng_f_confession_of_r_s_donnell_657_324.mp3#duration=171&size=1225182"},{"para_id":"657.331","title":"W. H. Saxby\u2019s Testimony","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0038_eng_f_w_h_saxby_s_testimony_657_331.mp3#duration=264&size=1784974"},{"para_id":"657.344","title":"Chapter Eleven\u2014Mrs. White\u2019s Personal Life","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0039_eng_f_chapter_eleven_mrs_white_s_personal_life_657_344.mp3#duration=174&size=1242145"},{"para_id":"657.352","title":"Firmly Believed She Had Visions","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0040_eng_f_firmly_believed_she_had_visions_657_352.mp3#duration=181&size=1287004"},{"para_id":"657.362","title":"The Move to Battle Creek","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0041_eng_f_the_move_to_battle_creek_657_362.mp3#duration=246&size=1678253"},{"para_id":"657.374","title":"Her Husband\u2019s Death","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0042_eng_f_her_husband_s_death_657_374.mp3#duration=204&size=1426064"},{"para_id":"657.384","title":"She Visits Australia","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0043_eng_f_she_visits_australia_657_384.mp3#duration=114&size=887854"},{"para_id":"657.392","title":"Chapter Twelve\u2014Mrs. White in Vision","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0044_eng_f_chapter_twelve_mrs_white_in_vision_657_392.mp3#duration=335&size=2209677"},{"para_id":"657.405","title":"Descriptions of Mrs. White in Vision","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0045_eng_f_descriptions_of_mrs_white_in_vision_657_405.mp3#duration=152&size=1114069"},{"para_id":"657.416","title":"Physical Effects","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0046_eng_f_physical_effects_657_416.mp3#duration=94&size=767885"},{"para_id":"657.425","title":"An Eyewitness Speaks","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0047_eng_f_an_eyewitness_speaks_657_425.mp3#duration=303&size=2017220"},{"para_id":"657.436","title":"Significance of Physical Manifestations","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0048_eng_f_significance_of_physical_manifestations_657_436.mp3#duration=63&size=579591"},{"para_id":"657.440","title":"\u201cIn the Night Seasons\u201d","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0049_eng_f_in_the_night_seasons_657_440.mp3#duration=164&size=1186486"},{"para_id":"657.448","title":"An Inadequate Cause","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0050_eng_f_an_inadequate_cause_657_448.mp3#duration=175&size=1249705"},{"para_id":"657.455","title":"Chapter Thirteen\u2014Mrs. White Looks Into the Future","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0051_eng_f_chapter_thirteen_mrs_white_looks_into_the_future_657_455.mp3#duration=187&size=1325534"},{"para_id":"657.463","title":"Time-setting Rebukes","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0052_eng_f_time_setting_rebukes_657_463.mp3#duration=82&size=694506"},{"para_id":"657.468","title":"Rise of Spiritism","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0053_eng_f_rise_of_spiritism_657_468.mp3#duration=203&size=1416453"},{"para_id":"657.479","title":"A Critic Comments","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0054_eng_f_a_critic_comments_657_479.mp3#duration=285&size=1911160"},{"para_id":"657.489","title":"A Spectacular Forecast","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0055_eng_f_a_spectacular_forecast_657_489.mp3#duration=265&size=1789892"},{"para_id":"657.502","title":"Chapter Fourteen\u2014Questions Some Adventists Ask","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0056_eng_f_chapter_fourteen_questions_some_adventists_ask_657_502.mp3#duration=89&size=736742"},{"para_id":"657.507","title":"Moses at the Burning Bush","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0057_eng_f_moses_at_the_burning_bush_657_507.mp3#duration=62&size=569860"},{"para_id":"657.509","title":"Why Set Extrascriptural Standards for Her?","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0058_eng_f_why_set_extrascriptural_standards_for_her_657_509.mp3#duration=140&size=1039547"},{"para_id":"657.515","title":"Who Is to Measure Agreement?","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0059_eng_f_who_is_to_measure_agreement_657_515.mp3#duration=155&size=1128919"},{"para_id":"657.523","title":"Alleged Contradictions","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0060_eng_f_alleged_contradictions_657_523.mp3#duration=93&size=757672"},{"para_id":"657.526","title":"The Obvious Moral","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0061_eng_f_the_obvious_moral_657_526.mp3#duration=22&size=334593"},{"para_id":"657.529","title":"Mrs. White and Church Membership","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0062_eng_f_mrs_white_and_church_membership_657_529.mp3#duration=97&size=779938"},{"para_id":"657.532","title":"Mrs. White and Fanatical Excesses","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0063_eng_f_mrs_white_and_fanatical_excesses_657_532.mp3#duration=169&size=1215802"},{"para_id":"657.542","title":"Was Mrs. White a Prophet?","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0064_eng_f_was_mrs_white_a_prophet_657_542.mp3#duration=64&size=582398"},{"para_id":"657.544","title":"Are Her Writings of Current Importance?","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0065_eng_f_are_her_writings_of_current_importance_657_544.mp3#duration=105&size=831354"},{"para_id":"657.549","title":"Does She Give Extrascriptural Counsels?","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0066_eng_f_does_she_give_extrascriptural_counsels_657_549.mp3#duration=104&size=822623"},{"para_id":"657.555","title":"A Specific Situation","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0067_eng_f_a_specific_situation_657_555.mp3#duration=210&size=1461549"},{"para_id":"657.565","title":"Reasons for Questions","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0068_eng_f_reasons_for_questions_657_565.mp3#duration=116&size=898419"},{"para_id":"657.571","title":"Chapter Fifteen\u2014The Price of Spiritual Leadership","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0069_eng_f_chapter_fifteen_the_price_of_spiritual_leadership_657_571.mp3#duration=85&size=710993"},{"para_id":"657.575","title":"Attacks on the Bible","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0070_eng_f_attacks_on_the_bible_657_575.mp3#duration=108&size=846584"},{"para_id":"657.579","title":"A Strange Claim","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0071_eng_f_a_strange_claim_657_579.mp3#duration=119&size=915027"},{"para_id":"657.584","title":"The Heaviest Price","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0072_eng_f_the_heaviest_price_657_584.mp3#duration=184&size=1303827"},{"para_id":"657.595","title":"Chapter Sixteen\u2014Two Typical Objections Considered","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0073_eng_f_chapter_sixteen_two_typical_objections_considered_657_595.mp3#duration=109&size=856067"},{"para_id":"657.601","title":"The Record Is Clear","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0074_eng_f_the_record_is_clear_657_601.mp3#duration=127&size=960669"},{"para_id":"657.610","title":"A Second Objection","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0075_eng_f_a_second_objection_657_610.mp3#duration=315&size=2089770"},{"para_id":"657.625","title":"Chapter Seventeen\u2014Looking Back Over the Record","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0076_eng_f_chapter_seventeen_looking_back_over_the_record_657_625.mp3#duration=413&size=2677067"},{"para_id":"657.644","title":"A Personal Testimony","mp3":"\/mp3\/657\/0077_eng_f_a_personal_testimony_657_644.mp3#duration=86&size=717326"}]