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Ellen G. White: The Early Elmshaven Years: 1900-1905 (vol. 5)

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Dr. Kellogg Introduces Pantheistic Teachings

Fifteen years later (1895) a Dr. A. H. Lewis, editor of the Sabbath Recorder, prominent among Seventh Day Baptists, and steeped in pantheism, visited Battle Creek and was entertained in the Kellogg home (Mrs. Kellogg was a Seventh Day Baptist). Lewis talked his pantheistic views, which did not fall on deaf ears. Kellogg first introduced pantheism publicly in 1897 in a series of talks at the ministerial institute that preceded the General Conference session held in the College View church at Lincoln, Nebraska. 5BIO 281.5

The records of what took place are clear, for they were published in the General Conference Bulletin, and distributed to Adventist workers throughout the world. The issue of February 18 carries the first of the Kellogg addresses under the title “God in Nature.” This was presented Tuesday morning, February 16. In his talk he introduced an extended quotation from Ellen White, taken from Manuscript 4, 1882, carrying the title “God in Nature.” In this document she stated that Christ and the Father are continually working through the laws of nature. Nature is God's servant, directed as He pleases. Nature at work testifies of the intelligent presence and active agency of a Being who moves in all His work according to His will (The General Conference Bulletin, 1897, 73). 5BIO 282.1

Dr. Kellogg drew heavily upon Ellen White in laying out his position that God works through nature and in nature. His next presentation carried the title “God in Man.” Under this title he gave several talks in which he set forth clearly the pantheistic philosophy he held: 5BIO 282.2

Gravitation acts instantaneously throughout all space. By this mysterious force of gravitation the whole universe is held together in a bond of unity.... We have here the evidence of a universal presence, an intelligent presence, an all-wise presence, an all-powerful presence, a presence by the aid of which every atom of the universe is kept in touch with every other atom. This force that holds all things together, that is everywhere present, that thrills throughout the whole universe, that acts instantaneously through boundless space, can be nothing else than God Himself. What a wonderful thought that this same God is in us and in everything.—Ibid., 83. 5BIO 282.3

In words that seemed to put man above God, he boldly declared: 5BIO 282.4

What a wonderful thought, that this mighty God that keeps the whole universe in order, is in us! ... What an amazing thing that this almighty, all-powerful, and all-wise God should make Himself a servant of man by giving man a free will—power to direct the energy within his body!— Ibid.