The 1907 Interview with John Harvey Kellogg

by Tim Poirier

In 1907, shortly before Dr. J. H. Kellogg was disfellowshiped from the Seventh-day Adventist Church, two elders from the Battle Creek church, in which the Doctor held membership, conducted an eight-hour interview with him. The object of the interview was to ascertain whether Dr. Kellogg wished to continue his association with the Seventh-day Adventist church, working in harmony with its mission, or, as it had been rumored, if he would be “rather pleased to have the church drop [his] name.” The transcript of the interview reveals that Dr. Kellogg took this opportunity to justify his actions and attitudes toward the church’s leadership, and, principally, Ellen White. IJHK 1.1

By the time of this interview Ellen White had already openly withdrawn her support for Kellogg’s program and denounced his philosophies, after years of attempting to rescue him from mismanagement and dangerous theological tendencies. This history is traced throughout volumes five and six of the E. G. White Biography. IJHK 1.2

While Kellogg publicly maintained his acceptance of Ellen White’s prophetic gift, he could not at the same time acknowledge the truthfulness of the testimonies of warning that were circulated concerning him. Therefore, the interview consists largely of incidents as told by Dr. Kellogg to illustrate his basic position regarding Ellen White’s authority: First, that not everything that went out over her signature is authentic revelation or testimony; second, that conspiring leaders often misinformed her and manipulated her writings to suit their aims. IJHK 1.3

Dr. Kellogg also attacked the integrity of other church leaders, notably, W. C. White, A. G. Daniells, and W. W. Prescott. To be sure, the church leaders were not above reproach in all their dealings with Kellogg. Ellen White had words of reproof to some who were exhibiting unchristian attitudes toward him. No doubt those she named could point to similar defects in the Doctor’s character. It is important to remember, however, that the interview provides only Dr. Kellogg’s side of the rift between the parties involved. IJHK 2.1