The Position of “The Bible, and the Bible Only” and the Relationship of This to the Writings of Ellen White

by Arthur L. White, Secretary

The Ellen G. White Estate

The purpose of this paper is to give an opportunity to the pioneers of the SDA church to disclose their understanding of the relationship of the Protestant position of “The Bible and the Bible Alone” to their wholehearted acceptance of the product of Ellen G. White’s pen as inspired writings. James and Ellen White are the principal spokesmen on this point, possibly because their statements were published and are therefore more readily available, possibly because they more than others were on the spot, as it were, on the question. Then regardless of other points, Ellen White’s declarations naturally carry great weight. PBORWEW 1.1

Statements and allusions of their contemporaries fall in line with the statements of the Whites. Some today seem perplexed with what seems to be a conflict in the repeated statements employing the term, “The Bible and the Bible alone” and at the same time giving full credence to the claim of inspiration for the writings of Ellen White, which binds us to acceptance and obedience. PBORWEW 1.2

1. The Bible and the Bible Alone	2
2. The Context of Determining Our Position	3
3. The Factors of Creeds and Traditions	4
4. A Firm Position	5
5. In the Setting of the Visions	6
6. Influence of the Spirit of Prophecy in Establishing Doctrine	7
7. A Creed Would Vitiate the Spirit of Prophecy	10
8. Other Witnesses Testify	11
9. An Examination of the Primary E.G. White Statements in Their Setting	13
10. Conclusion	20
11. APPENDIX A—How the Pioneers Studied the Bible Together	22
12. APPENDIX B—God Through the Holy Spirit Set His Seal Upon the Truth	24
13. APPENDIX C—Less Significant Statements on “The Bible and the Bible Only” or “The Bible Rule”	26
14. APPENDIX D—Do We Discard the Bible by Endorsing the Visions	28
15. APPENDIX E—Our Use of the Visions of Sr. White	34