A Critique of the Book Prophetess of Health

The Revelation Infallible—Vehicles of Thought Finite and Imperfect

Ellen White declares of the Bible: CBPH 117.4

The Holy Scriptures are to be accepted as an authoritative, infallible revelation of His will. CBPH 117.5

“Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof” ...—The Great Controversy, vii. CBPH 117.6

She does not state that the wording of the Scriptures is infallible. But the Scriptures provide an infallible revelation. The revelation of God’s will is authoritative and infallible, but the language used in imparting it to mankind is not infallible. Declares Ellen White: “God and heaven alone are infallible.”—Selected Messages 1:37. And again in speaking of her work she says: “In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it; God alone is infallible.”—Ibid. She further illuminates this point, saying: CBPH 117.7

The Lord speaks to human beings in imperfect speech, in order that the degenerate senses, the dull, earthly perception, of earthly beings may comprehend His words. Thus is shown God’s condescension. He meets fallen human beings where they are. The Bible, perfect as it is in its simplicity, does not answer to the great ideas of God; for infinite ideas cannot be perfectly embodied in finite vehicles of thought. Instead of the expressions of the Bible being exaggerated, as many people suppose, the strong expressions break down before the magnificence of the thought, though the penman selected the most expressive language through which to convey the truths of higher education.—Selected Messages 1:22. CBPH 117.8