A Critique of the Book Prophetess of Health

E. G. White Appraisal of History Presented by the Prophetic Writers

A few quotations suffice to remind us of Mrs. White’s evaluation of history as presented by the Bible prophets: CBPH 121.7

The Bible is a history that tells us of the creation of the world, and opens to us past centuries. Without it we should have been left to conjecture and fable in regard to the occurrences of the remote past.—Counsels to Patents and Teachers, p. 421. CBPH 121.8

The Bible is the most instructive and comprehensive history that has ever been given to the world. Its sacred pages contain the only authentic account of the creation. Here we behold the power that “stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth.” Here we have a truthful history of the human race, one that is unmarred by human prejudice or human pride.—Fundamentals of Christian Education, 84, 85. CBPH 121.9

The divine mind and hand have preserved through the ages the record of creation in its purity. It is the word of God alone that gives to us an authentic account of the creation of our world.—Counsels to Parents and Teachers, p. 13. CBPH 121.10

Ellen White saw the Bible as an inspired reliable history. Concerning its first records she states: CBPH 121.11

The preparation of the written word began in the time of Moses.... This work continued ... from Moses, the historian of creation and the law, to John, the recorder of the most sublime truths of the gospel.—The Great Controversy, 4. CBPH 121.12

Concerning the history of the life of our Lord as recorded by the apostles, she declared: CBPH 121.13

The Holy Spirit enabled the disciples to exalt the Lord alone, and guided the pens of the sacred historians.—Gospel Workers, 286. CBPH 121.14

Of the record of the lives and work of the apostles, she refers to it as “history, written under the direction of the Holy Spirit” (The Acts of the Apostles, 593). CBPH 121.15