A Review of “Our Authorized Bible Vindicated,” by B. G. Wilkinson

Sister White’s Use of the Revised Version

The assertion of the author that Sister White used the Revised Version only as she would quote from some secular writer is most astounding. Quoting his precise words, the author declares that Sister White “uses it [the Revised Version] as a reference book, but not as an authority.” (Italics ours.) (Page 4 of same leaflet, “The Attitude and Teachings of Mrs. E. G. White Toward the Different Versions of the Bible.”) And again, on the same page, appears this expression: “Sister White used the American Revised Version as we may use it—as a book of reference.” RABV 33.4

This content on is utterly contrary to the patent facts of her practice. The Revised. Version was of course not yet in existence during the period of her most prolific writing, and so in the very nature of the case could not possibly have been used in the bulk of her productions. But the hundreds of texts from the Revised Version found in those of her books written after its appearance are used as from Scripture, precisely as are those from the King James, and are so listed in the “Scriptural Index” in such books without any differentiation. And they are directly quoted as the Word of God, and not as a conveniently phrased reference from some human authority. RABV 33.5

Mrs. White unquestionably had confidence in both versions. Most certainly she did not consider them antagonistic or mutually exclusive. It is apparent that she did not consider the English Revised and the A.R.V. as having been subjected to “systematic depravation,” and as pro-papal or Modernistic. Surely her example would indicate that we are warranted in doing as she did. We may rightly conclude, then, that Sister White did not regard the A.R.V. as a version to be condemned and avoided. RABV 34.1

Sister White’s quotations from the Revised Version are not confined to brief excerpts, or better-worded phrases for certain difficult texts, but are often extensive sections of the Word, as on page 142 of “Education,” where seventeen verses from Job (R.V.) are introduced with the meaningful expression, “God has given us in His Word” (Italics ours)—and then follow the verses cited. Or, on page l60 of the same volume, we read the significant statement, “The earliest song recorded in the Bible” (Italics ours)—and immediately Sister White proceeds to quote seven verses from Exodus 15, R.V. Again, on page 236, Matthew 5:37 (R.V.) is introduced by this phrase, “God’s Word condemns” (Italics ours)—and the sacred words follow. As to the free use of the Revised Version citations, they range all the way from a single verse up to groups of twelve, sixteen, and even twenty-three verses. RABV 34.2

Another distortion of fact relative to Sister White’s use of the Revised Version, is conveyed in the author’s statement on page 4 of the same leaflet: “In volume eight of the Testimonies, Sister White quotes several times from the Revised Version, especially in the poetical Psalms.” (Italics ours.) The intent of the underscored phrase is apparent. But let us examine the actual facts. In one section alone of Volume VIII,—“The Essential Knowledge,”—the A.R.V. is quoted forty-seven times within the eighty pages of that division. And as to the implication that these were confined to the “poetical Psalms,” please note the contrary facts: These forty-seven references are, in the order used, from Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Zechariah, Deuteronomy, Hosea, Micah, Zephaniah, Job, 1 Samuel, Proverbs, Exodus, and the Psalms, in the Old Testament; and from John, 1 Timothy, 1 Corinthians, Philemon, 2 Corinthians, and 1 Peter in the New Testament. RABV 35.1

Or, to take yet another example: In the book “Education” there are (according to its “Scriptural Index”) forty-five texts quoted from the Revised, and they are distributed as follows: Genesis 1; Exodus 2; Numbers 3; 1 Chronicles 1; Job 5; Psalm 5; Proverbs 2, Ecclesiastes 2; Canticles, 1; Isaiah 1; Matthew 2; Luke 1; John 3; Romans 2; 1 Corinthians 3; 2 Corinthians 1; Ephesians 1; Philippians 1; Colossians 2; Hebrews 1; 1 Peter 1; and Revelation 4. In other words, but five citations are from the Psalms, while the remaining forty are from twenty-one other books of Scripture scattered from Genesis to Revelation. And these forty-five references comprise one hundred forty-one verses of Scripture from the Revised Version. RABV 35.2