Ellen G. White and Her Critics

The Messages of Ancient Prophets

a. Their inspired messages were often given only orally. Hence there was no preservation of these messages. EGWC 278.1

b. A message delivered orally was not always presented in identical language to different audiences. This is evident from the brief transcripts that have been preserved. And when more than one inspired scribe has preserved an account of a heaven-born message, the scribes may vary the account, all of them together giving only a small fraction of what was said. Note the variations in the reports on Christ’s words as found in the four Gospels. Note again Luke’s report of how Paul related a certain experience to three different groups, as recorded in Acts, chapters 9, 22, 26. Probably Paul stressed different aspects of the narrative to fit different audiences, a most reasonable procedure, we all agree. EGWC 278.2

c. There is nothing in the Bible to suggest that God expected His prophets to put all their inspired messages finally in written form, which is the only way they could be preserved for the edification of men. EGWC 278.3

d. God did not see fit even to have preserved the messages of some prophets who had put their words on parchment. See, for example, 1 Chronicles 29:29, and 2 Chronicles 9:29. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians—see 1 Corinthians 5:9—was not preserved. What Bible translators and editors call his first epistle is really his second. EGWC 278.4

But perhaps the critics would reply that the Bible prophets may not have had the opportunity to preserve their words, or that God Himself did not see fit to preserve them, and that that was different from Mrs. White’s taking the initiative in dropping out certain of her writings, or parts of them. But is mankind any less deprived of the messages by the former situation than by the latter? And is not the only purpose in preserving the writings the edifying of those who might later read? Furthermore, inasmuch as God has not seen fit to preserve much of the messages that prophets have given, might He not have enlightened the prophets as to which parts should be set down for permanent record? Might He not have enlightened Mrs. White? EGWC 278.5

e. Prophets have added to their messages when writing them a second time. Jeremiah dictated to his secretary, Baruch, a message for king Jehoiakim. But the king threw the scroll in the fire. Then the Lord instructed Jeremiah to take another roll “and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll.” But the record adds that not only were the words of the first roll reproduced, but “there were added besides unto them many like words.” Evidently the changed condition called for an addition to the first message. If God enlightened Jeremiah to make an addition to a written message, might He not enlighten Mrs. White similarly? EGWC 279.1

Lovers of the Bible find no difficulty with this portrayal of the varied ways in which inspired messages are brought to men, how they are varied, and how they are preserved or not preserved. Why should we? We do not question God or the prophets. How do we know what liberty God gives to prophets? Who are we to say whether a prophet, who proceeds under divine guidance, should add to or subtract from a message he had given at a particular time and place, before he again gives that message? The facts are that we know very little about the mysterious relation that God sustains to His prophets. EGWC 279.2

This whole matter of revisions, deletions, or additions is certainly of more practical significance in our modern age of printing than it ever could have been before. Today it is a matter of editions of books, and sometimes the books are to reach widely different groups. EGWC 279.3