Ellen G. White and Her Critics

Selecting Charges for Answer

In planning this book I have been confronted by the same question that confronts the writer of a work in defense of the Bible; namely, What charges shall be considered? No book would be large enough to deal with all the charges, small and great, relevant and irrelevant, that have been brought against the Bible. The defender of Scripture must decide which are impressive sounding, representative, and currently prominent. On these he focuses, and all his readers who are sincerely seeking for light conclude that if he has answered these satisfactorily the case for the Bible is proved. Or at least that it is not worth spending time on the other charges. EGWC 19.2

Even so with this present undertaking. Listed here for answer are all the charges against Mrs. White which are currently prominent, representative, and impressive sounding. For good measure several have been added that cannot thus qualify. In deciding on this list I have been aided materially by Mrs. White’s critics. An examination of their varied writings enables one quickly to see what charges they have focused on through the years. I have been aided even more effectively by the office of the Ellen G. White Publications, which naturally is acquainted with all the major charges that critics constantly present. All these are included in the list examined in this book. Sincere, reasonable readers will not ask more than this, and it is for such that this work has been written. EGWC 19.3

What benefit these pages may prove to the reader can only be hopefully surmised. But this I know with certainty, and offer it here as a personal testimony: After examining all the major charges against Mrs. White, I rise from the task with a greatly strengthened conviction that she was, as she herself modestly yet confidently affirmed, a frail handmaiden of the Almighty to whom were given divine visions and revelations, that indeed there was manifested in her life the great power of God. May all who read this book reach the same soul-satisfying conclusion. EGWC 20.1

Washington, D.C.
January, 1951.