[FONT="]
>This is one of the reasons why Ellen White made it clear that her >work was as a lesser light that led people to a greater light. In other
>words, God used her to point others to what He says through His Word.
This refers to the most misunderstood and mis-represented state-
ments of Ellen White. Fifteen hits in the EGW writings refer to greater and/or lesser light. There are only four primary references and not one specifically refers to the Bible as the greater light. Seven are duplicates of the 1902 statement which is often quoted, but never in context.
Aside from the 1902 statement, one contrasts infidel authors with the truth of revelation. Twice Ellen White identifies John the Baptist as the lesser light and Christ the greater light. And, parallel to this, she once contrasts OT types with Christ.
Thus, in all but the oft quoted quote, Christ and or truth is the greater light. And even it is not so clear but what some are able to argue from context that the "greater light" even there is Christ, "the Lord." But the greatest surprise may come in discovering the issue underlying and precipitating Ellen White's statement, which I will address in post #a (i).
>This is why as Seventh-day Adventists, we say (as did Ellen White) that ALL
>of our doctrines must be able to be supported by Scripture alone. Obviously,
>there are many non-Seventh-day Adventists who believe that the Scriptures
>are inspired of God but who have no knowledge of Ellen White or perhaps even
>reject her as a messenger from God, therefore caution is imperative.
I fully and heartily agree with this statement. But I may want to discuss
it further in #a(i), as this presents only one side of a vital paradox.
Leroy Moore
http://www.sdanet.org/archive/2005/Sep12005/0043.html
[relevant part of his follow-up post]
Distributing Ellen White's books is a vital plan of witness which she strongly urged, as we will see as we now turn to a more specific treatment of her oft repeated but little understood greater & lesser light statement: Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light
(Ev p. 37, 1902).
Indeed, "a lesser light to lead ... to the greater light" reflects the her primary burden in the entire admonition from which the quote comes: the responsibility of our brethren to distribute her books widely to the public. Non-SDAs that are to be led by them to "the the greater
light"--the Scriptures. Nothing in the entire, long testimony reflects any kind of caution against the use of her works, but only for their use by the members and distribution to the public. Of a total of 14 greater and lesser light hits in the Ellen White disk, eight are replications of the above. Three contrast John the baptist as the lesser light to Christ, the greater Light (1860, 1873,) One expands
this to include the entire Jewish dispensation with its types as the lesser light. And one contrasts Christ with lesser light teachers of His day. (The 14th is not relevant.) In all the 13 Christ is consistently the greater light reflected by lesser lights. But none of the lesser
lights statements imply a diminished prophetic role.
One testimony with a context parallel to that of 1902 identifies Ellen White's books as "great light." The devisings of men, she charges, closed "the door to great light which would have shone in place of lesser light" (PH079 7). This "great light" refers especially to the Great Controversy, but also to Patriarchs and Prophets and Desire of Ages. All were demoted by setting them aside for the promotion of lesser light books. This is precisely the context of he oft quoted 1902 "lesser light" statement. Note a few earlier statements in her appeal:
Sister White is not the originator of these books. They contain the instruction . . . God has been giving her. They contain the precious, comforting light that God has graciously given . . . to the world.
From their pages this light is to shine . . . leading them to the Saviour. The Lord has declared that these books are to be scattered throughout the world." She twice indicates God's intent and instructions that these be given "to the world." The very next paragraph, which again reminds of the divine mandate contains the
oft mis-used quote: The Lord has sent his people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light. O, how much good
would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! . . . My brethren and sisters, work earnestly to circulate these books. . .
Take the books to business men, to teachers of the gospel . . ." (Ev p. 37 1902; emphasis supplied).
Though "greater light" refers to the Bible, far from diminishing the role and function "of these books," emphasis is on their divine origin and the urgency that they not only be read and the principles acted
upon by our members, but the entire context has to do with the urgency that they be widely distributed. Because of Ellen White's urgency that her books be read, acted upon, and circulated and in view of the increasing use of this very testimony contrary to
context, I shall present one more post: a (iii) to expand on Ellen White's sense of urgency regarding the divine authority and use of her writings.
A. Leroy Moore
http://www.sdanet.org/archive/2005/Sep12005/0051.html
[/FONT]
