SDA Prophet Ellen White Trivializes Evil

Dale · Jan 2, 2013

Here is a passage that reveals the very high regard that EW has for herself.

Yet now when I send you a testimony of warning and reproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinion of Sister White. You have thereby insulted the Spirit of God. You know how the Lord has manifested Himself through the spirit of prophecy. Past, present, and future have passed before me.

-- Testimonies for the Church, Vol 5, p. 64.

EW clearly puts every letter she sends to a SDA congregation on the level of a Biblical Epistle here. Perhaps this explains why modern SDAs believe that the Epistles that are actually in the Bible have been superseded. After all, the writings of Ellen White are closer to our time, they are volumous, and so easier to understand. If their inspiration is equal to the Bible itself, why not rely on her instead of the Biblical Apostles ?

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bugkiller · Jan 2, 2013

Dale said:
Here is a passage that reveals the very high regard that EW has for herself.

“Yet now when I send you a testimony of warning and reproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinion of Sister White. You have thereby insulted the Spirit of God. You know how the Lord has manifested Himself through the spirit of prophecy. Past, present, and future have passed before me.”

-- Testimonies for the Church, Vol 5, p. 64.

EW clearly puts every letter she sends to a SDA congregation on the level of a Biblical Epistle here. Perhaps this explains why modern SDA’s believe that the Epistles that are actually in the Bible have been superseded. After all, the writings of Ellen White are closer to our time, they are volumous, and so easier to understand. If their inspiration is equal to the Bible itself, why not rely on her instead of the Biblical Apostles ?

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On the surface maybe. They do get interesting if one stops to think what is said. I think it is more inline with what someone wants to believe.

I really think the quoted makes here equal with God. Fat chance.

bugkiller

bugkiller · Jan 2, 2013

Dale said:
[FONT=&quot]EW devotes a Chapter to The Manufacture of Wine and Cider. She expresses a very negative attitude to alcoholic drink and so would appear to be part of the Temperance movement.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]If one whose name is on the church book manufactures wine or cider for the market, he should be faithfully labored with, and, if he continues the practice, he should be placed under censure of the church. Those who will not be dissuaded from doing this work are unworthy of a place and a name among the people of God. Testimonies, Vol 5, p. 359-360.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Further,[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]It is no excuse for the transgressor to say that if he had not made wine or cider, somebody else would, and his neighbor might have become a drunkard just the same. Testimonies, Vol 5, p. 361.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]EW denounces moderate drinking, so that is not the goal.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Moderate drinking is the school in which men are receiving an education for the drunkards career. So gradually does Satan lead away from the strongholds of temperance, so insidiously do the harmless wine and cider exert their influence upon the taste, that the highway to drunkenness is entered upon all unsuspectingly. Testimonies, Vol 5, p. 357.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]She connects Satan with drinking, even moderate drinking.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]*[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]*[/FONT]

Seems to me that she had a problem with vinegar. If one does a little research vinegar of that day had a note worthy alcohol content.

bugkiller

Dale · Jan 2, 2013

I have commented on how some of EWs writing appears to say that anyone outside the SDA church is an unbeliever. Here is a quote that shows her attitude towards Catholics.

In Testimonies for the Church, Volume 5, Chapter 72 is titled Acceptable Confession. Here she gives her view of Roman Catholic confession.

But he who kneels before fallen man and opens in confession the secret thoughts and imaginations of his heart is dishonoring himself by debasing his manhood and degrading every noble instinct of his soul. In unfolding the sins of his life to a priest corrupted with wine and licentiousness his standard of character is lowered, and he is defiled in consequence. God is degraded in his thought to the likeness of sinful humanity, for the priest stands as a representative of God. It is this degrading confession of man to fallen man that accounts for much of the increasing evil which is defiling the world and fitting it for final destruction.
Testimonies for the Church, Vol 5, p. 638-639.

The RCCs acceptance of wine and its use as a sacrament is one of the problems that EW has with it. She also thinks that licentiousness is normal for priests. This may be a bit odd considering her own negative view of marriage, and her recommendation that fewer marriages take place. She also sees the world as approaching final destruction. As I have pointed out before, she thinks that the end of the world, the Resurrection and the Final Judgment will happen in her lifetime.

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Dale · Jan 2, 2013

Yet more evidence that Ellen White believed that the end of the world was near, and consistently taught this.

Any one who has been a close student of the Bible will see and understand the solemn position of those who are living in the closing scenes of this earths history.

--Life Sketches, p. 431.

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Dale · Jan 2, 2013

More on EWs distinctive attitude toward marriage.

Angels of God will be guests in the home, and their holy vigils will hallow the marriage chamber. Debasing sensuality will be banished.

Testimonies for the Church, Vol 5, p. 362.

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Dale · Jan 4, 2013

Ellen White takes a dim view of those who have false visions.

There are also false dreams, as well as false visions, which are inspired by the spirit of Satan. But dreams from the Lord are classed in the word of God with visions and are as truly the fruits of the spirit of prophecy as visions. Such dreams, taking into the account the persons who have them, and the circumstances under which they are given, contain their own proofs of their genuineness.
-- Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5 p. 658.

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Dale · Jan 4, 2013

Here is further evidence of the most exalted opinion which EW had of herself. The following quote is under the heading An Unwarranted Distinction.

There have been those who claimed that testimonies purporting to be given by the Spirit of God were merely the expression of my own judgment, based upon information gathered from human sources. This statement is utterly false.
--Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 683.

At the same time, EW denies that the Testimonies, the title of a series of her books, was not intended to take the place of the Bible.

Heading: Not to Take the Place of the Bible

<< That the Testimonies were not given to take the place of the Bible, the following extract from a testimony published in 1876 will show: Brother J would confuse the mind by seeking to make it appear that the light God has given through the Testimonies is an addition to the word of God, but in this he presents the matter in a false light. God has seen fit in this manner to bring the minds of His people to His word, to give them a clearer understanding of it. [Testimonies for the Church 4:246 (1876).] >>

--Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 663-664.

I can only wonder if our modern SDAs have read this passage, and wonder what they think of it.

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Frenchfrye · Jan 5, 2013

Dale said:
Here is further evidence of the most exalted opinion which EW had of herself. The following quote is under the heading An Unwarranted Distinction.

There have been those who claimed that testimonies purporting to be given by the Spirit of God were merely the expression of my own judgment, based upon information gathered from human sources. This statement is utterly false.
--Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 683.

At the same time, EW denies that the Testimonies, the title of a series of her books, was not intended to take the place of the Bible.

Heading: Not to Take the Place of the Bible

<< That the Testimonies were not given to take the place of the Bible, the following extract from a testimony published in 1876 will show: Brother J would confuse the mind by seeking to make it appear that the light God has given through the Testimonies is an addition to the word of God, but in this he presents the matter in a false light. God has seen fit in this manner to bring the minds of His people to His word, to give them a clearer understanding of it. [Testimonies for the Church 4:246 (1876).] >>

--Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 663-664.

I can only wonder if our modern SDAs have read this passage, and wonder what they think of it.

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please dont judge sda because of some people. we were never like that its just a dark time for many of them in a few years people will start to see the truth just show them that and see what they say if they deny u they arent adventists just posers and will there ideas will die off sooner or later

Dale · Jan 5, 2013

Welcome to the discussion, Frenchfrye.

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Habakk · Jan 6, 2013

I have heard that there is a big split in the SDA church that has been caused by a very high loss of membership. SDA doctrine is basically fuelled by the technique of proof texting without given due consideration to scriptural context. Thats when they use scripture and not Ellen Whites writings. However many SDAs are starting to realise that SDA doctrine deviates from Biblical doctrine.

Frenchfrye · Jan 6, 2013

Habakk said:
I have heard that there is a big split in the SDA church that has been caused by a very high loss of membership. SDA doctrine is basically fuelled by the technique of proof texting without given due consideration to scriptural context. Thats when they use scripture and not Ellen Whites writings. However many SDAs are starting to realise that SDA doctrine deviates from Biblical doctrine.

origionally we only use ellen white to help study the bible but like any other religion or group people become stupid and only use her they are stupid and by luck one of them is my conference president. if jay galamore says something hes probably lying but he wont last forever please dont assume sda is just like there incompetent leadership they will be gone in time and we will come back to scripture

Dale · Jan 6, 2013

Habakk said:
I have heard that there is a big split in the SDA church that has been caused by a very high loss of membership. SDA doctrine is basically fuelled by the technique of proof texting without given due consideration to scriptural context. Thats when they use scripture and not Ellen Whites writings. However many SDAs are starting to realise that SDA doctrine deviates from Biblical doctrine.

No consideration of context?

You mean, they jump around the Bible like a flea on a newspaper?

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Dale · Jan 9, 2013

From the website of the White Estate:

Ellen White saw no grounds for probing studies or intricate investigations to ascertain the true meaning of the Word of God as apart from its apparent meaning.

This is backed up by the following EW quote:

Simplicity and plain utterance are comprehended by the illiterate, by the peasant, and the child as well as by the full-grown man or the giant in intellect.
--Selected Messages, p. 18.

So EW says that the intellect has no advantages in understanding the Bible. This helps to explain her oversimplified view of many things in the Bible.

The sites view on another subject:

Ellen White's frequent association of her writings with the writings of the Bible prophets indicates that it is not out of place in this study for us to do likewise.

Link:
The Ellen G. White Writings-Hermeneutical Principles in the E. G. White Writings

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Dale · Jan 9, 2013

Here are some EW quotes on diet and health from the same SDA website.

Quote
It is for their own good that the Lord counsels the remnant church to discard the use of flesh meats, tea, and coffee, and other harmful foods.Ibid., p. 381.

Those who use flesh meat disregard all the warnings that God has given concerning this question.Ibid., p. 383.

From the light God has given me, the prevalence of cancer and tumors is largely due to gross living on dead flesh.Ibid., p. 388.

The light given me is that it will not be very long before we shall have to give up any animal food.Ibid., p. 357.

End Quote

Ibid = EWs Counsels on Diet and Foods

EW also says that Almonds are preferable to peanuts. Same source, p. 134.

[FONT=&quot]Same Link as last post:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The Ellen G. White Writings-Hermeneutical Principles in the E. G. White Writings[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]*[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]*[/FONT]

Dale · Jan 9, 2013

The absurdity of EWs views on diet and health is clear. She is prejudiced against the eating of meat and so leans toward vegetarianism. Yet the Old Testament commands animal sacrifice, which includes the ritual eating of animal flesh. All of the Old Testament prophets ate Passover lamb, as did Christ and the disciples.

She is also prejudiced against the use of tea and coffee. Perhaps these items were considered a luxury in the 19th century. In any case, today both tea and coffee have been shown to have some benefits when used in moderation.

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LittleLambofJesus · Jan 9, 2013

Originally Posted by Habakk

I have heard that there is a big split in the SDA church that has been caused by a very high loss of membership. SDA doctrine is basically fuelled by the technique of proof texting without given due consideration to scriptural context.
That’s when they use scripture and not Ellen White’s writings. However many SDA’s are starting to realise that SDA doctrine deviates from Biblical doctrine.

Interesting.
That makes me wonder what the differences are between these 2 SDA groups.

Doesn't appear to be much action going on in these 2 boards:

http://www.christianforums.com/f541/
Traditional Adventists The forum for Adventist members

http://www.christianforums.com/f569/
Progressive/Moderate Adventists A forum for Progressive/Moderate Adventists.

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Dale · Jan 15, 2013

I was going to comment here on what EW does, or doesn't say about abortion. However, CF rules only allow abortion to be discussed on the Christian Philosophy and Ethics subforum. Accordingly, I started a thread there, SDA Prophet Ellen White Says Nothing About Abortion.

Link:
http://www.christianforums.com/t7715877/

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sunlover1 · Jan 15, 2013

SDA Prophet Ellen White Trivializes Evil

Click to expand...

Seems to be an epidemic.
When I mention the evil of factions/sects/denominationalism, everyone runs.
So evidently MOST Christians trivialize evil

But carry on with your SDA thread... Just wanted

to remind all in attendance that we should FIRST

remove our own log before helping someone with their
splinter.

sunlover

(Who just so happens to know nothing at all about SDA doctrine, sorry)

GladiatorforGod · Jan 15, 2013

Habakk said:
I have heard that there is a big split in the SDA church that has been caused by a very high loss of membership. SDA doctrine is basically fuelled by the technique of proof texting without given due consideration to scriptural context. Thats when they use scripture and not Ellen Whites writings. However many SDAs are starting to realise that SDA doctrine deviates from Biblical doctrine.

Say what? The SDA membership world wide has continued to experience explosive growth world wide. Albeit, North America, Western Europe, and Australia are at the low end of church growth, but other Protestant and Evangelical churches are experiencing the same slow growth in secular developed countries.

Regarding proof texting, modern Protestants and Evangelicals use proof text way more than SDAs. Read some of my posts regarding the 10 Commandments, I simply list the Commandments, and 9 times out 10 non-SDAs will quote one isolated proof text with no exegesis.

SDA Prophet Ellen White Trivializes Evil

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