In the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs paragraph eighteen reflects the church's understanding of the writings of Ellen White in relation to the Scriptures.
18. The Gift of Prophecy:
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)
The church in the Preamble states: Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word
So how does the church view the inspiration and authority of the Ellen White writings and their relation to the Bible.
Does it view the ministry and writings of Ellen White as a manifestation of the gift of prophecy? The answer is pretty clear that they do.
Does the church feel Ellen White was inspired by the Holy Spirit? The answer clearly is yes.
Does the church feel the purpose of the Ellen White writings include guidance in understanding the teaching of Scripture? The answer seems to be yes.
Does the church feel the prophetic gift of Ellen White is important to the nurture and unity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The answer clearly is yes.
Does the church feel the writings of Ellen White are an addition to the canon of Sacred Scripture? The answer clearly is no.
Does the church feel the writings of Ellen White functions as the foundation and final authority of Christian faith as does Scripture? The answer is no.
Does the church feel the Scripture can be understood only through the writings of Ellen White. The answer is no.
So where is the conflict of Ellen White against the Bible that some people say exists, that Ellen White goes against God's Word, or superseeds scripture, that is not anywhere in the church beliefs or even implied. Her writings are in harmony with God's will and His truth, if she is a prophet there will always be a expansion on what is clearly biblical truths, but she doesnt go against them. Ellen White does not advocate sin, or lawlessness or upsurption of God's truth, she clearly advocates the principles and understanding of the scriptures and Christian piety.
Ellen White's authority has always been as a "lesser light" to God's word and her authority is the same as any good counsel, but it is incorrect to raise her writings as functioning on a canonical level identical with Scripture. Ellen White herself believed and taught that the Bible was the ultimate standard for the church. In response to believers who considered her writings an addition to the Bible, she wrote, saying, "I took the precious Bible and surrounded it with the several Testimonies for the Church, given for the people of God. . . . You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God's Word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God's inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies, calling your attention to the words of inspiration which you had neglected to obey, and urging you to fashion your lives in accordance with its pure and elevated teachings."Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 664,665. It is those who mistakenly elevate her writings and authority beyond this point who are wrong, and they do Ellen White, her writings, and God's purpose, a grave error which is the real issue and should always be corrected.
Her authority is as counsel, reproof, and as a guide whose writtings and purpose is that of leading people back to the Bible and upholding the truths contained in the scriptures.
18. The Gift of Prophecy:
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen. G. White . As the Lord's messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)
The church in the Preamble states: Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word
So how does the church view the inspiration and authority of the Ellen White writings and their relation to the Bible.
Does it view the ministry and writings of Ellen White as a manifestation of the gift of prophecy? The answer is pretty clear that they do.
Does the church feel Ellen White was inspired by the Holy Spirit? The answer clearly is yes.
Does the church feel the purpose of the Ellen White writings include guidance in understanding the teaching of Scripture? The answer seems to be yes.
Does the church feel the prophetic gift of Ellen White is important to the nurture and unity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The answer clearly is yes.
Does the church feel the writings of Ellen White are an addition to the canon of Sacred Scripture? The answer clearly is no.
Does the church feel the writings of Ellen White functions as the foundation and final authority of Christian faith as does Scripture? The answer is no.
Does the church feel the Scripture can be understood only through the writings of Ellen White. The answer is no.
So where is the conflict of Ellen White against the Bible that some people say exists, that Ellen White goes against God's Word, or superseeds scripture, that is not anywhere in the church beliefs or even implied. Her writings are in harmony with God's will and His truth, if she is a prophet there will always be a expansion on what is clearly biblical truths, but she doesnt go against them. Ellen White does not advocate sin, or lawlessness or upsurption of God's truth, she clearly advocates the principles and understanding of the scriptures and Christian piety.
Ellen White's authority has always been as a "lesser light" to God's word and her authority is the same as any good counsel, but it is incorrect to raise her writings as functioning on a canonical level identical with Scripture. Ellen White herself believed and taught that the Bible was the ultimate standard for the church. In response to believers who considered her writings an addition to the Bible, she wrote, saying, "I took the precious Bible and surrounded it with the several Testimonies for the Church, given for the people of God. . . . You are not familiar with the Scriptures. If you had made God's Word your study, with a desire to reach the Bible standard and attain to Christian perfection, you would not have needed the Testimonies. It is because you have neglected to acquaint yourselves with God's inspired Book that He has sought to reach you by simple, direct testimonies, calling your attention to the words of inspiration which you had neglected to obey, and urging you to fashion your lives in accordance with its pure and elevated teachings."Testimonies, vol. 5, pp. 664,665. It is those who mistakenly elevate her writings and authority beyond this point who are wrong, and they do Ellen White, her writings, and God's purpose, a grave error which is the real issue and should always be corrected.
Her authority is as counsel, reproof, and as a guide whose writtings and purpose is that of leading people back to the Bible and upholding the truths contained in the scriptures.
