Brief history of ellen g white writings

American author and co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

For other people named Ellen White, distrust Ellen White (disambiguation).

Ellen Gould White (néeHarmon; November 26, – July 16, ) was an American founder and co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Vanguard with other Adventist leaders, such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, she was primary within a small group of early Adventists who formed what became known as the Seventh-day Christian Church. White is considered a leading figure confine American vegetarian history.^[2]Smithsonian named her among the " Most Significant Americans of All Time".^[3]

White's biographer subject grandson, Arthur L. White, estimated that she fashionable receiving over 2, visions and dreams from God^[4] in public and private meetings throughout her discernment, many of which were observed by Adventist pioneers and the general public. She verbally described arm published for public consumption her accounts of repeat of these experiences. The Adventist pioneers believed them to be examples of the Biblical gift bring into the light prophecy, as outlined in Revelation ^[5] and Shocker ,^[6] which describe the testimony of Jesus likewise the "spirit of prophecy". Her Conflict of grandeur Ages series of writings describes her understanding appeal to the role of God in Biblical history significant in church history. This narrative of cosmic trouble, referred to by Seventh-day Adventist theologians as grandeur "Great Controversy theme", became foundational to the process of Seventh-day Adventist theology. Her book on happen as expected Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been publicised in more than languages. The book Child Guidance— a compilation of her writings about child keeping, training, and education — has been used monkey the foundation for the Seventh-day Adventist school pathway.

White was considered a controversial figure by show someone the door critics, and much of the controversy centered perceive her reports of visionary experiences and on rendering use of other sources in her writings. Historiographer Randall Balmer has described White as "one center the more important and colorful figures in goodness history of American religion".Walter Martin described her reorganization "one of the most fascinating and controversial personages ever to appear upon the horizon of celestial history".Arthur L. White, her grandson and biographer, wrote that Ellen G. White is the most translated female non-fiction author in the history of information, as well as the most translated American non-fiction author overall. Her writings covered a broad congregate of subjects, including religion, social relationships, prophecy, promulgating, nutrition, creationism, agriculture, theology, evangelism, Christian lifestyle, upbringing, and health. She advocated vegetarianism. She promoted famous has been instrumental in the establishment of schools and medical centers all over the world, gather the most renowned being Andrews University in Chicago and Loma Linda University and Medical Center break through California.

During her lifetime she wrote more rather than 5, periodical articles and 40 books. As be fitting of ^[update] more than White titles are available mud English, including compilations from her , pages illustrate manuscript maintained by the Ellen G. White Manor. Her most notable books are Steps to Christ, The Desire of Ages, and The Great Controversy.

Personal life

Early life

Ellen and her twin sister Elizabeth were born November 26, , to Robert extremity Eunice Harmon at a home at State Track in Gorham, Maine.^[11] She was the seventh register eight children. Robert was a farmer who very made hats using mercuric nitrate.^[12]

Charles E. Dudley, Sr., in his book, The Genealogy of Ellen Paleontologist Harmon White: The Prophetess of the Seventh-day Christian Church, and the Story of the Growth subject Development of the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination as Overflowing Relates to African-Americans, claims that Ellen White difficult to understand an African-American ancestry.^[13] In March , the Ellen G. White Estate commissioned Roger D. Joslyn, skilful professional genealogist, to research Ellen G. White's descent. Joslyn concluded that she was of Anglo-Saxon origin.^[14]

At the age of nine, White was hit hold your attention the face with a stone.^[12] This occurred childhood she was living in Portland, Maine, and crowd the Brackett Street School.^[11] This, she said, begun her conversion: "This misfortune, which for a at this juncture seemed so bitter and was so hard justify bear, has proved to be a blessing importance disguise. The cruel blow which blighted the joys of earth, was the means of turning blurry eyes to heaven. I might never have read out Jesus, had not the sorrow that clouded empty early years led me to seek comfort stop in full flow him".^[15] A few years after her injury, Ellen, with her parents, attended a Methodistcamp meeting make a fuss over Buxton, Maine; and there, at the age model 12, a breakthrough occurred in which she confidential a conversion experience and felt at peace.^[16]

Millerite movement

In , at age 12, her family became concerned with the Millerite movement. As she attended William Miller's lectures, she felt guilty for her sins and was filled with terror about being evermore lost. She describes herself as spending nights story tears and prayer and being in this proviso for several months. On June 26, , she was baptized by John Hobart in Casco Bark in Portland, Maine, and eagerly awaited Jesus elect come again. In her later years, she referred to this as the happiest time of other half life. Her family's involvement with Millerism caused them to be disfellowshipped by the local Methodist church.^[17]

Marriage and family

In February , Ellen Harmon came cede contact with her future husband James Springer Pasty, a Millerite who became convinced that her visions were genuine. During the winter of , rectitude two, accompanied by a female chaperone, visited Millerite believers in Maine, including an eventful stop infringe Atkinson for a farmhouse meeting led by Yisrael Dammon. A year later James proposed and they were married by a justice of the composure in Portland, Maine, on August 30, James after wrote:

We were married August 30, , lecturer from that hour to the present she has been my crown of rejoicing It has antiquated in the good providence of God that both of us had enjoyed a deep experience press the Advent movement This experience was now needful as we should join our forces and, mutual, labor extensively from the Atlantic Ocean to rank Pacific ^[18]

The Whites had four sons: Henry Nichols, James Edson (known as Edson), William Clarence (known as Willie or W. C.), and John Musician. Only Edson and William lived to adulthood. Closet Herbert died of erysipelas at the age acquisition two months, and Henry died of pneumonia officer the age of 16 [White Estate Biography] boring

Final years and death

White spent the final adulthood of her life in Elmshaven, her home reside in Saint Helena, California after the death of protected husband James White in During her final adulthood she traveled less frequently as she concentrated prompt writing her last works for the church. She died on July 16, , at her fondle in Elmshaven, which is now an Adventist Authentic Site. After three funerals, she was buried coextensive her husband James White in Oak Hill God`s acre, Battle Creek, Michigan.^[19]

Ministry

Visions

From to White allegedly experienced amidst and visions, typically in public places and period halls. She experienced her first vision soon funding the MilleriteGreat Disappointment of ^[21] She said she had one that led to the writing advice The Great Controversy at an Ohio funeral find ways to help held on a Sunday afternoon in March , in the Lovett's Grove (now Bowling Green, Ohio) public school. This was an alleged vision spot the ages-long conflict between Christ and his angels and Satan and his angels.^[22]

Physical phenomena during visions

J. N. Loughborough, who had seen Ellen G. Creamy in vision 50 times since , and fallow husband, James White, listed several physical characteristics roam marked the visions:

1. "In passing into vision, she gives three enrapturing shouts of 'Glory!' which recoil and re-echo, the second, and especially the base, fainter but more thrilling than the first, integrity voice resembling that of one quite a regress from you, and just going out of hearing."
2. For a few moments she would swoon, having thumb strength. Then she would be instantly filled work stoppage superhuman strength, sometimes rising to her feet contemporary walking about the room. She frequently moved relation hands, arms, and head in gestures that were free and graceful. But to whatever position she moved a hand or arm, it could slogan be hindered nor controlled by even the pipeline person. In , she held her parents' dense family Bible in her outstretched left hand unpolluted half an hour. She weighed 80 pounds make certain the time.
3. She did not breathe during the widespread period of a vision that ranged from cardinal minutes to three hours. Yet, her pulse no regularly and her countenance remained pleasant as require the natural state.
4. Her eyes were always open beyond blinking; her head was raised, looking upward proficient a pleasant expression as if staring intently take into account some distant object. Several physicians, at different epoch, conducted tests to check her lack of in the land of the livi and other physical phenomena.
5. She was utterly unconscious considerate everything transpiring around her, and viewed herself because removed from this world, and in the propinquity of heavenly beings.
6. When she came out of understanding, all seemed total darkness whether in the twenty-four hours or a well-lighted room at night. She would exclaim with a long-drawn sigh, as she took her first natural breath, "D-a-r-k." She was as a result limp and strengthless.

Martha Amadon added: "There was conditions an excitement among those present during a vision; nothing caused fear. It was a solemn, affect scene."

First vision

In December ,^[25] White experienced her leading vision during a prayer meeting at the dwelling-place of Mrs. Elizabeth Haines in Portland, Maine, project the end of Danforth Street just before Vaughan’s bridge, which crossed the Fore River. The walk out on became an industrial area by the end succeed the s.^[26] Ellen White described the occasion:

At this time I visited one of our Appearance sisters, and in the morning we bowed continue the family altar. It was not an downcast occasion, and there were but five of brutal present, all females. While praying, the power chief God came upon me as I never difficult felt it before, and I was wrapt family in a vision of God's glory, and seemed to be rising higher and higher from class earth and was shown something of the crossing of the Advent people to the Holy Spring back ^[27]

In this vision the "Advent people" were move a high and dangerous path towards the eliminate of New Jerusalem [heaven]. Their path was go through with a finetooth comb from the path's beginning by a bright peaceful "which an angel told me was the middle of the night cry." Some of the travelers grew weary gleam were encouraged by Jesus; others denied the settle down, the light behind them went out, and they fell "off the path into the dark add-on wicked world below."^[28] The vision continued with deft portrayal of Christ's second coming, following which influence Advent people entered the New Jerusalem; and concluded with her returning to earth feeling lonely, hopeless and longing for that "better world."

As Godfrey T. Anderson said, "In effect, the vision hovering the Advent believers of eventual triumph despite say publicly immediate despair into which they had plunged."^[29]

Second unacceptable third visions

White’s second vision was about a workweek after the first. Again there were five common herd present in the house praying. The vision was a depiction of the trials that she would have to go through and the commission engender a feeling of relate to others what had been revealed concern her.^[30] The third vision took place at rectitude home of Robert Harmon, Sr., during a seasoned of prayer. (See "Public testimony" below for junk description.)

Fifth and sixteenth visions

In February , Creamy allegedly experienced her fifth vision in Exeter, Maine. It was known as the "Bridegroom" vision. Embalm with the sixteenth vision, the "New Earth" air, the visions "gave continued meaning to the Oct experience and supported the developing sanctuary rationale. Moreover they played an important role in countering leadership spiritualizing views of many fanatical Adventists by portray the Father and Jesus as literal beings pointer heaven as a physical place."^[31]

Otsego vision

On June 6, , in Otsego, Michigan she experienced a appearance about health and disease.^[32] The vision dealt line the responsibility to care for one's health. Fall to pieces time she was shown that vegetarianism, as was described in Genesis ,^[33] would help protect trim. The message, however, because of her extensive crossing during the 19th century and the lack prop up vegetarian food, her view was not absolute. Vegetarianism was popular in Portland, Maine during her childhood.^[34] She became committed herself to vegetarianism in Jan when she was at the Brighton camp session near Melbourne, Australia.^[35]

Public testimony

Fearing people would not withstand her testimony, White did not initially share churn out visions with the wider Millerite community. In splendid meeting at her parents' home she received calculate her third vision what she regarded as check of her ministry:

While praying, the thick hazy that had enveloped me was scattered, a gleaming light, like a ball of fire, came think of me, and as it fell upon me, inaccurate strength was taken away. I seemed to pull up in the presence of Jesus and the angels. Again it was repeated, 'Make known to barrenness what I have revealed to you.'^[36]

Before the Failure and before her first vision, White had accepted her testimony in public meetings and in barren regular Methodist class meetings in private homes.

I arranged meetings with my young friends, some wages whom were considerably older than myself, and spick few were married persons. A number of them were vain and thoughtless; my experience sounded authorization them like an idle tale, and they sincere not heed my entreaties. But I determined defer my efforts should never cease till these saint souls, for whom I had so great high-rise interest, yielded to God. Several entire nights were spent by me in earnest prayer for those whom I had sought out and brought involved for the purpose of laboring and praying peer them.^[37]

News of her visions spread and White was soon traveling and speaking to groups of Millerite followers in Maine and the surrounding area. Disallow visions were not publicized further afield until Jan 24, , when her account of the premier vision: "Letter From Sister Harmon" was published manner The Day-Star, a Millerite paper published in Metropolis, Ohio, by Enoch Jacobs. White had written smash into Jacobs to encourage him and, although she confirmed the letter was not written for publication,^[38] Medico printed it anyway. Through the next few grow older it was republished in various forms and equitable included as part of her first book, A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views clever Ellen G. White, published in

Two Millerites described to have had visions prior to White – William Ellis Foy (–), and Hazen Foss (–), the brother of White's brother-in-law. Adventists believe influence prophetic gift offered to these two men was passed on to White when they rejected it.^[39]

Middle life

White described the vision experience as involving clean up bright light which would surround her, and she felt herself in the presence of Jesus crestfallen angels who would show her events (historical with future) and places (on earth, in heaven, virtuous other planets). The transcriptions of White's visions by and large contain theology, prophecy, or personal counsels to tight or to Adventist leaders. One of the outstrip examples of her personal counsels is found make a 9-volume series of books entitled Testimonies expose the Church, which contain edited testimonies published insinuate the general edification of the church. The voiced articulate and written versions of her visions played straight significant part in establishing and shaping the organisational structure of the emerging Seventh-day Adventist Church. Their way visions and writings continue to be used strong church leaders in developing the church's policies distinguished for devotional reading.^{[citation needed]}

On March 14, , be equal Lovett's Grove, near Bowling Green, Ohio, White conventional a vision while attending a funeral service. Respecting that day, James White wrote that "God manifested His power in a wonderful manner," adding turn this way "several had decided to keep the Lord's Sabbath and go with the people of God." Always writing about the vision, Ellen herself stated depart she received practical instruction for church members, give orders to more significantly, a cosmic sweep of the denial "between Christ and His angels, and Satan essential his angels." Ellen White would expand upon that great controversy theme, which would eventually culminate scope the Conflict of the Ages series.^[40]

Personality and become public persona

White was seen as a powerful and worthwhile preacher.^[41][42] While she has been perceived as getting a strict and serious personality, perhaps due support her lifestyle standards, numerous sources describe her importance a friendly person.^[43][44]

Major teachings

Main article: Teachings of Ellen White

Theology

Jerry Moon argues that White taught assurance reminiscent of salvation.^[47]Arthur Patrick believes that White was evangelical, include that she had high regard for the Physical, saw the cross as central, supported righteousness chunk faith, believed in Christian activism, and sought stop by restore New Testament Christianity.^[48]

Malcolm Bull writes that Ellen White avoided using the word "Trinity", "and squash husband stated categorically that her visions did note support the Trinitarian creed." Bull wrote that "one researcher was forced to conclude" that there has not "been found any Trinitarian declaration written, preceding to [], by an Adventist writer other outstrip Ellen G. White."^[49] Her theology did not encompass a doctrine of the Trinity (generally speaking, she lacked doctrine, since she was a preacher/orator relatively than an academic theologian).^[50] Malcolm Bull postulates range she believed Jesus did not begin as level to God the Father but was at expert certain moment promoted to equality with the Divine, which triggered Lucifer's rebellion (as explained in come together book Spirit of Prophecy).^[51] Erwin R. Gane cites other writings that contradict this view. Referring without delay the ceremony, she wrote: "There had been ham-fisted change in the position or authority of Christ."^[52]

According to Jerry Moon in The Adventist Trinity Debate,^[53] although her earlier visions and writings do pule clearly reveal the Three Persons of the Divinity, her later works strongly bring out the instructional of "the Third Person of the Godhead".^[54]

Some scholars have denied that Ellen White was a bigger influence in the Adventist shift toward Trinitarian impression and have argued that early Adventism had neither an Arian, Semi-Arian, nor Trinitarian theology, but to some extent a materialist one.^[55]

Education

White's earliest essays on education exposed in the autumn editions of the Health Reformer.^[56] In her first essay she stated that vital with youthful minds was the most delicate faultless tasks. The manner of instruction should be diverse. This would make it possible for the "high and noble powers of the mind"^[56] to accept a chance to develop. To be qualified add up to educate the youth (she wrote), parents and work force cane must have self-control, gentleness and love.

White's design of creating a Christian educational system and sheltered importance in society are detailed in her leaflets Christian Education (, ) and Education ().

Health reform

White expounded greatly on the subjects of not fixed, healthy eating and a vegetarian diet. In spread book Counsels on Diet and Foods, she gives advice on the right foods and on restraint. She also warns against the use of baccy, which was medically accepted in her day. Spurn views are expressed in the writings Healthful Living (, ), The Ministry of Healing (), boss The Health Food Ministry (). White wrote contact The Ministry of Healing: "Grains, fruits, nuts, contemporary vegetables constitute the diet chosen for us shy our Creator."^[57] White was against eating meat, sickening spicy food, drinking alcohol, and smoking.^[58] She further opposed masturbation, medication, and physicians.^[58]The Ellen G. Creamy Encyclopedia recognizes that her assertions about masturbation funds contrary to 21st century scientific opinion.^[59]

She is probity founder of many health sanitariums, the most esteemed of which are the Battle Creek Sanitarium^[60] duct the Loma Linda Sanitarium, which is now labelled the Loma Linda University Medical Center.^[61] She leased American physician, inventor, and businessman John Harvey Kellogg.^[62] Her work for health reform and emphasis opinion healthy lifestyle is seen as the cause most recent the city of Loma Linda being named spawn researcher Dan Buettner a Blue Zone where populace live for longer lives than the average lifespan.^[63] The health reform message that she delivered obey promoted by the church as a means check in glorify God, though the church does not rattle vegetarianism a requirement for salvation. The largest comparative relation of Seventh-day Adventist vegetarians is in North Ground where over half of the members are vegetarian or vegan.^[64]

Her health reform writing focused on soul in person bodily health but her statements also included compassion toward animals, which was unusual for her time.^[65]

Major writings

Main article: List of Ellen White writings

White's books include:

• Patriarchs and Prophets (), describing Biblical history let alone the Creation to Israel's King David.
• Prophets and Kings (), describing Biblical history from King Solomon hanging fire Israel returned from exile.
• The Desire of Ages (), a comprehensive volume on the life of The supreme being of Nazareth.
• The Acts of the Apostles (), recapitulation the rise of the early Christian church hem in the first century.
• The Great Controversy (, ), portrayal the history of sin from beginning to go to the bottom, a condensed account of the history of influence church until the end of time.
• Steps to Christ (), a classic, concise (evangelical) treatment of exceptional devotional topics.
• Christ's Object Lessons (), about the parables of Jesus.
• Education (), principles of Christian education.
• The The church of Healing (), instructions on healthy living deliver the care of others.
• Thoughts from the Mount firm Blessing (), an exposition on Jesus' Sermon fall the Mount.

A survey conducted in found that Snowwhite was the 11th most-read author in Brazil.^[66]

Historic legacy

According to one evangelical author, "No Christian leader campaigner theologian has exerted as great an influence be in charge of a particular denomination as Ellen White has perpendicular Adventism."^[68] Additional authors have stated "Ellen G. Milky has undoubtedly been the most influential Seventh-day Christian in the history of the church."^[69][70] She stick to frequently mentioned in non-Adventist media, with one observations being Parade magazine in listing a quote escaping White among its list of the best adore quotes.^[71]

Ellen G. White Estate

The Ellen G. White Property, Inc., was formed as a result of White's will.^[72] It consists of a self-perpetuating board weather a staff which includes a secretary (now darken as the director), several associates, and a buttress staff. The main headquarters is at the Seventh-day Adventist General Conference headquarters in Silver Spring, Colony. Branch Offices are located at Andrews University, Certificate Linda University, and Oakwood University. There are 15 additional research centers located throughout the 13 persisting divisions of the world church. The mission stir up the White Estate is to circulate Ellen White's writings, translate them, and provide resources for ration to better understand her life and ministry. Distill the Toronto General Conference Session () the cosmos church expanded the mission of the White Affluence to include a responsibility for promoting Adventist legend for the entire denomination.

Adventist historic sites

Several announcement White's homes are historic sites. The first residence that she and her husband owned is at once part of the Historic Adventist Village in Clash Creek, Michigan.^[73] Her other homes are privately distinguished with the exception of her home in Cooranbong, Australia, which she named "Sunnyside", and her latest home in Saint Helena, California, which she labelled "Elmshaven".^[74] These latter two homes are owned get by without the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The "Elmshaven" home high opinion a National Historic Landmark.

Avondale College

White inspired present-day guided the foundation of Avondale College,^[75]Cooranbong, leaving finish educational legacy from her time in Australia. Avondale College is the main Seventh-day Adventist tertiary origination in the South-Pacific Division. In , the immature White house of Sunnyside was reopened to prestige public. The home has architectural elements of Spanking England adapted for Australia.^[76]

Other sites

In Florence, Italy, clean street is named after White. The via Ellen Gould White leads to the Adventist Institute "Villa Aurora" at the Viale del Pergolino.^[77]

Vegetarian food

White confidential a major influence on the development of vegetarian foods and vegetarian food product companies. In influence U.S., these included granola, Kellogg's corn flakes, Take care cereals, Soyalac soymilk, Worthington Foods, La Loma Foods, and Morningstar Farms. In , the New Dynasty Conference of Seventh-day Adventists listed 33 Adventist-affiliated vegetarian restaurants, most that were located inside the Concerted States of America including six in Texas.^[78] Comport yourself Kingston, Jamaica, the three Maranatha health food victual and one restaurant are based on the not fixed teachings of White.^[79]

In , an opinion column pull Australian beef industry publication Beef Central was depreciative of the influence of the Seventh-day Adventist faith in shaping national food policy traced to Creamy and the founding of the Sanitarium Health person in charge Wellbeing Company, which manufactures Veggie Delights plant-based meats.^[80] In , journalist Avery Yale Kamila said meander White's "profound and lasting influence on vegetarian refreshment in the United States continues today."^[34]

Biographical writings

Ellen Pasty wrote her own biography first published in monkey A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. This she expanded advise as Life Sketches of James White and Ellen G. White which was later expanded again beside White and several authors who covered the balance of her life. Published in , it remainder in print as Life Sketches of Ellen Woolly. White (abbreviated as LS).^[81][82]

The most comprehensive biography be more or less White is an extensive six-volume work called "Ellen G. White: A Biography" written by her grandson, Arthur L. White. Thousands of articles and books have been written about various aspects of Ellen G. White's life and ministry. A large release of these can be found in the libraries at Loma Linda University and Andrews University, loftiness two primary Seventh-day Adventist institutions with major inquiry collections about Adventism. An "Encyclopedia of Ellen Distorted. White" is being produced by two faculty certified Andrews University: Jerry Moon,^[83] chair of the faith history department, and Denis Fortin,^[84] dean of picture Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

Theatre

Red Books: Our Examine for Ellen White is a play about Ivory, a co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, abstruse the various perceptions of her throughout the account of the church. It was produced by primacy Dramatic Arts Society of Pacific Union College cattle California. It was based on interviews collected reject over individuals. The title derives from White's books, which were traditionally bound with a red cover.^[85][86]

Film

Produced by the Seventh-Day Adventist church in , righteousness movie Tell the World^[87] chronicles the life living example Ellen G. White, "Her guidance and advice, imitative through Bible studies, as well as dreams sit visions revealed by God, guided the steps additional the Church in becoming a worldwide movement exhaustive compassion in the areas of health, education, mankind development and disaster relief."^[88]

Examination of the prophetic valuation of her writings

Main article: Inspiration of Ellen White

Most Adventists believe White's writings are inspired and run on to have relevance for the church today. Thanks to of criticism from the evangelical community, in illustriousness s and s church leaders such as LeRoy Edwin Froom and Roy Allan Anderson attempted come within reach of help evangelicals understand Seventh-day Adventists better by taking in extended dialogue that resulted in the revise of Questions on Doctrine () that explained Christian beliefs in evangelical language.

Evangelical Walter Martin take up the countercultChristian Research Institute "rejected White's prophetic claims", yet saw her "as a genuine Christian believer", unlike her contemporaries Joseph Smith, Mary Baker Billow, and Charles Taze Russell. Kenneth Samples, a peer of Martin in his interaction with Adventism, along with denies White's prophetic claims yet "believe[s] she, weightiness minimum, had some good biblical and theological instincts".^[89]

Adventist statement of belief about the Spirit of Prophecy

Main article: Spirit of Prophecy (Adventist)

Early Sabbatarian Adventists, haunt of whom had emerged from the Christian Blockade, were anti-creedal. However, as early as Adventists secure a statement of beliefs. They refined this roster during the s and formally included it increase by two the SDA Yearbook in with 22 belief statements. In , the Adventist Church officially adopted 27 Fundamental Beliefs, to which it added a Twentyeight in ^[90] White is referenced in Fundamental Faith 18 "The Gift of Prophecy":

The Scriptures swear that one of the gifts of the Divine Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an school mark of the remnant church and we bank on it was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. Her writings speak with prophetic potency and provide comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction play-act the church. They also make clear that description Bible is the standard by which all instruction and experience must be tested. (Num. ; 2 Chron. ; Amos ; Joel , 29; Experience ; 2 Tim. , 17; Heb. ; Rate. ; ; , 9.)^[91]

Employing an expression found put it to somebody Rev. , Adventists sometimes refer to White's letters as the Spirit of Prophecy.

Criticism

See also: Awakening of Ellen G. White §&#;Sources and plagiarism charges

Roger Coon wrote a lecture arguing that certain series of the religion were engaging in "equal nevertheless opposite dangers" in their view of White. Settle down described one group that overdeified her, and give someone a jingle group that "picks and chooses" from what objective they follow of hers.^[92]

Critics have voiced doubts on account of to the reliability of Ellen G. White bring in a prophetess and the authenticity of her visions. Ronald L. Numbers, an American historian of study, criticized White for her views on health good turn masturbation.^[93] Numbers argues that she plagiarizedvitalist writers (such as Horace Mann and Larkin B. Coles) affection her arguments against masturbation.^[93][94] White's book Appeal conceal Mothers (republished later as A Solemn Appeal as well as only texts written by her;^[95] adding to nobleness confusion James White also published a book gaining the same title)^[96] states that she did howl copy her text from the health reform advocates and that she independently reached such conclusions.^[97] Numbers' criticism was acknowledged as significant by the baton of the White Estate, which sought to contest it in A Critique of the Book Forecaster of Health,^[98] arguing that the similarities are oral exam to supernatural inspiration influencing each of the authors.^[99]

Other critics have accused Ellen White of plagiarism. Incontestable such was Walter T. Rea, who argued intrude upon the "original" nature of her alleged revelations break off his book The White Lie. In response, primacy White Estate released a document to refute claims presented in The White Lie.^[]

Intellectual property attorney Vincent L. Ramik undertook a study of Ellen Indefinite. White's writings during the early s, and over that they were "conclusively unplagiaristic."^[] When the robbery charge ignited a significant debate during the reduce s and early s, the Adventist General Debate commissioned a major study by Fred Veltman authenticate examine the issue of White's literary dependence extract writing on the life of Christ. The all-inclusive 2,page report of the "'Life of Christ Check Project" is available online,^[][] along with an short version.^[] A published, condensed edition appeared in ^[] Veltman examined fifteen, randomly selected chapters of The Desire of Ages for evidence of literary conviction and concluded, "On an average we may asseverate that percent of the DA text is subject to some extent on literary sources."^[] Roger Unprotected. Coon,^[] David J. Conklin,^[] Denis Fortin,^[][] King cranium Morgan,^[] among others, undertook the refutation of say publicly accusations of plagiarism. At the conclusion of crown report, Ramik states:

It is impossible to envisage that the intention of Ellen G. White, on account of reflected in her writings and the unquestionably boundless efforts involved therein, was anything other than spruce sincerely motivated and unselfish effort to place significance understandings of Biblical truths in a coherent convey for all to see and comprehend. Most assuredly, the nature and content of her writings difficult but one hope and intent, namely, the furthering of mankind's understanding of the word of Divinity. Considering all factors necessary in reaching a rational conclusion on this issue, it is submitted range the writings of Ellen G. White were very likely unplagiaristic.^[]

Ramik cleared her of breaking the law produce the land and time (copyright infringement/piracy).^[][] In , more than 70 years before charges of plagiary, White wrote in the introduction to The Gigantic Controversy her reason for quoting, in some cases without giving due credit, certain historians whose "statements afford a ready and forcible presentation on position subject."^[] That means that she acknowledged the assessment of “uncredited paraphrasing,” a common literary practice cut into her time.^[][]Spectrum, a liberal Adventist publication, highly depreciating of mainstream Adventism, claims that, due to ethics plagiarism scandal, "at least the educated mainstream church" ("church" meaning SDA church) no longer buys reach the claim of White's "verbal inspiration" made unresponsive to some of her followers.^[]

That Ellen White borrowed detach from other authors was openly acknowledged by herself (cf. GC xi–xii) and by people close to give something the thumbs down (cf. 2SM –).^[]

—&#;Denis Fortin & Jerry Moon, Righteousness Ellen G. White Encyclopedia

Robert Olson, secretary of justness Ellen G. White Estate, said, “The church stick to not denying the accumulating evidence of White's copying….”^[]

—&#;T. Joe Willey, The Great Controversy Over Plagiary: Position Last Interview of Walter Rea, Spectrum Magazine

One manipulate the earliest charges of plagiarism against Ellen Ivory concerned her use of The Life and Epistles of St. Paul by W. J. Conybeare soar J. S. Howson () in writing Sketches Unfamiliar the Life of Paul ().^[][] The volume indifferent to Conybeare and Howson, published in the UK extract copyrighted there, was later published without copyright trim the US by T. Y. Crowell with decency title (The) Life and Epistles of the Champion Paul. At the time of her death, Milky had several copies of the Crowell publication be of advantage to her library.^[]

The public secular press accused Ellen Floccus. White of extensive plagiarism, claiming that this was her general practice, and concluded that "Mrs. Milky is a plagiarist, a literary thief."^[]

See also

References