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Ellen
G. White is the Seventh-day Adventists By Robert K. Sanders I have a copy of the 1985 video of the John
Ankerberg and Walter Martin debate with Bill Johnsson, Editor of the Adventist
Review that was broadcasted on TV. I also was interested in three SDA publication sources quoted made by Walter Martin where it was said that Ellen White was an infallible interpreter of Scripture. I wrote to a SDA Library to verify the quotes and I have received a copy of the following number 1 and 2 quotes from the library. Quote number 3 could not be found.
1. Adventist
Review, June 3. 1971, p, 6. The Source of Final Appeal, By Roderick S.
Owen.
2. Sabbath
School Quarterly, April-June 1976, p. 92. Lesson Author Gordon M. Hyde, Editor
W. Richard Lesher. 3. Quote by Robert Olsen cannot be found. "It is clear that this Investigative Judgment is the correct interpretation of Scripture, because Ellen White does indorse it." "The Spirit of Prophecy is the only infallible interpreter of Bible principles since it is Christ through this agency giving the real meaning of His own words." [My topic this afternoon is on Ellen G. White as an inspired interpreter.] EGW being the "infallible interpreter of Scripture" makes it impossible for SDAs to test her writings with Scripture to determine if they are true. EGW has now replaced the Holy Spirit as the interpreter of truth. G. A. Irwin, General Conference President: “It is from the standpoint of the light that has come through the Spirit of Prophecy (Mrs. White’s writings) that the question will be considered, believing as we do that the Spirit of Prophecy is the only infallible interpreter of Bible principles, since it is the Christ, through this agency, giving real meaning of his own words.” from the tract The Mark of the Beast, p. 1. The highest officer of the Church confesses that E.G. White’s writings is the only infallible interpreter of Bible principles. Believing this how do we then test the writings of E.G. White as being true? The Roman Catholic Church has an infallible interpreter of Scripture the Popes for nearly 2000 years and now the SDA Church has a Pope to infallibly interpret Scripture. The good news is that God has given his true Church a true infallible interpreter of Scripture the Holy Spirit all else is Satan’s counterfeit. “As with ancient prophets, the talking is done by the Holy Spirit through her vocal organs. The prophets spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Review and Herald, Oct. 5, 1914. Did the Holy Spirit Speak through Ellen White's vocal organs? If this were true, then EGW would not have contradicted the Bible. Is it any wonder these men believed EGW was an infallible interpreter of Scripture? Look what EGW claimed about her Testimonies, books, and letters. Ellen G. White’s Writings Are Infallible? Many Seventh-day Adventists have written me with the belief that the mistakes made by EGW in her writings such as Bible contradictions, failed visions, and her hypocrisy, were the result of her claim that she was not infallible. Did EGW view her writings as infallible? Ellen G. White Claimed to have the "Words of Eternal Truth". Those that claim that EGW's "WORDS" are not infallible do not agree with EGW.
The facts are this:
Did Ellen G. White
Claim Infallibility For Herself? “In regard to infallibility, I never claimed it, God alone is infallible. His words is true, and in him is no variableness of turning.” Letter 10. 1895, 1 Selected Messages p. 37.
Did
Ellen G. White Claim Infallibility For the Testimonies? “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 thereby insulted the Spirit of God.” Testimonies 5, p.64. E.G. White makes the claim of infallibility for her Testimonies and anyone that would question them, "thereby insulted the Spirit of God."
“In these letters which I write, in the testimonies I
bear, I am presenting to you that which the Lord has presented to
me. I do not write one article in the paper expressing merely my own ideas.
They are what God has opened before me in vision--the
precious rays of light shining from the throne.” “If you seek to turn aside the counsel of God to suit yourselves, if you lessen the confidence of God’s people in the testimonies He has sent them, you are rebelling against God as were Korah, Dathan, and Abriam.” Testimonies 5 p. 66. Any person that rejects EGW's counsel or speaks against her testimonies are rebelling against God. Wow! E.G. White compares herself to Moses, when Korah, Dathan, Abriam and others that rebelled against the leadership of Moses, which God destroyed. Numbers 16. EGW was always putting the fear of God in those that would rebel against her and her Testimonies. Are we really doing the work of the Devil and fighting against God when we see that the Testimonies contradicts the Bible? No. We would be doing the work of the Devil by accepting the Testimonies over the Word of God. I have to plead guilty, as I "lessen the confidence of God's people (SDAs) in the Testimonies," but I do not plead guilty to rebelling against God for exposing EGW's heresy. A Christian cannot serve two masters at the same time. If you accept what EGW writes which contradicts the Bible as truth, then EGW is your master. "God does nothing in partnership with Satan. My work for the past thirty years bears the stamp of God or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfway work in the matter. The Testimonies are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil. In arraying yourself against the servants of God you are doing a work either for God or for the devil.” Testimonies 4, p. 230. The Testimonies of EGW certainly are not the Spirit of God as they fail the Bible test. They are the result of her childhood brain injury, which caused her to be delusional when she went into her catatonic seizers which she called "visions." Were EGW's Testimonies in partnership with Satan? I will leave that for God to judge! We do know they fail the Bible test.
Did
Ellen G. White Claim Infallibility For Her Books? “In my books, the truth is stated, barricaded by a ‘Thus saith the Lord.’ The Holy Spirit traced these truths upon my heart and mind as indelibly as the law was traced by the finger of God upon the tables of stone.” Letter 90, 1906 Ellen considered her books as infallible as the Ten Commandments and she compared them both as written by the finger of God. This is blasphemy! EGW's books are full of Bible contradictions and non biblical doctrines. EGW could not have said it any plainer that what she wrote was infallible, when she said, "In my books, the truth is stated."
Did Ellen G. White Claim
to Be Equal EGW: “In ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit. There never was a time when God instructed His people more earnestly then He instructs them now concerning His will and the course that He would have them pursue.” Testimonies 4 p. 147 and in Testimonies 5 p. 661 (1876) Bible: “In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.” (Heb 1:1,2 NIV) Was this instruction to a small group of SDA’s in 1876 more earnest than when God instructed Israel by the prophets, or people of the world by Noah and more earnest than the teaching of the Gospel by Jesus? Or was it E.G. White’s vivid and colorful imagination? EGW gives herself a promotion, that her work is “more earnest” than that of the prophets, apostles, and Jesus. Is this not infallibility? Hebrews 1:1,2, tells us that Jesus will speak to men in the last days and EGW changes the Word of God to tell us that it is "the Testimonies of His Spirit." By saying "the Testimonies of his Spirit," she means her writings. Which do you believe, Jesus or Ellen White? Did Ellen
G. White Claim to be Able To Tell the Difference Selected Messages Book 3, page 31, paragraph 4Chapter Title: The Primacy of the WordEllen White Enabled to Clearly Define Truth and Error.--At that time [after the 1844 disappointment] one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring the truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted 32men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error. Selected Messages Book 3, page 32, paragraph 1Chapter Title: The Primacy of the WordAs the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays.-- Gospel Works, p. 302. If EGW was able to "define truth" why did she contradict the Bible, have failed visions, have quack health reform? Published Truth Will Stand I was shown that the truth once published now, will stand, for it is the truth for the last days; it will live, and less need be said upon it in future. Numberless words need not be put upon paper to justify what speaks for itself and shines in its clearness. Truth is straight, plain, clear, and stands out boldly in its own defense; but it is not so with error. It is so winding and twisting that it needs a multitude of words to explain it in its crooked form--Early Writings, p. 96. (1853.) The SDA Church cannot renounce any of EGW's false doctrines such as the Investigative Judgment, EGW makes it clear that once her doctrines are published they will stand. The Mark of the Beast, The Remnant Church, and etc., without renouncing their prophetess. This is what makes the SDA Church a cult. http://www.truthorfables.com/SDA_Cult.htm To Deny the work of Adventists is to deny the Holy SpiritI testify the things which I have seen, the things which I have heard, the things which my hands have handled of the Word of life. And this testimony I know to be of the Father and the Son. We have seen and do testify that the power of the Holy Ghost has accompanied the presentation of the truth, warning with pen and voice, and giving the messages in their order. To deny this work would be to deny the Holy Ghost, and would place us in that company who have departed from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits. Selected Messages Book 2, page 388. EGW puts her stamp of approval on her false interpretation of three angels messages of Revelation 14, the failure of Christ coming in 1844 under the first angels message of Wm. Miller that she calls truth, the Investigative Judgment, the Mark of the Beast, Seal of God, tithe paying, etc. Anyone that challenges her doctrines means that to deny the Holy Spirit. What Is The Difference? Between the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church when he speaks ex cathedra? (Speaks without error or infallible, from Saint Peter’s Chair as final authority on doctrines and morals) and E.G. White speaking through her visions and Testimonies as "coming from the throne of God?" The Catholic Church teaches, “tradition” is of equal authority with the Bible (Bible and tradition); and the Seventh-day Adventists teach the (Bible and Testimonies) of Mrs. White’s visions and dreams as their authority of infallibly interpreting Scripture. E.G. White was not infallible by her own admission. Her Testimonies and writings are not infallible even if she and the leaders of the Church have White-Washed their members into believing EGW had the "Spirit of Prophesy." SDA Leaders teach that EGW is infallible. What has the leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church through the years claimed for the writings of Ellen G. White? On February 7, 1887, the General Conference passed the following resolution -- “That we re-affirm our binding confidence in the Testimonies of Sister White to the Church, as the teaching of the Spirit of God.” SDA Year Book for 1914, p. 253. Question? If the Testimonies are as claimed by the Church, “the teachings of the Spirit of God,” would they not be infallible?
“Our position on the Testimonies is like the
key-stone to the arch.
Take that out and there is no logical
stopping-place till all the special truths of the Message are gone...Nothing
is surer than this, that the Message and visions (of Mrs. White) belong
together, and stand or fall together.” Question? What is the message that the SDA Church is built upon, Jesus Christ and the Bible or E.G. White and her Testimonies? By the Church’s admission if you take away the key-stone, EGW's Testimonies the Adventist message falls. This message is what Adventists call "the truth". To remove EGW's testimonies would be like removing Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and their message falls. Her (Ellen White’s) abundant literary production includes tens of thousands of Biblical texts, coupled often with detailed expositions. Careful study has shown that her writings are consistent, accurate, and in full agreement with the Scriptures. (Seventh-day Adventist Believe … A Biblical Exposition of 27 Fundamental Doctrines, Review and Herald Publishing Association 1988, pp. 224,225) "The Bible and the writings of Ellen White are inerrant.” (Sabbath School-Quarterly; Feb. 11, 1978 Teacher's Edition, p. 112) There is hope for every remnant believer today who sometimes feels confused at all the differing views taken by different scholars and commentaries. We have that was given for the purpose of settling the disagreements among the uninspired commentaries. What do you do when the scholars disagree? Do you have to become a better scholar than the best in order to settle the disagreement in your own mind? No, let me repeat. God has given to our church an inspired commentary to settle the disagreements among the uninspired commentaries. And we can still be thankful for that today. (Morris Venden, The Pillars, p. 30.) We believe the revelation and inspiration of both the Bible and Ellen White's writings to be of equal quality. The superintendence of the Holy Spirit was just as careful and thorough in one case as in the other. (Ministry, October 1981) Shall we accept the view that a Seventh-day Adventist theologian is more dependable than a Seventh-day Adventist prophet? I highly respect many of our Seventh-day Adventist theologians. I have sat at their feet and been taught by them. I admire and respect them highly. I would like to remind you, however, that you can search the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and you will not find a single text marking out theologians as having the gift of the Holy Sprit. The Scriptures indicate however, that prophets have a gift of the Holy Spirit. Ellen White had that gift and she was canonical insofar as doctrinal interpretation is concerned. (Letter from D. A. Delafield trustee of the EGW Estate, to P. C. Drewer, June 24, 1981)
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