Ellen G. White, November 26, 1827 – July 16, 1915
You've either heard of Ellen White. or you haven't. If you haven't, either stop by our church and start with a free copy of her book The Great Controversy, or purchase one online.
If you have heard of her, what did you think? She's called a prophet. Were you skeptical? Amused? Unbelieving? When I first found Adventism and heard of her, I was all three. But this church -- the Middlesboro, KY SDA church, was so entrenched in the bible, so kind, and so un-judgmental, I was also curious.
In one of the first services I attended, the pastor -- in mentioning her -- said "Don't read what the internet says about Ellen White; read what she wrote."
So I got home and promptly Googled everything the internet said about Ms. White. There are, indeed, a lot of unkind things said about her. "A False Teacher," or "A So-Called Prophet," or -- well, you get the idea.
At the same time, there are a multitude of sources that talk about her books, her inspiration, and her authority.
What's the truth? It's easy to be a critic; you don't have to know a thing. You just have to have an opinion and be extremely vocal about it. I decided to check it out for myself, and if you do, too, it might just change your life.
How do you do that?
Well, as with most other things, the answer -- the real answer -- can be found in the bible. “As for the prophet who prophesies of peace, when the word of the prophet comes to pass, the prophet will be known as one whom the LORD has truly sent.” (Jer 28:9)
I read The Great Controversy, and was frankly awed at her understanding and articulation of biblical truths. Then, a friend of mine texted me a link to Testimonies of the Church, Volume 9. Here's what (in part) it said:
"On one occasion, when in New York City, I was in the night season called upon to behold buildings rising story after story toward heaven. These buildings were warranted to be fireproof, and they were erected to glorify their owners and builders. Higher and still higher these buildings rose, and in them the most costly material was used. Those to whom these buildings belonged were not asking themselves: “How can we best glorify God?” The Lord was not in their thoughts.
I thought: “Oh, that those who are thus investing their means could see their course as God sees it! They are piling up magnificent buildings, but how foolish in the sight of the Ruler of the universe is their planning and devising. They are not studying with all the powers of heart and mind how they may glorify God. They have lost sight of this, the first duty of man.”
As these lofty buildings went up, the owners rejoiced with ambitious pride that they had money to use in gratifying self and provoking the envy of their neighbors. Much of the money that they thus invested had been obtained through exaction, through grinding down the poor. They forgot that in heaven an account of every business transaction is kept; every unjust deal, every fraudulent act, is there recorded. The time is coming when in their fraud and insolence men will reach a point that the Lord will not permit them to pass, and they will learn that there is a limit to the forbearance of Jehovah.
The scene that next passed before me was an alarm of fire. Men looked at the lofty and supposedly fire-proof buildings and said: “They are perfectly safe.” But these buildings were consumed as if made of pitch. The fire engines could do nothing to stay the destruction. The firemen were unable to operate the engines."
That's a prophetic vision that came true in 2001.
I admit freely that I'm a fairly new Adventist, and have many, many more books to read (Ellen White published over 100), but for the reading I've done to date, I find her to have been Godly, immersed in Scripture, and -- yes -- a prophet of God.
If you're a seeker and want to know more, give her some attention. You won't regret it.
