Why I Speak Out

by Mike Colburn | Sep 25, 2024 | Adventism, Articles, Ellen G. White | 0 comments

Many of my Adventist friends have questioned my focus on Ellen G. White in my writings. It’s a valid concern, especially considering the wealth of fascinating Biblical topics one could explore. But it’s important to remember that I was a devout Seventh-day Adventist for 42 years, my entire life, until just over a month ago. Most people, Adventists, and non-Adventists alike, don’t fully grasp the significant role Ellen G. White plays in the doctrines and interpretations of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Just yesterday, a person I have never met responded to one of my posts with a standard Adventist concern:

“I find it interesting that you spend the majority of your time seeking to tear down the fabric of the SDA church. You do not offer any theological insights into a better way and don’t lead your readers to find new hope and courage in a world that has gone stark-raving mad. The greater you attack EGW the brighter and more glorious her insights from God stand out in a world of darkness!”

Notice that this Facebook commenter correctly understands that critiquing Ellen G. White is the same as critiquing the SDA Church’s FABRIC. And almost every Adventist perceives critique as an attack.

I must critique the Adventist Church Doctrines, especially Ellen G. White’s interpretations of Scripture, because my commitment to truth and the integrity of the Gospel compels me to do so.

It’s not my intention to disrespect anyone’s beliefs, but I must express my view. I don’t believe it’s possible to form a Biblically sound understanding of the Bible and the Gospel when viewed through the interpretive lens of Ellen G. White. Her writings, while engaging, often contradict the plain teachings of the Biblical text, creating fictional narratives that, upon closer examination, contradict the authors of the Scriptures themselves.

Given that the Adventist framework incorporates Ellen G. White into its theology and elevates her to the same level as the Bible, I cannot, in good conscience, stand by and watch others fall into this deception. My concern is for your spiritual well-being, and I cannot ignore the potential harm of this belief system.

You may not believe that the SDA Church sees Ellen White’s writings as equal to the Bible. Let me share a few quotes from official church documents. I don’t know how to be more official than to quote from the most recent fundamental beliefs book, Seventh-day Adventist Believe. Here we see the official stance of the church:

“Her (Ellen White) abundant literary production includes tens of thousands of Bible texts, coupled often with detailed exposition. Careful study has shown that her writings are consistent, accurate, and in full agreement with the Scriptures.” [1]

If you have spent time inside the Adventist church, you know that every week, the SDA Church gathers globally on Sabbath and studies from the same Sabbath School quarterly. This is published by the Church and is intended to drive the understanding of the laity week by week. On Feb 11th, 1978, a surprising statement in Teacher’s Edition occurred. Please keep in mind that while these Quarterlies are written by Adventist pastors, scholars, and leaders, the manuscripts are sent to the Adventist publishing house (Pacific Press Publishing Association) and then aggressively edited so that the statements inside the quarterly reflect the church’s proper understanding of the topics at hand.

“The Bible and the writings of Ellen White are inerrant.” [2]

There are many well-known Adventist Evangelists who speak on major media outlets. Names like Doug Batchelor, Mark Finley, Dwight Nelson, and Morris Venden might come to mind. Morris Venden was a prominent SDA preacher, teacher, and author who was a part of the Voice of Prophecy team as an associate speaker. The Voice of Prophecy was founded in 1929 by H.M.S. Richards as a Seventh-day Adventist religious radio ministry proclaiming the Three Angels Message and the unique Adventist End Times Prophecy messages. Morris Venden sheds light on how an Adventist should be grateful for the interpretations of Ellen White given to the Adventist church by God Himself:

“There is hope for every remnant believer today who sometimes feels confused by 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.” [3]

Here, we see that Morris Venden is convinced that Adventists do not need to become highly specialized scholars to discern the discrepancies between Adventist interpretations and others; instead, they should pick up the divinely inspired books of Ellen White to settle any disagreements. The Adventist church would not allow this kind of public statement if they disagreed with it, right? We have seen many instances where the Seventh-day Adventist church will sweep in and CANCEL the person who speaks publicly in a way that is out of alignment with the Church’s stance. Look at how Conrad Vine is treated for speaking out about Tithing!

The Ministry Magazine is an international Journal for Pastors published by the Ministerial Association of the SDA Church, an official body of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This magazine is aimed at pastors and ministers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and those of other denominations. It serves as the church’s voice to educate pastors on ways to evangelize and teach church members about a wide range of theological topics, practical instruction, and biblical understanding.

In the October 1981 edition of Ministry Magazine, we find this interesting statement:

“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.” [4]

On June 24, 1981, D.A. Delafield, a trustee of the EGW Estate, wrote a letter to P.C. Drewer stating their position on the importance of Ellen White in the life of the Seventh-day Adventist:

“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 Spirit. 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.” [5]

We will finish these statements by circling back to Ellen G. White herself. There are many statements we could look at, but this seems to sum it up nicely:

“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 was never a time when God more earnestly instructed his people concerning his will, and the course that he would have them pursue, than now.” ^[6]

Ellen White (as do the SDA Church, its leaders, its evangelists, and the EGW White Estate) believed that her writings were directly from God, divinely inspired, and given to the people of her time and, by extension, the entire SDA Church as words of “eternal truth.” ^[7] She believed this so much that she would boldly claim that these instructions were given to her directly from God and without them, a person would be confused and misinterpret Scripture:

“It has been presented to me that, so far as possible, I am to impart instruction in the language of the Scriptures; for there are those whose spiritual discernment is confused, and when their errors are reproved, they will misinterpret and misapply what I might write, and thus make of none-effect the words of warning that the Lord sends. He desires that the messages He sends shall be recognized as the words of eternal truth.”^[8]

To summarize the stance of the Seventh-day Adventist Church:

1. Ellen G. White’s writings are consistent, accurate, and fully agree with the Scriptures. – SDA Fundamental Beliefs
2. Ellen G. White’s writings are inerrant in the same way as the Bible is inerrant. – SDA Sabbath School Quarterly
3. Disagreements among scholars and commentaries should be resolved through the Adventist’s inspired commentary, Ellen G. White. – Morris Venden (The Voice of Prophecy)
4. Ellen G. White and the Bible are equal and ordained by the Holy Spirit. – Ministry Magazine (Official Magazine of the SDA Church)
5. Ellen G. White has the gift of the prophecy, and no other Adventist or Non-Adventist theologian has this gift. As such, she is canon concerning doctrinal interpretation. – EGW Estate
6. Ellen G. White’s writings are the voice of God speaking to the Adventist Church, just as God spoke to those in ancient times through prophets and apostles. – Ellen G. White

I hope these conclusions help to clarify why I spend so much time critiquing Ellen G. White. The Seventh-day Adventist Church accepts and teaches that Ellen White is the church’s infallible interpreter of Scripture, divinely given to the Remnant SDA Church.

This is a bold claim that runs through Adventist theology. Should we not critique these claims? Should we not test the spirits as the Bible states?

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 Jn 4:1)

To test the spirits, it’s essential to know how to “examine the Scriptures.” Ellen White needs to be tested! Instead of accepting every teaching, wise Adventists and Non-Adventist Christians should study the Bible carefully. This way, we understand what it says and can “test all things and hold on to what is true.” To do this effectively, we must “be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who doesn’t need to be ashamed, correctly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

God’s Word, and only God’s Word (Not Ellen G. White), is meant to be “a lamp” and “a light” for our path (Psalm 119:105). Its light should guide us as we evaluate modern teachings and doctrines since the Bible alone is the ultimate measure of truth.

So, yes, I will spend my time testing anyone who claims to be a messenger of the Lord! From my personal study and testing of Ellen G. White, I have determined that she is NOT from God. She is clearly a False Prophet. Knowing this, my duty as a Christian is to inform others of the errors in her teachings and point others to the Word of God for accurate understanding and THE TRUTH! Jesus Christ!

In Christian Love,