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Was Ellen White a Plagairist?

shermancox — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:45:05 -0700

You have read all of the sites that attack her. But was she really a plagiarist? In this book, David Conklin attempts to explode the myths about her writings. Conklin explores his methodology for evaluating the charges of plagiarism in Sister White's writings.

Many attempt to accuse Ellen White of plagiarism by only comparing similarities but not differences. Such an approach can overestimate the possible plagiarism. In this book, Conklin has used an approach that emphasizes not just similarities, but also differences. This gives a well rounded discussion of the topic.

Steps to Christ - Ellen White

shermancox — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 09:59:09 -0700

This is perhaps Ellen White's most popular work. Steps to Christ is one of the most translated religious books in history. In this relatively short work, Ellen White provides the keys and tools to gaining and excelling in one's relationship with God.

Read the book that millions have read to gain a closer walk with God. This edition has been published and formatted by SDADefend and is found here by permission.

Many have wanted to learn about the principles of Righteousness by Faith. This book provides that clearly in a concise way.

Download this important book at this link.

Ellen White Apologetics On-Line

shermancox — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 08:55:47 -0700

In an email request, someone wanted to know all the sites that defend the ministry of Ellen White. The writer noted the growing number of sites that are attacking her ministry and wanted to see "the other side." I immediately encouraged the reader to download the free ebook that SabbathPulpit has published entitled: Was Ellen White a Plagiarist? by David Conklin.

The Ellen G. White Estate

I then noted that there are a number of such sites and ebooks that are readily available defending the ministry of Sister White. Perhaps the first and most notable is the White Estate itself. The Ellen G. White Estate has been charged with taking care of the documents of Ellen White. A very nice feature available on the site is the ability to search the published writings of Sister White.

In addition, you will find a number of books by Ellen White and by others defending her on the White Estate site. This includes the books that are used in the courses on her ministry in the Adventist schools like Messenger of the Lord and A Prophet Among You.

Ellen-White.Com

Ellen-White.Com does not appear to be updated in the last year, but it still has some information that might be helpful to you. This is not an official site, but it has some information from some big names in Ellen White and Adventist apologetics.

Ellen White Defend

Ellen White Defend has a ton of information including Ellen White's "My Christian Experience" in audio. In addition, you will find a number of free ebooks defending Ellen White's Prophetic Gift. Also the site has a lot of ebooks of the writings themselves.

A Prophet for Today

A Prophet for Today states: We analyze you decide. This site explicitly deals with the objections presented by those who question or attack Ellen White's gift. If you have a particular question, you might go to this website to see what they have said on the issue. There is a lot of information here presented in an attractive format. I am not sure if this is an official site or not, but it is a regularly updated resource that can aid those with questions.

Ellen White Answers

This is Professor Jud Lake's site defending Ellen White. There are a number of helpful resources available here. In addition, Professor Lake promises, on his site, that it will soon have some more updates.

An Analysis of Literary Dependency

This is a unique site that seeks to compare not just the similarities, but the differences between Ellen White's writings and others.. Often, according to the author, we attempt to find plagiarism by looking at similarities, but the differences have a story to tell as well. This site has a color coded presentation of his research. It is worth a look.

SabbathPulpit

While we at SabbathPulpit accept Ellen White's prophetic gift, we are by no means an Ellen White Apologetics site. However, we do have some resources that might be helpful to you in your study.

HMS Richards Speaks about Ellen White's Preaching

shermancox — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:54:13 -0700

Ellen White - Responsibility of Parents

shermancox — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:39:55 -0800

Ellen White spoke of the great responsibility that parents have to lead their children. There is blame upon parents when they do not restrain the children that God has placed in their care.

Sister White refers to the case of Eli who allowed his children to run rampant and then saw his sons do the most dastardly things in the community of faith. Thus the ministers must have a peace in their family.

We should also keep in mind that the children often are not taken care of as they should be. Many of us, especially today, do not make the time to be with them. Certainly ultimate responsibility for the children's actions is with the child, but we can do what we can to promote a God-consciousness within them. Sister White reminds us of that responsibility.

Poor Use of the Visions

In this same testimony Sister White gives us a principle for the use of her writings. Sister White says that many have attempted to user her writings with those who were not believers in the visions. Sister white said that such a course is problematic. She states:

The Visions can have no weight with those who have never seen them and know nothing of their spirit. They should not be referred to in such cases.

Our use of Sister white can be a barrier to others even accepting that message if we do not use her in a correct way. We have a responsibility to handle our children with care, and also to handle the writings that God has given us through Sister White with care.

Ellen White and the Opposers

shermancox — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:53:13 -0800

It was not long before the early Adventists had a break away. This was Stephenson and Hall of Wisconsin. They created a journal entitled The Messenger and thus were called the Messenger party. They preached what was then termed the "age to come" doctrine which taught that there would be a second chance for salvation during the 1000 year Millennium.

Alliance Broke Down

There was a shaky alliance between the Adventists who held that view and those who did not. The agreement was that Stephenson and Hall would not preach the doctrine if the Review would not print anything contrary to it.

The agreement broke down and Ellen White states that Stephenson and Hall both took advantage of James White's spirit of trying to work with them.

Whatever the case, the Messenger Party demonstrates that even in the very beginning there were differences over the doctrines.

Truth or Our Theories

Sister White says that they were convicted of the truths that came from her visions, but they sacrificed that truth for the Age-To-Come doctrine. We all have doctrinal understandings. It is impossible for us not to construct a theological foundation and understanding. However as we construct these foundations, we must always make our construction subservient to the truths as they come to us. And if Adventism has taught us anything it is that truth is a progressive march on to the brighter day of found in God's future.

Ellen White - Time to Begin Sabbath

shermancox — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 04:12:30 -0800

As we continue looking at Ellen White's work Testimonies to the Church, a discussion about the time to begin the Sabbath is talked about. Here Leviticus 23:32 is quoted "From even unto even shall you celebrate your sabbath."

The early Adventists kept the Sabbath from 6pm to 6pm. Joseph Bates defended the practice in one of the early writings on the subject. However, more and more people began to question this practice. The early Adventists found the answer in the scripture for Leviticus 23:32 gives the timing of the Sabbath.

Was it Sin?

Another question arises on whether the frown of God was on the people of God while they used the wrong timing. Ellen White notes that an Angel told her that it is when light comes and it is rejected that sin comes. I am reminded of the text Acts 17:30.

The Bible always said that the Sabbath (in this case the Day of Atonement) commenced at "even," but Ellen White said that many interpreted this "even" to mean "6 o'clock."

Truth is Progressive

I think there are a few points to bring out of this situation. First God's truth is progressive. The early Adventists were right in the Sabbath being still valuable to Christians, but wrong in the start time. They found the truth later.

The second point is that we must be willing to continue study even on issues we think we are sure of. Continued study was needed to break through this incorrect interpretation of the start of the Sabbath.

The final point is that we need to be willing to move forth into the truth as it comes. In this case the early Adventists moved forward and today we follow the Biblical injunction to keep the Sabbath "from even to even."

Ellen White - Thy Brother's Keeper

shermancox — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 23:08:35 -0800

Ellen White in her first "Testimony" to the church in November 20, 1855, saw in the church a lack of the self-denial and sacrifice needed for the last days. She first spoke to the "messengers" or preachers. We are to preach with a "firm reliance upon God." In her day, she noted that many fell back on the "arguments" and didn't have the power that comes from the reliance on God.

Power in Preaching and Teaching

We are to have the truth in our soul and not merely on the paper. The angel told Sister White:

They must get it warm from glory , carry it in their bosoms, and pour it out in the warmth and earnestness of the soul to those who hear.(Testimonies Volume 1, 113)

We have all heard preachers who are great "orators" but nothing ever happens when they preach. Perhaps that something that is missing is the firm reliance on the power of God rather than human eloquence or intellect.

Self-Denial and Love for Others

Then Sister White moves to a discussion of the importance of Self denial and love for others. Today there is an emphasis on self-actualization. We emphasize not allowing others to take advantage of us and the need to love self. In much of this there is truth, but we cannot ever get past the fact that we are to love others. We are to consider others better than ourselves. (Philippians 2:3).

In these last days, the call is to loving others. Sister White is right, we are our brother's keeper. The Bible says that there will be a people who keep the commandments of God. The Bible also reminds us that love is the fulfilling of the Law.

Conclusion

I think it is fitting that Sister White's first testimony to the church is about caring for our brothers and sisters as well as speaking and preaching in the power of God rather than ourselves. I pray that God will bless me as I seek to be a blessing to others.

Ellen White's Writings Summarized in Devotional by Herbert Douglass

shermancox — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 07:09:59 -0700

Herbert Douglass has written a devotional that summarizes some of Ellen White's most beloved writings.

The devotional uses a daily reading format that summarizes a chapter a day from the five books of the Conflict of the Ages series and Steps to Christ, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, and Christ's Object Lessons.

You can find the book at the Adventist Book Center.

Ministry of Healing and Adventist Outreach

shermancox — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 12:47:26 -0700

Yesterday I called an old friend who happens to be an Adventist physician. He works with conventional medicine, but he always tells his patients about alternative, lifestyle-based approaches to overcome many of the problems that the patients have.

Adventist Physician Ministry

The physician friend told me that he had purchased a large stock of the Ellen White book Ministry of Healing. And that he routinely gives it out to his patients. He noted that the book back ups much of what he tells the people and it gives them something tangible to refer to when they need to learn something.

We then began to talk about the need for much of the principles in that book as well as the openness that many have to such a book. I mean today we live in an era when the Christian world is inundated with images of healing from the television ministers. Also when we peruse the Christian bookstore we see book titles that suggest that mental and physical healing is a great "felt need" of today's Christian world.

The distribution of the book has been a moderate success. Some have been touched, others just ignore the book, but the book is being used for good.

Health Store Outreach

Then today I read the Northern Lord vs Southern Lord blog and see another story about that book Ministry of Healing. In this story the book serves as a centerpiece in a health store outreach program.

I will pick up that book and shake the dust off of it, and see what it has to say to me. And seek to find a way to make it accessible and helpful to others. Thanks Eric and Raul for reminding me of this important resource that God has given to us.

You can find the Ministry of Healing online with a study guide at this link.