“I'd say our exposure to the writings of Ellen White greatly expanded our world view and made it easier to understand the Bible.” Johann
“Didn't she refer to her writings as the lesser light leading to the greater light?” Daryl Fawcett
“Let's enjoy "eating" God's Word on a daily basis. Let's add flavor to the main course by adding some of the "lesser light" salt. It will enhance the flavor indeed.” Dan Pabon
It was most refreshing to read through this thread and see the positive comments on Ellen White.
But I do have a question on the thought—I think now widely believed in Adventism—that Ellen White’s writings are the “lesser light” pointing to the Bible as the “greater light.”
My feet are taking me up onto a soapbox and I don’t seem able to resist. Please know I am committed to coming down again. But first, could I try to explain.
Sometimes I think the issue is just one of semantics. Anyone who reads her book, The Great Controversy, cannot but understand the strength of Ellen White’s counsel that our only safety is to judge every doctrine, statement, miracle and happening by the teachings of the Bible. These thoughts are given sharp focus in the chapter, “The Scriptures Our Safeguard.” If it is these thoughts that are being expressed—that Ellen White’s writings are the “lesser light” in that they must be tested by the teachings of Scripture—then I can only say a hearty Amen. Jesus Himself gave us an example in this regard, by always meeting questions and countering Satan’s temptations with “It is written.” Then after the cross He strengthened the faith of His disciples by “beginning at Moses and all the prophets” (Luke 24:27) and pointing out all the prophecies describing the mighty events then transpiring.
But if by using the words “lesser light” and “greater light” the implied meaning is that Ellen White, though a prophet of God, is less inspired than the prophets or “holy men” He called in Bible times—I could not agree. I do not believe a prophet of God is less of a prophet and less inspired, because he or she did not live in Bible times and have his or her writings included in the canon of Scripture.
I believe Inspiration says it is Christ who is the greater light, and there are good reasons why it should be Him rather than the Bible that is represented by the “greater light” expression.
John 5:39, 40 helps to explain: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” While searching the Scriptures, the Jews crucified Jesus. There should not be, but there can be an exceeding great difference between coming to the Bible as the greater light, and coming to Jesus as the greater light.
We have probably all heard the analogy of a pregnant woman. Either a woman is pregnant, or she is not pregnant. There’s no in between state. Even if a woman at nine months might look more pregnant than a woman one month along the way, the plain fact is that both women are pregnant, both are in the act of producing a baby. Likewise, as I see it, whether living in ages past or in recent times, either someone presenting as a prophet is a prophet inspired of God and called to be a mouthpiece for Him; or he or she is not inspired of God, not called, and guilty of being an impostor, a false prophet.
What does Ellen White herself say about the usage of the "greater" and "lesser light" metaphor (though I think the expression is this and more. Christ is both symbolically and literally a blazing light)? We all know how dangerous it is to base a teaching upon one isolated statement. Yet, if I have it right, this is exactly what has been done in the effort to establish that the Bible is the greater light to which Ellen White’s writings point. I can find only one statement upon which this teaching is based, and it is ambiguous at that.
“Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light.” (The Review and Herald, Jan. 20, 1903. Quoted in Colporteur Ministry, p. 125.)
At first glance this sentence appears to support the belief that the Bible is the “greater light.” But below, highlighted in blue, is this statement in context. I have placed my own understandings in square brackets. If I am reading matters incorrectly, I’d be very glad if someone could explain. I believe the “lesser light” to which Ellen White is making reference is indeed her writings as inspired of God. But the “greater light” of which she is speaking is the person of Jesus Christ.
“Sister White is not the originator of these books. They contain the instruction that during her life-work God has been giving her. They contain the precious, comforting light that God has graciously given his servant to be given to the world. From their pages this light [Sister White’s writings are the “lesser light” here described] is to shine into the hearts of men and women, leading them to the Saviour [the “greater Light”]. The Lord has declared that these books are to be scattered throughout the world. There is in them truth which to the receiver is a savor of life unto life. They [Ellen White’s writings, the “lesser light”] are silent witnesses for God [the “greater Light”]. In the past they have been the means in his hands of convicting and converting many souls. Many have read them with eager expectation, and, by reading them [the “lesser light”], have been led to see the efficacy of Christ's atonement, and to trust in its power [the “greater light” is Christ]. They have been led to commit the keeping of their souls to their Creator, waiting and hoping for the coming of the Saviour [the Creator and Saviour is clearly what and who Ellen White had in mind as the “greater light”] to take his loved ones to their eternal home. In the future, these books are to make the gospel plain to many others, revealing to them the way of salvation.
“The Lord has sent his people much instruction, line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there a little. Little heed is given to the Bible [the writings of prophets and “holy men” of past ages], and the Lord has given a [present times] lesser light to lead men and women to the greater light [in context Ellen White’s thought is that Christ is that “greater light” pointed to in the too little-read and understood Bible, necessitating her updated “present truth” testimony]. O, how much good would be accomplished if the books containing this light were read with a determination to carry out the principles they contain! There would be a thousandfold greater vigilance, a thousandfold more self-denial and resolute effort. And many more would now be rejoicing in the light of present truth.” Review and Herald, 20 January 1903. Emphasis supplied.
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Topic: Reading the Writings of Ellen White (Read 75310 times)
