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On page 88 in the quarterly, which is the March 7th study, the following statements were made: "Though we believe that her inspiration, not her authority, is on the same level as the Old and New Testament prophets..." and "Indeed, principles for interpreting the Bible can be used when interpreting Ellen White's writings, even though the authority of the Bible is above the authority of the Spirit of Prophecy."
This implies that we can take or leave Ellen White's writings at will because the Bible has greater authority. This is the second step in a logical series of steps when one believes that Ellen White's writings are not equal with the Bible. The "enemy of souls" is quite active. As a previous update stated, both the Bible and Ellen White's writings are lesser but equal lights pointing to the greater light - Jesus. We will not restudy that out in this e-message.
A head elder provided us this official church quote pitting this quarterly against official church belief. Printed in the Adventist Review on December 23, 1982 and in Ministry in February 1983:
- "We believe that Ellen White was inspired by the Holy Spirit and that her writings, the product of that inspiration, are applicable and authoritative, especially to Seventh-day Adventists. We do not believe that the writings of Ellen White function as the foundation and final authority of Christian faith as does the Scripture."
As the head elder excellently stated in an example, the Bible is like the standard measurement. A standard thermometer sets the standard for all other thermometers to be compared to. But once compared and approved, then the measurement stated by the new thermometer carries the same authority as the original. All prophets are tested to the Bible, and when each standard is tested, then that prophet's writings carry the same authority.
The definition of Authority includes - reliability of a source or witness. A person with much knowledge or experience in some field, whose information or opinion is hence reliable; expert. The root word is Author. The Author of Ellen White's writings is the same Author that inspired the Bible in its entirety, which included all other prophets, hence why it is called the Spirit of Prophecy. She did not write her own words or opinions but was the voice of God, as were all other prophets. They spoke for and in authority of God himself.
That is not what the quarterly has taught but that is what was believed in 1982 and 1983. Who changed? Her writings are not what makes the Seventh-day Adventist Church. All of our doctrines are found in the Bible including the questionable ones - Sabbath, 2300-day prophecy, the cleansing of the sanctuary in heaven, and even the call to become a Vegetarian. But like other prophets, Ellen White's call for specific ceasing of sin and specific action for good deeds carries the same authority.
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