Conclusion

One should realize that Ellen White’s commitment to sola Scriptura is not acceptable to those who read the Bible from any other hermeneutical perspective, who deny any postcanonical manifestation of the gift of prophecy, ^{70The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism, trans. G. W. Williard (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1956), 279, placed the gift of prophecy among the spiritual gifts “given to particular individuals, and at particular times,” in contrast to other gifts “necessary at all times.”} or who even disagree with her expositions of Bible doctrines. But in a time when Christianity is divided into many conflicting schools of biblical interpretation and into 45,000 different Christian “denominations” (by mid-2014), ^{71“Status of Global Mission, 2014, in the Context of A.D. 1800-2025,” No. 41, www.gordonconwell.edu/resources/documents/statusofglobalmission.pdf (accessed Dec. 1, 2014).} the Bible needs to be allowed to be its own interpreter. As the foregoing history has demonstrated, this principle is easier to affirm than to practice. In a complex context like this, Ellen White’s writings function as “a divine prophetic filter,” able to remove false interpretations artificially imposed on the Bible, ^{72Alberto R. Timm, “Ellen G. White: Prophetic Voice for the Last Days,” Ministry, February 2004, 20.} allowing it to interpret itself and touch our lives with its transforming message.GOP 299.3

According to T. Housel Jemison, Ellen White’s writings are intended “to serve three basic purposes: (1) to direct attention to the Bible, (2) to aid in understanding the Bible, and (3) to help in applying Bible principles in our lives.” ^{73Jemison, A Prophet Among You, 371.} As stated in the 1986 “Methods of Bible Study” document (also known as the Rio de Janeiro document), “her expositions on any given Bible passage offer an inspired guide to the meaning of texts without exhausting their meaning or preempting the task of exegesis.” ^{74“Methods of Bible Study,” in George W. Reid, ed., Understanding Scripture: An Adventist Approach, Biblical Research Institute Studies, vol. 1 (Silver Spring, Md.: Biblical Research Institute, 2005), 333.} Correctly used, Ellen White’s writings will never replace the Bible but rather will bring us into a closer understanding of and commitment to God and His Word. While the Bible has a validating authority over all other sources of truth, her writings bear a validated authority from its conformity with Scripture.GOP 300.1