Appendix C — The Inspiration and Authority of the Ellen G. White Writings
A Statement of Present Understanding
In response to requests, a statement on the relationship of the writings of Ellen G. White to the Bible was prepared initially by an ad hoc committee of the General Conference. The statement was published in the July 15 [1982] Adventist Review and August [1982] issue of Ministry with an invitation to readers to respond to it. Suggestions from readers and from several groups have led to a refinement of the statement to its present form. Although it is not a voted statement, we believe that the worldwide participation in its development makes it a reflection of the views of the church on the topic it addresses.—Biblical Research Institute.GOP 413.1
In the Statement of Fundamental Beliefs voted by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists at Dallas in April 1980 the Preamble states: “Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.” Belief 1 reflects the church’s understanding of the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures, while belief 17 reflects the church’s understanding of the writings of Ellen White in relation to the Scriptures. These read as follows:GOP 413.2
1. The Holy Scriptures
The Holy Scriptures, Old and New Testaments, are the written Word of God, given by divine inspiration through holy men of God who spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. In this Word, God has committed to man the knowledge necessary for salvation. The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in history. (2 Peter 1:20, 21; 2 Tim. 3:16, 17; Ps. 119:105; Prov. 30:5, 6; Isa. 8:20; John 17:17; 1 Thess. 2:13; Heb. 4:12.)GOP 413.3
17. The Gift of Prophecy
One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is prophecy. This gift is an identifying mark of the remnant church and was manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. As the Lord’s messenger, her writings are a continuing and authoritative source of truth which provide for the church comfort, guidance, instruction, and correction. They also make clear that the Bible is the standard by which all teaching and experience must be tested. (Joel 2:28, 29; Acts 2:14-21; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 12:17; 19:10.)GOP 414.1
The following affirmations and denials speak to the issues that have been raised about the inspiration and authority of the Ellen White writings and their relation to the Bible. These clarifications should be taken as a whole. They are an attempt to express the present understanding of Seventh-day Adventists. They are not to be construed as a substitute for, or a part of, the two doctrinal statements quoted above.GOP 414.2
Affirmations
1. We believe that Scripture is the divinely revealed Word of God and is inspired by the Holy Spirit.GOP 414.3
2. We believe that the canon of Scripture is composed only of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments.GOP 414.4
3. We believe that Scripture is the foundation of faith and the final authority in all matters of doctrine and practice.GOP 414.5
4. We believe that Scripture is the Word of God in human language.GOP 414.6
5. We believe that Scripture teaches that the gift of prophecy will be manifest in the Christian church after New Testament times.GOP 414.7
6. We believe that the ministry and writings of Ellen White were a manifestation of the gift of prophecy.GOP 414.8
7. 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.GOP 414.9
8. We believe that the purposes of the Ellen White writings include guidance in understanding the teaching of Scripture and application of these teachings, with prophetic urgency, to the spiritual and moral life.GOP 414.10
9. We believe that the acceptance of the prophetic gift of Ellen White is important to the nurture and unity of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.GOP 414.11
10.We believe that Ellen White’s use of literary sources and assistants finds parallels in some of the writings of the Bible.GOP 414.12
Denials
1. We do not believe that the quality or degree of inspiration in the writings of Ellen White is different from that of Scripture.GOP 414.13
2. We do not believe that the writings of Ellen White are an addition to the canon of Sacred Scripture.GOP 414.14
3. We do not believe that the writings of Ellen White function as the foundation and final authority of Christian faith as does Scripture.GOP 415.1
4. We do not believe that the writings of Ellen White may be used as the basis of doctrine.GOP 415.2
5. We do not believe that the study of the writings of Ellen White may be used to replace the study of Scripture.GOP 415.3
6. We do not believe that Scripture can be understood only through the writings of Ellen White.GOP 415.4
7. We do not believe that the writings of Ellen White exhaust the meaning of Scripture.GOP 415.5
8. We do not believe that the writings of Ellen White are essential for the proclamation of the truths of Scripture to society at large.GOP 415.6
9. We do not believe that the writings of Ellen White are the product of mere Christian piety.GOP 415.7
10. We do not believe that Ellen White’s use of literary sources and assistants negates the inspiration of her writings.GOP 415.8
We conclude, therefore, that a correct understanding of the inspiration and authority of the writings of Ellen White will avoid two extremes: (1) regarding these writings as functioning on a canonical level identical with Scripture, or (2) considering them as ordinary Christian literature.GOP 415.9