A Second Objection

A second objection, perhaps the most plausible of all, is this: Mrs. White was influenced to some degree in her speaking and writing, her actions and attitudes, by those around her. We have already referred to this charge in a general way. We wish now to deal with a specific exhibit, the one routinely cited by critics. Mrs. White wrote that she once released for publication a testimony—the text of a vision—earlier than she had planned to do, because of pressure from other persons. Critics offer this admission as a shining proof that Mrs. White did not possess the prophetic gift.WBEGW 121.2

Now those who bring such a charge seem to give evidence of close familiarity with the Scriptures, and certainly they affirm a great belief in them. Have they forgotten those instances of how holy men, men who were truly prophets and who wrote for our instruction, were influenced by others in certain of their actions?WBEGW 121.3

There was Elijah. No prophet was greater than he, for on a certain notable day he called down fire from heaven, holding at bay the surly, sullen hosts of Israel. But late that day, as he sat exhausted by the wall of Jezreel, a messenger from Jezebel brought to him the tidings that she intended to lift his head from his shoulders. Was he influenced by this? Was he! He was influenced all the way down to his feet, and fled for his life. Perhaps no spokesman for God ever had a more sorry anticlimax to a day of mighty power than Elijah. And all because he had allowed himself to be influenced. Further, when he reached the wilderness and fell into conversation with his God, he made a sorry mathematical blunder. He declared, “I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it.” But the Lord corrected him immediately, declaring that He had seven thousand that had not bowed the knee to Baal.WBEGW 121.4

Now does it ever occur to any good believer in the Bible and its holy prophets to feel that because of all this Elijah was not a great prophet of God? Not at all. We all wish that he had not been so influenced by Jezebel’s messenger and had not set out in such terrified flight to the wilderness. We also wish he had not thought that he alone was left. But we do not believe that he therefore forfeited his claim to being a prophet.WBEGW 122.1

Because a prophet has revelations from God it does not follow that he therefore has all knowledge concerning all things. Or because a prophet, in his own personal experience, is influenced by some other person, it does not mean that he is not an inspired messenger for God. We should never forget that inspiration is a divine gift to particular human beings that they may give to men certain revelations from God. But this does not mean that prophets are infallible and thus inherently beyond the possibility of all error in word or action. Infallibility is an attribute of God alone. That is the lesson to learn from Elijah.WBEGW 122.2

Or take a New Testament illustration. There was the apostle Peter, mighty evangel for God. The Bible tells us: “For before that certain came from James, he [Peter] did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision” (Galatians 2:12). It is pathetically evident that Peter was influenced in some of his actions by certain persons who “came from James.” It is a sad incident. Paul “withstood him to the face,” the Bible declares, “because he was to be blamed.” But does any believer in the Bible declare that therefore Peter was not an inspired man of God? No! His writings are a part of the New Testament canon.WBEGW 122.3

Now if Peter and Elijah, though influenced by others in certain of their actions, can still be considered prophets of God, why not also Mrs. White? The question is as simple as that.WBEGW 123.1

Space limits forbid our discussing further questions.WBEGW 123.2

Why should we need to? The reader can judge from the foregoing typical ones as to how weighty the others might be. There are honest questions and there are critical objections. The great fallacy underlying most of the criticism of Mrs. White is this: The critic first draws a picture of what he thinks a prophet ought to be. If in any particular Mrs. White does not agree with the picture, this proves to his complete satisfaction that she was not a prophet of God. But how can he prove that his portrait of a prophet is an accurate one? He cannot. He drew it largely from his own imagination and finite reasoning, which is a charitable way of saying he could be sorely mistaken. Prophetic inspiration is a mystery, and on this mystery the Bible throws little light. A person makes an amazing claim, indeed, when he declares he is qualified to paint a detailed portrait of a true prophet of God.WBEGW 123.3