The Problem of Communication

Ellen White recognized the problem of communication which the prophet faces in trying to create in the mind of the hearer or reader the image that was imparted to him in vision. Thus she says:EGWW 139.2

It is difficult for one mind to give to one of a different temperament, education, and habits of thought by language exactly the same idea as that which is clear and distinct in his own mind. Yet to honest men, right-minded men, he can be so simple and plain as to convey his meaning for all practical purposes....EGWW 139.3

The writers of the Bible had to express their ideas in human language. It was written by human men. These men were inspired of the Holy Spirit. Because of the imperfections of human understanding of language, or the perversity of the human mind, ingenious in evading truth, many read and understand the Bible to please themselves.—Selected Messages 1:19.EGWW 139.4

And in this connection she remarked:EGWW 139.5

This is the way my writings are treated by those who wish to misunderstand and pervert them. They turn the truth of God into a lie. In the very same way that they treat the writings in my published articles and in my books, so do skeptics and infidels treat the Bible. They read it according to their desire to pervert, to misapply, to willfully wrest the utterances from their true meaning.—Ibid.EGWW 139.6

Ellen White’s frequent association of her writings with the writings of the Bible prophets indicates that it is not out of place in this study for us to do likewise.EGWW 139.7

We turn again to examples as she drew them from the Bible to further illustrate the point as she wrote of the failure of the Jews to accept God’s Word exactly as it reads:EGWW 139.8

Those whom He [Christ] addressed regarded themselves as exalted above all other peoples. To them, they proudly boasted, had been committed the oracles of God. The earth was languishing for a teacher sent from God; but when He came just as the living oracles specified He would come, the priests and the instructors of the people could not discern that He was their Saviour, nor could they understand the manner of His coming. Unaccustomed to accept God’s word exactly as it reads, or to allow it to be its own interpreter, they read it in the light of their maxims and traditions. So long had they neglected to study and contemplate the Bible, that its pages were to them a mystery. They turned with aversion from the truth of God to the traditions of men.—Manuscript 24, 1891.EGWW 140.1

And to us she counsels:EGWW 140.2

Be careful how you interpret scripture. Read it with a heart opened to the entrance of God’s word, and it will express heaven’s light, giving understanding unto the simple. This does not mean the weakminded, but those who do not stretch themselves beyond their measure and ability in trying to be original and independent in reaching after knowledge above that which constitutes true knowledge.EGWW 140.3

All who handle the word of God are engaged in a most solemn and sacred work; for in their research they are to receive light and a correct knowledge, that they may give to those who are ignorant. Education is the inculcation of ideas which are light and truth. Everyone who diligently and patiently searches the Scriptures that he may educate others, entering upon the work correctly and with an honest heart, laying his preconceived ideas, whatever they may have been, and his hereditary prejudices at the door of investigation, will gain true knowledge.EGWW 140.4

But it is very easy to put a false interpretation on scripture, placing stress on passages, and assigning to them a meaning, which, at the first investigation, may appear true, but which by further search, will be seen to be false. If the seeker after truth will compare scripture with scripture, he will find the key that unlocks the treasure house and gives him a true understanding of the word of God. Then he will see that his first impressions would not bear investigation, and that continuing to believe them would be mixing falsehood with truth.—Manuscript 4, 1896.EGWW 140.5

It is clear that Ellen White in her public ministry lived with the problem of trying to make people understand just what she meant in the spoken and written word. To facilitate this difficulty she employed the simplest, clearest, plainest, and most direct language. She did not indulge in double talk or speak in parables. No subtle mystery surrounded her words.EGWW 140.6

To her the basic problem of communications stood out in stark reality when soon after the issuance of her first book in the summer of 1851—the 64-page Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White—in several instances she felt called upon to explain what she meant. It was not long after this that copies of the little book carried a two-page insert entitled “Notes of Explanation,” and when the Supplement was published in 1854 the explanations and observations were expanded. See Early Writings, 85-96.EGWW 141.1