Chapter 8—The Use of Non-Inspired Sources

Another question frequently is raised. What about Ellen White’s use of non-inspired sources? Perhaps the most familiar use of these sources is her quoting of historians. In the introduction of The Great Controversy she tells what she did and why:HPEGWW 21.2

In some cases where a historian has so grouped together events as to afford, in brief, a comprehensive view of the subject, or has summarized details in a convenient manner, his words have been quoted; but in some instances no specific credit has been given, since the quotations are not given for the purpose of citing that writer as authority, but because his statement affords a ready and forcible presentation of the subject.—GC p. xi-xii.

The messenger of the Lord was also interested in the teachings and practice of health reformers of her day. When she discovered to her surprise the similarities between their work and hers in some areas, she determined to prepare a series of six pamphlets with some of these comparisons noted. These appeared in 1865 and were bound together in a book, Health or How to Live. In this work she compared what the Lord had shown her in vision with statements from leading health reformers of her day.HPEGWW 21.3

Through the years Ellen White developed an extensive library that included histories, biographies, and commentaries on the Bible. It is apparent that her occasional reference to these aided her in descriptions and language as she prepared her books. Her son, W. C. White, refers to this in responding to an inquiry:HPEGWW 22.1

In the writing of her books, she has sometimes found it very difficult and laborious to put into language the scenes presented to her; and when she has found in the language of another a correct representation of the thought presented to her, she has sometimes copied sentences and paragraphs,—feeling that she had a perfect right to do this; that it was her privilege to utilize the correct statements of other writers, of the scenes that have been presented to her.—WCW to J. J. Gorrell, May 13, 1904.

Bible writers did the same. Some consulted chronological records. Others sometimes quoted non-inspired writers, and still others gained information from contemporaries. John, for example, learned from Nicodemus regarding his interview with Jesus and then wrote the account in his gospel. (See The Desire of Ages, 177.)HPEGWW 22.2