VII. The Significance of the Book

It is neither our moral right nor duty to pass judgments on individuals or to impugn the motives and integrity of the author of Prophetess of Health. We urge all to refrain from accepting and repeating rumors and from attempting to judge individuals. It is, however, our duty to stand in defense of truth and present documentation which places many matters dealt with in their true perspective. It is our duty also to remind the readers of Ellen White’s prediction that “The very last deception of Satan will be to make of none effect the testimony of the Spirit of God. ‘Where there is no vision, the people perish’ (Proverbs 29:18)” (Selected Messages 1:48).CBPH 32.6

Can it be doubted that the enemy of souls will use such a book to accomplish this very work? “Satan will work ingeniously,” the servant of the Lord tells us, “to unsettle the confidence of God’s remnant people in the true testimony” (Ibid.). For whatever purpose the author may have intended that the book should serve, it will no doubt be used by some to undermine confidence in the work of Ellen White.CBPH 32.7

This book must nevertheless be taken as an opportunity to increase our understanding of our history and our ability to deal with such challenges with appropriate skill, grace, firmness, and equanimity. There have been a number of such challenges down through the years, coming from within the church or instigated by former Seventh-day Adventists.CBPH 32.8

Ellen White assures us that we may expect even more historical and doctrinal challenges from without the church:CBPH 32.9

Every position of truth taken by our people will bear the criticism of the greatest minds; the highest of the world’s great men will be brought in contact with truth, and therefore every position we take should be critically examined and tested by the Scriptures. Now we seem to be unnoticed, but this will not always be. Movements are at work to bring us to the front, and if our theories of truth can be picked to pieces by historians or the world’s greatest men, it will be done.CBPH 32.10

We must individually know for ourselves what is truth, and be prepared to give a reason of the hope that we have with meekness and fear, not in a proud, boasting, self-sufficiency, but with the spirit of Christ.—Evangelism, 69.CBPH 32.11

General Conference Encourages Investigation

In order to foster this necessary familiarity with our church’s history and doctrine, the General Conference Session in 1975, adopted the following resolution:CBPH 32.12

That students and workers be encouraged to make active use of the rich research materials being gathered at the E. G. White-SDA Research Centers established in different parts of the world.CBPH 32.13

This will facilitate and stimulate useful research and keep alive and strengthen confidence in the Ellen G. White writings, especially among the younger generation.—RH GCB No. 10, P. 8(940), Aug. 7-14, 1975.CBPH 33.1

To Ignore or Not to IgnoreCBPH 33.2

Some have wondered just what the church should do when faced by such a book. It has been suggested that it should merely be ignored. Yet we recall the counsel Mrs. White gave years ago in a somewhat similar situation in Australia. She wrote:CBPH 33.3

When man assails his fellow-men, and presents in a ridiculous light those whom God has appointed to do work for Him, we would not be doing justice to the accusers, or to those who are misled by their accusations should we keep silent, leaving the people to think that their brethren and sisters, in whom they have had confidence, are no longer worthy of their love and fellowship.CBPH 33.4

This work, arising in our very midst, and resembling the work of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, is an offense to God, and should be met. And on every point the accusers should be called upon to bring their proof. Every charge should be carefully investigated; it should not be left in any uncertain way, the people should not be left to think that it may be or it may not be...CBPH 33.5

And when there is a servant of God, whom He has appointed to do a certain work, and who for half a century has been an accepted worker, laboring for the people of our faith, and before God’s workers as one whom the Lord has appointed; when for some reason one of the brethren falls under temptation, and because of the messages of warning given him becomes offended, as did the disciples of Christ, and walks no more with Christ; when he begins to work against the truth, and makes his disaffection public, declaring things untrue which are true, these things must be met. The people must not be left to believe a lie. They must be undeceived.—EGW Letter 98a, 1897.CBPH 33.6

A Review of Some of the More Important Points

No attempt will be made in this review of the book to take up every point introduced to picture Ellen White as Prophetess of Health. As chapter by chapter we peruse the book we shall deal with a representative group of exhibits that stand out. It should not be necessary to go beyond this. If twenty or so specific exhibits show that one cannot place full dependence on the book, what would be gained in exploring each and every one? The most significant will be noted. The absence of mention of a specific problem should not be taken to mean that there is no valid answer to it.CBPH 33.7