Reading the Writings of Ellen White

[Johann]

I counted it a great privilege that we used books by Ellen White as our English textbooks in school for three years. We missed some of the classic textbooks, but what did we miss? Later, at Emmanuel Missionary College, I was introduced to some of the Classic writers in our English classes. But then we were, at times in Bible classes expected to memorize whole paragraphs from her writings.

Are we sufficiently exposed to her writings - or too much - in our school systems today?

[Ozzie]

I counted it a great privilege that we used books by Ellen White as our English textbooks in school for three years. We missed some of the classic textbooks, but what did we miss? Later, at Emmanuel Missionary College, I was introduced to some of the Classic writers in our English classes. But then we were, at times in Bible classes expected to memorize whole paragraphs from her writings.

Are we sufficiently exposed to her writings - or too much - in our school systems today?

It's quite awhile since our kids were at school, but I don't believe that kids are growing up with the exposure to SOP that many older people have memories of.

[Gailon Arthur Joy]

Can there really ever be too much??? That is heresy!!!
That is the equivalent of saying that one can get too
much Bible study...another Heresy.

Gailon Arthur Joy

[Johann]

Can there really ever be too much??? That is heresy!!!
That is the equivalent of saying that one can get too
much Bible study...another Heresy.

Gailon Arthur Joy

I'd say our exposure to the writings of Ellen White greatly expanded our world view and made it easier to understand the Bible.

[Daryl Fawcett]

Didn't she refer to her writings as the lesser light leading to the greater light?

[Johann]

Didn't she refer to her writings as the lesser light leading to the greater light?

I recall reading that in her writings.

[Artiste]

I found that when I became interested in spiritual things a number of years ago, I was unable to understand or get much out of the Bible (King James version!).  But reading Ellen White became very fascinating to me, and after a while I was able to understand and appreciate the Bible.

[Daryl Fawcett]

Could that be one of the main reasons why we have her writings in the first place?

[Artiste]

I think so, Daryl!   :)

[Johann]

When I was 12 years old I read Steps to Christ over and over. This reading led me to a real experience with Christ and I requested baptism.

Later in my ministry I met Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, who were brought to Christ by reading Steps to Christ. Where else do you find a book like that?

[Artiste]

That book and Desire of Ages are very special books.

[Ozzie]

That book and Desire of Ages are very special books.

Desire of Ages was given to us as a Baptismal gift, some 37 years ago. It is very special.

My main concerns with Ellen White's books are with the compilations, which can be taken out of context and can be made to say what people want them to say.

[Artiste]

I agree with the part about making things written by Ellen White say what people want them to say.

I believe that using things she wrote to improperly advance questionable agendas has caused a lot of prejudice against her writings, and that it has happened in some ways imperceptibly and over a period of decades.

[Chrissie]

I agree with the part about making things written by Ellen White say what people want them to say.

I believe that using things she wrote to improperly advance questionable agendas has caused a lot of prejudice against her writings, and that it has happened in some ways imperceptibly and over a period of decades.

In my experience, many people do not understand that many books are compilations. Many do not realise that they need to go back to the original source, if they are going to read everything in context.

[Artiste]

I think that you're right that a lot of people don't bother to notice the difference between compilations and the original entire books.

I've gotten some value for myself from various compilations too, though, for certain subjects.