Comments on: Ellen G. White: Marginalizer or Mainstreamizer of Seventh-day Adventism? http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/ Re-imagining the Adventist Vision ~ Beyond Conservative and Liberal ~ Lifting Up the Family of Adventism Fri, 04 Jul 2008 00:23:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: David Vickman http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2384 David Vickman Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:38:23 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2384 Brent: I think you are on the right track...but it may be a rocky road...so fasten your seat-belt and don your crash-helmet! The systemic Ellen White can be suffocating. But a love-hate devotional experiencing of the White books, especially the later ones, can be quite eye-opening, and spiritually awakening. I am currently in an uncomfortable(even excruciating) tension of counterbalancing rejection and acceptance of White's views. Her post 1888 writings should be the definitive statement of Ellen White to the church and world. But too much time has passed since she wrote even these later words. We may have to do some serious rethinking of even cherished SDA tradition(yes, it's not just the Catholics who have a tradition problem). Having said that, we seriously err if we stop the devotional study of Ellen White's non-compiled post 1888 writings. Don't bash the SDA church or any church...I consider the church to be a necessary 'evil' which accomplishes the building of the Kingdom of God in ways that individuals cannot. But centralized collectivism is fatally flawed. A careful-prayerful personal, devotional study of the great theological and political issues of our time is the real strength of the invisible and universal church of Jesus Christ. "And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achevements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise. "And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever." Revelation 5:13. The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love." - Great Controversy p.678. Brent: I think you are on the right track…but it may be a rocky road…so fasten your seat-belt and don your crash-helmet! The systemic Ellen White can be suffocating. But a love-hate devotional experiencing of the White books, especially the later ones, can be quite eye-opening, and spiritually awakening. I am currently in an uncomfortable(even excruciating) tension of counterbalancing rejection and acceptance of White’s views. Her post 1888 writings should be the definitive statement of Ellen White to the church and world. But too much time has passed since she wrote even these later words. We may have to do some serious rethinking of even cherished SDA tradition(yes, it’s not just the Catholics who have a tradition problem). Having said that, we seriously err if we stop the devotional study of Ellen White’s non-compiled post 1888 writings. Don’t bash the SDA church or any church…I consider the church to be a necessary ‘evil’ which accomplishes the building of the Kingdom of God in ways that individuals cannot. But centralized collectivism is fatally flawed. A careful-prayerful personal, devotional study of the great theological and political issues of our time is the real strength of the invisible and universal church of Jesus Christ.

“And the years of eternity, as they roll, will bring richer and still more glorious revelations of God and of Christ. As knowledge is progressive, so will love, reverence, and happiness increase. The more men learn of God, the greater will be their admiration of His character. As Jesus opens before them the riches of redemption and the amazing achevements in the great controversy with Satan, the hearts of the ransomed thrill with more fervent devotion, and with more rapturous joy they sweep the harps of gold; and ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands of voices unite to swell the mighty chorus of praise. “And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.” Revelation 5:13. The great controversy is ended. Sin and sinners are no more. The entire universe is clean. One pulse of harmony and gladness beats through the vast creation. From Him who created all, flow life and light and gladness, throughout the realms of illimitable space. From the minutest atom to the greatest world, all things, animate and inanimate, in their unshadowed beauty and perfect joy, declare that God is love.” - Great Controversy p.678.

]]> By: Brent http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2382 Brent Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:37:57 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2382 Having recently left the SDA denomination, I, at least for now, have a much more positive view of EGW than when I was in the system. EGW started out all about the law. If you don't do this, you got to hell. If you do that you go to hell. If you're not part of the SDA denomination, you're not a real Christian and you'll go to hell. She didn't know a thing about God's true character. All of a sudden, completely out of nowhere, she re-writes Conflict of the Ages with the opening line: "'God is love. His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been; it ever will be.... Every manifestation of creative power is an expression of infinite love." Having seen the same thing in myself recently, I suddenly realized something: Somewhere between 1844 ande 1888, Ellen G. White was born again. Only the power of accepting the sweet infinite embrace of God's heart can make someone change from talking about law and judgment and do's and don't's, to talking about Father's unending love and grace. But the SDA denomination won't accept it, because it implies what she wrote before around 1880ish is not "authorititative" and infallible. But those who know the history of her ideological 'mentor', John Wesley, will note a similar experience with him. I wonder if she, too, finally read Luther's "Preface to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans." Having recently left the SDA denomination, I, at least for now, have a much more positive view of EGW than when I was in the system.

EGW started out all about the law. If you don’t do this, you got to hell. If you do that you go to hell. If you’re not part of the SDA denomination, you’re not a real Christian and you’ll go to hell. She didn’t know a thing about God’s true character.

All of a sudden, completely out of nowhere, she re-writes Conflict of the Ages with the opening line: “‘God is love. His nature, His law, is love. It ever has been; it ever will be…. Every manifestation of creative power is an expression of infinite love.”

Having seen the same thing in myself recently, I suddenly realized something: Somewhere between 1844 ande 1888, Ellen G. White was born again. Only the power of accepting the sweet infinite embrace of God’s heart can make someone change from talking about law and judgment and do’s and don’t’s, to talking about Father’s unending love and grace.

But the SDA denomination won’t accept it, because it implies what she wrote before around 1880ish is not “authorititative” and infallible. But those who know the history of her ideological ‘mentor’, John Wesley, will note a similar experience with him. I wonder if she, too, finally read Luther’s “Preface to the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans.”

]]> By: David Vickman http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2343 David Vickman Tue, 06 May 2008 04:31:20 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2343 I wonder if Ellen White would be pleased and supportive of the drugs and surgery medical institutions created in the image of John Harvey Kellogg...with six(and seven?)figure incomes...rather than the preventive and natural care sanitariums which she promoted? The book "John Harvey Kellogg, M.D." by Richard Schwartz, along with "Ministry of Healing" by Ellen White are excellent resources for answering this question. The "world" seems to be making great strides in preventive and natural health. Of all the words that toungue can tell...the saddest are "it might have been." I wonder if Ellen White would be pleased and supportive of the drugs and surgery medical institutions created in the image of John Harvey Kellogg…with six(and seven?)figure incomes…rather than the preventive and natural care sanitariums which she promoted? The book “John Harvey Kellogg, M.D.” by Richard Schwartz, along with “Ministry of Healing” by Ellen White are excellent resources for answering this question. The “world” seems to be making great strides in preventive and natural health. Of all the words that toungue can tell…the saddest are “it might have been.”

]]> By: Julius http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2342 Julius Tue, 06 May 2008 01:57:00 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2342 Dennis ~ That's a question that I've wondered about on and off. The best guess I can come up with is that she would've been off-center, but not outside of mainstream Christianity - which is what biblical prophets did. They were at the margins of society but spoke directly to the center. I think that's how she functioned in the Adventist church of her day as well. She never held a formal office which gave her the freedom to speak against the leadership even while being in support of the church. I think she would be speaking out against the rampant secularism within Adventism (as conservatives do), while speaking up against social complacency (as liberals do). She would be speaking for further changes to theology, while also speaking for retention of the values of simplicity, modesty, economy, and compassion for all. All this is pure guesswork, of course, and projection of my own wishes.... Dennis ~ That’s a question that I’ve wondered about on and off. The best guess I can come up with is that she would’ve been off-center, but not outside of mainstream Christianity - which is what biblical prophets did. They were at the margins of society but spoke directly to the center. I think that’s how she functioned in the Adventist church of her day as well. She never held a formal office which gave her the freedom to speak against the leadership even while being in support of the church. I think she would be speaking out against the rampant secularism within Adventism (as conservatives do), while speaking up against social complacency (as liberals do). She would be speaking for further changes to theology, while also speaking for retention of the values of simplicity, modesty, economy, and compassion for all. All this is pure guesswork, of course, and projection of my own wishes….

]]> By: Jeffrey Jourdonais http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2337 Jeffrey Jourdonais Sat, 03 May 2008 12:44:41 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2337 An excellent article, really got me to thinking. I clearly see an evolution of thought progressing from EGW, but I see her entire life and ministry more as a mosaic of both marginalization and mainstream, like the life and minstries of many of us. What the church decides to do with it, is more the cause of marginalization or mainstreaming. She did write somewhere that she was not a prophet, but a messenger. A smaller light leading to a greater light, the scriptures. I find that to be her most insightful message of all. And one we would all do well to follow! An excellent article, really got me to thinking. I clearly see an evolution of thought progressing from EGW, but I see her entire life and ministry more as a mosaic of both marginalization and mainstream, like the life and minstries of many of us. What the church decides to do with it, is more the cause of marginalization or mainstreaming. She did write somewhere that she was not a prophet, but a messenger. A smaller light leading to a greater light, the scriptures. I find that to be her most insightful message of all. And one we would all do well to follow!

]]> By: Dennis Kim http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2336 Dennis Kim Sat, 03 May 2008 10:43:18 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2336 Ellen White was not static. She continued to grow. My question is...If she is still alive, would she be more mainstream or marginal? Ellen White was not static. She continued to grow. My question is…If she is still alive, would she be more mainstream or marginal?

]]> By: David Vickman http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2329 David Vickman Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:27:33 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2329 Reading Ellen White in a devotional, but not authoritative, sense...and then going into the world with an open mind...thinking and doing whatever makes sense...is probably healthy. Our world is becomming more confusing and troubled all the time...and it's probably going to take a lot of work and trauma to keep up...and make the world a better place. Good luck...and God bless. Reading Ellen White in a devotional, but not authoritative, sense…and then going into the world with an open mind…thinking and doing whatever makes sense…is probably healthy. Our world is becomming more confusing and troubled all the time…and it’s probably going to take a lot of work and trauma to keep up…and make the world a better place. Good luck…and God bless.

]]> By: David Vickman http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2328 David Vickman Sat, 19 Apr 2008 20:11:39 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2328 Many SDA evangelistic efforts focus on the sensational...which mobilizes the paranoid members of the community...and creates new church members. Then the paranoia becomes focused on other church members...and the church is in turmoil. This is a very loose paraphrase of the experience of Dr. Arthur Beitz(the golden voice of Adventism) who later became a banker with a Rolls Royce parked in a carpeted garage. And some think Adventists are boring...the bland leading the bland. Seriously...reading a non-compiled Ellen White book from cover to cover is not marginalizing. Taking selected messages out of context...and blowing them way out of proportion is marginalizing. Do I have an answer? Are you kidding! Just beware of extreme liberals and conservatives, historians...and especially Red Letter Christians! They are especially pernicious! Many SDA evangelistic efforts focus on the sensational…which mobilizes the paranoid members of the community…and creates new church members. Then the paranoia becomes focused on other church members…and the church is in turmoil. This is a very loose paraphrase of the experience of Dr. Arthur Beitz(the golden voice of Adventism) who later became a banker with a Rolls Royce parked in a carpeted garage. And some think Adventists are boring…the bland leading the bland. Seriously…reading a non-compiled Ellen White book from cover to cover is not marginalizing. Taking selected messages out of context…and blowing them way out of proportion is marginalizing. Do I have an answer? Are you kidding! Just beware of extreme liberals and conservatives, historians…and especially Red Letter Christians! They are especially pernicious!

]]> By: Julius http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2327 Julius Thu, 17 Apr 2008 05:15:14 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2327 Glenn - My belated reflection on your question is that while White emphasizes more of the "mainstream" teachings later in her life, I don't know if that necessarily means that she *became* more mainstream later. While I think that she did experience theological growth, there's good reason to think that many of the "mainstream" ideas that she later expressed more clearly were part of her thinking even in the earlier years. Arthur & Rick - Thanks for your thoughts and kind words. Yes, I could definitely have included many more examples of "mainstreaming," but I had to work with the 20-min limit. The beauty of our prophet is the deftness of her balancing act. That, to me, is wisdom from above. Glenn - My belated reflection on your question is that while White emphasizes more of the “mainstream” teachings later in her life, I don’t know if that necessarily means that she *became* more mainstream later. While I think that she did experience theological growth, there’s good reason to think that many of the “mainstream” ideas that she later expressed more clearly were part of her thinking even in the earlier years.

Arthur & Rick - Thanks for your thoughts and kind words. Yes, I could definitely have included many more examples of “mainstreaming,” but I had to work with the 20-min limit. The beauty of our prophet is the deftness of her balancing act. That, to me, is wisdom from above.

]]> By: Julius http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2325 Julius Thu, 17 Apr 2008 02:21:24 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2325 Premek - The actual title is "Western Tour" which from the content of the article indicates James White's authorship. I corrected it here. Look in the first column midway, the paragraph that begins with "It is not Seventh-day Adventists...." I assume you're using http://www.adventistarchives.org Isn't it absolutely amazing? 100 years of Adventist periodicals and major books all in one place! Premek - The actual title is “Western Tour” which from the content of the article indicates James White’s authorship. I corrected it here. Look in the first column midway, the paragraph that begins with “It is not Seventh-day Adventists….”

I assume you’re using http://www.adventistarchives.org Isn’t it absolutely amazing? 100 years of Adventist periodicals and major books all in one place!

]]> By: Premek http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2324 Premek Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:03:15 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2324 Julius, I can't find that statemant of J. White in RH 1871 which You have given in the footnote 24? Is it correct? There is no editorial on page 205. Thanks. "She—and her husband—even expressed publicly that acceptance of her writings as coming from God and should not be a requirement of membership in the Adventist community" I am well impressed by this sentence. But what about baptism vow then, where belief in Spirit of prophecy (expressis verbis explained as life and work of EGW) still remains? Julius, I can’t find that statemant of J. White in RH 1871 which You have given in the footnote 24? Is it correct? There is no editorial on page 205. Thanks.
“She—and her husband—even expressed publicly that acceptance of her writings as coming from God and should not be a requirement of membership in the Adventist community”
I am well impressed by this sentence. But what about baptism vow then, where belief in Spirit of prophecy (expressis verbis explained as life and work of EGW) still remains?

]]> By: Rick Ferret http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2322 Rick Ferret Mon, 14 Apr 2008 11:28:53 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2322 Julius, thank you for your thoughts. Your article provides opportunity for ongoing analysis. Perhaps the terms 'marginalization and mainstreaming' could be also be understood within the context of a sectarian movement (marginalisation) in the mid-19th century showing clear evidence of a move towards institutionalisation and denominationalisation (mainstreaming)by the latter half of the same century. 1888, 1920s, 1950s and the 1980s provide ample evidence of Adventism as a religious movement which continues to express the inherent tensions in its identity as it seeks to hold in balance (if possible) the dual imperatives "Behold I come quickly" and "Occupy till I come." The Advent delay (whether suppossed or real) provides a continuing element of frustration for a movement established on apocalyptic but continues to live in the real world of delay while continually declaring that "Jesus is coming soon." Perhaps Ellen White understood this tension well and whilst on one hand held to Adventist distinctives (marginalisation)she also recognised that the 'delay' may provide opportunity for Adventism, not to 'close the shutters'but to be constructive not only in in the way we relate to others (mainstream)but how our understanding of the pursuit of truth neccessarily involves a open and mature dialog that continually nudges our sectarianism. Julius, thank you for your thoughts. Your article provides opportunity for ongoing analysis. Perhaps the terms ‘marginalization and mainstreaming’ could be also be understood within the context of a sectarian movement (marginalisation) in the mid-19th century showing clear evidence of a move towards institutionalisation and denominationalisation (mainstreaming)by the latter half of the same century. 1888, 1920s, 1950s and the 1980s provide ample evidence of Adventism as a religious movement which continues to express the inherent tensions in its identity as it seeks to hold in balance (if possible) the dual imperatives “Behold I come quickly” and “Occupy till I come.” The Advent delay (whether suppossed or real) provides a continuing element of frustration for a movement established on apocalyptic but continues to live in the real world of delay while continually declaring that “Jesus is coming soon.” Perhaps Ellen White understood this tension well and whilst on one hand held to Adventist distinctives (marginalisation)she also recognised that the ‘delay’ may provide opportunity for Adventism, not to ‘close the shutters’but to be constructive not only in in the way we relate to others (mainstream)but how our understanding of the pursuit of truth neccessarily involves a open and mature dialog that continually nudges our sectarianism.

]]> By: Arthur Patrick http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2321 Arthur Patrick Sun, 13 Apr 2008 21:19:43 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2321 Julius, thanks for your ground-breaking analysis of aspects of the tension within Ellen White's writings. Might it be that this tension is more creative and more essential than we Adventists have generally understood? How could our movement have survived to the 1880s without White's articulation of Adventist distinctives? But in 2008, how can we fulfill our mission without understanding and following the trend-lines of her ministry from 1885 onward? The evidence for the change that you have identify so well needs to be expanded by noting other evidences that you did not have time to include: White's comments re the Millerite publicist Joshua V. Himes; her use of the writings of Henry Melville and other mainstream authors; her comments on specific Christian events/participants. Give us more. Bravo! Julius, thanks for your ground-breaking analysis of aspects of the tension within Ellen White’s writings. Might it be that this tension is more creative and more essential than we Adventists have generally understood? How could our movement have survived to the 1880s without White’s articulation of Adventist distinctives? But in 2008, how can we fulfill our mission without understanding and following the trend-lines of her ministry from 1885 onward? The evidence for the change that you have identify so well needs to be expanded by noting other evidences that you did not have time to include: White’s comments re the Millerite publicist Joshua V. Himes; her use of the writings of Henry Melville and other mainstream authors; her comments on specific Christian events/participants. Give us more. Bravo!

]]> By: Glenn http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2320 Glenn Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:56:07 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2320 "She never explained how and why she came out on the side of the Nicean understanding of the Trinity, but this new development did not go unnoticed among Adventists and led Adventism toward becoming a full-fledged Trinitarian group that it is today." Why do you think she became more of a mainstream Christian in later years? Do you think it flowed from her original understanding as a Methodist growing up, or her continual growth in adulthood as she read more? Other? “She never explained how and why she came out on the side of the Nicean understanding of the Trinity, but this new development did not go unnoticed among Adventists and led Adventism toward becoming a full-fledged Trinitarian group that it is today.”

Why do you think she became more of a mainstream Christian in later years? Do you think it flowed from her original understanding as a Methodist growing up, or her continual growth in adulthood as she read more? Other?

]]> By: Julius http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2319 Julius Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:19:24 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2319 Mainstreaming Adventist theology toward historic Christian orthodoxy, which I see, and desiring to gain acceptance by mainstream Christianity, which I don't see, are really two different things. What I'm suggesting is that the impact of White's latter ministry was mainstreaming Adventism, just as her emphasis on Adventist distinctives had the impact of marginalizing Adventism (though I doubt that was her intent). I think 1888 is both. Of course, the way they understood the gospel had a peculiarly Adventist thrust, but that doesn't negate the historical reality that it brought us closer to the Reformation teachings on grace. Mainstreaming Adventist theology toward historic Christian orthodoxy, which I see, and desiring to gain acceptance by mainstream Christianity, which I don’t see, are really two different things. What I’m suggesting is that the impact of White’s latter ministry was mainstreaming Adventism, just as her emphasis on Adventist distinctives had the impact of marginalizing Adventism (though I doubt that was her intent). I think 1888 is both. Of course, the way they understood the gospel had a peculiarly Adventist thrust, but that doesn’t negate the historical reality that it brought us closer to the Reformation teachings on grace.

]]> By: Shawn Brace http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2318 Shawn Brace Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:22:17 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2318 Interesting thoughts, Julius. I am not sure I totally agree with your basic thesis that her latter ministry was a conscious effort to "mainstream" Adventism, though. Perhaps there was some of that in there, but I think her overarching goal was to work more towards truth, than to gain acceptance by mainstream Christianity. Similarly, it seems to me that the Christocentric truths that were uncovered in 1888 were not simply an echoing of mainstream Protestantism at the time, or even what the Reformation emphasized. The Gospel from 1888 had a "peculiar" Adventist foundation to it (ie., within the context of the sanctuary message, etc.). Interesting thoughts, Julius. I am not sure I totally agree with your basic thesis that her latter ministry was a conscious effort to “mainstream” Adventism, though. Perhaps there was some of that in there, but I think her overarching goal was to work more towards truth, than to gain acceptance by mainstream Christianity.

Similarly, it seems to me that the Christocentric truths that were uncovered in 1888 were not simply an echoing of mainstream Protestantism at the time, or even what the Reformation emphasized. The Gospel from 1888 had a “peculiar” Adventist foundation to it (ie., within the context of the sanctuary message, etc.).

]]> By: Zane http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2317 Zane Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:54:41 +0000 http://progressiveadventism.com/2008/04/07/ellen-g-white-marginalizer-or-mainstreamizer-of-seventh-day-adventism/#comment-2317 Thanks, Julius, for such a quick and balanced overview of Ellen White's ministry. I really like the "marginalizer" or "mainstreamer" rubric. You know me; I find her later "mainstreamer" role to be the more "prophetic" part of her ministry (if one can make that kind of distinction); I'm actually willing to concede to most the theological criticisms people make of her writings at the "early" stage. The "spirit of prophecy" is the "testimony of Jesus." =) Thanks, Julius, for such a quick and balanced overview of Ellen White’s ministry. I really like the “marginalizer” or “mainstreamer” rubric.

You know me; I find her later “mainstreamer” role to be the more “prophetic” part of her ministry (if one can make that kind of distinction); I’m actually willing to concede to most the theological criticisms people make of her writings at the “early” stage. The “spirit of prophecy” is the “testimony of Jesus.” =)

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