Chapter Seventeen - Why Should I Read Ellen White?

Chantal J. Klingbeil

Ever since the interruption of communication in Eden between God and humanity, God has been trying to reestablish and re-start the conversation. Through nature and the Bible, He attempts to speak to us individually and collectively. Unfortunately, because fallen nature often produces confused stimuli and because the Bible is often perceived as being irrelevant, God’s redemptive conversation too often cannot take place. In biblical times, God’s people often reached critical moments in history where they could no longer hear God through His given Word. Then God would choose a prophet who spoke on His behalf. The prophet would speak in the language of the people, and what was said was always relevant. The prophet would often offer a critique of current attitudes and behavior, provide guidance, and always hold out hope for redemption (cf. the ministry of Elijah, Isaiah, Amos, or most of the other biblical prophets).UEGW 243.1

The recognition of Ellen White’s prophetic call predates the official organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For some, however, her writings have lost their relevance. This generation reflects a modern cultural, pro-media, anti-reading model, in a peer-dominated society, as is evident from national studies. ^{1Numerous studies are available online. See, e.g., the study by Jessica E. Moyer of the University of Minnesota, online at http://www.yalsa.ala.org/jrlya/2010/11/teens-today -dont-read-books-anymore-a-study-of-differences-in-interest-and-comprehension-based-on-reading-modalities-part-1-introduction-and-methodology/.} According to the latest ValueGenesis study, only 2 percent of sixth to twelth graders in the Seventh-day Adventist school system read Ellen White once a week. ^{2E-mail communication with V. Bailey Gillespie on February 26, 2013, providing relevant data from the latest unpublished ValueGenesis study. For the previous study, see V. Bailey Gillespie et al., Valuegenesis Ten Years Later: A Study of Generations (Riverside, CA: Hancock Center Publications, 2004).} Acceptance of Ellen White’s role as a prophet and confidence in her writings have also decreased from 54 percent to 45 percent. When comparing the results from the 2010 ValueGenesis versus the 2013 study, we find a disturbing pattern emerging. In 2010, 61 percent of teens seemed to have a biblical understanding of the inspiration of Ellen White as opposed to 46 percent currently. The ValueGenesis study also found that associated key doctrines, such as the church as the remnant, pre-Advent judgment, and the significance of 1844 in relation to the sanctuary doctrine, also showed a marked decrease.UEGW 243.2

While apologetic books and articles can argue against plagiarism charges and ably defend the integrity of Ellen White’s writings, increasingly many of our members, especially the younger generation of the church, consider her writings irrelevant.UEGW 244.1

So what makes her writings relevant? What would I, as an individual or the Seventh-day Adventist Church as a whole, miss out on without her writings?UEGW 244.2