Chapter Two - Revelation and Inspiration: Ellen White’s Understanding

Merlin D. Burt

Ellen White believed that she presented messages written under the influence of inspiration. She declared, “The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy.” ^{1Ellen G. White [EGW] to J. H. Kellogg, July 2, 1900, Letter 92, 1900.} Speaking of God’s prophetic revelation to her, she clarified that “in ancient times God spoke to men by the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days He speaks to them by the testimonies of His Spirit.” ^{2EGW, Testimonies for the Church (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press®, 1948), 5:661.} The quality of inspiration in both the Bible and Ellen White’s writings is the same, even though the purpose is different. The Bible remains the basis of all Christian faith and practice. A clear differentiation between the purpose and role of the Bible as compared to Ellen White’s writings is outlined in the next chapter. But in either case, a correct understanding of divine revelation and inspiration is crucial to any attempt to appropriately interpret and understand the divine communication process. ^{3 See Raoul Dederen, “Revelation, Inspiration, and Hermeneutics,” in A Symposium on Biblical Hermeneutics, ed. Gordon M. Hyde (Washington, DC: Biblical Research Committee, 1974), 8; Norman R. Gulley, Systematic Theology: Prolegomena (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press, 2003), 1:294; Siegfried H. Horn, “Inspiration,” in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary, ed. Don F. Neufeld (Washington, DC: Review and Herald®, 1960), 524.} UEGW 30.1

While the Bible clearly shows the inspiration of the Old and New Testament prophets, Seventh-day Adventists have a unique perspective on inspiration because of the lifelong ministry of Ellen White. We can look more closely at the process because we have more information on her life and writings. Her experience is often similar to biblical prophets.UEGW 30.2

This chapter will (1) provide a working definition for some important terms used to discuss divine revelation and inspiration; (2) present common understanding on inspiration; (3) explain some problematic paradigms that have been historically used to explain the inspiration process; and (4) show Ellen White’s own incarnational view of how the inspiration process worked in her own life and ministry.UEGW 30.3