Counsel #2 — Mistakes

Picture: Counsel #2 — MistakesCCW 154.1

Some people think that a true prophet can’t make any mistakes. These same people point to instances in which Ellen White made errors as proof that God did not inspire her.^{[229]https://whiteestate.org/about/issues1/basic-principles/hermeneutics/principles-interpreting/not-verbally-inspired/} However, the Bible demonstrates that even the best prophets were very human. For example, the prophet Nathan mistakenly told King David that God approved of him building the temple, and Abraham thought God’s prophecy to him would be fulfilled through Ishmael. Receiving a true revelation from God—which is infallible—doesn’t ensure that the opinions of the prophet are infallible.CCW 154.2

“Then Nathan said to the king, ‘Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.’” 2 Samuel 7:3 NKJVCCW 154.3

“The information given, concerning the number of rooms in the Paradise Valley Sanitarium, was given not as a revelation from the Lord, but simply as a human opinion…. the knowledge I have obtained of such things I have gained by inquiring of those who were supposed to know. In my words when speaking upon these common subjects, there is nothing to lead minds to believe that I receive my knowledge in a vision from the Lord and am stating it as such…. I receive letters asking for advice on many strange subjects, and I advise according to the light that has been given me.” Ellen White in Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 24, Manuscript 107, 1909, par. 2; 12 CCW 154.4

Reflect: How did Ellen White differentiate between her personal opinions and revelations in her writings?CCW 154.5