How To Apply The Writings Of The Past To Today

The three illustrations above have something in common. Even though the specific counsel may no longer have the same importance it did at the moment it was given, the fundamental principles upon which it was based continue to have permanent validity. This clearly demonstrates that discovering the principles involved in a particular story is the most important thing when attempting to apply writings from the past to present situations. General principles, in contrast to the specific circumstances that may be localized or transitory, are of a permanent nature. Behind each counsel of the Scriptures or the Testimonies, although given for a particular situation, lies a basic principle that must be discovered to make it possible to apply the story, teaching, or counsel to contemporary situations. This is the instruction we have been given:VOTS 109.1

The word of God abounds in general principles for the formation of correct habits of living, and the testimonies, general and personal, have been calculated to call their attention more especially to these principles. ^{12Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, In Heavenly Places, 323.}VOTS 109.2

These general principles to which Ellen White refers may be classified as permanent values of universal application. In other words, they are counsels or teachings that do not wear out, nor do they become old with the passage of time. These are the principles or permanent values behind each story in the Scriptures, behind each teaching and parable of Christ, behind, ultimately, every inspired message.VOTS 110.1