Erroneous Concepts Lead to Confusion

Visual examinations of a prophet in vision are compelling. Great philosophical systems undergirding educational or medical principles can be memorable and respected by both believers and others. An exemplary life of super energy in promoting an unselfish system of philanthropy and concern for the needy can be most convincing. But when critics point to human weaknesses and discrepancies in these various lines of evidence, confidence often turns to panic. If a believer recognizes a possible error in a prophet’s memory, or in some factual detail, the thought arises that perhaps everything else one believes is in jeopardy. A compounding of the problem occurs when the believer has unconsciously believed that a prophet does not commit errors—that is, his or her words should stand as written. ^{29See Adventist Review, March 22, 1990, for the experience of Pastor Ritchie Way who “felt betrayed and sick” after discovering that Ellen White, as all prophets, was not inerrant. In recovering his confidence in Ellen White, Pastor Way realized that he had been mistaken regarding how God works through prophets with human limitations. He now relies on two tests of a prophet that “Satan cannot duplicate“: the “orchard” test—you can tell a tree by its fruit, and “the testimony of Jesus” test—does the claimant bear the “testimony” from Jesus and to Jesus?}MOL 518.8

Perplexed believers, driven by an erroneous concept of revelation/inspiration, ^{30See pp. 16, 120, 173, 375, 376, 421.} then begin to reexamine those lines of evidence that they once thought comforting and secure. The arguments of the physical phenomena accompanying Ellen White’s visions now become suspect because someone suggests that Satan could impersonate any physical manifestation. The undeniable record of educational and medical achievements throughout the world are then compared to Catholics, Lutherans, Mormons, and the thought arises that perhaps this “fruit” of Ellen White’s ministry may not be especially distinctive.MOL 519.1