Statements Regarding the Papacy

Ellen White was eager that nothing should stand in the way of gaining favorable attention of the Roman Catholic readers of her books. Her son explained modifications in wording to avoid offending the Catholic reader.6BIO 326.1

In several places, forms of expression have been changed to avoid giving unnecessary offense. An example of this will be found in the change of the word “Romish” to “Roman” or “Roman Catholic.”—Ibid. (see also Ibid., 3:435).6BIO 326.2

On the matter of statements that might be disputed, he also wrote noting Ellen White's assent:6BIO 326.3

On pages 50, 563, 564, 580, 581, and in a few other places where there were statements regarding the Papacy which are strongly disputed by Roman Catholics, and which are difficult to prove from accessible histories, the wording in the new edition has been so changed that the statement falls easily within the range of evidence that is readily obtainable.6BIO 326.4

Regarding these and similar passages, which might stir up bitter and unprofitable controversies, Mother has often said: “What I have written regarding the arrogance and the assumption of the Papacy is true. Much historical evidence regarding these matters has been designedly destroyed; nevertheless, that the book may be of the greatest benefit to Catholics and others, and that needless controversies may be avoided, it is better to have all statements regarding the assumptions of the pope and the claims of the Papacy stated so moderately as to be easily and clearly proved from accepted histories that are within the reach of our ministers and students.”—Ibid. (see also Ibid., 3:436).6BIO 326.5

One matter called to the attention of the Elmshaven staff for study in the W. W. Prescott letter was what seemed to some to be an apparent contradiction in the chapter “A Warning Rejected.” The word alone was added at the top of page 383. Here is the reason for the change: In the 1888 Great Controversy, Ellen White consistently makes it crystal clear that the Roman Church is referred to in prophecy as “Babylon.” She does so on page 382, in the chapter just referred to, noting:6BIO 326.6

The woman, Babylon, of Revelation 17, is described as “arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones ... and upon her forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the Great, the mother of harlots.” ... Babylon is further declared to be “that great city, which reineth over the kings of the earth.” The power that for so many centuries maintained despotic sway over the monarchs of Christendom, is Rome.6BIO 327.1

Next, she introduces the fallen Protestant churches, noting that Babylon is said to be “the mother of harlots.”6BIO 327.2

By her daughters must be symbolized churches that cling to her doctrines and traditions, and follow her example of sacrificing the truth and the approval of God, in order to form an unlawful alliance with the world.—Pages 382, 383.6BIO 327.3

Then pointing out the timing of the second angel's message of Revelation 14 announcing the fall of Babylon, Ellen White takes the position that that message is aimed particularly at the “daughters,” “religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt,” and in a sense “cannot refer to the Romish Church.” But was the Roman Church exempt? Was it not Babylon? To remedy what seemed to some to be an inconsistency in wording, the sentence in question, without in any way changing the arguments put forth for the fallen state of both the “mother” and the “daughters,” the word alone was added, making the sentence in question read in the new edition:6BIO 327.4

The message of Revelation 14, announcing the fall of Babylon, must apply to religious bodies that were once pure and have become corrupt. Since this message follows the warning of the judgment, it must be given in the last days; therefore it cannot refer to the Roman Church alone, for that church has been in a fallen condition for many centuries.—Page 383.6BIO 327.5

The addition of the word alone applies the term Babylon to both the apostate Christian church of many centuries, and the fallen Protestant churches of the 1840s, and thus does not exempt the Roman Catholic Church from the classification given to it both in Scripture and in her writings.6BIO 327.6

Dores Robinson, who assisted in the work on The Great Controversy in 1911, explained what took place, showing Ellen White's responsibility in this matter:6BIO 328.1

The criticism was brought to Mrs. White's attention, and in order to clarify the thought, she inserted the word alone, so that in the new edition it reads: “It cannot refer to the Roman Church alone.” Not a word is altered in what precedes, with its application to the Roman Church. Not a word is altered in the pages that follow in which some of the Protestant churches are shown to answer to the picture.—DF 85e, D. E. Robinson, in “Is It a Contradiction?”6BIO 328.2