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    Introduction

    In her writings Ellen White made use of the various English translations of the Holy Scriptures that were available in her day. She does not, however, comment directly on the relative merits of these versions, but it is clear from her practice that she recognized the desirability of making use of the best in other versions of the Bible. What she has written lays a broad foundation for an open-minded approach to the many renderings of the Sacred Text.EGWCVB 1.1

    As a part of the great controversy vision of March 4, 1858, she was given a view of the preservation of the Bible, which she presented in the chapter, “Death Not Eternal Life in Misery” (Early Writings pages 218-222). This early statement is significant:EGWCVB 1.2

    “Then I saw that God knew that Satan would try every art to destroy man; therefore He had caused His word to be written out, and had made His purposes in regard to the human race so plain that the weakest need not err. After having given His word to man, He had carefully preserved it from destruction by Satan or his angels, or by any of his agents or representatives. While other books might be destroyed, this was to be immortal. And near the close of time, when the delusions of Satan should increase, it was to be so multiplied that all who desired might have a copy, and, if they would, might arm themselves against the deceptions and lying wonders of Satan.

    “I saw that God had especially guarded the Bible, yet when copies of it were few, learned men had in some instances changed the words, thinking that they were making it more plain, when in reality they were mystifying that which was plain, by causing it to lean to their established views, which were governed by tradition. But I saw that the Word of God, as a whole, is a perfect chain, one portion linking into and explaining another. True seekers for truth need not err; for not only is the Word of God plain and simple in declaring the way of life, but the Holy Spirit is given as a guide in understanding the way to life therein revealed.”—Early Writings, 220, 221 (Spiritual Gifts 1:116, 117).

    On Mrs. White’s attitude toward the English revision of the 1880’s, her son, W. C. White, reports:EGWCVB 1.3

    “Before the revised version was published, there leaked out from the committee, statements regarding changes which they intended to make. Some of these I brought to Mother’s attention, and she gave me very surprising information regarding these Scriptures. This led me to believe that the revision, when it came to hand, would be a matter of great service to us.”—W. C. White, DF 579 (1931); Ministry, April, 1947, p. 17.

    It is significant that almost immediately after the appearance of the English Revised Version, Mrs. White made use of it in her books, as she did also of the American Standard Revision when it became available in 1901. It is also significant that four major statements from Mrs. White’s pen concerning the Bible and the Bible writers were penned during this decade of the appearance of the revised versions of the New and Old Testaments.EGWCVB 1.4

    The revision of the New Testament was published in 1881, the revision of the Old Testament in 1885. It is of interest to note that during the decade of the revision, a number of articles appeared in the Review and Herald in a rather casual way, keeping before Seventh-day Adventists what was involved in the revision—the progress of the work, its reception, its relationship to the King James Version, and its value to us. Most of the articles were reprints from other journals:EGWCVB 2.1

    1. March 11, 1880 (p. 167), “The Revised Bible.”

    2. February 8, 1881 (p. 87), “Different Versions of the Bible”—A historical review.

    3. June 14, 1881 (p. 377), “The Revised Greek Testament”—A discussion of the Greek texts used in the revision of the New Testament.

    4. June 28, 1881 (p. 9), “The New Version”—An editorial, probably by Uriah Smith, representing a favorable reaction to the new version.

    5. March 20, 1883 (p. 186), “The New Version vs. the Old”—W. H. Littlejohn answers questions, with favorable reaction.

    6. October 21, 1884 (p. 666), “The Revision of the Old Testament Ready for the Press.”

    7. February 8, 1887 (p. 83), “The Revised Version”—A recommendation from F. D. Starr.

    8. June 11, 1889 (p. 384), “Revising the Scriptures”—A discussion by L. A. Smith of work undertaken by the Baptists to get a satisfactory translation of texts on baptism.

    Apart from these articles, there is little or nothing in the columns of the Review on the revised versions of the Bible of 1881-1885 and 1901.EGWCVB 2.2

    Between the years 1886 and 1889, however, Mrs. White penned the four comprehensive and illuminating article on the nature and authority of the Holy Scriptures referred to above. These are as follows:EGWCVB 2.3

    1. In 1886, “Objections to the Bible,” Ms 24, 1886 (Selected Messages 1:19-21).

    2. In 1888, Introduction to The Great Controversy, v-vii.

    3. In 1888, “The Guide Book,” Ms 16, 1888 (Selected Messages 1:15-18).

    4. In 1889, “The Mysteries of the Bible a Proof of Its Inspiration”—Testimonies for the Church 5:698-711.

    From these articles we cull a few excerpts which make clear her understanding of the writing and preservation of the Biblical text. These considerations evidently prepared the way for her to make use of various versions and translations of the Scriptures.EGWCVB 2.4

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