Teachings of Ellen G. White

Ellen G. White, one of the co-founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, has been extremely influential on the church, which considers her a prophet, understood today as an expression of the New Testament spiritual gift of prophecy. She was a voluminous writer and popular speaker on health and temperance. Her teachings are preserved today through over 50,000 manuscript pages of her writings, and the records of others.

Theology

Her theology was Christ-centered, particularly since the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference. Her Christology (understanding of the nature of Jesus). See Reprinted with permission by Andrews University Press. Berrien Springs, MI (February 1992).

She promoted the Great Controversy theme, as outlined in her book.

It has been disputed by some whether she taught one could feel assurance of salvation. Jerry Moon argues that she did. But most Adventists do not believe in the doctrine of 'Once Saved Always Saved' as the church holds Arminian theology, and hence does not teach a "once-saved-always-saved" philosophy.

Arthur Patrick believes that White was an "evangelical", in that she had high regard for the Bible, saw the cross as central, supported righteousness by faith, believed in Christian activism, and sought to restore New Testament Christianity.

By contrast, one study of Ellen White places both her and early Adventism within the context of the materialist theology of the times, seeing this to inform her Christology as well as other aspects of her teachings that are now outdated and do not correspond to contemporary Adventist views. By the same token, the study sees her as a precursor of monist covenantalism.

Music

Ellen White wrote many times about music and its strong effects on the intellect and spirit. She was clearly a believer in music's use in worship, but advocated care in implementation.

After a 1900 camp meeting with sensational music, she wrote the following: "The things you have described as taking place in Indiana, the Lord has shown me would take place Just before the close of probation. Every uncouth thing will be demonstrated. There will be shouting, with drums, music, and dancing. The senses of rational beings will become so confused that they cannot be trusted to make right decisions. And this is called the moving of the Holy Spirit." Her argument is that God's aspect of the Holy Spirit never uses such disarray. She continues that "no encouragement should be given to this kind of worship," as worshippers are excited by a power they wrongly assume to be God's.

In her book Education, White writes about the use of music for the uplift of souls. She writes that music "is one of the most effective means of impressing the heart with spiritual truth. . . . As a part of religious service, singing is as much an act of worship as is prayer. Indeed, many a song is prayer. . . . Heaven's communion begins on earth. We learn here the keynote of its praise." White believed that music had a special power, and could vastly benefit the listener if used correctly.

Quite simply put, according to White, "Music, when not abused, is a great blessing; but when it is put to a wrong use, it is a terrible curse."

End times

See also: Seventh-day Adventist eschatology

She described a "shaking" in the end times.

There are claims she predicted future events. Yet it is estimated that less than 5% of her writings contain predictions.

See the compilation of her end-time views by former White Estate director Robert W. Olson.

Health

White expanded greatly on the subject of health and nutrition, as well as healthy eating and a balanced diet. This was unusual for her day, and a lot of her ideas were very new to people at the time. When White began speaking and writing about proper nutrition and healthy lifestyles in 1864, the average life expectancy in the United States was 32 years of age. Meals were served three, four, and even five times a day, were highly spiced, contained lots of meat, were laden with rich gravies, fried foods, and topped off with a huge amount of pastries which contained high amounts of sugars and fats. In her book Counsels on Diet & Foods, she denounces these suicidal eating habits, and gives counsel on the right foods and in what moderation. She also warns against the use of tobacco, which was medically accepted in her day.

Her views are expressed in the writings Healthful Living (1897, 1898) and The Health Food Ministry (1970) and The Ministry of Healing (1905).

Education

Proper Education, 1872

Ellen White's earliest essays on Education appeared in the 1872 autumn editions of the Health Reformer. In her first essay, she stated that working with youthful minds was the most delicate of tasks. The manner of instruction should be varied. This would make it possible for the "high and noble powers of the mind" to have a chance to develop. To be qualified to educate the youth, parents and teachers must have self-control, gentleness and love.

Education has a Broad Scope

To White, Education is "more than merely having a knowledge of books. It takes in everything that is good, virtuous, righteous, and holy. It comprehends the practice of temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love to God, and to each other. In order to attain this object, the physical, mental, moral, and religious education of children must have attention."

Teach Students How to Think, Act and Decide

She makes a distinction between simple training and education. The education of children should not be like the training of dumb animals. Children need to be shown how to use their own intelligent will to rule themselves. Children who are taught self-control will have moral energy and a sense of individual responsibility.

Once students are taught self-control, the teacher should show them how to strengthen their weaker faculties. In this way they will cultivate a balanced mind. They need to be taught how to think, act, and decide for themselves. They should be encouraged to develop their own judgment and to have an opinion of their own. This is done by giving them opportunity to exercise their own judgment, "as fast and as far as practicable."

Respect for Experienced Judgment

Students should be taught to respect the experienced judgment of their parents and teachers. The relationship should be one of guidance; a respectful meeting of the minds. When they eventually go out on their own, they do so with the guiding ideas shared with them. Thus, they are able to stand strong.

Complete Control Causes Future Problems

"That class of teachers who are gratified that they have almost complete control of the will of their scholars are not the most successful teachers, although the appearance for the time being may be flattering. God never designed that one human mind should be under the complete control of another human mind." The most successful teachers over time are those who educate their students to use the power within to stand for principle. "Their work may not show to the very best advantage to careless observers, and their labors may not be valued as highly as the teacher who holds the will and mind of his scholars by absolute authority; but the future lives of the pupils will show the fruits of the better plan of education."

Ellen White's idea of creating a Christian educational system and its importance in society is detailed in her writings Christian Education (1893, 1894) and Education (1903).

Church organization

She was influential in the development of the Adventist church's organization.

Church Leadership

Ellen White wrote of Jesus as the believer's leader. According to White, Jesus was the leader of the Israelites in the Wilderness "enshrouded in the pillar of cloud."

She presented leadership concepts in connection with Biblical leaders: e.g. Moses, Joshua, Nehemiah

See also Ellen White on Leadership by Cindy Tutsch.

See also

• Ellen G. White#Major teachings
• Inspiration of Ellen White, the debate concerning her inspiration
• List of Ellen White writings
• Ellen G. White
• Ellen G. White Estate
• Ellen G. White bibliography
• Prophecy in the Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Three Angels' Messages
• The Pillars of Adventism

External links

• Articles by White as cataloged in the Seventh-day Adventist Periodical Index (SDAPI); includes reprints
• White Estate Compilation on Music