C CO O N N T T I I N N U U I I N N GG E E DD UU CC AA TT II O

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HERMENEUTICS

BASIC
PRINCIPLES
FOR
INTERPRETING
INSPIRED
WRITINGS
©2013 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

B Y M I C H A E L W . C A M P B E L L
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The question is increasingly raised

HERMENEUTICS:
within Adventist circles, “How do you in-
terpret a horse-and-buggy-era prophet in
an age of iPads, interplanetary probes,
and genetic engineering?” This question
deserves a good answer. Life was very dif-
BASIC PRINCIPLES FOR ferent in Ellen White’s day. Automobiles,
electricity, and the pasteurization of dairy
INTERPRETING products did not become commonplace
until the end of her lifetime. The first
Hollywood feature motion picture did
INSPIRED WRITINGS not flash upon the screens of theaters
until 1915, the year she died. The first
commercial radio station did not begin to
broadcast until five years later. And the
BY MICHAEL W. CAMPBELL first commercial television station did not
go on the air until 1939. Medical care was
Instructional Objectives as Homer, Plato, and Shakespeare to in- still very primitive, and most people had
After studying this course, you should spired writers such as Moses, Paul, and only a limited education.6
be able to do the following: Ellen White—a person whom Seventh- Of course, if a person defines relevance
1. Recognize that while a “private in- day Adventists consider to have been in- as inversely proportional to distance in
terpretation” of inspired writings may spired by God. time, then the Bible would become increas-
seem to satisfy personal needs, the Born in 1827, Ellen Gould Harmon ingly irrelevant, for the New Testament was
prophetic writer’s ultimate purpose (see 2 White grew up in Portland, Maine. When written nearly two millennia ago, and por-
Peter 1:20) is not accomplished until the she was nine years old, a serious accident tions of the Old Testament were penned
reader understands the principles that left her unconscious for three weeks. hundreds of years before that.
underlie the inspired message. When she regained consciousness, she The same principles of interpretation
2. Realize that what an inspired writer began to ask existential questions: Did can be applied to both the Bible and Ellen
means may be even more important in ar- God love her? Why did God allow this White’s writings. As with Moses, Jere-
riving at truth than what the writer says. bad thing to happen to her? She was en- miah, Daniel, and Paul, so with Ellen
(The words of the message are the sym- couraged by her mother to give her heart White: It is often necessary to apply gen-
bols; understanding their meaning is the to Jesus Christ. After hearing the revivalist erally accepted principles of hermeneutics
goal.) William Miller preach, Ellen joined his in order to determine what the prophet
3. Recognize that the use of rational, followers, who believed that Jesus would meant, rather than simply what the
objective rules/tools of hermeneutics (the come in 1844. Shortly after the Millerites’ prophet said.
science and art of deriving meaning) is “Great Disappointment” because Jesus Many Christians, including some Sev-
not only legitimate and valid, but also had not appeared as predicted, as Ellen enth-day Adventists, view attempts to “in-
necessary in order to discern correctly the was worshipping with a group of women, terpret” the Bible as dangerous. Such peo-
message that the inspired writer sought to she received her first vision. Over the next ple feel sincere concern (if not fear) that
convey. seven decades, she would share the revela-
4. Identify and employ the appropriate tions she received from God in more than This article is approved by the North American
rule/tool to resolve various hermeneutical an estimated 2,000 prophetic visions and Division Office of Education for 0.5 Continuing Ed-
problems, thus correctly handle the word dreams.5 ucation Units credit or 5 contact hours.
of truth (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV).2

Introduction HOW IT WORKS:

Hermeneutics is the science of inter- After you have studied the content presented here, send for the test,
using the form on page 12. Upon successful completion of the test, you
preting literary documents.3 Webster’s

will receive a report on the Continuing Education Units you’ve earned,

Dictionary defines hermeneutics as “the
study of methodological principles of in-
terpretation and explanation.”4 Herme- and the certification registrar of your union conference office of educa-
neutical rules help readers understand a tion will be notified (North American Division only).
wide range of documents by diverse au-
thors—ranging from secular writers such

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“liberals” will exploit this device in order to to send an angel from heaven down to tell physicians). Mrs. White later made
“water down,” if not totally nullify, the Sr. [Sister] White that cheese was wholly earnest appeals for Seventh-day Advent-
Word of God by cleverly “spiritualizing unfit for food, I am going to believe it.” ists to maintain only the highest stan-
away” the clear intent of inspired state- The woman then wrote back to Coon. dards in training physicians, participated
ments. Nor are such concerns unfounded. She concluded her letter as follows: “I actively in the establishment of the de-
In the days of Jesus, the religious teachers have always wondered why it is so hard nomination’s health-care system, and un-
did that by using what they called the for us to read English. To me, when Sr. derwent modern medical treatments her-
“Corban doctrine.” The Hebrew leaders de- White wrote in [The] Ministry of Healing, self. Thus, a misunderstanding of Ellen
clared that once the term Corban was in- ‘Cheese . . . is wholly unfit for food,’ I ac- White’s writings that insists on a narrow
voked, anything to which it was applied cepted it, and we never used . . . cheese.’” interpretation of what she said rather
was irrevocably dedicated to the Temple As Dr. Coon told the story, he resisted than investigating what she meant could
and became available for their selfish pur- the temptation to respond to the letter result in deadly consequences.
poses. They could thus avoid helping par- writer and the physicians (both of whom Hermeneutics, rightly employed, could
ents in distress, thereby nullifying the fifth were often seen on the platforms of their have come to the rescue in both these sit-
commandment.7 Jesus declared: “Thus respective churches), as follows: “If God uations. The goal of hermeneutics is to
have ye made the commandments of God took all the trouble to send an angel to “correctly [handle] the word of truth” (2
of none effect” (Matthew 15:6, KJV). In- tell the Apostle Paul that ‘[t]he women are Timothy 2:15). Hermeneutics seeks to
achieve balance and to avoid distortion.
The earliest preaching (as we define it
The existence of hundreds of today) took place in the postexilic syna-
gogues of Palestine. It involved herme-
Christian denominations, with neutics: “They read in the book in the law
widely varying doctrines, illus- of God distinctly [margin: ‘with an inter-
pretation’], and gave the sense, and
trates the fact that the Scrip- caused them to understand the reading”
(Nehemiah 8:8, KJV). The New Interna-
tures can be interpreted in vastly tional Version translates it this way: “They
read from the Book of the Law of God,
different ways. making it clear and giving the meaning so
that the people could understand what
was being read.”
deed, “explaining” must never be allowed to keep silent in the churches, for they are
to degenerate into “explaining away.” not permitted to speak’ [1 Corinthians The Need for Hermeneutics
However, those who insist that no 14:34, NASB], shouldn’t you believe that There are four basic reasons why a
rules of interpretation should be used as well?” clear hermeneutical method is necessary:
must contend with an unintended irony: So, is cheese—all cheese—“uncondition- 1. The Possibility for Misinterpreta-
the “no-hermeneutics” position is, itself, a ally” condemned for food? Are women tion. The existence of hundreds of Chris-
hermeneutical position. A woman once never to speak publicly in church? This is tian denominations, with widely varying
wrote to the late Roger Coon at the Ellen what God’s prophets have seemed to say. doctrines, illustrates the fact that the
G. White Estate about Mrs. White’s strong But is that what the prophets really meant? Scriptures can be interpreted in vastly dif-
statements regarding cheese. In response, A pastoral friend wrote me a letter ferent ways. Achieving agreement on a set
Coon made a compilation of the various expressing concern about a parishioner of valid hermeneutical rules diminishes
statements and admonitions penned by who was dying of cancer. She had refused the likelihood of misinterpretation.
the prophet, and provided some contex- medical intervention, citing Ellen White’s 2. Distance. The greater the chrono-
tual background regarding the times in statements about the dangers of drugs, logical, historical, theological, or linguis-
which she gave that counsel—lack of pas- which she interpreted as referring to all tic distance from the original context, the
teurization, unhygienic conditions in forms of medical treatment. It was clear greater the need for a hermeneutical
19th-century dairies, etc. that she had failed to investigate the his- method that pays close attention to each
Upon receiving Coon’s letter, the torical context in which such statements of these areas.
woman consulted with two female physi- were made (when Ellen White wrote 3. Truth. In order for Christians to dis-
cians. One rebuked Coon for his stance, those counsels, a person could obtain a cern the will of God as accurately as pos-
the other said: “If God took all the trouble mail diploma to practice medicine, and sible, they need a Bible-based hermeneu-
many dangerous chemicals such as ar- tical method.
senic and opium were prescribed by

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4. Unity of the Church. In order to ers understand the meaning of their doc- human bias, by recognizing it we can ask
promote unity in Christ, the church needs uments. Such an attitude has the effect of the Holy Spirit to help us keep our minds
to adopt a hermeneutical method that softening people’s minds, hearts, and open and balanced. Ellen White described
can be agreed upon by members and thus lives, and will enable the sincere believer this process when she wrote: “If you
does not divide the members into warring to grasp God’s truth for his or her life. An search the Scriptures to vindicate your
factions.8 attitude of faith rather than doubt is an own opinions, you will never reach the
Together, these four reasons reveal the essential starting point for hermeneutics. truth. Search in order to learn what the
need for every Christian who takes in- Spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Lord says.”13
spired writings seriously to carefully re- As Ellen White commented about her
flect on how he or she interprets these own writings: “some who are not willing Hermeneutical Principle No. 3:
documents and to develop a reliable set of to receive the light, but who prefer to Consider All Available Data
guidelines for resolving disagreements walk in ways of their own choosing, will Remember the story of six blind men
about how they should be interpreted. Just search the testimonies to find something who found an elephant. The first thought
as nourishment of the body is provided in them to encourage the spirit of unbe- it was a wall, the second a spear, the third
by ingestion of physical food, so is the lief and disobedience.”12 a snake, the fourth a tree, the fifth a fan,
growth of spiritual life ensured by the and the last a rope.14 Because they all cor-
spiritual food received through the par- Hermeneutical Principle No. 2: Begin rectly described various anatomical fea-
taking (Jeremiah 15:16) of God’s inspired With a Healthy Outlook tures of the elephant, each one was par-
counsel and promises.9 Every person has a unique mindset, tially right, but also totally wrong. They
Failure to rightly interpret prophetic often described as a "worldview," whose missed the “big picture,” which considers
counsel can result in serious errors that scope and influence are far-reaching. The each portion of the anatomy as part of a
affect the Christian’s physical and spiri- philosophical values that inform one’s unified whole! In a similar way, it is easy
tual life. worldview impact the person’s attitudes to make incomplete and inaccurate as-
and decision-making and profoundly in- sumptions when dealing with a large
Six Rules of Hermeneutics fluence his or her outlook on life. World- quantity of material, whether the 66
Because it is a scientific discipline, view is also influenced by a person’s atti- books of the Bible or the voluminous lit-
hermeneutics uses some basic method- tude and temperament. Some people tend erary output of Ellen White. Before draw-
ological tools. In the case of prophetic to be naturally positive about life, while ing a conclusion, the reader should take
writings, I have distilled six methods others are consistently negative. In order the time to examine all that the writer has
based upon biblical scholarship from aca- to develop a “healthy” outlook, each per- to say on a topic. Jesus exemplified this
demics who adhere to a “high view” of son needs to recognize what presupposi- principle in His teaching: “And beginning
Scripture—in essence, they regard the tions and biases have helped to shape his at Moses and all the prophets, He ex-
Bible as the divinely inspired and authori- or her unique worldview. Thus, develop- pounded unto them in all the Scriptures
tative Word of God, capable of being un- ing a “healthy” outlook means identifying the things concerning Himself ” (Luke
derstood by human beings with guidance anything that might prevent one from 24:27, KJV). The prophet Isaiah similarly
from the Holy Spirit. Obviously, among having an open mind about inspired understood this principle when he wrote:
biblical scholars there is quite a bit of de- writings. It is easy to read something into “precept upon precept; line upon line;
bate over how to apply the methods, but I the text rather than letting the text remain here a little, and there a little” (Isaiah
have tried to summarize them into a basic authoritative, an inspired piece of writing 28:10, KJV).
six-step hermeneutical outline.10 The that can be interpreted by careful study When studying everything that Ellen
rules are based upon Scripture and are and comparison with other texts. White or the Bible has to say on a topic,
elucidated in Ellen White’s writings. An important aspect of a “healthy out- the modern reader will quickly recognize
look” includes being willing to change that there are:
Hermeneutical Principle No. 1: one’s opinion when confronted with solid • topics that Ellen White (and the bib-
Seek Divine Guidance evidence—in other words, keeping an lical authors) did not write about because
Seventh-day Adventist Church histo- “open mind.” We must recognize our bi- they had not been discovered or were not
rian and philosopher George R. Knight ases (both for and against) and not allow widely known during their lifetimes (i.e.,
makes three suggestions about how to them to control our thinking. These bi- genetic treatments for disease, birth con-
study inspired writings: First, “begin your ases come from our worldview, which is trol, electronic media, and organ trans-
study with a prayer for guidance and un- influenced by race, culture, gender, tradi- plants);
derstanding.”11 The same Holy Spirit who tion, upbringing, training, and beliefs, • topics upon which Ellen White wrote
inspired the writers is able to help believ- which can lead to preconceptions and as- very little (gardening, astronomy, homo-
sumptions about inspired writings. While
it is impossible to completely overcome

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sexuality, life insurance, the wedding his life at a time when he was almost at would show the meaning to be quite the
band); and topics upon which Ellen the point of death. “After receiving this opposite. With the cunning of the serpent
White wrote a great deal (salvation in message,” he wrote, “I at once began mak- they entrench themselves behind discon-
Jesus Christ and end-time events). ing reforms by using eggs as directed, and nected utterances construed to suit their
• In the case of some topics, such as milk, and with God’s blessing I made a carnal desires. Thus do many willfully
Ellen White’s use of the word amalgama- full recovery . . . . For the health so gra- pervert the word of God.”21
tion, insufficient data is available to be ciously granted me, I am indebted to the B. Historical Context. The historical
able to determine conclusively what she messages that came to me at a time when context includes the time, place, and cir-
meant by the term.15 a recovery seemed hopeless from a cumstances that led to the creation of the
Arthur White, Ellen White’s grandson, human standpoint. I still follow the in- original document. Today, Seventh-day
discussed the necessity of examining all struction by using milk and eggs.”20 Adventists keep the Sabbath from sun-
the information available when studying Did Ellen White contradict herself? In down Friday to sundown Saturday. How
her writings. He stated: “many have erred the case of her earlier counsel, she was early Adventists decided when the Sab-
in interpreting the meaning of the testi- concerned about the health of a young bath began is an instructive example
monies by taking isolated statements . . . man, but she knew some people whose about the importance of historical con-
out of their context as a basis for belief. “blood-making organs were feeble” and text. On Friday, November 16, 1855, the
Some do this even though there are other needed eggs for a well-balanced diet. group, meeting in a formal session, desig-
passages, which, if carefully considered, Ellen White’s counsel about eggs under- nated the Sabbath as beginning at 6:00
would show the position taken on the scores the importance of reading every- P.M. (despite the fact that the sun had set
basis of the isolated statement to be un-
tenable. . . . It is not difficult to find indi-
vidual sentences or paragraphs in either Arthur White, Ellen White’s
the Bible or the Ellen G. White writings,
which may be used to support one’s own grandson, discussed the
ideas rather than to set forth the thought
of the author.”16 Ellen White also em- necessity of examining all the
braced this principle when she wrote:
“The testimonies themselves will be the
information available when
key that will explain the messages given, studying her writings.
as scripture is explained by scripture.”17
As a case study, let’s look at Ellen
White’s counsel about the use of eggs. In a
letter written in 1869, she wrote: “Eggs thing she wrote about a topic before an hour earlier) largely based upon the
should not be placed on your table. They forming a conclusion. practice at that time. The foremost advo-
are an injury to your children.”18 Proper cate of this position was Captain Joseph
hermeneutics prompts us to ask whether Hermeneutical Principle No. 4: Bates, who reasoned that the most uni-
this was all she wrote about the topic. Consider the Context form way to keep the Sabbath was to have
In 1901, Ellen White wrote a letter of The context of a statement is ex- it begin when the Sun set at the equator
counsel to Daniel H. Kress, a medical tremely important in understanding an (6:00 P.M.). But others at that General
missionary to Australia. She told him that author’s meaning. Three primary types of Conference session pointed to Leviticus
he had become a health reform “extrem- context affect meaning: literary, historical, 23:32, which said: “from even unto even,
ist.” “You must not deprive yourself of and theological: shall you keep your sabbath” (KJV). The
that class of food which makes good A. Literary Context. The goal is to get young scholar J. N. Andrews was asked to
blood,” she added. “It is your duty to . . . as close to the original language as possi- present his research that Sabbath morn-
get eggs of healthy fowls. Use these eggs ble. Use a historical dictionary, and com- ing. After examining all the biblical
cooked or raw. Drop them uncooked into pare the language of the author in the evidence, Andrews concluded that the
the best unfermented wine you can find. original context, as well as the way the au- Sabbath should be kept from sunset to
This will supply that which is necessary to thor uses the word in other places. “In sunset. Without the historical context
your system. Do not for a moment sup- order to sustain erroneous doctrines or of knowing how, when, and why the
pose that it will not be right to do this.”19 unchristian practices,” noted Ellen White, church’s thinking on this topic changed,
Forty-three years later, Dr. Kress testi- “some will seize upon passages of Scrip- the modern reader would likely be con-
fied that Ellen White’s counsels had saved ture separated from the context, perhaps fused and conclude that early Adventists
quoting half a single verse as proving contradicted one another. A few days
their point, when the remaining portion

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later, on November 20, Ellen White had a that her emphasis had changed: “God be granted some privileges not given to the
vision that validated J. N. Andrews’s pres- never designed the swine to be eaten younger students. The age, the conditions,
entation.22 under any circumstances.”24 and the turn of mind must be taken into
Another example of historical devel- The culture (e.g., time and place) is consideration. We must be wisely consider-
opment involves the Adventist under- similarly an important component of his- ate in all our work. But we must not lessen
standing of clean and unclean meats. As torical context. An instructive example is our firmness and vigilance in dealing with
early as 1858, Mrs. White admonished Ellen White’s counsel on courtship. In students of all ages, nor our strictness in
S. N. Haskell about his persistence in agi- 1897, while she was in Australia, Mrs. forbidding the unprofitable and unwise as-
tating for Christians to avoid unclean White wrote regarding the students at the sociation of young and immature stu-
foods as defined in the Old Testament, es- newly formed Avondale School: “We would dents.”26
pecially pork. “I saw,” she wrote, “that not, could not, allow any courting or form- Irwin responded that he was “at a loss to
your views concerning swine’s flesh ing attachments at the school, girls with know how to make it [this later statement]
would prove no injury if you have them young men and young men with girls.”25 In agree with matter which Sister White had
to yourselves; but in your judgment and 1913, a former principal of the Avondale written on other occasions.”27 Church his-
opinion you have made this question a School, C. W. Irwin, was asked to read a torian George Knight explains the reason
test . . . . If God requires His people to ab- manuscript being prepared by Mrs. White for the disparity: “What Irwin had not
stain from swine’s flesh, He will convict on the subject of education. This docu- taken into account was the difference in
them on the matter.”23 Although many ment did not include her strongly worded circumstances in which Ellen White had
early Sabbatarian Adventists were reform- 1897 statement! In its place was a far given the seemingly divergent counsel. Her
ers, there was among them no widespread milder statement: “In all our dealings with counsel to the Avondale School in 1897 fo-
interest in health principles until after students, age and character must be taken cused on a situation in which nearly half
Ellen White’s June 5, 1863, health-reform into account. We cannot treat the young the students were under 16 years of age.
vision. The following year, Mrs. White and the old just alike. There are circum- But in 1913 the majority of students in the
began to write about what she had seen. stances under which men and women of denomination’s colleges were older, more
Spiritual Gifts, volume 4, makes it clear sound experience and good standing may experienced, and more mature.”28
Ellen White recognized the importance
of time and place in interpreting her
counsel. She wrote: “Regarding the testi-
monies, nothing is ignored; nothing is
cast aside; but time and place must be con-
sidered. Nothing must be done untimely.
Some matters must be withheld because
some persons would make an improper
use of the light given.”29
C. Theological Context: Obscure pas-
sages need to be understood in the light
of major theological themes. For Ellen
White, some of these major themes in-
clude the primacy of Scripture, the Great
Controversy theme, and her devotion to
Jesus Christ.
Ellen White never intended for her
books to be used as a substitute for Scrip-
ture. She described her writings as a “les-
ser light” to lead people to the “greater
light”—the Scriptures.30 Even within her
own lifetime she saw her writings being
misused. However, as she herself observed,
a balanced understanding should lead peo-
ple back to the Bible and encourage them
to focus on its dominant themes. For this
reason, in everything she wrote, Ellen
White emphasized the “redemption plan,
the restoration in the human soul of the

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image of God.”31 She wrote that “The Bible conduct that is timeless and universal), or serve a broad spectrum of students, schools
student should learn to view the work [the (b) making an application to an immedi- would need to be built in urban areas.38
Bible] as a whole, and to see the relation of ate situation. This application could be Another case study involves the proper
its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its called a particular. Ascertaining the differ- physical posture for prayer. In 1897, while
grand central theme, of God’s original pur- ence between principles and particulars Ellen White was on the platform of the
pose for the world, of the rise of the great forms a recurring theme throughout the Battle Creek Tabernacle, she whispered to
controversy, and of the work of redemp- writings of Ellen White. “The Bible is the the minister who intended to remain
tion.”32 guidebook that is to decide the many dif- standing, “Get down upon your knees!” In
Another major theme in the writings of ficult problems that rise in minds that are reporting this experience, she added: “This
Ellen White was her devotion to Jesus selfishly inclined. It is a reflection of the is the proper position always.”39 So, does
Christ. This devotion stemmed from her wisdom of God, and not only furnishes this mean that in all circumstances, the
own three-step conversion process during great and important principles, but sup- only proper position for prayer is kneeling?
which her relationship with Jesus deepened plies practical lessons for the life and con- Based on these counsels, a friend of mine
from respect for a God who would save her duct of man toward his fellow man. It has suggested that when Ellen White said
from the torments of hell, to assurance of gives minute particulars that decide our “always,” that’s what she meant, and so she
salvation with a God who loved her uncon- relation to God and to each other.”33 kneels every time she prays, no matter
ditionally, to finally understanding right- In 1903, Ellen White wrote that girls where that might be. Is that what Ellen
eousness by faith as the need to depend who “could learn to harness and drive a White really intended?
completely upon the merits of Jesus Christ
for salvation. Her relationship with Jesus
deepened throughout her lifetime. Hence, One of the challenges of
toward at the end of her life, she wrote
some of her most Christ-centered works,
ascertaining theological con-
books like Steps to Christ (1892), The Desire text in the writings of Ellen
of Ages (1898), Christ’s Object Lessons
(1900), and The Ministry of Healing (1905), White was created inadvertently
which demonstrate the depth of her spiri-
tual experience. when the church began to
One of the challenges of ascertaining
theological context in the writings of assemble compilations. . . .
Ellen White was created inadvertently
when the church began to assemble com-
pilations—books or pamphlets taken horse . . . would be better fitted to meet the An examination of all of her teaching
from her original writings, which are usu- emergencies of life.”34 Similarly, Ellen on the topic quickly reveals a balancing
ally grouped topically. While there are White wrote that every Adventist school statement: “it is not always necessary to
some advantages in having a convenient should teach agriculture, and schools bow upon your knees in order to pray. Cul-
form to access her writings on a given should be built only in rural locations.35 tivate the habit of talking with the Sav-
topic, compilations can also obscure the Does this mean that all Adventist institu- iour when you are alone, when you are
original literary and theological context. tions must be built in rural locations and walking, and when you are busy with
The danger of intensely scrutinizing a sin- all young women must learn horseman- your daily labor.”40 Furthermore, in dis-
gle topic is that it may cause the reader to ship? If so, then this counsel is now fre- cussing her own practices, she reported
miss the larger themes on which Ellen quently ignored, and some even refer to that “Sometimes I pray for hours while
White was focusing. statements such as these as evidence that lying in my bed” and publicly made altar
the Adventist educational system has calls urging people to stand for the clos-
Hermeneutical Principle No. 5: “abandoned the Blueprint.”36 However, ing benediction.41 Her action at the Battle
The Difference Between Principles and Ellen White’s writings in other places make Creek Tabernacle seems to have been di-
Particulars it clear that she was concerned that both rected to a specific minister who did not
At the risk of oversimplification, it is boys and girls learn practical life skills—so show proper respect during the church
possible to argue that when prophets are that they could be self-reliant enough to service, which Ellen White viewed as em-
giving counsel and instruction, they are drive a car and prepared for emergencies blematic of a growing trend at that spe-
doing one of two things: (a) declaring a such as changing a tire.37 And Ellen White cific time toward a lack of reverence
principle (an unchanging rule of human was a pragmatist who recognized that al- within Adventist churches. The principle
though the ideal was for Adventist institu-
tions to be in rural settings, in order to

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she emphasized was the need to show rev- Bible dictionaries and commentaries. The can also be purchased on a DVD. Another
erence to God while worshiping. Seventh-day Adventist Church during the helpful Website for exploring issues re-
Ellen White recognized the possibility 1950s prepared The Seventh-day Adventist lated to Ellen White is Jud Lake’s Website:
that some people would confuse princi- Bible Commentary (revised in 1980),44 [Link]
ples and particulars. During her own life- which is still an excellent resource. A more
time, she was troubled by “those who,” in-depth study of the original languages The Importance of Common Sense
she said, “select from the testimonies the can be obtained by using Young’s reference Sometimes when confronted with
strongest expressions and, without bring- numbers in conjunction with a Greek or some strongly worded counsels written by
ing in or making any account of the cir- Hebrew lexicon. Many libraries have cur- Ellen White, people are tempted to apply
cumstances under which the cautions and rent bibliographies that can guide you to them rigidly without exercising common
warnings are given, make them of force in current biblical research. sense.47 One example is this counsel:
every case. . . . Picking out some things in Similarly, there are some standard ref- “Parents should be the only teachers of
the testimonies they drive them upon erence works for the study of Adventist their children until they have reached
every one, and disgust rather than win history and Ellen White’s writings. The eight or ten years of age,”48 which was first
souls.”42 This suggests that she wrote Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia published in 1872 and reissued in 1882
some of her counsels more forcibly than (1996)45 contains detailed information on and 1913. I have sat through board meet-
others because of specific circumstances, the history of the denomination. Other ings where church members asserted that
this statement was an inflexible rule that
should be applied in every situation.
Given the huge amount of In order to understand this statement,
it is necessary to apply the six hermeneu-
inspired writings, whether in the tical principles listed earlier in this article,
Bible or the published and unpub- along with some common sense. George
Knight has suggested that the struggle
lished writings of Ellen White, over how to apply this statement “has
provided us with perhaps the very best
it may be difficult at times to make record we possess of how Mrs. White in-
terpreted her own writings.”49
sense of a specific counsel. A church school was built in 1902 near
Ellen White’s “Elmshaven” home in St.
Helena, California. The school board had
so it is essential to understand the under- current reference works include Light no trouble finding older children to en-
lying principle at stake before one exam- Bearers, A History of the Seventh-day Ad- roll, but they regarded some of the fami-
ines how she applied it to a particular sit- ventist Church by Richard W. Schwarz lies as careless because they were allowing
uation. Ellen White frequently chose (1979), revised and updated by Floyd L. their young children to roam free instead
some of her strongest language to de- Greenleaf (2000); In Passion for the World: of enrolling them in school. When the
scribe the ideal, while making it clear that A History of Seventh-day Adventist Educa- board received a recommendation to
she also understood the challenges of ap- tion (2005) by Floyd L. Greenleaf; and build a second classroom for the younger
plying principles to real-life situations.43 The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia, edited children, some board members objected,
by Jerry Moon and Denis Fortin.46 The basing their viewpoint on Ellen White’s
Hermeneutical Principle No. 6: Encyclopedia contains research on Ellen statement that “parents should be the only
Obtain Specialized Help White’s life and ministry, written by more teachers of their children” until age 8 or
Given the huge amount of inspired than a hundred Adventist scholars. This 10. The school board was now split.
writings, whether in the Bible or the pub- peer-reviewed volume will probably be- In order to achieve a consensus, they
lished and unpublished writings of Ellen come the benchmark reference on Ellen proposed to discuss this quotation di-
White, it may be difficult at times to make White’s life and thought for many years to rectly with Ellen White. Fortunately, the
sense of a specific counsel. One of the best come. If you still have questions, a helpful entire interview was transcribed for pos-
ways to resolve this problem is to acquaint resource is the Ellen G. White Estate, Inc., terity.50 Ellen White reaffirmed her ear-
oneself with a variety of reference works which has many helpful studies about lier position. “The home,” she told them,
(both print and electronic) and know how problematic statements on its Website: “is both a family church and a family
to find additional help when necessary. [Link] In addition, school.” That was the principle, the ideal
Helpful biblical reference works include the Website contains a mechanism that that she strove to place before Adventists.
allows visitors to search all of Ellen
White’s published counsels. This material

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But she recognized that the ideal is not (4) expect to discover new truths; (5) en- experts on Ellen White’s writings. It is an
always possible. “Mothers should be able sure that “new” light is in harmony with “apocryphal” statement attributed to Ellen
to instruct their little ones wisely during old truth; and (6) be aware that an inter- White but which she herself never made.
the earlier years of childhood. If every pretation may be wrong if it is accompa- Indeed, it is common for public figures
mother were capable of doing this, and nied by an un-Christlike spirit.56 These six and famous authors to have statements
would take time to teach her children the suggestions along with a healthy dose of falsely attributed to them. In fact, the best
lessons they should learn in early life, “common sense” will help the modern apocryphal statements are created when
then all children could be kept in the student of inspired writings to avoid ex- the person is no longer alive to refute
home school until they are eight, or nine, treme interpretations. them! While Ellen White was alive, she
or ten years old.”51 Thus, Ellen White recognized this problem: Beware, she
sought to adjust the ideal “with a reality Did Ellen White Really Say That? said, “how you give credence to such re-
that modifies the categorical and uncon- At the age of 12, I was asked to lead the ports. . . . To all who have a desire for
ditional nature of her statement on par- song service in our church. I was terrified, truth I would say: Do not give credence to
ents being the only teachers of their chil- as it was my first time standing at the front unauthenticated reports as to what Sister
dren until 8 or 10 years of age.”52 of a congregation. Fortunately, I made it White has done or said or written. If you
Before the interview ended, she told through the hymns. After I finished, I was desire to know what the Lord has revealed
the board: “God desires us to deal with so relieved that I quickly exited to the back through her, read her published works. . . .
these problems sensibly.” She was quite of the congregation, where I was accosted Do not eagerly catch up and report ru-
concerned about individuals who took an by a well-intentioned woman who rebuked mors as to what she has said.”57
inflexible approach to her writings. “My me in the name of Ellen White for not hav- Some examples of favorite apocryphal
mind has been greatly stirred in regard to ing the congregation sing every stanza of “Ellen White said” statements that are still
the idea, ‘Why, Sister White has said so every hymn. “Don’t you know,” she told circulated today include: (1) inhabitants
and so, and Sister White has said so and me, “that the Ellen White writings say of other planets are gathering fruit for a
so; and therefore we are going right up to that?” I replied that I did not. Immediately, celestial Sabbath stopover on the way to
it.’” She added: “God wants us all to have I began to search for the statement. After heaven; (2) she saw an angel standing by
common sense, and He wants us to rea- more than two decades, I still have not Uriah Smith inspiring him as he wrote
son from common sense. Circumstances found it, even though I have worked at the Thoughts on Daniel and the Revelation;
alter conditions. Circumstances change White Estate and consulted several other (3) the Holy Spirit is or was Melchizedek;
the relation of things.”53 It was obvious to
everyone present that when she had made
the original statement about the age at
which children should enter school
(1872) that there were no church schools,
but by 1913, many church schools were
accessible for Adventist parents. Circum-
stances indeed had changed.54
In 1886, Ellen White lamented the way
some people mistreated her writings as
well as the Bible: “This is the way my writ-
ings are treated by those who wish to mis-
understand and pervert them. . . . In the
very same way that they treat the writings
in my published articles and in my books,
so do skeptics and infidels treat the Bible.
They read it according to their desire to
pervert, to misapply, to willfully wrest the
utterances from their true meaning.”55
Adventist theologian Herbert E. Doug-
lass offers six suggestions that will prevent
distortions and misunderstanding of in-
spired writing: (1) invite the Holy Spirit
to help you study; (2) be willing to obey
the truth; (3) be open-minded, even pre-
pared to give up previously held opinions;

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(4) she designated certain spots as hide- during “roundtable” discussions about conferees instead sought to arrive at a
outs for the time of trouble; (5) specific Ellen White’s writings that occurred on preconceived conclusion rather than to be
cities would be destroyed by coming July 30 and August 1, 1919. The first open to where their study would take
earthquakes, fires, floods, etc.; (6) Christ group of questions centered on the “ex- them. At that historic gathering, conferees
will return at midnight; (7) eggs should egetical” use of Ellen White’s writings. A. disregarded basic hermeneutical princi-
never be eaten; (8) Ellen White will be G. Daniells, the leader of the discussion ples, holding on to preconceived ideas.
among the 144,000; (9) darkness will and president of the General Conference They pushed each other further apart,
cover the Earth as the close of probation at that time, asserted “the Bible explains creating polarized theological camps. For
occurs; (10) Christ’s last mediatorial work itself and must be understood through it- the first (but not the last) time in Ad-
before probation closes will be for chil- self without resorting to the Testimonies ventist history, “traditionalists” waged war
dren who have wandered away from the [Ellen White’s writings] to prove it.”59 against “progressives.” In the end, the
church; (11) we should live as though we Daniells spoke “very frankly” to the 18 in- 1919 Bible Conference set the stage for
had 100 years to live but may die tomor- dividuals present about the importance of later hermeneutical struggles that contin-
row; (12) entire churches and conferences hermeneutical principles. “If we had al- ued through the rest of the 20th century
will apostatize.58 ways taught the truth on this question and into the 21st.61
[hermeneutics],” he added, “we would not
The 1919 Bible Conference and have any trouble or shock in the denomi- Conclusion
the Application of Hermeneutics nation now. But the shock is because we Hermeneutics is the science of deriv-
In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, have not taught the truth, and have put ing meaning. It is the method used to dis-
the first major test of how to apply herme- the Testimonies on a plane where she says cover exactly what an author meant to say
when he or she wrote a specific statement
or chapter. The Bible describes this as
“the Bible explains itself and must “rightly dividing the word of truth.”62 To
be understood through itself without arrive at a credible conclusion, one must
achieve the twin tasks of achieving bal-
resorting to the Testimonies [Ellen ance and avoiding distortion.
The six hermeneutical principles out-
White’s writings] to prove it.” A. G. Daniells lined in this mini-course are critical for a
balanced understanding of Ellen White’s
writings and the Bible. First, the reader
neutical principles occurred at the pivotal they do not stand. We have claimed more must ask the Holy Spirit to guide his or
1919 Bible Conference, four years after for them than she did.”60 her search for truth and approach the
Ellen White’s death. The planning commit- One of Daniells’ primary concerns was process with a genuine openness. Other-
tee intended for this conference to focus on the importance of educating young peo- wise, hermeneutical principles, no matter
how to interpret inspired writings. ple, and church members in general, how valid, are unlikely to help. Next, con-
At first, the writings of Ellen White about the proper way to interpret the sider all of the data available. Third, con-
weren’t even on the list of topics to be dis- Bible and Ellen White’s writings. He de- sider the historical, literary, and theologi-
cussed, but as delegates debated a variety scribed a trip he took up to the Arctic cal context. Fourth, differentiate between
of issues, they kept returning to the un- Circle to visit a young pioneer missionary. principles and particulars. A particular is
derlying problem of how to interpret (to There he found the young man as pale as a specific application of the principle. Last
apply hermeneutics to) Ellen White’s a ghost due to his attempts to follow a few but not least, if a statement still does not
writings. Two different schools of thought statements that Ellen White made about make sense to you, obtain specialized help
had developed on this subject, and both health reform without exercising com- from a reference work, or contact the
were represented at the conference. One mon sense in applying the principles Ellen G. White Estate or the Biblical Re-
group, who called themselves the “pro- to his particular situation. According to search Institute at the General Conference
gressives,” emphasized the importance of Daniells, this was an abuse of Ellen of Seventh-day Adventists.63
change; others, calling themselves “tradi- White’s writings. Ultimately, hermeneutics is a “tool” to
tionalists,” emphasized a literal interpreta- The 1919 Bible Conference illustrates assist in the search for truth. Common
tion. The two sides polarized the confer- that there is more than one way to inter- sense is important. Make sure that before
ence as they debated how to interpret the pret Ellen White’s writings, and that when you try to follow all of the hermeneutical
Bible and Ellen White’s writings. there is disagreement about how to in- steps that the Scripture verse or passage
The crucial conversation occurred terpret inspired writings, the most pro- by Ellen White actually exists!
ductive approach is to agree on solid
hermeneutical principles. However, the

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Last but not least, keep in mind the les- Women: A Biographical Dictionary From Colonial 23. White, Testimonies, op. cit., vol. 1, pp. 206,
son from the 1919 Bible Conference: Times to the Present (Springfield, Mass.: C. & G. 207.
Merriam Co., 1980), p. 439. 24. Ellen G. White, Spiritual Gifts (Washington,
Within a short time after Ellen White’s
6. Cf. Otto Bettmann, The Good Old Days: They D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 1945), vol. 4, p.
death, at least two different hermeneutical Were Terrible! (New York: Random House, 1974). 124.
camps existed within the Seventh-day Ad- [Link]’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 25. ______________, Letter 193, 1897.
ventist Church. A. G. Daniells recognized Unabridged (Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 26. ______________, Counsels to Parents, Teach-
this problem and tried to do something 1913), s.v. “Cor’ban.” ers, and Students Regarding Christian Education
8. Jerry Moon, “Ellen G. White and Hermeneu- (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Assn.,
about it by gathering thought leaders in his
tics, Part I: Who Needs It?” GSEM 534 Ellen White 1963), p. 101.
day to discuss the problem. Unfortunately, Writings, Lecture Outline, Andrews University (Jan- 27. C. W. Irwin to W. C. White, February 12,
the issues have never been fully resolved, uary 30, 2003), p. 6. 1913, cited in Knight, Reading Ellen White, p. 80.
which explains why, even now, Adventists 9. George R. Knight, Reading Ellen White: How to 28. Knight, Reading Ellen White, op. cit., p. 80.
continue to disagree about what the Bible Understand and Apply Her Writings (Hagerstown, 29. White, Selected Messages, Book 1, op. cit., p. 57.
Md.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 1997), p. 36. 30. ______________, Colporteur Ministry
writers and Ellen White said and what they
10. T. Housel Jemison, A Prophet Among You (Boise, Idaho: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 1990), p.
meant. Even though differences of opinion (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 125.
are likely to persist, such discussions within 1955), pp. 438, 439; Arthur L. White, “Helpful Points 31. ______________, Education (Mountain
Adventism will be far more fruitful if they in the Interpretation and Use of the Ellen White Writ- View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 1942), p. 125.
establish how to approach inspired writ- ings,” in Comprehensive Index to the Writings of Ellen 32. Ibid., pp. 190, 191. See also Douglass, Mes-
G. White (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. senger of the Lord, op. cit., pp. 256-260, 268-277.
ings. The basic hermeneutical principles
Assn., 1963), vol. 3, pp. 3211-3216; Robert W. Olson, 33. ______________, The Upward Look (Wash-
outlined here are well-established princi- “Hermeneutics: Guiding Principles in the Interpreta- ington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 1982),
ples grounded in Scripture and the writ- tion of the Bible and the Writings of Ellen G. White,” p. 187, italics supplied.
ings of Ellen White and can serve as a start- White Estate Shelf Document, 1986; Roger W. Coon, 34. ______________, Education, op. cit., pp.
ing point for every sincere student who “EGW and Hermeneutics: Its Importance and Place— 216, 217.
An Introduction,” GSEM 534 Lecture Outline, An- 35. ______________, Country Living: An Aid to
searches for truth. ✐
drews University, April 4, 1995; Knight, Reading Ellen Moral and Social Security (Washington, D.C.: Review
White, op. cit.; Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the and Herald Publ. Assn., 1946). This posthumous
Lord: The Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White (Nampa, compilation contains a helpful summary of her per-
This article has been peer reviewed. Idaho: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 1998), pp. 372-443. tinent writings on the topic.
11. Knight, Reading Ellen White, op. cit., pp. 43- 36. For an in-depth overview of the use of the
123. word Blueprint in the Seventh-day Adventist
12. Ellen G. White, Selected Messages (Washing- Church, see Floyd Greenleaf, “The Blueprint: The
Michael W. Campbell ton, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 1958), Colorful History of an Adventist Metaphor,” The
is Lead Pastor of the Book 1, p. 48. Journal of Adventist Education 74:4 (April/May
Wichita Seventh-day 13. ______________, Christ’s Object Lessons 2012), pp. 16-23: [Link]
Adventist Church in (Oakland, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Co., 1900), p. jae/en/[Link].
112. 37. Ellen White wrote about the importance of
Kansas. He obtained a
14. John Godfrey Saxe, “The Blind Men and the boys learning how to cook, put their room in order,
Ph.D. in Adventist Elephant.” The Poems of John Godfrey Saxe: http:// wash dishes, prepare a meal, and wash and repair
Studies from Andrews [Link]/wiki/The_poems_of_John_ clothing. See Education, pp. 216, 217.
University and previ- Godfrey_Saxe/The_Blind_Men_and_the_Elephant. 38. George R. Knight, “Another Look at City Mis-
ously spent time working as an associate di- Retrieved July 2, 2012. sion: Many Look to Ellen White for Counsel About
[Link] Ellen G. White Encyclopedia, Jerry Moon How to Reach the Cities. What Did She Really Say?”
rector of the Ellen G. White Estate Branch
and Denis Fortin, eds. (Hagerstown, Md.: Review and Adventist Review (December 6, 2011), pp. 25-29.
Office at Loma Linda University. Herald Publ. Assn., at press), s.v. “Amalgamation.” 39. Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, Book 2, op.
16. Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: Messenger to cit., p. 311.
the Remnant (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald 40. Ibid., Book 2, p. 316.
NOTES AND REFERENCES Publ. Assn., 1969), p. 88. 41. Ellen G. White, Letter 258, 1903.
1. This article is revised from the original article 17. Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, op. cit., 42. __________, Selected Messages, Book 3, op.
by Roger W. Coon, “Hermeneutics: Interpreting a Book 1, p. 42. cit., p. 285.
19th-Century Prophet in the Space Age,” The Journal 18. ______________, Testimonies for the Church 43. See Knight, Reading Ellen White, op. cit., pp.
of Adventist Education 50:5 (Summer 1988):16-31. (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 90-94.
2. All Scripture references, unless otherwise 1948), Book 2, p. 400. 44. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
noted, are from the New International Version. 19. ______________, Counsels on Diet and (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn.,
3. Cf. Sinclair B. Ferguson, David F. Wright, and Foods (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publ. 1954-1957).
J. I. Packer, eds., New Dictionary of Theology (Down- Assn., 1976), p. 204. 45. Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia (Hagers-
ers Grove, Il.: InterVarsity Press, 1988). 20. As quoted by Knight in Reading Ellen White, town, Md.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 1996).
[Link]’s Third New International Dictionary op. cit., p. 76. 46. Floyd L. Greenleaf and Richard Schwarz,
of the English Language, Unabridged (Springfield, 21. Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy Light Bearers: A History of the Seventh-day Adventist
Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 2002). (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., Church, rev. ed. (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press Publ.
5. Robert McHenry, ed., Famous American 1911), p. 521. Assn., 2000); Floyd L. Greenleaf, In Passion for the
22. For an overview, see Douglass, Messenger of
the Lord, op. cit., p. 157.

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World: A History of Seventh-day Adventist Education

(Nampa: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 2005); Moon and
Fortin, The Ellen White Encyclopedia (Hagerstown, CONTINUING EDUCATION EXAMINATIONS
Md.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., at press).
47. Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 137. For
this insight I am indebted to George R. Knight. See
Reading Ellen White, pp. 95-99.
2015 UPDATE
48. ______________, Manuscript Releases (Silver
Spring, Md.: Ellen G. White Estate, 1990), vol. 6, p.
351.
Continuing Education courses will no longer be available
49. Knight, Reading Ellen White, op. cit., p. 95. through The Journal of Adventist Education® (JAE). New
50. Ellen G. White, Manuscript 7, 1904, mostly
reproduced in Selected Messages, op. cit., Book 3, pp. continuing education courses for Adventist educators will
214-226.
51. ______________, Manuscript Releases, op. now be delivered by the Adventist Learning Community
cit., vol. 6, p. 351, also in Selected Messages, op. cit.,
Book 3, pp. 214, 215. (ALC), [Link], in
52. ______________, Selected Messages, ibid., p.
217.
partnership with the North American Division Office of
53. Ibid., pp. 215, 217. Education (NADOE).
54. In 1880, there was one school with one
teacher and an estimated enrollment of 15. By 1910,
the Adventist school system had grown to 594
schools with 758 teachers and 13,357 students. See If you have outstanding tests that need to be completed, or
Knight, Meeting Ellen White: A Fresh Look at Her
Life, Writings, and Major Themes (Hagerstown, Md.: would like to receive credit for continuing education courses
Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 1996), p. 68.
55. Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, op. cit.,
taken through JAE, then materials must be ordered by
Book 1, p. 19. August 31, 2015, and submitted by November 1, 2015. No
56. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord, op. cit., p.
374. orders or submissions will be accepted after these dates.
57. Ellen G. White, Testimonies, op. cit., vol. 5, p.
694.
58. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord, op. cit., pp.
402, 403. Kindly contact the following individuals to receive more
59. General Conference Archives, “Report of Bible
Conference, Held in Takoma Park, D.C., July 1-19,
information:
1919,” August 1, 1919, pp. 1238, 1239. Available online
at: [Link] Ordering Tests:
CatID=19&SortBy=1&ShowDateOrder=True.

Lolita Davidson Campbell

60. Ibid.
61. Michael W. Campbell, “The 1919 Bible Con-
ference and Its Significance for Seventh-day Advent- lolitadavidson@[Link]
ist History and Theology,” Ph.D. diss., Andrews Uni-
versity, 2008. 909 583-3661.
62. 2 Timothy 2:15, KJV.
63. See [Link]
and [Link] Receiving Challenge Exam Credit

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