DISQUS

gwalter · 1 month ago

One of the reasons I like book reviews, is because there is never enough time to read all the books I would like to read. The same with movie reviews. Yet, in the latter, it has more to do with the disappointment I find in most films, but the reviews allow me to stay current with popular culture.

You are a good writer Steve and I appreciate what you've unleashed here. A few Summers ago we visited Elmshaven and I felt some of those feelings as I walked through the house with my then two-year old daughter. I have some great photos of her sitting on the back steps.

I've never been to Avondale, but I have attended three North American Adventist Universities and have had significant contact on three or four others. Several of these schools are at this crossroads also - yet, most do not recognize it.

The traditionalists, and/or fundamentalists, would like to restrict any progress (or progressive change). The so-called progressives, are often just liberals in disguise - they don't seek progress as much as they seek a liberalization of our theology, practices, creed, and direction.

I'm not an academic, and have not earned the right to speak out on academic issues. However, as a consumer of the educational system, and a constituent of the institution, I can say that I'm not content with the status quo - nor am I confident that all options are being considered.

The inertia of the status quo is great and efforts to alter this course are merely too little - too late. Unfortunately, these words probably apply to the greater Church Institution. We are likely far enough off course, that nothing but a radical re-visioning will enable us to see past the fog.

Don't get me wrong, our schools, churches, and medical facilities do a lot of good - but we often sacrifice the great, for the merely good.

cardw · 2 weeks ago

On his web site, Michael Chamberlain states, "In the period up to 1942. Particularly during this period, Ellen White was used as a “club” to beat the Church members into thinking that she was the final authority on Biblical doctrine and eschatology, when in fact she was very humble about her own status."

This is simply not true. Ellen White gives lip service to humbleness when her critics are pointing out the destructive nature of those who use her writings, but in application she does not give one inch, nor does she ever admit error in any kind of specific way.

She provides no example of how to deal with her own human mistakes other than generalized expressions of general human failings. It is unlikely that she would have perfect expression within everything she wrote unless she was claiming, by the omission of any apology, that she never made a mistake in writing because her writings were specifically given to her by god.

She also makes a number of very strong statements in regard to the authority of her writings by implying that they are god's writings. And when you begin to examine all of her writings you find a very harsh critic of humanity.

Until Adventism recognizes the dishonesty of a view that paints Ellen White as a misunderstood writer, these types of books will continue to promote simply another type of myth. And much like the OT iron age ethical system, Ellen White's victorian fundamentalism doesn't stand up to rational analysis as any kind of superior god like revelation.

gwalter · 2 weeks ago

You raise some good points Richard, and I'm sure there will be many who share your experience. Not having been raised within the Adventist Church, I missed the opportunity to be hit over the head by the "club" of Ellen White. However, it didn't take me long to figure out that certain (if not all) compilations were dangerous.

I have continued to find great enlightenment in many of her writings - and whether she vehemently defended her humility, or merely paid "lip-service" to it, I am often encouraged by many of the narratives I've encountered. This has been my experience.

I once had the opportunity to read letters written by Ellen White. Previously, where one or two sentences, or whole paragraphs had been lifted from these letters, I was able to read the entire 18 +/- page letter. I was amazed by the grace, humbled by the patience, and moved by the love expressed in these letters.

I came away from that experience, more determined than ever to avoid compilations, and more determined than ever to be more humble in my "use" of her writings.

I'm not sure others have made the same choices - but that's OK, I don't choose to associate with those folks, or to give them much credence.

I also happen to have found value in the lyrics of John Mellencamp, Sting, and Chris Tomlin. I've found enlightenment in the writings of Asimov, Gladwell, and Collins. But I don't agree with all of their lifestyle choices, or the premises.

cardw · 2 weeks ago

Are we then free to not agree with all of Ellen White's lifestyle choices and premises? I'm not sure what you are saying her about Ellen White. I will admit that I have found value in some of the things that Ellen White wrote, and continue to be affected by her world view, but I would never call her writings inspired in any special way, just as you wouldn't give John Mellencamp, Sting, or Chris Tomlin that designation.

Remember the compilations put into what are called the Testimonies were put together on her request. So while you may avoid compilations, they are a form of communication she wanted to be in the public forum.

What compilations do is to reveal the volume of negative messages that she did put out. Many of them are so negative that any contextual shift would never fix them.

Ellen White is complicated, but I think we can find reasonable doubt in her claims of inspired sources. And as long as we read her as a human author, subject to her times, with no more authority to form our views of the world than any other writer, I think we can find some honesty.