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School of Ministry and Theology (Avondale Theology Papers and Journal Articles Seminary)

10-2018

The Time of Crisis and Prophetic Visioning

John Skrzypaszek Avondale College of Higher Education, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Skrzypaszek, J. (2018). The time of crisis and prophetic visioning. Ministry: International Journal for Pastors, 90(10), 23-26. Retrieved from https://www.ministrymagazine.org

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John Skrzypaszek, DMin, is director of the Ellen G. White/Seventh-day Adventist Research Centre at Avondale College of Higher Education, Cooranbong, New South Wales, .

The time of crisis and prophetic visioning1

In 1886, these words were written: “The Lord brings his erring children over the same ground again and again; but if they continually fail to heed the admonitions of his Spirit, if they fail to reform on every point where they have erred, he will finally leave them to their own weakness.”2 The context of this quote was a time like no other. It was a time of decay in the prevailing social, political, and religious conditions of mid-nineteenth-century American society, and it was a time of spiritual demise among the Sabbatarian Adventists. These conditions prepared the ground for the injection of new prophetic visions—the great controversy vision (Lovett’s Grove, Ohio, 1858) and the health vision (Otsego, Michigan, 1863), in the context of the American Civil War (1861–1865). Lessons from this time of crisis must be heeded by today’s church, lest we be brought over the same ground again or, worse—be left to our own weakness.

The time of crisis sight of God.”7 Nevertheless, the search will not save any. All must have a deep The Civil War ushered in a time of for new understanding progressed on and living experience” with God.11 The complex crisis in the . the pathway of consequential chal- named environment generated a time Often seen as a religious war,3 the lenges. First, since both sides were so of external and internal crisis requiring American Civil War preserved in the compellingly convinced about God’s an injection of new inspirational moti- minds of the opposing camps a convic- presence, the aftermath of the war led vation. In other words, the prevailing tion that God supported their cause, to spiritual disillusionment and damage turmoil spawned the necessity for a and both sides “utilized the rhetoric to the “hereditary confidence in the new, future-oriented understanding of of election and destiny in interpreting Bible.”8 Second, the growth of “large life, seen from God’s perspective. the struggle.”4 Robert Mathisen asserts, scale industrialization” and “bureaucra- “Religious rhetoric claimed divine sup- cies” in the northern states changed The prophetic visioning port for the direction each side took the social dynamics, forever affecting The Civil War dispersed the utopian before, during, and for decades after the small-town, rural ways of life. Attention dream of a perfect world, demon- war.” 5 More tragic were the agonizing was now diverted to material interests strating that the human mind was outcomes of the bloody battles and as a focus of well-being.9 not only capable of creating visions the loss of many lives. But surprisingly, The Civil War positioned the of the postmillennial hope but also “from politician to soldiers to chap- Sabbatarian Adventists at the cross- capable of inflicting both spiritual and lain, a ‘divine logic’ convinced many roads of a moral and ethical dilemma physical destruction. The paradoxes Americans that God would ‘make their over slavery and heightened the exist- of this crisis shaped a crucible for the paths straight.’ ”6 ing spiritual lethargy caused by the relinquishment of hopes based on In consequence, the existing apparent delay of the Second Coming. human dreams and of expectations dichotomy accentuated a spiritual As early as 1855, Ellen White focused for a clearer understanding of God’s crisis, namely, disorientation regarding attention on the spiritual condition purposes. Walter Brueggemann argues God’s involvement in human life. Robert of the Sabbatarian Adventists.10 Her that in such crucial moments, “God’s Handy argues, “When the fighting was calls were sharp and clear. She pointed powerful governance is displacing the over, Christian leaders on both sides out that the truth was not internal- present idolatrous order of public life sought to discern what the destiny of ized, and in consequence, there was and is generating a new order that the reunited nation was to be in the a lack of faith. “A form of godliness befits God’s will for the world.”12 This

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space provided the opportunity for God received the great controversy vision what Ellen White later referred to as to inject into human life a new vision. with clear instruction to write it down.13 the “one great central truth . . . : Christ It also challenged the community of The heart of the vision unfolded the and Him crucified.” On June 6 she faith both to relinquish old views and reality of the conflict between God and penned the following reflection: “I was to receive an inspirational framework , good and evil, from its incep- shown some things in regard to my for a new, future-oriented perspective tion to the end of time. Rather than husband and myself.”19 The heart of of life. It needs to be pointed out that penning it as a one-off description, she the vision took her attention away from such visionary understanding is never developed a broad perspective on this frantic activities, heartaches, relational detached from the existing social and theme between 1858 and 1888.14 frustrations, and disappointments, cultural challenges; rather, it takes While the Civil War precipitated drawing her attention to what God cares shape as an incremental process or a crisis regarding the authenticity of about, namely, the value, potential, gradual metamorphosis within the God’s involvement in human life, the and uniqueness of human life.20 The fabrics of existing social structures. prepared the Sabbath-focused vision moved beyond early Sabbatarian Adventists to view the emphasis on the cure of the body to human struggles and conflicts from an the heart of the matter, the relevance of inspirational panorama of the victori- “spiritual nourishment—a place for the ous outcome of God’s final triumph.15 healing of the heart, mind, and human The great In contrast to physical and spiritual attitudes”—a motivational and inspi- controversy and slavery, it highlighted the value of God- rational framework for God’s visionary given freedom of choice and the view of pathway for life.21 health visions a new world.16 It inspired the believers The divinely crafted pathway of the to confront life’s challenges with a great controversy and health visions shared a correlated sense of new identity and a spiritual aimed to reenergize the growing move- environment that nurtured human ment with a new spiritual purpose purpose in shaping value, uniqueness, and potential. for life in the eschatological time of Reviewing the significance of the waiting. Brueggemann argues, “These a pathway of great controversy theme, Ellen White poets [prophets] not only discerned inspirational stressed its quintessential focus: the new actions of God that others “There is one great central truth to did not discern, but they wrought the motivation for a be kept ever before the mind in the new actions of God by the power of searching of the Scriptures: Christ and their imagination, their tongues, their new mode of public Him crucified.”17 In the light of this words.”22 Such utterances were always emphasis, she explored its visionary relevant to their time and place, but existence. application. “When Christ in His work at the same time, they inspired the of redemption is seen to be the great reception of a new world given by central truth of the system of truth, a God through these prophets.23 In the new light is shed upon all the events context of the described crisis, the With this background, we may of the past and the future. They are great controversy and health visions explore the gradual emergence of the seen in a new relation, and possess a shared a correlated purpose in shaping great controversy theme. We may also new and deeper significance.”18 In her a pathway of inspirational motivation examine the wholistic awareness of understanding, the overarching theme for a new mode of public existence. health as the hub of the inspired pro- of the grand metanarrative found its phetic vision that injected a spiritual focus in God’s saving act— Christ. The pathway of creative reorientation for life’s journey in the The unfolding story highlighted a reas- visioning eschatological time of waiting for the suring motivation that God, the Creator, The period of postwar reconstruc- Second Advent. We will also argue that is an active Agent in the world, One who tion (1865–1877) embroiled the nation Ellen White’s voice played a significant challenges the community of faith both in political and social conflicts. The role in preparing the movement for the to relinquish old views and to receive a long-sought-after emancipation from reception of the new but complex world. visionary framework of a new future- the bondage of slavery led to a slow, oriented perspective of life. grinding process of integrating the The great controversy This view was further enhanced ideals of freedom, equality, and value motif and the wholistic by the Otsego health vision received for all into the fabric of the social and awareness of health Friday evening, June 5, 1863, during political life of the nation. During this In mid-March 1858, before the com- the opening Sabbath prayer. This vision time, the newly organized Seventh- mencement of the Civil War, Ellen White unfolded a practical application of day Adventist Church confronted the

Ministry® OCTOBER 2018 challenge of stepping into the realm of a progressively changing world. Figure 1: Inspired and Inspirational Purpose of the Prophetic Visioning The great controversy theme The Desire of Ages (1898) • Christ’s Object Lessons (1900) contributed to Ellen White’s in-depth understanding of God’s purpose for life A spiritually relational life anchored in the broken world. While the period of in the teachings of Jesus Reconstruction in the American society aimed to integrate the lost vision of Education the intrinsic value of human life and (1903) its purpose, Ellen White affirmed the value of human life and disseminated a spiritual reconstruction, undiscerned The Heart of by the believers as yet, by applying the God’s Vision principles of the great controversy and A spiritually Ministry for Life A spiritually health to life. Acts of the transformational, of Healing Apostles missional It needs to be noted that it was wholistic view (1905) (1911) purpose in life during the 23 years from 1888 to 1911 of life that Ellen White published her most significant works.24 During this period of creative visioning, she recaptured the the prosperous development of White’s prophetic visualization of God’s quintessential elements of God’s pur- God-given talents and abilities.27 purpose for the church: pose for the ongoing journey of faith. 4. Personal identity. She saw that Her reflections on God’s communicative while the destructive forces of • A spiritually relational life anchored presence inspired her with insights of evil diminish the value of human in the teachings of Jesus new realities, a reception and vision of life, God’s presence inspires and • A spiritually transformational, a new world seen through the lenses of restores it. wholistic view of life God’s passion for the lost. • A spiritually missional purpose of life While space does not permit a com- The listed motifs stemmed from prehensive analysis of all her works the source of all wisdom, a God-shaped Her prophetic voice called for the published during this period, in the inspirational framework of His designed injection of God’s love into a spiritu- context of the great controversy theme purpose for Christian living. For this ally oriented approach to mission. and the wholistic view of well-being, we purpose, spiritual authenticity, genuine “Marvelous will be the transformation may discern the overarching presence relationships, and a healthy sense of wrought in him who by faith opens the of four overlapping motifs: personal identity composed the heart door of the heart to the Saviour.”29 and distinctiveness of Ellen White’s 1. Spiritual authenticity. Ellen White’s visionary motivation. In this respect, Five leadership lifelong emphasis accentuated the her views stood in vast contrast to the applications significance of spiritual life spring- devalued perspective of human life This brief historical overview, delin- ing from a personal relationship during and after the crisis of the Civil eating the purpose and influence of with God. She wrote, “Everyone War. In this context, she encouraged prophetic visioning in the time of crisis, needs to have a personal experience believers to shape a point of reference, serves to highlight the value and sig- in obtaining a knowledge of the will not in time-oriented speculations but nificance of visionary and inspirational of God. We must individually hear with implicit trust and confidence in leadership. Inspirational and visionary Him speaking to the heart.”25 Jesus, in the progressively changing leadership 2. Genuine relationships. She main- and complex world.28 tained that a personal relationship During the period of creative • shapes the framework of implicit with God enhances the depth of visioning, her reflections on God’s com- trust and confidence in God’s involve- spiritual authenticity, and, in turn, municative presence inspired her with ment in human life and history; its influence stimulates a revitalized a new focus, a contextualized meaning • provides space for a life-transform- refreshment and peace for “the of faith-oriented experience with Jesus. ing experience of God’s love that, strain of life’s intense activities.”26 Rather than shaping a rigid, prescriptive, in turn, generates a passion for 3. Professional development. In her and authoritarian formula of religiosity, sharing Christlike attitudes in the understanding, the spiritual focus the visions reenergized the church with a brokenness of human life; was not an end in itself but rather new purpose for life and mission. Figure • encourages people to recapture a preparation of fertile ground for 1 illustrates the focal objective of Ellen the essence of God’s vision for the

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church, namely, a spiritually, mis- White’s literary contribution between In the context of the Civil War, this sional service, a space in which 1888 and 1911, share a correlated pur- new orientation inspired the church individuals rediscover their unique- pose that to break through race and gender bar- ness, value, and potential and use riers set by human traditions and to personal talents to communicate • shaped a visionary and inspira- provide restitution and restoration, Jesus wherever they are; tional pathway for a new mode of in harmony with the heartbeat of the • imparts boldness to relinquish old existence in the complexity of life; Christian ethos. In this respect, Ellen status-quo methodologies, to pro- • enriched the church with a motiva- White moved beyond the constraints of vide a contextualized and refreshed tional pathway augmenting human organizational structures. Her visualiza- but biblically grounded meaning of value, uniqueness, and the poten- tion was of a new world given by God faith in Jesus; and tial for God’s designed purpose; combined with an even more profound, • transforms pastoral leadership • directed attention to a relational vertically anchored, motivational per- influence from a prescriptively point of reference secured in an spective. “All heaven is waiting for men authoritarian and informative mode implicit trust and confidence in and women through whom God can to an inspirational voice calling peo- God; reveal the power of .”30 In ple to visualize the incomprehensible • provided a reassuring conviction in her mind, the experience of sharing the benefits of God’s kingdom of grace. God’s presence and a challenge to power of God’s grace in the complex- follow His vision for public existence ity of the changing world prepares Five leadership in a changing world; and the church for the higher joy of wider challenges • challenged the global church family service in the world to come—service The context of the outlined crisis to become Christ’s extended hands that will flow through eternity from suggests that the great controversy in their respective communities and more complete “revelations of God and and the health visions, along with Ellen cultures. Christ.”31

1 Adapted from J. Skrzypaszek, “The Time of Crisis 6 Mathisen, “Religion and America’s Civil War,” 332. 19 Ellen G. White, “Testimony Regarding James and and Prophetic Imagination” (paper presented at the 7 Handy, “The American Messianic Consciousness,” 52. Ellen White,” Ms. 1, 1863. annual meeting of the Adventist Society for 8 Noll, The Old Religion in a New World, 110. 20 John Skrzypaszek, “The Heart of the Seventh-day Religious Studies, San Antonio, TX, November 9 Noll, The Old Religion in a New World, 110. Adventist Health Message,” Ministry, December 2016). https://research.avondale.edu.au/cgi 10 Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church 2014, 6–8. /viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=theo (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1948), 21 Skrzypaszek, “Heart of the Seventh-day Adventist _conferences 1:125. See also pages 119, 120. Health Message,” 8. 2 Ellen G. White, Historical Sketches of the Foreign 11 White, Testimonies for the Church, 1:125. 22 Brueggemann, Hopeful Imagination, 2; emphasis Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists (Basle, 12 Walter Brueggemann, Hopeful Imagination: original. Switzerland: Imprimerie Polyglotte, 1886), 137. Prophetic Voices in Exile (Philadelphia, PA: Fortress 23 Brueggemann, Hopeful Imagination, 2. 3 Mark A. Noll, The Old Religion in a New World: The Press, 1986), 4. 24 Ellen White’s major literary publications between History of North American Christianity (Grand 13 Ellen G. White, Life Sketches of Ellen G. White 1888 and 1911 were as follows: The Great Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2002), 109–112. Charles H. (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1943), Controversy Between Christ and Satan During the Lippy, Introducing American Religion (New York: 162. Christian Dispensation (1888), Christian Temperance Routledge, 2009), 127–130. Edwin S. Gaustad and 14 Ellen White developed the great controversy theme and Bible Hygiene (1890), Patriarchs and Prophets Mark A. Noll, eds., A Documentary History of in the following books: Spiritual Gifts, vol. 1 (1858); (1890), Steps to Christ (1892), Gospel Workers Religion in America to 1877 (Grand Rapids, MI: Spiritual Gifts, vols. 3 and 4 (1864); The Spirit of (1892), Christian Education (1893), Thoughts From Eerdmans, 2003), 517–519. Mitchell Snay, Prophecy, vols. 1–4 (1870–1884); The Great the Mount of Blessing (1896), Healthful Living “Religion, the Origins of Southern Nationalism, and Controversy Between Christ and Satan (1888). (1897), The Desire of Ages (1898), Christ’s Object the Coming of the Civil War,” in Critical Issues in 15 Herbert E. Douglass points out, “Many scholars Lessons (1900), Education (1903), The Ministry of American Religious History, ed. Robert R. Mathisen, have identified Ellen White’s unifying principle as Healing (1905), and The Acts of the Apostles (1911). 2nd rev. ed. (Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, the Great Controversy Theme. This provided a 25 Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages (Mountain View, 2006), 345–350. Jud Lake, A Nation in God’s Hands: coherent framework for her theological thought as CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1940), 363. Ellen White and the Civil War (Nampa, ID: Pacific well as her principles in education, health, 26 White, Desire of Ages, 363. Press Pub. Assn., 2017). missiology, social issues, and environmental 27 White, Desire of Ages, 363. 4 Robert T. Handy, “The American Messianic topics.” Messenger of the Lord: The Prophetic 28 John Skrzypaszek, “God’s Messenger: Australian Consciousness: The Concept of the Chosen People Ministry of Ellen G. White (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Writings Motivate Worldwide: A Look at Ellen and Manifest Destiny,” Review and Expositor 73, no. Pub. Assn., 1998), 256. White’s Life and Legacy,” , October 1 (1976): 52. See also Alan Johnson, “The Bible and 16 Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets 2015, 23. War in America: An Historical Survey,” Journal of the (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 29 Ellen G. White, The Ministry of Healing (Mountain Evangelical Theological Society 28, no. 2 (June 1958), 48, 49. View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1942), 93. 1985): 174, 175. 17 Ellen G. White, “Circulation of The Great 30 Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain 5 Robert R. Mathisen, ed., “Religion and America’s Controversy,” Ms. 31, 1890. View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1911), 93. Civil War: How Did Religion Impact the Civil War?” 18 White, “Circulation of The Great Controversy,” Ms. 31 Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain in Critical Issues in American Religious History, 332. 31, 1890. View, CA: Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 1907), 678.

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