Untold Story of the Bible Commentary "The Baptism'!-..A Short Story Historical Case for Ordaining Women

Journal of the Association of Adventist Forums Volume 16, Number 3

The Scope of Ellen White's Authority Against Canonization A Defense of Compilations Apology for Ellen White as Historian SPECTRUM Editorial Board Consulting Editors Edward Lugenbeal Roy Branson Earl W. Amundson Anthropology Editor Ethics. Kennedy Institute President Kettering. Ohio Georgetown University Atlantic Union Conference Roy Branson Margaret McFarland Molleurns Couperus Eric Anderson Attorney Physician History Washington. D.C. .Associate Editor Angwin. California Pacific Union College LaVonne Neff Charles Scriven Gene Daffern Roy Benton Publishing Physician Chairman, Mathematics Department Downers Grove. Illinois Senior Editor Washington. D.C. Columbia Union College . Ronald Numbers Tom Dybdahl Bonnie· Dwyer Bonnie Casey History of Medicine Journalism Writer/Editor University of Wisconsin Loma Linda. eallfornia Washington. D.C. News Editor Gary Patterson Tom DybdahI George Colvin President Bonnie Dwyer Editor Government Georgia-Cumberland Conference Allentown. Pennsylvania Claremont Graduate School Edward E. Robinson Manuscript Editor Richard Emmerson Raymond Cottrell Attorney Gene Daffern English Theology Chicago. ·Illinois Walla Walla College Lorna Linda. California Gerhard Svrcek-SeUer Book Review Editors .Alvin L. Kwiram Geri Fuller Psychiatrist Chairman. Chemistry Department Public Relations Vienna, Austria Peggy Corbett University of Washington Washington. D.C. Carolyn Stevens Shultz Rennie Schoepflin Gary Land Lawrence Geraty English History President Walla Walla College Andrews University Atlantic Union College Editorial Associate Helen Ward Thompson Rennie Schoepflin Fritz Guy Vice-President Diane Gainer History Theology Lorna Linda University Lorna Linda Unversity Lorna Linda University L.E. Trader Charles SCriven F.E.J. Harder Education Theology Educational Administration Marienhoehe Gymnasium Walla Walla College College Place. Washington West Germany Ottilie Stafford Jorgen Henriksen Louis Venden English Artist Pastor Atlantic Union College BOston, Massachusetts Lorna Linda University Church Association of Adventist Forums Officers Directors Regional Representatives Northern Pacific f John Brunt President Of Chapter Development Atlantic Chairman. School of Theology Lyndrey A. Niles Walter Douglas John Hamer Walla Walla College Communications Church History Business Southern Howard University Aridrews University Hudson, Massachusetts T. Grace Emori Vice President Of International Relations Central Center for Disease Control Edward Lugenbeal Molleurus Couperus Darrell J. Huenergardt Atlanta. Georgia Health Care Administration Physician Attorney Southern Pacific Kettering. Ohio Angwin. California Kimball. Nebraska Mike Scofield Executive Secretary Of Membership Central Pacific Business Claire Hosten Ronald D. Cople Norman D. Sossong Anaheim. California Attorney Business Physician Washington. D.C. Silver Spring. Maryland St. Helena. California Treasurer Of Promotion Columbia Staff Richard C. Osborn Richard B. Lewis. Jr. E. Theodore Agard Legal Consultant Principal· Advertising Radiation Physicist Bradley Litchfield Takoma Academy Weston, Massachusetts Kettering. Ohio Attorney Editor Of Special Projects Lake Washington. D.C. Roy Branson Glenn E. Coe Donald Gillespie Ethics, Kennedy Institute Attorney Health Care Administration Georgetown University West Hartford. Connecticut Stevensville. Michigan

SPECTRUM is a journal established to encourage Editorial Correspondence: SPECTRUM is published by Seventh-day Adventist participation in the discussion of the Association of Adventist Forums. Direct all editorial contemporary issues from a Christian viewpoint, to look correspondence to SPECTRUM, 7710 Carroll Avenue, without prejudice at all sides of a subject, to evaluate the Takoma Park, Maryland 20912. ManUSCripts should be merits of diverse views, and to foster Christian intellectual typewritten, double spaced and in matters of style and and cultural growth. Although effort is made to ensure documentation, conform to A Manual of Style (University accurate scholarship and discriminating judgment, the of Chicago Press). Submit the original and two copies, statements of fact are the responsibility of contributors, along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Responses and the views individual authors express are not necessarily from readers may be shortened before publication. those of the editorial staff as a whole or as individuals. Subscription Information: In order to receive SPEC­ The Association of Adventist Forums is a nonsubsidized, TRUM, send a membership fee ($20 per 5 issues, except. nonprofit organization for which gifts are deductible in the $25 in Canada and in other foreign countries; $2 less for report of income for purposes of taxation. The publishing students) to Association of Adventist Forums, Box 5330, of SPECTRUM depends on subSCriptions, gifts from Takoma Park, Maryland 20912. Phone: (301) 270-0423. Sin­ individuals and the voluntary efforts of the contributors gle copies may be purchased for $4. Pay by check made and the staff. out to the Association of Adventist Forums. For address changes, send old address label along with the new address. © 1985 All rights reserved. Litho USA In This Issue Vol. 16, No.3, August 1985 Special Section: New Views of Ellen White The Scope of Ellen White's Authority Donald R. McAdams 2 Formative Authority, Yes; Canonization, No Herold Weiss 8 In Defense of Compilations Arthur L. White 14 A Vindication of Ellen White as Historian Jean Zurcher 21 Short Story The Baptism Bonnie L. Casey 32 Articles The Untold Story of the Bible Commentary Raymond F. Cottrell 35 The Adventist Heritage Calls for Ordination of Women Bert Haloviak 52 Responses

in Great Controversy describing the Wal­ About This Issue denses and Albigenses. Donald McAdams and Herold Weiss have written on Ellen White before. Here they or 15 years studies have ap­ break new ground, going beyond the details F peared in this journal and else­ of Ellen White's sources and methods of where examining the sources of Ellen composition to explore her role in the future White's writings and her methods of com­ of the Adventist Church. Both essays con­ position. (For an overview see Donald clude that she will continue to have author­ McAdams' "Shifting Views of Inspiration: ity in the church, but in a new way. Ellen G. White Studies in the 1970s, '" Spec­ Elsewhere in this issue, Bert Haloviak rev­ trum, Vol. 10, No.4, pp. 27-41, and notes eals that women have served as licensed to his article in this issue.) Although we have ministers since the early days of the Adven­ not published materials on Ellen White for tist denomination. Ray Cottrell, from his some time, we are pleased to present in this uniquely well-informed position as associ­ issue diverse views of Ellen White and her ate editor, reveals for the first time the role in the church by a group of distin­ authors of the articles in the SDA Bible Com­ guished Adventist authors. mentary. Bonnie Casey reminds us of those Two of the four essays are by trustees of times when symbols, such as baptism, have the Ellen G. White Estate: Arthur White shocked us with an encounter with the explains that the White Estate's publication divine. Finally, our readers continue cogent of compilations was a continuation of Ellen conversations about important challenges White's own practice, and Jean Zurcher facing the church. defends the accuracy of historical passages - The Editors Special Section: New Views of Ellen White The Scope of Ellen White's Authority

by Donald R. McAdams

he Adventist dilemma in 1985 cussed widely among educated Adventists T over the authority of Ellen throughout the North American Division. White is not new. It also confronted those As in 1919, the central question today for in her day who accepted her spiritual gift. Adventists who believe Ellen White was The 1919 Bible Conference transcripts make inspired is this: If we accept that she took that clear. The college Bible teachers, editors much material from others and often made and General Conference administrators mistakes, what authority should we grant to present at the 1919 meetings had personal her words? knowledge of Ellen White's unique spiritual Note that it is Ellen White's authority, not gift. They also knew that Ellen White copied her inspiration, that is being questioned. from other sources and made statements Most of the researchers of the 1970s were that were not correct-in short, that her thoroughly committed Adventists who works were not entirely original and that showed that using the words of others did they were not infallible. An inspired, yet not detract from Ellen White's claim to fallible, prophet was-and still is-the inspiration. Like the men of 1919, most dilemma for Adventists. l informed Adventists today see no need to But the debate about Ellen White's author­ debate whether or not she was inspired. Her ity in the 1980s is not a private discussion inspiration cannot be proved or disproved. confined to church leaders; it is open to the The decision to believe is one of faith, entire church. The publicity given to the alle­ informed by facts. gations of Walter Rea, the basic nondenial But for many who accept the inspiration of his charges by the church's official pub­ of Ellen White, there is still a question about lications and spokesmen, 2 and the publica­ her authority. The discussion about Ellen tion of his book, The White Lie, in April 1982 White's authority is widespread in the have created an awareness and an interest church. It is not being carried on in the among church members regarding Ellen pages of the Adventist Review; it is going on J White's use of sources. The research about in private conversations among friends, Ellen White circulating among Adventist within families and in the hearts of thou­ intellectuals for a decade3 is now being dis- sands of Adventists. Knowing that at least some, and perhaps much, of what Ellen Donald McAdams, president of the Texas Indepen­ White wrote was not seen in vision but came dent College Fund, received his doctorate in history from the writings of others, Adventists are, from Duke University. He was professor of history for the first time in the history of the church, at Andrews University and president of South­ making the fine distinction between inspira­ western Adventist College for nine years. This essay is based on his presentation at the first national AAF tion and authority. Conference. While acknowledging the inspiration of Volume 16, Number 3 3

their prophet, they are asking themselves that are necessarily human? whether everything Ellen White said is Such a view of Ellen White's authority, a necessarily true, accurate and therefore common view among conservative Adven­ authoritative. If church leaders are willing tists, is not logical. If a prophet is not to acknowledge that Ellen White para­ testable, then there is no way to determine phrased and selectively abridged much ma­ who is and who is not a prophet. Anyone terial from others and that her historical can claim divine authority for his' 'testi­ statements are not always accurate, is it not monies" or publications and say, "because possible that some of her other statements­ my information comes directly from God, important statements about science, pro­ it cannot be wrong; I, the messenger of phecy, theology and behavior, statements divinity, am the test of all other statements upon which Adventists have built their lives of truth; no human dat'l, objective or sub­ and for which they have sacrificed much­ jective, can test divinity." Faced with such are not accurate? And if Ellen White is not a claim from two or more mutually incom­ totally original and not always accurate, patible "prophets," a prospective believer then in what way is she an authority for indi­ would be unable to choose which one to vidual Adventists and for the church? believe. Authority, by its very nature, is something he dictionary defines author­ that cannot just be claimed; it must be T ity as ' 'legal or rightful earned. It is only after scholars have power," as in parental or governmental thoroughly studied a subject and written authority; "one that is claimed or appealed with consistent accuracy that they are to in support of opinions, actions, measures, accepted as authorities. Only a prophet who etc.;" and "power derived from opinion, speaks the truth and describes reality as it respect or esteem. " Note that none of these definitions of authority requires or even sug­ gests inerrancy or infallibility. Let me give Knowing that at least some, an example. I am an authority in my home. and perhaps much, of what I expect my children to accept my author­ ity and obey me. And yet I recognize that Ellen White wrote was not seen I am not always right. We sometimes refer in vision but came from the to eminent scholars as authorities in their writings of others, Adventists field, but this does not mean we accept are, for the first time in the his­ everything they say as true. Yet this is the way Adventists have traditionally defined tory of the church, making the the authority of Ellen White. We have fine distinction between inspi­ viewed her every statement as true, some­ ration and authority. thing that must be accepted, believed and acted upon. The church certainly has the right to claim is can be accepted as an authority by a body this authority for Ellen White, to assert that of believers. she does not make statements that are One must acknowledge that Ellen White's historically, scientifically or theologically statements are testable. She does not and inaccurate. But on what basis is this claim cannot stand above empirical data or objec­ made? Is there any way to test this claim, tive reality-that is, what sane, reasonable or is it by its very nature untestable? That and honest people can establish as fact by is, can we say because Ellen White is inspired the use of their senses and reason. Fallible by God, she is the final authority and can­ and subjective though our senses and reason not be evaluated by any facts or judgments be, they are all that we have with which to 4 Spectrum perceive reality and to receive the commu­ divine and human power that makes essen­ nication of God-whether directly to the tially the same point about divine and mind, by way of the Holy Spirit ,or through human knowledge: . 'What human power the words of another, a prophet. can do, divine power is not summoned to But how, one asks, can observation and d o. "4 reason test a prophet's statements on If we acknowledge that all prophets can spiritual and theological matters? Perhaps a and must be tested and accept the premise prophet can be tested against the facts of that God does not ordinarily reveal to a science or history, but how can his or her prophet scientific or historical information, statements on the character of God or the we have in place the twin pillars on which events in heaven before the creation of the we can construct a model or conception of world be tested? inspiration and authority. This model of Before considering this question, we need inspiration will enable us to be honest with to ask another, Does God impart to the data on Ellen White, logical and syste­ matic in our thinking, and committed to a belief that Ellen White was an inspired mes­ There may be rare circum­ senger of God who spoke with prophetic stances when God needs to authority. reveal scientific or historical information to a prophet, but hat authority, then, does special revelation is required W Ellen White have? Let us for purposes of analysis divide Ellen White's precisely because God needs to writings into two parts. The first part gives give us information we could information about spiritual matters. In this not otherwise obtain. sphere Ellen White is tested by the Bible, that is, by the true prophets who have gone before her. She is true unless proved false, prophets information that is readily obtain­ and she can be proved false only by a clear able by observation and reason? Does it statement of Scripture that contradicts her make sense to reveal to a prophet the pop­ own statement. Does this happen? Yes. But ulation of New York City, the circumference only on rare occasions and, in my opinion, of the earth or the length of the year? Would with matters of small significance. God need to show a prophet the content of A word of explanation is needed on this Luther's 95 theses, the names of those who point. While Ellen White does speak signed the Declaration of Independence, or "according to the law and the testimony, " the date for the fall of the Bastille? she is not a biblical exegete and occasion­ There may be rare circumstances when ally assigns a meaning to a text that the text God needs to reveal scientific or historical does not have. Preachers sometimes do this information to a prophet, but special revela­ when they use a text homiletically. Much of tion is required precisely because God needs what Ellen White said was in the form of a to give us information we could not other­ sermon or originated in that form. We might wise obtain. The questions at the very core say that much of what she wrote was an of human experience, questions about or­ extended sermon to the Adventist people. igin, meaning, destiny, the nature and Before proceeding to the second part of character of God and how he wishes to be Ellen White's writings, an additional ques­ worshiped, could not be answered without tion needs to be raised. If the part of Ellen God's revelation through inspired messen­ White's writings that deals with spiritual gers. Ellen White made a statement about matters is tested only by the Bible, how is Volume 16, Number 3 5 the spiritual message of the Bible tested? In explanations taken from the general knowl­ short, why would one choose, in the first edge of her age. As she put it when refer­ place, to accept the Bible as a spiritual ring to her use of historians, she presents authority? The answer is a subjective one. facts that are' 'universally acknowledged by Though there is much historical and scien­ the Protestant world." It is in this sphere tific data that lends credence to the Bible, that Ellen White can be tested by objective one must acknowledge that the Bible is facts gathered by human observation and accepted as inspired not because Bible experiment; in short, by the historical and writers claimed inspiration but because a scientific method. In these areas she can and community of people, the Old Testament has been shown to be incorrect. Jews and the New Testament Christians, as a result of their own experience, came to Wo very important qualifica­ believe that the various Bible writers were T tions need to be made. Ellen bringing them God's message. White is not wrong when she describes As we study this collection of books we historical events that defy our understand­ come to understand their experience and ing of the laws of science-that is, miracles. find that the messages that appealed to their Accounts of miracles are not scientific state­ minds and hearts appeal to ours also. The ments, they are historical statements. They really important questions that we have do not give us facts about nature or describe about life and meaning we find answered in the working of the laws of nature. They this book. And we discover by our own describe an event when the laws of nature experience that when we commit ourselves did not work as they usually do. As such, to live by this book, our lives are enriched they are historical statements subject to and we become filled with joy and the assur­ historical analysis. If reliable eyewitnesses ance that God is indeed speaking to us. refute a miracle story we can prove it false, I find that Ellen White has the same but if a witness we accept as inspired impact upon me. I acknowledge that in describes a miraculous event, we should spiritual matters I cannot prove her to be accept it. true or false, but I believe. In addition, Ellen White is not proven wrong by the theories of historians, scien­ tists or scholars in any field. For example, There are many in the church she is not proven wrong on her view of the Protestant Reformation by pro-Catholic who, with me, acknowledge historians, nor on Creation by the theory of the recent evidence and yet evolution. And she is not proven wrong by believe in Ellen White's inspi­ indirect evidence-that is, the inferences of ration. They believe in a falli­ scholars based on direct evidence. One ~hould note that many of the conclu­ ble and not totally original sions of scientists and scholars are based on prophet. indirect evidence. The religious practices or material level of living of early civilizations, for example, are inferred from human The second part of Ellen White's writings artifacts. The age of the earth is inferred by gives information on history, science and the direct evidence of the percentage of other nonspiritual matters. It is not that she radioactive elements in a sample of rock. wrote specifically for the purpose of giving The size and age of the universe is inferred this information; she always wrote for a by the red shift in stars. Of course, scien­ spiritual purpose. But to convey truth about tific or historical conclusions based on spiritual matters, she often used facts and indirect evidence are not accepted until the 6 Spectrum chain of inference is tight, the logic cannot table. Those who will not or cannot be refuted and there are converging lines of acknowledge that Ellen White took much evidence. This is the arena where scientists material from others and made mistakes will and scholars disagree. The public sees only remain convinced that there is no question the conclusions and is not aware of the that needs to be answered. Ellen White is qualifications and uncertainties of the right because she is right. Everything she scholars doing the work. says is true because it was given to her by Ellen White is not proven false by these the Holy Spirit, even if she happened to see conclusions based on indirect evidence, but the same words, phrases or ideas in the writ­ on occasion, where the chain of evidence is ings of others. For these people, there is no very closely linked and tightly reasoned and question about her authority and no need where there are several converging lines of for this discussion. evidence, a believer in her inspiration and Others do not see any evidence that Ellen authority can choose to accept these conclu­ White was inspired. Her writings do not sions even if they disagree with Ellen White's speak to their hearts, and they see no reason statements. to grant her authority, no matter how one As believers in Ellen White's inspiration, defines the word. If she can be shown to be we give her an authority granted only to false in areas where she can be tested, they Bible writers. All other writers, in everything say, then there is no reason to believe that they say, are considered false unless proven in areas where she cannot be tested she is true. Though we do not often ask for proof, accurate. we all understand that any speaker or writer But there are many in the church who, carries the burden of proof for all of his or with me, acknowledge the recent evidence her statements. If challenged, the speaker and yet believe in Ellen White's inspiration. or writer must produce the evidence. We do They believe in a fallible and not totally not ask this of Ellen White. She is an author­ original prophet. I hope that this paper will ity. If we challenge her statements we accept make a positive contribution to these the burden of proof. This is not an insignifi­ believers by showing that one can believe in cant point. It is at the very essence of the Ellen White's inspiration and accept her as meaning of the word authority. an authority while acknowledging error in Many will find this conclusion unaccep- her writings.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. The only statement by Ellen White that tation of the subject. acknowledges her use of other writers in her own This statement was almost never referred to by the works appeared in the introduction to the 1888 Great White Estate or church writers before 1974. In that Controversy and again in the introduction to the 1911 year, in an unpublished study of Ellen White's use Great Controversy (pages xiii-xiv). The statement is of Protestant historians, I pointed out that this state­ ambiguous. ment allowed Adventists to openly acknowledge The great events which have marked the progress of reform Ellen White's widespread, selective abridgement in past ages are matters of history. well known and univer­ from Protestant historians. I can distincdy remem­ sally acknowledged by the Protestant world; they are facts ber some of the brethren arguing that what Ellen which none can gainsay. This history I have presented brie­ White meant when she said, "in some instances no fly. in accordance with the scope observed. the facts·hav­ special credit has been given, since the quotations ing been condensed into as little space as seemed consistent with a proper understanding of their application. In some are not given for the purpose of citing that writer as cases where a historian has so grouped together events as authority, but because his statement affords a ready to afford. in brief. a comprehensive view of the subject. and forcible presentation of the subject, " was that or has summarized details in a convenient manner. his the historians were not the authority, the angel was. words have been quoted; but in some instances no special credit has been given. since the quotations are not given With that view of the statement, and with so many for the purpose of citing that writer as authority. but other statements in the introduction to The Great because his statement affords a ready and forcible presen- Controversy describing the visions, it is not surpris- Volume 16, Number 3 7 ing that the statement was so seldom cited. Un fact, Wilson, president of the General Conference, I have not found one use of the statement before 1974 explicitly acknowledged that "in her writing Ellen to show that Ellen White acknowledged her use of White used sources more extenSively than we have other writers.) Since 1974 the Adventist Review and heretofore been aware of or recognized. "-N.C. Wil­ other church publications have quoted the statement son, "This I Believe About Ellen G. White," Adven­ often to show that Ellen White acknowledged her use tist Review, March 20, 1980, p.8. of other writers. Arthur White had acknowledged, even before Rea's Not only did the Adventist people in general not charges were made public, partly in anticipation of know that Ellen White paraphrased from others, they what was coming and partly in response to my work, believed that information contained in the passages that Ellen White had made historical errors. In the quoted from Protestant historians first came to her third article in a seven-part series in the Adventist in visions. White Estate spokesmen assured the Review, entitled "The E.G. White Historical church that the prophet did not depend upon human Writings," he said, "Would it have been possible for sources for information. She merely used the words some inaccuracy to have crept into Ellen White's of others to express in clear language that which had desCriptions of historical events or that the historians already been revealed to her by the Lord. This point from whom she quoted may have been mistaken in was made by W.C. White, Francis Nichol and A.L. some points of detail and thus, Ellen White, not White: being especially informed, allowed these mistakes to The framework of the great temple of truth sustained by slip through into her narrative?" He answered his her writings was presented to her clearly in vision. In some question with a straightforward affirmative.-A.L. features of prophetic chronology, as regards the ministra­ tion in the sanctuary and the changes that took place in White, Adventist Review, July 26, 1979, p. 9. 1844, the matter was presented to her many times and in The most straightforward acknowledgement of detail many times, and this enabled her to speak very clearly Ellen White's use of other writers and her inac­ and very positively regarding the foundation pillars of our curacies was made by R.W. Olson, secretary of the faith. In some of the historical matters such as are brought out White Estate, on the back page of the April 15 , 1982, in Patriarchs and Prophets, and in Acts of the Apostles and Adventist Review: in Great Controversy, the main outlines were made very clear "Ellen White used the works of other authors more exten­ and plain to her, and when she came to write up these sively than we once thought. She borrowed historical, topics, she was left to study the Bible and history to get chronological, descriptive, and theological material. Some dates and geographical relations and to perfect her descrip­ of her most beautiful gems were first penned in similar, tion of details. though not usually identical, words by others. Also, we have W,C. White, in a letter to L.E. Froom, December found some inaccuracies in her writings, but these do not 13, 1934 (unpublished), quoted by W.P. Bradley, relate to Christian belief or conduct." "Ellen G. White and Her Writings," Spectrum, Vol. 3. Much has changed in the past 14 years. The 3, No.2, (Spring 1971), p. 58. authority of Ellen White is now widely discussed in There is illumination by the Holy Spirit. Scenes are the Adventist Church. The research of William Peter­ presented. Spiritual thoughts and ideas are brought to the son, Donald McAdams, Ronald Numbers, Ronald mind. Then the prophet takes up his pen and proceeds to Graybill, Raymond Cottrell, Walter Specht, Donald present, in the language of men, what has been seen and Casebolt and Walter Rea has conclusively established heard and impressed on his mind in vision, And it is in this context that Mrs. White frankly states that she has drawn, the following points: at times, on the language of men as found in histories and • Ellen White not only quoted from Protestant his­ other sources. torians, she also paraphrased extensively and some­ Francis D. Nichol, in Ellen G. -White and Her Critics, times closely from them, carrying over into her work (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing not only the words and their ideas but sometimes Association, 1945), p. 461. their historical errors. In connection with the writing out of these views of the events of ancient and modern history, and especially the • Ellen White not only selectively abridged history of the great Reformation of the sixteenth century historians in The Great Controversy, she also para­ her reading of D'Aubigne, Wylie, and others proved to be phrased extensively from Bible commentators, devo­ helpful. She sometimes drew from them clear historical statements to help make plain to the readers the things tional writers, writers on the life of Christ and others which she was endeavoring to present. Also, by thus in all of the Conflict of the Ages series, the Testimo­ corroborating with indisputable historical evidence that nies, and almost everything else she wrote. which had been revealed to her, she would win the confi­ • Ellen White's literary assistants made major con­ dence of the general reader in the truths she was presenting. Just as her study of the Bible helped her to locate and tributions to her books as finders, paraphrasers, describe the many figurative representations given to her organizers and editors. regarding the development of the controversy, so the read­ • Ellen White was influenced by time, place and ing of histories of the reformation helped her to locate and describe many of the events and the movements presented person. to her in the visions. For an essay summarizing the research of those A.L. White, "Ellen G. White as an Historian," scholars and giving the bibliographic data, see incomplete publication data, p. 7. Donald R. McAdams' "Shifting Views of Inspiration: 2. In the numerous public responses to Rea's alle­ Ellen G. White Studies in the 1970s," Spectrum, Vol. gations, church spokesmen did not once deny that 10, No.4 (March 1980), pp. 27-41. Ellen White borrowed from others. Elder Neal C. 4. The Desire of Ages, p. 535. Formative Authority, Yes; Canonization, No

by Herold Weiss

llen White' s role as an author­ Ellen White' s fellow believers first took her E ity in the Seventh-day Adven­ to have authority because of her visionary tist Church changed while she was alive and experiences. To the disappointed and con­ has continued to change since her death. fused flock. her visions meant that in spite Through these changes the meaning of her of the believers' confusion, God was with authority has itself changed-both in the them. Thus her role in the early years was claims made for her by church leaders and that of providing confidence to the believers. in the understanding of ordinary church When the community passed from its members. In what follows I will trace these effort to cope with disappointment to that changes and suggest that today we must of clarifying its doctrines, Mrs. White's conceive her authority as rooted. not in the visionary experiences continued to inform kind of person she was, but in the truthful­ it. That is how in the early 1850s our pioneers ness of what she said. arrived at "present truth," including the A distinction will clarify this. We may doctrine of the shut door. speak on the one hand of formal authority, But then Mrs. White's role changed. the authority that exists when someone' s Instead of being the one who symbolized words are taken to be true just because he God's blessing on the movement, she or she has said them, quite apart from the became the one who was to rebuke anyone question of the words' intrinsic truthfulness. showing weakness of character. Letters of The authority of the words comes from the counsel, later collected and reprinted as Tes­ office the person occupied. But there is timonies for the Church, began to appear. another kind of authority we may call inter­ Walter Rea asserts that at this time Mrs. nal. It exists. not because of who is speak­ White was a marionette in the hands of her ing. but because the words themselves husband James, who as a kind of puppeteer persuade us. What I am suggesting is this: was using her to exercise control over the No longer can Ellen White have formal flock. To me, the evidence shows that Mrs. authority in our community; from now on White was, in fact, a very strong person who her authority must be internal, residing in would not allow anyone to handle her in this the truth of what she says. way. What is clear in any case is that as the writer of testimonies, her role was different, though she herself saw this as an extension Herold Weiss is professor of New Testament at St. of her former role of providing comfort to Mary's College, South Bend. Indiana. He received the little flock. It is clear that in this new role his doctorate in New Testament from Duke Univer­ sityand was a member of the faculty of the SDA The­ she sometimes embellished her counsels, ological Seminary. This essay is based on his warnings and rebukes with extended copy­ presentation at the first national AAF conference. ing from literature available to her which Volume 16, Number 3 9 was, at times, also available to her readers. During the 1920s and 1930s many of those In 1858, with the appearance of The Great who had worked with Mrs. White in the pro­ Controversy, Mrs. White changed roles again: duction of her books were still alive. But she became a literary enterprise. Her con­ with the death of that generation the claims temporaries, some of whom accepted the made on her behalf gained new heights. At Testimonies as a sign of God's special pres­ the same time, efforts were made to block ence in the community, considered the new scholars from access to her materials in the materials written for sale by colporteurs to White Estate vault. In the 1950s, when I was be essentially similar to other books the col­ a seminary student in Washington, D.C., porteurs were selling. From the l880s on, Mrs. White produced a tremendous amount of literature-testimonies, articles and books. Of course, these were all related. The When authority is formal, latter fed on the former. Fanny Bolton, one every position taken by the per­ of her literary assistants, had a hard time, son who has that authority indeed, trying to reconcile her preconceived notions of inspiration with the way the arti­ must be obediently adopted. cles and books were being put together by But in the 1920s and 1930s it Marian Davies and herself. The pressure on was already becoming clear Mrs. White to write for the Review, the Signs, that Ellen White's every word the Youth's Instructor and the colporteurs was tremendous. But her authority as an could not be taken as a divine inspired or inspiring author was by now command. established; she enjoyed her work, and it never became a painful struggle for her. In the early hours of the morning she would my professors, Dr. Walther, Dr. Loasbyand write a draft which her assistants revised; Dr. Heppenstall, had very limited access to later she approved the final draft. these materials. Dr. Walther finally declared After Ellen White died, her son, W. C. that he would no longer teach a course in White, took over the production of her denominational history because he had no books, continuing to do what she had done access to the documents. At the same time before her death. Her own books had been it was expected that every doctrine we were compilations of paragraphs from testimo­ taught would be buttressed by statements nies, letters and articles; the only thing now from Mrs. White. missing was the approval of the final draft by Mrs. White herself. But another very sig­ hen authority is formal, nificant change took place as well. The W every position taken by the demand for her authoritative word began to person who has that authority must be obe­ come from a new quarter. She had produced diently adopted. But in the 1920s and 1930s her books to meet the demands of the gen­ it was already becoming clear that Mrs. eral reading public. Now they were being White's every word could not be taken as produced to meet the demands of a General a divine command. Our college campuses Conference committee that had decided the already enjoyed the luxury of paved tennis church needed something about a particu­ courts, and around the world some ministers lar subject, such as stewardship or parent­ were wearing wedding rings. In the realm ing. Now others were handling the formal of the practical aspects of life, in the world authority Mrs. White had formerly employed of policies and projects in the church, the for herself. Those who needed an objective authority of Mrs. White had begun to slip. authority had found one in her. Indeed, the decline had begun rather soon 10 Spectrum after her death. Around the world Adven­ ment penned by Mrs. White. tists belonged to labor unions, lent and bor­ Mrs. White's formal authority on matters rowed money and received aid from the of science and history has also undergone government in order to keep institutions erosion. The revelations for which Ronald running; sadly enough, many times ecclesi­ Numbers and Walter Rea are well known astical managers found themselves with lit­ have had telling effect despite efforts to tle guidance and made important decisions mount an apologetic counterattack by only on the basis of expediency. accommodating her use of sources to her No one has authority unless it is granted. visions. Mrs. White's authority on matters of daily But it seems to me that, with these new materials before us, Mrs. White's formal authority-the readiness of her readers, that Genuine Adventism is commit­ is, to accept what she said as true just be­ cause a prophet said it-has in fact been ted to the gospel and to the shattered. From now on no one should be truth. It does not claim that we able to end a theological dialogue by giving already have the truth on the a quotation from Mrs. White. If we ask why Mrs. White's formal author­ basis of a confirmatory author­ ity has been shattered, it is not first of all ity peculiarly our own. The because Desmond Ford demonstrated that Spirit of Prophecy does not she was wrong on the sanctuary and Walter give us a handle on truth; it Rea showed the extent of her literary dependence. The fundamental reason is that enables us to search for "pres­ the integrity of her office as a visionary has ent truth." been legitimately put into question. I think that everyone will have to agree that either consciously or unconsciously she misled us. living has always met with an uneven I also think that it is fair to say that there response. On numerous occasions the has been a cover-up by people who knew church has denied her the authority to dic­ better-or should have. Some may want to tate on practical matters. This is quite signifi­ say that she was less than candid about her cant, since it was precisely over practical literary work, while some may find even this matters of daily life that Mrs. White's Tes­ description too incriminating and unjust. timonies exercised authority in the first place. Others have gone all the way and have Today the authority of Mrs. White on charged her with deliberate deception. I practical matters is invoked only when the think this charge is difficult to prove. objective sought happens to coincide with In the aftermath of all the recent research something that she said at one time or on Mrs. White, even publications represent­ another. And to some degree, this has ing the church's leadership are presenting become the case also in the area of doc­ altered views. In a recent Ministry magazine, trines. She supplies authority for whatever for example, we are told that" Mrs. White's anyone wishes to teach, particularly in the prophetic role in shaping doctrine is ... not area of esoteric knowledge. How old is the normative," and that "Only if we refrain Earth? How tall was Adam? Is there a sanc­ from using Ellen White as a normative tuary in heaven? Will there be a third world authority for doctrine can we hope to meet war? Will it be fought in the South Atlantic other Christians on a common ground and or in the Caucasus Mountains? Some per­ expect them to see the validity of our doc­ sons claim to have authoritative answers to trines." And then to cap it off, "If her writ­ all these questions on the basis of a state ings are used to end all doctrinal disputes, Volume 16, Number 3 11 it is almost impossible to maintain the Bible White was a prophet, her personal integrity as the normative authority for doctrine. ' , 1 is sacrosanct. The author goes on to argue that instead of rs. White should never have normative authority, Mrs. White had' 'for­ been defended on grounds mative" and" confirmatory" authority. The M that she was endowed with an unimpeach­ editors of Evangelica2 said that with this lat­ able office that made her every word the ter remark the author was taking back what truth from heaven. With our small children he had given away at first, thus turning the we don't have to demonstrate strength of argument into an exercise in sophistry. I character in order to exercise formal author­ would rather like to hear more about what ity. But a six-year-old' s relation to his "confirmatory authority" means. mother is not the same as a church's rela­ Later I read in the Adventist Review a state­ tion to its prophet. The six-year-old may ment put out by the General Conference perceive his mother quite differently from Committee to encourage discussion of this what she really is, but Seventh-day Adven­ issue within the church. Among other things tists are not six-year-olds. Not anymore. it said, ' 'We do not believe that the writings Genuine Adventism is committed to the of Ellen White may be used as the basis for gospel and to the truth. It does not claim doctrine." "We do not believe that Scrip­ that we already have the truth on the basis ture may be understood only through the of a confirmatory authority that is peculiarly writings of Ellen White." "We do not our own. The Spirit of Prophecy does not believe that the writings of Ellen White give us a handle on truth; it enables us today exhaust the meaning of Scripture." 3 I to search for "present truth." We are no wondered, reading that, what had happened different, in fact, from other Christians who to the doctrine that the red books are the read their Bibles and newspapers and try to inspired commentary on the black book. Still use their reason and imagination. But if we later in the Review I read that the expression face our task responsibly, the Spirit of "I saw" on the part of Mrs. White was many Prophecy will not fail us. God will bless us times used merely as "a rhetorical device to and inspire us to a vision of heavenly things add emphasis and increase the readability that will be true to our times. of her report. "4 This is something I myself had long surmised simply on the basis of what I know about apocalyptic literature. Other things written recently about Ellen A legitimate authority advo­ White are even more puzzling. The White cates a position and lives from Estate put out an essay in which the author the power of that position, not suggests that the' 'I saw" statements are to from consent demanded purely be understood within the framework of the prophet's "delusional perceptual system, ' , ont he formal ground of his or a deficiency in which all humans have a her office. share. 5 And in Spectrum I read that an undeniable cover-up of Ellen White's bor­ rowing was amply justified because "the Many Adventists, perhaps most, want to biblical precedent for a 'cover-up' was believe that we have special doctrines, established by Christ himself."6 I must authorized by Mrs. White, that give this admit that I never thought I would read church a special identity. But we need not arguments in defense of Mrs. White or the fear the loss of Mrs. White as a formal policies of the White Estate that were so authority used to end all theological debate. poorly framed. I fail to see the logic of an We will no more lose our identity because argument that says simply because Mrs. we cease to preach about the investigative 12 Spectrum judgment than we lost our identity when we have formative authority for us in the sense ceased to preach that in order to be that she had a very definite hand in making translated you had to be a vegetarian. And us what we are. But from now on, we will in any case, our crisis in the church is not have to use our minds under the guidance fundamentally a crisis of authority. It is a of the Spirit in order to know how to think moral crisis, and we all share in it. What is and act today. at stake is not just Mrs. White's moral A legitimate authority advocates a position integrity. At stake is the moral integrity of and lives from the power of that position, the Adventist ministry to the world. At stake not from consent demanded purely on the is the moral integrity of our community. Let formal grounds of his or her office. If Jesus us not become fools who defend doctrines had authority with the common people of at the expense of their integrity. his day, or if he has authority with us today, it is not because he went about with the title "Son of God" stamped on his forehead. His authority was the authority of the gospel he The important question before preached and lived. His authority did not this church is not' 'What is the merely command the will; it also trans­ authority of Mrs. White formed the heart. The people reacted posi­ tively to Jesus' preaching because he taught today?" The real question is with authority and not like the scribes. The "What is the authority of the difference was that while the scribes used Adventist message today?' , the Old Testament as a formal authority so Does it have the inner power to they themselves could be brokers of author­ ity, Jesus spoke with an inner logic that convict the conscience of our reached the conscience of his listeners. His own young people and of the words had authority because of what he world? said. Real authority remains an authority in dialogue, an authority that permits choice. What church leaders feared most in the 1950s, when I was a seminary student, was Ellen White is our mother and she will that Ellen White's voice would be blended continue to be our mother, no matter what. with the realities of the nineteenth century. Let us not defend her on the basis that she They wanted her to speak from outside of is a prophet. Whether or not she is a prophet time, as a voice from eternity. They were is really not the issue. The real issue is afraid of what historical relativism might do whether or not she is to be canonized. And to her authority. But their fears, in part at the present crisis has helped the church to least, were ill founded, for although it is true answer that question with a resounding that the historian relativizes all human "No!" A whole generation of Adventist the­ voices, it is also true that the historian is the ologians has been agonizing over the insid­ only one who can provide the foundation ious canonization of Mrs. White. However, for any voice of the past to be relevant to it has become clear that she does not have our present. canonical authority, and once the church The choice today is not between author­ begins to live according to this understand­ ity and relativism. The choice is between a ing a new generation of Adventist the­ formal authority that must be obeyed on ologians may come up to serve the church account of the fact that it has spoken, and better than ours has been able. an internal·authority that claims our alle­ We will always be grateful to Mrs. White giance on account of what it says. Mrs. for what she did for us. She does indeed White's authority cannot be imposed Volume 16, Number 3 13 because she is a prophet. Her formal author­ Does it have the inner power to convict the ity has been shattered. From now on, Mrs. conscience of our own young people and of White's authority will depend on what she the world? Mrs. White can no longer func­ says, and the church as a body will deter­ tion as a formal authority. The temptation mine the wisdom of her words by whether for us to be brokers of authority has merci­ or not it decides to accept them. The dia­ fully been removed. What we need is moral logue with Mrs. White has just begun. integrity that will give power to our witness. The important question before this church We need always be reminded that when the is not' 'What is the authority of Mrs. White Lord chooses his agents on earth, he does today?" The real question is "What is the not make them authorities. He makes them authority of the Adventist message today?' , servants.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Ron Graybill, "Ellen White's Role in Doctrine White's Writings," Review and Herald, July 29, 1982, Formation," Ministry, Vol. 54, No.1 (October 1981), p .. 5. pp. 8, 9. 5. Jack Provonsha, "Was Ellen White a Fraud?" 2. Evangelica, Vol. 2, No.5 (Nov. 1981), p. 24. White Estate, 1981. 6. Alden Thompson, review of Walter Rea's The 3. Review and Herald, July 15, 1982, p. 3. White Lie, in Spectrum, Vol. 12, No.4 (Summer 1982), 4. Ron Graybill, "The 'I Saw' Parallels in Ellen p. 51. In Defense of Compilations

by Arthur L. White

ne day in August 1944, R.A. When Were O Anderson and L.E. Froom, representing the ministerial association of Compilations Started? the General Conference, walked into my office at the Ellen G. White Estate. "Are ctually, so~e of the books by there in the White Estate files specific coun­ A Ellen White published in her sels on evangelistic ministry, " they asked, lifetime were compilations of her earlier "that could be drawn together and pub­ writings. She used a series of 19 articles on lished as a single volume?" They pointed out Martin Luther, published in the Signs of the that aside from a chapter here or there in Times in 1883, to form chapters of Spirit of Gospel Workers and the Testimonies, there Prophecy Vol. IV, the forerunner of the 1888 was no place to which an evangelist could Great Controversy. A series of her Youth's conveniently turn for guidance. Conse­ Instructor articles on Daniel in 1903, and a quently, not a few of the evangelists were series in the Review and Herald on Ezra and a law unto themselves, with varying degrees Nehemiah, appearing in 1907 and 1908, of success in their work. Anderson and found their way into Prophets and Kings. Froom wanted to help in bringing greater During the last 30 years of her life Ellen uniformity to the evangelistic outreach of White could not, as in her earlier years, just the church. sit down and write a book. We might like These leaders came to me as chief execu­ to picture Ellen White working in comfort­ tive officer of the White Estate because the able, secluded circumstances, with reference Estate had previously published nine com­ works at hand, uninterruptedly writing pilations of Ellen White's writings. Since chapter after chapter. In reality, except for compilations have evoked comment-even brief periods when she gave a few consecu­ a bit of controversy in some countries-it tive weeks exclusively to writing, her work may be instructive to recount when compi­ was done under less than favorable circum­ lations of Ellen White's work were started, stances. She spent entire summers traveling how many there have been all together, why from campmeeting to campmeeting, speak­ they have been published and how they ing once or twice daily at as many as 14 were edited to avoid the bias of the editors. meetings in almost continuous succession. 1 One tour of the eastern United States took her away from home for seven months. In addition, Ellen White traveled through Arthur White has just completed the final volume of Europe three times in two years. In Switzer­ his autobiography of Ellen G. White. From 1937 to 1978 he was the secretary of the Ellen G. White land, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, England, Estate. France and Italy she spoke almost every day, Volume 16, Number 3 15 holding interviews and writing personal tes­ or nearly so. If one is reproved for a special wrong, timonies, often describing things God had brethren and sisters should carefully examine themselves to see wherein they have failed and revealed to her before she met the recipients wherein they have been guilty of the same sin. 3 of the message. During her 70 years of active From the time typewriters came into use ministry Ellen White never enjoyed a sab­ in her work in 1883, Ellen White's letters batical year to slip away to some hideaway were kept on file, growing to a collection of spot to concentrate on writing. a thousand pages or more each year. In these Throughout this time, however, she was letters she endeavored to deal less with building up a tremendous reservoir of writ­ applications to particular individuals than ings. On trips, whether for a week or three with general principles. She wrote in 1905, months, she took her office staff with her, "I am endeaVOring by the help of God to carrying typewriters, office supplies and all write letters that will be a help, not merely things needful to carry on her literary work to those to whom they are addressed, but from day to day. Sometimes she wrote on to many others who need them. "4 her lap as she traveled by horse-drawn car­ Ellen White described how these materials riage. Other times she wrote on cross­ were compiled into books for broad church country train trips. As a result, she accumu­ readership: lated innumerable letters, periodical articles, I feel very thankful for the help of Sister Marian day-by-day journals, transcribed sermons Davis in getting out my books. She gathers and materials published in pamphlets and materials from my diaries Iday-by-day journals] from my letters, and from the articles published books. in the papers. I greatly prize her faithful service. In the earlier years, a handwritten copy of She has been with me for twenty-five years, and Ellen White's communication, many times has constantly been gaining increaSing ability for the work of classifying and grouping my writings. 5 At another time, writing of Miss Davis' At the end of her life, Ellen work, she explained: She does her work in this way: She takes myarti­ White anticipated that her cles which are published in the papers, and pastes them in blank books. She also has a copy of all let­ writings would continue to be ters I write. In preparing a chapter for a book, compiled. In her will she Marian remembers that I have written something on that special point, which may make the matter authorized ' 'the printing of more forcible. She begins to search for this, and if, when she finds it she sees it will make the chap­ compilations from my ter more clear, she adds it. manuscripts. " The books are not Marian's productions, but my own, gathered from all my writings. Marian has a large field from which to draw, and her ability to arrange the matter is one of great value to me. the only copy, was sent to the person for It saves my poring over a mass of matter, which whom the message was intended. But as the I have not time to do ... Marian is a most valuable 6 church grew, Ellen White was challenged by help to me in bringing out my books. the fact that the messages God had given her Indeed, at one time Ellen White said, must be shared with a wider audience. In Marian "is my bookmaker." the year 1868 Ellen White was instructed in vision that by dealing with "the wrongs of How Were one, He [God] designs to correct many. "2 Compilations Prepared? Of the vision she wrote: I was shown that which fully justifies my course t was natural that at the end of in publishing personal testimonies. When the Lord her life Ellen White would antic­ singles out individual cases and specifies their I wrong, others, who have not been shown in vision, ipate that her writings in a wide variety of frequently take it for granted that they are right, forms-published and unpublished-would 16 Spectrum continue to be compiled. In her will she he production of this compi­ authorized "the printing of compilations T lation-neither the first nor from my manuscripts.' '7 the last prepared at the White Estate-was After Ellen White's death her son and my typical. In the light of Ellen White's wishes father, w.e. White, continued to supervise and her own practice, the White Estate compilations of her writings, starting with board was sympathetic to the request of Counsels on Health; When I succeeded my Anderson and Froom and requested that I father as executive secretary of the White investigate the feasibility of the Evangelism Estate, the work of compiling Mrs. White's compilation. I gave some hours to a survey manuscripts continued. When Anderson of materials-letters of counsel to various and Froom came to me I was happy to evangelists, sermons, articles in Gospel Wor­ recommend that the White Estate Board kers and the Testimonies and periodical arti­ approve a compilation on evangelism. I cles. I reported to the board, Anderson and knew that Ellen White herself would have Froom that ample materials existed. Some approved. days later the advisory council of the

How I Wrote the Ellen G. White Biography by Arthur L. White

was greatly surprised when the board a decade or two by one person would have been I of trustees of the Ellen G. White Estate impossible. came to me, asking me to complete a definitive biog­ Working on a year-by-year basis, I first went raphy of Ellen G. White. It was 1966. Sixteen years through the biographical cards, which averaged earlier the task of assembling biographical data­ about 60 per year, choosing the principal events of including handwritten diaries and early family the year. Then, page by page, I went through the letters-was begun. F. D. Nichol, editor of the issues of the Review and Herald for the year, watch­ Review, authored the project until the early summer ing for significant factual data. I typed on 4" x 6" of 1966 when, struck by a sudden aneurysm, he died. slips of paper key quotations and information, mak­ Called upon to continue his work, I hesitated, ing certain all reference data appeared at the head knowing that some felt a member of the Ellen White of the slip. I then scanned diary materials and let­ family could not be objective in writing her biogra­ ters of biographical significance, typing similar notes phy. But finally, I agreed. on 4" x 6" slips. This yielded from 75 to 150 sheets In the beginning, the work was slow. I was serving of notes per year. as secretary of the Ellen G. White Estate, dividing Then, having in mind two or three IS-page chap­ my time between office duties, teaching and public ters for a given year, I sat down to my faithful Stan­ ministry. But in 1978, when circumstances allowed, dard Royal typewriter and began to write. I resigned my official position to devote full time to After my retirement in 1978, most of this work was the biography. This allowed the production of a vol­ done at home, free from interruptions. I edited as ume a year-quite important, considering my I put the materials together, and further edited before advancing age. the chapter was passed to my secretary at the White Estate office. She prepared the finished copy on a word processor. Then copies were submitted to 10 or 12 White Estate Trustees and other experienced How the Work Progressed denominational workers for critical reading and sug­ gestions for correction and improvement before the eginning in the early 1950s, members final approval. Bof the White Estate staff put in type­ After the manuscript was placed in the hands of written form and on file all diaries and family let­ the publisher, it was edited and all quotations veri­ ters, aggregating several thousand pages. An fied. As the production of each volume proceeded, experienced member of the staff, Miss Bessie Mount, proofs were read and illustrations chosen by the made a 4" x 6" index with some 8,000 cards, not­ author from the photograph files of the White Estate ing Ellen White's principal activities. Without this ini­ and the Review and Herald. The volumes were printed tial preparation, the writing of the biography within in initial editions of 20,000 copies. Volume 16. Number 3 17 ministerial association lodged with the The committee of five met and decided White Trustees an official request for the that the forthcoming volume would serve preparation and publication of a compilation best if it were complete in its coverage. It giving counsels to the evangelists and Bible should therefore draw from all sources pub­ instructors. The board of trustees at their lished and unpublished, even though doing meeting on September 10, 1944, took the so would reprint some already published following action: articles. Arthur White and Louise Kleuser were named a working team to prepare the VOTED: That. in harmony with the recommen­ manuscript. dation of the Ministerial Association Advisory Council. we authorize the compilation of a manu­ First, the team had to decide what proce­ script. "Counsels to Evangelists and Bible Instruc­ dures to use. Either an outline could be tors" [later renamed Evangelism]. the work to be drawn up and material then researched to done by a committee of five. appointed by the develop the manuscript, or all known chair. The committee named was as follows: A.L. White, W.H. Branson. R.A. Anderson. Miss Louise sources could be consulted and then, with Kleuser. J.L. Shuler. the E.G. White statements as its basis, the manuscript developed. Such a course would minimize the influence of the compilers, Of course. variations of the process I have allOwing Ellen White uninhibitedly to come described have entered into the work through the through in the finished work. Even though decade I have been laboring on the project. And var­ this procedure would be the most time­ ious members of the White Estate staff have assisted consuming and expensive method, it was greatly in various ways. chosen as the safest and the best. The Order of Publication of the Loise Kleuser and I set to work. We first Six Volumes employed the indexes to the E.G. White let­ ter and manuscript files, then perused files he fact that volumes of the biography of periodicals before looking at Ellen White's T were published in a somewhat reverse books. We followed every clue to locate all order has occasioned some questions. Here are the principal reasons: relevant materials. Each item was painstak­ • Books relating to Ellen White's life. long avail­ ingly copied (no electronic copiers were able. contain quite a detailed account of her early available in those days) and individually life. while very little has been published about her middle and later years. Because of this. and consider­ filed. Items tied particularly to a given per­ ing my age and some uncertainty about the future. son were not included. However, there I felt my first efforts should be in areas least covered proved to be very few of these. The result in print. of this initial search yielded more than 2,000 • A decade or more ago when the work began. there were some persons still living and available for sheets. interviews who were personally acquainted with Even during the selection process, it was Ellen White. easy to see where Ellen White placed her • At the outset. the matter of concern was the writ­ emphasis. A general outline of the subject ing and not so much the publication. but with the manuscript for Volume 5 prepared and Volume 6 well matter naturally emerged, leading us to set along. the relevance of the materials was such that down 22 general divisions (later reduced to it was deemed appropriate to begin publication and 20). With this list of topics before us, we make the volumes available one at a time. rather than asking readers to wait until the writing was sorted the materials into their appropriate completed. sections. Where there were two, three or Throughout the writing of the biography. as I more specific statements covering the same watched how God gave insights. revealed history. point, the strongest or most complete, provided guidance and imparted instruction through Ellen White. I tried to open to the reader the many­ regardless of source, was chosen. The others faceted manner in which the Lord of the universe were laid aside. communicated with a member of the human family At this point, each section was organized. on earth. Overlapping points or phraseology were 18 Spectrum eliminated. Because there could be no Then there was the question of whether change in the words employed by Ellen the compilers should be named in the fore­ White, the items were arranged and drawn word. The secretary pointed out that together by employing side headings, high­ volumes prepared during Ellen White's life lighting the main point of the item selected. did not list the compilers in order that the Many prayers were offered seeking guidance focus be on the author. As a result the of the Holy Spirit as the work was being trustees done, particularly that there be an absolute VOTED: That the foreword to the Evangelism fairness to Ellen White and the prospective manuscript be signed by the Trustees, and that we reader in the way materials were employed. request the Secretary to draft a statement for consideration. The nine readers of the manuscript mainly suggested wording for side headings and Many prayers were offered referred the attention of the compilers to a seeking guidance of the Holy very few additional E.G. White statements. Spirit as the work was being With reports in hand, the working team of two examined the entire manuscript, cutting done, particularly that there be out some repetition of materials and mak­ an absolute fairness to Ellen ing other suggested adjustments. In its vir­ White and the prospective tually finished form, 25 copies were reader in the way materials mimeographed and the adjusted manuscript submitted to the board of trustees of the were employed. Ellen G. White Estate (and others) for final approval at their October 25, 1945 meeting. Minutes of that session describe the book: A paragraph from the White Estate An analysis of the manuscript indicates that it minutes of May 2,1945, seven months after contains 200,785 words, and if issued with a type the work began, offers insights in the prog­ page similar to Testimonies to Ministers will make ress of the project: a volume, including index and title page, of approximately 675 pages. In analyzing the con­ The Secretary pointed out that the manuscript tents, the Secretary pointed out that 50 per cent for the new book, "Counsels to Evangelists" [later of the matter is drawn from the Manuscript Files, renamed Evangelism], is taking shape, and arrange­ 24 per cent from periodical articles, Special Testimo­ ments should be made for a reading committee. nies, and out-of-print works, and 26 per cent from It was suggested that this committee be one which the current available E.G. White books. Thus 74 could serve the Officers of the General Conference per cent of the manuscripts present materials and the Ministerial Association as well as the which were not available prior to the issuance of Trustees. The following committee was appointed: this volume. W.H. Branson, L.K. Dickson, F.M. Wilcox, R.A. Fourteen months after it was decided to Anderson, J.L. Shuler, T. Carcich, D.E. Venden, C.A. Reeves, and T.G. Bunch. prepare a compilation, Evangelism was pub­ Just two months later, the White Estate lished. It has enjoyed a good sale, serving trustees meeting gave further consideration effectively as a guide and inspiration to those to the manuscript for the proposed book. engaged in evangelistic ministry. The secretary, after reporting that good pro­ gress was being made on the project, sought vital concern to White Estate counsel about employing italics to empha­ A personnel involved in making size certain parts of the manuscript. The compilations was-and is-ensuring that it ensuing action read: is fully representative and free from the bias of the compiler. Let me cite an example. A VOTED: That the Trustees feel that it would be out of place to use italics to emphasize certain parts few years before the publication of Evan­ of the manuscript, and might appear to take on gelism, when Counsels on Diet and Foods the form of private interpretation. came from the press, I was drawn into the Volume 16. Number 3 19 compilation process. I was aware of a half­ Down through the years the White Estate dozen E.G. White statements that set forth has been requested to prepare compilations circumstances in which the use of meat was on many subjects. Although the White justified. I am a vegetarian and could very trustees see no light in providing Spirit of easily have ignored these, but I had no desire Prophecy counsels already available else­ to do so; indeed, I would not have dared to where, the posthumous books they have do so. The preferences of the compiler must produced have implemented what Ellen not weigh in selecting materials. The com­ White had in mind when she made this pilation must correctly and completely rep­ statement near the close of her life: resent the emphases of Ellen White. For Abundant light has been given to our people in example, all the statements known to exist these last days. Whether or not my life is spared. my writings will constantly speak. and their work recognizing a justification for meat-eating will go forward as long as time shall last. My writ­ are in Counsels on Diet and Foods. ings are kept on file in the office and even though In her later years, Ellen White occasion­ I should not live. these words that have been given ally expressed her desire to get out a book to me by the Lord will still have life and will speak to the people. 8 on the Christian home. This project was delayed in order to complete other volumes such as Acts of the Apostles; Counsels to Par­ The Integrity ents, Teachers and Students; Gospel Workers and Prophets and Kings. The book on the of the Compilations home had to wait, and Ellen White passed to her rest before the work could be uestions have occasionally undertaken. Q been raised as to whether Soon after the acceptance of the manu­ taking selectlOns from various Ellen G. script for Evangelism, the White trustees White sources and putting these together, one after the other, may have created dis­ tortions. Others have asked how sentences Truths are quite as much or paragraphs taken from a letter addressed to an individual can be lifted from the let­ truths in the abstract as in an ter and used in a book for general reading. immediate setting. The truth These questions have already been partly expressed in the words, "God answered, but the fuller answer is found in is love," needs no context or the quality and nature of the materials included in the compilation. explanation. This point in particular should be noted: Statements representing facts, principles and truths are quite as much truth in the abstract commissioned the preparation of a manu­ as in an immediate setting. The truth script on the home, following the methods expressed in the words, "God is love," described for Evangelism. The materials needs no context or explanation. Counsel assembled made two books, The Adventist to an administrator pointing out efficient Home and Child Guidance. The procedure of ways to conduct the work of God, or even assembling all that Ellen White wrote on a pinpointing certain weaknesses or dangers. given subject often brings to light such a is truth unaffected by circumstances or wealth of materials, it is difficult to hold a specific context. Counsel to parents on the volume to desirable limits. Another compi­ proper manner of administering discipline lation that ran beyond anticipated limits was would apply to other families where the the popular Mind, Character and Personality, same elements exist. Of course there are issued in two volumes. times when a fuller context might be of 20 Spectrum interest. and for this reason each item Then she explained a procedure often fol­ included in the compilations carries its own lowed in her work which many times proved source reference. but space limitations pro­ effective in avoiding a confrontation that hibit using letters or articles in their entirety. could repel rather than win: Even when delivering particular counsels It i.s my first duty to present Bible principles. to specific individuals. Ellen White very Then, unless there is a decided, conscientious often couched the message in terms of reform made by those whose cases have been presented before me, I must appeal to them general principles. This is a point she made personally. 9 in writing of a certain experience in New With this quality evident in many of the Zealand. As she visited one of the cities. she messages directed to individuals. confer­ became aware of the failure of the ences or institutions. it is easily seen that evangelist-pastor and his wife. the McCul­ statements of vital principles can well be laghs. to exercise proper control over their employed in compilations of E.G. White three-year-old daughter. and so wrote a materials. It is also apparent that counsels message to the parents giving guidance. that serve the church well can be widely dis­ However. observing the attitudes of the par­ seminated to benefit its members. thus ents and being aware of the sensitive nature preparing a people to meet their Lord at his of the matter. she did not give them the let­ second coming. ter. She later explained in writing to the In some cases. as counsels on a given topic parents: are drawn together in close proximity. the I intended to give it to you, but did not do so reader has the benefit of the full range of the because I gave a discourse there in which I took presentations of E.G. White on a given up very plainly the principles stated in this letter. point. Sometimes this yields a concentration You both heard my words, spoken under the power of Holy Spirit, and Sister McCullagh told on a topic. which may seem overwhelming me that she received this message as given to her­ as God' s ideals for his church are portrayed. self for she needed it. She said that she had never Nevertheless. the assemblage of the seen the case presented in that light before, and materials in this form brings within easy that she would make a decided change in her course of action in regard to her child. But this reach phases of important guidance and work has been strangely neglected. instruction that should not be overlooked.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Arthur L. White, E.G. White Biograpby, Vol. 3, 7. F.D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics, pp. The Lonely Years, pp. 35-71. 675-678, for the full text of the will; p. 677 for the 2. Ellen G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 112. clause containing this provision. 3. Ibid. 8. Ellen G. White, Letter 371, 1907, to F.M. Wil­ 4. Ellen G. White, Letter 79, 1905. cox (see 3 SM 76). 5. Ellen G. White, Letter 9, 1903 (see 3 SM 93), 6. Ellen G. White, Letter 61a, 1900 (see 3 SM 91, 9. EllenG. White, Letter 69, 1896. Cf. E.G. White 92), Biograpby, Vol. 4, The Australian Years, pp. 276, 277. A Vindication of Ellen White as Historian

by Jean Zurcher

llen White's reliability in de­ were Waldenses, and that these Waldenses E scribing historical events de­ kept the Sabbath. But Ellen White was justi­ serves to be defended. Some Adventists fied in not tracing the origin of the Wal­ have raised doubts about Ellen White's denses to Pierre Waldo who lived in the 12th inspiration and authority by attempting to century. There existed in Northern Italy, prove she made significant errors in her writ­ well before Pierre Waldo, various evangeli­ ings about historical events. A favorite tar­ cal groups opposing the church of Rome. 3 get is Ellen White's references to the "It was only the malice of their enemies and Waldenses and Albigenses. 1 However, on the desire to blot out the memorial of their this topic recent scholarship supports Ellen antiquity, which made their adversaries White, not her critics. There were Waldenses impute their origin to so late a period, and who kept the Sabbath and the Albigenses to Pierre Waldo."4 were indeed Christians. The real importance of Pierre Waldo con­ sisted in rallying to his cause these various groups, thus founding a religious movement The Waldenses and the Sabbath worthy of the attention of the Papacy. The fact that the name of the Waldenses should Through ages of darkness and apostasy there be mentioned for the first time at the Third were Waldenses who denied the supremacy of Lateran Council in 1179 in connection with Rome, who rejected image worship as idolatry, and who kept the true Sabbath ... Behind the lofty bul­ Pierre Waldo is not proof that the people warks of the mountains-in all ages the refuge of took their name from him.5 The opposite the persecuted and oppressed-the Waldenses conclusion can also be sustained. Accord­ found a hiding place. Here the light of truth was ing to ancient usage and the etymology of kept burning amid the darkness of the Middle Ages. Here, for a thousand years, witnesses for the the name, it seems more logical to affirm truth maintained the ancient faith. 2 with certain historians that Waldo received his name from the' 'people of the valleys. "6 llen White has been criti­ Ellen White is perfectly correct to speak of E cized for saying that a thou­ the Waldenses giving their witness for "a sand years before the Reformation there thousand years" from the beginning of the Middle Ages.7 As for Waldenses observing the Sabbath, Jean Zurcher for many years has been secretary of we must first point out that Ellen White the Euro-Africa Division. He received his doctorate nowhere says that all the Waldenses were in philosophy from the University of Geneva and was president of the Saleve Adventist Seminary in faithful observers of the Sabbath. To the Collonges. contrary, in the first two pages where she 22 Spectrum discusses the churches of Piedmont, Ellen of them arrived from Italy in the 11th cen­ White speaks on the one hand of the defec­ tury. Pierre Waldo himself, according to cer­ tion of the leaders, and on the other hand tain sources, visited the north of France on of the steadfastness of some, of the com­ his way to Germany. 11 By the 15th century promise of many, and the faithfulness of cer­ there were so many Waldenses in the north tain ones. 8 of France that the inquisitor of Artois com­ She then says that' 'the churches [of Pied­ plained, "The third of the world is Walden- mont] that were under the rule of the papacy sian. "12 were early compelled to honor the Sunday Paul Beuzart discovered in the archives of as a holy day. Amid the prevailing error and the Pas-de-Calais at Arras an account of the superstition, many, even of the true people martyrdom in 1420 of Ghuillebert Thuling, of God became so bewildered that while pastor of several Waldensian congregations. they observed the Sabbath, they refrained On March 25, 1420, when Thulin had come from Valenciennes to visit a group of interested people, at Douai. he was arrested with fifteen other per­ sons. Transferred to Arras. these persons were tried before a tribunal of the Inquisition. Two were The remaining seven Wal­ imprisoned for life. Nine of the tortured ones denses, including their pastor, recanted and were merely punished. Six weeks later, before a crowd of ten to twelve thousand were burned at the stake. The people, the remaining seven Waldenses, including charge says, "They observed their pastor, were burned at the stake. The bishop's charges of heresy worthy of death have Saturday instead of Sunday." been preserved; "rejection of the worship of the Virgin and the saints who were not in Paradise; disbelief in the Eucharist and the masses on behalf of the dead; refusal to make the sign of the cross; from labor also on the Sunday." So, "while, rejection of confessionaL" Also, the charge says, "they observed Saturday instead of Sunday. "13 under the pressure of long-continued per­ Records of the event state specifically that the pas­ secution, some compromised their faith, lit­ tor, Ghuillebert Thulin, "kept the Sabbath on tle by little yielding its distinctive principles, Saturday. "14 others held fast the truth." It is in this con­ A second manuscript of the Arras' court text, and following this general observation, action, preserved in the library of Douai, that the so-called erroneous statement of states that these heretics observed "the com­ Ellen White is placed. "Through ages of plete Law of the Jews. "15 Probably for this darkness and apostasy there were Waldenses reason also, the martyrs of Arras, in 1420, who denied the supremacy of Rome,who as some others at Bois-Ie-duc in 1533, were rejected image worship as idolatry, and who marked with a yellow cross, a color used to 6 kept the true Sabbath" (emphasis added). 9 mark Jews during the Middle Ages.1 In none of these extracts does Ellen White state that the Waldensian church, with a The Albigenses and Dualism capital W, observed "the true Sabbath." Elsewhere Ellen White clearly states that "a hile a whole chapter of The striking illustration of Rome's policy toward W Great Controversy is dedi­ those who disagree with her was given in the cated to the Waldenses, there are only two long and bloody persecution of the Walden­ brief references to the Albigenses. The first ses, some of whom were observers of the Sab­ of these is found in the introduction to the bath" (emphasis added),l0 chapter on "Huss and Jerome," describing Secondly, although examples of Sabbath how the gospel was implanted in Bohemia observance in the Middle Ages are rare, we before the Hussite reform: know of some Waldenses who observed the Many of the Waldenses and Albigenses, driven true Sabbath in the north of France. The first by persecution from their homes in France and Volume 16, Number 3 23

Italy, came to Bohemia. Though they dared not These were made by persons who were Bot teach openly, they labored zealously in secret. always in a position to express their beliefs Thus the true faith was preserved from century to centuryY clearly and the declarations were frequently extorted under threat and tortur~. Also, the The second reference to the Albigenses is reports were made by writers who were bet­ found in the chapter on "The Bible and the ter informed about the philosophy of Plato French Revolution. " Speaking of the perse­ and Aristotle than about elementary bibli­ cutions that took place throughout the his­ cal truths. 21 tory of France, Ellen White writes: Even the well-known defender of the Century after century the blood of the saints had Catholic point of view, Daniel Rops, put the been shed. While the Waldenses laid down their question to himself: "Is it sure that we know lives upon the mountains of Piedmont "for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus it [Cathari doctrine] exactly?" He is forced Christ, " similar witness of the truth had been to admit: "As far as the Cathari are con­ borne by their brethren, the Albigenses of cerned, it is the trial reports of their ques­ France.IS tioning, the bulls and the council rules It has been said that these two quotations condemning them, which give us informa­ contain historical errors. First, that Ellen tion about them, all of which is disturbing White called the Albigenses the' 'brethren' , none the less." 22 of the Waldenses. Second, that she stated However, today the historian can search that the Albigenses and the Waldenses gave authentic Cathari documents that permit , 'similar witness of the truth, " and thanks researchers to derive information directly to them "the true faith was preserved from from the source. As a matter of fact, thanks century to century." It is said that actually to the valuable discoveries in the past dec­ the Albigenses denied most essential Chris­ ades of 13th-century Cathari manuscripts, tian doctrines.19 it is possible to develop a precise idea of the We must first clarify the names for this religion of the Albigenses. 23 Far from being group. The name "Albigenses" is generally heretics, they were authentic Christians. given to a group of Christians whose move­ ment was born in the region of the city of Albi in the south of France, who in the 12th Good and Evil century withdrew from the Catholic Church to establish what is also called the Cathari Church. Cathari signifies' 'pure. " This name oone will dispute that' 'the was given them because this group of Chris­ N Albigenses' teachings were tians, beginning in Albi region, said they based on a dualism which sharply differen­ preached the pure doctrine of the gospel. In tiated between an evil material world and this essay "Alhigensian" and "the Cathari" the pure world of the spirit. " The real issue are used interchangeably. is what kind of dualism is attributed to the Up to the middle of the 19th century we Cathari. knew the Cathari movement only through In order to justify the crusade launched the accusations of their persecutors who had against the Albigenses and the extermina­ to prove they were dealing with dangerous tion of a complete race of people, the inqui­ heretics. One of the principal anti-Cathari sitors identified the Albigenses as successors treatises, the Liber contra Manicbeos, was of the Manichean sect opposed by the Cath­ written by a former Waldensian, Durand de olic Church since the fourth century. Hav­ Huesca, who left Waldensianism to found ing limited their investigations solely to the the order of the "Poor Catholics" about documents of the Inquisition, a number of 1207. The main sources of information are historians have continued to make that declarations made before the Inquisition. 20 charge. 24 24 Spectrum However, the Book of the Two Principles, teachings are concluding that' 'the radical which represents the most radical Cathari dualism of the Cathari appears founded, in dualism, does not teach a "ditheism, " that the West, on a completely different problematic is to say a belief in two eternal and equal than the one of the ancient Manicheism." gods, but rather" a moral dualism of good (emphasis added). 29 Some are going so far and evil, a cosmic dualism of Christ and as to say that "the dualism of the Cathari Satan. ' '25 Rene Nelli, who studied the is clearly included within the limits of the Cathari dualism in depth, affirms that' 'the conception of the Gospel." 30 Cathari never stated that the two principles According to the Cathari understanding were 'equal': the evil principle alone shows of the plan of salvation, Christ was finally his imperfection. "26 Certainly, "the Cathari to triumph over the dominion of Satan in could call themselves dualists, since they a world entirely given over to evil; he would believed in the existence of a quite negative deliver the people of God from the corrup­ root of evil in eternity, active and positive tion of this present evil world in order to in the temporal sphere ... " But, "the two gather them into another world, on a new supernatural personages that the Cathari put earth and with a new heaven. truly in opposition were Satan and Christ. ' '27 Without any doubt the Cathari dualism makes a clear distinction between the mate­ rial world in which mankind lives and the spiritual world where celestial beings dwell. Thanks to the valuable discov­ The Cathari Treatise makes it clear that we eries in the past decades of must not confuse the two realms: 13th-century Cathari manu­ "If the kingdom here below, whose prince we know is evil, were the kingdom of Christ and of scripts, it is possible to develop God, it would never. have such heirs, it would a precise idea of the religion of never be doomed to such corruption." In the same treatise, the Cathari clearly the Albigenses. Far from being express their faith and hope: heretics, they were authentic How numerous are those who busy themselves as little as possible with the other world and other Christians. beings, but are interested only in those that can be seen in this present world .... We say that there is another world and other beings who are incor­ ruptible and eternal. which constitute our hope It is true that' 'some historians, uncon­ and our joy. scious adversaries toCatharism and behind Still again, speaking of life in the world to the times, " continue to speak' 'of two equal come, the author refers to a saying of Jesus principles of Catharism." However, for the in these words: Occitan heretics, the god of good out­ The Son of God spoke also of two worlds when matches without doubt the god of evil, in He said: "The children of this world marry wives, being, in wisdom, in power and in eternity. and wives take husbands. But those who will be accounted worthy of having part in that other If the heresiologists would consent to use the world and in the resurrection of the dead, will not vocabulary of the "heretics" which they marry any more, and wives will no longer take hus­ study-it would be on their behalf a mini­ bands. "31 mum of objectivity-and not that of the 'inquisitors'; if they would call the good Satan, or the Principle of Evil principle the True God, as the Cathari did, maybe they would find it more natural and hose who accuse the Cathari more "scientific," not to make the other­ T of religious dualism inevitably the False-its equal (emphasis added). 28 charge them with believing, along with More and more specialists in Cathari Manichean sects, that Satan or the prince Volume 16, Number 3 25 of darkness is the god of evil, creator of the Powerful-One-in-evil. " But far from being material world. Obviously the Cathari had the Manichean god of evil, eternally op­ to defend themselves against such an posed to the god of good, creator of the interpretation of their dualism. 32 The Book world of matter, the devil of the Cathari, of the Two Principles states emphatically the himself "created by God, "36 is never other orthodox Christian doctrine of Creation: than the one by whom evil exists and who According to our faith, the Lord, our God will finally be annihilated, just as the Bible created and made all things: the heaven, the earth, teaches. "That is clearly expressed in the the sea and all that is in them, and God founded the universe on the Lord Jesus Christ, in heaven divine writings, that the Lord, the true God, and on earth; and all things were created by Him, will destroy the 'Powerful One' and all his in Him and from Him, as many authorities have forces, which work every day against Him 33 previously pointed it out. and His creation.' '37 Within that orthodox Christian position the Cathari Treatise outlines the Albigensian Old Testament vs. appreciation of the reality of evil: New Testament God According to these texts, God created "all things' '. But as too many people do not know the Holy Scriptures mean by "all things' , , we say with ritics of the Cathari go on to truth that generally "all" means only good and C accuse them of rejecting por­ spiritual things. 34 tions of Scripture, particularly in the Old Testament, that portray God as jealous and avenging in contrast to the New Testament The Cathari could not believe God of love. that God was definitely the The chronicler of Vaux-de-Cernay, for example, states that the Cathari attribute author of wars, massacres, exe­ "to the good God the New Testament, and cutions and all the violence de­ to the evil God the Old Testament." Pierre scribed in the Old Testament. Clerque, curate of Montaillou, reports on his That does not mean they part that for the Albigenses "all the Scrip­ ture with the exception of the gospels and rejected these books. the Pater are inventions and lies." These charges are absolutely false. To the contrary, the Albigensian author of the It is inconceivable that "this God, of Cathari Treatise cites as biblical authorities whom we have previously said that He was passages from Job, the Psalms, Isaiah, good, holy and just, and high above all Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel and praise, would be the supreme cause and Daniel, and declares: "We believe that principle of all evil: which we do most em­ whieh the witness of the prophets confirm, phatically deny ... Since God is not mighty and what the authorities of the New Testa­ in evil, in that He has not the power to make ment more fully demonstrate. "38 evil appear, we must firmly believe that Certainly the Cathari show a preference there is another principle which, itself, is for biblical passages that portray God as mighty in evil. It is from him that comes all holy, just and good, but that does not mean the evil which has been, is, and will be.' '35 they rejected portions of the Bible. One who At no time did the Cathari attribute to him has cast even a brief glance at the Cathari whom they" characterized as the devil, " the Treatise or at the Book of the Two Principles power of an "evil Demiurge, " creator of the cannot fail to be impressed that just as much "material world." Certainly, the devil is place is given to the Old as to the New called "the Powerful One" or "the Testament. 26 Spectrum In her introduction to the Ritual Cathare, accuse Pilate or the Pharisees, for they would have Christine Thouzellier has made two very only accomplished the will of God by that, and if otherwise would have committed a sin in resist­ interesting observations in relation to its use ing the will of the Lord. It is necessary to resolve of Scripture. "Regarding the Bible, the this difficulty thus: God smote His Son byallow­ author of the Latin Ritual seems to have no ing His enemies to cause Him to die. They would never have been able to do this if the good Lord discriminating prejudices, as well as the Himself had not permitted them this power. This author of the Book of the Two Principles. "39 is what Christ said to Pilate: 'You would have no It is precisely the same with the compari­ power over me, if it had not been given you from sons' 'unfavorably" made between the God on high." (John 19:11) ... The true God allowed this crime because there was no better way to of the Old Testament and' 'the New Testa­ deliver His people from the power of the enemy. 40 ment God of love." We do not know any Cathari quotation of this kind, and even if there are some, that would prove in no way Jesus: Wholly Man, Wholly God that the Cathari were not Christians as such. Many Christians of our day contrast the God ne of the most treacherous of Israel to the God of the Gospels. The O slanders made by historians churches of the Reformation went as far as against the Cathari concerns their faith in putting the Jewish law in opposition to the person of Jesus Christ. These are sim­ Christian grace, concluding thereby that the ply repetitions of charges made in the docu­ rule of grace has superseded that of law. ments of the Inquisition. Actually, the writings of the Cathari abound with profes­ sions of faith in Jesus as the Son of God. For ertain books of the Old Testa­ example: "For that reason, the Son of God ment cause the Cathari prob­ C Himself, Jesus Christ ... "41 "The Lord true lems. They could not believe that God was God has not beaten His Son Jesus definitely the author of wars, massacres, Christ ... "42 "As the redemption of this executions and all the violence described in people drew near and the advent of this the historical books of the Old Testament. reign, that is to say, that of the Son of That does not necessarily mean that they God ... "43 The Cathari Ritual even includes rejected these books. They tried rather to Matthew 16: 13-16: "Thou art the Christ, the give them an interpretation in harmony with Son of the living God. "44 the concept that they had formed of the It is certainly not by chance that the character of God. Luther did the same thing. Cathari had a preference for the writings of He called into question the epistle of James, John. These, more than all the others in the because it did not harmonize entirely with New Testament, have as their particular aim his conception of justification by faith. to prove that "Jesus is Christ, the Son of Here is a typical example of how the God" (John 20:31). Cathari reinterpreted a verse of the Old Some have also charged that the Cathari Testament, quoted in the New Testament. rejected Christ's bodily incarnation and The question was whether a text implied resurrection and that they therefore taught God or Pilate and the Pharisees were the real that Christ's sufferings on the cross were fic­ authors of the death of Jesus. "For it is writ­ titious, because a good spirit could not be ten: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep a part of an intrinsically evil fleshly body. will be scattered" (Matthew 26:31). The These are the characteristics of a heresy author of the Book of the Two Principles attacked by Paul as well as by John. But the explains: Christ of this docetism heresy is not the It was not the true Lord God who Himself. will­ Christ of the Cathari. The translation in the inglyand directly smote His Son, Jesus Christ. If He Himself, willingly and substantially, had per­ Occitan language of 1 John 5: 19-21 itself petrated this homicide, nobody could in any way constitutes a masterly rebuttal: Volume 16, Number 3 27

We know that we are of God, and all the world based on the word of St. Paul on the subject of lies in wickedness. And we know that the Son·of marriage (I Cor. 7:32-34, 38), Based on these verses God has come (and that he became flesh for us, and and on other passages of the same epistle ... the died for us, and rose from the dead for us and that He Albigenses required celibacy of the preachers of took us with Him). And he gave us understanding the gospel, but of these only. As they exercised an that we might be in His true Son, Jesus Christ is itinerant ministry and lived in absolute poverty, truly God and etemallife" (emphasis added).45 one can imagine that there would have been We have placed in parenthesis the difficulties for them to have the responsibility of explanatory gloss of verse 20, which itself a family. All the more so in a time of persecution when they were hounded from place to place, one alone is sufficient to refute all accusations cannot see very well how they would have been that the Cathari rejected the incarnation and able to support a family ... It must be noted, how­ resurrection as genuine bodily events. The ever, that there were never more than a million reality of the sufferings and the death of faithful believers. Celibacy therefore remained true of a small minority, and it does not seem to have Christ are confirmed in numerous passages. visibly affected the birth rate!47 For example, in the Manuscript of Dublin we In any case, to massacre a million people read that' 'our Lord Jesus Christ redeemed under the pretense that they' 'destroyed the the kingdom with His blood" and that" for family" is difficult to understand. their [men's] sins our Lord Jesus Christ Critics cite as further evidence that the suffered and died so that by His death He Albigenses were dualists the fact that they conquered him who had the power of death, were vegetarians. Supposedly they repudi- that is the devil, as the apostle wrote to the Hebrews.' '46 Lifestyle: Marriage and Albigenses required celibacy of the preachers of the gospel, but Vegetarianism of these only. Celibacy hose attacking the Albigenses remained true of a small mi­ T for being dualists charge them nority, and it does not seem to with bizarre behavior. One of the most fre­ have visibly affected the quently repeated slanders against the Albigenses concerns marriage and family birthrate! life. They have been accused of condemn­ ing marriage and considering the begetting of children a sin because those acts over­ ated the eating of meat because they be­ value the evil body in contrast to the good lieved in the transmigration of souls. That soul. the Cathari gave as a reason for their vege­ Here is what Jacqueline Dumesnil, an tarianism the fact that meat excites the sex­ authority on the Cathari, wrote in refutation ual passions, is reasonable. Do we not have of these charges: good reason to believe the same thing, with­ out that constituting a proof of some kind Let us say at once that the Albigenses had swarms of children! Esclarmonde de Foix, who is of Manicheanism ?48 considered to be one of the most important per­ As to the theological reason, no Cathari sons of the Albigensian church, and who text justifies saying that they believed in represented that church as a theologian at the con­ transmigration of souls. All evidence for that ference of Pamiers where she triumphed gloriously over the Catholic bishops; this same Esclarmonde charge comes from secondary sources. 49 This gave twelve children to her husband! This certainly is a pure invention of their accusers, or a bad was not a Platonic union, nor a "mystical" one interpretation of their general attitude (as the enemies of the Albigenses would have us toward animals or even of their belief in the believeD. : . It is true the Albigenses considered virginity as resurrection of the dead. Since the doctors superior to the married state. Their opinion was of the church believed in the immortality of 28 Spectrum the soul, the biblical doctrine of the resur­ by water. They simply considered it insuffi­ rection became a teaching was completely cient. The proof is in this statement in the strange and anachronistic. Cathari Ritual: Rene Nelli explains very well that "it is Let no-one think that by this baptism lof the Spirid perhaps the belief in the possible incarnation which you expect to receive, that you should despise of devils in owls, snakes, toads or cats, the other baptism (by water), nor all that you have which sometimes stirred the less educated been able to do or say as a Christian or of good until now. But you must understand that it is important Cathari to accept also-but exceptionally­ that you receive this holy ordination of Christ to sup­ the transit of souls lost to God into vile and plement that which is lacking for your salvation. 52 'wicked' animals" (emphasis added).50 A story like the one in Mark 5: 1-17 might lead them to believe this: "And the devils beg­ The Albigenses, Brethren ged him, saying: Send us into the swine, so that we may enter into them" (v. 13), of the Waldenses

he charge that the Albigenses llen White's statement that T devalued the material world E the Albigenses were ' 'the including the body is supposed to be sup­ brethren" of the Waldenses can be under­ ported by their views on baptism. They are stood in several ways. even accused of rejecting baptism of the From a doctrinal point of view it is ex­ body by water and substituting baptism by tremely difficult to separate the Waldenses the immaterial Spirit. Once again this is a from the Albigenses. For both, worship was gross distortion of the facts. It is true that comprised of reading of the Word of God, the Albigenses considered baptism of the the sermon, prayer and benediction. Both Spirit more important than baptism by groups included two elements in the Lord's water, basing their belief on the declaration Supper; rejected worship of images, vener­ of John the Baptist: "I baptize you with ation of the Virgin, or prayers offered to water ... He will baptize you,with the Holy saints; did not believe in the sacrifice of the Spirit" (Matthew 3: 11). At a time when the mass, nor in the real presence of Christ in church did not know what to say about the the host; and rejected belief in purgatory. Holy Spirit, the Albigenses made reception We know also that the Albigenses, just as of the Holy Spirit a requirement for the the Waldenses, believed b the one and tri­ spiritual life. They practiced the laying on une God: the Creator of the universe; Jesus of hands in order to receive the Holy Spirit; Christ, the Son of God; and an active, per­ what they called "the baptism of Jesus sonal Holy Spirit. Both taught that human­ Christ. " ity was sinful and corrupt, and that sin puts Following what they believed to be the man in contact with devils. But by his work, example of the apostles, Albigensian wor­ Christ provided for cleansing from sins and ship included a ceremony of laying on of assured an eternal future to his own in his hands called "the consolation, " in reference eternal kingdom. Both groups believed that to the Spirit that Jesus had called the "Com­ the people of God live as exiles. This pres­ forter. ' '51 For the Albigensians "the conso­ ent world, "placed under the reign of evil," lation" was a purification rite and only those should not be confused with the kingdom who had been "comforted" were "good" of God. When the Lord Jesus Christ will enough to perform this spiritual baptism. It come in his glory, he will establish his king­ is also only by the Spirit that the believer was dom and destroy the "Powerful-One-in­ in a position to live in harmony with the evil," "from whom stem all evils. "53 commandments of God. The chief articles of faith of the Albigenses But the Albigenses did not despise baptism paralleled those of the Waldenses. So also Volume 16, Number 3 29 did their actions. Both groups demonstrated they necessarily possessed the truth in every their evangelistic spirit by translating the particular as we understand it today. gospel into their native tongues. The Albi­ Nevertheless, their understanding of the genses, like the Waldenses, preached pov­ plan of salvation, their faith in the Lord erty. For both the true faithful ones of Christ Jesus as the Son of God, their hope in his are those who follow his example by re­ return, and their style of living in the world nouncing both worldly power and posses­ in the expectation of the restoration of all sions. things stamps them as authentic Christians. Far from being deceived, Ellen White cor­ Ellen White Saw Correctly rectly affirmed that the Albigenses, just like the Waldenses, gave their lives for "the f one reads carefully the original word of God and the testimony of Jesus I texts of Cathari teaching, it is Christ." At the same time they bore' 'siJ;ni­ impossible to think of the Albigenses as non­ lar witness to the truth." Thanks to them, Christians or a Manichean sect. On the con­ , 'the true faith was preserved from century trary, we have every reason to believe that the Albigenses, just as the Waldenses, were authentic disciples of Christ. This was also In the case of both the Wal­ the opinion of St. Bernard who, in 1147, denses and the Albigenses, we went to the south of France to try to con­ vert the Albigenses to Catholicism. "Their believe we have given proof customs are beyond reproach," he that the author of The Great remarked. "They do no harm to anyone, Controversy did not commit they do not eat the bread of idleness, and they teach that man should live entirely by gross historical errors. his own labors. "54 St. Bernard insisted, "If you ask them what their faith is, it is com­ pletely Christian; if you listen to their con­ to century. " The fact that she borrowed cer­ versation, there is nothing more innocent; tain information from the historians of her and their deeds are in harmony with their time, in no way means that she necessarily words. "55 copied their mistakes. In the case of both the In stating that the Waldenses and the Waldenses and the Albigenses, we believe Albigenses were witnesses to the truth, Ellen we have given proof that the author of The White certainly did not mean that their doc­ Great Controversy did not commit gross trines were exempt from mistakes or that historical errors.

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. The most recent and complete statement of 5. Walter Map, De Nugis Curalium, pp. 56, 66, in such criticisms is by Donald Casebolt, Spectrum, Vol. LeRoy Edwin Froom, op. cit., pp. 832, 833. 9, No.3 (February 1981), 6. Cf. LeRoy Edwin Froom, op. cit., Vol. 1, 2. E.G. White, The Great Controversy (Mountain Appendix D, pp. 937-952. View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 7. Ellen White places the origins of the Waldenses 1950), pp. 65, 66. in The Great Controversy at "centuries before the birth 3. Cf. Leroy Edwin Froom, The Prophetic Faith of of Luther" (p. 78), or "hundreds of years before the Our Fathers, Vol. 1, pp. 807-839. Reformation" (p. 65), or even "a thousand years" 4. Cf. Jacques-Benigne Bosuet, The History of the (p. 65), Variations of Protestant Churches, Vol. 2, pp. 110, 120, 8. "For centuries," she writes, "the churches of in leRoy Edwin Froom, op. cit., p. 830. Piedmont maintained their independence; but the 30 Spectrum time came at last when Rome insisted upon their sub­ heretical books, the Dominicans constrained his heirs mission. After ineffectual struggles against her to burn them, and it is regrettable that a lawsuit has tyranny, the leaders of these churches reluctantly not preserved for us a catalogue of this library. " The acknowledged the supremacy of the power to which Crusade Against tbe Albigenses and tbe Reunion of Lan­ the whole world seemed to pay homage. There were guedoc to France. some, however, who refused to yield to the author­ 22. Daniel Rops, L'Eglise de la Catbedrale et de la ityof the pope or prelate. "-Ellen White, op. cit., p. Croisade, p. 661. Librarie Artheme Fayard, 16e ed., 64 (emphasis supplied). Paris, 1952. 9. Idem, 65. 23. Jean Rouillard, an Adventist pastor, prize win­ 10. Idem, p. 577. ner at the Bible Contest of Jerusalem, member of the 11. Cf. Paul Beuzart, Les Heresies pendant Ie Moyen society of Cathari studies, published a series of arti­ Age et la Reformedans la region de Douai, d'Arras et cles in the Revue Adventiste, from April to December ay pays de l'Alleu, Le Puy, 1912. Chapter III, pp. 3, 1977, under the title: "Knowledge of the Cathari." 4,20. We find there a detailed description of various 12. Idem, p. 67. Cathari manuscripts actually available for 13. Idem, p. 47. researchers, as well as an article on the main beliefs 14. Cf. Roger Guenin, articles in Revue Adventiste, of the Albigenses. See also the international maga­ April 1960, and Servir, 1st quarter, 1960, p. 6. zine, Conscience et Liberte, 2nd term, 1976. 15. Manuscript 1169, Bibliotbeque de Douai, cited 24. Cf. Daniel Rops, L'Eglise des Apotres et des Mar­ by Paul Beuzart, op. cit., p. 47. Cf. note 1. tyrs, pp. 561-569, Librarie Artheme Fayard, 141e edi­ 16. Paul Beuzart, op. cit., pp. 48, 49, Cf. note 3. tion, Paris, 1949. See also: L'Eglise de la Catbedrale 17. Ellen White, op. cit., p. 97. et de la Croisade, pp. 657-678, Paris, 1952. 18. Idem, p. 271. 25. Deodat Roche, L'Eglise Romaine et les Catbares 19. Donald Casebolt, op. cit., p. 38. Albigeois, p. 171. Arques, 1957. 20. It should be said that the Inquisition began 26. Rene Nelli, Ecritures Catbares, p. 19, Editions about 1204, a period in which Pope Innocent III Planete, 1968. launched the fourth crusade against the Albigenses, 27. Rene Nelli, Le Pbenomene Catbare, p. 43, Privat, with the cooperation of the armies of the king of P.U.F., 1964. France. 28. Rene Nelli, La Pbilosop"Qie du Catbarisme, Ie 21. The preachers of the Albigenses had the habit dualisme radical au XIIIe siecle, p. 65. Payot, Paris, of saying to their Catholic opponents: "It is you who 1975. are heretics, and we can prove that from the New 29. Idem, p. 10. Testament. "-Jacqueline Dumesnil, Les Cavaliers de 30. R. Morghen, Medioevo Christiano, 1958, in Rene la Nuit, p. 184, Belgique, 1964. Nelli, Le Pbenomene Catbare, p. 65. Having understood this, the Protestant theologian 31. Catbari Treatise-Jean Rouillard, Revue Adven­ Albert Reville pointed out that in order to know tiste, October and December 1977. Cathari teaching, "we are reduced to descriptions In the Catbari Treatise the text of John 1:3 is trans­ given by adversaries, by some apostates, and to depo­ lated as follows: "All things were made by him and sitions gathered by the tribunals of the inquisition. without him was not anything made." Rene Nelli Some are disparaging, others suspect, so that we have explains that it "has to do with relative nonentity to beware especially of the tendency of these judges and with 'privation': death, darkness, etc ... " Ecri­ or of these historians, equally biased, to present as tures Catbares, p. 195. direct dogmas or as beliefs positively profess~d by 32. For that reason, we can read in the Catbari the Cathari, many ridiculous or repulsive eccentrici­ Treatise: "As some people direct evil criticisms ties which are only the real or assumed consequences against us on the subject of works and of divine cre­ of principles admitted by them. Nothing is more ations, we must ... grasp more clearly the problem deceptive than a method like this." Revue des Deux­ and know the truth of it. First, we honor to the Mondes, May 1, 1874, quoted by Deodat Roche, Le utmost the supreme God, the true God, the Almighty Catbarisme, Vol. 1, 1973. Father, through whom, as we read and as we believe, Ellen White was perfectly correct when she stated: 'have been made the heaven, and earth, the sea and "Written in the heavens, the history of the people all that therein is' (Psalm 146:6), as is confirmed by of God throughout this gloomy period {that of the the witness of the prophets and demonstrated even papal supremacy] occupies but a small place in more completely by the authorities of the New Testa­ human annals. One can scarcely discover the exis­ ment." Catbari Treatise-Rene Nelli, in Ecritures tence of these Christians other than in the calumny Catbares, pp. 183, 184. of their persecutors. Rome's tactics were to suppress 33. Christine Thouzellier, Livre des deux Principes, all trace of divergence from its doctrines and pp. 271, 273. Editions du Cerf, Paris, 1973. decrees. "-Ellen White, The Great Controversy, p. 61. 34. Catbari Treatise-Rene Nelli, op. cit., p. 193. The historian Pierre Belperron reports this interest­ 35. Christine Thouzellier, op. cit., p. 311. ing fact, confirming the statement of Ellen White: 36. Idem, p. 265. "In 1235 when the Dauphin, count of Auvergne 37. Idem, pp. 213, 215. died, who had accumulated out of curiosity all the 38. Cf. Jean Duvernoy, Le Catbarisme: la religion Volume 16. Number 3 31 des Cathares. pp. 27. 28. note 3. Edition Privat. by the power of our Most Holy Father. the diSciples Toulouse. 1976. We find in the Appendix II. pp. of Jesus Christ were purified by baptism from the 120-133. a Scripture index of all biblical quotations. stain of their sins. They received from the Lord-as All the books of the Old Testament and of the New He had received them Himself from His Most Holy Testament appear there. plus certain apocryphal Father-the virtue and power of cleansing in tum books. Contrary to what is generally thought. the other sinners by the baptism of Jesus Christ. We find Gospel of Matthew is quoted most often: 165 times in fact in the gospel of the blessed John. that the Lord compared with 120 for the Gospel of John. Jesus Christ said to His disciples. after the resurrec­ 39. Christine Thouzellier. Ritual Cathare. pp. 26. tion: .As my Father has sent me. so send I you .. Hav­ 32. ing said that. He breathed on them and said to them: 40. Christine Thouzellier. Livre des deux Principes. 'Receive the Holy Spirit. Sins shall be forgiven to pp. 407. 409. those whom you forgive. and sins will be retained 41. Idem. p. 351. for those whom you retain them.' .. Ritual Cathare. 42. Idem. p. 407. 9:44-55. Christine Thouzellier. pp. 231. 235. 43. Cathari Treatise-Jean Rouillard. op. cit .• 52. Ritual Catbare. 13:73-78. Christine Thouzellier. October 1977. op. cit .• pp. 253. 255. 44. Christine Thouzellier. op. cit .• p. 233. 53. The eschatological vision of the Cathari rests 45. Occitan Manuscript. Jean Rouillard. op. cit .. entirely on the teaching of the Scriptures. We find October 1977. quoted there all the classical references in the Psalms. 46. Dublin Manuscript. Idem. October 1977. Daniel. the Gospels. the epistles and the Revelation. 47. Jacqueline Dumesnil. Les Cavaliers de la nuit. Cf. Jean Rouillard. The Cathari and the Return of pp. 184. 185. Belgique. 1964. Christ. in Revue Adventiste. November 1977. also in 48. Cf. Ellen White in Counsels on Diet and Foods. Conscience and Liberty. No. 12. 2nd quarter. 1976. p. 397. See also pp. 389-392. 399. p.69. 49. Cf. Rene Nelli. La Philosophie du Catharisme. 54. Quoted by Pierre Gosset. Histone du Moyengage. pp. 173-184. Payor. Paris. 1975. Paris. 1876. p. 248. 50. Idem. p. 184. 55. Sermon 65. I. 1495-Quoted by Deodat Roche. 51. "So. by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. op. cit .• pp. 83. 84. The BaptisIn

by Bonnie L. Casey

got saved the day my brother blasphemy. The night before his baptism he I was baptized, which is more informed me that he was going to keep his than I could have said for him. He was bap­ eyes open underwater to see if my grand­ tized by my grandfather in a tank of water father's robe floated up. I wanted to be there next to the organ in the church where my as much to see if he would really do this as grandfather sometimes preached. to watch for any alterations in his character. I was terrified of my grandfather, a tall, That Sabbath my grandfather departed lean man with pure white hair. His warmest from his African notes to preach about lit­ gesture toward me up to that time had been tle children sitting at the feet of Jesus. Every to teach me to mix strawberry jam into my now and then he would mention my brother cottage cheese so I wouldn't gag on it. He to illustrate his point, gesturing down was a retired missionary who preached long, toward him and calling him "this precious mesmerizing sermons about Africans named soul. " All the mothers in the congregation Utu and Bunga whom he had personally cried and made their children put away their saved from sin. I was contemplating getting coloring books and listen. My brother sat saved myself at some future date, a process still, his chin on his chest and his eyes fixed which in my world necessitated a plunge in downward. He was tearing his bulletin into the baptismal tank. But first I wanted to see a thousand pieces and dropping them onto if it had any noticeable effect on my the floor. brother's character. At the end of the sermon, my grandfather My brother needed saving more than any­ and brother went to a room behind the plat­ one I knew, yet his attitude toward his form to put on their robes. The choir sang impending immersion had been casual in the all the verses of "Just as I Am" to fill in until extreme. He was 12, four years older than they returned. When they failed to emerge I was, but light-years ahead of me in at the end of the hymn, the choir sang it all sophistication. He hung around with older over again. boys who wore Brylcreem on their hair and Finally my grandfather appeared in his watched "American Bandstand" when their black robe, walking toward the center of the parents weren't home. He took every oppor­ tank with the slow, dragging steps of every­ tunity to let me know that he "knew the one's worst dreams. The water came up to score." I admired this about him, except his waist, so that when my brother emerged where it touched on matters of the divine, from the shadows behind him, he was sub­ and there I thought he ventured into merged up to his armpits. My grandfather placed one hand on top of my brother's head and held his other hand up in the air, two fingers pointing toward heaven. He Bonnie 1. Casey is a consulting editor for Spectrum. She works as a writer and editor in the Washington, began to pray and pronounce blessings upon D.C., area. my brother. Volume 16, Number 3 33

nd that's when it happ~ned sun porch at the dreaded children's table. A to me. Being pieced together Some of my relatives who didn't usually from bits of half-understood sermons and come to church had come for the baptism, hymns, my understanding of salvation cen­ and we were going to have something of a tered around an experience of inner celebration afterwards. "glory." As I understood it, when you were I sat with my brother in the back seat of saved, Jesus came into you and then shone the car as we drove to my aunt's house. I out' of you-sort of like you had swallowed had stopped crying by this time and was feeling much like myoId self. I was think­ ing about what had happened to me in I felt a deep pit open up church and whether I ought to try to explain beneath me and start to swal­ it to my brother. I looked over at him, slouched against the car door in his Sabbath low me. A feeling of mixed suit. He didn't look like someone who'd had wonder and terror gripped my an encounter with the divine. He didn't look throat, and I began to cry­ any different at all, except that his hair was wet and slicked back. He felt me staring at quietly at first, then in big him, finally, and turned and glared at me. gulping gasps. , 'What are you lookin' at?" he mumbled. "Nothin'," I said. a light bulb. This experience had never come t my aunt's house, my to me firsthand, but I felt confident that I A. brother was the center of would recognize it if it ever did. Such was attention, at least for a while. Everyone had my faith in my own election. kind words and manly advice for him. They As my grandfather spoke on and on, I felt shook his hand and told him he had taken a deep pit open up beneath me and start to a big step-and how proud they were of him. swallow me. A feeling of mixed wonder and They told him that from here on he must terror gripped my throat, and I began to try to live up to this experience. He told cry-quietly at first, then in big gulping them that he would try. My grandfather gasps. Finally my grandfather stopped took my brother by the shoulders and began speaking. I saw him cover my brother's talking in his preaching voice. He said things mouth with a handkerchief, and then the I didn't understand about a Damascus road, scene became a blur. Whatever it was that and then made everyone close their eyes was swallowing me took over completely. I while he said grace. bent over double and hid my face in my My brother had assured me that after he hands. was baptized he would be allowed to sit with By the time my brother came up out of the the adults for Sabbath dinner. But after water, I was shaking uncontrollably. My grace was over, he was sent out with me and mother thought I was going to be sick and my cousins to the sun porch, where he took me out to the ladies' room. I didn't tell hunched into his usual seat at the children's her I wasn't sick. I just sat in the stall for table. He was deeply wounded by this insult, several minutes, contemplating the mystery but I was glad for the chance to observe him of the divine. Then I flushed loudly and at close range. He brooded and sulked all came out, making a show of wiping my during dinner. My cousins and I tried to mouth with a wad of paper. make conversation with him, but he told us We were going to have lunch after church to be quiet, referring to us as "you children" at my aunt's house, which for my brother and telling us to eat our peas. and me always meant being consigned to the I could see no evidence that my brother's 34 Spectrum character had changed for the better. If any­ "The shenanigan glory. You know, like in thing, he was more moody and flippant than the hymn. The shenanigan glory that shines he had been before. Finally I hit on a test. forth from within." If he passed it, there was some hope that my Suddenly my brother's face was contorted brother was capable of being saved. I put on into a laugh so overpowering that he was my most serious expression and looked right silent for the first few seconds. Then he at him. He was sitting across the table from exploded into howling guffaws, pausing me, stuffing great globs of apple cobbler into between howls just long enough to bellow, his mouth. "That's shekinah, you twerp! Shekinah "Did you do it?" I asked. glory!" "Did I do what?" he answered, swallow­ I put one foot on the seat of my chair and ing another mouthful of cobbler. planted my fist just above my brother' s gap­ , 'Did you keep your eyes open ing mouth. He reeled straight back off his underwater? " My brother put down his spoon and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. He didn't answer my question directly; he just It took a few seconds for the leaned across the table until his leering face full import of what my brother was inches from mine, and said, had said to hit me. When it did, , 'Longjohns. ' , I suddenly had a vision of my It took a few seconds for the full import of what my brother had said to hit me. sainted grandfather standing in When it did, I suddenly had a vision of my a circle of huts, preaching to a sainted grandfather standing in a circle of group of Africans in his long huts, preaching to a group of Africans in his long underwear. It was an image that underwear. shocked and enraged me. Forgetting my table manners, I shouted at my brother, "I don't believe you were saved today at all!" chair in a somersault and landed on his back "Well, how would you know? You've on the floor. I ran around the corner of the never been baptized," he shouted back. table and stood over him, one foot in each "I know because I got saved today with­ of his armpits, ready to defend my honor out being baptized. While you were in the and the honor of my grandfather. But it tank with grandfather I got swallowed up by wasn't necessary. My brother lay silently the shenanigan glory." beneath me with his eyes closed, his face My brother paused and blinked a few washed in blood. He looked as saved as I times. "The what?" he shrieked. had ever seen him. The Untold Story of the Bible Commentary

by Raymond F. Cottrell

eventh-day Adventist study of comment consistently on the text of the S the Bible came of age with Bible in the original languages instead of an publication of the seven-volume Seventh-day English translation, and first to make con­ Adventist Bible Commentary in 1953 to 1957. sistent use of state-of-the-art archaeological The proof-text method of interpretation information in an endeavor to recreate the used for doctrinal apologetics began to give historical circumstances within which each way to an objective investigation of Scrip­ passage was written and to which it was ture using the historical-contextual-linguistic addressed. It was first to make consistent use method. of variant readings in the ancient Prior to the Commentary, Adventist books manuscripts wherever these clarify a state­ about the Bible usually assumed the dog­ ment or resolve a problem in the text. matic rol~ of a teacher; the Commentary Most of the 37 contributors were ade­ chose the more humble role of a student quately trained, experienced, dedicated listening intently in order to hear what the Bible scholars who had been serving the Bible has to say. It eschewed a closed mind, church as college Bible teachers over the naively content with the illusion of already preceding 20 years. being in possession of all truth, for an open The index to Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek mind in quest of an ever more complete and words considered in the Commentary (see accurate understanding of Scripture. It Vol. 7, pp. 996-1017) reflects the endeavor recognized and respected alternative of the contributors and the editors to pro­ interpretations of moot passages of Scripture vide as accurate an understanding as possi­ and, upon occasion, acknowledged the fact ble of the meaning the inspired writers of that we do not have all of the answers. Its the Bible intended their words to convey. objective was not to get in the last word on The exhaustive subject index on pages 1022 every point of interpretation but to encour­ to 1167 enables Commentary readers to read­ age and assist readers in reaching their own ily locate information on every Bible topic conclusions. For the Commentary, Bible considered in its 7,949 pages. The 34 study became a continuing pilgrimage into introductory articles in the seven volumes, truth. together with an introduction to each book The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commen­ of the Bible, were designed to provide a tary became the first publication of the wealth of information on such subjects as church to deal with the entire Bible from historical, chronological and cultural back­ Genesis to Revelation in a systematic, ground, and on the writing and interpreta­ expository way. It was the first to base its tion of Scripture-all of vital importance in understanding the Bible. Finally, the Com­ mentary gave every church member instant Raymond Cottrell, former associate editor of the Adventist Review and SDA Bible Commentary, is a con­ access to the best information Seventh-day sulting editor and frequent contributor to Spectrum. Adventist Bible scholars could provide. 36 Spectrum The story begins with two remarkable dimensions within a reasonable time and at men, J.D. Snider, who initiated the project, a viable cost. and F.D. Nichol, who carried it through to a successful conclusion. The story of the Commentary is basically the story of these Enter Francis D. Nichol two men, and the kind of people they were in large measure explains its success over the s commander-in-chief of the past 30 years. A Commentary project, Snider and the Review and Herald board selected J.D. Snider, Dreamer Francis D. Nichol, who had served for the preceding 23 years as associate editor and Extraordinary then editor-in-chief of the Review and Her­ ald (now the Adventist Review). With Nichol's he Seventh-day Adventist Bi­ 30 years of editorial experience and author­ T ble Commentary germinated in ship of a score of books, several of them the fecund mind of J.D. Snider (1889-1976), requiring painstaking research and accuracy, Review and Herald book department man­ Snider and the board had good reason to ager from 1936 to 1967. "J.D.," as his believe that Nichol was the right man for the friends affectionately knew him, was job and the person most likely to make the endowed with the rare gift of anticipating project a success. Nichol knew the Bible, books designed to respond to a particular was sensitive to the mood and needs of the need, of finding the right people to write church, had the sound judgment to make them, and of inspiring still other creative the product both useful and acceptable to people to help him translate his dreams into a church sensitive on doctrinal matters, and reality. His success was legendary; if J.D. he enjoyed the confidence of all whose par­ was for a project, it was certain to succeed. ticipation would be necessary in order to J.D. 's consuming passion during his ten­ transform the idea into reality. ure as book department manager found Nichol accepted the challenge of the Bible ingenuous expression in the title of his clas­ Commentary in addition to his full-time job sic I Love Books (1942), which sold a quarter as editor of the Review, and gave both of of a million copies and was translated into them his formidable thought and drive at several languages. His personal library of the rate of 12 to 15 hours a day, six days a 25,000 volumes likewise mutely witnessed week, for six years. He had the dubious to the ardor of his lifelong love affair with reputation of running a marathon race at the books, and over his office door the theme pace of a hundred-yard dash. He was at his of his life was embossed in wood: "With­ desk by four-thirty every morning and out a love for books, the richest man is expected the same of his editorial associates poor. " on the Commentary. He usually worked The idea of a Seventh-day Adventist com­ evenings as well, and often Saturday nights. mentary on the Bible took root in J.D. 's With his consummate editorial skill Nichol thinking as the result of a persistent demand was ever aware of the limits of his knowl­ for classical commentaries such as those of edge and relied heavily on the expertise of Jamieson, Fausett and Brown; Adam Clarke; others in their respective fields of compe­ and Albert Barnes-all of 19th century vin­ tence. He often referred to his editorial role tage and not always in harmony with the as that of " a broker of other men's brains. ' , Adventist understanding of the Bible. He As editor of the Review-a post of respon­ foresaw the value of an up-to-date Adven­ sibility and influence usually considered to tist commentary to the church and believed be second only to the General Conference it feasible to produce a major work of such president-Nichol had a high sense of edi- Volume 16, Number 3 37 torial prerogative and responsibility, which for 11 years. We arrived in Takoma Park late he often reverently remarked he had learned in September 1952, and began work on the from his illustrious predecessor, F. M. Wil­ Commentary the first day of October. Dur­ cox. He listened intently to everyone, and ing those five years I invested more· than when he recognized a valid point he incor­ 15,000 hours in concentrated study of every porated it into his decision making. But on verse of the Bible. At the conclusion of work more than one occasion he said to me: "No on the Commentary and the retirement of one, not even the president of the General Frederick Lee in 1957, Elder Nichol invited Conference, can tell me what goes into the me to join the Review staff as an associate Review or what does not. Of course, they can editor. have me fired if I make an irresponsible Early in 1953 Elder Nichol invited Don F. decision. " Neufeld, head of the Bible department at Canadian Union College, to join our team. He arrived with his wife Maxine and their family in June, at the close of the school The Commentary Team year. Don was an expert in Hebrew and Greek, and over the years he made his own n consultation with teachers at translation of several books of both the Old I the Seventh-day Adventist The­ and New Testaments. He was painstakingly ological Seminary and a few trusted friends, careful and accurate in his explication of the Elder Nichol assembled members of the Bible, eminently logical in his reasoning Commentary team. The full-time team con­ sisted of Don F. Neufeld and Raymond F. Cottrell, associate editors, and Julia Neuffer, The Commentary chose the assistant editor. There were, as well, six part-time editors-making a total of ten. The humble role of a student listen­ major prerequisite was expertise in Hebrew ing intently in order to hear and Greek; as for editorial skills, Nichol what the Bible has to say. Its would provide on-the-job training. Julia Neuffer was already established as objective was not to get in the the Review's research specialist. She had last word on every point of majored in.archaeology and Near Eastern interpretation but to encourage antiquity at the Seventh-day Adventist The­ and assist readers in reaching ological Seminary, and since the late 1940s had worked in close association with Lynn their own conclusions. H. Wood and later Siegfried H. Horn on an ad hoc committee of the General Conference on the chronology of Ezra 7. Upon the processes, and meticulous in his use of recommendation of Dr. Horn she was cho­ language. sen by Elder Nichol to write the chronology Never having met each other before the articles for Volumes 1 to 3 and 5 of the Com­ Commentary brought us together, Don and mentary. Her chief concern was matters of I had independently formulated identical factual detail, for which she was often sent principles of exegesis, and from time to time to the Library of Congress. Her penchant for each of us felt constrained to express happy accuracy was notorious. surprise at finding the other following the At the time Nichol called me to join him same principles. This not only made our at the Review and Herald, I was teaching work together congenial, but resulted in a biblical exegesis at Pacific Union College, much more uniform product than would where my wife, Elizabeth, and I had been otherwise have been possible. Of course we 38 Spectrum both followed the linguistic-contextual­ tary are reflected in the ten pages of his historical method, but even more to our "Instructions to Commentary Writers." mutual surprise, identical principles in the "First and most importantly, " he wrote, it interpretation of Bible prophecy. is to be "exegetical"; where appropriate it Our auxiliary editorial team consisted of could also be "homileticaL" It was to pro­ Leona Running, Earle Hilgert, Alger Johns, vide Seventh-day Adventists with "a work Herbert Douglass, Bernard Seton and James Cox, who participated variously from a few months to as much as two years. The first Each writer received a formal two were teachers at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary; the others contract that promised the were graduate students recommended by munificent sum of one dollar the Seminary faculty. Leona Running and per manuscript page-scarcely Alger Johns were simultaneously studying with William Foxwell Albright at Johns Hop­ enough to pay for typing the kins University in nearby Baltimore. manuscript! The privilege of In any exposition of the Old Testament, participating in the project an accurate and comprehensive knowledge was, presumably, to be a of archaeology and ancient history is vital. Though not formally a member of the Com­ writer's principal reward. mentaryteam, Dr. Siegfried H. Hom, recog­ nized by his fellow archaeologists as unexcelled in his field, provided that free of ... doctrinal errors" and with "em­ expertise-both in the planning stage and phasis and elaboration" in "those areas of throughout the editorial process. In addi­ Scripture that are the basis of distinctive Ad­ tion, he wrote 929 pages of the Commen­ ventist belief." It was not "to crystallize tary-more than any other contributor. once and for all a dogmatic interpretation' , of the Bible, nor to "give sanctuary or sup­ port to the pet theories of any individual" or to be "speculative. " By avoiding techni­ The Writers and the Writing cal theological jargon it was to be "at once learned and simple": "It isn't necessary to or writers, Elder Nichollogi­ use ten dollar words in order to express ten F cally turned to the Bible dollar thoughts. " It was to take full advan­ teachers in our North American colleges and tage of the insight into the meaning Hebrew the Seventh-day Adventist Theological and Greek words provide, but without mak­ Seminary. He visted each campus, inter­ ing a fetish of them. It was to be written for viewing candidates and exploring their areas ministers, Bible instructors, Sabbath school of expertise, interest and willingness to par­ teachers, local elders, missionary-minded lay ticipate. Later he made specific assignments, persons and those who' 'have a special love stipulated the number of pages for each and for the Bible and who wish to study it with set up mutually agreeable target dates. Each greater thoroughness. " writer received a formal contract that The most often expressed criticism of the promised the munificent sum of one dollar Commentary has been Nichol's listing of all per manuscript page-scarcely enough to authors without specifying what each wrote. pay for typing the manuscript! The privilege The instructions contained an extended sec­ of participating in the project was, pre­ tion on the "Anonymity of Writers" in sumably, to be a writer's principal reward. which Nichol explained the reasons for this Elder Nichol's aspirations for the Commen- intentional omission. He felt that since the Volume 16, Number 3 39 manuscripts required fairly extensive revi­ proved to be poor writers. It was the task sion to achieve the uniform style necessary of the associate editors to remedy these and for a Seventh-day Adventist Bible commen­ numerous other defects and to unify the tary, they could not be used as vehicles for style. Elder Nichol then evaluated the work personal opinions. To protect individual and made the final decision regarding what writers from criticism, even on points where the Commentary would say, verse by verse. the writers and editors might agree, the edi­ What should the editors do when they dis­ tors assumed full responsibility for content, cover that one of the contributors had had although names of the 37 contributors of all his secretary type Albert Barnes' commen­ seven volumes appear in each volume. tary for an entire book of the Bible, word Thirty years later these fears no longer seem for word from beginning to end, and sub­ justified. The accompanying list of authors mitted this as his contribution to the Seventb­ should be read with the reservation in mind day Adventist Bible Commentary? Nichol's that opinions expressed in the Commentary solution was to say nothing, pay the stipu­ reflect the consensus of the editors and not lated fee, file the document in his circular necessarily always the opinions of the origi­ file, and secure a pinch-hit writer. Under­ nal writers. standably, the name of the former writer does not appear among the contributors. What should the editors do when com­ The Editorial Process ment on a major book of the the Bible is completely unusable? In this case the writer was suffering the later stages of a terminal he manucripts varied consid­ disease, yet his high sense of loyalty and erably in quality, and thus in T responsibility led him to do his best to ful­ the time required to process them for type­ fill his contract. He was paid, of course, but setting. Some, such as those by Siegfried the three editors who wrote what appears Horn and Graham Maxwell, required little in the Commentary were unable to use any or no editing. Others had to be revised or of his material. In this instance there was not completely rewritten. In some instances the time to secure another writer. What should the editors do when a major manuscript is three years late and the time To protect individual writers is fast approaching when it must be pro­ from criticism, the editors cessed in order to keep the project on sched­ ule? Nichol asked his associates to suggest assumed full responsibility for a substitute writer who might be persuaded content of the Commentary, to fulfill the assignment-almost overnight. although names of the 37 con­ The long-delayed document came in the tributers of all seven volumes mail a day or two later and proved to be one of the best-written contributions to the appear in each volume. Commentary. Inasmuch as this was to be a Seventh-day Adventist Bible commentary, we considered manuscript consisted es~entially of the it appropriate, always, to take note of teacher's classroom notes-excellent for use historic Adventist interpretations of a pas­ in lectures but impossible as commentary sage. Where two or more interpretations material. In several instances the manu­ have been held by a significant number of scripts consisted primarily of generalities responsible persons within the church, it and homily, with little or no exegesis. In was our purpose to represent all of them some instances excellent scholars simply fairly, but to favor an interpretation on 40 Spectrum which an informed consensus had crystal­ and six part-time editors, copy editors, and lized. As editors we did not consider it more than 100 non-editorial readers, Nichol appropriate to use the Commentary as a vehi­ was able to compress the work of a century cle in which to promote our personal opin­ into five or six years-with a high level of ions or those of anyone else. In instances accuracy. In a letter to contributors in where our collective judgment could not August 1955 he wrote: conscientiously support a particular tradi­ It is becoming increasingly evident to us that the tionally held interpretation, we sought in an very nature of this work, which must make a cohe­ inoffensive way to present the evidence and sive whole of all that is written ... demands a give the reader an opportunity to make up tremendous amount of work upon the original manuscripts. This is in no way a disparagement his or her own mind. At times the expres­ of the authors. . .. This heavy total of editorial sion "Seventh-day Adventists have taught hours explains, in part, why it is possible to bring that ... " or its equivalent was our ironic way out ponderous volumes at a rather rapid rate and of expressing collective editorial judgment still produce works of prime value. that the interpretation so characterized is But, for Elder Nichol, quality was even not exegetically valid. Accurate exegesis was more important than time: The Commentary our primary concern. must be as nearly perfect in every respect A little more than halfway through, Nichol as possible-biblically, theologically, factu­ figured that the editorial process alone ally, typographically and stylistically. required 11,025 work-hours for each vol­ Accuracy and speed are not usually alto­ ume, or a total of 77,175 for all seven. For gether compatible, but operate in inverse one person to do all of the writing and the proportion to each other. Nichol demanded editing, nearly 100 years would have been both. In order to provide the Commentary necessary. By enlisting the help of 37 writers, with both, he set up an elaborate system an editorial team consisting of three full-time designed to ferret out every possible type of

"A Day for Toil, an Hour for Sport"

espite its harrowing pace, the Com­ No one in Takoma Park knew his whereabouts, D mentary p:roject had its lighter except that he was somewhere in sun-drenched moments. Goading himself beyond mercy and insist­ Florida. He would call occasionally and crack his ing that everyone who worked with him go and do taskmaster's lash by long distance, but we could likewise, Elder Nichol, a man of fabulous vitality, never call him. We were on our own. lived three lives during his 69 years. He was a man After several weeks of relative solitude we (Don; of compassion and great spirit who could always Merwin Thurber, chief book editor; and D plotted relate a humorous anecdote to get his point across. to locate and surprise Elder Nichol. & we departed With his quick repartee, Elder Nichol was almost one snowy Thursday at twilight and drove in shifts never caught speechless. Only twice during the 14 all night long, we knew nothing more than that they years I was associated with him did I ever see him were somewhere in Florida. Arriving in Orlando, in that uncomfortable state, and even then only for Winter Haven and Avon Park, erstwhile Nichol a fleeting moment. hideouts, we found no one who had seen him. Then The first such occasion took place in Tampa, word leaked out. A phone call to Takoma Park re­ Florida, where he and his wife, Rose, were vealed that Nichol's secretary, who was in on our sequestered, on doctor's orders, for eight weeks dur­ little plot, had received a post card from Mrs. Nichol ing the early months of 1955. He was virtually with a picture of their Tampa motel. We headed for exhausted, and the prescription was complete rest Tampa in hot pursuit, only to find the Nichols out with no phones ringing, no one knocking, no letters for the day. But they were still registered at the little to answer, no galleys to read, and perhaps most motel on the fringe of town. After a dip in the warm important of all, no bothersome associate editors ply­ waters of the Gulf off Treasure Island, we returned ing him with questions. to the motel where a familiar car with Maryland Volume 16, Number 3 41 error or shortcoming before the presses An entirely different exegetical ambush began to tum. By the time manuscript copy awaited us at Genesis 30:37 to 31:12. where was made into plates for printing, 22 pairs Jacob informs Laban that God devised the of eyes had read every word of every line in procedure by which he had been able to the endeavor to make the resulting product acquire most of Laban's flocks, and herds. as perfect as humanly possible. As described, however. the strategy was based on two genetic impossibilities­ prenatal influence of the kind here described Theological Booby Traps and the transmission of acquired character­ istics. The former qualifies as superstition. and Roadblocks the latter as science fiction (see Genesis 30:37; d. 31:4-12). Did God overrule the rom beginning to end the edi­ laws of genetics and let Jacob believe that F torial process seemed to be the procedure produced the result he loaded with booby traps of various kinds claimed for it. or was it a ploy Jacob which, if carelessly handled, could have invented to awe Laban into believing that been the source of real problems for the edi­ God had directed him to perform? The tors. The very first words of the Bible-"In result was clear, but it is obvious to us today the beginning God created the heavens and that the conception of spotted and speck­ the earth' '-held us up at an editorial road­ led cattle was not the result of the procedure block for three weeks, and Elder Nichol to which Jacob attributed it. In addition to began to wonder out loud when, if ever, we the genetic problems involved is the ethical would reach our destination of Revelation question: Would God deceive Jacob into 22:20. Comment was written and rewritten, thinking that the procedure produced the edited and re-edited. typeset and reset. result. and would He connive with Jacob to

license plates was parked. Armed with a camera, we most of the editorial staff, we plotted a surprise birth­ knocked. As our victim opened the door we shot, day party just before closing time. Don and I con­ point blank, and in the roseate rays of the setting sun, trived a fake radio broadcast, ostensibly over one of we caught the look of consternation we were look­ the local radio stations, in honor of the occasion. I ing for. In a sepulchral tone he exclaimed, "By the wrote the script in a broadcast format featuring beard of the prophet! What are you fellows doing famous Washingtonians, we had some unfamiliar here?" voices make the recording, and Don arranged to play Invited in, we sat and visited with Mrs. Nichol the tape through a small radio on his desk. To get while they finished their supper of fresh Florida Elder Nichol's foot firmly in the trap we inveigled strawberries. For at least 15 minutes Nichol himself Siegfried Hom, our authority on antiquities, to come remained speechless, trying by extrasensory percep­ over from the Seminary to help us resolve a hypothet­ tion to figure out how we had been able to follow ical question on which we would summon Elder him to his lair. Finally he blurted out in a mock self­ Nichol for counsel. defense, "I know how you found out. You ploughed Arriving in the Commentary office Nichol found us my heifer." By process of elimination he concluded editors hard at work and Dr. Hom awaiting his his wife must be guilty, however innocent her faux arrival. As Hom began to expound the problem, Neu­ pas had been. We soon excused ourselves, mission feld surreptitiously turned on his radio in time for a accomplished, and set out for home through the prerecorded station identification, followed immedi­ night. Nichol was greatly distressed by the fact that ately by a sugary eulogy of Nichol as a great Wash­ we were all traveling together in one car, not so much ington celebrity to be honored on the occasion of his for our sakes as that of the Commentary. What would 60th birthday. It sounded fabulously genuine. Despite happen to it if we were all killed in an accident? the fact that his intuition told him it couldn't be so, Another practical joke we played on Elder Nichol his senses told him that it was so, and Byron Logan's was upon the occasion of his 60th birthday, a few official camera captured both reactions on his face at months before completion of the project in the the same moment. And as the band played on, a large autumn of 1957. Scheming together and including birthday cake was cut and punch flowed freely. 42 Spectrum the disadvantage of Laban as the Bible Daniel as an exception to this otherwise implies? universal rule, but editing the comment on Another type of problem lurked in Leviti­ Daniel convinced both of us-contrary to cus 11. The identity of a third of the Hebrew our previous opinion-that this principle names of animals listed as unclean is applies to the book of Daniel as well. Elder unknown today, and any attempt at iden­ Nichol's overriding pastoral concern, how­ tifying them with known animals is guess­ ever, led him to insert the parenthetical cav­ work. How could we comment intelligently eat on page 38 exempting "the book of (see Leviticus 11:2)? Again, how was the Daniel that the prophet was bidden to 'shut Commentary to reconcile the instruction of up' and 'seal,' or to other passages whose Deuteronomy 14:22-26-about spending application Inspiration may have limited one's tithe for wine, strong drink and what­ exclusively to our time. " This was one of ever a person might lust for-with the Bible only two or three occasions when Elder admonition that the tithe is sacred and that Nichol exercised his prerogative as editor­ intoxicating substances are evil? in-chief to override our editorial judgment. The so-called "wisdom literature" Aware of the problems associated with the presented a number of perplexing problems. traditional interpretation of passages in The book of Ecclesiastes confronted us with Daniel and the Revelation, and of the expe­ the need to determine whether some state­ rience of the church in attempting to deal ments should be considered as inspired or with them, Don and I repeatedly spoke to as a reflection of the cynical, perverted reasoning of the writer's wayward, apostate years (see Vol. 3, p. 1060). Also, how did If modern literary documents the amorous, erotic Song of Solomon get made use of each other as the into the sacred canon? Is it historical or alle­ gorical? Made into a motion picture it would synoptic Gospels do we would earn an "X" rating, and if offered for sale consider it a clear case of gross on 42nd Street in New York City we would plagiarism and a valid basis for consider it pornographic (see Vol. 3, pp. 1110, 1111). indicting two of them as infringements of copyright. he Old Testament prophets T are loaded with booby traps for the inexperienced and unwary. While we each other of being, like Daniel, "astonied were editing Volume 4, I suggested to Elder by the space of half an hour" and like Paul Nichol that a discussion of principles for of spending' 'a day and a night in the deep. ' , interpreting Old Testament predictive But we did not think the Commentary was prophecy would be desirable. With his bless­ the right place to make an issue of matters ing, I wrote the article, "The Role of Israel not essential to salvation, and our own pas­ in Old Testament Prophecy" (Vol. 4, pp. toral concern led us to do the best we could 25-38), which affirms that the predictive pro­ with the traditional interpretation. Upon phecies of the Old Testament were originally one occasion when certain questions were addressed to literal Israel under the covenant addressed to Elder Nichol in a public meet­ and were to have been fulfilled to them had ing, he replied that the Commentary would they remained faithful to their covenant not deal with these matters, and he did not obligations and accepted the Messiah when expect to be around when the church was he came. ready to tackle them. Prior to editing the comment on Daniel, The synoptic problem-the literary rela­ both Don and I thought of the book of tionship of Matthew, Mark and Luke~has Volume 16, Number 3 43 never been resolved to everyone's complete the "little apocalypse" of Matthew 24. satisfaction. If modem literary documents (including' 'this generation' '), and the immi­ made use of each other as the synoptic nence of the parousia (' 'presence" or "com­ Gospels do we would consider it a clear case ing' ') of Christ clearly expressed tht.:oughout of gross plagiarism and a valid basis for the New Testament. Meeting at the large indicting two of them as infringements of Milesbum cabin beside the Appalachian copyright. Ninety percent of Mark is Trail in Micheaux Forest about 30 miles west reproduced in Matthew and Luke, often of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, we devoted word for word, and both Matthew and Luke several hours to a discussion of the various make extensive use of still another. issues and found our way through to the unknown source. A more practical aspect of position to be taken on these matters. the problem was whether to comment at length on the same incident wherever it ware of -the periodic theo­ occurs in all three, or in only one of them, A logical hurricanes that brew and if so which one (see Vol. 5, p. 194)? in Australia and eventually reach North It is not possible to determine the precise America, I suggested to Elder Nichol that sequence of events in the ministry of Jesus. we might do well to give our Australian What principles should we follow in con­ brethren an opportunity to read galleys on structing a harmony of the Gospels, which the book of Hebrews. I suspected that some inevitably involves arranging the events of of them would take vigorous exception to Christ's life on earth in particular sequence? some of the comments we as editors had Furthermore, there is no clear evidence in already agreed on, and that it would be the Gospels to indicate the length of Christ's preferable to obtain their responses before ministry; commentators vary all the way publication rather than after. He agreed, from three and a half years to one year (see and a few days later we met with some of Vol. 5, pp. 190-201). Despite all statements the Australian leaders who were in Wash­ to the contrary. there is no unambiguous ington for meetings. evidence for the date of Christ's crucifixion Members of the editorial team were famil­ and resurrection, nor has anyone been able iar with the principles of textual criticism, to harmonize the information the four as it is called, and in writing and editing the Gospels provide as to when the Last Sup­ New Testament commentaries we examined per took place. Lurking in the background several thousand variant readings and of this dilemma is the fact that the date of selected those we considered deserving of the crucifixion is the anchor point that led attention. Periodically we would confer in to selection of 457 B. C. as the beginning the capacity of a textual criticism seminar date for 2300 days of Daniel 8:14, yet any and reach a consensus on the weight to be suggested date for the crucifixion is arbitrary given each variant to be mentioned in the guesswork (see Vol. 5, pp. 247-266), Commentary. (See Vol. 5, pp. 146, 147, for Often Don and I would spend an hour or an explanation of the system we devised for two, or sometimes-on an important point­ expressing the weight of evidence for a par­ a day or more, exploring the problem to­ ticular reading. Interestingly, the system gether in order to arrive at a considered deci­ later adopted by the editors of the Bible Soci­ sion as to what the Commentary should say ety Greek New Testament was very similar to on a particular passage of Scripture. Upon ours. See their introduction, pp. x and xi.) one occasion we proposed to Elder Nichol What should an editor do with "proof that a weekend retreat for the Commentary texts" that inherently do not prove what is editors should be devoted to the subject of traditionally attributed to them-as, for prophetic fulfillment. the relation of Old example, Numbers 14:34 and Ezekiel 4:6; Testament prophecy to the New Testament, Revelation 12:17 and 19:10; Daniel 12:4; 44 Spectrum Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:1,2; and most of the original context requires; we also discovered texts usually cited with respect to "the why she does so. When dealing with a pas­ law' '? In most of these and a number of sage in its historical context-as throughout other passages, pastoral concern led us to the Conflict series-she consistently deals conclude that the Commentary was not the with it contextually and her comment com­ place to make an issue of the Bible versus ports with the Bible. But when her primary the traditional interpretation, much as this objective is homiletical application of a pas­ disappointed us as Bible scholars and would sage to our time she often quotes the Bible be a disappointment to our scholarly friends out of context, applying the principle who .know better. involved but in away that seems to con­ tradict the Bible. In such instances she uses Ellen G. White and the Bible the Bible to illustrate her point, not to exegete the Bible. New Testament writers ne of Elder Nichol's basic re­ often quote the Old Testament in the same O quirements was that the way. Exegetical and homiletical uses of Commentary should at no point express any Scripture are both legitimate, but it is a gross concept that could be construed as a con­ misuse of SCripture to construe their-or her tradiction of the writings of Ellen White. We -homily as exegesis. were, of course, familiar with her published works, but nevertheless kept one editorial prime illustration of Ellen eye fixed on the Conflict of the Ages series, A White's homiletical use of which parallels the Bible account. In addi­ Scripture is her comment on "the law" in tion, we asked the various readers of galleys the book of Galatians. In Acts of the Apos­ and foundry proofs to call our attention to tles, where she deals with the historical sit­ any items we as editors might have missed. uation in Galatia, she consistently identifies "the law" as the ceremonial system-ac­ curate exegesis. But when, as in Selected Mes­ It was not long before we dis­ sages (pp. 233, 234), she applies the principle of legalism to our day she identifies' 'the covered that Ellen White some­ law" as the Decalogue-homily. In effect she times construes a passage to is saying that we can no more be saved today mean something different from by keeping the law than the Galatian what the original context believers could be saved by observing the ceremonial law; now, as then, salvation is requires; we also discovered by faith alone. why she does so. Something the same is true of Ellen White's application of Old Testament predictions that originally applied to Israel First and foremost we were to be faithful to of old, and to the closing events of earth's the Bible, but in so doing we could avoid history. According to Nahum 1:9 for in­ comment that might appear to contradict stance, affliction would not arise again from comment by Ellen White. Generally speak­ Assyria. Ellen White applies the statement ing, references to her writings in the body to the ultimate end of all evil in a universal of the comment are inserted, not as author­ sense (as in The Great Controversy, pp. 485, ity for the statements made, but in confir­ 612; and Exodus 12:37 d. Patriarchs and mation or for comparison. Prophets, p. 334). Sometimes she bases her It was not long before we discovered that comment on a wrong meaning of an Eng­ Ellen White sometimes construes a passage lish word (as in 2 Thessalonians 2:9 d. Patri­ to mean something different from what the archs and Prophets, p. 686). Volume 16, Number 3 45 An Exhaustive Climax to an tors and proofreaders) literally worked around the clock shift by shift, day after day, Exhaustive Project for ten days to complete the process of trans­ forming the thousands of card entries into he exhaustive index to the the index as it appears in Volume 7. Work T seven volumes of the Bible halted about ten minutes before sundown Commentary (Vol. 7, pp. 1022-1167) was the Friday night and began again ten minutes last of our 12 herculean labors. None of us after sundown Saturday night. By the close had any formal training or experience in of those ten days we had produced an compiling an index of these proportions, but exhaustive index, and we ourselves were realizing the need for a good index and the exhausted. fact that the compilation of one requires spe­ cial expertise, Nichol sent Julia Neuffer, assistant editor of the Commentary and Why Did It Succeed? research specialist, for a course in indexing at nearby Catholic University of America. he ultimate measure of the She thus became our authority for index T Commentary's success is the content, style and clarity, as she had been extent to which it illumines the Bible for our authority on so many other things essen­ those who aspire to a better understanding tial to the project. Her favorite illustration of Scripture. This cannot be measured of poor indexing was a series of "see" refer­ directly, of course, but there are a number ences which sent the hapless reader on a of indirect means including, chiefly, the wild goose chase that eventually led him response of the church in purchasing it and back to the original entry without locating how often it is quoted in other church pub­ the information he sought: (1) Wild goose lications such as the Sabbath school Lesson chase. See Chase, wild goose. (2) Chase, wild Quarterly. goose. See Goose chase, wild. (3) Goose chase, wild. See Wild goose chase. As I read page proofs for the seven During the 1950s and 1960s volumes, I had been blue-penciling items to be indexed. Each entry was typed on a sep­ the open theological climate in arate three-by-five card, and all of the cards the church was favorable to the were classified and alphabetized. Eventually honest way in which the Com­ our Commentary office was cluttered with editors, in their dedi­ boxes containing thousands upon thousands mentary of cards. Inasmuch as the index had to cation first to the Bible and include Volume 7 itself, in which it was to then to the church, sought to appear, final preparation of the index could deal with the Bible and with not begin until we had read the last proof and filed the last entry card. the teachings of the church in Climaxing his courtship with the Commen­ relation to the Bible. tary for more than seven years, J.D. Snider insisted that Volume 7, and thus the com­ plete Commentary set, be ready for the 1957 From the publisher's point of view the best Christmas trade, and when page proofs for estimate of success is the sales report. It was Volume 7 were finally in hand, read and Originally hoped that 5,000 sets could be indexed, the seven furies took control of the sold within three years of the time the last Commentary office and pandemonium volume was off the press, and with that in prevailed. Fourteen of us (editors, copyedi- view the original printing order for Volume 46 Spectrum

1 was 5,160. But even before Volume 7 was leaders, open-mindedness and willingness to ready 23,000 sets had been purchased at the respect points of view with which he differed, appreciation of scholarship and a penetrating anal­ prepublication price of $55.65 for the seven ysis of other people's reasoning, the high esteem volumes. By the close of 1984 more than in which he was held by the entire church, includ­ 83,000 complete sets had been sold, the cur­ ing its leaders and the contributors, an almost rent price being $174.50. Were J.D. Snider fanatical penchant for accuracy, and a passionate drive to carry the project through to completion alive he would have good reason to be within a relatively brief period of time. jubilant. 3. The willingness of the publisher to venture a Although the Commentary was not quarter of a million dollars, which eventually became half a million' 'initial expense"

In the indexes that follow, contributors to the Commentary are listed Key: AUC = Atlantic Union College; CME = College of Medical with their works. Employing institutions, where noted, are shown in Evangelists (now Loma Linda University); CUC = Canadian Union parentheses (see key). Number of pages shown in parentheses represent College; EMC = Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews Univer­ total number of pages contributed. This figure includes maps and charts sity); FC = Florida Conference; GC = General Conference; HC = not provided by the respective authors and the text of the Bible (KJV) Helderberg College; LSC = La Sierra College (now Lorna Linda Univer­ for each chapter. sity); PUC = Pacific Union College; R = Retired; R&H = Review and It is important to remember that all manuscripts were edited and Herald Publishing Association; SMC = Southern Missionary College that the editors accepted full responsibility for all contributions in their (now Southern College); TS = Theological Seminary (now Andrews final form. The point of view set forth mayor may not reflect the opin­ University); WMC = Washington Missionary College (now Colum­ ion of the author whose name is listed for a particular article or book bia Union College). of the Bible.

Author Index

Andreasen, M.L.I (TS) Leviticus, Hebrews (221 pages) Hom, S.H. (TS) Genesis, Exodus 1-18, Ezra, Nehemiah, Daniel Caviness, L.L. (PUc) 1, 3-6 Esther, Song of Solomon 1: Languages, Manuscripts, and Canon of the Old Testament; Archeofogy and the Recovery Christensen, O.H. (EMc) of Ancient History; Historical Background of Joshua (130 pages) the Partriarchal Period; Daily Life in the Partri­ archal Age; Weights, Measures, and Money Cottrell, RF.2 (PUc) Values in the Old Testament Synoptic Gospels, John 1-4 2: Ancient World From c. 1400 to 586 B.C. 4: The Role of Israel in Old Testament 3: Musical Instruments of the Ancient Prophecy Hebrews; Ancient World From 586 to 400 5: The Fourfold Gospel Narrative; Major Eng­ B.C.; Tables of Elephantine and Jewish Papyri lish Translations (712 pages) 4: Chronology of the Old Testatament Prophets 5: Ancient Jewish Literature; "Lower" and Froom, L.E. 3 (TS) 4: Interpretation of Daniel "Higher" Biblical Criticism 7: Interpretation of the Apocalypse (69 pages) 6: Chronology of the Acts 7: The Seven Churches of Revelation (929 pages) Hammill, R (SMc) Hyde, W.T. (PUC) Judges (120 pages) Proverbs, 1-3 John, Jude (133 pages) Hardinge, L. (WMC) Jemison, T.H. (WMc) Colossians (37 pages) Philippians (44 pages) Hartin, L.H. (PUc) Johns, A.F.5 (LSC) Galatians (60 pages) James (47 pages) Hartwell, RH.4 (Fc) Loasby, RE. (TS) 7: John and the Isle of Patmos (6 pages) Numbers, Deuteronomy, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, 1-2 Peter, Revelation 17-22 Heppensta11, E.E. (LSC) 1: Names of God in the Old Testament (451 2 Corinthians (107 pages) pages) Hilgert, E. (TS) Ludgate, T.K. (Hc) Jeremiah 46-52, Lamentations, Daniel 10-12, 1 Corinthians (164 pages) John 5-6, Revelation 1-11 5: "Lower" and "Higher" Biblical Criticism, Marsh, F.L. (EMC) Chronology of the Pauline Epistles (230 pages) 1: Science and Creation (24 pages) Volume 16, Number 3 49

Maxwell, A.G. (PUc) Specht, W.F. (LSc) Romans (186 pages) Jeremiah 1-10 (61 pages)

McMurphy, E.]. (SMc) Thiele, E.R. (EMc) Titus, Philemon (28 pages) 2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles, Isaiah (845 pages) Minchin, G.H. (AUC) Ephesians (55 pages) Thurber, M.R.9 (R&H) 1: Outline of Sanctuary Service (13 pages) Murdoch, W.G.C. (TS) Psalms 107-150, Daniel 2, 7-9 (121 pages) Walther, D.IO (TS) 7: Reformation and Onward (39 pages) Neufeld, D.F.6 (CUc) Ezekiel, John 7-21 (272 pages) Wearner, A.].11 (Uc) John (see note) Neuffer, ]. (R&H) 1: Chronology of Early Bible History Weniger, C.E. (TS) 2: Hebrew Calendar in Old Testament Times; Psalms 1-106 Chronology from the Exodus to the Exile 3: Poetry of the Bible (269 pages) (a compilation) 3: Chronology of Exile and Restoration Wirth, W.G. (CME) 5: A Basis for New Testament Chronology Exodus 19-40, Jeremiah 11-45, Minor (212 pages) Prophets, 1-2 Timothy (470 pages)

Pease, N.F. (CME) Wood, L.H,12 (TS) Job (120 pages) 1 Samuel 1-7: All art'maps Price, G.M.7 (R) 5: Between the Testaments (278 pages) Evidences of a Worldwide Flood (28 pages) Read, W.E.s (Gc) Yost, F.HP (TS) Revelation 12-16 (42 pages) Acts 5: Jews of the First Christian Century Smith, C.O. (AUc) 6: Early Christian Church 1-2 Thessalonians (58 pages) 7: Medieval Church (495 pages)

NOTES ON AUTHORS

1. Andreasen, a veteran teacher at the Seminary. had recently respectively. of the Commentary Reference Series subsequently retired. added to the seven volumes of the Commentary as a ten-volume 2. Cottrell was teaching biblical exegesis at Pacific Union Col­ set). lege at the time assignments were made. and moved to Washing­ 7. Price had been a teacher for many years in various colleges ton. D.C .• to edit the Commentary in September 1952. but had long since been retired at the time assigments were made. 8. Read was chairman of the General Conference Biblical 3. Froom was retired and on special assignment for the General Research Committee. and was selected for this assignment because Conference. writing Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers. on which sub­ of his major presentation on Armageddon at the 1952 Bible ject he lectured at the Seminary. Conference. 4. Hartwell was a pastor in the Florida Conference. selected 9. Thurber was book editor for the Review and Herald Publish­ because of his personal acquaintance with the Isle of Patmos. ing Association. He was selected for this assignment because of 5. Johns was teaching at La Sierra College at the time assign­ special research he had done. ments were made but transferred to Washington. D.C .. in 1955 10. Walther's name is unaccountably missing from the list of to attend the Seminary. While in Washington he completed his contributors. doctoral degree under William F. Albright at Johns Hopkins 11. Weamer. vetem Bible teacher. was head of the Bible depart­ University in Baltimore. ment at Union College but suffered a terminal illness before his 6. Neufeld was head of the Bible department at Canadian Union assignment was completed. The editors greatly appreciated his College at the time assignments were made. and moved to Wash­ heroic effort under the most difficult circumstances. ington. D.C .. in June 1953 to join the editorial team. In addition 12. Wood drew all of the art maps for all seven volumes. to his Commentary assignments. he edited the SDA Bible Diction­ 13. Yost's primary assignment at the time was as secretary of ary and the SDA Encyclopedia. and. with Julia Neuffer. the SDA the Religious Liberty department. He had been teaching for many Bible Students' Source Book (which became volumes 8. 10 and 9. years at the Seminary and still taught an occasional class there. 50 Spectrum General Articles Index

Volume I Volume 4 Languages, Manuscripts and Canon of the Old Chronology of the Old Testament Prophets: S.H. Testament: S.H. Horn. Horn. Science and Creation: F.L. Marsh (The article in Role of Israel in Old Testament Prophecy: RF. the revised edition of the Commentary, "The Cottrell. Creationist Model of Origins, " was prepared Interpretation of Daniel: L.E. Froom. by the staff of the GeOSClence Research Institute. ) Evidences of a Worldwide Flood: G.M. Price {The article in this revised edition of the Com­ Volume 5 mentary, "Genesis and Geology," was pre­ pared by the staff of the Geoscience Research The Period Between the Testaments: L.H. Wood. Institute. Jews of the First Christian Century: F.H. Yost. Archeology and the Recovery of Ancient History: S.H. Horn. Ancient Jewish Literature: S.H. Horn. Historical Background of the Patriarchal Period: Language, Manuscripts and Canon of the New S.H. Horn. Testament: S.H. Horn. Daily Life in the Patriarchal Age: S.H. Horn. "Lower" and "Higher" Biblical Criticism: S.H. Horn and E. Hilgert. Weights, Measures, and Money Values in the Old Testament: S.H. Horn. The Fourfold Gospel Narrative: RF. Cottrell. Names of God in the Old Testament: RE. Maps and Diagrams on the Life of Christ: L.H. Loasby. Wood. Chronology of Early Bible History: J. Neuffer. A Basis for New Testament Chronology: J. Neuffer. Outline of the Sanctuary Service: M.R Thurber. Major English Translations of the Bible: R.F. Maps and line drawings (all volumes): L.H. Cottrell. Wood. Ellen G. White Comments (all volumes): Ellen G. White Estate. Volume 6 Volume 2 The Early Christian Church: F.H. Yost. Ancient World from c. 1400 to 586 B.C.: S.H. Roman History in New Testament Times: F.H. Horn. Yost. Hebrew Calendar in Old Testament Times: J. Chronology of the Acts of the Apostles: S.H. Neuffer Horn. Chronology from Exodus to Exile: J. Neuffer Chronology of the Pauline Epistles: E. Hilgert. (compiler)

Volume 3 Volume 7 Poetry of the Bible: C.E. Weniger. The Medieval Church: F.H. Yost. Musical Instruments of the Ancient Hebrews: S.H. Horn. The Reformation and Onward: D. Walther. The Ancient World from 586 to 400 B.C.: S.H. John and the Isle of Patmos: L.H. Hartwell. Horn. The Seven Churches of Revelation: S.H. Horn. Chronology of Exile and Restoration: J. Neuffer. Interpretation of the Apocalypse: L.E. Froom. Volume 16. Number 3 51 Subject Index

Genesis: S.H. Horn Daniell, 3-6: S.H. Horn Exodus 1-18: S.H. Horn Daniel 2, 7-9: W.G.C. Murdoch Exodus 19-40: W.G. Wirth Daniel 10-12: E. Hilgert Leviticus: M.L. Andreasen Minor Prophets: W.G. Wirth Numbers: R.E. Loasby Synoptic Gospels: R.F. Cottrell Deuteronomy: R.E. Loasby John 1-4: R.F. Cottrell Joshua: O.H. Christensen John 5, 6: Earle Hilgert Judges: R. Hammill John 7-21: D.F. Neufeld Ruth: RE. Loasby Acts: F.H. Yost 1 Samuel: L.H. Wood Romans: A.G. Maxwell 2 Samuel: E.R. Thiele 1 Corinthians: T.K. Ludgate 1-2 Kings: E.R Thiele 2 Corinthians: E.E. Heppenstall 1-2 Chronicles: E.R. Thiele Galatians: L.H. Hartin Ezra: S.H. Horn Ephesians: G.H. Minchin Nehemiah: S.H. Horn Philippians: T.H. Jemison Esther: L.L. Caviness Colossians: L. Hardinge Job: N.F. Pease 1-2 Thessalonians: C.O. Smith Psalms 1-106: C.E. Weniger 1-2 Timothy: W.G. Wirth Psalms 107-150: W.G.c. Murdoch Titus: E.J. McMurphy Proverbs: W.T. Hyde Philemon: E.J. McMurphy Ecclesiastes: R.E. Loasby Hebrews: M.L. Andreasen Song of Solomon: L.L. Caviness James: A.F. Johns Isaiah: E.R Thiele 1-2 Peter: RE. Loasby Jeremiah 1-10: W.F. Specht 1-3 John: W.T. Hyde Jeremiah 11-45: W.G. Wirth Jude: W.T. Hyde Jeremiah 46-52: E. Hilgert Revelation 1-11: E. Hilgert Lamentations: E. Hilgert Revelation 12-16: W.E. Read Ezekiel: D.F. Neufeld Revelation 17-22: R.E. Loasby The Adventist Heritage Calls for Ordination of Women by Bert Ha10viak

rdination of women to full Conference gathered on the very camp­ O gospel ministry is called for ground where the General Conference ses­ by both the historical heritage of the sion was being held, and renewed Ellen Seventh-day Adventist Church and by the Lane's license. Also following the session, guidance of God through the ministry of Julia Owen received a similar license from Ellen G. White. It is particularly helpful to the Kentucky-Tennessee Conference. Both look at the church's 107 years of licensing women were wives of ordained ministers, female ministers. and both had indicated a marked "calling" Ellen S. Lane was the first Adventist to ministerial labor. 2 woman to hold a ministerial license. In 1868 In 1879 Kansas and Minnesota joined the she received a "preacher's license" from the list of conferences licensing women. Illinois Michigan Conference. This was a genuinely issued licenses to 10 different women significant step if the action of the 1878 ministers. At the time of the 1881 session, General Conference is to be taken seriously. at least seven women held ministerial Commencing on October 4, this "largest licenses. 3 gathering of Christian Sabbath-keepers ever Ellen White actively involved herself in the assembled in this country, " adopted the fol­ examinations that occurred prior to the issu­ lOwing resolution: ing of licenses, and she attended many of RESOLVED, That those who apply for a license the conference proceedings where minis­ to preach the third angel's message. before they teria1licenses were issued to women. At the receive a license. be examined by a competent committee in regard to their doctrinal and educa­ Kansas Conference proceedings of 1879, the tional qualifications.! committee on credentials and licenses made The "license to preach" or "ministerial their initial report, after which it was license" was taken very seriously by the observed, "Sister White spoke at some denomination since it was seen as the route length on the subject of licenses." At the to the full ordination and reception of min­ afternoon meeting, the committee submit­ isterial credentials. After the General Con­ ted a further report that contained ten addi­ ference session on October 7, the Michigan tional names, including that of Hattie Enoch. The next year, in Oregon, Mrs. White observed that she had met with vari­ Bert Haloviak is assistant director of the office of General Conference archives and statistics. This arti­ ous licentiate applicants and that she had cle has been condensed by the editors from a longer recommended that some not receive essay Haloviak wrote for C.E. Bradford. president licenses. 4 of the North American Division. It was distributed Phase two of the licenSing process begun to members of the special General Conference com­ mittee on the role of women in the Adventist in 1878 occurred at the 1881 General Con­ Church. ference Session. Two resolutions seem per- Volume 16, Number 3 53 tinent to the question of the ordination of conferences. At the 1887 General Confer­ women. ence Session, the General Conference imple­ RESOLVED, That all candidates for license and mented what had been done at the local ordination should be examined with reference to conference level nine years earlier when it their intellectual and spiritual fitness for the suc­ licensed Ruie Hill and Hattie Enoch to serve cessful discharge of the duties which will devolve upon them as licentiates and ordained ministers. in General Conference mission areas within RESOLVED, That females possessing the neces­ the United States. 7 sary qualifications to fill that position, may, with G.!. Butler observed that Smith Sharp, perfect propriety, be set apart by ordination to the president of the Kansas Conference, was work of the Christian ministry. 5 making full use of licentiates there, espe­ The first resolution was adopted, but there cially in personal-type revival ministry. was obvious division of opinion upon the Butler observed to Ellen White: second and it was referred to the General Among these are Marshall Enoch and his wife Conference Committee. There, it apparently who is a public speaker who labors with her hus­ died. Ellen White was not present at the band. Elder Cook [Kansas minister, soon to 1881 session, nor did she apparently com­ become president of the conference} thinks she is a better laborer in such things than any minister ment upon it. If one takes the position that in the state. 8 Ellen White's silence indicates disapproval After 15 years of ministry in the United of ordination or, if the issue were important, States, Elder and Mrs. Enoch pioneered the it would have been resolved by her through work in Bermuda. a vision, then one is faced with the question Butler observed that there were other as to why Ellen White approved the licens­ "promising licentiates coming up" in ing of women. Such licensing obviously set Kansas and mentioned" a young lady, Pres­ women upon the path to ordination. The byterian, a school teacher, who was candi­ General Conference discussion of ordination date for County Superintendent of Common of women soon after their licensing makes School, " as one prospect. 9 that clear. Ellen Lane began her ministerial experi­ The 1884 and 1885 General Conference ence during her husband's ministry in Ohio. sessions discussed various issues concerning Initially assisting him during a time of ill­ licensing and ordination, leading to the 1886 ness, Lane attained increasing proficiency as publication of "The Church: Its Organiza­ a speaker. Together with J. O. Corliss they tion, Ordinances, Discipline, " by J.H. Wag­ pioneered the work in Tennessee. Ellen Lane goner. He observed: was licensed in Michigan when they re­ The Conferences always give licentiates to turned to that state, and both she and her understand that the first giving of licenses is only a trial .... By giving him a license [however] they husband conducted evangelistic meetings to strengthen his conviction that it [is} his duty to the time of his death in 1881. Mrs. Lane con­ preach. (p. 19) tinued an extremely effective ministry as a Waggoner also noted that the license did licensed minister until 1889. not authorize the licentiate to celebrate the ordinances, administer baptism, organize Women's Ministry and churches or solemnize marriages. It is interesting to note that a number of state the New York Experience legislatures did allow licensed ministers to perform the marriage ceremony, but the t the turn of the century, the issue apparently never came to a question A president of the New York of court resolution in the 19th century.6 Conference, G.B. Thompson informed one The ministry continued to be upgraded ministerial license candidate that workers through the 1870s and into the 1880s, and are usually asked to "show by bringing in women continued to be licensed by local some fruit of their work that they have a call 54 Spectrum

in this direction, and then the conference, here these people have made many friends and if they show a call to that work, is willing have converted some to their religion, and their departure is regretted by many who even did not to take them on and give them some [finan­ agree with their views, as they were intelligent cial] help. ' '10 Lulu Wightman provided tan­ social, and good citizens. They will probably gible evidence of her "call" to the gospel return next summer when they can preach in the ministry. Indeed, the results from her evan­ tent. 11 gelism would rank her not only as the most Wightman had married a former newspa­ outstanding evangelist in N ew York state per editor who worked with her without during her time, but among the most suc­ ministerial pay for sevenyears. He received cessful within the denomination for any time some remuneration from colporteur work. period. Between 1896 and 1905, Wightman's Lulu Wightman was also the sister of K.C. pioneer work as a licensed minister helped and E. T. Russell, both of whom were promi­ raise churches in places where Adventism nent workers within the denomination. had never gained a foothold before: Hor­ A study of Mrs. Wightman is especially nellsville, Gas Springs, Wallace, Silver useful to an analysis of a history of women's Creek, Geneva, Angola, Gorham, Fredonia, ministry because the records of the New Avoca, Rushville, Canandaigua and Penn York Conference during the 1890s and 1900s Yan. After her husband was licensed in have been well preserved. Such a study is 1903, they jointly established churches in also useful because her husband was quite Avon, Lakeville, Hemlock, South Livonia articulate and, on at least one occasion, and Bath. spoke on the issue of ordination at a time The ministry of Wightman can be pursued when women themselves appear not to have at length merely by reading the local news- openly discussed the matter. Wightman's initial experience in seeking ministerial labor provides an interesting var­ "The fact that men and women iation to the usual policy of the 19th cen­ tury. Since she was considered the finest are converted to God through singer in the New York Conference, she was the preaching of women offered some remuneration if she labored in should suffice. . .. It is high tent meetings during 1896, but her husband could receive no conference remuneration. time for women to begin to However, that year instead of focusing upon preach the word and that the music at camp meetings, Wightman, with Lord is with them in power her husband's assistance, established and might may be perceived by churches at Homellsville and Gas Springs. The next year, S.M. Cobb, who had min­ all who are not looking istered in New York state since 1884, wrote through smoked glass." to the conference president: -John Wightman I say as I have said all the time in reference to Sr. Lulu Wightman, that a good lady worker will accomplish as much as good as the best men we have got, and I am more and more convinced that papers in places where she held evangelis­ it is so. Look at Sr. Lulu W's work; she has accom­ tic meetings. The Gorham, New York, New plished more the last two years than any minister in this state, and yet the Conf. has held her off Era reported: lad arms length, and refused to recognize her as Mr. &; Mrs. Wightman, who have been here a suitable person to present the truth, when in fact about eight months, preaching and working in the she was out of sight of the very ones that opposed interests of the S.D. Adventists, left for Rushville her, in point of ability (you know who I mean) ... on Monday, where they will locate and do mis­ I am also in favor of giving license to Sr. Lulu sionary work in their cause, and in connection Wightman to preach, and believe that there is no look after the flock there. During their residence reason why she should not receive it, and if Bro. Volume 16, Number 3 55

W. is a man of ability and works with his wif~ and the president of the New York Conference, promises to make a successful laborer, I am in and the second illustrates the full scope of favor of giving him license also. 12 her ministry: Wightman's ministry was temporarily de- Enclosed find a small token of appreciation from layed for several months in 1897. However, the Conference Committee for your work in assist­ despite the birth of her daughter, Ruth, in ing your wife [emphasis added]. August of that year, Wightman received a Sister Wightman is one of the active laborers of the New York Conference, and has labored suc­ ministerial license at the New York Confer­ cessfully for several years in the field as a minis­ ence proceedings of September 10. She com­ ter in tent work in the summer and in halls, etc. menced meetings in Avoca, New York, on in the winter,15 November 11. John Wightman was licensed as a minis­ At Avoca, Wightman was confronted with ter in 1903, some six years after his wife, and attacks that were often made upon Seventh­ ordained in 1905. It was in 1903 that the day Adventist women ministers in the 19th General Conference statistical secretary century, when one of the ministers from the began to make close observations about area observed that Paul ' 'suffers not a woman to teach." Wightman's husband responded by citing Scriptural evidence for Mrs. Wightman's work was women's ministry and by citing the evidence of observation: considered by three or four The fact that men and women are converted to former committees as being God through the preaching of women should suf­ fice. . .. It is high time for women to begin to unquestionably that of an preach the word and that the Lord is with them ordained minister, and so they in power and might may be perceived by all who are not looking through smoked glasS. 13 fixed her compensation as near The ministry of the Wightmans in New the "ordained" rate as possible. \ York state illustrates the 19th century prac­ tice of the husband;"wife ministerial team. However, while both had strong evangelis­ local conference reports. He noted that in tic leanings, Lulu Wightman was the more New York state 60 percent of the new mem­ effective

Mrs. Wightman' s personal work was considered Yesterday a resolution was adopted in the House by three or four former lauditing} committees as of Representatives inviting Mrs. Wightman to being that of an ordained minister unquestionably address the representatives in the House of lemphasis in original]; and yet. at Oswego Iloca­ Representatives chamber on "The Rise of Reli­ tion of 1901 New York Conference meeting}, they gious Liberty in the United States." I believe this felt (brethren Daniells and Thompson, to which action upon the part of the Missouri legislature is opinion Elder Underwood and others strongly unprecedented in the history of our people. 17 demurred) that a woman could not properly be Tragically, the Wightmans would come to ordained-just now at least-and so they fixed her compensation as near the" ordained" rate as pos­ a point where they no longer felt comforta­ sible. As her capability was recognized and general ble within the ministry and membership of fitness known to all. and work continued, the $9 the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The is still as fitting under the circumstances as issue of women's ministry would, however, before. 16 receive its greatest impetus from the one in It should be observed that Underwood whom they came to lose confidence, Ellen had just served a term as president of Dis­ White. trict No.1 [becoming the Eastern Union at the 1901 General Conference reorganiza­ tion]. In effect, according to John Wight­ man, the General Conference president and Ellen White and the local conference president opposed the ordination of Lulu Wightman. It would the Ministry of Compassion appear that the presence of A.G. Daniells at the New York Conference in 1901 was llen White's attitudes on the more from accident than by design. The E role of women are, of course, former union president "and others" important. In the late 1870s, Ellen White , 'strongly" disagreed with the premise that began to observe centralization of the Tract and Missionary organization and tendencies within the church in general to allow' 'one man's mind and one man's judgment" to , 'If there were twenty women become a determining factor in decision where there now is one ... we making,18 The result, Ellen White affirmed, was a lessening of the spiritual life within the should see many more con­ churches. She would continue to make simi­ verted to the truth. The refin­ lar observations two decades later. ing, softening influence of Her solution during the late 1870s and early 1880s and 1890s was for a more' 'pas­ Christian women is needed in toral, , , personalized ministry that more the great work of preaching the directly involved women. In early 1879, Mrs. truth. " White urged: Women can be the instruments of righteousness, -Ellen G. White, 1879 rendering holy service ... If there were twenty women where now there is one ... we should see many more converted to the truth. The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed 1901 was an inopportune time for ordain­ in the great work of preaching the truth ... Zeal­ ous and continued diligence in our sisters toiling ing women. for the spread of truth would be wholly success­ The Wightmans' ministry continued and ful, and would astonish us with its results,19 embraced a variety of roles. Mrs. Wightman Mrs. White focused upon another phase attained state and national acclaim in reli­ of ministry that she would again emphasize gious liberty lectures before a number of in the 1890s. state legislatures. Her husband proudly We are lacking in deed of sympathy and benevo­ wrote of her: lence, in sacred and social ministering to the Volume 16. Number 3 57

needy, the oppressed, and the suffering. Women from qualifying themselves for the work they who can work are needed now, women who a:re should engage in [i.e. ministry] ... Seventh-day not self-important, but meek and lowly of heart, Adventists are not in any way to belittle women's who will work with the meekness of Christ wher­ work ... This question is not for men to settle. The ever they can find work to do for the salvation of Lord has settled it. You are to do your duty to the souls. 20 women who labor in the gospel. 23 When she saw a tendency for an elder in Clearly reacting to the team evangelistic a local church to "dictate and control mat­ efforts so succesfully conducted by J. O. ters" to the detriment of the sisters within Corliss in Australia, Mrs. White's next state­ that church, Ellen White strongly observed: ment informs us why she was looking for It is not always men who are best adapted to the "hundreds of laborers" where there was successful management of a church. If faithful then one: women have more deep piety and true devotion than men, they could indeed by their prayers and After the community has been stirred by a well their labors do more than men who are uncon­ organized campmeeting, then shall the workers pull up stakes and leave to attend another camp­ secrated in heart and in life. 21 meeting and let the work ravel out? I say, divide She went on to make the broad observa­ the workers and have some take right hold, giv­ tion that the "dictatorial spirit" present in ing Bible readings, doing colporteur work, selling that local church, was a general weakness tracts, etc. Let there be a mission home to pre­ pare workers by educating them in every line of in churches and felt "grieved for the peo­ the work. This will not leave the work to ravel out. ple of God." The good impressions the messengers of God have By 1895, Ellen White wrote what must made upon hearts and minds will not be lost. This have been a bombshell: house-to-house labor, searching for souls, hunt­ ing for the lost sheep is the most essential work Women who are willing to consecrate some of that can be done ... their time to the service of the Lord should be appointed to visit the sick, look after the young, and minister to the necessities of the poor. They should-be set apart to this work by prayer and lay­ It seems Ellen White was ready ing on of hands. 22 Mrs. White was calling for ordination at during the 1890s for full ordi­ a time when women had apparently not pre­ nation of women in the minis­ viously been formally ordained to any type try of the church. of work. The 1976 edition of the Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia reads: Since in the New Testament there is no record There are ministers' wives, Srs. Starr, Haskell, of deaconesses having been ordained, they are not Wilson and Robinson, who have been devoted, ordained in the SDA Church. (p. 379) earnest, whole-souled workers, giving Bible read­ Mrs. White not only was in favor of some ings and praying with families, helping along by form of ordination of women to church personal efforts just as successfully as their hus­ bands. These women give their whole time, and work, she also advocated that they be paid are told that they receive nothing for their labors with tithe funds. because their husbands receive wages. I tell them In addressing the question of the nature to go forward and all such decisions will be revised. The Word says, "The laborer is worthy of the 19th-century church, with its focus of his hire." When any such decision as this is upon husband-wife ministry and the ques­ made, I will in the name of the Lord, protest. I tion of tithe usage, Mrs. White observed that will feel it my duty to create a fund from my tithe she received' 'light upon this subject" even money, to pay these women who are accomplish­ ing just as esential work as the ministers are doing, prior to her going to Australia in 1891. and this tithe I will reserve for work in the same Injustice has been done to women who labor just line as that of ministers, hunting for souls, fish­ as devotedly as their husbands, and who are recog­ ing for souls. I know that the faithful women nized by God as being as necessary to the work of min­ should be paid wages as is considered proportion­ istry as their husbands [emphasis added]. The ate to the pay received by ministers. They carry method of paying men-laborers and not their the burden of souls, and should not be treated wives, is a plan not after the Lord's order ... This unjustly. These sisters are giving their time to arrangement ... is liable to discourage our sisters educating those newly come to the faith and hire 58 Spectrum

their own work done, and pay those who work church Dorcas work, but about what was for them. All these things must be adjusted and then termed the Christian Help Work. The set in order, and justice be done to all. 24 scope of that work usually transcended the Ellen White is clearly calling for a paid local church because it involved instruction women's ministry. Her statements concern­ by a conference employee and because it ing their being paid from tithe were even was designed to absorb more than local more startling in the setting of the severe funds. The "counsel" Ellen White referred economic crisis being faced by the church to prior to ordination meant seeking at the time. Her statements obviouslyantic­ approval from conference officials, not ipate the 20th-century church with its primarily from local church officials. pastoral-instructional functions. Ellen White affirmed that she was not troubled over the Ellen White's Review and Herald articles "poor souls" who were laboring for noth­ make it abundantly clear that her concept of ministry called for a broadening, rather ing for she' 'will not allow it to go thus.' '25 Beginning in June of 1895, Ellen White than a narrowing, of the burden of "minis­ wrote a series of articles that focused upon tering. " Her focus seemed more in the line methodologies designed to evangelize the of "pastoral" work and she often called for cities. Methodology was born of the expe­ a ministry during this period that stressed riences in Australia, but designed to be more the teaching-personal labor kind of applied universally. One of the proposals ministry than that of "sermonizing." made by Ellen White in her series of articles Ellen White's emphasis affected the that appeared in the Review and Herald was United States and her articles and messages that women involved in this evangelistic brought the Christian Help Work to a high methodology "should be set apart to this level of activity. Obviously responding to the focus of Ellen White, O.A. Olsen urged work by prayer and laying on of hands.' '26 Abbie Winegar, recent graduate of the med­ ical course, to work "on the principles of hen Ellen White's wording health, and Christian Help Work" during a W is compared to what she visit in the Upper Columbia Conference. would later write concerning women receiv­ Olsen wrote the president of that ing tithe and true gospel ministry, it seems conference: to indicate that Ellen White was ready dur­ The Conference could well afford to be at some ing the 1890s for full ordination of women expense in utilizing her time for awhile in the in the ministry of the church. work. Now, I know that times are hard; I know On July 9, Mrs. White was obviously en­ that you have a severe time out there, and that dorsing the evangelistic team approach so funds are scarce. I appreciate all that, and we may f~el that we can not expend funds upon such a successfully used by Corliss in Australia line of work; but from the light that God has given when she wrote: me, and from the practical results that have come Should not all have an opportunity to learn of under my observation, I am satisfied that any Con­ Christ's methods by practical experience? Why ference that can have the opportunity, can well not put them to work visiting the sick and assist­ afford to expend some money in that line of work, ing in other ways ... Women who are willing to even if there has been curtailment in some other consecrate some of their time to the service of the lines ... Lord should be appointed to visit the sick, look Hereafter this branch of the work will receive after the young and minister to the necessities of much more attention than it has in the past. This the poor. They should be set apart to their work must be so, if we shall meet the mind of the Spirit 28 by prayer and laying on of hands. In some cases of God. they will need to counsel with the church officers The Christian Help ministry very promi­ [conference] or the minister [conference]; but if nently affected the denomination. Ministers, they. are d~voted women, maintaining a vital con­ nectlOn Wlth God, they will be a power for good including some women, were making this in the churchY the primary focus of their evangelistic Ellen White is here talking, not about local thrusts by that year. 29 Indeed, by 1899, Aus- Volume 16, Number 3 59 tralasia alone maintained four separate insti­ Christian Help Work missions in the United States tutions providing foundation to the Chris­ called helping hands. tian Help ministry, one of which was the If men and women would act as the Lord's help­ ing hand, doing deeds of love and kindness, uplift­ Rescue Home in Napier, New Zealand, ing the oppressed, rescuing those ready to perish, which was actively guided by "Pastor" Mar­ the glory of the Lord would be their reward. . . garet Caro, a licensed minister. Wake up, my brethren and sisters. You must do Ellen White believed that the ordination the work that Christ did when he was upon this of women to ministry was appropriate and earth. Remember that you may act as God's help­ ing hand in opening the prison doors to those that has pointed us to a Biblical rationale for are bound ... ordaining women, based on Isaiah 58. Of those who act as his helping hand the Lord The true disciple, in whose heart Christ abides, says, "Ye shall be named priests of the Lord; men shows forth to the world Christ's love for human­ shall call you ministers of our God [Isaiah ity. He is God's helping hand ... [Note: the term 61 :6] ... Shall we not try to crowd all the goodness "helping hand" is especially relevant since it was the and love and compassion we can into the lives, name given several of the Christian Help Work mis­ that these words may be said of us? [emphasis sions in Australia. There were also a number of added]. 30

NOTES AND REFERENCES

1. Review and Herald, October 17, 1878, pp. 122, 16. John Wightman to S.H. Lane, September 2, 124. 1904. NYC 11, 1904 incoming. 2. Review and Herald, October 17, 1878, p. 127; 17. John S. Wightman, "Sunday Legislation and November 14, 1878, p. 158. Defeated, " Missouri Workers' Record, April 28, 1909. 3. Information gleaned by checking all conference 18. Ellen White to Stephen Haskell, October 29, proceedings listed in the Review and Herald during 1880, H55, 1880; Ellen White to James White, W.49, 1877 and 1881. 1880. 4. Review and Herald, June 12, 1879, p. 190; W3a, 19. Review and Herald, January 2, 1879, p. 1. June 14, 1880. 20. Ibid. 5. Review and Herald, December 20, 1881, p. 392. 21. J33, 1879. 6. Ibid., pp. 48, 51. 22. Review and Herald, July 9, 1895, p. 434. 7. 1887 General Conference Session Reports, pp. 23. Ellen White, "The Laborer Is Worthy of His 16-17. Hire," Mss. 43a, 1897, MR 267. 8. Butler to Ellen White, May 24, 1881 (Butler, 24. I191a, 1898. 6ST, 1897-1898, pp. 62, 68, 69. G.!. 1880-81 WE). 25. Ibid. 26. Review and Herald, July 9, 1895, p. 434. 9. Ibid. 27. Ibid., pp. 433, 434. 10. Thompson to Brother Sands, April 13, 1900, 28. O.A Olsen to Dr. Abbie Winegar, May 22, NYC 11 Bk., p. 125. 1895; and R.S. Donnell, May 21, 1895. RG 11, Bk. 11. Cited in New York Indicator, January 31, 1900. 14, pp. 386, 379, 380. 12. S.M. Cobb to AE. Place, August 6, 1897, NYC 29. The secretary of the General Conference 11, 1897 incoming. reported: 13. John S. Wightman to S.W. Pratt, copy, Decem­ I have been writing to some brethren in other sections of the ber 15, 1897, NYC 11, 1897 incoming. country about the Christian Help Work. especially where they 14. Lulu Wightman to A.E. Place, January 27, are starting it anew. It seems that the work is taking that turn; 1898, and S.H. Lane, November 1, 1904, NYC 11, in fact the Lord has called especial attention of all churches. and especially those that are in the large cities. to this line of 1898 and 1904 incoming. work. (L.A. Hoopes to W.T. Drummond. September 20.1897. 15. G.B. Thompson to John Wightman, August 13, Rg 21. Bk. 22. p. 491), 1901; and Dear Brother, January 30, 1902. NYC 11 30. Ellen White, January 17, 1901, B7 1901. ST Bk., pp. 450, 518. 1901, pp. 298, 301-303. 60 Spectrum

Women Licensed as Ministers, 1878-1975 Editors' note: Following is a partial list of women "licensed to preacb" by tbe Seventb-day Adventist Cburcb from 1878-1975. This list. compiled from tbe Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. indicates tbe date eacb candidate first received ministerial license and tbe conference or otber organization issuing tbe license. Beginning in 1915. listings were made only for every fiftb year. Special tbanks to Josepbine Benton. wbo is writing a bistory of Adventist women ministers. for ber aid in preparing tbis cbart.

1878 1902 Anna Fulton Minnesota Mrs. S.N. Haskell Greater New York Ellen S. Lane Michigan Minnie Syp· Oklahoma Julia Owen Kentucky-Tennessee 1904 1879 Alma Bjdigg Finland Mission Libbie Collins Minnesota Mrs. J.E. Bond Arizona Hattie Enoch Kansas Bertha E. Jorgensen South Dakota Libbie Fulton Minnesota Lizzie Post Minnesota 1910 Pearl Field Nebraska 1880 Mrs. Ura Spring Nebraska Anna Johnson Minnesota 1920 Ella H. Osborne Northern California 1881 Mina Panasuk North Dakota Ida W. Ballenger Illinois Emme Wells Greater New York Helen L. Morse Illinois 1925 1884 Mrs. E. Flo Hawkins Illinois Ruie Hill Kansas Mrs. B. Miller East China Union Mission 1930 1886 Carol Bond Southern California Ida W. Hibben Illinois Mrs. E. Eder Northern Texas Beulah Langdon Northern Texas 1887 Pearl Stafford Oregon Mrs. S.E. Pierce Vermont 1935 1893 Lucy Andrus Hopei Mission (China) Flora Plummer Iowa 1945 Jessie Curtis East Pennsylvania 1894 Margaret Caro New Zealand 1960 Mrs. W.H. Anderson Central Union Conference 1895 Marye Burdick Georgia-Cumberland Mrs. S.A. Lindsay New York Edna J. Cardey Potomac Freda Ford Kentucky-Tennessee Lucia H. Lee Georgia-Cumberland 1898 Emma Phillips Kentucky-Tennessee Sarepta Irish Henry General Conference Mary Saxton Potomac Lulu Wightman New York Mary E. Walsh Pacific Union Mrs. J.W. Wilhelm Kentucky-Tennessee 1899 1965 Edith Bartlett British Conference Lois Mays Potomac Julia Ross Potomac 1900 Hetty Haskell General Conference 1970 Mina Robinson British Conference Mrs. Phil Neal Kentucky-Tennessee Mrs. Harry Weckham Kentucky-Tennessee 1901 Carrie V. Hansen Utah 1975 Emma Hawkins Iowa Josephine Benton Potomac Mrs. E.R. Williams Michigan Clare Yauchzie Ontario

• Spelling of family name later changed to Sype. Responses

nated "peripheraL" I have yet to see Spectrum print More on Baby Fae a single article doubting the historicity of the resur­ rection, though mainline Christians have done this o the Editors: I feel impelled to com­ on the same basis by which traditional Adventism T ment on the ethics of the Baby Fae is now being questioned. Seventh-day Adventist revi­ case. The question of scarce resources addresses not sionists are no different from their counterparts in only whether an organ is available; it also includes the broader Christian world. Their focus of study whether the money resource is available. Is it right may be different, but their presuppositions are the to use the total income of seven or eight wage earners same. In Ben McArthur's words, historical criticism to support one kidney dialysis patient who is unable seeks to find "causal explanations within the tem­ to care for himself? Is it right to take a patient who poral realm" for religion (see Spectrum, Vol. 10, No. is suffering from metastatic cancer to open-heart sur­ 3, p.11). This is certainly being done in Adventism gery? The cost of surgery is largely paid for by either today. insurance or taxes. Where do we draw the line? Thompson misunderstands the White Estate's I for one do not want myself subjected to such comparison of Ellen White's literary practices to ordeals. Nor would I want any of my loved ones to Scripture. It is not a salute to the merits of historical undergo such things. If the doctors did not hope to criticism, but a needed reminder that this method gain financially, or if they had to donate their time is no respecter of doctrines. Often fallacies are best for such procedures, I doubt there would be much exposed if taken to their ultimate conclusion. If Ellen of it done. Likewise, since fully one-third of Lorna White's authority is reduced because of source Linda University's charges to the paying patients is dependency, the same must be done to the Bible. used to cover those who do not pay, is it right to add This is all that is being said. to the bill others pay for what such procedures cost? Thompson's claim that Adventists neglect Bible study because of Ellen White is not supported by the Kenneth Noel facts. I for one know hundreds of Ellen White-loving Madison, AL Adventists, and have yet to meet one who has this problem. In 1980 a professional survey (available from the White Estate) by Des Cummings, Jr., and o the Editors: As a social worker in a Roger Dudley showed that daily personal Bible study T children's hospital, I found the April was a habit with 82 percent of those who read Ellen 1985 issue of Spectrum with the articles on Baby Fae White's books regularly, while only 47 percent of especially relevant. I was able to pass the magazine those who did not read Ellen White pursued regular on to my colleagues, who also found the reports Bible study. Anyone vaguely familiar with Ellen informative and thought provoking. White's works knows the Bible is profusely quoted Spectrum is a magazine of superb quality. I eagerly and passionately upheld. Those in danger of neglect­ look forward to each issue and read it from cover to ing SCripture haven't read Ellen White enough. cover. Kevin D. Paulson Cherise Baker Whited, ACSW Lorna Linda, CA Leawood, KS o the Editors: A bravo to Alden T Thompson for his excellent treatment of a very sensitive issue. Just three brief points in Biblical Criticism reaction. First, readers might get the impression that o the Editors: Alden Thompson (Vol. Seventh-day Adventist biblical studies professionals T 16, No.1) misperceives the objec­ are more or less equally divided about the validity tions of conservative Adventists to the historical­ of historical-critical study methods. Not so! My critical method. We might argue to what extent the research in preparation for my presentation before descriptive methodologies of this approach can be the Methods of Bible Study Committee convinced me safely used by Bible-believing Christians. The dis­ that nearly all Adventists trained in Old Testament turbing truth is that the naturalistic presuppositions or New Testament hold that a believer can legiti­ disavowed by Thompson are in fact being used by mately use the tools of biblical criticism. some in our scholarly circles. An arbitrary though Second, Gerhard Hasel's rejection of all aspects of convenient distinction is drawn between doctrines the historical-critical method depends formally upon considered "essential to salvation" and those desig- his definition of the "historical-critical method." If 62 Spectrum anti-supernatural assumptions are not essential to the who only give part of their time in ministry? I believe definition of the method, his objection to its use loses that denying women ordination to the pastoral min­ its force. One look at the minutes of Consultation istry when we already ordain them to ministry as dea­ II demonstrates that his biblical studies colleagues in conesses and elders is evidence of the same sort of Adventism do not accept the definition of the sexist prejudice which was once the basis of the method upon which Hasel insists. denominational practice of paying lower salaries for Finally, Understanding the Living Word of God may women doing the same work as men-a practice bring us Gerhard Basel's recent word on form­ which the federal courts have declared illegal in the criticism. It is not, however, Hasel's only word. In celebrated Merikay Silver v. Pacific Press and Lorna his excellent book The Remnant: The History and The­ Tobler v. Pacific Press cases. Sexist prejudice at that ology of a Biblical Idea, the Andrews University Press time cost this denomination the services of several edition of his doctoral dissertation, Hasel gives what very talented people and more than $1 million in in context has to be read as a rather more positive legal fees and judgments. Sexist prejudice now may assessment of form criticism: "Nevertheless, form cost us even more dearly-it may cost us the loss of criticism has brought about a greater awareness of services from hundreds, even thousands, of dedi­ external forms and has emphasized and stimulated cated and talented, but now disillusioned, women. the appreciation of literary units" (second revised Should there ever come a time when there are not and enlarged edition. Andrews University Mono­ an adequate number of qualified male candidates to graphs,S. Berrien Springs: Andrews University Press, serve as pastors of our churches, we will find many 1972; p. 245, note 112). One can understand such reasons, biblical statements and Ellen White quota­ a remark as aimed at the reading committee of a dis­ tions to justify ordaining women to pastoral minis­ sertation. But if Hasel is sure that "scholars who try. But at the present time there is a surplus of male acknowledge the indivisible divine-human nature of candidates, so we hear arguments such as those inspired Scripture have not been able to accept the which recently appeared in a letter to the Adventist premises, procedures and goals of form criticism" Review where it was suggested that we should not (Understanding, p. 155), the above footnote should ordain women because "many of the young men perhaps have been deleted from AUP editions of his graduating from a theology course in our colleges dissertation. cannot be hired because of a lack of funds." Larry Mitchel If "the Spirit gives gifts to whom he will, " on what Pacific Union College basis do we deny the exercise of those gifts or the Angwin, CA recognition of those gifts by ordination because we may not be ready to change old customs or traditions for which we can find no biblical basis? Under such circumstances do we become guilty of making' 'void Modest Proposals the word of God by our own traditions"? Can we not believe that the mere presence of a spiritual gift on Women indicates that the Spirit has prepared both the church and the world for the exercise of any gift that he has o the Editors: I am disappointed in given to meet a present need of the church for growth T the proposals of the Role of Women or ministry? Committee, as reported in Spectrum (Vol. 16, No.2) In light of the biblical doctrine of spiritual gifts, we to establish an " 'affirmative action' plan for the should not even be asking whether we should ordain involvement of women in the work of the church ... , women to serve in full-time ministry. Our task re­ to open to women all aspects of ministry in the garding both men and women who may have poten­ church which do not require ordination" and "to tial for any ministry is fourfold: give special emphasis to the work of Bible instruc­ 1. To recognize that' 'the Spirit gives gifts to whom tors, both men and women, and to ... restore this he will" and that he may choose to disregard gen­ ministerial category to importance and accord it pro­ der as he distributes his gifts. per recognition in the work of the church. " Here we 2. To identify those who have been given such gifts have what appears to be a plan to permanently by providing suitable opportunities for the manifesta­ exclude women from any position requiring tion of those gifts. ordination-clearly in contradiction of that same 3. To recognize the presence of those gifts by commission's strong support of the practice of ordination-"setting them apart" for appropriate ordaining women as local church elders "as each ministries. division may see its way clear to proceed. " 4. To encourage the further use of each person's When we ordain women as local church elders and gifts "to prepare God's people for works of service, as deaconesses, we are ordaining women to the gos­ so that the body of Christ may be built up until we pel ministry. On what basis do we then deny ordi­ reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the nation to women who are serving in full-time gospel Son of God and become mature, attaining to the ministry as pastors in our churches? Are not those whole measure of the stature of Christ." who serve in full-time ministry more worthy of being Wayne Willey, Pastor "set apart for ministry" by ordination than those Amesbury, MA Volume 16, Number 3 63

o the Editors: Much discussion has Adam and Eve fell, God instituted a divine order of T appeared recently in your journal relationships that gave man headship over women about the rights of women, but I wish to draw your and slaves. Disturb this order and neither the nation attention to a not-dissimilar threat to the integrity nor the church nor the home will ever be safe again. of our social fabric and God's divine plan: the move­ The church should declare itself immediately in ment to abolish slavery. Inspired and egged on by favor of slavery. We have studied this matter long the godless anti-slavery agitators, some in our own enough. If we do not act at once, we will be subjected ranks have begun to clamor for the abolition of slav­ to intense lobbying from pressure groups. It is time ery. Twenty years ago we never heard such foolish­ to put an end to the question once and for all. ness, but now the abolitionist movement is all the rage among woddings. Naturally, some of our more Ron Graybill impressionable and unstable church members have Wheaton, MD begun to harp on the same theme. One would think that a good look at the leaders of the abolitionist movement would sober them down immediately. Why, William Lloyd Garrison has no use whatever for organized religion. He is an antichrist who calls our nation's constitution noth­ Octagenarian Cheer ing but a "covenant with death. " And who has not heard of the notorious Fanny Wright with her bra­ o the Editors: Thank you for Spec­ zen advocacy of free-love. Little wonder she adopts T rum! First I've ever seen of it. Very the abolitionist cause as well. good! All Seventh-day Adventists need it. Keep it up. Don't Christians know that their only safety is fol­ I've been a Seventh-day Adventist for 52 years. I'm lowing God's Word just as it reads? The Bible is not 83. Three cheers for 1985. God bless you! silent on this issue. When Paul wrote "Slaves, obey your masters," he clearly supported the divinely Glen Sevits ordered relationship between slaves and masters. Paradise, CA Those who cry that such passages are" culturally con­ ditioned" cannot see the lengths of liberalism to which such a careless hermeneutic will certainly lead them. Surely, if Jesus had intended that we do away with slavery, he would have told us plainly in his Word. Some would carelessly use Galatians 3:28 to sup­ port the abolition of slavery. But when Paul speaks of there being no more "bond nor free, male nor female, " he refers only to our status in Christ, not to our condition in society. True, the slave and his master are equally sinners before Christ, but the slave must maintain proper submission in the material world. One of our Reformation historians has pointed out that Rome's apostacy began when it enjoined what God had not forbidden, and ended when it forbade what God had enjoined. God has surely enjoined slavery in his Word. Why would he give slaves instruction in proper behavior if he did not endorse the institution? But the apostate abolitionists would have the church forbid what God has enjoined. Our polls indicate that even in the North, where slav­ ery does not exist, most Christians feel it should be left alone. There, as elsewhere, abolitionists are often taught the true sentiments of their communities when mobs made up of gentlemen of property and standing drive them from their chapels and schoolhouses. This agitation threatens the whole fabric of our CORRECTION society. God has assigned each to his proper place Vol. 16, No.3 should have listed the Univer­ in society: the animal in the shed; the slave in the sity of Mississippi as the site where Dr. James shanty; the woman in the house; the man in the D. Hardy performed the first primate-to­ office, the pulpit and the halls of Congress. True, human heart transplant. slavery was not God's original intention, but once Browse through the titles below. Catch up on those you missed. Share extra copies with friends. This is an offer too good to pass by! Limited time opportunity.

How many? How many? The Church and the Courts (Vol. 9, No.2) Reshaping the NAD (Vol. 13, No.1) D Is the Church Responsible to the State? D Case for an Independent North American The Christian, Homosexuals and the Law Division Neal Wilson Talks about Court Cases Must Polygamists Divorce? A New Doctrine of the Church? The Sabbath and the International Dateline

The Local Church (Vol. 13, No.4) D What Must a True Adventist Believe? Commemorative Issue (Vol. 10, No.4) Income Sharing Within the Congregation D Trends in Ellen White Studies What Does the Bible Say About Divorce? Reports on Ford and Rae Recounting the Santuary Debate Tension Between Religion and Science The Sanctuary Revisited (Vol. 14, No.1) D Is the Investigative Judgment Relevant? A Call to Moral Seriousness The Psychological World of Ellen White Food (Vol. 11, No.3) D A Radical Case for Vegetarianism Unclean or Unhealthful? Are Vegetarians Intellectually Honest? Adventists and the Bomb (Vol. 14, No.2) D Must Christmas Oppose Nuclear Anns? Casting out Demons Campmeeting Adventist Style

Missions (Vol. 12, No.3) D Converting Entire Peoples Plight of the Boat People The Great Creation Debate (Vol. 15, No.2) Adventists Face Homosexuality D Odyssey of a Creationist Growing Up Gay Adventist Who Killed Azarla? Women Pastors Begin Baptizing

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Floyd and Charlene Andersen Gordon and Nadine Hale N.W. Northey Ted Benedict F.E.J. Harder Daniel and Marilyn Patchin Charles and Julie Bensonhaver Jon Hardt Daniel Paulien Doug Bertleson Milford and Cheryl Harrison Thomas and Sharon Pellow Viveca Black Robert and Sally Hasselbrack Wayne Rahming Larry Botimer John Hodgkin Winslow and Verna Randall Bernard and Neridah Brandstater Wilfred and Margaret Huse Alfredo and Martha Rasi Bruce and Betty Branson Fil Inocencio Alvin Ratzlaff Roy Branson John and Marjorie Jacobson Robert Rausch Floyd and Mary Brauer Bernard and Dorothy Johnson Walter Rea M.L.S. Brown Eugene and Liv Joergenson Merlin and Arlene Reeder Morris Brusett Elton and Marga Kerr Barbara B. Renschler Robert and Marilyn Burman William and Dorane King Gordon Rick Harold Campbell Richard and Claire Knieram William and Anieta Rippey B.H. Carson Alice Koelsch Jan Rushing Glenn Coe Edward and Ruth Komarniski James Sands Douglas Collins Albert and Elizabeth Koppel Michael Scofield Patricia Cople Irwin and Doreen Kuhn Donald and Ursula Shasky Molleurus and Dos Couperus Alvin and Verla Kwiram Gordon and Lovina Short Eryl Cummings Melvin and Karen Lake Walter and Grace Stilson Raymond Damazo Robert and Anita Lang Dennis and Jodi Swena James and Mary Dunn Fred Lee Leonard and Carlene Taylor Thomas and Bonnie Dwyer Andrew Leonie, III James Thomas Richard and Juanita Engel Charles Lindsay Thais Thrasher Rene and Mary Evard Bradley and Roberta Litchfield Dort and Nancy Tikker Walt and Lois Fahlsing Ewald Lonser Lorna Tobler James and Erika Fallbeck Felix Lorenz Darwin and Faye Tompkins Joy and Gerald Fuller Richard and Heidi Luoders Thorvaldur and Lou Anne Torfason G. Elaine Giddings Edward and Marilyn Lugenbeal Robin and Nancy Vandermolen Gary Gilbert Robert and Marguerite Marsh John and Nancy Vogt David and Joyce Grauman Donald McAdams Harold and Ella Mae Wallar Sanford Graves Kenneth and Irene McGill Kenneth and Karla Walters Octavian Gregorescu W.M. Meek Harry Wang John Griffen Ken and Mary Moe James Webster Paul Gruzensky Robert and Jacqueline Moncrieff Rodney and Barbara Willard William Hafner, Jr. Lyla Neumann William Woods

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