Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 2011 The Development of the Seventh-day Adventist Understanding of Ellen G. White's Prophetic Gift, 1844-1889 Theodore N. Levterov Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, History Commons, and the Women's Studies Commons Recommended Citation Levterov, Theodore N., "The Development of the Seventh-day Adventist Understanding of Ellen G. White's Prophetic Gift, 1844-1889" (2011). Dissertations. 83. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/83 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your interest in the Andrews University Digital Library of Dissertations and Theses. Please honor the copyright of this document by not duplicating or distributing additional copies in any form without the author’s express written permission. Thanks for your cooperation. ABSTRACT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST UNDERSTANDING OF ELLEN G. WHITE’S PROPHETIC GIFT, 1844-1889 by Theodore N. Levterov Adviser: George R. Knight ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST UNDERSTANDING OF ELLEN G. WHITE’S PROPHETIC GIFT, 1844-1889 Name of Researcher: Theodore N. Levterov Name and degree of faculty adviser: George R. Knight, Ed.D. Date completed: October 2011 Topic This study is a historical investigation examining the development of the Seventh- day Adventist understanding of Ellen White’s prophetic gift between 1844 and 1889. Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate and analyze the stages of the development of the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of Ellen G. White’s prophetic gift from 1844 through 1889 from a historical perspective only. This research is not a theological study and therefore it is beyond its scope to judge, to prove, or to disprove the prophetic gift of Ellen White. It starts with 1844 when Ellen White claimed to have received her first vision and finishes with 1889 when the major essential arguments for and against her prophetic gift were in place. Sources This research examined published and unpublished primary sources and documents related to Ellen White’s prophetic gift from 1844 to 1889. Secondary sources were only used for background or historical context. The primary documents included periodicals, books, tracts, letters, and manuscripts written against or in defense of Ellen White. The majority of the sources were found in the General Conference Archives, the Ellen White Estate Office in Silver Spring, Maryland, and the Center for Adventist Research at Andrews University. Conclusions The study identified four general stages in the development of the Seventh-day Adventist understanding of Ellen White’s prophetic gift. Stage one covered the period from 1844 to 1850 during which the Sabbatarian group established some initial arguments for its acceptance of Ellen White’s claim of having the gift of prophecy. Stage two examined the years from 1851 to 1862 during which the movement developed a more systematic biblical reasoning for the validity of the modern display of the gift of prophecy and saw it as one of the identifying marks of God’s true people. In stage three, from 1863 to 1881, Ellen White’s prophetic gift became a part of the Seventh-day Adventist statement of beliefs. The denomination also clarified questions related to the relationship between Ellen White’s writings and the Bible. Stage four, from 1882 to 1889, refined Adventism’s understanding of Ellen White’s prophetic gift in relation to the doctrine of inspiration and questions of suppression and plagiarism. By the end of 1889 Seventh-day Adventists had developed their major arguments for their belief in Ellen White and were convinced that she possessed the genuine gift of prophecy. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST UNDERSTANDING OF ELLEN G. WHITE’S PROPHETIC GIFT, 1844-1889 A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy by Theodore N. Levterov October 2011 © Copyright by Theodore N. Levterov 2011 All Rights Reserved THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST UNDERSTANDING OF ELLEN G. WHITE’S PROPHETIC GIFT, 1844-1889 A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy by Theodore N. Levterov APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE ________________________________ ________________________________ Faculty Adviser, Director of Ph.D./Th.D. Program George R. Knight Thomas Shepherd Professor Emeritus ________________________________ ________________________________ Jerry Moon Dean, SDA Theological Seminary Professor/Chair Church History Denis Fortin Department ________________________________ Denis Fortin Dean / Professor of Theology ________________________________ Woodrow Whidden Professor of Historical Theology _______________________________ ________________________________ Gerhard Pfandl, Date approved Biblical Research Institute, General Conference of Seventh‐day Adventists TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................ vi PREFACE ........................................... vii Background of the Problem ............................. vii Statement of the Problem .............................. ix Purpose of the Study ................................. ix Scope and Delimitations ............................... ix Justification of the Study ............................... xi Review of Related Research ............................. xii Methodology and Sources .............................. xv Design of the Study .................................. xvii Acknowledgments................................... xviii Chapter 1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND EARLY ATTITUDES TOWARDS CHARISMATIC AND VISIONARY EXPERIENCES AMONG MILLERITES AND SABBATARIAN ADVENTISTS UP TO 1850..... 1 Religious Background of Charismatic and Visionary Experiences in the Mid-nineteenth Century ........................ 2 The Second Great Awakening....................... 2 The Camp Meeting ............................. 7 Methodism and the Holiness Revival .................. 11 New Religious Groups ........................... 18 Millerite Attitudes towards Charismatic and Visionary Experiences... 25 Millerite Attitudes towards Charismatic and Visionary Experiences before the Great Disappointment ........... 25 Millerite Attitudes towards Charismatic and Visionary Experiences after the Great Disappointment ............ 38 Introduction to Ellen G. White ........................ 44 Ellen Harmon and Early Sabbatarian Adventist Attitudes towards Charismatic and Visionary Experiences ................. 47 Ellen Harmon’s First Vision and Initial Self-Understanding of Her Prophetic Gift ........................... 49 Initial Sabbatarian Perspectives on Charismatic and Visionary Experiences and Ellen Harmon’s Prophetic Gift .......... 56 Conclusion .................................... 75 iii 2. THE PROPHETIC GIFT ACCEPTED BUT NOT PROMOTED, 1851-1862 ....................................... 80 Opposing Views of Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .............. 81 Historical Overview of Opposition to Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .............................. 81 Specific Objections Raised against Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .. 84 Sabbatarian Adventist Responses to Objections .............. 95 Historical Overview of Sabbatarian Adventist Responses to Objections ................................ 96 Sabbatarian Adventist Responses to Specific Objections ....... 100 Responses to Objections through General Conference Resolutions ............................... 127 Ellen White’s Self-Understanding of Her Prophetic Gift ....... 135 Conclusion .................................... 146 3. THE TURNING POINT: THE GIFT OF PROPHECY BECOMES A PART OF THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST STATEMENT OF BELIEFS, 1863-1881 .............................. 151 Opposing Views of Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .............. 152 Historical Overview of Opposition to Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .............................. 153 Specific Objections Raised against Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .. 164 Seventh-day Adventist Responses to Objections .............. 181 Historical Overview of Seventh-day Adventist Responses to Objections ................................ 181 Seventh-day Adventist Responses to Specific Objections....... 199 Responses to Objections through General Conference Resolutions ............................... 236 Ellen White’s Self-Understanding of Her Prophetic Gift ....... 242 Conclusion .................................... 255 4. A FURTHER REFINEMENT OF THE ADVENTIST UNDERSTANDING OF ELLEN G. WHITE’S PROPHETIC GIFT, 1882-1889 ........... 261 Opposing Views of Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .............. 263 Historical Overview of Opposition to Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .............................. 263 Specific Objections Raised against Ellen White’s Prophetic Gift .. 271 Seventh-day Adventist Responses to Objections .............. 282 Historical Overview of Seventh-day Adventist Responses to Objections ................................ 282