Perspective Digest Volume 14 Article 4 Issue 1 Winter

2009 Adventist Views on Inspiration Alberto R. Timm

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Recommended Citation Timm, Alberto R. (2009) "Adventist Views on Inspiration," Perspective Digest: Vol. 14 : Iss. 1 , Article 4. Available at: http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss1/4

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Adventist Theological Society at Digital Commons @ . It has been accepted for inclusion in Perspective Digest by an authorized editor of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Timm: Adventist Views on Inspiration BY ALBERTO R. TIMM* dations found special space in his partial reading of the and of “casebook” (as opposed to “code- the writings of Ellen White. Frank book”) approach to Scripture. Holbrook and Leo Van Dolson even For Thompson, “the one great law alleged in the preface that Thomp- of love,” the two commandments to son’s study illustrated “the fruits of love God and to love humanity, and the historical-critical method,” ADVENTIST VIEWS the Ten Commandments “form a which had been regarded by the pyramid of law that embodies the 1986 Annual Council as “unaccept- eternal principles of God’s kingdom,” able” for Adventists.5 which are normative “to all mankind While the previous developments ON INSPIRATION at all times everywhere.” “All other of the Seventh-day Adventist doc- biblical laws are applications of those trine of inspiration have been largely principles in time and place.”2 confined to the phenomena of His casebook approach to Scrip- Scripture and the writings of Ellen Conflicting views of inspiration among Seventh-day ture also provided for a high position White, Fernando Canale, professor for human reason. According to him, of systematic theology at Andrews Adventist scholars indicate that they are still divided in their “the casebook approach allows us—in- University, in the summer of 1993 personal understanding of this important topic. deed, forces us—to recognize that reve- began a five-part series in the An- lation and reason must work together. drews University Seminary Studies, uring the period of 1991-2000, suggested that “the most crucial always deals with specific proposing a “new approach” to the Alden Thompson’s Inspiration: point” of his book was perhaps the cases. Reason, in dialogue with the doctrine of revelation and inspira- Hard Questions, Honest Answers idea that “the Bible does not say that Spirit, determines which of those cases tion. Canale suggested that “a new (1991) brought the debate on all Scripture was given by revelation.”1 are most helpful in informing the deci- theological model about the origin D 3 inspiration down from the Thompson evidently intended to sions we make day by day.” of Scripture” could be developed on scholarly realm into the church level. come up with a model of inspiration Thompson’s book was controver- the basis of an understanding of The author, a professor of biblical that could provide enough room for sial from the very beginning. While God and of human nature derived studies at Walla Walla College, re- both difficulties and cultural accom- some endorsed the book, others from Scripture rather than from garded revelation in this book as modations. Room for errors, mis- strongly opposed it. The most signif- Greek philosophical concepts. “some kind of special input from takes, and “fatal contradictions” in icant response to it was the Adventist Canale criticized conventional God, a message from Him to His the Bible (although Thompson tried Theological Society’s Issues in Reve- Roman Catholic and Protestant mod- creatures on earth” and as “a visible or to avoid such words) was provided lation and Inspiration (1992),4 with els of revelation-inspiration for their audible intervention by God.” He de- by the human side of his “incarna- articles by Raoul Dederen (two), indebtedness to a timeless view of fined inspiration as “the Spirit’s spe- tional model.” Cultural accommo- Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, Norman God and to an immortalist concept of cial urging of a messenger to speak or Gulley, Richard Davidson, Gerhard the human soul. He explained, in re- write” and “a means to indicate that *Alberto R. Timm, Ph.D., is rector of Hasel, Randall Younker, Frank Hasel, gard to the concept of God, that the Holy Spirit has been active in a the Latin-American Adventist Theo- and Miroslav Kis. “when God is conceived to act within special way.” While acknowledging logical Seminary (LATS), South- The basic consensus of those au- a timeless realm, the theological con- that “all Scripture is given by inspira- American Division of SDAs, Brasilia, thors was that Alden Thompson’s tent of Scripture (which is brought tion” (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16), Thompson DF, Brazil. model of inspiration was based on a into being by God) will also pertain

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,44 2009 1 45 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 1, Art. 4 BY ALBERTO R. TIMM* dations found special space in his partial reading of the Bible and of “casebook” (as opposed to “code- the writings of Ellen White. Frank book”) approach to Scripture. Holbrook and Leo Van Dolson even For Thompson, “the one great law alleged in the preface that Thomp- of love,” the two commandments to son’s study illustrated “the fruits of love God and to love humanity, and the historical-critical method,” ADVENTIST VIEWS the Ten Commandments “form a which had been regarded by the pyramid of law that embodies the 1986 Annual Council as “unaccept- eternal principles of God’s kingdom,” able” for Adventists.5 which are normative “to all mankind While the previous developments ON INSPIRATION at all times everywhere.” “All other of the Seventh-day Adventist doc- biblical laws are applications of those trine of inspiration have been largely principles in time and place.”2 confined to the phenomena of His casebook approach to Scrip- Scripture and the writings of Ellen Conflicting views of inspiration among Seventh-day ture also provided for a high position White, Fernando Canale, professor for human reason. According to him, of systematic theology at Andrews Adventist scholars indicate that they are still divided in their “the casebook approach allows us—in- University, in the summer of 1993 personal understanding of this important topic. deed, forces us—to recognize that reve- began a five-part series in the An- lation and reason must work together. drews University Seminary Studies, uring the period of 1991-2000, suggested that “the most crucial Revelation always deals with specific proposing a “new approach” to the Alden Thompson’s Inspiration: point” of his book was perhaps the cases. Reason, in dialogue with the doctrine of revelation and inspira- Hard Questions, Honest Answers idea that “the Bible does not say that Spirit, determines which of those cases tion. Canale suggested that “a new (1991) brought the debate on all Scripture was given by revelation.”1 are most helpful in informing the deci- theological model about the origin D 3 inspiration down from the Thompson evidently intended to sions we make day by day.” of Scripture” could be developed on scholarly realm into the church level. come up with a model of inspiration Thompson’s book was controver- the basis of an understanding of The author, a professor of biblical that could provide enough room for sial from the very beginning. While God and of human nature derived studies at Walla Walla College, re- both difficulties and cultural accom- some endorsed the book, others from Scripture rather than from garded revelation in this book as modations. Room for errors, mis- strongly opposed it. The most signif- Greek philosophical concepts. “some kind of special input from takes, and “fatal contradictions” in icant response to it was the Adventist Canale criticized conventional God, a message from Him to His the Bible (although Thompson tried Theological Society’s Issues in Reve- Roman Catholic and Protestant mod- creatures on earth” and as “a visible or to avoid such words) was provided lation and Inspiration (1992),4 with els of revelation-inspiration for their audible intervention by God.” He de- by the human side of his “incarna- articles by Raoul Dederen (two), indebtedness to a timeless view of fined inspiration as “the Spirit’s spe- tional model.” Cultural accommo- Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, Norman God and to an immortalist concept of cial urging of a messenger to speak or Gulley, Richard Davidson, Gerhard the human soul. He explained, in re- write” and “a means to indicate that *Alberto R. Timm, Ph.D., is rector of Hasel, Randall Younker, Frank Hasel, gard to the concept of God, that the Holy Spirit has been active in a the Latin-American Adventist Theo- and Miroslav Kis. “when God is conceived to act within special way.” While acknowledging logical Seminary (LATS), South- The basic consensus of those au- a timeless realm, the theological con- that “all Scripture is given by inspira- American Division of SDAs, Brasilia, thors was that Alden Thompson’s tent of Scripture (which is brought tion” (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16), Thompson DF, Brazil. model of inspiration was based on a into being by God) will also pertain

44 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss1/445 2 Timm: Adventist Views on Inspiration to the timeless realm. In this case, the grammatical method and the liberal In 1995, Robert S. Folkenberg, then president of the historical side of Scripture is consid- historical-critical method). Canale ered to belong, not to its divine cause, dealt with this new methodology in General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, stated in the but rather to the human condition some later publications. that “our unequivocal, historic emphasis necessary for the expression of its di- The spring 1994 issue of the Jour- upon the divine inspiration and trustworthiness of Scripture vinely (timelessly) originated con- nal of the Adventist Theological Society tent. Thus, the Scriptures are said to came out with several papers on in- has strengthened our church. It has helped us resist the error be ‘historically conditioned.’ On the spiration presented at the 1993 Schol- of treating some parts of Scripture as God’s Word, while contrary, the concept that God is ca- ars’ Convention of the Adventist The- pable of acting genuinely in history ological Society, which convened in ignoring or rejecting other parts. (that is, ‘historically’) leads to a con- Wash ington, D.C., on November 18, ception of the biblical writings as and Silver Spring, , on No- being ‘historically constituted.’ Ac- vember 19-20, 1993. The overall tenor cording to the former view, the his- of those papers was the emphasis on landmarks in that debate was Samuel technique” in which “at one extreme torical side of Scripture is external the infallibility of Scripture, with spe- Koranteng-Pipim’s provocative book it sets up the ‘right’ position, which and incidental to its religious and the- cific responses to some charges raised Receiving the Word. Pipim, who was at is very, very right, while at the other ological contents; according to the against the trustworthiness of the that time a Ph.D. candidate in system- extreme is the ‘wrong’ position, lat ter view, the historical side of Bible. atic theology at Andrews University, which is very, very wrong.”12 Knight’s Scrip ture belongs to the very essence In 1995, Robert S. Folkenberg, called the attention of his readers to a own view of inspiration was more of its divinely revealed and inspired then president of the General Con- significant variety of historical-criti- clearly expressed in his book Read- contents.”6 ference of Seventh-day Adventists, cal attempts to undermine the au- ing Ellen White, in which he argued The development of a new model stated in the Adventist Review that thority of the Scriptures within the (1) that “inspiration is not infallible, of revelation-inspiration based on the “our unequivocal, historic emphasis Seventh-day Ad ventist Church. He inerrant, or verbal”13; (2) that several sola Scriptura principle would re- upon the divine inspiration and also tried to uplift the trustworthiness factual “mistakes” can be found in quire, according to Canale, the para- trustworthiness of Scripture has of the Bible by demonstrating that the inspired writings14; and (3) that digmatic shift to a “temporal-histori- strengthened our church. It has many of its alleged “errors” are either those writings are infallible only “as cal conception of God’s being and helped us resist the error of treating distortions added in the transmission a guide to salvation.”15 The views of actions” that allows Him to act “his- some parts of Scripture as God’s process of its original text, or short- Pipim, on one side, and of Knight, torically in history.” The multiform Word, while ignoring or rejecting cuts in our present understanding of on the other, are representative of “divine revelatory activity” in history other parts. If we accept it as God’s its true meaning.10 the two main conflicting poles was viewed as comprising “theo- Word, we must accept it all, whether That not everybody fully agreed around which gravitate the contem- phanic, direct writing, prophetic, his- or not we like what it says. To us the with Pipim’s approach is evident porary discussions on inspiration. torical, and existential” patterns,7 sup- Scriptures should be the ultimate from George R. Knight’s response to Meanwhile, the concept of models porting the notion that “the whole revelation of God’s will for our it. Knight, a professor of church his- of inspiration was much further de- Bible is revealed and the whole Bible lives.”9 tory at the Seventh-day Adventist veloped in 1996 by Juan Carlos Viera, is inspired.”8 For Canale, this change Several other publications helped Theological Seminary, criticized director of the Ellen G. White Estate, of paradigm would require also “a to keep alive the ongoing debate on Pipim (1) for still believing in “in- in his Adventist Review article entitled new exegetical methodology” (differ- inspiration during the second half of errancy and verbalism”11 and (2) for “The Dynamics of Inspiration.” While ent from both the classic historical- the 1990s. One of the most influential using the “well-known debater’s George Rice had spoken only of two

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,46 2009 3 47 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 1, Art. 4 to the timeless realm. In this case, the grammatical method and the liberal In 1995, Robert S. Folkenberg, then president of the historical side of Scripture is consid- historical-critical method). Canale ered to belong, not to its divine cause, dealt with this new methodology in General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, stated in the but rather to the human condition some later publications. Adventist Review that “our unequivocal, historic emphasis necessary for the expression of its di- The spring 1994 issue of the Jour- upon the divine inspiration and trustworthiness of Scripture vinely (timelessly) originated con- nal of the Adventist Theological Society tent. Thus, the Scriptures are said to came out with several papers on in- has strengthened our church. It has helped us resist the error be ‘historically conditioned.’ On the spiration presented at the 1993 Schol- of treating some parts of Scripture as God’s Word, while contrary, the concept that God is ca- ars’ Convention of the Adventist The- pable of acting genuinely in history ological Society, which convened in ignoring or rejecting other parts. (that is, ‘historically’) leads to a con- Wash ington, D.C., on November 18, ception of the biblical writings as and Silver Spring, Maryland, on No- being ‘historically constituted.’ Ac- vember 19-20, 1993. The overall tenor cording to the former view, the his- of those papers was the emphasis on landmarks in that debate was Samuel technique” in which “at one extreme torical side of Scripture is external the infallibility of Scripture, with spe- Koranteng-Pipim’s provocative book it sets up the ‘right’ position, which and incidental to its religious and the- cific responses to some charges raised Receiving the Word. Pipim, who was at is very, very right, while at the other ological contents; according to the against the trustworthiness of the that time a Ph.D. candidate in system- extreme is the ‘wrong’ position, lat ter view, the historical side of Bible. atic theology at Andrews University, which is very, very wrong.”12 Knight’s Scrip ture belongs to the very essence In 1995, Robert S. Folkenberg, called the attention of his readers to a own view of inspiration was more of its divinely revealed and inspired then president of the General Con- significant variety of historical-criti- clearly expressed in his book Read- contents.”6 ference of Seventh-day Adventists, cal attempts to undermine the au- ing Ellen White, in which he argued The development of a new model stated in the Adventist Review that thority of the Scriptures within the (1) that “inspiration is not infallible, of revelation-inspiration based on the “our unequivocal, historic emphasis Seventh-day Ad ventist Church. He inerrant, or verbal”13; (2) that several sola Scriptura principle would re- upon the divine inspiration and also tried to uplift the trustworthiness factual “mistakes” can be found in quire, according to Canale, the para- trustworthiness of Scripture has of the Bible by demonstrating that the inspired writings14; and (3) that digmatic shift to a “temporal-histori- strengthened our church. It has many of its alleged “errors” are either those writings are infallible only “as cal conception of God’s being and helped us resist the error of treating distortions added in the transmission a guide to salvation.”15 The views of actions” that allows Him to act “his- some parts of Scripture as God’s process of its original text, or short- Pipim, on one side, and of Knight, torically in history.” The multiform Word, while ignoring or rejecting cuts in our present understanding of on the other, are representative of “divine revelatory activity” in history other parts. If we accept it as God’s its true meaning.10 the two main conflicting poles was viewed as comprising “theo- Word, we must accept it all, whether That not everybody fully agreed around which gravitate the contem- phanic, direct writing, prophetic, his- or not we like what it says. To us the with Pipim’s approach is evident porary discussions on inspiration. torical, and existential” patterns,7 sup- Scriptures should be the ultimate from George R. Knight’s response to Meanwhile, the concept of models porting the notion that “the whole revelation of God’s will for our it. Knight, a professor of church his- of inspiration was much further de- Bible is revealed and the whole Bible lives.”9 tory at the Seventh-day Adventist veloped in 1996 by Juan Carlos Viera, is inspired.”8 For Canale, this change Several other publications helped Theological Seminary, criticized director of the Ellen G. White Estate, of paradigm would require also “a to keep alive the ongoing debate on Pipim (1) for still believing in “in- in his Adventist Review article entitled new exegetical methodology” (differ- inspiration during the second half of errancy and verbalism”11 and (2) for “The Dynamics of Inspiration.” While ent from both the classic historical- the 1990s. One of the most influential using the “well-known debater’s George Rice had spoken only of two

46 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss1/447 4 Timm: Adventist Views on Inspiration Rejecting “verbal, inerrant inspiration” for implying that the wrong with that—because we all un- a “court stenographer,” Douglass ar- gued for “thought inspiration” be- prophet would have to function simply as a “recording ma- derstand what they mean: that what we may be reading at the moment cause “God inspires the prophet, not chine” or as a “court stenographer,” Herbert Douglass argued comes from a mind inspired by the his or her words.” But the “divinely re- for “thought inspiration” because “God inspires the prophet, Spirit of God. Therefore, we speak of vealed message, or content,” can still ‘inspired paragraphs’ or ‘inspired be regarded as “infallible and author- not his or her words.” But the “divinely revealed message, or books’ or ‘inspired letters.’ Neverthe- itative.”21 content,” can still be regarded as “infallible and authoritative.” less, those expressions, taken literally, Of special significance in the late would contradict the prophetic 1990s were Leo R. van Dolson’s adult thought that tells us that it is not the Sabbath school lessons for the first text, the words, or the language of a quarter of 1999, dealing specifically models, Viera suggested the following but the Holy Spirit “is in control of declaration that is inspired, but the with the subjects of “revelation and six: (1) the visionary model, in which the inspired message” and “always message these communicate—and inspiration,” and its companion book God speaks “through prophetic vi- corrected His messengers in matters that message comes from heaven.”18 titled Show and Tell. Van Dolson, who sions and dreams”; (2) the witness important to the church.”16 Viera’s Support for the notion of a non- had been one of the editors of the model, in which God inspires “the models reflect more the sources of the inspired prophetic text was found in book Issues in Revelation and Inspira- prophet to give his or her own ac- inspired content than its actual trans- the fact that Ellen White herself al- tion (1992), defined inspiration in his count of things seen and heard”; (3) mission process. lowed C. C. Crisler and H. H. Hall’s lessons as “the means by which God the historian model, in which the Two years later, Viera’s book on in- chapter on “The Awakening of safeguarded the production and message “did not come through vi- spiration, The Voice of the Spirit, at- Spain” to be added to the Spanish preservation of the Bible in order for sions and dreams, but through re- tempted to explain the “relationship version of her book The Great Con- it to become an infallible and suffi- search”; (4) the counselor model, in between a divine message, perfect and troversy.19 Under the assumption that cient guide to salvation.”22 But these which “the prophet acts as an adviser infallible, and a human messenger, this chapter shares the same nature of widespread Bible lessons, as balanced to God’s people”; (5) the epistolary imperfect and fallible,” in the process the book itself, Viera was not afraid in their content as they could be, were model, in which “the prophet writes of prophetic inspiration. Comment- of stating that the chapter “ended up unable to affect Adventist academic greetings, names, circumstances or ing on Ellen White’s classic statement, being part of the text (not inspired) tensions about inspiration. even common things that do not re- “It is not the words of the Bible that of a book that contains the message Noteworthy also are some articles quire a special revelation”; and (6) the are inspired, but the men that were (inspired) of God.”20 This might be on inspiration published in Ministry literary model, in which “the Holy inspired ... ,”17 Viera suggested that, easily seen as a significant move to- mag azine between 1999 and 2000. Spirit inspires the prophet to express “taken with all the seriousness that ward the liberal position that the The September 1999 issue of that his or her intimate feelings and emo- this declaration deserves, it means Bible is not the Word of God but only mag a zine came out with a slightly ed - tions through the means of poetry that expressions such as ‘the pen of contains that Word. ited version of Alberto Timm’s paper and prose, as in the psalms.” Accord- inspiration,’ and ‘the inspired writ- Also in 1998 came Herbert Dou- presented at a plenary session of the ing to Viera, “the prophet can make ings’ are only symbolic expressions glass’s textbook titled Messenger of First Jerusalem International Bible orthographical or grammatical mis- that refer to the message the writings the Lord: The Prophetic Ministry of Conference, in June 1998. Timm, di- takes, as well as other kinds of lan- communicate and not to the text it- Ellen G. White. Rejecting “verbal, in- rector of the Brazilian Ellen G. White guage imperfections such as lapsus self of the prophetic declarations. Ex- errant inspiration” for implying that Research Center and professor of linguae (a slip of the tongue) or lapsus pressions such as these will continue the prophet would have to function church history and historical theol- memoriae (a slip of the memory),” to be used—and there is nothing simply as a “recording machine” or as ogy at Brazil Adventist University’s

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,48 2009 5 49 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 1, Art. 4 Rejecting “verbal, inerrant inspiration” for implying that the wrong with that—because we all un- a “court stenographer,” Douglass ar- gued for “thought inspiration” be- prophet would have to function simply as a “recording ma- derstand what they mean: that what we may be reading at the moment cause “God inspires the prophet, not chine” or as a “court stenographer,” Herbert Douglass argued comes from a mind inspired by the his or her words.” But the “divinely re- for “thought inspiration” because “God inspires the prophet, Spirit of God. Therefore, we speak of vealed message, or content,” can still ‘inspired paragraphs’ or ‘inspired be regarded as “infallible and author- not his or her words.” But the “divinely revealed message, or books’ or ‘inspired letters.’ Neverthe- itative.”21 content,” can still be regarded as “infallible and authoritative.” less, those expressions, taken literally, Of special significance in the late would contradict the prophetic 1990s were Leo R. van Dolson’s adult thought that tells us that it is not the Sabbath school lessons for the first text, the words, or the language of a quarter of 1999, dealing specifically models, Viera suggested the following but the Holy Spirit “is in control of declaration that is inspired, but the with the subjects of “revelation and six: (1) the visionary model, in which the inspired message” and “always message these communicate—and inspiration,” and its companion book God speaks “through prophetic vi- corrected His messengers in matters that message comes from heaven.”18 titled Show and Tell. Van Dolson, who sions and dreams”; (2) the witness important to the church.”16 Viera’s Support for the notion of a non- had been one of the editors of the model, in which God inspires “the models reflect more the sources of the inspired prophetic text was found in book Issues in Revelation and Inspira- prophet to give his or her own ac- inspired content than its actual trans- the fact that Ellen White herself al- tion (1992), defined inspiration in his count of things seen and heard”; (3) mission process. lowed C. C. Crisler and H. H. Hall’s lessons as “the means by which God the historian model, in which the Two years later, Viera’s book on in- chapter on “The Awakening of safeguarded the production and message “did not come through vi- spiration, The Voice of the Spirit, at- Spain” to be added to the Spanish preservation of the Bible in order for sions and dreams, but through re- tempted to explain the “relationship version of her book The Great Con- it to become an infallible and suffi- search”; (4) the counselor model, in between a divine message, perfect and troversy.19 Under the assumption that cient guide to salvation.”22 But these which “the prophet acts as an adviser infallible, and a human messenger, this chapter shares the same nature of widespread Bible lessons, as balanced to God’s people”; (5) the epistolary imperfect and fallible,” in the process the book itself, Viera was not afraid in their content as they could be, were model, in which “the prophet writes of prophetic inspiration. Comment- of stating that the chapter “ended up unable to affect Adventist academic greetings, names, circumstances or ing on Ellen White’s classic statement, being part of the text (not inspired) tensions about inspiration. even common things that do not re- “It is not the words of the Bible that of a book that contains the message Noteworthy also are some articles quire a special revelation”; and (6) the are inspired, but the men that were (inspired) of God.”20 This might be on inspiration published in Ministry literary model, in which “the Holy inspired ... ,”17 Viera suggested that, easily seen as a significant move to- mag azine between 1999 and 2000. Spirit inspires the prophet to express “taken with all the seriousness that ward the liberal position that the The September 1999 issue of that his or her intimate feelings and emo- this declaration deserves, it means Bible is not the Word of God but only mag a zine came out with a slightly ed - tions through the means of poetry that expressions such as ‘the pen of contains that Word. ited version of Alberto Timm’s paper and prose, as in the psalms.” Accord- inspiration,’ and ‘the inspired writ- Also in 1998 came Herbert Dou- presented at a plenary session of the ing to Viera, “the prophet can make ings’ are only symbolic expressions glass’s textbook titled Messenger of First Jerusalem International Bible orthographical or grammatical mis- that refer to the message the writings the Lord: The Prophetic Ministry of Conference, in June 1998. Timm, di- takes, as well as other kinds of lan- communicate and not to the text it- Ellen G. White. Rejecting “verbal, in- rector of the Brazilian Ellen G. White guage imperfections such as lapsus self of the prophetic declarations. Ex- errant inspiration” for implying that Research Center and professor of linguae (a slip of the tongue) or lapsus pressions such as these will continue the prophet would have to function church history and historical theol- memoriae (a slip of the memory),” to be used—and there is nothing simply as a “recording machine” or as ogy at Brazil Adventist University’s

48 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss1/449 6 Timm: Adventist Views on Inspiration Campus 2, suggested that further Ad- ing of the Scriptures. He says, “Con- Ekkehardt Mueller explained that “an inductive approach” ventist studies on “the nature and au- trary to what some suggest, it is not thority of the Bible” should take into heretical to deal with merely the to Scripture, as used by some scholars, “looks for discrepancies consideration (1) “the symphonic na- human aspect of the Bible in isolation and takes notice of these phenomena. Oftentimes, it does ture of inspiration,” avoiding the from its divine side, or vice versa. not allow for harmonization even where it seems to be possible “classical polarization under the la- That’s not heresy but simple neces- bels of verbal inspiration on one side sity. The heresy occurs when we deny and advisable. It is preoccupied with finding differences and thought inspiration on the the unity, wholeness, and comple- rather than agreement and unity. And it always has only parts other”; (2) “the wholistic scope of in- mentarity principle in relation to in- spiration,” recognizing that the “over- spiration.”24 of the entire puzzle.” all thematic interrelationship” of the At the end of the second part of Scriptures “makes it almost impossi- Coffen’s article appeared an editor’s ble for someone to speak of the Bible note saying that “a response to are not complementary. They are in- reason, and between the Bible and in dichotomous terms as being reli- Richard Coffen’s two-part series,” by tegrated. Consequently, different natural sciences and secular history, able in some topics and not in oth- Ekkehardt Mueller, associate director sets of tools in order to study the by suggesting a clear distinction be- ers”; and (3) “a respectful approach to of the Biblical Research Institute, human side and the divine side of tween the “inspired message” of the the inspired writings,” that allows us General Conference of Seventh-day the Bible cannot do justice to the Bible and the “uninspired form in to emphasize “more the content of Adventists, would appear in the April unified nature, the truly incarna- which it comes to us.” Yet “the in- the divine messages than their human 2000 issue of Ministry. In that re- tional character of Scripture.”27 spired message on record in the containers” and “more the core of sponse, Mueller explained that “an in- Another major appeal for a histor- Bible” is viewed by Cottrell as “cultur- these messages than their side is- ductive approach” to Scripture, as ically conditioned understanding of ally conditioned” and “historically sues.”23 used by some scholars, “looks for dis- inspiration can be found in Raymond con ditioned.” For him, “historical A new appeal for a cultural-condi- crepancies and takes notice of these Cottrell’s paper, “Inspiration and Au- con ditioning permeates the entire tioned understanding of inspiration phenomena. Oftentimes, it does not thority of the Bible in Relation to Bible. It is not incidental, nor is it ex- was made by Richard W. Coffen in his allow for harmonization even where Phe n omena of the Natural World.” ceptional and unusual; it is the invari- two-part series “A Fresh Look at the it seems to be possible and advisable. Presented originally at the revisionist able rule.”28 Dynamics of Inspiration,” published It is preoccupied with finding differ- 1985 Conference on Geology and the Under the assumption that “in in Ministry magazine of December ences rather than agreement and Biblical Record sponsored by the As - matters of science, the Bible writers 1999 and February 2000. Coffen, unity. And it always has only parts of so ciation of (pub - were on a level with their contempo- vice-president of editorial services at the entire puzzle.”25 lisher of Spectrum magazine), in West raries,” Cottrell could suggest that the Review and Herald Publishing As- Thus, instead of an inductive-ver- Yellowstone, Montana, this paper ap- on these matters our understanding sociation, was the editor of Alden sus-deductive approach, one should peared in print only in 2000, as a should be informed by the more re- Thompson’s Inspiration: Hard Ques- proceed inductively and deductively, chapter of that conference’s sympo- liable data provided by modern sci- tions, Honest Answers (1991), and taking into consideration not only sium, titled “Creation Reconsidered.” ence. His attempt to harmonize the showed himself very close to Thomp- “the phenomena of the biblical texts” Cottrell, a former editor of the Re- Bible account of Creation with mod- son’s theory of inspiration. Besides but also “the self-testimony of Scrip- view and Herald Publishing Associa- ern science led him to the conclu- pointing out several factual errors in ture.”26 tion and more recently an editor of sion that “at an unspecified time in the Scriptures, Coffen also argued for Mueller argued also that “the Adventist Today, tried to solve some of the remote past, the Creator trans- a divine-human dichotomous read- human and the divine in Scripture the basic tensions between faith and muted a finite portion of his infinite

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,50 2009 7 51 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 1, Art. 4 Campus 2, suggested that further Ad- ing of the Scriptures. He says, “Con- Ekkehardt Mueller explained that “an inductive approach” ventist studies on “the nature and au- trary to what some suggest, it is not thority of the Bible” should take into heretical to deal with merely the to Scripture, as used by some scholars, “looks for discrepancies consideration (1) “the symphonic na- human aspect of the Bible in isolation and takes notice of these phenomena. Oftentimes, it does ture of inspiration,” avoiding the from its divine side, or vice versa. not allow for harmonization even where it seems to be possible “classical polarization under the la- That’s not heresy but simple neces- bels of verbal inspiration on one side sity. The heresy occurs when we deny and advisable. It is preoccupied with finding differences and thought inspiration on the the unity, wholeness, and comple- rather than agreement and unity. And it always has only parts other”; (2) “the wholistic scope of in- mentarity principle in relation to in- spiration,” recognizing that the “over- spiration.”24 of the entire puzzle.” all thematic interrelationship” of the At the end of the second part of Scriptures “makes it almost impossi- Coffen’s article appeared an editor’s ble for someone to speak of the Bible note saying that “a response to are not complementary. They are in- reason, and between the Bible and in dichotomous terms as being reli- Richard Coffen’s two-part series,” by tegrated. Consequently, different natural sciences and secular history, able in some topics and not in oth- Ekkehardt Mueller, associate director sets of tools in order to study the by suggesting a clear distinction be- ers”; and (3) “a respectful approach to of the Biblical Research Institute, human side and the divine side of tween the “inspired message” of the the inspired writings,” that allows us General Conference of Seventh-day the Bible cannot do justice to the Bible and the “uninspired form in to emphasize “more the content of Adventists, would appear in the April unified nature, the truly incarna- which it comes to us.” Yet “the in- the divine messages than their human 2000 issue of Ministry. In that re- tional character of Scripture.”27 spired message on record in the containers” and “more the core of sponse, Mueller explained that “an in- Another major appeal for a histor- Bible” is viewed by Cottrell as “cultur- these messages than their side is- ductive approach” to Scripture, as ically conditioned understanding of ally conditioned” and “historically sues.”23 used by some scholars, “looks for dis- inspiration can be found in Raymond con ditioned.” For him, “historical A new appeal for a cultural-condi- crepancies and takes notice of these Cottrell’s paper, “Inspiration and Au- con ditioning permeates the entire tioned understanding of inspiration phenomena. Oftentimes, it does not thority of the Bible in Relation to Bible. It is not incidental, nor is it ex- was made by Richard W. Coffen in his allow for harmonization even where Phe n omena of the Natural World.” ceptional and unusual; it is the invari- two-part series “A Fresh Look at the it seems to be possible and advisable. Presented originally at the revisionist able rule.”28 Dynamics of Inspiration,” published It is preoccupied with finding differ- 1985 Conference on Geology and the Under the assumption that “in in Ministry magazine of December ences rather than agreement and Biblical Record sponsored by the As - matters of science, the Bible writers 1999 and February 2000. Coffen, unity. And it always has only parts of so ciation of Adventist Forums (pub - were on a level with their contempo- vice-president of editorial services at the entire puzzle.”25 lisher of Spectrum magazine), in West raries,” Cottrell could suggest that the Review and Herald Publishing As- Thus, instead of an inductive-ver- Yellowstone, Montana, this paper ap- on these matters our understanding sociation, was the editor of Alden sus-deductive approach, one should peared in print only in 2000, as a should be informed by the more re- Thompson’s Inspiration: Hard Ques- proceed inductively and deductively, chapter of that conference’s sympo- liable data provided by modern sci- tions, Honest Answers (1991), and taking into consideration not only sium, titled “Creation Reconsidered.” ence. His attempt to harmonize the showed himself very close to Thomp- “the phenomena of the biblical texts” Cottrell, a former editor of the Re- Bible account of Creation with mod- son’s theory of inspiration. Besides but also “the self-testimony of Scrip- view and Herald Publishing Associa- ern science led him to the conclu- pointing out several factual errors in ture.”26 tion and more recently an editor of sion that “at an unspecified time in the Scriptures, Coffen also argued for Mueller argued also that “the Adventist Today, tried to solve some of the remote past, the Creator trans- a divine-human dichotomous read- human and the divine in Scripture the basic tensions between faith and muted a finite portion of his infinite

50 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss1/451 8 Timm: Adventist Views on Inspiration From the early 1800s up to the time of Ellen White’s comes from God is true, it seems dif- Foundation of in ficult to avoid the conclusion that all a Postmodern Word (2001)34 and The death (1915), traditional views of inspiration were challenged of Scripture is truth.”32 Cognitive Principle of Christian The- by individuals who either had been personally reproved by In regard to the so-called “factual ology: A Hermeneutical Study of the Ellen White or had been shocked by the idea that inspired writ- errors” of the Bible, van Bemmelen Revelation and Inspiration of the recognizes that “no serious student of Bible (2005).35 Committed to the ing could be improved by its author. the Bible will deny that there are dif- high view of Scripture as the reliable ficulties in Scripture,” but he adds Word of God, Canale argued that that “these difficulties do not affect Christian knowledge can be re- the clarity of Scripture.” He warns his garded as of divine origin only by al- power into the primordial substance theology at Andrews University, and readers that the claims and allega- lowing the Bible to say what it actu- of the universe—perhaps in an event submitted to the analysis of the Bib- tions “that there are numerous errors, ally says about itself; otherwise, such as the Big Bang.”29 lical Research Institute Committee, contradictions, historical inaccura- Christian theology is left groundless, The notion that “the words and sponsored by the General Confer- cies, anachronisms, and other flaws in without any cognitive foundation. forms of expression in the Bible were ence, prior to its publication as a the Scriptures” constitute “a serious A more pragmatic and popular historically conditioned to their time chapter of the major Handbook of indictment against the truthfulness of view was held by the Australian and perspective” led the same author, Sev enth-day Adventist Theology Holy Scripture.” He also alerted his Graeme Bradford in his books elsewhere, to the conclusion that the (2000). The subject of inspiration is readers that “through exalting the au- Prophets Are Human (2004),36 People Genesis flood did not extend beyond addressed in that chapter from the thority of human reason, tradition, Are Human (Look What They Did to the known “lands bordering the Med - perspective of (1) its biblical inter- and science, many have come to deny Ellen White) (2006),37 and More iterranean Sea.” He even stated that pretation, (2) its main historical or to limit the authority of Scripture.” Than a Prophet: How We Lost and “only by reading our modern world- expo sitions through out the Christian But the Bible itself “warns repeatedly Found Again the Real Ellen White view of ‘all the earth’ [Gen 7:3] back era, and (3) Ellen G. White’s com- against anything or anybody that (2006).38 By accepting the validity of into the Hebrew text can the idea of a ments on the topic. would undermine or usurp the au- most of the criticisms raised against world-wide flood be established.”30 Van Bemmelen defined “inspira- thority of the Word of God.”33 Ellen White, Bradford’s low view of This represents, indeed, a major de- tion” as the supernatural process by In the first few years of the 21st inspiration provides room for a parture from the traditional Adven- which the prophets were “moved century, the developing tensions huge variety of supposed factual er- tist understanding of a universal and directed by the Spirit of God, in from the previous three decades rors and inaccuracies within the in- flood, as described in the Seventh-day putting the words of the Lord in crystallized into either a more theo- spired writings. Adventist Bible Commentary, of which written form.” While recognizing logical approach or a more prag- Alden Thompson expanded the Cottrell himself was an associate edi- that “the locus of inspiration is in matic view. Building up on his for- basic concepts of his series “From tor. the inspired author,” he argued that mer articles on “Revelation and Sinai to Golgotha” (1981)39 into the But also published in the year 2000 “there is little doubt that thoughts Inspiration” (1993-1995), Fernando book Escape from the Flames: How was the most comprehensive official as well as words are involved in this L. Canale’s major theological and Ellen White Grew From Fear to Joy— exposition of the Seventh-day Adven- process,” in such a way that those scholarly contributions for the study And Helped Me Do It Too (2005).40 tist understanding of inspiration. words are “words from God,” “fully of the inspiration-revelation process Thompson suggests that the con- That exposition, titled “Revelation human and fully divine.”31 Further- culminated in the publication of his cepts exposed within the prophetic and Inspiration,” was prepared by more, “because all of Scripture is works Back to Revelation-Inspira- writings develop and improve over Peter M. van Bemmelen, professor of God’s word and every word that tion: Searching for the Cognitive time to such extent that the early

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,52 2009 9 53 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 1, Art. 4 From the early 1800s up to the time of Ellen White’s comes from God is true, it seems dif- Foundation of Christian Theology in ficult to avoid the conclusion that all a Postmodern Word (2001)34 and The death (1915), traditional views of inspiration were challenged of Scripture is truth.”32 Cognitive Principle of Christian The- by individuals who either had been personally reproved by In regard to the so-called “factual ology: A Hermeneutical Study of the Ellen White or had been shocked by the idea that inspired writ- errors” of the Bible, van Bemmelen Revelation and Inspiration of the recognizes that “no serious student of Bible (2005).35 Committed to the ing could be improved by its author. the Bible will deny that there are dif- high view of Scripture as the reliable ficulties in Scripture,” but he adds Word of God, Canale argued that that “these difficulties do not affect Christian knowledge can be re- the clarity of Scripture.” He warns his garded as of divine origin only by al- power into the primordial substance theology at Andrews University, and readers that the claims and allega- lowing the Bible to say what it actu- of the universe—perhaps in an event submitted to the analysis of the Bib- tions “that there are numerous errors, ally says about itself; otherwise, such as the Big Bang.”29 lical Research Institute Committee, contradictions, historical inaccura- Christian theology is left groundless, The notion that “the words and sponsored by the General Confer- cies, anachronisms, and other flaws in without any cognitive foundation. forms of expression in the Bible were ence, prior to its publication as a the Scriptures” constitute “a serious A more pragmatic and popular historically conditioned to their time chapter of the major Handbook of indictment against the truthfulness of view was held by the Australian and perspective” led the same author, Sev enth-day Adventist Theology Holy Scripture.” He also alerted his Graeme Bradford in his books elsewhere, to the conclusion that the (2000). The subject of inspiration is readers that “through exalting the au- Prophets Are Human (2004),36 People Genesis flood did not extend beyond addressed in that chapter from the thority of human reason, tradition, Are Human (Look What They Did to the known “lands bordering the Med - perspective of (1) its biblical inter- and science, many have come to deny Ellen White) (2006),37 and More iterranean Sea.” He even stated that pretation, (2) its main historical or to limit the authority of Scripture.” Than a Prophet: How We Lost and “only by reading our modern world- expo sitions through out the Christian But the Bible itself “warns repeatedly Found Again the Real Ellen White view of ‘all the earth’ [Gen 7:3] back era, and (3) Ellen G. White’s com- against anything or anybody that (2006).38 By accepting the validity of into the Hebrew text can the idea of a ments on the topic. would undermine or usurp the au- most of the criticisms raised against world-wide flood be established.”30 Van Bemmelen defined “inspira- thority of the Word of God.”33 Ellen White, Bradford’s low view of This represents, indeed, a major de- tion” as the supernatural process by In the first few years of the 21st inspiration provides room for a parture from the traditional Adven- which the prophets were “moved century, the developing tensions huge variety of supposed factual er- tist understanding of a universal and directed by the Spirit of God, in from the previous three decades rors and inaccuracies within the in- flood, as described in the Seventh-day putting the words of the Lord in crystallized into either a more theo- spired writings. Adventist Bible Commentary, of which written form.” While recognizing logical approach or a more prag- Alden Thompson expanded the Cottrell himself was an associate edi- that “the locus of inspiration is in matic view. Building up on his for- basic concepts of his series “From tor. the inspired author,” he argued that mer articles on “Revelation and Sinai to Golgotha” (1981)39 into the But also published in the year 2000 “there is little doubt that thoughts Inspiration” (1993-1995), Fernando book Escape from the Flames: How was the most comprehensive official as well as words are involved in this L. Canale’s major theological and Ellen White Grew From Fear to Joy— exposition of the Seventh-day Adven- process,” in such a way that those scholarly contributions for the study And Helped Me Do It Too (2005).40 tist understanding of inspiration. words are “words from God,” “fully of the inspiration-revelation process Thompson suggests that the con- That exposition, titled “Revelation human and fully divine.”31 Further- culminated in the publication of his cepts exposed within the prophetic and Inspiration,” was prepared by more, “because all of Scripture is works Back to Revelation-Inspira- writings develop and improve over Peter M. van Bemmelen, professor of God’s word and every word that tion: Searching for the Cognitive time to such extent that the early

52 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss1/453 10 Timm: Adventist Views on Inspiration writings of a prophet can be consid- lenges against the Bible and their creasingly radical tone in the early This article concludes a three-part ered as less mature (and less reliable) uncritical reprint in the Review of 1970s. Such issues as encounter rev- series. than his or her later ones, regarded several articles by non-Seventh-day elation and the use of the historical- as more mature (and more reliable). Adventist authors who fostered an critical method influenced the Sev- REFERENCES Bradford’s and Thompson’s em- inerrant view of Scripture. enth-day Adventist discussions 1 Alden Thompson, Inspiration: Hard Ques- phases on the humanity of the From the early 1800s up to the about inspiration. The main forum tions, Honest Answers (Hagerstown, Md.: Re- view and Herald, 1991), pp. 47, 48 (italics in prophets raise the questions, If time of Ellen White’s death (1915), to foster discussions of those issues the original). prophetic writings are quite as per- traditional views of inspiration were was Spectrum magazine. 2 Ibid., pp. 114, 115. meated by factual errors as non-in- challenged by individuals who either Despite the emergence of new 3 Ibid., p. 109 (italics in the original). spired Christian writings, what is had been personally reproved by trends, no significant changes were 4 Frank Holbrook and Leo van Dolson, then the advantage of the former Ellen White or had been shocked by made in Seventh-day Adventist offi- eds., Issues in Revelation and Inspiration, Ad- ventist Theological Society Occasional Pa- writings over the later ones? Are we, the idea that inspired writing could cial statements on inspiration. One pers, vol. 1 (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Adventist as non-prophets, entitled to correct be improved by its author. During has to avoid, therefore, the generaliz- Theological Society Publications, 1992). the teachings of the prophetic writ- that same period, Ellen White wrote ing tendency of superimposing indi- 5 Holbrook and Van Dolson, “Preface,” in ings? By doing so, would we not end some of her most significant state- vidual views or segment trends from ibid., p. 7. 6 up regarding our own ideas as more ments on inspiration. Responses to the scholarly world upon the whole Fernando Canale, “Revelation and Inspi- ration: The Ground for a New Approach,” reliable than those exposed by God’s higher criticism show that Sev- church. Andrews University Seminary Studies (here- prophets? enth-day Adventists continued to re- Noticeably, the last few decades after abbreviated AUSS) 31:2 (Summer The conflicting views of inspira- gard the Scriptures as the infallible have seen the development of a fac- 1993), p. 98. tion mentioned above demonstrate and trustworthy Word of God. tual and apologetic doctrine of in- 7 ______, “Revelation and Inspiration: that at least some Seventh-day Ad- The first five years after the death spiration largely shaped by revision- The Historical-Cognitive Model,” AUSS 33:1 (Spring 1995), pp. 9, 16. ventist scholars are still divided in of Ellen White saw the development ist studies of Ellen White. As 8 ______, “Revelation and Inspiration: their personal understanding of in- of an identity crisis about the nature insight ful as such developments can Method for a New Approach,” AUSS 31:3 spiration. of her inspiration. That crisis be, the time has come for Seventh- (Autumn 1993), p. 189. See also ______, reached its climax at the 1919 Bible day Adventists to move beyond “Revelation and Inspiration: The Historical- Summary and Conclusion and History Teachers’ Council. The apolo getic concerns into the task of Cognitive Model,” op cit., pp. 27, 31, 33. 9 Robert S. Folkenberg, “Standing on Solid Different views on the nature of years following that council viewed developing a more constructive the- Ground—The Bible,” Adventist Review (Aug. inspiration have been advocated Seventh-day Adventists on the side ology of inspiration. 3, 1995), p. 22. within the Seventh-day Adventist of Fundamentalism in uplifting the Holding to the Protestant princi- 10 Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, Receiving the Church during the 150 years of its trustworthiness of the Bible in the ple of sola Scriptura, Seventh-day Word: How New Approaches to the Bible Im- history. context of the Modernist-Funda- Adventists should seriously take pact Our Biblical Faith and Lifestyle (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Berean Books, 1996), pp. Sabbatarian Adventists inherited mentalist controversy. Responses to more into consideration what the 279-304. William Miller’s high view of Scrip- Modernism demonstrate that Sev- Bible and the writings of Ellen White 11 George R. Knight, “The Case of the Over- ture as the infallible and unerring enth-day Adventists still kept their have to say about themselves. As the looked Postscript: A Footnote on Inspira- Word of God. That Seventh-day Ad- view of Scripture as the infallible end-time remnant, Seventh-day Ad- tion,” Ministry (Aug. 1997), p. 11. 12 ventists kept that view of Scripture and unerring Word of God. ventists should not give up their George R. Knight’s review in Ministry (Dec. 1997), p. 30. during the first four decades of their In the early 1950s, new trends identity as a people who live “‘by 13 George R. Knight, Reading Ellen White: history (1844-1883) is evident from began to develop within Seventh- every word that proceeds from the How to Understand and Apply Her Writings both their responses to infidel chal- day that assumed an in- mouth of God’” (Matt. 4:4, RSV). (Hagerstown.: Review and Herald Publ.

Published by Digital Commons @ Andrews University,54 2009 11 55 Perspective Digest, Vol. 14 [2009], Iss. 1, Art. 4 writings of a prophet can be consid- lenges against the Bible and their creasingly radical tone in the early This article concludes a three-part ered as less mature (and less reliable) uncritical reprint in the Review of 1970s. Such issues as encounter rev- series. than his or her later ones, regarded several articles by non-Seventh-day elation and the use of the historical- as more mature (and more reliable). Adventist authors who fostered an critical method influenced the Sev- REFERENCES Bradford’s and Thompson’s em- inerrant view of Scripture. enth-day Adventist discussions 1 Alden Thompson, Inspiration: Hard Ques- phases on the humanity of the From the early 1800s up to the about inspiration. The main forum tions, Honest Answers (Hagerstown, Md.: Re- view and Herald, 1991), pp. 47, 48 (italics in prophets raise the questions, If time of Ellen White’s death (1915), to foster discussions of those issues the original). prophetic writings are quite as per- traditional views of inspiration were was Spectrum magazine. 2 Ibid., pp. 114, 115. meated by factual errors as non-in- challenged by individuals who either Despite the emergence of new 3 Ibid., p. 109 (italics in the original). spired Christian writings, what is had been personally reproved by trends, no significant changes were 4 Frank Holbrook and Leo van Dolson, then the advantage of the former Ellen White or had been shocked by made in Seventh-day Adventist offi- eds., Issues in Revelation and Inspiration, Ad- ventist Theological Society Occasional Pa- writings over the later ones? Are we, the idea that inspired writing could cial statements on inspiration. One pers, vol. 1 (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Adventist as non-prophets, entitled to correct be improved by its author. During has to avoid, therefore, the generaliz- Theological Society Publications, 1992). the teachings of the prophetic writ- that same period, Ellen White wrote ing tendency of superimposing indi- 5 Holbrook and Van Dolson, “Preface,” in ings? By doing so, would we not end some of her most significant state- vidual views or segment trends from ibid., p. 7. 6 up regarding our own ideas as more ments on inspiration. Responses to the scholarly world upon the whole Fernando Canale, “Revelation and Inspi- ration: The Ground for a New Approach,” reliable than those exposed by God’s higher criticism show that Sev- church. Andrews University Seminary Studies (here- prophets? enth-day Adventists continued to re- Noticeably, the last few decades after abbreviated AUSS) 31:2 (Summer The conflicting views of inspira- gard the Scriptures as the infallible have seen the development of a fac- 1993), p. 98. tion mentioned above demonstrate and trustworthy Word of God. tual and apologetic doctrine of in- 7 ______, “Revelation and Inspiration: that at least some Seventh-day Ad- The first five years after the death spiration largely shaped by revision- The Historical-Cognitive Model,” AUSS 33:1 (Spring 1995), pp. 9, 16. ventist scholars are still divided in of Ellen White saw the development ist studies of Ellen White. As 8 ______, “Revelation and Inspiration: their personal understanding of in- of an identity crisis about the nature insight ful as such developments can Method for a New Approach,” AUSS 31:3 spiration. of her inspiration. That crisis be, the time has come for Seventh- (Autumn 1993), p. 189. See also ______, reached its climax at the 1919 Bible day Adventists to move beyond “Revelation and Inspiration: The Historical- Summary and Conclusion and History Teachers’ Council. The apolo getic concerns into the task of Cognitive Model,” op cit., pp. 27, 31, 33. 9 Robert S. Folkenberg, “Standing on Solid Different views on the nature of years following that council viewed developing a more constructive the- Ground—The Bible,” Adventist Review (Aug. inspiration have been advocated Seventh-day Adventists on the side ology of inspiration. 3, 1995), p. 22. within the Seventh-day Adventist of Fundamentalism in uplifting the Holding to the Protestant princi- 10 Samuel Koranteng-Pipim, Receiving the Church during the 150 years of its trustworthiness of the Bible in the ple of sola Scriptura, Seventh-day Word: How New Approaches to the Bible Im- history. context of the Modernist-Funda- Adventists should seriously take pact Our Biblical Faith and Lifestyle (Berrien Springs, Mich.: Berean Books, 1996), pp. Sabbatarian Adventists inherited mentalist controversy. Responses to more into consideration what the 279-304. William Miller’s high view of Scrip- Modernism demonstrate that Sev- Bible and the writings of Ellen White 11 George R. Knight, “The Case of the Over- ture as the infallible and unerring enth-day Adventists still kept their have to say about themselves. As the looked Postscript: A Footnote on Inspira- Word of God. That Seventh-day Ad- view of Scripture as the infallible end-time remnant, Seventh-day Ad- tion,” Ministry (Aug. 1997), p. 11. 12 ventists kept that view of Scripture and unerring Word of God. ventists should not give up their George R. Knight’s review in Ministry (Dec. 1997), p. 30. during the first four decades of their In the early 1950s, new trends identity as a people who live “‘by 13 George R. Knight, Reading Ellen White: history (1844-1883) is evident from began to develop within Seventh- every word that proceeds from the How to Understand and Apply Her Writings both their responses to infidel chal- day Adventism that assumed an in- mouth of God’” (Matt. 4:4, RSV). (Hagerstown.: Review and Herald Publ.

54 http://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/pd/vol14/iss1/455 12 Timm: Adventist Views on Inspiration Assn., 1997), p. 105. ed., Creation Reconsidered: Scientific, Biblical, FAITH AND SCIENCE UPDATE 14 Ibid., pp. 111, 113-118. and Theological Perspectives (Roseville, Calif.: 15 Ibid., p. 110. Association of Adventist Forums, 2000), pp. 16 Juan Carlos Viera, “The Dynamics of In- 195, 196, 199, 200, 205, 218. spiration,” Adventist Review, special edition 29 Ibid., pp. 199, 219. (May 30, 1996), pp. 22-28 (italics in the orig- 30 Raymond F. Cottrell, “Extent of the Gene- inal). sis Flood,” in Hayward, ed., Creation Reconsid- 17 Ellen G. White, “Objections to the Bible,” ered, p. 275. Ms. 24, 1886, Ellen G. White Research Center 31 Peter M. van Bemmelen, “Revelation and at Andrews University. Inspiration,” in Raoul Dederen, ed., Hand- John T. Baldwin 18 Juan Carlos Viera, The Voice of the Spirit: book of Seventh-day Adventist Theology, Com- How God Has Led His People Through the Gift mentary Reference Series, vol. 12 (Hager- of Prophecy (Nampa, Idaho: Pacific Press stown.: Review and Herald Publ. Assn., 2000), have followed the into some of the specific Publ. Assn., 1998), pp. 81, 82. pp. 38-40. argument where it FLEW’S evidences that led him to 19 32 See C. C. Crisler and H. H. Hall, “El des- Ibid., p. 43. has led me. And it his decision might prove pertar de España,” in Elena G. de White, El 33 Ibid., pp. 42-44. FLIGHT FROM Conflicto de los Siglos durante la Era Cristiana, 34 Fernando L. Canale, Back to Revelation- I has led to accept insightful. 10th ed. (Mountain View, Calif.: Pacific Press Inspiration: Searching for the Cognitive Foun- “ the existence of a ATHEISM First, however, to be Publ. Assn., 1977), pp. 252-277. dation of Christian Theology in a Postmodern self-existent, immutable, clear: Flew has rejected any 20 Viera, The Voice of the Spirit, op cit., p. 94 World (Lanham, Md.: University Press of immaterial, omnipotent, and omni- notions that he has converted to (parentheses in the original). America, 2001). scient Being” (Antony Flew). or anything of the like. 21 Herbert E. Douglass, Messenger of the Lord: 35 Fernando L. Canale, The Cognitive Princi- The Prophetic Ministry of Ellen G. White ple of Christian Theology: A Hermeneutical When a world-renowned philo - His belief is self-described as simply (Nampa: Pacific Press Publ. Assn., 1998), p. 16. Study of the Revelation and Inspiration of the sopher and atheist announced that a basic deism; he still rejects the con- 22 Leo R. Van Dolson, “Studies on Revelation Bible (Berrien Springs: Andrews University the scientific evidence had shifted cept of a personal God. In his own and Inspiration: God Shows and Tells,” Adult Lithothec, 2005). his opinion toward belief in God, words, “I have become a deist like Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, No. 415 36 Graeme Bradford, Prophets Are Human the resulting reception could be well Thomas Jefferson.”1 In his book he (Jan.-March 1999), lesson for January 10. (Victoria, Australia: Signs Publ. Co., 2004). 23 Alberto R. Timm, “Understanding Inspi- 37 ______, People Are Human (Look described as a seismic shift amongst states, “I now believe that the uni- ration: The Symphonic and Wholistic Nature What They Did to Ellen White) (Victoria, Aus- communities that follow develop- verse was brought into existence by of Scripture,” Ministry (Sept. 1999), pp. 12-15. tralia: Signs Publishing Company, 2006). ments in Intelligent Design circles. an infinite Intelligence. I believe that 24 Richard W. Coffen, “A Fresh Look at the 38 ______, More Than a Prophet, Bibli- This conversion is shared in world- this universe’s intricate laws manifest Dynamics of Inspiration,” two-part series in cal Perspectives, vol. 18 (Berrien Springs: Bib- renowned philosopher Antony what scientists have called the Mind Ministry (Dec. 1999), pp. 9-14, 29; (Feb. lical Perspectives, 2006). 2000), p. 22. 39 Alden Thompson, “From Sinai to Golgo- Flew’s recent (2007) book, There Is a of God. I believe that life and repro- 25 Ekkehardt Mueller, “The Revelation, In- tha,” five-part series in Adventist Review (Dec. God: How the World’s Most Notori- duction originate in a divine spiration, and Authority of Scripture,” Min- 3, 1981), pp. 4-6; (Dec. 10, 1981), pp. 8-10; ous Atheist Changed His Mind. But Source.”2 istry (April 2000), p. 22. (Dec. 17, 1981), pp. 7-10; (Dec. 24, 1981), pp. aside from the ensuing discussion Concerning the actual evidence 26 Ibid., pp. 22, 24. 7-9; (Dec. 31, 1981), pp. 12-13. (some have suggested Flew was ma- that has sparked his change of mind, 27 Ibid., p. 24. 40 Alden Thompson, Escape From the 28 Raymond F. Cottrell, “Inspiration and Au- Flames: How Ellen White Grew From Fear to nipulated; that his age, then 84, af- Flew observes that “science spot- thority of the Bible in Relation to Phenomena Joy—And Helped Me Do It Too (Nampa: Pa- fected his decision, and that his lights three dimensions of nature of the Natural World,” in James L. Hayward, cific Press Publ. Assn., 2005). book was solely the product of his that point to God. The first is the fact editors, which Flew has denied) over that nature obeys laws. The second is the authenticity or nature of Flew’s the dimension of life, of intelligently “conversion,” a brief examination organized and purpose-driven be-

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