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Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertations Graduate Research 1977 The Concept of Character Development in the Writings of Ellen G. White John M. Fowler Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations Part of the Education Commons, and the Religion Commons Recommended Citation Fowler, John M., "The Concept of Character Development in the Writings of Ellen G. White" (1977). Dissertations. 374. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dissertations/374 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. INFORMATION TO USERS This malarial was producad from a microfilm copy of the original documant. While the most advanced technological means to photograph and reproduce this document have bean used, the quality is heavily dependant upon the quality of the original submitted. The following explanation of techniques is provided to help you understand markings or patterns which may appear on this reproduction. 1. The sign or “target" for pages apparently lacking from the document photographed is "Missing Pags(s)". If it was possible to obtain the missing page(s) or saction, they are spliced into the film along with adjacent pages. This may have necessitated cutting thru an imaga and duplicating adjacent pages to insure you complete continuity. 2. 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Silver prints of "photographs" may be ordered at additional charge by writing the Order Department, giving the catalog number, title, author and specific pages you wish reproduced. 5. PLEASE NOTE: Some pages may have indistinct print. Filmed as received. University Microfilms International 300 North ZM b Road Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 USA S t John’s Road, Tyler’s Green High Wycombe. Bucks, England HP10 8HR Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. FOWLER, John Mathew, 1939- THE CONCEPT OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THE WRITINGS OF ELLEN G. WHITE. j i Andrews University, Ed.D., 1977 Education, religion Xerox University MicrofilmsAnn f Atbor, Michigan 48106 ‘ Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University School of Graduate Studies THE CONCEPT OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THE WRITINGS OF ELLEN G. WHITE A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Education by John M. Fowler June 1977 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE CONCEPT OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THE WRITINGS OF ELLEN G. WHITE A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Education by John M. Fowler APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: < - /97 7 aalrpej Date^ftpproved J t. Lgrr _ C J o U - < B . U f | John B.^Yoi ngb^g-- a£. ThomaS H. £tlincoe Dean, School of Graduate Studies Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Title: THE CONCEPT OF CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THE WRITINGS OF ELLEN G. WHITE Name of researcher: John M. Fowler Name and title of faculty adviser: George H. Akers, Ed.D. Date completed: June 1977 Problem Character development is a fundamental objective of the Seventh-day Adventist educational system. The purpose of this study was to define the concept of character development in the writings of Ellen G. White whose thought is foundational to the philosophy of the worldwide system of Seventh-day Adventisc schools. The investigation focused on four subproblems: (1) the meaning and significance of character; (2) the nature of character development; (3) factors affecting character development; and (4) responsibility for character development. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Method The problem was approached by (1) carefully perusing White's published writings and noting every statement related to the study; (2) inductively analyzing the statements and arranging them logically into categories related to the subproblems; and (3) interpreting the data with the use of appropriate hermeneutics and synthesizing the findings. A survey of selected research studies on character development— those of Hartshorne and May, Ligon, Peck and Havighucst, Piaget, and Kohlberg— was included to provide a background against which White's concept may be understood. Ccmclus ions The study concluded that White in her writings expresses a definite concept of character development, structured around her belief that man and his character can be understood only within the context of God. The fundamental elements of her concept are as follows: 1. Character is that which gives motivation, coherence, consistency, and direction to the total relational and behavioral functions of man. It involves the whole man: what he is— his motives, feelings, and thoughts— and what he does— his actions and habits— in respect to his relationship to God, man, and himself. 2. Character is important for the fulfillment of divine purpose in history, the vindication of the validity of the Christian faith, and the optimum realization of human potential and destiny. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 3. Godlikeness is Che ultimate objective of character develop­ ment. Hence the norm for evaluating human character is the character of God, revealed in Jesus and particularized in the Bible and in the law of God. Likewise the ultimate evaluation of character rests with God's judgment. 4. The means of character development are located in God's movement of grace toward man in the redemptive activity of Christ and the empowering of His Spirit. When man in faith chooses to accept the provision of God and enters into a new relationship with Him, the Spirit of God actualizes within man a divine-human unity with a new motivation and a new empowering. In this experience, self-centeredness gives way to God-centeredness, so that man's basis of action is no longer the self, but the internalized principle of godlikeness, namely, love, which assures man to exist, relate, and function on a principled level, making character development possible. 5. As man continues to grow and mature in this divine-human unity, and as God continues to remain the central motivating and empowering force of life, perfection of character becomes his privilege. Contrarily, retrogression remains a constant threat. 6. Personal and relational factors such as self-concept, heredity, environment, health, intelligence, dietary habits, purposive vocation, study of the Bible, meditation, prayer, worship, peer relations, and unselfish service lnflUence character development either as preparatory to or nurturing of tj,e divine- human unity within man. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 7. Although the individual Is ultimately responsible for character development, the home and the school share a major responsibility for providing their wards adequate character- oriented nurture and atmosphere. Parental responsibility Includes adequate prenatal and early childhood care, modeling, discipline, teaching, and providing choice-making opportunities. The responsi­ bility of the school, in addition to many of the above, centers around the selection of teachers and curricula committed to character development. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS...................................... vii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION .................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ..................... 4 Significance of the Study ...................... 4 Delimitations ................................ 9 Assumptions.................................. 13 II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE.................... 14 Analytical Theses ............................. 14 Historical Studies ......................... • 17 Apologetical Works ..........................

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