You have read all of the sites that attack her.But was she really a plagiarist? In this short ebook, David Conklin attempts to answer the critics and explode the myths about her writings.
Conklin uses a new different methodology to evaluate the charges of plagiarism in Sister White's writings.
Many attempt to accuse Ellen White of plagiarism by only comparing similarities between her writings and the writings she allegedly copied.
However what happens if you do not just look at similarities, but also look at differences?
When you only look at similarities and do not consider differences, according to Conklin, you can overestimate the possibility of plagiarism.
In this ebook, Conklin has used an approach that emphasizes not just similarities, but also differences.
Download this ebook for free at the following link.
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From my discussion with David Conklin I can say I have no confidence in either his research or interpretations. People however may be interested in seeing the rather well detailed examples of literary borrowing that EGW did from Henry Melvill. You can download a copy of the White Estates document: Henry Melvill and Ellen G. White - a study of literary and theological relationships at
ReplyDeletehttp://www.adrive.com/public/261c7a74d85b340f1284d30b7bae77f1c96194fa09b2cfcbfbbba9816d4abeb2.html
Is there a reason why you wish to refer to your supposed conversation with Conklin but you don't wish to use you name? Agree or disagree but put your name on it...
ReplyDeleteLooks like I don't allow you to add your name...I am workign on that now...
ReplyDeleteGod bless...
Seventh Day Adventists hold that Ellen G. White was an end time prophet. Some even say her authority was canonical. As the prophets of old are canonical, today Adventists hold Ellen G. White as being equal to them. The problem with this is, is that the Bible says that Jesus was last of all to be sent, then after Him, the judgment (. Don't get this mixed up with "it is appointed once for man to die then afterwards the judgment.". Read Mark 12:1-9). Mark 12:6 says in particular, "Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, they will reverence my son." Notice He says "last" in reference to the order in which the Son was sent of Him. There are no more canonical prophets sent after Christ according to these scriptures. Christ was sent last of all. How could Ellen G. White fit as an equal to the prophets when Christ came last of all, with no one after Him according to these scriptures? Even in Hebrews chapter 1 verses 1 and 2 say the prophets in the time past spoke the word of God to us prior to Christ's ministry; and in these "last" days spoke to us by His Son. You see, so even here the prophets were sent before Christ, then last of all came Christ. There are no more fireworks after the grand finale. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!
ReplyDeletePreston,
ReplyDeleteI thank you for your question and I perceive that you have a real desire to help those you believe to hold error. This is definitely commendable in light of many who are not so charitable in their disagreements. At any rate, I think that the Biblical record lets us know that there will at least be prophesying after Jesus for the writer of 1 Thessalonians states that we should not despise prophesyings, but prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. (1 Thessalonians 5:20) Certainly this text does not prove that Ellen White was a true prophet, but it at least questions what appears to be your contention that the gift of prophesy ended in the "last days" of Christ's ministry in that 1 Thessalonians was written well after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But let me say this, I do plan to look into your question more for it is an interesting argument that I have not encountered before.
Hello Preston,
ReplyDeleteUpon further reflection, I do not see how you can argue that there are no more prophets since Jesus. Especially in light of the fact that all of the New Testament was written after Jesus' resurrection. Which means that if there were no prophets after Jesus, then there would be no New Testament for there would be no prophets to write it.
In addition to these Bible writers, the New Testament itself gives examples of Prophets who were after Jesus who didn't write Bible books. For example, Acts 15:32 speaks of Judas and Silas as prophets. In addition, there is Phillip's four daughters who were prophets. Acts 21:8,9.
There were prophets after Jesus. 1 Thessalonians calls us to not despise prophesyings, but to prove all things. So we cannot just dismiss prophets now, but we must prove them and test them. (1 Thessalonians 5:20,21)
God Bless..
Hello Admin. I was very aware of these prophets in these verses of scripture. You've misunderstood me altogether. My point wasn't that there were no and are no prophets in the New Testament, which we all know there are. It was the context of Mark 12:1-9 & Hebrews 1:1-2. All the prophets of old led to the coming of Jesus. They spoke and were canonical. There are prophets in the New Testament as God appointed 1st in the church apostles and secondarily prophets (1 Cor. 12:28). What I mean by canonical prophets is you can turn to any of the prophets by name in the Old Testament and see them as books of the Bible. That stopped when Jesus came on the scene. The prophets still speak the word of God, but after He ascended on high He sent the promise of the Father after He commissioned His apostles. This gave birth to the church. Then after the acts of the apostles in starting the movement of building and establishing the churches, they confirmed them through sending them letters of encouragement and instruction and rebuke in some cases. All of which is very edifying to us always. These are indeed canonical. The works of the apostles were the last works of the Bible. After Christ ascended, He finished His book by the hand of the apostles, not the prophets. So in light of this, I quoted to you Mark 12:1-9 & Hebrews 1:1-2. There are no new words or new revelations or special prophets that has something unique that is not available in the word of God. But rather if someone prophesies we are told to listen and let the others judge. Ellen G. White is singled out as an end-time prophet by Seventh Day Adventists. That is not supported biblically. It goes against the order of scripture. Since when does a prophet get 1st ordinance in the church after 1 Cor. 12:28? Paul did not neglect to give us the whole councel of God according to Act 20:27. So how is it that Ellen G. White came with some new councel that Paul did not give us? Where has Paul ever taught about an investigative judgment? This is what I meant.
ReplyDeleteWe were in the last days when Christ walked the earth. So every prophet that lived even in that time could be considered an end time prophet. We have to be careful with titles. Strange little titles that you don't even see in the Bible like "end time prophet" can lead to strange ideas and creep into becoming false teaching. It's real subtile. What makes Ellen White different from any other bonified prophet? I've never heard an SDA speak any other name in conjunction to the term "end time prophet" other than the name Ellen G. White. There are many prophets mentioned in the New Testament. In 1 Cor. 14:29, Paul says to let 2 or 3 prophets speak in the church and let the other judge. You see, prophets are in abundance in God's ordained church. The structure of the church has not changed, inasmuch as normal humans ,even to this day, should be born with 10 fingers and 10 toes. Prophets are normal parts of a normal church body, along with the other ministry gifts. So to single out 1 and only 1 person and call her an end time prophet as an organization, should raise all kinds of red flags. Read 1 Cor. 12 & 1 Cor. 14 very carefully and meditate on the context and each point made, as it deals heavily with the subject at hand...
ReplyDeleteHello Preston,
ReplyDeleteI am trying to understand you. Are you saying that there may be prophets just not what you term "cannonical" prophets after the New Tastament? I am not an Adventist apologist and cannot speak on behalf of that church, but I do not think it is their position that Ellen White is a "cannonical" prophet according to your definition thereof...in the sense of being a Biblical book...Certainly there are some who may argue that, I would argue that they are in a minority. Really an extreme minority.
Hello Preston,
ReplyDeleteAccording to my understanding, there is no difference between Ellen White and any other bonified prophet. I do not use the term "end time prophet" and do not accept that that is the usual designation of her inside of Adventism. Certainly some use that term, but in contemporary American Adventism she is mostly referred to as Sister White. Furthermore, I think you may be reading into that term what may not be there. Furthermore, I think that you are reading into that term "last prophet ever" and then basing your critique on that term which probably means different things to different people. "End time prophet" could be speaking of what she spoke on which included the end time. "End time prophet" could imply that she is a prophet of our day. But as I said before, I don't think the term is normative usage in contemporary Adventism anyway.
But I must hasten to add again that I cannot speak for the Adventist church in that I am no official representative of that body. The question is not degrees of prophet-hood but whether you are one or not. So that, in my estimation, is the question, is she a prophet, not whether prophets exist which was the question that I thought you were arguing initially, but it looks like we are in agreement that they do. Our disagreement is whether she was a prophet or not...
On the issue of why Adventists don't recognize other prophets. That is an interesting question. While certainly there are others who have claimed to possess the prophetic gift, that church has not recognized any other. This may be an issue as you note. While it is certainly no defense, i would argue that that deficiency is also felt by all others except perhaps some pentecostal groups that recognize that the prophetic gift is still flourishing...
God bless....
people can say has they have done that e.g.white was a plagiarist.i myself do not worry what they say put it this way not one of her books has been proved false and in fact what she has written is in harmony with the scriptures.i love her work but has she says her work leads us to the bigger truths [bible] which i do agree with.if people concentrated on Christ then you will be lead to heaven itself.i love the Father /Son/Holy Spirit.may God be with all.
ReplyDeleteWhy are 7th day adventist people afraid of ellen white writings, she does not go against the bible in fact i wish the church would follow when it comes to church service and prayer meetings where she says the long prayers are for your closet and starting prayer meetings on time
ReplyDelete