# Why I Left the Seventh-day Adventist Church > [!info] About this Article > A list of ideas and concepts within Adventism that, after study, have convinced me that Adventism is a denomination I no longer desire to belong to. **It is a false gospel from a false prophet.** > [!summary] In This Article > 1. [The Personal Cost of Leaving](#the-personal-cost-of-leaving) > 2. [Testing the Spirits — The Biblical Mandate](#testing-the-spirits--the-biblical-mandate) > 3. [Ellen G. White at the Center of Adventism](#ellen-g-white-at-the-center-of-adventism) > 4. [Ellen White's Own Claims About Her Authority](#ellen-whites-own-claims-about-her-authority) > 5. [Twenty-Three Doctrines I Object To](#twenty-three-doctrines-i-object-to) > 6. [The Lie Behind the Famous Miller Chart](#the-lie-behind-the-famous-miller-chart) > 7. [Ellen White's Interpretations Run Contrary to Scripture](#ellen-whites-interpretations-run-contrary-to-scripture) > 8. [Questions to Test EGW Against Scripture](#questions-to-test-egw-against-scripture) > 9. [EGW's Additions to the Bible](#egws-additions-to-the-bible) > 10. [Daniel 8:9–11 Through Ellen White](#daniel-89-11-through-ellen-white) > 11. [Further Reading](#further-reading) > 12. [References](#references) --- ## The Personal Cost of Leaving Honestly, the last few days have been mentally tough. It's difficult when we have dedicated our entire lives to the Seventh-day Adventist Church to be met with loss of friends, hostility, angst, and bitterness, all because we are convinced that the church's beliefs don't align with Scripture. Why do Adventists see you as part of the Remnant Club or not? Why do my parents and so many close 'friends' feel deep emotions of mourning and pain when they hear that our family has left the Adventist Church? So you can understand some of the texts I have received from Adventist friends, family, blog readers, and church members, I'd like to share a few. Remember, these are all Adventists: ![[IMG-20260419075654038.png]] To top it all off, my family and I have already been verbally misrepresented from the pulpit by one of the Elders who served under my leadership when I was the Head Elder at our previous Adventist church. This was the direct quote in the first 5 minutes of his sermon: > [!quote] > "When I say a scattering, and I say, talk about a shaking, there's some of us who sit here today if we aren't in the Word, we will be shaken out of here and out of God's control. **We recently had some things that some of you, most of us, know about in our church, and it's a sad situation. It saddens my heart this morning. So I come to you this morning with a heavy, heavy heart, heavy heart for people who have decided they need to leave the church and for you who sit here today because without the hand of Jesus, without you diligently searching his words, without you giving your all to Jesus. You, too, can be shaken. I, too, can be shaken in searching for the truth. We can be shaken away from the word.** So, my friend, I want to ask you an important question today: your life, your joy, your sorrow, for all eternity, depends on this answer. And I want to give you a moment to think about it. The question is, are you saved." I share these responses not to badger and shame the people who shared their concerns but to help understand the context of what happens when someone decides to step away from the Adventist Church. These types of responses have been confusing and complicated to take. Are we no longer considered Christian? Does the Adventist framework only play well with other Adventists? I know my parents love me deeply, but why the deep anguish — when our family loves the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul? The feeling is eerily awkward, almost a type of spiritual funeral, almost like a dying-off of the ones who used to be unique, elect, and remnant. Now, all they can do is pray that we might 'make it.' But I am reminded of Jesus' words to His disciples in [Matthew 10](https://ref.ly/Matt%2010;nrsvue?t=fl): > [!quote] > "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." [^1] Growing up in an Adventist Pastor's Family in Michigan was one of my fond memories. My family was always focused on church and God, but I didn't realize until I had children of my own the methods and framework in which this was done. Adventism is a lifestyle and theological framework that must be considered as a whole. The pieces truly make up the whole. If any of the major pillars of Adventism is found to be on shaky ground and rooted in something other than the Bible, then it's only a matter of time. It's a house of cards. The entire system comes crashing down. --- ## Testing the Spirits — The Biblical Mandate Christians have the vital responsibility to make the evaluation that the Apostle Paul calls for in his first letter to the Thessalonians: > [!quote] > "Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21) As we move through life, we will encounter many conflicting teachings, doctrines, systems, religious teachers, and preachers. We cannot and should not avoid the need to think freely and test every doctrine, teaching, teacher, preacher, prophet, or prophetess with the word of God. John writes in his first Epistle: > [!quote] > "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." (1 John 4:1–3) This would be a good moment to pause and spend some time in prayer, asking for God's guidance in understanding the true meaning of [1 John 4:1–3](https://ref.ly/1John%204.1-3;nrsvue?t=fl). What is the biblical understanding of a false prophet? I encourage you to set aside any preconceived theological views you may have. Suppose the beliefs of the Adventist church are predicated on the proper understanding of the prophetic life of a woman in the late 1800s. In that case, it's worth spending the time and effort to thoroughly compare your beliefs (as well as mine) with what the Scriptures actually say. Don't just take my word for it. As you read these words, I pray it will be the start of a journey. Give yourself the freedom and permission to test what you believe truly. And allow yourself to turn away from any faulty understanding, doctrine, teacher, preacher, or prophet/prophetess. On a journey like this, it's important to affirm where our loyalty and devotion should be firmly planted: > [!quote] > "For true believers, loyalty is shown in our commitment to Jesus and His gospel (Mark 8:35; Romans 1:16). It is the acknowledgment that Jesus Christ is our sole source of authority and salvation (Matthew 28:18; John 14:6). Such devotion and commitment should echo the attitude of the apostle Peter, who said, 'If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ' (1 Peter 4:11). > > As Jesus' disciples, we demonstrate our loyalty and self-sacrificing allegiance to Him by following His command: 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me' (Mark 8:34). But even when we fail to be completely loyal and steadfast to Him, we have His assurance that He will be loyal to us: 'And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the age' (Matthew 28:20b)." [^2] False doctrines often have some deviation from something that is good and honors the Scriptures and the Body of Christ. To adequately explain why my family and I are no longer part of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, I must start with the pinnacle and, most importantly, the teaching that makes a person an Adventist. Adventism has been the only framework through which I have seen the Bible, as I am a third- and fifth-generation Adventist on my Dad's and Mom's sides, respectively. This framework is challenging to break out of because of the constant reinforcement of Adventist views and theology. It's hard to explain what this means for someone trying to interpret and understand scripture "biblically." Every denomination in Christianity believes its doctrines are grounded in scripture, but this cannot be entirely true, as there are many differing interpretations and ideas. We all have biases, and when we seek to understand the Word of God, we naturally tend to seek confirmation biases to affirm how we already see the Bible. This is not only true in Adventism but is intentionally emphasized and ingrained in what we read, study, listen to, etc. --- ## Ellen G. White at the Center of Adventism Ellen Gould White is the most critical author and founding pioneer of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It is an understatement to say that "Adventism wouldn't exist without the writings and teachings of Ellen G. White." According to the SDA Church, the writings of their prophetess, Ellen G. White, are not only 'divinely inspired' [^3] and 'correcting inaccurate interpretations of scripture' [^4] — they also claim that she is the infallible interpreter of the infallible Bible. In the June 3, 1971 issue of the *Advent Review & Sabbath Herald,* an official publication of the SDA Church, they state: > [!quote] > "One of his own number in studying the Bible arrives at conclusions differing from this body of believers. Investigation and discussion follow, strife and division ensue, and a council is called in the enclosure. The two factions are arrayed against each other. Each maintains his position, at least to his own satisfaction, from the Bible. A vote is taken on the question and a majority settle it for the enclosure. The minority settle it for themselves; a new sect is formed. The wall of prejudice is broken down as far as our inquirer is concerned, and once more he is turned loose upon the uncertain sea of investigation. ***This illustrates the fact that most denominations, at least, have no satisfactory court of final appeal, that while the Bible is infallible and is the basis of all Christian faith, it needs to be infallibly interpreted to avoid confusion and division.*** [^5] They then go on to explain how the infallible Bible is infallibly interpreted: > [!quote] > "To be reliable, ***interpretation must come to us through the same channel through which came the Scriptures in the first place.*** But what is the channel through which Scripture came to us? 'The testimony of Jesus,' or 'the spirit of prophecy' ([Rev. 19:10](https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/esv/Rev.%2019.10)). It was the Spirit of Jesus that spoke through the prophets ([1 Peter 1:10–11](https://bible.faithlife.com/bible/esv/1%20Pet%201.10-11))… > > Thus the prophets have always been the living, active voice of God to His people, and ***the products of the prophets have always been the guide that alone the people could follow to sure success.*** This voice has always been its own interpreter." [^6] The Seventh-day Adventist Church utilizes the term "spirit of prophecy" to refer to Ellen White's writings. They believe Jesus is speaking through Ellen White with prophetic authority no differently than through the prophets of scripture. Thus, her commentary on any passage is the infallible interpretation of God himself. She is seen as the stamp of approval for the correct interpretation of scripture. They then follow up with: > [!quote] > "Thus when we can find in the writings of Isaiah or Jeremiah something that explains some statement in the writings of Moses, when a writer of the New Testament explains a passage in the Old Testament, this is accepted, not as a private interpretation, ***but as settling all dispute,*** because the interpretation came through the same source, or channel, as the words for which the meaning is sought. > > Thus, Protestants have always claimed that the Bible is its own interpreter. ***Perhaps it is better to say the spirit of prophecy (we use the term here as synonymous with the gift of prophecy), or testimony of Jesus, is its own interpreter.*** [^7] Because Ellen White supposedly had the "spirit of prophecy" — a term they have mis-defined and misplaced — her interpretation settles all disputes as the correct one. In their April–June 1976 *Sabbath School Quarterly,* another official organ, they state: > [!quote] > "How advantaged the Seventh-Day Adventist Church is to have ***a modern inspired interpreter*** of both the Old and New Testaments! Surely there is every logical reason to ***give the inspired interpretation top priority in arriving at our understanding of the Word today.*** [^8] Many Seventh-Day Adventists will vehemently deny that the SDA Church teaches this, but it is evident how the church holds her interpretation in high regard. Why would the marketing arm of the church put out publications that state these things and never recant from them if they didn't believe it to be true? The SDA Church teaches that the infallible Bible cannot even be correctly understood apart from the infallible interpretation of Mrs. White, which is supposedly the equivalent of the prophets of old commenting on any given passage. She is supposed to be the antidote to theological division that supposedly plagues Protestantism — despite the SDA Church being rife with theological division themselves. As I mentioned earlier, when you read the Bible through the lens of the Adventist Worldview, you are taught to see, understand, and engage in the text with specific ideas already present in your mind. This is reinforced by the requirement to see Ellen G. White as the inspired interpreter of everything. However, challenging this belief can be empowering, as it allows for the development of your own unique understanding and interpretation of the text. It's not about arriving at the same ideas, but about finding your own voice in the conversation. Many Adventists claim that their beliefs are only based on the Bible and provide proof texts to show how they are *Sola Scriptura*. However, it's crucial to encourage critical thinking and independent interpretation in religious studies. The problem lies in how the church sees the text and teaches the layperson to view it as from Ellen G. White and/or some of the other founding patriarchs of the Adventist church, rather than encouraging individual exploration and understanding. As I have clearly stated, the Seventh-day Adventist church holds EGW as the only infallible interpreter of Scripture. As I have carefully studied her writings and put her statements under the microscope of research, I have concluded that not only is she unreliable in her interpretations — **she is a heretical false prophet** that teaches a different Jesus Christ, a different gospel, a different form of salvation through a mixture of faith + obedience, works-based requirements of health and perfection of character, unbiblical atonement and sanctuary doctrines, dangerous prophecy teachings, and an all-around unbiblical teacher to be used as an interpreter of scripture. --- ## Ellen White's Own Claims About Her Authority As you look into how Ellen G. White viewed her writings, you will see that she saw herself as inspired and expected others to see her writings the same way. She openly claimed that the Holy Ghost was the author of the Scripture as well as her writings: > [!quote] > "**Scripture and Spirit of Prophecy Have Same Author** — The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy. These are not to be twisted and turned to mean what man may want them to mean, to carry out man's ideas and sentiments, to carry forward man's schemes at all hazards." — Letter 92, 1900. [^9] She believed that her writings should take the same status as the authors of the Bible. > [!quote] > "In ancient times God spoke to men by **the mouth of prophets and apostles. In these days he speaks to them by the testimonies of his Spirit.** There was never a time when God instructed his people more earnestly than he instructs them now concerning his will and the course that he would have them pursue." — *Testimonies for the Church* 5:661 [^10] It is important to note that Ellen White referred to her writings as the *Testimonies* and the *Spirit of Prophecy*. If a person claims that the Holy Ghost inspires their writings and they carry the same weight as the prophets and apostles in the Bible, we can safely conclude that she thought of her own writings with the same authority as the Bible. It does seem odd that she then claims that her writings are the "lesser light." How could her writings be less when she claims the same authority as the Scripture and the Adventist church states that one should use her as the only infallible interpreter of the Bible? She goes on to state exactly how she wanted others to read and use her writings: > [!quote] > "**We must follow the directions given through the spirit of prophecy.** We must love and obey the truth for this time. This will save us from accepting strong delusions. **God has spoken to us through His word. He has spoken to us through the testimonies to the church and through the books that have helped to make plain our present duty and the position that we should now occupy.** The warnings that have been given, line upon line, precept upon precept, should be heeded. **If we disregard them**, what excuse can we offer?" [^11] She also clarified that no other person or author had the ability or authority she had. And if you read something that contradicts her thoughts as the inspired pen of God, you should "believe them not!" > [!quote] > "You think individuals have prejudiced my mind. If I am in this state, I am not fitted to be entrusted with the work of God. **But as this matter has been brought before my mind, in other cases, where individuals have claimed to have messages for the Seventh-day Adventist Church, of a similar character, the word has been given me, 'Believe them not.'** 'I have not sent them, yet they ran.'" [^12] This is the unfortunate reality of Adventism. In the late 1800s, a human being who claimed to be the *Spirit of Prophecy* — a term strictly reserved for the Holy Spirit and the testimony of Jesus — claimed to be the mouthpiece of God for a small group of people. Ellen White required that this group follow her guidance and chastised anyone who wouldn't submit to her authority. > [!quote] > "If you seek to **turn aside the counsel of God** to suit yourselves, if you **lessen the confidence of God's people in the testimonies He has sent them**, you are rebelling against God as certainly as were Korah, Dathan, and Abiram." [^13] This forced authority was supposedly because nothing she wrote could be done without the Holy Spirit's help. > [!quote] > "I cannot at my own impulse take up a work and launch out into it. **I have to be impressed by the Spirit of God. I cannot write unless the Holy Spirit helps me.** Sometimes I cannot write at all. Then again I am aroused at eleven, twelve, and one o'clock; and I can write as fast as my hand can move over the paper." — Letter 11, 1903. [^14] She believed and taught that her writings were truth and that her dependence was only on the Spirit of the Lord himself: > [!quote] > "Although **I am as dependent upon the Spirit of the Lord in writing my views as I am in receiving them**, yet the words I employ in describing what I have seen are my own, **unless they be those spoken to me by an angel, which I always enclose in remarks of quotation.**" [^15] Since these statements are all from Ellen White herself, if we can find anything that is untrue, items that come from other human authors while she claimed them to be from God, or anything in direct opposition to the Bible, we can then throw her out entirely and claim that she is a false prophet that teaches a different gospel, a different Christ, and false doctrines. Prophets are human, and yes, they do make mistakes — but when you claim, as Ellen White has, that **everything** she has written is from God, and that she can't write anything without the prompting of the Holy Spirit, she is clearly claiming her understanding and writings are directly from God and therefore shouldn't have error. Especially the items that are spoken to her from God in vision. Remember what John said: > [!quote] > "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) Over the next several articles, we will examine a few key discrepancies in her writings, literary borrowing, visions, and treatment of others during her life. My hope and prayer is that you will test the prophet. Do all of her writings bear the mark of God or of the devil? After all, this is the exact claim that Ellen White makes: > [!quote] > "God does nothing in partnership with Satan. My work for the past thirty years bears the stamp of God or the stamp of the enemy. There is no halfway work in the matter. The *Testimonies* are of the Spirit of God, or of the devil. In arraying yourself against the servants of God you are doing a work either for God or for the devil." [^16] The next post will begin our deep dive into shining light on the first major statement and vision from Ellen G. White that she claimed was from God. This statement turned out to be completely false and untrue — causing Ellen, in my opinion, to break the 9th commandment by bearing false witness of God. You thought 1844 was important in Adventism? **1843 might be more important in unraveling the truth.** --- ## Twenty-Three Doctrines I Object To Over the next several weeks and months, I will address some of my main objections to the doctrines of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, as stated in the official letter my family signed and turned in this last week to leave the SDA Church. 1. **Ellen G. White has the Gift of Prophecy** and is used by the Church Proper as a Prophet who corrects faulty interpretations of Scripture. - [[Loads of Contradictions]] - [[Ellen Dreams of James Shortly After His Death]] - [[Ellen White's Literary Borrowing- Inspiration or Intellectual Theft]] - [[Meat Eating and Ellen White]] - [[When it comes to Ellen White (White Elephant Excerpt)]] - [[The Fall of the Ottoman Empire Leading to the Second Coming]] - [[Failed Prophecies about Christ Return]] 2. **EGW theology and interpretation of Scripture** being taught in all Adventist publications, including but not limited to the Sabbath School and all children's class material. 3. **The Pre-Creation Great Controversy Theme** 4. **Maintaining one's salvation through obedience to the law** (as taught by EGW) 5. **The SDA Church being the Remnant Church** 6. **Baptism into Christ is synonymous with baptism into the SDA Church** 7. **The Law of God (Ten Commandments) is eternal and binding on humanity** 8. **The Sabbath is eternal and still an obligation on believers** 9. **The Sabbath is the Seal of God** 10. **Sunday worship is the Mark of the Beast** 11. **Tithing is a biblical requirement** 12. **Abstinence from certain meats and alcohol is biblically required** 13. **Christ's ministry in the 'Heavenly Sanctuary'** 14. **Death and the afterlife (Adventist soul sleep)** 15. **The Investigative Judgement doctrine in its entirety** 16. **The Scapegoat typifying Satan** — and thus all sins are placed on Satan before his demise 17. **Jesus is a Levitical Priest** as portrayed in the church's understanding of the Sanctuary in Heaven through Ellen White's writings 18. **1844 holding any importance** in the Christian church or the work of redemption 19. **Adventism's interpretation of Daniel and Revelation** 20. **The understanding of Jesus and the Trinity** through the writings of Ellen G. White 21. **The SDA interpretation of Daniel and Revelation inside the 'End Times' framework** 22. **The Adventist understanding of the Three Angels Message** 23. **The intentional emphasis on the "Everlasting Gospel"** (the Three Angels Messages) as a more important and pressing message than the Gospel of Jesus Christ I hope these articles will be a resource for research and study. Don't take my own study as truth — test it against the word of God! --- ## Ellen White's Statements from God That Are Not True *(Breaking the 9th Commandment)* ### The Lie Behind the Famous Miller Chart I want to start with Ellen White's most erroneous and heretical claim — which, as time has passed, we can see was a complete lie. It's essential to pay close attention to the start of the Adventist movement. If we believe that Ellen White was speaking from God and can be trusted, then anything she claims came from God at any point in her life should be true and accurate. Right? Any good Adventist is familiar with William Miller's role in the 1844 debacle. But most don't know the story's details, how Ellen White interpreted it, or statements made to stamp God's approval on Miller's mistake. William Miller made it into history books because of his work on predicting Jesus Christ's coming and the world's end. Miller was convinced that he had accurately found the "time" through his study of [Daniel 8:14](https://ref.ly/Dan%208.14;nrsvue?t=fl) and other verses found in Revelation. After he spent years studying the chronology of Daniel, Miller became convinced that Jesus was returning in 1843. He spent countless hours compiling charts and maps of what he had discovered. The most famous chart has played an essential yet ominous role in Adventism. ![[IMG-20260419075654022.png]] *Figure 1: Facsimile of the Original 1843 Chart by William Miller* This chart was so detailed that it undoubtedly showed that Jesus was coming in 1843. Miller had figured it out. Even after these date-setting times passed without Jesus' return and Miller recanted from his mistakes, Ellen White affirmed the chart and claimed that God approved of Miller's mistake. > [!quote] > "I have seen that the 1843 chart was directed by the hand of the Lord, and that it should not be altered; that the figures were as He wanted them; that His hand was over and hid a mistake in some of the figures, so that none could see it, until His hand was removed." [^17] Apparently, God purposely prevented Miller from seeing the truth and caused his mistake because His hand was over it. Really? This is blasphemous and shows the blunt manipulation that Ellen White was willing to go to for people to keep listening to her lies. She goes on to state: > [!quote] > "I saw that God was in the proclamation of the time in 1843. It was His design to arouse the people and bring them to a testing point, where they should decide for or against the truth." [^18] At this point, one should ask, "What 'truth' was Ellen speaking about?" We can see from the context of the subject she is writing about that this truth relates to the proclamation of the coming of Jesus in 1843. So, in Ellen's understanding, the early Millerite — later to become the Adventist flock — was being tested through the false proclamation of Jesus' return in 1843. If they rejected the Miller proclamation, they would have rejected God's truth. If they accepted the erroneous date setting, they were accepting God. Seriously? Jesus is clear regarding the day and hour of the Lord's coming: > [!quote] > "But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only." (Matthew 24:36) Not even the angels know. How can Ellen White claim to know and put her stamp of approval on the chart that predicted the Lord's return? This was not the only time Ellen White approved of predicting Jesus' return. She predicted His return in 1843, 1844, and 1851. All were wrong, and **she never recanted these predictions**. In fact, Ellen White doubled down and claimed that God was involved in all the poor theology and time-predicting during these early years. > [!quote] > "The advent movement of 1840–44 was a glorious manifestation of the power of God; the first angel's message was carried to every missionary station in the world, and in some countries there was the greatest religious interest which has been witnessed in any land since the Reformation of the sixteenth century; but these are to be exceeded by the mighty movement under the last warning of the third angel." [^19] Here is a clear example of a woman claiming to be sent from God, predicting and prophesying dates of Jesus' return that were utterly wrong. Then, instead of recanting and asking for forgiveness as William Miller did, she doubles down and claims that God was working in all her errors. Ellen White's early years of ministry were riddled with errors, including blasphemous date settings. This is why she and her family were kicked out of the Methodist church for following the Millerite movement. [^20] Jesus was clear about the coming of false prophets who would appear wonderful on the surface, but the fruit of their works would be deception and ungodliness: > [!quote] > "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits." (Matthew 7:15–20) Adventism loves to point out all the good things that Ellen White did and the thousands of people who came to know Jesus because of her works. These surface 'good' fruits do not make up for the rotten fruit in her life — the lies she stated in the name of Jesus. I'll leave you with a call to action. Take the time to test Ellen White; she claims to be the *spirit of prophecy* [^21] and that nothing she wrote could happen without the Holy Spirit moving upon her: > [!quote] > "I have to be impressed by the Spirit of God. I cannot write unless the Holy Spirit helps me." [^22] Let's do what the first epistle of John commands of any "spirit" claiming to be from God: > [!quote] > "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." (1 John 4:1–3) The examples shown in this article are just some of the reasons I affirm that Ellen White was a liar and that her writings cannot be trusted. --- ## Ellen White's Interpretations Run Contrary to Scripture Many of us are familiar with the covenant that was made with Abraham in [Genesis 15](https://ref.ly/Gen%2015;nrsvue?t=fl). We at least know that God made covenants with certain individuals and groups in the Old Testament. It's important to understand what a covenant was in the Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) culture. It has become glaringly clear to me that most Adventists, as well as Christians, haven't spent enough time understanding the lens of covenant relationships in the ANE. Once we explore what a covenant is, we will discuss a couple of challenges that one faces in modern times with this topic. By approaching the topic in this manner, we can see how Ellen G. White's interpretation is misinformed and re-interprets the biblical narrative to fit her overarching Great Controversy theme. ### What Is a Covenant in Ancient Near Eastern Thought? Let's begin by obtaining a proper understanding of the biblical concept from an excerpt in the *Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary* on the topic of Covenant: > [!quote] > "A 'covenant' is an agreement enacted between two parties in which one or both make promises under oath to perform or refrain from certain actions stipulated in advance. As indicated by the designation of the two sections of the Christian Bible — Old Testament (= covenant) and New Testament — 'covenant' in the Bible is the major metaphor used to describe the relation between God and Israel (the people of God). As such, covenant is the instrument constituting the rule (or kingdom) of God, and therefore it is a valuable lens through which one can recognize and appreciate the biblical ideal of religious community." [^23] While this is not an exhaustive explanation of the topic, one can begin to see the function of a covenant. First, there must be two parties involved for a covenant to take place. Second, there are promises made either by one party or by both parties. There are two types of covenants in the ANE during the biblical period. Depending on which party is making the promise and how the covenant is then ratified will determine if the covenant is a unilateral or bilateral covenant agreement. 1. **Bilateral covenants**, which placed obligations on both parties. The agreement was conditioned on one party fulfilling their obligations (e.g., "*If* you will … *then* I will …") 2. **Unilateral covenants**, which were unconditionally guaranteed by the party initiating the agreement (e.g., "I *will* …") [^24] While there isn't any agreement among scholars as to the exact number of covenants and agreements made in the Old Testament, there is unity around the major covenants found in the overarching narrative of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. 1. **Adamic Covenant** *(bilateral / conditional)* — Covenant of Works with Adam and Eve in [Genesis 2](https://ref.ly/Gen%202;nrsvue?t=fl). - *Sign:* No specific sign stated in Scripture, but the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil is at the center of this covenant. 2. **Noahic Covenant** *(unilateral / unconditional)* — Covenant of "Never Again" with God and the Earth in [Genesis 9](https://ref.ly/Gen%209;nrsvue?t=fl). God promises to uphold creation, and that sin and the effects of the curse will not stop his purposes for creation or those he created in his image. - *Sign:* The **Rainbow** ([Genesis 9:13](https://ref.ly/Gen%209.13;nrsvue?t=fl)). 3. **Abrahamic Covenant** *(unilateral / unconditional)* — Covenant of Redemption and Grace between God and Abraham (and his descendants) in [Genesis 12:1–2](https://ref.ly/Gen%2012.1-2;nrsvue?t=fl). God promises to protect and give land to Abraham and his descendants if they follow God's path. God also commands Abraham and his descendants to perform the ritual of circumcision as a symbol of the covenant. - *Sign:* **Circumcision** ([Genesis 17:11](https://ref.ly/Gen%2017.11;nrsvue?t=fl)). 4. **Sinaitic (Mosaic) Covenant** *(bilateral / conditional)* — The imagery shifts here. The covenant is no longer established with a series of patriarchs and their families but with an entire nation. This covenant is not made with Moses but instead with the Israelite Nation, as the nation of Israel becomes "a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth" ([Deuteronomy 14:2](https://ref.ly/Deut%2014.2;nrsvue?t=fl)). God outlines that Israel is a holy nation, a kingdom of priests, and a prized possession of God that he will protect. This covenant is conditional, meaning that Israel's obedience or disobedience will determine whether it brings blessing or cursing. - *Sign:* **Sabbath** ([Exodus 31:12–17](https://ref.ly/Exod%2031.12-17;nrsvue?t=fl)). 5. **Davidic Covenant** *(unilateral / unconditional)* — God promises that a descendant of David will reign over the people of God. This covenant continues the earlier covenants by promising that a Davidic king will secure God's promises of land, descendants, and blessing. - *Sign:* No sign given. 6. **New Covenant** *(unilateral / unconditional)* — God makes this covenant exclusively with Israel, and it is said to fulfill all previous covenants. Christ is said to fulfill the terms and requirements of the previous covenants, including the Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants ([Jeremiah 31:31–34](https://ref.ly/Jer%2031.31-34;nrsvue?t=fl)). - *Sign:* **The Anointed Messiah**, fulfilled in Jesus Christ. By going through the covenant relationships at a high level like this, I hope one begins to see the relationships given in the biblical text with these arrangements. ### Honing in on Abraham Now let's zero in on just one of the covenantal stories told in Scripture and compare it with how Ellen G. White describes the narrative. Remember — the type of covenant, the parties involved, the equality of the parties, and the signs/symbols are all incredibly important in telling the relationship between those engaging in the oath. How it is ratified helps us to understand who is making the agreement and who plays what role. We begin with the narrative told by Ellen G. White in her book *The Story of the Patriarchs and Prophets as Illustrated in the Lives of Holy Men of Old*. Many Adventists will know this book as *Patriarchs and Prophets*, but we will be reading from the original book manuscript published by Pacific Press Publishing Association in 1890: > [!quote] > "Still the patriarch begged for some visible token as a confirmation of his faith and as an evidence to after-generations that God's gracious purposes toward them would be accomplished. The Lord condescended to enter into a covenant with His servant, employing such forms as were customary among men for the ratification of a solemn engagement. By divine direction, **Abraham** sacrificed a heifer, a she-goat, and a ram, each three years old, dividing the bodies and laying the pieces a little distance apart. To these **he** added a turtledove and a young pigeon, which, however, were not divided. This being done, **he reverently passed between the parts of the sacrifice, making a solemn vow to God of perpetual obedience.**" [^25] Pay close attention to what Ellen is claiming in the last sentence, which I have emphasized. It cannot be mistaken — she is claiming that Abraham passed between the parts because of how the sentence ended with Abraham making a solemn vow to God. We now must compare this with what Scripture states: > [!quote] > "And he brought him outside and said, 'Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.' Then he said to him, 'So shall your offspring be.' And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness. And he said to him, 'I am the Lord who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to give you this land to possess.' But he said, 'O Lord God, how am I to know that I shall possess it?' He said to him, 'Bring me a heifer three years old, a female goat three years old, a ram three years old, a turtledove, and a young pigeon.' And he brought him all these, cut them in half, and laid each half over against the other. But he did not cut the birds in half. And when birds of prey came down on the carcasses, Abram drove them away. As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. Then the Lord said to Abram, 'Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.' **When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces.** On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, 'To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites and the Jebusites.'" (Genesis 15:5–21) Notice that Ellen White follows the story narrative identically by comparing her statements about the exact sacrifice and process with that found in [Genesis 15:7–11](https://ref.ly/Gen%2015.7-11;nrsvue?t=fl). She references the heifer, dividing the bodies and laying the pieces a little distance apart, while also referring to the turtledove, a young pigeon, and adding that these last two were not divided. There is no doubt that she is claiming that her narrative is accurate and states her interpretive truth: **Abraham walked between the parts of the sacrifice** to be involved in the covenant agreement and promised through a solemn vow to God that he would forever be obedient. In Ellen White's version, the Abrahamic Covenant is a bilateral / conditional agreement between Abraham and God. Abraham vowed to be obedient, and God promised to honor his faithfulness by allowing Abraham and his descendants to inherit the land of Canaan. She goes on to add further details to the text to bolster her interpretation of the event: > [!quote] > "And the voice of God was heard, bidding him not to expect immediate possession of the Promised Land, and pointing forward to the sufferings of his posterity before their establishment in Canaan. The plan of redemption was here opened to him, in the death of Christ, the great sacrifice, and His coming in glory. Abraham saw also the earth restored to its Eden beauty, to be given him for an everlasting possession, as the final and complete fulfillment of the promise." [^26] As you read more into Ellen White's supposedly divine commentary and infallible interpretation of the story, she then moves back to the biblical narrative and states that God passed between the sacrificial animal pieces in the form of a smoking furnace and burning lamp and consumed the pieces, which confirmed the promise that God would give them the land of Canaan. In ancient Near Eastern cities like Mari and Alalah (modern-day Syria), we have evidence of covenants between two parties involving a ritual where animals were cut in half. Both parties would then walk through the split animals, their feet touching the blood of the sacrifices. This act carried deep symbolism, as it represented a serious oath: *"May the gods make me like these dead animals if I break this covenant!"* Now, consider the surprise an ancient reader might feel when encountering [Genesis 15](https://ref.ly/Gen%2015;nrsvue?t=fl), where "a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces" (v. 18). In this covenant, the agreement was between God and Abram — but **only God**, represented by the flaming torch, passed through the pieces. This significant act foreshadows events that would unfold thousands of years later at a place called Calvary, just outside Jerusalem. We see a clear contradiction between the story retold by Ellen G. White and that which is told in the Holy Scriptures. ### Understanding Ellen White's Reinterpreted Abraham Kaspars Ozolins rightly points out: > [!quote] > "Serious implications about Ellen White's work follow from this example. First, though she may not have said it explicitly, by contradicting Scripture in such a 'bold' manner, White clearly felt she was justified in adjusting, changing, even denying basic details of Scripture. This is of a piece with White's repeated statements that her own authority comes from God himself by means of her 'accompanying angel' and by the approximately 2,000 visions that Adventists claim she had in her lifetime. > > The *Conflict of the Ages* series turns out to be no ordinary commentary on the Bible. Unlike actual commentaries, which offer scholarly comments on holy Scripture, Ellen White constructed an alternative body of literature, a 'Bible' thoroughly infused with her Great Controversy paradigm. The 'lesser light' is a rival light, designed to reconfigure the Bible's stories, characters, and themes, bit by bit, in order to ultimately present a different gospel." [^27] One might ask, "Why did Ellen White need to change the narrative so that her Abraham is a covenant keeper, loyal to God through obedience?" The answer is that Ellen White orchestrated the Great Controversy theme, which is all about vindicating God's character through humanity's obedience. In *Desire of Ages*, Ellen White explains **her own version of the gospel** in detail: > [!quote] > "The law requires righteousness — a righteous life, a perfect character; and this man has not to give. He cannot meet the claims of God's holy law. But Christ, coming to the earth as man, lived a holy life, and developed a perfect character. These He offers as a free gift to all who will receive them. His life stands for the life of men. Thus they have remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. More than this, Christ imbues men with the attributes of God. He builds up the human character after the similitude of the divine character, a goodly fabric of spiritual strength and beauty. Thus the very righteousness of the law is fulfilled in the believer in Christ. God can 'be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.' Romans 3:26." [^28] White's use of [Romans 3:26](https://ref.ly/Rom%203.26;nrsvue?t=fl) at the end is a clever distraction. Her earlier statements have already undermined this powerful biblical truth. In Ellen White's view, Jesus, like her version of Abraham, "developed a perfect character." Forgiveness for "sins that are past" is somehow granted "through the forbearance of God," and Christ supposedly "builds up the human character after the likeness of the divine character," which supposedly results in fulfilling "the very righteousness of the law." If you look past Ellen White's elegant King James-style language, you'll uncover deeply troubling ideas about God that diminish the true person and work of Jesus Christ. **The more she highlights human achievements, the more she undermines the completed work of Christ on the cross.** The Bible paints a complex and often unflattering picture of Abraham. While he, along with many others, is praised in [Hebrews 11](https://ref.ly/Heb%2011;nrsvue?t=fl), it is their *faith* in God that sets these biblical figures apart. Some readers might wonder why characters like Jephthah and Samson are included in this "hall of faith" in Hebrews. But we shouldn't be surprised. Compared to Jesus Christ, every person who has ever lived — even those considered righteous — has been flawed and sinful. As Isaiah starkly puts it, "all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment" ([Isaiah 64:6](https://ref.ly/Isa%2064.6;nrsvue?t=fl)). Even our best efforts fall short before a holy God. Yet, we give thanks to God the Father, who sent His Son, Jesus Christ, born of a virgin and born under the law ([Galatians 4:4](https://ref.ly/Gal%204.4;nrsvue?t=fl)). "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly" ([Romans 5:6](https://ref.ly/Rom%205.6;nrsvue?t=fl)). What Jesus accomplished is perfect, complete, and beyond comparison. One of the most powerful passages in Scripture is Paul's explanation in [Romans 4:5](https://ref.ly/Rom%204.5;nrsvue?t=fl): *"And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness."* **Do you see that? In Christ, God justifies the ungodly!** ### The Final Question Let's circle back to the purpose of this article. It has become abundantly clear to me that Ellen G. White has blinded hundreds of thousands of people over the last 150 years by reinterpreting Scripture into being something that is completely at odds with the truth in Scripture. She boldly asserts: > [!quote] > "I cannot at my own impulse take up a work and launch out into it. I have to be impressed by the Spirit of God. I cannot write unless the Holy Spirit helps me." [^29] While this has been a small glimpse into the serious problem with using a lady from the 1800s who claimed to have some sort of divine access to God as your interpretive rule, my question is this: > [!question] > Will you continue to have your biblical narrative and interpretation of Scripture led by a lady, Ellen G. White, who clearly breaks the 9th commandment through her repeated lying and bearing false witness in her books? I'll leave you with Ellen White's own words: > [!quote] > "I have written many books, and they have been given a wide circulation. Of myself I could not have brought out the truths in these books, but the Lord has given me the help of His Holy Spirit. These books, giving the instruction that the Lord has given me during the past sixty years, contain light from heaven, and **will bear the test of investigation**." [^30] Has her books and writings "borne the test of investigation" in your own mind? --- ## Questions to Test EGW Against Scripture The following questions can help determine if Ellen G. White's writings align with Scripture or not. Each question points to a specific claim, narrative, or doctrine in her writings — and each can be tested against the biblical text. 1. Was the plan of salvation made after the fall? 2. Was Adam with Eve when she was tempted in the garden? 3. Was Adam deceived by Satan in the garden? 4. Who spoke to Cain in [Genesis 4:6–16](https://ref.ly/Gen%204.6-16;nrsvue?t=fl)? 5. Did pre-flood humans mate with animals and give birth to new sub-human species and races? 6. Did God or an angel shut the door of Noah's ark in [Genesis 7](https://ref.ly/Gen%207;nrsvue?t=fl)? 7. Was the Tower of Babel built before the flood? 8. Was the Tower of Babel built to escape another flood? 9. Who plucked the fruit in the Garden narrative? 10. Were the Israelites destroyed by gluttony? 11. Did God send ravens to feed Elijah? 12. Did Samson disobey God when he married a Philistine? 13. Did the high priest carry the blood of sacrificed animals into the Holy Place each day? 14. Did Christ resemble other children? 15. Was the man Jesus Christ also truly God? 16. While tempting Jesus, did Satan claim to be the angel who had saved Isaac from certain death? 17. Who chose Judas to be one of Jesus' twelve disciples? 18. Did dogs eat Judas' remains? 19. Did Herod place a tattered robe on Jesus? 20. Did Jesus faint three times under the cross? 21. Was the countenance of Jesus marred? 22. Was Mary led away from the scene, and Jesus' bones broken during His crucifixion? 23. Did Jesus' humanity and divinity die on the cross? 24. Did Jesus die to give us a second probation? 25. Was the atonement for sin completed at the cross? 26. Does the blood of Christ cancel sin? 27. Are confessed sins transferred to the heavenly sanctuary by the blood of Christ? 28. Who bears our sins? 29. Does God require a trespass offering before he pardons us? 30. Can we say we are saved right now by Christ's grace? 31. Can the faith of believing parents save their children? 32. Will the sins of the slave be transferred to the slave's master? 33. Can ignorant slaves be saved? 34. Can we legitimately say, "I have ceased to sin"? 35. Will obeying the commandments earn me God's favor? 36. Does our obedience and faith reconcile us to God? 37. As a Christian, do I still stand condemned before God? 38. Must I be perfect before Christ will accept me? 39. Did Jesus enter the Most Holy Place of the heavenly temple before October 22, 1844? 40. Are the forgiven sins of the saints not blotted out until the great day of the final award? 41. Did Paul learn the Gospel from men in the church? 42. What is "The Seal of God"? 43. Are we required to kneel every time we pray? 44. Will people be lost because their pastor is untidy? 45. Is it a sin to be sick? 46. Will God prevent the wicked from killing His people who refuse to receive the Mark of the Beast? 47. Do the wicked try to repent as they experience the seven last plagues? 48. Can Satan answer prayers directed to God? 49. Will we know the exact day and hour of Christ's coming? 50. Does Jesus return to earth at the stroke of midnight? 51. Will the saved have wings in the resurrection? 52. Could Jesus see through the portals of the tomb? 53. Did Enoch think to save Sodom? --- ## EGW's Additions to the Bible Some of Ellen G. White's additions to what the Bible states: 1. Satan repented after his fall. 2. Adam was more than twice as tall as men today. 3. In the fires of hell, the wicked feel pain as long as there is one piece of flesh left. 4. Judas was convicted to confess his sin. 5. John the Revelator was cast into a cauldron of boiling oil before being banished to the Isle of Patmos. 6. EGW thought that the Herod that took part in Jesus' trial was the same Herod that took the life of James. 7. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, was Mary Magdalene, and she was led into sin by Simon. 8. Jesus' brothers were older than He and were Joseph's sons. They also sided with the Rabbis. 9. Angels need a gold card to get into and out of Heaven. 10. Ellen G. White is the only prophet given wings while in vision. 11. Marriages are to be discouraged. 12. Humans have power in themselves. 13. Tithe-paying is a prerequisite for praying for the sick. 14. The redeemed are to fill the vacancies in Heaven left by Satan and his angels. --- ## Daniel 8:9–11 Through Ellen White Although Ellen G. White and Adventists avoid interpreting [Daniel 8:9–14](https://ref.ly/Dan%208.9-14;nrsvue?t=fl) as a unit, they do make the following clear: **[Daniel 8:9–10](https://ref.ly/Dan%208.9-10;nrsvue?t=fl)** - *Who:* Pagan Rome is the little horn Antichrist. - *How:* Pagan Rome defiled the earthly sanctuary in A.D. 70 by destroying it. **[Daniel 8:11–12](https://ref.ly/Dan%208.11-12;nrsvue?t=fl)** - *Who:* Papal Rome is the little horn Antichrist. - *How:* Papal Rome defiled the sanctuary by replacing it with the confessional. (For further information on pagan and papal Rome, see *The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Dictionary,* "little horn" and "abomination," 1960.) **[Daniel 8:13–14](https://ref.ly/Dan%208.13-14;nrsvue?t=fl)** *(Adventist depiction)* - *Who:* Seventh-day Adventists depict Jesus Christ as the great hero. - *How:* Jesus began cleansing the heavenly sanctuary in 1844. **[Daniel 8:13–14](https://ref.ly/Dan%208.13-14;nrsvue?t=fl)** *(implication of the Adventist view)* - *Who:* Jesus Himself is the worst little horn Antichrist. - *How:* Jesus has been (and is still continually) defiling the sanctuary in heaven by placing the atoned sins of the saints there. Therefore, Jesus is the worst of the three little horn powers in [Daniel 8:9–14](https://ref.ly/Dan%208.9-14;nrsvue?t=fl). > [!quote] > "As anciently the sins of the people were by faith placed upon the sin offering and through its blood transferred, in figure, to the earthly sanctuary, so in the new covenant the sins of the repentant are by faith placed upon Christ and transferred, in fact, to the heavenly sanctuary. And as the typical cleansing of the earthly was accomplished by the removal of the sins by which it had been polluted, so the actual cleansing of the heavenly is to be accomplished by the removal, or blotting out, of the sins which are there recorded. But before this can be accomplished, there must be an examination of the books of record to determine who, through repentance of sin and faith in Christ, are entitled to the benefits of His atonement. The cleansing of the sanctuary therefore involves a work of investigation — a work of judgment. This work must be performed prior to the coming of Christ to redeem His people; for when He comes, His reward is with Him to give to every man according to his works. Revelation 22:12." [^31] > [!warning] The Inadvertent Implication > Shocking but true: when Adventists teach that Jesus carried (and is still carrying) atoned sins into the heavenly sanctuary, they inadvertently make Jesus the Antichrist of Daniel 8. --- ## Further Reading > [!tip] Coming in Future Articles > - Ellen White's denial of the deity of Jesus Christ > - Statements she claimed from herself or from God that were taken from another author *(bearing false witness)* > - Statements in direct opposition to the Bible *(unbiblical / heresy)* > - The 1919 Conference and what to do with EGW after she died > - Her grandson and husband stating that she was a fraud > - First-hand accounts of people who thought she wasn't a true prophet but rather a liar and fraud *(Canright, Fanny Bolton, Kellogg)* ### Books on Ellen G. White and Adventist Theology Important works on Ellen G. White's writings, her dealings with people, and the historical context of her ministry: - [Prophetess of Health by Ronald Numbers](https://archive.org/details/RonaldL.NumbersProphetessOfHealthAStudyOfEllenG.White) - [The White Lie by Walter Rea (1982 Edition)](https://ia601201.us.archive.org/2/items/ReaWalter.TheWhiteLie1982/1982_rea_theWhiteLie_printed_text.pdf) - [Ellen G. White: A Psychobiography](https://a.co/d/2Gd13qO) - [The White Estate Fraud: Seventh-day Adventism's Scandalous Untold Story](https://a.co/d/7KlG9nu) - [Out of Adventism: A Theologian's Journey](https://a.co/d/9BovXCu) - [The Investigative Judgment and the Everlasting Gospel](https://a.co/d/bynk2lA) - [Hiding In Plain Sight: The False Doctrines of Seventh-day Adventism Vol. I](https://a.co/d/fwtuTHd) - [Hiding In Plain Sight: The False Doctrines of Seventh-day Adventism Vol. II](https://a.co/d/6U1lqD8) - [Hiding In Plain Sight: The False Doctrines of Seventh-day Adventism Vol. III](https://a.co/d/2TMf3Ow) - [The Sabbath: What You Need To Know — 16 Propositions Against Mandatory and Salvational Sabbath-Keeping](https://a.co/d/hjFpMoO) --- ## References [^1]: [*The Holy Bible: English Standard Version*](https://ref.ly/logosres/esv?ref=BibleESV.Mt10.34&off=23&ctx=+Peace%2c+but+a+Sword%0a~34%C2%A0r%E2%80%9CDo+not+think+th) (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 10:34–39. [^2]: Got Questions Ministries, [*Got Questions? Bible Questions Answered*](https://ref.ly/logosres/gotqdatabase?art=topic2013.24.121&off=2262&ctx=y+God%E2%80%9D+\(Ruth+1%3a16\).%0a~For+true+believers%2c+) (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2002–2013). [^3]: Conference of SDA, "[Statement of Confidence in the Writings of Ellen G White — Adventist.Org](https://www.adventist.org/official-statements/statement-of-confidence-in-the-writings-of-ellen-g-white/)." [^4]: Conference of SDA. [^5]: Owen, "[The Advent Review & Sabbath Herald, June 3, 1971, Vol. 148, No. 22](https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:35356903-f1b5-4c8c-9a8b-a657a42d62e0)," p. 5. [^6]: Owen, p. 5. [^7]: Owen, p. 5. [^8]: Pedersen, "[God Is Not Silent](https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:859cfbcf-e99d-40ae-adf1-335c029feaa7)," p. 92. [^9]: Ellen Gould White, [*Selected Messages From the Writings of Ellen G. White, Book 3*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-3sm?ref=Page.p+30&off=857&ctx=r+the+Church+5%3a661.%0a~Scripture+and+Spirit) (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 30. [^10]: Ellen Gould White, [*Selected Messages From the Writings of Ellen G. White, Book 3*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-3sm?ref=Page.p+30&off=521&ctx=t+of+Bible+Prophets%E2%80%94~In+ancient+times+God) (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 30. [^11]: [*Testimonies for the Church*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-8t?ref=Page.p+298&off=342&ctx=whole+armor+of+God.+~We+must+follow+the+d), vol. 8 (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1855), 298. [^12]: [*Manuscript Releases \[Nos. 19–96, 1941–1957\]*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-1mr?ref=Page.p+298&off=286&ctx=handling+the+truth.+~You+think+individual), vol. 1 (Ellen G. White Estate, 1993), 298. [^13]: [*Testimonies for the Church*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-5t?ref=Page.p+66&off=984&ctx=+blood+of+the+Lamb.%0a~If+you+seek+to+turn+), vol. 5 (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1855), 66. [^14]: Ellen Gould White, [*Selected Messages From the Writings of Ellen G. White, Book 3*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-3sm?ref=Page.p+49&off=122&ctx=+by+the+Holy+Spirit%E2%80%94~I+cannot+at+my+own+i) (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 49. [^15]: Ellen Gould White, [*Selected Messages From the Writings of Ellen G. White, Book 3*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-3sm?ref=Page.p+49&off=1487&ctx=ed+in+Her+Own+Words%E2%80%94~Although+I+am+as+dep) (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 49. [^16]: [*Testimonies for the Church*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-4t?ref=Page.p+230&off=500&ctx=+God%2c+or+it+is+not.+~God+does+nothing+in+), vol. 4 (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1855), 230. [^17]: Ellen Gould White, [*Early Writings of Ellen G. White*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-ew?ref=Page.p+74&off=816&ctx=+never+be+gathered.+~I+have+seen+that+the) (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1882), 74. [^18]: Ellen Gould White, [*Early Writings of Ellen G. White*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-ew?ref=Page.p+232&off=634&ctx=age%0a%5bSee+Appendix.%5d%0a~I+saw+that+God+was+i) (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1882), 232. [^19]: Ellen Gould White, [*The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-gc?ref=Page.p+611&off=556&ctx=r+is+here+foretold.+~The+advent+movement+), vol. 5, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911), 611. [^20]: Sanders, "Why Ellen G. White Was Disfellowshipped." [^21]: [*Manuscript Releases \[Nos. 97–161, 1958–1964\]*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-2mr?ref=Page.p+189&off=458&ctx=ned+out+of+the+way.%0a~The+Holy+Ghost+is+th), vol. 2 (Ellen G. White Estate, 1993), 189. [^22]: Ellen Gould White, [*Selected Messages From the Writings of Ellen G. White, Book 3*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-3sm?ref=Page.p+49&off=188&ctx=launch+out+into+it.+~I+have+to+be+impress) (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 49. [^23]: George E. Mendenhall and Gary A. Herion, ["Covenant,"](https://ref.ly/logosres/anch?ref=VolumePage.V+1%2c+p+1179&off=1641&ctx=COVENANT.+~A+%E2%80%9Ccovenant%E2%80%9D+is+an+agreement+e) in *The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary*, ed. David Noel Freedman (New York: Doubleday, 1992), 1179. [^24]: Joel T. Hamme and J. Carl Laney, ["Covenant, Critical Issues,"](https://ref.ly/logosres/lbd?art=lawofmoses_writing.types_of_covenants&off=143&ctx=nt+of+Grant%2c%E2%80%9D+184\)%3a%0a~1.+bilateral+covenan) in *The Lexham Bible Dictionary*, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016). [^25]: Ellen Gould White, [*The Story of Patriarchs and Prophets as Illustrated in the Lives of Holy Men of Old*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-pp?ref=Page.p+137&off=290&ctx=sness.%E2%80%9D+Romans+4%3a3.%0a~Still+the+patriarch+), vol. 1, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1890), 137. [^26]: Ellen Gould White, [*The Story of Patriarchs and Prophets as Illustrated in the Lives of Holy Men of Old*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-pp?ref=Page.p+137&off=1251&ctx=ess+fell+upon+him.%E2%80%9D+~And+the+voice+of+God), vol. 1, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1890), 137. [^27]: Ozolins, "False Abraham Created By Ellen White." [^28]: Ellen Gould White, [*The Desire of Ages*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-da?ref=Page.p+762&off=809&ctx=2+Corinthians+5%3a19.%0a~The+law+requires+rig), vol. 3, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1898), 762. [^29]: Ellen Gould White, [*Selected Messages From the Writings of Ellen G. White, Book 3*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-3sm?ref=Page.p+49&off=122&ctx=+by+the+Holy+Spirit%E2%80%94~I+cannot+at+my+own+i) (Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1980), 49. [^30]: [*Manuscript Releases \[Nos. 19–96, 1941–1957\]*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-1mr?ref=Page.p+140&off=1665&ctx=s+endeavored+to+do.%0a~I+have+written+many+), vol. 1 (Ellen G. White Estate, 1993), 140–141. [^31]: Ellen Gould White, [*The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan*](https://ref.ly/logosres/iv-gc?ref=Page.p+421&off=1613&ctx=anse+the+sanctuary.%0a~As+anciently+the+sin), vol. 5, Conflict of the Ages Series (Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911), 421–422. --- ## Related Notes <!-- connection-points-2026-04-25 --> - [[Dogmas and how they Prevent real Thought|Dogmas and how they Prevent real Thought]] — the *phenomenon* underneath this lived narrative — what makes leaving so hard at the cognitive level - [[Doctrinal Statement|Doctrinal Statement]] — where I stand now - [[Push Back Against EGW Is Final Deception|Push Back Against EGW Is Final Deception]] — the standard SDA response to anyone in this position - [[Reflection of Gods Character|Reflection of Gods Character]] — the constructive reframing - [[{MOC} Leaving Adventism|{MOC} Leaving Adventism]] — hub for everything pastoral around this experience