Johann, I appreciate your post regarding your up-bringing and EGW. Mine was not like that. Oh, I had daily doses of her, from home, school, and church. Mostly used in a correctional capacity.

I also recognize my bias stemming (partly) from this.

Green Cochoa, I am encouraged that you would like to begin the discussion with defining terms. This helps me to think that you would like to have a serious, meaningful discussion.


I accept the terms regarding the Bible and EGW, and I'm OK with adding "SOP" to EGW, because it is so commonly used for her works. This should not be interpreted to mean that I agree that EGW = "THE" Sprit of Prophecy"



I would scratch "Testimonies" from the Scriptural list because it is so commonly used for EGW's Testimonies Vol. 1-9. If you use it you must clarify whether pertaining to the Bible or EGW.

Manuscripts are a whole 'nuther discussion, which I believe is on-going somewhere on this forum.

I responded to this thread because my name was included a couple of times in the opening post.

Thank you, JAK, for that reference from Education which balances certain other sayings of Ellen White.I think is essential to balance most of her statements and not build all of your existence on a single sentence.

Johann, that was APL who posted the Education quote. And, yes, it was helpful.

(It would be quite out of character for ME to post an EGW quote. )

The intent of this statement is to indicate that, if many people start posting against my position, I will not be able to keep up with replies. At that point I will concentrate on GC's posts, since that is who graciously started this dialogue.

Green Cochoa, one of my objections to EGW has already been alluded to, and that is the WRONG USE OF HER WORKS. This is by no means my main objection, but it may provide a starting point.

I believe this idea stems from:
The Bible=God's Word=Spirit of Prophecy=Ellen White.
Therefore ANYTHING EGW spoke or wrote is inspired and not to be argued against.
To disagree with EGW is to disagree with God.

The rationale for defending this view is that, IF only some of her works (or statements) are inspired, which ones, and who chooses? This then leads to all kinds of slander and inuendo regarding "so-called" SDA's want to sin therefore they pick-and-choose what parts of fEGW are inspired and those parts that offend their desire to sin are obviously not inspired...You get the point.
Therefore EVERYTHING she says IS inspired, and By God (literally) you better heed her instructions and not slander his messenger and...and...and

(P.S.I read the book More Than A Prophet by Graeme S. Bradford, in which he partialy refutes this idea, and I did find it helpful.)

I cannot imagine denying myself the blessing. It would be like sitting in Coldstone and refusing to order ice cream.

I'm glad that you find her a blessing, MM. I don't.

Do you find all of the Bible prophets/writers a blessing?

JAK,

Speaking of "enemy territory," I am in mosquito land and will be entering a "closed country" later today. I don't know how much internet I may have over the rest of this week or so. So bear with me, as I likely won't have opportunity to respond quickly on various points.

I accept your corrections to the list of terms. At least we have a good starting point there. I will note, however, that I personally have moved away from calling Mrs. White's writings "The Spirit of Prophecy" because the Bible clearly applies this term to the book of Revelation, and it should likely apply to the entire Bible as well. I do agree with you that it is common to refer to EGW's writings as the SOP, so your observation there has merit.

For now, I think we should next determine why or why not Mrs. White's writings should be seen as inspired, and leave the "usage" question alone until the inspiration question is resolved. What do you think? It seems to me this would be the logical sequence, for the usage may be different based on whether or not it is viewed as inspired.

(And this touches on Johann's comment regarding usage as well, which perhaps can be addressed after we discuss the inspiration question.)

Blessings,

Green Cochoa.