4. The Use & Abuse of E.G.White Writings by Pastor Kevin Paulson - Last Generation Theology

[Music] we're going to examine for the next few moments the use and the abuse of the writings of ellen g white by opponents of last generation theology some people might say well do do supporters of last generation theology occasionally misuse the writings of inspiration we can't deny that but for the for the next few moments we're going to examine the case against last generation theology that is made by many who misuse the writings of ellen white but before we address this subject one point needs to be made very clear the case against last generation theology does not merely have an ellen white problem the biggest problem with the case against last generation theology is a bible problem and i hope that reality will be clear by the time this symposium is complete what was fascinating to me as i read the recent books attacking last generation theology was the different approaches that at least two of the books used in dealing with the writings of ellen white the most prominent of these new books written by a collection of scholars mostly professors at the sda theological seminary repeatedly and authoritatively used the writings of ellen white in an effort to support their position though we will show in the course of these meetings including the one we're in right now how the statements they used were flagrantly taken out of context or at least a good many of them were and how the obvious meaning of these statements was simply ignored and a whole lot of other statements that they might have paid attention to were ignored altogether but another of these books written by a very prominent denominational author who has since retired took a very different approach than the first and most significant book in his words alan white disapproved the usage of her writings to settle theological issues now we're going to look at this statement again one notes with great interest however that when this particular author assumes that a quote from alan white might help him make his case he doesn't hesitate to use it but what perhaps some have missed in their assessment of these books is the very difficult dilemma faced by any seventh-day adventist in trying to build a case against last generation theology those who attempt to make this case are basically confronted with two choices number one either they take a non-literal non-transcendent approach to the inspired writings or number two they take a literal transcendent fully authoritative albeit selective approach to the inspired writings let me go over that again since it's now on the screen these are the two choices they have faced take a non-literal non-transcendent approach to the inspired writings or a literal transcendent fully authoritative but selective approach to the inspired writings now you notice that when i've said the inspired writings here not just the writings of ellen white i am speaking of both the bible and the writings of ellen white because there are those in the seventh-day adventist church today folks who are trying to build a case against last generation theology and who are discarding the bible quite explicitly when they try to do this these people don't take either the bible or the writings of ellen white as authoritative listen to the following statement written in a recent online article in spectrum magazine this individual was complaining about the use of ellen white's writings or rather or about not ellen white's writings but complaining about last generation theology finding its way into the sabbath school quarterly listen to what he says an insistence on doctrinal purity and you know these people don't like purity of any kind an insistence on doctrinal purity manifests itself in disavowing alternative interpretations of the bible or our doctrines doctrinal purists in the church define our beliefs in such detail and specificity as to close all loopholes that allow other understandings praise god the 2010 rewording of our creation dogma in fundamental belief number six is an excellent example of this approach if this restrictive imagination of beginnings causes some to feel squeezed out of the church that only proves the lgt last generation theology point that those leaving were not pure enough we learn from paul that experience is the best teacher i don't think these people have read paul very carefully if they think that's what he's teaching therefore we should not aim at purifying our doctrines how is it that paul then told timothy not to allow anybody to teach any different doctrines in first timothy chapter 1 verse 3. such an exercise like lgt sinlessness is attainable and keeps unattainable he claims and keeps us in the wilderness paul cautions that outside of christ's righteous covering all our best attempts at good doing amount to nothing and we're going to find out that that is a lie when we study what paul and other bible authors teach on this subject so we should express our beliefs this author claims in ways that allow for growth and new insights as we journey on likewise our approach towards lifestyle choices such as what we eat or wear should not be based on purity these things are not a creative to our salvation now folks if you read a good deal of the articles that are published on this particular website you'll find that their moral leniency goes far beyond issues of what you eat and what you wear this particular website repeatedly publishes articles defending homosexuality and pre-marital sex and any number of other deviations from biblical sexual standards but the fact is if you take this approach in trying to re refute last last generation theology you're not going to get very far in the church the people that read spectrum magazine are nothing close to a majority in the advent movement thank god for that outside of a few intellectual circles even in western adventism this particular approach is just not going to fly no official church publishing house that i know of would pit would would print this kind of extreme theological liberalism so when it comes to the two choices we talked about so far as the strategy for refuting last generation theology is concerned it is the second choice that is the one most critics of this doctrinal construct are preferring to use but at the bottom line like napoleon at waterloo who charged both of wellington's flanks and was repulsed and thus had no choice but to charge the center of the british line those challenging last generation theology just don't have any good choices either they marginalize themselves within the church by taking a very liberal view of the inspired writings or they see the they use the inspired evidence selectively and thus open themselves to the eventual destruction of their case not only through the presentation of contrary evidence from inspiration by the defenders of last generation theology but the demonstration of harmony between all aspects of this evidence this is a very important principle which we're going to apply in this message and in other messages that are going to be delivered in the course of this symposium but now let's return to the statement by a prominent critic of last generation theology where he says ellen white disapproved the usage of her writings to settle theological issues now it is true that there were times when ellen white did ask that her writings not be used to settle theological issues and one example of this is in the controversy over the daily in daniel chapter 8. here in volume one of selected messages page 164 listen to ellen white's statement on this point and listen to why she asked that her writings not be used to settle this particular controversy i now ask that my ministering brethren shall not make use of my writings and their arguments regarding this question that is the daily for i have had listen carefully no instruction on the point under discussion and i see no need for the controversy notice she didn't say that her writings weren't to be used to settle this issue because this wasn't part of her job as a messenger of the lord rather it was because i have had no instruction on the point under discussion which obviously means that if the lord hadn't given her any light on something she had no more insight than anyone else but despite what this author that we have quoted twice believes regarding ellen white's lack of authority and doctrinal controversy ellen white is extremely clear that in fact doctrinal correction and clarity was a part of her prophetic portfolio let's clarify this once and for all from her writings early writings page 78 god has in that word that is the bible promised to give visions in the last days not for a new rule of faith but for the comfort of his people and to correct those who air from bible truth was ellen white's task to correct people with doctrinal error quite obviously she said it was here's another one volume 3 of selected messages page 31 besides the instruction in his word the lord has given special testimonies to his people not as a new revelation but that he may set before us the plain lessons of his word that errors may be corrected and the right that the right way may be pointed out that every soul may be without excuse on the following page in uh three selected messages page 32 the lord has given me much light that i want the people to have for there is instruction that the lord has given me for his people it is light that they should have line upon line precept upon precept here a little and there a little this is now to come before the people because it has been given to correct specious errors and to specify what is truth volume 5 of the testimonies page 665 additional truth is not brought out that by the way is why ellen white is the lesser light because the bible is the the originator of our doctrinal positions and our moral standards but notice what ellen white says her writings were to do additional truth is not brought out but god has through the testimonies simplify the great truths already given you know the bible doesn't say not to read pulp fiction like ellen white does but what does the bible say in philippians chapter 4 verse 8 whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any virtue if there be any praise think on these things alan white comes along and simplifies these biblical principles and that's just one example let's go on call porter ministry page 126. this is a powerful one folks how many have carefully read patriarchs and prophets the great controversy and the desire of ages i wish all to understand that my confidence in the light that god has given stands firm because i know that the holy spirit's power magnified the truth and made it honorable saying this is the way walk ye in it in my books the truth is stated barricaded by thus saith the lord the holy spirit listen to this folks the holy spirit traced these truths upon my mind as indelibly as the law was traced by the finger of god upon the tables of stone that sounds pretty authoritative to me folks volume two of spiritual gifts pages nine eighteen ninety eight to ninety nine my accompanying angel presented before me some of the errors of those present and also the truth in contrast with their errors that these discordant views which they claimed to be according to the bible were only according to their opinion of the bible and that their errors must be yielded and they unite upon the third angel's message our meeting ended victoriously truth gained the victory and we need to have more meetings like that in the seventh day adventist church today volume five of the testimonies pages 655-656 serious errors in doctrine and practice were cherished god revealed these errors to me in vision and sent me to his airing children to declare them gospel workers page 302 at that time and once again she's talking about our early experience as a people one error after another pressed in upon us ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines we would search the holy scriptures with much prayer and the holy spirit would bring the truth to our minds the power of god would come upon me and i was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error you know it's difficult to read any of these passages folks and come to the conclusion that ellen white did not see a part of her role as doctrinal clarification and correction it is for this reason that the recent general conference session clarified its position on ellen white's doctrinal authority you know in our previous statement about ellen white's authority which we uh adopted before and if we look at the uh church manual the uh 2010 edition you'll find that ellen white's writings are described as a continuing and authoritative source of truth and that's a fine statement but in san antonio we clarified this statement even further and said that her writings speak with prophetic authority now what's the difference between the two folks pastors church and administrators scholars and theologians are an authoritative source of truth but it's only human authority the new statement which says that her writings speak with prophetic authority is on an entirely different level because prophets have authority that no one else in the human community has this is also why the statement that was voted at the last general conference the statement of confidence in the writings of ellen white spoke so much more clearly and in fact it was so controversial with some of the more liberal delegates on the floor of the session that they tried to get a certain part of this statement struck out if you were there and you watched the debate or you watched it on television you know what i'm talking about listen to what the new statement says we affirm our conviction that her writings are divinely inspired truly christ-centered and bible-based rather than replacing the bible they uplift the normative character of scripture and listen carefully and correct inaccurate interpretations of it that's the bible derived from tradition human reason personal experience and modern culture just like what we were talking about in my earlier presentation this morning one european delegate on the floor made the motion to strike that last clause out of the statement praise the lord his motion was overwhelmingly defeated and so the statement that we have now very clearly says that ellen white's writings are for the purpose of correcting cultural traditional and theological errors which may creep in among us now the question that some people will ask is if the bible is its own interpreter why do we need ellen white to come along and interpret the bible for us well the answer is really very simple god needs to repeat himself because too many weren't listening the first time and you're going to hear a lot of repetition during this symposium you know scholars in the academic world don't like repetition because they think it makes them look look uh unintelligent but you know ordinary people like our advertising executives who work in the political world or in the business world and you probably have noticed this we're in the middle of a political campaign right now you probably have noticed if you watch television at all how many of these commercials are repeated over and over and over again well guess why because it takes time and repetition to get these things through to people and god has to use the same method listen to why ellen white says that this is necessary in patriarchs and prophets page 364. if men had kept the law of god as given to adam after his fall preserved by noah and observed by abraham there would have been no necessity for the ordinance of circumcision now what we're going to see in this statement is how god has had to repeat himself with greater clarity over and over again let's go on and if the descendants of abraham had kept the covenant of which circumcision was a sign they would never have been seduced into idolatry nor would it have been necessary for them to suffer a life of bondage in egypt they would have kept god's law in mind and there would have been no necessity listen to this for it to have been proclaimed from sinai or engraved upon the tables of stone and had the people practice the principles of the ten commandments there would have been no need of the additional directions given to moses notice how god has had to repeat himself time and time again because people weren't listening to his earlier instruction some people don't like this kind of repetition because they think oh you can just use common sense and figure it out well you know mark twain said it well didn't he common sense ain't common this is the reason why the lord has to give his counsel over and over again listen to how ellen white explains this in volume 5 of the testimonies page 664 there uh there are not many of you that really know what is contained in the testimonies you are not familiar with the scriptures if you had made god's word your study with a desire to reach the bible standard and attained a christian perfection which is what we're going to be discussing this week you would not have needed the testimonies now what we're going to do for the next few moments is we're going to look at several examples of how the writings of ellen white have been abused in a very conspicuous way by critics of last generation theology one of these statements and this is one that i'm sure is very familiar to people familiar with this controversy people who are watching this symposium now have probably heard this statement quoted many times this is from volume one of selected messages page 344. the religious services the prayers the praise the penitent confession of sin ascend from true believers as incense to the heavenly sanctuary but passing through the corrupt channels of humanity they are so defiled that unless purified by blood they can never be of value with god they ascend not in spotless purity and unless the intercessor who is at god's right hand presents and purifies all by his righteousness it is not acceptable to god all incense from earthly tabernacles must be moist with the cleansing drops of the blood of christ he holds before the father the censor of his own merits in which there is no taint of earthly corruption he gathers into this censor the prayers the praise and the confessions of his people and with these he puts his own spotless righteousness then perfume with the merits of christ's propitiation the incense comes up before god holy and entirely acceptable then gracious answers are returned now folks ellen white is clear that just like the bible explains itself so do her own writings in volume 1 of selected messages page 42 she says the testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given as scripture is explained by scripture so what in fact does ellen white mean in the statement from 1sm 344 where she talks about the righteousness of christ purifying the words the deeds and the thoughts of god's people so that god can accept them let's look at some other statements where she uses the same or similar language and we'll find out acts of the apostles page 532 before the believer has held out the wonderful possibility of becoming a being like christ obedient to all the principles of the law but of himself man is utterly unable to reach this condition the holiness that god's word declares he must have before he can be saved is the result of the working of divine grace as he bows in submission to the discipline and restraining influences of the spirit of truth man's obedience listen carefully man's obedience can be made perfect only by the incense of christ's righteousness which fills with divine fragrance every act of obedience the part of the christian is to persevere in overcoming every fault folks this isn't talking about some legal declaration this isn't talking about a covering this is talking about a transforming right here on earth yes it's directed from heaven but it happens here on this earth let's go on christian service page 263 the merit of jesus must be mingled with our prayers and efforts or they're they're as worthless as was the offering of cain could we see the activity of all human instrumentality as it appears before god we would see that only the work accomplished by much prayer which is sanctified notice that word sanctified by the merit of christ will stand the test of the judgment volume 2 of the manuscript releases page 337. there is none too much of any of the workers be they possessed of large or small talents to render themselves to god that they may be sanctified there's that word again and fitted for his service give all you have and are and it is all nothing without the merit of the blood that sanctifies the gift could those who hold responsible positions multiply their talents a thousand-fold their service would be no worth before god unless christ was mingled with all their offerings and how is he mingled with all their offerings by sanctification not justification review and herald november 26 1901 man is permitted to handle the lord's goods thus he is tested and proved his heart his heart must be perfumed with the incense of christ's righteousness the savior must work in him to will and to do of his good pleasure we're going to talk about that more tomorrow afternoon in order for the handling of the goods entrusted to him to bear the endorsement of the god of heaven volume 6 of the man of the bible commentary page 11 18 the offering that is made to god without a spirit of reverence and gratitude he does not accept it is the humble grateful reverential heart that makes the offering as a sweet smelling savor acceptable to god how does this happen through a transformed heart volume 7 of the bible commentary page 909 shall we not then give to christ all that he has died to redeem if you will do this he will quicken your conscience renew your heart sanctify your affections there's that word again purify your thoughts and set all your powers at work for him every motive and every thought will be brought into captivity to jesus christ those who are sons of god will represent christ in character their works listen carefully their works will be perfumed by the infinite tenderness compassion love and purity of the son of god and the more completely mind and body are yielded to the holy spirit the greater will be the fragrance of our offering to him so there's nothing here about inevitable sin purify uh polluting our sanctification so that it when it gets to heaven it has to be justified by forensic righteousness that is not what these statements are saying it is while our words and deeds ascend to the heavenly sanctuary through these corrupt channels that they receive this purification they don't arrive in heaven polluted they get purified here and now directed of course by the mediator in heaven now we're going to look at another set of statements that have been misused by opponents of perfection theology one of them is here in volume 2 of the testimonies page 549 he is talking about jesus he is a perfect and holy example given for us to imitate we cannot equal the pattern but we shall not be approved of god if we do not copy it and according to the ability which god has given resemble it but if we look at the context of this statement folks we find out what pattern she's talking about here on the same page she says he that is christ laid aside his glory his dominion his riches and sought after those who were living in sin perishing in sin he humbled himself to our necessities that he might exalt us to heaven sacrifice self-denial and disinterested benevolence characterized his life he is our pattern now in the same volume a little earlier we find this statement another one just like it volume 2 page 170 our lord and savior laid aside his dominion his riches and glory and sought after us that he might save us from misery and make us like like himself he humbled himself and took our nature that we might be able to learn of him and imitating his life of benevolence and self-denial follow him step by step to heaven you cannot equal the copy but you can resemble it and according to your ability do likewise now listen to another statement later in this same volume and there are about eight of them in ellen white's writings that use this language volume 2 page 628 he laid aside his glory his high command his honor and his riches and humbled himself to our necessities we cannot equal the example but we should copy it here's a similar statement in volume 2 of manuscript releases pages 1 25 to 126 our lord and savior loved every creature he laid aside his dominion riches and glory and sought after us sinful airing unhappy that he might make us like himself he humbled himself and took upon himself your nature and we're going to talk about that in the morning by the way that he might be able to teach you to be pure correct in character and free from all impurity of sin that you might follow him to heaven he suffered more than any of you will be called to suffer he gave all for you what have you been given have you given to jesus for this great love have you practiced the same love towards your brethren have you copied his example in patience in self-denial you cannot equal the pattern but you can resemble it here's another statement from review in herald february 5 1895 we shall never be able or ever called upon to suffer as christ suffered for the sins not of one but the sins of the whole world were laid upon christ he endured humiliation reproach suffering and death that we we by following his example might inherit all things christ is our pattern the perfect and holy example that has been given us to follow we can never equal the pattern but we may imitate it and resemble it according to our ability so what is the pattern folks that ellen white is talking about in these statements she's talking about the humiliation the suffering and the condescension of jesus she's not talking about sinless obedience we can't equal the pattern she's talking about because we don't have the throne of god to give up the sinless angels can't equal the pattern either here's another such statement from volume 16 of the manuscript releases 199 what efforts are we putting forth as the believers of unpopular truth in self-denial and in self-sacrifice we can never equal the pattern because it is infinite goodness practiced in his human nature yet we should make determined efforts with all the powers of our being to follow his example once again what's the pattern we can't equal infinite goodness because we're not infinite beings neither are the sinless angels now we're going to look at a third example and this is the story of joshua and the angel which we find in the third chapter of zechariah in a number of passages in the writings of ellen white this is a very popular illustration that people opposing last generation theology have tried to use to try to prove that perfect obedience is not attainable even by those at the end of time here is a statement where she talks about this this is in volume three of selected messages page 196 jesus is perfect christ's righteousness is imputed unto them that is his people and he will say take away the filthy garments from him and clothe him with change of raiment jesus makes up for our unavoidable deficiencies when christians are faithful to each other and loyal to the captain of the lord's host never betraying trusts into the enemy's hands they will be transformed into christ's character now of course this is taken the take away the filthy garments command is taken out of zechariah chapter 3. let's look at it and the angel of the lord protested unto joshua saying thus saith the lord of hosts if thou wilt walk in my ways and if thou will keep my charge then thou shalt also judge my house and shalt also keep my courts and i will give thee places to walk among them these that stand by in other words folks even here in zechariah 3 it's clear that only those that have been perfected in character have their filthy garments removed this is not talking about some continuous forensic covering that is concealing the continuous transgression of god's people let's look at uh uh great controversy page 484 raylen white is talking about this same uh incident satan is asking are these the people who are to take my place in heaven and the place of the angels who united with me look at the sins which have marked their lives behold their selfishness their malice their hatred toward one another the people of god have been notice the tents she's using the people of god have been in many respects very faulty satan has an accurate knowledge of the sins which he has tempted them to commit she goes satan goes on to say or ellen white does right away quoting satan now he points to the record of their lives the defects of character the unlikeness to christ which has dishonored their redeemer to all the sins which he has tempted them to commit now we turn to volume 5 of the testimonies page 4 69. listen to what she says israel was clothed in change of ramen the righteousness of christ imputed to them the mighty placed upon joshua's head was such as was worn by the priests and bore the inscription holiness to the lord signifying that notwithstanding his what his former transgressions he was now qualified to minister before god in his sanctuary notice that all of these statements refer to the sins of god's people in the past tense volume 5 again page 474 but while the followers of sin of christ have sinned they have not given themselves to the control of evil they have put away their sins and have sought the lord in humility and contrition and the divine advocate pleads in their behalf now we're going to look at another statement here folks and i've never seen this quoted by the people that use this example to prove supposedly that it's impossible to stop sinning listen to what ellen white says here in volume 4 the manuscript releases pages 249 and 250. and here here once again ellen white is quoting zechariah 3 and he showed me joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the lord and satan standing at his right hand to resist him and the lord said unto satan the lord rebuked thee o satan even the lord that has chosen jerusalem rebuked thee is that not this a brand plucked out of the fire isn't that what you want to be i certainly do now joshua was clothed with filthy garments and stood before the angel joshua here ellen white says represents the people of god and satan pointing to their filthy garments claims them as his property over which he has a right to exercise his cruel power but these very ones have improved the hours of probation to confess their sins with contrition of soul and put them away and jesus has written pardon against their names now listen those who have not ceased to sin and who have not repented and sought pardon for their transgressions are not represented in this company why don't people do their homework when they write books why don't they look at the evidence this evidence explodes the case of those that use these inspired statements against last generation theology the ones whose sins are covered the ones whose sins are removed are those whose sins have been conquered not those who are still occasionally falling and failing and sinning you know would we want to spend heaven with people like that i don't think so so in what way are these deficiencies unavoidable as the statement from three selected messages page 196 says why are they unavoidable because the past cannot be changed it can only be removed by the savior's forgiving righteousness these are just a few examples a few examples of the ellen white statements that are taken out of context to prove supposedly that it's impossible to stop sinning even through god's power we're going to look at a number of others in the course of this symposium but i hope it's clear to all who are listening to these meetings and who are watching this presentation or looking at the handouts that these statements when used by opponents of perfection theology are being taken out of context and do not teach what they are being alleged to teach folks we need to be like the noble bereans and search the scriptures daily search the writings of the spirit of prophecy and i thank god i see i have a few more minutes here i thank god that elmshaven was spared from the recent fires because i believe that is a symbol that god wants us to know the prophetic gift still standeth sure we need to get into those books folks we need to study them like never before you know we i i find people studying all kinds of stuff you know devotional books for men devotional books for women devotional books for couples all kinds of these uninspired materials and yet these devotional books by the prophet like in heavenly places sons and daughters of god our high calling that i may know him and a whole bunch of others i could mention those are the ones we need to be reading and studying because if we do we won't have any confusion in our hearts or minds over the salvation issues that we are considering in these meetings heavenly father you are the master of all things and we praise your name for these written councils by which everything in our lives everything we read everything we hear can be measured may we be found among those who will come up to every point as ellen white says in one statement and stand every test and overcome be the price what it may that they will have heeded the counsel of the true witness and receive the latter rain and be fitted for translation we pray to be among that company dear lord in your name and for your sake amen [Music] [Music] so [Music] you

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Published: Tue Jan 26 2021