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"The words of the Bible, and the Bible alone,
should be heard from the pulpit."
Prophets & Kings, pg. 626A brief Survey of the E. G. White statement
Larry Kirkpatrick, March 5, 1997
I. Introduction
In these few brief pages we will examine the above statement, beginning with an analysis of the progression of thought contained in the chapter's 27 paragraphs. Next, we will consider the particular context of the quotation, followed by a brief look at E. G. White's comments upon religions of fable and tradition in other places. Finally, before determining the apparent meaning of the statement, we will consider how God sometimes worked in the Advent movement, as well as what PK 626 does not say.
II. Considering the thought of PK chapter 51
The statement itself occurs in chapter 51 of Prophets and Kings entitled "A Spiritual revival." The chapter considers the work of Ezra in leading Israel to a spiritual revival, and closes with an application to our end-times. An outline of the chapter's content might be rendered as follows:
Paragraphs…
1-3 The impact of influenceAdditionally, we ought to realize the overall pattern of thought in the chapter. One way to learn this is to consider themes and subjects that recur throughout the chapter. Thus we find the following:
3-5 Historical background
5-8 Apostasy of Israel and Ezra's humiliation
8-11 The supplication of Ezra
11-13 Repentance, conviction, and arousal of corporate purpose to follow God
13-18 Principles of reform and traits of reform leaders described
19 Disobedience to God and Scripture
20 Disobedience to God's law
20-22 Continuing authority of the law
22-24 Basic end-time conflict is between two religions established upon different authorities
24-27 Appeal for God's people today
Þ The overall theme
is spiritual revival
Þ The direct sub-theme
is disobeying versus obeying God's law
Þ The theme nested
within this theme is study and obedience to the Bible
III. Particular context of the quotation
The statement in question "The words of the Bible,
and the Bible alone, should be heard from the pulpit" occurs in the midst
of the discussion of the contrasting sides of the battle in the last conflict
from paragraphs 23 and 24. The contrasts are developed as follows:
| The laws of men | The precepts of Jehovah |
| Error | Truth |
| Religions of fable and tradition | Religion of the Bible |
| Explaining away Bible's truths | Implicit confidence in the Scriptures |
| An imaginary religion, a religion of words and forms, where truth is kept in the outer court | Diligently studying the Word of God |
| Tradition, human theories and maxims | The word of God |
IV. Religions of fable and tradition
Further insight into Mrs. White's meaning can be gained by considering other places in her writings where she wrote about the religions of fable and tradition…
GC 582,583 The last great conflict between truth and error is but the final struggle of the long-standing controversy concerning the law of God. Upon this battle we are now entering - a battle between the laws of men and the precepts of Jehovah, between the religion of the Bible and the religion of fable and tradition.The final conflict presents itself as one between truth derived from God versus error derived from heathenish religious systems which are unable to link their adherents to heaven. The source content of these opposing systems is from heaven versus from beneath. It is true that here Mrs. White specifically points to the Bible. And yet it is true that behind this is the fact that the reason she points to the Bible is because its ultimate source is God. The underlying principle is that true religion comes from God. She here contrasts the deceptive sources of Satan in fables and traditions, with the true source of God, represented in the religion of the Bible.ST May 7, 1902 Christ came as One able to expound the law of God, so long misunderstood and misinterpreted by priests and leaders. He tore away the gloomy framework of error and doubt, tradition and superstition, with which men had surrounded truth and obscured its brightness. Resetting the jewels of truth in the framework of God's law, He caused them to shine in their original heavenly luster. He taught a religion entirely different from the religion taught by the Pharisees. He showed that true happiness springs from purity of heart. True religion is not a mere theory; it affects the heart, and is expressed in the life by good works.
Manuscript Releases, Vol. 8, pg. 185 Bible religion is not made up of theological systems, creeds, theories, and tradition, for then it would not remain a mystery. The worldly would understand it through their own natural abilities. But religion, Bible religion, has a practical saving energy, elements proceeding wholly from God - a personal experience of God's power transforming the entire man. MS 30, 1889, p. 23.
DA 32 At this time the systems of heathenism were losing their hold upon the people. Men were weary of pageant and fable. They longed for a religion that could satisfy the heart.
It is worthy to note the teaching of that Bible: "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit...For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:4,13. It is evident that the true gift of prophecy also comes from God, and so is of the same source. The Bible writers were all inspired of God and moved by God and drank from the same Spirit. E. G. White drank from the same Spirit. Thus qualitatively there can be no difference in the degree of inspiration of her writings, or in their spiritual authority as compared to the Bible. Yet we are wise to maintain the distinction that the Bible is canon (measure, tester, etc.) for the world, and to establish all of our principles primarily upon the Bible. Do the E. G. White writings constitute a Deuterocanon (second set of measure) for Seventh-day Adventists today? Remember, the Deuterocanonical books accepted by Roman Catholicism are uninspired and virtually unquoted throughout the New Testament; it can be well argued that based on their content they are inconsistent with the rest of the Bible and we have no reason to accept them as infallible light from heaven. But when we come to the E. G. White writings, we do indeed have no shortage of indications that they are consistent with the Bible and are indeed sent to us as light from the very same source. It is an interesting question, but one which I will not proceed with here.
V. How God worked in the Advent movement
We are fond of stating that all of our beliefs came from the Bible. In the whole, this is accurate. And yet the picture is not quite as cut and dried, as we might like. During the early Bible conferences, as the Adventist pioneers were led by God, the gift of prophecy through E. G. White was a crucial help to the brethren in their coming to their advanced understanding on the sanctuary…
GW 302 We are to be established in the faith, in the light of the truth given us in our early experience. At that time one error after another pressed in upon us; ministers and doctors brought in new doctrines. We would search the Scriptures with much prayer, and the Holy Spirit would bring truth to our minds. Sometimes whole nights would be devoted to searching the Scriptures, and earnestly asking God for guidance. Companies of devoted men and women assembled for this purpose. The power of God would come upon me, and I was enabled clearly to define what is truth and what is error.As the points of our faith were thus established, our feet were placed upon a solid foundation. We accepted the truth point by point, under the demonstration of the Holy Spirit. I would be taken off in vision, and explanations would be given me. I was given illustrations of heavenly things, and of the sanctuary, so that we were placed where light was shining on us in clear, distinct rays.
3SM 38 In the early days of the message, when our numbers were few, we studied diligently to understand the meaning of many Scriptures. At times it seemed as if no explanation could be given. My mind seemed to be locked to an understanding of the Word; but when our brethren who had assembled for study came to a point where they could go no farther, and had recourse to earnest prayer, the Spirit of God would rest upon me, and I would be taken off in vision, and be instructed in regard to the relation of Scripture to Scripture. These experiences were repeated over and over again. Thus many truths of the third angel's message were established, point by point.From these remarks we can clearly see that the prophetic gift was used by heaven to "define what is truth and what is error;" to give "explanations" in vision; to give instruction "in regard to the relation of Scripture to Scripture." These experiences "were repeated over and over again" for the group when they "came to a point where they could go no farther." Thus, if we are going to understand what inspiration records about the formational period of our church, we must admit that when it came to our understanding of the sanctuary truth and perhaps even others, the gift of prophecy through E. G. White was crucial. It would be incomplete to state that all the truths of Adventism were established merely upon Bible study apart from the specific necessary guidance that was given through the Spirit of Prophecy. Surely, all the truths of Adventism are founded upon the Scriptures, all can be taught and established from the Scriptures. Yet the special guidance of the Holy Spirit was given in helping our spiritual pioneers understand those Scriptures. My point? Let us use caution in separating asunder what God has joined. Yes, in PK 626 Mrs. White presents the Bible as the unmatchable conduit of God's truth. But God has worked extrabiblically through dreams and visions in establishing His last-day remnant church in a position of understanding where it will ripen and mature and complete His will on this earth if it is faithful to His counsel.3SM 30 The Holy Ghost is the author of the Scriptures and of the Spirit of Prophecy.
VI. Pulpit and preaching
Paragraph 24 also points to the tremendous failure in the contemporary pulpit to preach the "religion of the Bible" mentioned in paragraph 23. Contemporary sermons are faulted for
1. Presenting a religion of words and forms
2. Robbing the Bible of its power
3. Lack of divine manifestation that awakens the
conscience and brings life
4. Presenting tradition, human theories, and maxims
All of these sad features may be remedied through the sound preaching of the religion of the Bible from the Bible.
VII. What PK 626 does not suggest or hint at
At no place throughout the chapter, in any paragraph or place, is there the slightest hint that Mrs. White had any intention of contrasting the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy given through her with the Bible. Throughout she is contrasting the religions of fable and tradition that downplay the law of God and lead to disobedience and dishonor and apostasy. Thus it is unsound to use this statement in this way. E. G. White does speak regarding the abuse of her writings in several other places, and if one wish to investigate the insights provided through her on that subject let one have recourse to those statements.
VIII. The meaning of the PK 626 statement
In summary, this statement is a clarion call urging the reader to get their truth from the right source - from God. It has not reference to the use of the E. G. White writings from the pulpit.
Last Modified March 23 2000