7 November 2002 Guest Editorial:
Ignorant Pioneers or Arrogant Scholars -- Shall Private Exegesis Trump Divine Revelation?

David Qualls ++ Originally published on GreatControversy.org ++ 7 November 2002

Editorial #115

"While early Adventists were clearly committed to scripture, they did not understand how to interpret it."¹

Period.

Thoughtful Adventists aware of the history of their movement cannot be blamed for wondering which outside enemy of Adventism wrote the above statement. What would motivate such a broad-sweeping, categorical assertion? If your reaction was less than stunned shock, you might want to re-read the above quoted sentence and let the full significance sink in -- especially in light of the fact that this quote came from no outside enemy of Adventism. Instead it came from an Adventist publisher, Adventist Today. (Granted, Atoday is an independent publication, nevertheless, a surprising number of SDA thought leaders seem to be in harmony with its often far-left agenda.)

You would think that the context of the above sentence would soften the blow somewhat. But that does not turn out to be the case. You would also wonder if this were not simply included for its shock value; again that is wrong. The sentence is embedded in the midst of a serious article designed to sell the evangelical agenda to Adventism. At least two of it's three authors hold or have held responsible positions in the church (I'm not sure about the status the third).

Interestingly, two of the authors are or were pastors in one of the large churches in Loma Linda, CA, as well as holding adjunct professor positions in the school of religion at Loma Linda University. Both of these pastors were instrumental in bringing two prominent non-Adventist evangelicals into the Loma Linda Campus Hill Church on January 26, 1989 for the purpose of discussing Adventism and its cult or non-cult status. Those two evangelicals were none other than Dr. Walter Martin and his associate, Ken Samples. Dr. Martin, of course, is famous for his key involvement in the evangelical conferences with some of our church leaders in the 1950s.²

Consider the significance of two prominent non-Adventists being invited into the midst of the SDA church in order to have them counsel, admonish, and pass judgment on God's Remnant church of prophecy. Where does that fit into our prophetic, God-given responsibility to call people out of spiritual Babylon?³ It is a sad day indeed when Adventist pastors of a large, prominent church and a center of Seventh-day Adventist education submit themselves to the guiding hand of evangelicals who have no real interest in the three angel's messages.

Dr. Martin, considered the "expert" on cults, essentially came to check up on our "progress" as a mainstream Christian body. What was the rule or standard used to determine this? The Bible you might ask? No, it was the Creeds of Christendom, or at least the Bible interpreted by such.⁴ I must say that I for one had a heavy heart as I watched the proceedings on video tape in disbelief and dismay as these two "friends" of Adventism, ridiculed sacred God-given truths that our pioneers suffered and toiled so hard to establish. These proceedings were both a travesty and a shameful tragedy.⁵

Returning to the issue of our leadoff sentence, just what kind of interpretive skills did our pioneers possess? Did they indeed "not understand how to interpret" the Bible, as so brazenly charged? Put another way, were our pioneers simply well-meaning, but ignorant students of the Word who just couldn't seem to interpret Scriptures correctly? Did God wink at their ignorance and simply wait patiently until more educated and trained scholars could come to the rescue? Are we as a people, closer to God and better students of the Word today, than were the people in the early days of the work when the pioneers apparently did "not understand how to interpret" the Bible? Have the standards of personal piety and holiness been raised? Have we made great strides in Bible knowledge now that our scholars have learned how to interpret the Bible by attending the best universities the world has to offer?

Much has been written on the method and process that our pioneers used while laying the foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist faith, so we will only summarize some pertinent points here.

Principles of Interpretation

What principles of interpretation did our pioneers use in formulating the foundational truths of the advent movement? Some charge them with theological naivete in relying on the proof-text method of the non-scholar. Have we been victimized by the ignorance of our forefathers? Should we go back and re-establish the foundations of our faith on a firmer platform using better methods of interpretation? What was the testimony of one of those pioneers, Ellen White?

God had led them [early pioneers] along step by step, until He had placed them upon a solid, immovable platform. I saw individuals approach the platform and examine the foundation. Some with rejoicing immediately stepped upon it. Others commenced to find fault with the foundation. They wished improvements made, and then the platform would be more perfect, and the people much happier. Some stepped off the platform to examine it and declared it to be laid wrong. But I saw that nearly all stood firm upon the platform and exhorted those who had stepped off to cease their complaints; for God was the Master Builder, and they were fighting against Him.⁶

The beautiful simplicity and thoroughness with which the pioneers laid down the platform of truth based on the Bible and confirmed through God's messenger is nothing short of a miracle. We can just imagine what the scholars of the 1st century said about the manner in which the NT church was founded after that "great disappointment" of A.D. 31. When Matthew (1:23) quoted Isaiah 7:14, "Behold, a virgin shall conceive" out of context, the scholars of the day using the historical method would have responded, "No, you are taking this out of context, this is unacceptable." Were they practicing exegesis? Which method of interpretation allows one to apply Isaiah 53 to Christ?

But, say some, that was fine under the direct guidance of the Holy Spirit. We, however, must use exegesis and proper methods of interpretation. While we agree that exegesis and good methods of interpretation (including the grammatical-historical method) should be employed, we also recognize that the Bible is unique. It is not just another historical document requiring the same methods of scholarship as that used by secular scientists or historians as good as these may be. The Bible should be its own interpreter (scriptural analogy). We have to compare text with text. "Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." Isaiah 28:10. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15.

Ellen White gives a principle that we would do well to follow in all the writings of Inspiration.

The Testimonies themselves will be the key that will explain the messages given, as scripture is explained by scripture.⁷

Later in the same article referenced at the top of this paper, our Evangelical Adventist friends state the following:

Evangelical Adventists insist that, when interpreting Scripture full weight be given to human and divine factors in the process of inspiration/ revelation. They also require that the word of God be understood in terms of the meanings of words and phrases of the original language in their original historical, cultural and literary setting. When these interpretive principles are applied, the meaning of the gospel and its implications emerge with overwhelming clarity and power.⁸

If indeed we "require" God's word be understood in terms of "the original language," what does that do for those of us who are not literate in these "original" languages? Does this not set up a condition whereby highly educated scholars must explain the meaning of the scriptures to the laity? Have we come full circle to the Roman Church's system requiring a priest to explain God's word to the common people?

Whenever the study of the Scriptures is entered upon without a prayerful, humble, teachable spirit, the plainest and simplest as well as the most difficult passages will be wrested from their true meaning. . . . The whole Bible should be given to the people just as it reads.⁹

The Bible, just as it reads, is to be our guide.¹⁰

I take the Bible just as it is, as the Inspired Word. I believe its utterances in an entire Bible [context is important]. . . . Brethren, cling to your Bible, as it reads. Simplicity and plain utterance are comprehended by the illiterate, by the peasant, and the child as well as by the full-grown man or the giant in intellect. . . . Men of humble acquirements, possessing but limited capabilities and opportunities to become conversant in the Scriptures, find in the living oracles comfort, guidance, counsel, and the plan of salvation as clear as a sunbeam.¹¹

If there is one Seventh-day Adventist who expressed profound confidence in the pioneers of this movement, it was Ellen White. While not blind to their failings, she wholeheartedly endorsed and upheld the views and writings of the pioneers in the fundamental areas of the teachings that have come down to us today. She exhorts us to revive and hold fast those messages, not subvert them.

I know from the light that God has given me that there should be a revival of the messages that have been given in the past, because men will seek to bring in new theories, and will try to prove that these theories are scriptural, whereas they are error, which, if allowed a place, will undermine faith in the truth.¹²

We are not to receive the words of those who come with a message that contradicts the special points of our faith. They gather together a mass of Scripture, and pile it as proof around their asserted theories. This has been done over and over again during the past fifty years [written in 1905]. And while the Scriptures are God's word, and are to be respected, the application of them, if such application moves one pillar from the foundation that God has sustained these fifty years, is a great mistake. He who makes such an application knows not the wonderful demonstration of the Holy Spirit that gave power and force to the past messages that have come to the people of God.¹³

Many of our people do not realize how firmly the foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband, Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder [Hiram] Edson, and others who were keen, noble, and true, were among those who, after the passing of the time in 1844, searched for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them, and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we remained together until late at night, and sometimes through the entire night, praying for light and studying the Word. Again and again these brethren came together to study the Bible, in order that they might know its meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power. When they came to the point in their study where they said, "We can do nothing more," the Spirit of the Lord would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision, and a clear explanation of the passages we had been studying would be given me, with instruction as to how we were to labor and teach effectively. Thus light was given that helped us to understand the scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to the time when we shall enter the city of God, was made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction that the Lord had given me.¹⁴

The pioneers "did not understand how to interpret" the Scriptures? Sister White would humbly beg to differ. I think I will take her word over the modern Evangelical Adventist scholar.

Personally, I would prefer to hear one of those power-filled sermons delivered by one of our pioneers than 10 sermons by 10 of our modern theologians trained in the best schools of the world.

At the time of the 1905 General Conference session when the erroneous teachings of Albion F. Ballenger were making their rounds,¹⁵ Ellen White provided advice on how to meet this heresy.

When men come in who would move one pin or pillar from the foundation which God has established by His Holy Spirit, let the aged men who were pioneers in our work speak plainly, and let those who are dead speak also, by the reprinting of their articles in our periodicals. Gather up the rays of divine light that God has given as He has led His people on step by step in the way of truth. This truth will stand the test of time and trial.¹⁶

God has given me light regarding our periodicals. What is it? -- He has said that the dead are to speak. How? -- Their works shall follow them. We are to repeat the words of the pioneers in our work, who knew what it cost to search for the truth as for hidden treasure, and who labored to lay the foundation of our work. They moved forward step by step under the influence of the Spirit of God. One by one these pioneers are passing away. The word given me is, Let that which these men have written in the past be reproduced.¹⁷

When the power of God testifies as to what is truth, that truth is to stand forever as the truth. No after suppositions contrary to the light God has given are to be entertained. Men will arise with interpretations of Scripture which are to them truth, but which are not truth. The truth for this time God has given us as a foundation for our faith. He Himself has taught us what is truth. One will arise, and still another, with new light, which contradicts the light that God has given under the demonstration of His Holy Spirit. A few are still alive who passed through the experience gained in the establishment of this truth. God has graciously spared their lives to repeat, and repeat till the close of their lives, the experience through which they passed even as did John the apostle till the very close of his life. And the standard bearers who have fallen in death are to speak through the reprinting of their writings. I am instructed that thus their voices are to be heard. They [the pioneers] are to bear their testimony as to what constitutes the truth for this time.¹⁸

The truths given us after the passing of the time in 1844 are just as certain and unchangeable as when the Lord gave them to us in answer to our urgent prayers. The visions that the Lord has given me are so remarkable that we know that what we have accepted is the truth. This was demonstrated by the Holy Spirit. Light, precious light from God, established the main points of our faith as we hold them today.¹⁹

We must let the great principles of the third angel's message stand out clear and distinct. The great pillars of our faith will hold all the weight that can be placed upon them.²⁰

The time has come when we must firmly refuse to be drawn away from the platform of eternal truth, which since 1844 has stood the test.²¹

The Word of the Lord has guided our steps since the passing of the time in 1844. We have searched the Scriptures; we have built solidly; and we have not had to tear up our foundations and put in new timbers.²²

The Lord has declared that the history of the past shall be rehearsed as we enter upon the closing work. Every truth that He has given for these last days is to be proclaimed to the world. Every pillar that He has established is to be strengthened. We cannot now step off the foundation that God has established. . . . There is need now to rehearse the experience of the men who acted a part in the establishment of our work at the beginning.²³

The great waymarks of truth, showing us our bearing in prophetic history, are to be carefully guarded, lest they be torn down and replaced with theories that would bring confusion rather than genuine light.²⁴

Listen not a moment to the interpretations that would loosen one pin, remove one pillar, from the platform of truth. Human interpretations, the reception of fables, will spoil your faith, confuse your understanding, and make of none effect your faith in Jesus Christ.²⁵

We ask again, did the pioneers of the Advent Movement indeed "not understand how to interpret" the Scriptures?

Does our unique message or how it came into being embarrass us? Does the ridicule from theologians (and laymen) of other denominations cause us to attempt to find alternate interpretations? Paul was not ashamed of the gospel in his day. He was not ashamed of the cross (a shameful thing in his day); instead he gloried in it (Gal. 6:14). Was the early Christian church ashamed of their roots? Were they embarrassed by the lack of formal theological training of the 12 apostles? Were they a little chagrined by the great disappointment of the first advent?

Are we veering into anti-intellectualism? By no means; God does not put a premium on ignorance. True scholarship under the control of the Holy Spirit (including the modern gift of the Spirit of Prophecy), will result in a discovery of the truth for our time.

Are we to look to the theologians and scholars to ascertain truth? Can they help set us straight from our humble pioneer beginnings?

In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight. Luke 10:21.

From this we learn "that (1) God's revelation is selective: He chooses to reveal the truth to a certain class of people and at the same time to hide it from another class. (2) The 'wise and prudent' -- those who trust to their own scholastic ability -- are denied the privilege of comprehending His truth. (3) The 'babes' -- those who are teachable and obedient -- are given this privilege."²⁶

And, to a great degree, theology, as studied and taught, is but a record of human speculation, serving only to "darken counsel by words without knowledge." Too often the motive in accumulating these many books is not so much a desire to obtain food for mind and soul, as it is an ambition to become acquainted with philosophers and theologians, a desire to present Christianity to the people in learned terms and propositions.²⁷

The Saviour came "to preach the gospel to the poor." Luke 4:18. In His teaching He used the simplest terms and the plainest symbols. And it is said that "the common people heard Him gladly." Mark 12:37. Those who are seeking to do His work for this time need a deeper insight into the lessons He has given.²⁸

One reason why many theologians have no clearer understanding of God's word is, they close their eyes to truths which they do not wish to practice. An understanding of Bible truth depends not so much on the power of intellect brought to the search as on the singleness of purpose, the earnest longing after righteousness.²⁹

Sola Scriptura

We firmly stand by the old Protestant principle of sola scriptura (Bible alone). But we do not take sola scriptura to mean excludere spiritus prophetiae (exclude the Spirit of Prophecy), nor inminuet spiritus prophetiae (diminish the SOP). To the contrary, we stand more firmly on the whole of Scriptures (tota scriptura) than some. Martin Luther based his views of justification by faith on a canon within the canon.³⁰ Others today make a similar mistake, not so much by explicitly rejecting certain biblical books as did Luther, but by placing more emphasis on certain passages than others.

We would not misuse the principle of sola scriptura to avoid the penetrating and inescapable clarity of the modern gift of Inspiration. It might be easy to hide behind the nuances of an ancient language, but it is quite another story to obscure or twist plain, modern, American English. We would not misuse the sola scriptura principle to provide cover similar to the unprincipled politician who appeals to the flag in a bid to remove the heat when he is in trouble.

Thus we believe that the whole Bible is to be our guide. All that the sacred Scriptures have to say on a particular topic is to be used. Furthermore, we as the modern-day remnant of prophecy have been especially privileged with more light and counsel to assist us in our search for the truths of the Bible. We reject none of it, but gladly accept all the light that God in His mercy sees fit to send us.

By joyously cherishing and holding on to every glimmer of light that Divinity flashes upon His end-time people through the modern gift of prophecy, we more closely honor that grand old Protestant principle of sola scriptura than those who seek to diminish its (the SOP's) role. Herbert Douglass shows this in the following quote.

The slogan, "The Bible and the Bible only!" means that every later prophet would have his or her messages judged by their faithfulness to earlier messages. Further, this phrase means that all that the Bible has taught is to be honored, including its declaration that the "gift of prophecy" would continue to the end of time. Thus, sola scriptura does not mean that God does not intend to add information to men and women through the "gift of prophecy" -- for that would be a non sequitur; it would deny a Biblical principle.³¹

And Ellen White adds

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.³²

In light of some of the issues raised about our beginnings as a movement, an excellent book, The Sanctuary, 1844 and the Pioneers, has been published that provides insightful excerpts and readings from pioneer sources.³³ Another excellent resource can be found in the Words of the Pioneers CD-ROM, an invaluable collection of early Seventh-day Adventist writings.³⁴ After reading this book, perusing the Words of the Pioneers CD-ROM, and analyzing the writings of Ellen White, as well as other resources, one is left with the overwhelming realization that the Advent movement is indeed built on a solid foundation. Those pioneers had incredible insight, were deeply rooted in Scriptures, and were guided by none other than the Holy Spirit Himself. The issues that they dealt with, the opposition that they faced, the darkness from which they emerged, all testify to the fact that these were no ordinary individuals; this was no ordinary movement. Indeed, God was calling out a remnant to bring present truth before the people in preparation for the final climax. Revelation 12:17.

Having said the above, we recognize that the pioneers were not flawless. We also recognize that there was and is plenty of room for growth. Only by continuing to build on the sure foundation that has been provided will we remain a healthy, growing movement. However, in our continued quest for more light and better understanding of already-revealed truth, we must never venture onto ground that contradicts or subverts what has been revealed before.

Scriptures plainly instruct us on how to obtain truth from its pages. "Precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little." Isaiah 28:10. "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14). Are we to use repeatable scientific methodologies to extract the truth from God's word? Is that how we are to find out His will for our lives? Is that how we explain the prophecies? Are we in a quest for biblical data or for present truth? Should we exalt the conclusions of our private exegesis over the confirmatory Testimony of Jesus Christ in the person of His messenger for our times?

Do we place our confidence in well-educated scholars, products of the world's finest institutions of higher learning; or of Spiritual Babylon's best? No. We learn from our Savior that He will impart precious and present truth only to those who are trusting, childlike, humble, and obedient. While we put no premium on ignorance and while we fully acknowledge the need for strict adherence to sound hermeneutics (principles of interpretation), we recognize that God will open His truth to only those who diligently, humbly seek for it as for hid treasure.

The pioneers of the Advent movement "did not understand how to interpret" the Bible? The evidence simply does not agree.

1. "Evangelical Adventism: Clinging to the Old Rugged Cross," by Michelle Rader, David VanDenburgh, Larry Christoffel, Adventist Today, Jan-Feb 1994 Vol. 2, No. 1, online at http://www.atoday.com/magazine/archive/1994/janfeb1994/articles/Evangelical.shtml, Accessed October 18, 2002. (Emphasis supplied).
2. Dave Fiedler, Hindsight (Harrah, OK: Academy Enterprises, 1996), p. 252.
3. Revelation 14:8; 18:1-5.
4. Taken from video of the proceedings held at the Loma Linda Campus Hill Church, January 26, 1989. Dr. Martin was addressing a question from the audience asking how he determined the orthodoxy or non-orthodoxy of a particular belief or set of beliefs.
5. For a more complete description of these proceedings, we refer the reader to the book, Hindsight (chapter 41), referenced in Footnote 2.
6. Ellen G. White, Early Writings, p. 258, all emphasis supplied.
7. ________, Letter 73, 1903, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 42.
8. See footnote 1. (Emphasis supplied).
9. Ellen White, Great Controversy, p. 521.
10. ________, Review and Herald, September 28, 1897, par. 7.
11. ________, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 18.
12. ________, The Upward Look, p. 199.
13. ________, Letter 329, 1905, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 161.
14. ________, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p 206.
15. Elder A. F. Ballenger, a worker in England, was teaching erroneous views on the sanctuary truth among other things. See Arthur L. White, Ellen G. White: Volume 5, The Early Elmshaven Years, 1900-1905, Biography, (Washington, DC: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1981), Chapter 31.
16. Ellen G. White, Manuscript 62, 1905, p. 6. ("A Warning against False Theories," May 24, 1905.) Found in 1 Manuscript Releases, p. 55.
17. ________, Review and Herald, May 25, 1905 par. 21.
18. ________, Letter 329, 1905, Selected Messages, vol. 1, p. 161.
19. ________, Letter 50, 1906, Manuscript releases, vol. 1, p. 53.
20. ________, Letter 207, 1899, manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 53.
21. ________, Letter 277, 1904, Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 53.
22. ________, Letter 24, 1907, Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 54.
23. ________, Manuscript 129, 1905, Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 54.
24. ________, Manuscript 31, 1896, Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 54.
25. ________, Letter 230, 1906, Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p. 54.
26. David Lin, China Letters (Rapidan, VA: Hartland Publications, 1993) pp. 115-116.
27. Ellen G. White, Ministry of Healing, p. 442.
28. Ibid., p. 443.
29. ________, Counsels on Sabbath School Work, p. 38.
30. "In Scripture Luther was concerned with what pointed to Christ. Therefore, the book of James was termed a 'strawy epistle,' whereas he placed a preeminence on Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians because they were pure gospel and provided instruction about Christ." Enns, Paul, The Moody Handbook of Theology, (Chicago, Ill.: Moody Press) 1996. Our purpose is not to impugne Luther's views. Indeed we admire his advance in knowledge and his courage in the face of persecution. Our point is that we must advance with the progression of truth through the Protestant reformation all the way to the end of time. There are fuller truths that Luther did not have the privilege to see, even in areas such as justification by faith.
31. Herbert Douglass, Messenger of the Lord (Pacific Press: Nampa, ID, 1998), p. 378.
32. Ellen G. White, Testimonies, vol. 5, p. 661.
33. Paul A. Gordon, The Sanctuary, 1844 and the Pioneers, (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2000). Originally published in 1983 by the Review and Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown, MD.
34. Words of the Pioneers, Second Edition, 1995, A Collection of Early Seventh-day Adventist Writings, Published by the Adventist Pioneer Library, P.O. Box 1844, Loma Linda, CA 92354-0380, Phone & FAX (909) 824-1361.

David Qualls is an active member of the Tulsa, Oklahoma Seventh-day Adventist Church. Raised a Seventh-day Adventist by godly parents, he turned his back on God in his teens, but by the grace of God returned to the faith of his youth with a strong desire to serve God and to help others prepare for His soon coming. He has served in several self-supporting ministries and currently resides near Tulsa with his wife, Ruth. Having earned degrees in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, he currently works in the software development field for a large telecommunications firm. Taking an active interest in current theological issues within the Remnant Church, he desires to let God use him to spread the true gospel and to help others avoid being blown about by every wind of doctrine.