THE THEME of the controversy be tween Christ and Satan is basic to Ellen White's study of the parables of Jesus. This can be clearly demonstrated by examining her commentary on the parables in Matthew 13. In each parable she observes lessons relating to the conflict between the forces of truth and error.
Commenting on the parable of the sower, Ellen White explains how Satan works through human theories and speculations about the Bible to prevent individuals from receiving a saving revelation. Seeds of infidelity are sown by ministers of the gospel, she points out, who apply erroneous theories and faulty techniques in their Bible study; such tend to undermine confidence in the integrity of the Scriptures, and consequently destroy one's faith in the Bible as God's word (see Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 37-39).
Satan, she observes, works through other avenues, as well. Textbooks employed in educational institutions contain "skeptical sentiments" which mislead students by misinterpreting and perverting scientific data. This is done, she states, to discredit the truth pro claimed in the Bible (ibid., p. 41).
Satan employs other tactics to counteract the seed of truth sown in the heart. In church he seeks to distract the worshiper from listening to the sermon. At home he inspires a critical analysis of the "minister's character, motives, and actions," in an effort to obscure or weaken the influence of the sermon. In this way the homes of pro fessed Christians become training centers for infidelity (ibid., pp. 44-46).
Additional insights relating to the work of Satan are found in Ellen White's treatment of the parables of the wheat and tares, the grain of mustard seed, the leaven, the hidden treasure, the pearl, and the dragnet. While some of these parables contain features that are clearly related to the theme of the great controversy, others reveal no explicit relation. The parable of the grain of mustard seed, for example, is a par able that treats the growth of the kingdom without any apparent reference to the conflict between good and evil. In her treatment of this parable, however, Ellen White directs our attention to the ever-present struggle between Christ and Satan in the arena of church history. On the one hand, she notes the work of John the Baptist, Paul and Silas, Martin Luther, and John Wesley, whose efforts to advance the cause of truth appeared at the time somewhat small and insignificant, but, under the guidance of God, developed into a mighty movement. On the other hand, she observes the attempts of religious institutions to counteract the work of reform. She ends this historical sketch with a reference to the last days: "As in earlier ages, the special truths for this time are found, not with the ecclesiastical authorities, but with men and women who are not too learned or too wise to believe the word of God." —Ibid., p. 79.
The parable of the leaven illustrates the penetrating and permeating power of God's kingdom in the world. Ellen White applies the teaching to the individual life and in this way reveals the relevance of this parable to the theme of the great controversy. The evidence of conversion, she points out, is found in "a reformation in words, in spirit, and in character." The leavening process of truth, she observes, works "secretly, silently, steadily, to transform the soul." The parable, in a way, provides the setting for a discourse on character transformation. In this setting Ellen White explains the difference between a profession of faith and the possession of truth. The proof of conversion is found in the development of one's character, eventually leading to perfection (ibid, pp. 97-102).
Clearly Seen in Parable of Hidden Treasure
The importance of the great controversy theme in Ellen White's treatment of the parables is clearly seen in her study of the parable of the hidden treasure. The field in which the treasure is hidden, she explains, is the Bible. The search for the treasure is understood to be the study of the Bible under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The treasure is the revelation of God's saving knowledge in the Scriptures (ibid., pp. 104-106). The theme of the great controversy emerges in connection with her emphasis on the value of Bible study. Satan, she points out, attempts to lead individuals away from Bible study by directing their attention to other fields of knowledge. The same deceptive reasoning and sophistry that he employed in Eden, she notes, is advanced today.
Mentioning specifically the practice of some teachers of mingling "the sentiments of infidel authors" with their own views, she states that as a consequence they "plant in the minds of youth thoughts that will lead to distrust of God and transgression of His law." Once the authority of God's law is disregarded, she observes, the student ac quires wrong habits, loses self-control, fails to reason correctly about ultimate issues, and becomes reckless and irrational about the care of his mind and body. Gradually he is led to self-destruction (ibid., pp. 106-109).
Similarly, in the parable of the pearl, Ellen White calls attention to the human heart as "the battleground of the conflict with Satan." Whereas in the parable of the hidden treasure she stresses the need for diligent and prayerful Bible study, in the parable of the pearl she emphasizes the necessity of surrendering evil habits as the price one must pay for eternal life in Christ. The way to Christ is the way of sacrifice and self-denial. "Unholy ambitions" and "worldly attractions" will eventually lead one to moral bankruptcy and spiritual ruin. Therefore, she concludes, the Christian's only ambition must be to reveal to the world "the likeness of Christ's character, and to labor for the enlargement of His kingdom" (ibid., pp. 118-121).
In Other Parables, As Well
The great controversy theme in Ellen White's study of the parables is not con fined to her treatment of Matthew 13, but can be observed throughout her interpretation of other parables, as well. In her commentary on the parable of the unforgiving servant (Mat thew 18:23-35) she advances insights into the nature of sin, forgiveness, mercy, and compassion. The thrust of the parable is found in the striking contrast between God's tender mercy and man's callousness. This contrast forms the basis for Ellen White's appeal for concern and compassion for the penitent. The ultimate objective of our forgiveness, she points out, is to help secure the "fainting, perplexed soul" against the "attacks of Satan" (ibid., pp. 246-250).
Additional insights into the theme of the great controversy appear in Ellen White's study of the parables of the two sons, the wicked tenants, and the marriage feast (Matthew 21, 22). Common to these parables is the theme of the response of Judaism to Christ's person and work and the consequences stemming from that response. Through out her interpretation of these parables Ellen White emphasizes the privileges and responsibilities of the people of God. In the parable of the two sons she calls attention to two types of individuals.
On the one hand, there are those represented by the Pharisees, whom she describes as cunningly sophisticated, self-righteous, and hypocritical. These persons are in a position to lead others to a knowledge of God's saving grace but because of their "listless, sleepy indolence" fail to do so. Through their failure, she notes, Satan succeeds in gaining control of individuals who might otherwise have been led to Christ (ibid., p. 280).
On the other hand, there are persons who frankly admit their disregard for the law. Their admission, Ellen White makes clear, is not at all commendable, but "insulting and defiant, and approaches to blasphemy." In connection with this point she stresses the danger of spiritual procrastination by focusing on the harmful effects of cherished sins. By cherishing sin one weakens his character, strengthens his wrong habits, and thus permits Satan to gain an ad vantage. The world is divided into two classes—those who keep the commandments of God and those who do not. Such obedience, she points out, proceeds from a love relationship with God, and constitutes the distinguishing feature of those who will be saved at the time of Christ's coming (ibid., pp. 278- 281, 283).
The parable of the wicked tenants is clearly a parable of salvation history. Israel's history is depicted by Ellen White in connection with her study of the parable. It is portrayed as a history of failure. Such failure is described as the result of the nation's persistent refusal to represent God's character in the world. Her summary of Israel's history is followed by a sermon on the privileges and responsibilities of the church. Once again the theme of the great controversy conies to the surface: the people of God are on trial before the uni verse. The particular question is whether or not they will be faithful in fulfilling their divine calling. Their mission is twofold. First, they are to represent God's character in the world by producing the fruitage of obedience, namely, love, humility, and self-sacrificing service. In this way they will repudiate the charges of Satan. Second, they are to proclaim to the world the "last merciful message of warning" and thus participate in God's plan to counteract the evil work of the devil. Her study ends with a general appeal to exemplify God's character as transcribed in His law (ibid., pp. 291, 292, 296-299, 302, 304, 305).
A similar concern appears in her treatment of the parable of the marriage feast, namely, one that stresses the necessity of character transformation in the followers of Christ. The perfection of character, in the thinking of Ellen White, is the result of one's obedience to the demands of God. Such obedience is possible only when it is an outgrowth of faith. That is, apart from God's saving grace, which is accessible to the believer in Christ, it is impossible to satisfy the righteous requirements of the law. Faith in God's saving grace is, at the same time, a belief that God can and will deliver one from the power of sin. Such faith, moreover, is an admission that one stands in need of God's transforming power and a confession that he desires to have this power effectuate a change in his life (ibid., pp. 315, 316).
Perfection—a Basic Feature
The perfection of character, as was shown, is a basic feature in the theme of the great controversy. Foremost among Satan's charges, Ellen White points out, is the one directed against the law as an expression of divine love and justice. In attacking the law, she notes, Satan at tempts to malign God's character. In order to discredit God's justice and defeat His redemptive plan, Satan reasons that the law is impossible for men to keep. In her commentary on the parable of the marriage feast Ellen White calls attention to Satan's tactics and then ex plains Christ's earthly mission as one designed to counteract Satan's work. Christ's life on earth is described as a "perfect expression of God's law" (ibid., p. 315).
The interest in character perfection appears again in her commentary on the parables of the ten virgins and the talents (Matthew 25). The parable of the virgins is about the church awaiting the coming of Christ. The waiting period, she explains, is the period of probation that the church experiences before the end time. During this period the church is to present the spirit and character of Christ to the world by demonstrating the evidence of God's trans forming grace (ibid., pp. 418, 419).
The parable of the talents serves as a warning to the church that at the time of Christ's return each will have to give an account for his use or abuse of the gifts entrusted to him. In the thinking of Ellen White, the talents represent opportunities for character development leading ultimately to perfection. The whole matter of character development turns on the right exercise of the will—an exercise that will determine one's destiny. Thus, she so aptly points out, the controversy between Christ and Satan is decisively settled in the do main of each individual life. In the courtroom of human experience the issues in the great conflict are revealed and resolved (ibid., p. 331).
Our study of Ellen White's interpretation of the parables, then, has shown that the controversy between Christ and Satan is the central and most important theme in Christ's Object Lessons. We also note a fundamental conviction regarding the practical nature and value of Bible study. Bible study, to her way of thinking, is not simply a matter of becoming informed with facts—as important as this may be—but a matter of being transformed by saving truth. There is an inseparable relation be tween Bible study and character development. An earnest study of the Scriptures—a study generating from an attitude of prayer, faith, and humility—will lead to a dynamic change in the thinking and behavior of the student. The tendency to draw attention to the controversy between Christ and Satan, particularly as it relates to the individual, clearly demonstrates Ellen White's own understanding of the practical significance of Bible study and, at the same time, offers insights into the uniqueness of her prophetic ministry. Through her inspired writings we gain a better understanding of the role of Seventh-day Adventists, collectively and individually, in the closing stage of the great controversy.
