The author, an associate secretary at the White Estate of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, writes on a subject that confronts the church with several questions: Will there be other prophets as we near the end-time, or is Ellen White the last and final prophet? How true and authoritative are her writings? Did she exercise the gift of prophecy, or was she "only a very spiritual and gifted writer" who got her facts as other writers got theirs?
This book was written as a brief but important contribution to the Contemporary Issues in Prophetic Guidance Library. However, it overemphasizes some points that may lead the reader to consider it apologetic rather than answering the question it raises: Will there be an other prophet to the remnant?
In dealing with objective evidence of Ellen White's credentials as a prophet, Coon resorts to the overused story that she "held a large, heavy Bible above her head for an extended period of time." Questions could also be raised about such comments as that her writings "go beyond what the Bible teaches." That she "revised" and "deleted" some of her books and provided "certain extrabiblical details" needs more explanation. How does a prophet "revise" and "delete" heavenly messages?
Although he had previously referred to a statement by Ellen White that it was revealed to her that what she had written was sufficient to carry the church through triumphantly to the Second Coming, the author cautiously concludes that "in formed Seventh-day Adventists" speak of Ellen White as "further" fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel 2:28-32 and not as the "final fulfillment."
Apart from the questions I have raised, I feel the book is beneficial to pastors and laypersons because it provides a basis for faith in the ministry of Ellen White. It will be useful in teaching about an individual who did much under inspiration to lead a prophetic movement from what could have been utter discouragement at the time of the Great Disappointment to a worldwide movement engaged in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus.
