I find William Fagal’s book 101 Questions to be very useful for the busy minister and church member—an authoritative response to 101 questions people have sent to the Ellen G. White Estate. For many years, William Fagal, an associate director of the White Estate, has provided well researched and us in Jeremiah 10:1–5. Fagal points out that the text—supplied by the questioner—does not mention evergreens and that the context for this passage has to do with carved idols. He also points out that Mrs. White approved of Christmas trees in church as a vehicle for giving gifts of money for the Lord’s work. This book will help build confidence in Ellen White as well as increase faith in the church and its practices as it has developed under God’s leading through the years.
While all of this material is available now on the Ellen G. White Estate’s Web sites, www .whiteestate.org and http://drc .whiteestate.org, you will find it convenient to be able to pull a book off of your shelf to find the
thoughtful responses to questions submitted to the White Estate. Now many of the most interesting and important questions are available in this handy book. The questions answered range from Ellen White’s work (whether everything Ellen White wrote was inspired, Ellen White and epilepsy as a source for her visions, plagiarism, failed prophecies, and editorial assistants writing her books for her), Adventist theology and doctrines, lifestyle, and the last days.
The Ellen White portrayed in this book is one of balance and reason. For example, regarding the questions on Christmas there is one about bringing an evergreen tree into church and the concern about that based on the counsel given to answer to a member’s question. The answers are relatively short—one to three pages. There is a table of contents to help find the question for which you need a quick answer.
—Reviewed by Jim Ford, MLS, associate director, Center for Adventist Research, James White Library, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.
