The editors of this volume are both associate directors of the Ellen G. White Estate, and the chapters were originally presented as papers during the International Gift of Prophecy Symposium held at Andrews University, October 15–18, 2015. In addition to the papers, the book includes four appendices that function as exhibits of the various officially voted and published historical witnesses to Seventh-day Adventism’s belief in the inspired, authoritative, prophetic writings of Ellen G. White and a sermon by the current General Conference president, Ted N. C. Wilson, who clearly affirmed his personal faith in the ministry of Ellen White.
This reviewer personally participated in the conference as a spectator and very much appreciated the thoughtful care and planning that went into the event, and these published papers reflect the same care of the organizers. This was a conference designed to reaffirm the faith of the Seventh-day Adventist church in the validity of Ellen White’s prophetic ministry. The papers, presented by leading Adventist scholars (biblical, theological, and historical) and administrators, attempted to meet both the long-lingering and the more recent challenges to Ellen White’s “prophetic” claims and ministry.
The first two articles, presented by Jiří Moskala and Ekkehardt Mueller, set a serious, scholarly tone for the symposium and were challenging treatments of the phenomena of the “prophetic voice” in both the Old and New Testaments of the biblical canon. The interested reader is urged to persevere in reading through these important surveys regarding the way that canonical prophetic revelation The first two articles, presented by Jiří Moskala and Ekkehardt Mueller, set a serious, scholarly tone for the symposium and were challenging treatments of the phenomena of the “prophetic voice” in both the Old and New Testaments of the biblical canon. The interested reader is urged to persevere in reading through these important surveys regarding the way that canonical prophetic revelation has been manifest. I was particularly impressed with Moskala’s treatment of the question, “Can an Old Testament prophet err?” (33–43). This nuanced and realistic essay is worth the price of the book.
There were two other presentations that were particularly helpful, at least for my interests: The first was Richard Davidson’s “Ellen White’s Insights Into Scripture in Light of the Original Biblical Languages” (155–170). Davidson’s own journey had been one of doubt in the prophetic reliability of Ellen White’s ministry, but seeing the manner in which she has demonstrated surprising exegetical insight into the meaning of Old Testament scripture has played an affirming role in his faith not only in Ellen White but also in the deeper meaning of Scripture. Davidson clearly made the point that Scripture does not have to be read through Ellen G. White lenses, but it has certainly been a blessing in understanding the living Word.
The second presentation that caught my attention was Jud Lake’s “Ellen White’s Use of Extrabiblical Sources” (320–336). Lake has risen to prominence for his solid defense of the legitimacy of Ellen White’s minis- try against a host of attacks by Ellen White’s detractors, and one of the key charges has been that she was a literary plagiarist. His piece exhibits a gracious but able summation of the nature of these charges and a collective, sensible response to them. One interesting insight that he made was the importance of the contribution that the late Roger Coon made in framing many of these responses and how they have been a key source not only for Lake’s own work but also for other key defenders of Ellen White (including Denis Fortin and Jerry Moon, editors of The Ellen White Encyclopedia [Review and Herald Pub. Assn., 2014]).
I would urge scholars, pastors, church administrators, and local elders to obtain a copy of this solid work for their personal libraries. In fact, it should take its place alongside not only the The Ellen White Encyclopedia but also the recently released symposium on Ellen White edited by Merlin D. Burt titled Understanding Ellen White (Pacific Press Pub. Assn., 2015). If you are interested in substantive writings that address key issues but work affirmatively to vindicate the prophetic authenticity of Ellen White, these are three must acquisitions for your personal and church library.
—Woodrow W. Whidden, II, PhD, emeritus professor of religion, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, United States.
