Graeme Bradford is one of many authors who has written about Ellen White, and in recent years, he has published three books: Prophets Are Human (2004); People Are Human (Look What They Did to Ellen White) (2006); and most recently, More Than a Prophet: How We Lost and Found Again the Real Ellen White.

Responses to Bradford’s books by the Biblical Research Institute (BRI) (note an eight-page review by Gerhard Pfandl) and the Ellen G. White Estate (on its Web site and elsewhere), and a review in Ministry magazine raise fascinating questions about recent Adventist history. As well, they raise an important question: How should acknowledged evidence shape the Church’s understanding of Ellen White’s inspiration?

Currently, conflict reigns among true believers about Bradford’s books. Gerhard Pfandl is unequivocal: "The real issue in the book Prophets are Human [2004] is the question of inspiration" (5). Pfandl concludes that the book "may satisfy some of Ellen White’s detractors; most likely it will confuse many, and perhaps in some cases mislead faithful Adventists. Particularly new Adventists reading this book will be exposed to an unbalanced understanding of inspiration and Ellen White’s ministry"(8). Michael Campbell’s review of Bradford’s third book, published in Ministry magazine (Feb. 2007, 29), refers to its "fatally flawed" view of inspiration.

Bradford and Ellen White

Since his graduation from Avondale College in 1964, Bradford has been unusually successful as an evangelist, bringing significant numbers of nonbelievers into Seventh-day Adventism. Bradford is noted for a passion to facilitate spiritual growth among Adventists, and for his unwavering commitment to Christ and the gospel. He has also toiled to help church members understand, appreciate, and apply the writings of Ellen White.

Studies of Ellen G. White started a new phase with the autumn 1970 issue of Spectrum magazine. Prior to that time, many had perceived her writings as the all-inclusive, authoritative encyclopedia of Adventist thought and practice. Unlike medical science, her health writings needed no updating. Unlike historians, she recorded revealed history. Unlike other authors, she did not use outside sources. Unlike other humans (except, perhaps, the authors of the Bible), she was inerrant. In 1951, Francis D. Nichol had built a defensive wall around the prophet with publication of Ellen G. White and Her Critics, but within two decades, newly unearthed evidence had eroded it.

During 1982, Bradford began offering seminars related to Ellen White, locating her writings within the broad sweep of Adventist history in a way that made them intelligible and believable in terms of the fresh data. His efforts are evident in many arenas and sources: in presentations to Adventist Professionals (winter 1995); at Toronto before the 2000 General Conference session; at the annual conference of the Adventist Society for Religious Studies (Atlanta 2002); on cassettes, videos, DVDs; and through an M.A. thesis and three books. Bradford acknowledges that he often sought and received valuable counsel from biblical specialists, historians, and others. Also included among his sources is cherished data from the first International Prophetic Guidance Workshop of 1982: 941 pages of documents and sound recordings of presentation/discussions.

Inspiration: The Important Issue

In 1980, the Biblical Research Institute and the White Estate agreed to a comprehensive study of Ellen White’s inspiration and twenty related topics, a project contextualized and described by Neal Wilson in the Adventist Review (Mar. 20, 1980; and July 9, 1981). However, after all these years, inspiration is still the thorniest issue on the Adventist theological agenda. Alden Thompson, an Old Testament specialist who strayed into the field of Adventist Studies, came to the Church’s rescue in 1991 with a perceptive volume titled Inspiration: Hard Questions, Honest Answers. However, a polemical response from the Adventist Theological Society retarded the Church’s progress on the subject, as did self-published volumes by Samuel Koranteng-Pipim and Collin and Russell Standish. At present, understanding on this subject has reached a promising stage, as I claimed two years ago in a review published in Spectrum magazine (and on sdanet.org/At Issue).

During 2006, Bradford allowed Samuele Bacchiocchi to publish the manuscript of More Than a Prophet, thus giving his research fuller exposure in everyday language. The book is currently available online. Bradford’s principal assertion is that Ellen White was inspired and that she meets the expectations derived from Scripture for prophets and prophecy. Time seemed of the essence for publication of the book, so the text of the first edition was not thoroughly edited, a problem that will be addressed in subsequent editions. Still, worldwide clamor for the book seems to indicate a dynamic interest in its message.

Problem or Dynamic Opportunity?

Publication of Bradford’s third book seems to be galvanizing the commitment of some leading Adventists to marginalize all of his writings. In regard to this issue, several observations seem appropriate.

Firstly, Bradford’s three books aim for direct continuity with the Church’s agenda expressed coherently in 1980 and publicized effectively by the General Conference president. They attempt to convey a mature, biblical concept of inspiration and an honest account of Adventist heritage. Bradford is not omniscient. Instead, he is a committed and responsible supporter of Ellen White, someone whose writings deserve thorough investigation.

Secondly, the world church agreed during the 1980s it had crucial and essentially new data on this subject. Since then, increasingly, the information age has thoroughly democratized the discipline of Ellen White Studies. At present, there is an imperative for a more effective dialogue and dialectic to shape both understanding and application.

Thirdly, Ellen White has withstood multiple pressures since her public ministry began in December 1844. Her role can only be enhanced by closer study in the light of all available evidence; she needs less to be defended than to be understood. Thorough investigation needs to be fostered within a self-correcting process that develops necessary checks and balances as diverse minds contribute insights in a climate of open discussion. Such processes effectively advance the Church’s understanding of truth.

Conclusion

It is essential for the Church to maximize its present opportunity to revisit the agenda jointly agreed upon in 1980, evaluating the outcomes and implications fully in the light of the 1982 International Prophetic Guidance Workshop’s documents and discussions. Ellen White’s ministry is a gift of God to the entire Church. Therefore, all Adventists must be invited to engage in the processes of discovery and interpretation.

Meanwhile, let us learn from diligent explorers like Graeme Bradford, who, with limited means at their disposal, present Ellen White’s ministry with integrity, zeal, and commendable skill.

What are your thoughts? Is it time for the Church to revisit the issues of Ellen White and inspiration? Visit Spectrum’s Message Board and share your perspectives.

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