There’s a question that feels increasingly unavoidable in Adventism’s current moment—maybe even a perfectly acceptable one at this point in our history:
What do we do with Ellen White?
For some, she has been a genuine source of inspiration—clarity, conviction, spiritual energy. For others, she has been a source of deep disappointment, even disillusionment. Many find her writings inspired and life-changing. Others can’t get past what feels equally unavoidable: she was human, she made mistakes, and yes—she borrowed heavily from other sources.
That tension isn’t going away. Pretending it doesn’t exist hasn’t helped anyone.
So instead of rehearsing the same old arguments, I want to take a different approach—an experiential one.
Here’s the question I’ve started asking myself:
When I read Ellen White and actually try to put her counsel into practice, what difference does it make in my life?
Not in theory. Not in doctrinal debates. In lived reality.
For me, the answer has been surprisingly grounded. Read in bite-sized portions, with a decent amount of historical context, her writings often have a positive effect. They push me toward discipline, intention, care for others, and a more thoughtful spiritual life. Not always. Not uncritically. But often enough to notice.
That matters.
At the same time, we need to talk honestly about the standards we apply to her.
Should Ellen White be held to a higher bar than biblical prophets? A bar where she must live a spotless life, never make a mistake, never reflect her time, and—despite a limited formal education and a radically different historical context—never draw from other writers?
That seems like an impossibly high standard.
And yes, I realize that’s a controversial thing to say.
But it’s worth saying anyway.
The Bible itself is full of prophets who were complicated, inconsistent, culturally embedded, and sometimes flat-out wrong about things that weren’t central to God’s saving work. Yet we’ve learned—at least in theory—to read them with nuance, humility, and context.
Somehow, Ellen White often gets denied that same generosity.
So what do we do with her?
Some people will close the book entirely—and that should be an individual choice. No coercion. No fear. No spiritual threats attached.
Others will keep reading, selectively, thoughtfully, critically—and find genuine blessing there.
What must be crystal clear is this:
You are not saved by your acceptance of Ellen White.
You are saved by Jesus—by your trust in Him, your openness to His grace, your willingness to follow where He leads.
Full stop.
Ellen White doesn’t stand at the gates of heaven. She never claimed to.
But it’s also possible—for some—that listening to what she has to say can still be a blessing. Not because she was perfect. Not because she was above history. But because imperfect people, situated in real moments, can still point others toward something good.
Maybe the question isn’t whether we need to say goodbye to Ellen White.
Maybe the better question is whether we can finally let her be what she always was: a human voice—sometimes helpful, sometimes flawed—inviting us, again and again, to take Jesus seriously.
And what you do with that invitation?
That’s up to you.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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