A CHALLENGE TO ANTI-TRINITARIANS IN

THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

By Max Hatton

My challenge is for you to answer this question:

Why is it that you refuse to follow the direction of Ellen G. White who
insists that her writings must not be used to formulate doctrine?

Why do you deny her counsel on such matters as the Trinity doctrine?
The Bible unquestionably supports this doctrine but you confuse the
issue, and uninformed Church members, by bringing in bits and pieces
from all over the place from the writings of Ellen G. White. You do this in
an endeavour to try and deny the Trinity doctrine. You greatly dishonour
her in doing this. The following shows that you disregard what she says
when it suits you:

THE POSITION OF THE CHURCH:

The first of the Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists states:
The Holy Scriptures are the infallible revelation of His will. They are
the standard of character, the test of experience, the authoritative
revealer of doctrines, and the trustworthy record of God’s acts in
history.

The preamble to the Statement of 28 Fundamental Beliefs of the Church

similarly states:
Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold
certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures.

Seventh-day Adventists are known as “The People of the Book.” Those

who are open to the teaching of Scripture have very few difficulties in
understanding and accepting the Second of our Fundamental Beliefs that
commences:
There is one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal
Persons.

A COMMENT FROM ME - The Bible our Sourcebook for Doctrine:

The Bible, consisting of about 1100 pages, is our source book for doctrine.
The opponents of the Trinity doctrine consistently do more of their study in the
writings of Ellen G. White who wrote according to some about 100,000 pages.
Combining the two they provide a large pool of about 101,000 pages where
they seek to develop their theology. They puddle around in this large pool and
come away dripping with a very confused picture indeed. Some go into print
exhibiting their confusion very clearly and they make sure that their confusion
spreads quickly around the world. This confusion becomes widespread
because there are always others who seem to want to gain some prominence,
so they rehash what becomes available and thus multiply the message of
confusion causing it to spread even more widely and in quick time.

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Jesus asked, “Why call me Lord, Lord, and do not do the things that I say?”
If Ellen White were alive today she would surely ask, “Why call me
Prophetess, Prophetess, and do not do the things that I say?”

HERE ARE SOME UNAMBIGUOUS STATEMENTS FROM ELLEN WHITE

ON THE MATTER:

We then took the position that the Bible, and the Bible only, was to be
our guide; and we are never to depart from this position. Manuscript
Releases, Volume 17, page 345.

God will have a people upon the earth to maintain the Bible, and the Bible
only, as the standard of all doctrines and the basis of all reforms…Before
accepting any doctrine or precept, we should demand a plain “Thus saith
the Lord.” The Great Controversy, page 595.

Let all prove their positions from the Scriptures and substantiate every
point they claim as truth from the revealed Word of God. Evangelism,
page 256.

The Bible, and the Bible alone, is to be our creed, the sole bond of union;
all who bow to this Holy Word will be in harmony. Our own views and ideas
must not control our efforts. Man is fallible, but God’s Word is infallible.
Instead of wrangling with one another, let men exalt the Lord. Let us meet
all opposition as did our Master, saying, “It is written.” Let us lift up the
banner on which is inscribed, The Bible our rule of faith and discipline.
1 Selected Messages, page 416.

ELLEN WHITE IS JUST AS CLEAR ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN

HER WRITINGS AND THE BIBLE:

Lay Sister White to one side. Do not quote my words again as long as you live
until
you can obey the Bible. When you make the Bible your food, your meat, and your
drink, when you make its principles the elements of your character, you will know
better how to receive counsel from God. I exalt the precious Word before you
today. Do not repeat what I have said, saying, “Sister White said this,” and
“Sister White said that.” Find out what the Lord God of Israel says, and then do
what He commands. 3 Selected Messages, page 33.

The testimonies of Sister White should not be carried to the front. God’s Word is
the unerring Standard. The Testimonies are not to take the place of the Word….Let
all prove their positions from the Scriptures and substantiate every point they
claim as truth from the revealed Word of God. Evangelism, page 256.

Little heed is given to the Bible, and the Lord has given a lesser light to lead men
and women to the greater light. 3 Selected Messages, page 30.

The Spirit was not given –nor can it ever be bestowed—to supersede the Bible; for
the Scriptures explicitly state that the word of God is the standard by which all

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 teaching and experience must be tested. The Great Controversy, page vii.

Our position and faith is in the Bible. And never do we want any soul to bring in
the Testimonies ahead of the Bible. Evangelism, page 256.

There can be no doubt as to where the Church stands and where Ellen White
stood on this matter:
[Christ] pointed to the Scriptures as of unquestionable authority, and we should
do the same. The Bible is to be presented as the Word of the infinite God, as the
end of all controversy and foundation of all faith. Christ’s Object Lessons, page
39.

I REPEAT MY CHALLENGE:
My challenge is for Seventh-day Adventist anti-Trinitarians to provide a clear
reply to the question – “Why do you not honour Ellen White and confine your
arguments to a study of the Bible alone?” To be a genuine Seventh-day Adventist
you must do this.

I would also request that you make your response publicly available – publish
your individual response on your website. I can assure you that many Adventists
will be looking for your response. No informed Church member will take much
notice of you otherwise.

We are not involved in a hobby; we are not playing a game. You have failed to
respond to this matter in the past and I will have to take it that you cannot
satisfactorily respond if you remain silent this time.

I wish you God’s blessing as you faithfully consider this matter and along with
many others I will be interestedly awaiting your response.

mhatton@bigpond.net.au