| Author | Message | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 431 Registered: 11-2007 |
OK, I don't actualy read her writings except on this forum and at another forum. Nothing has changed compared to when I was an adventist and used to read her for 'edification and pleasure'. I get about the first sentence and then everything fades into a swirling mass of giberish. When I get to the bottom of the page I don't remember anything that I have read. The worst part is that the first sentence or two, many times, will actually be a Biblically based statement but it goes downhill from there. Here is an example of what I read. Christ died on the cross blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, more blah, blah, blah.... Like I said, even when I was an adventist,it read like this. I think that is why a lot of people don't realize the errors of her writings...they read but it doesn't sink in. Am I alone here in this thinking? Surfy | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 9061 Registered: 12-2003  |
Actually, Surfy, many of us read her stuff that way. I actually did TRY to follow her train of thought, but I would find myself just zoning out and losing focus. I'd have to read the same passages over and over to "get it". I always thought of her writings with a sense of heaviness and dread and also guilt because they just didn't seem as inspiring and helpful as other people said they were. I though it was me! I think you're on to something, Surfy. Colleen | ||
| Surfy Registered user Username: Surfy Post Number: 432 Registered: 11-2007 |
Whew! I thought it was just me. No wonder people can read her all their lives and still not know what she says. Surfy | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 6053 Registered: 3-2004  |
When I was at La Sierra one of my Bible classes used the Desire of Ages as a textbook along with the Bible (DoA was quoted more). I read that book, believed what I read and cried when I read of Jesus death and some other things. When I tried to read it in later years it just did not appeal to me. I also read the Adventist Home and got really angry at my to be husband for not reading it, as he claimed to be SDA, but only converted so I would marry him. That is another story. I also took a course offered through the church about the Testimonies in 1969/70. I remember a few things from there, but they hold no relevance for me now. I will say I was a typical SDA. Not very loving to those who differed from me,especially my ex. Our awesome God has taken me out of adventism and for that I am thankful. Diana L | ||
| Jorgfe Registered user Username: Jorgfe Post Number: 1411 Registered: 11-2005 |
Surfy, your share an observation that many of us have made. Let's "Ask Ellen" what she thinks. Ask Ellen - What I Meant To Say Question: Dear Ellen, A friend loaned me a copy of a book called White Washed by Sydney Cleveland. Such terrible material! I don’t see how people can write things like this about you. Anyway, there is something I need to know the honest truth about. On page 142 it has a photograph of your handwritten manuscript for page 184, "Objections to the Bible". And there in your own handwriting you wrote: Human minds vary the minds of different education and thought receive different impressions of the same words and it is difficult for one mind to give to a different temperament education and habits of thought by language exactly the same idea as that which his clear and distinct in his own mind. (Manuscript 24, 1886, written in Europe in 1886)And it appears that your copyists changed your inspired writing in Selected Messages to say: Human minds vary. The minds of different education and thought receive different impressions of the same words, and it is difficult for one mind to give to one of a different temperament, education, and habits of thought by language exactly the same idea as that which is clear and distinct in his own mind. (Selected Messages, vol 1, page 19)In any event, I am trying to understand exactly what you are saying here. Can you help me understand? Signed, Searching for Truth Answer: Dear Searching, You came to the right place! These additional statements of mine should clear up any confusion. Yet now when I send you a testimony of warning and reproof, many of you declare it to be merely the opinion of Sister White. You have thereby insulted the Spirit of God. You know how the Lord has manifested Himself through the spirit of prophecy. Past, present, and future have passed before me. (Testimonies, vol 5, page 65)I intended to say what I meant to say, which is what I said. But my copyists changed it to mean something different. So the way that it got published does not mean what it meant. I appreciate this opportunity to share with you the light that I have received, and look forward to your questions. Ellen White | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 6054 Registered: 3-2004 |
Confusion, utter confusion!!! Diana L | ||
| Philharris Registered user Username: Philharris Post Number: 1196 Registered: 5-2007  |
Ellen White always confused me. But, my conclusion as a 'good Adventist' is that there was something wrong with me. Kind of like I was sub-human and couldn't think like 'normal' people. One of the joys of being on this forum is to find out my reactions and thinking really was normal...and still is. Phil | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 6060 Registered: 3-2004 |
One of the things I remember, of what I read in EGW's writings, is the utter feeling of not being good enough to make it to heaven. I could not be perfect. I quit trying and just pushed it to the back of my mind. I was never aware of the double talk, the Bible contradictions. I was a very good SDA believing everything I learned and I did not question it. Diana L | ||
| Ardyj Registered user Username: Ardyj Post Number: 91 Registered: 8-2006  |
Hi Surfy. I mainly lurk, but when I read your post, I had to reply. That is exactly what I felt when trying to read anything she wrote. It rather bothers me that I felt that way for years; but would never really 'fess up to it. Guess I figured it was me, but deep down I knew better. In later years, when my husband was figuring out (probably had already figured out) adventism, and presented some of his thoughts in ss class; after church a lady would call us and"beat us over the head" with quotes from her writings. It really boggles my mind that I didn't put all of this together until much later. I praise God for His finding me and the Holy Spirit for removing the veil. I am thankful over and over each and every day of this new life in Jesus Christ! Ardyj | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 6063 Registered: 3-2004 |
I used to belong to an SDA dating website. I met an SDA man there who always quoted EGW. This was after I moved to NV. I was not on my way out that I realized. Any way, when he wrote to me quoting EGW, I wrote back saying that as nice as her writings/quotes were I liked the Bible better(hmmm, was that God talking to me?). His last letter quoted a verse from the Bible about two being unequally yoked. I never heard from him again. God had to knock me over the head before He got my attention. Thank you awesome God for doing that. Diana L | ||
| Bskillet Registered user Username: Bskillet Post Number: 26 Registered: 8-2008 |
One thing I remember from Ellen's writings is how different from the Bible or other Christian writers she sounded. She didnt' sound deep or joyful like, for instance, C.S. Lewis. I could never figure out what all the fuss was about with EGW. Her writings to me always seemed quite low quality. |
