Page 601 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM

“God would not have his people adopt the so-called church age in no way do so. No one studying these
reform dress. It is immodest apparel, wholly unfitted verses alone would arrive at the doctrines that the
for the modest, humble followers of Christ. ... Those Adventists build from them. The perversions of
who feel called out to join the movement in favor of Scripture were encouraged by Ellen White’s visions and
woman's rights and the so-called dress reform, might “inspired” interpretations. The following quote confirms
as well sever all connection with the third angel's this suspicion:
message. ... Let them adopt this costume, and their
influence is dead. ... They [the sisters] would destroy “Many of our people do not realize how firmly the
their influence and that of their husbands. They would foundation of our faith has been laid. My husband,
become a byword and a derision. ... God would not Elder Joseph Bates, Father Pierce, Elder Edson, and
have us take a course to lessen or destroy our influence others who were keen, noble, and true, were among
with the world" (Testimonies for the Church, vol. I, pp. those who, after the passing of time in 1844, searched
421, 422, June 1863). for the truth as for hidden treasure. I met with them,
She also said that women should wear long dresses and we studied and prayed earnestly. Often we
and should not make themselves stand out as a gazing- remained together until late at night, and sometimes
through the entire night, praying for light and studying
stock. the Word.
“If women would wear their dresses so as to clear the “Again and again these brethren came together to
filth of the streets an inch or two, their dresses would study the Bible in order that they might know its
be modest and they could be kept clean much more meaning, and be prepared to teach it with power.
easily, and would wear longer. Such a dress would be When they came to the point in their study where they
in accordance with our faith” (Ibid. p. 424). said, ‘We can do nothing more,’ the Spirit of the Lord
“Christians should not take pains to make themselves a would come upon me, I would be taken off in vision,
gazing-stock by dressing differently from the and a clear explanation of the passages we had been
world” (Ibid., p. 458). studying would be given me, with instruction as to
A year later White issued a contradictory prophecy in how we were to labor and teach effectively.
support of the reform dress. This was after she attended “Thus light was given that helped us to understand the
a health clinic and saw one of the “doctors” wearing Scriptures in regard to Christ, His mission, and His
such a dress. priesthood. A line of truth extending from that time to
“God would now have His people adopt the reform the time when we shall enter the city of God, was
made plain to me, and I gave to others the instruction
dress, not only to distinguish them from the world as that the Lord had given me.
His ‘peculiar people,’ but because a reform in dress is
essential to physical and mental health" (Ellen White, During this whole time I could not understand the
Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 525, 1864) reasoning of the brethren. My mind was locked, as it
White said that she was speaking by divine revelation were, and I could not comprehend the meaning of the
Scriptures we were studying. This was one of the
and that those who refused to adopt the reform dress greatest sorrows of my life. I was in this condition of
were rejecting the light. mind until all the principal points of our faith were
“I have done my duty; I have borne my testimony, and made clear to our minds, in harmony with the word of
those who have heard me and read that which I have God. The brethren knew that when not in vision, I
written, must bear the responsibility of receiving or could not understand these matters, and they accepted
rejecting the light given” (Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 523). as light direct from heaven the revelations
A few years later, White simply stopped wearing the given” (Messenger to the Remnant, pgs. 38-39, quoting
reform dress and refused to answer questions about the Ellen G. White Special Testimony, Series B, No. 2, pp.
matter from her confused followers (D.M. Canright, The 56-57).
Life of Mrs. E.G. White, chapter 19). In this testimony Ellen White admits that the
3. The true prophetic gift guaranteed infallible Adventist doctrines were evolved through
revelation. Adventists defend Mrs. White’s visions and interpretations derived from the authority of her visions.
writings as revelation, but not as infallible. This is a 5. Women are not to teach nor usurp authority over
distinction the Bible does not allow. Divine prophecies men. God calls men, not women, to lead the churches
are not partially inspired. Any deviation from truth, any (1 Timothy 2:11-12). There were no female apostles,
failure in prediction, marks the prophet as false (De. and women are not qualified to be pastor-elders (1 Ti.
18:21-22). 3:1-2; Tit. 1:5-6). Ellen White lived in direct opposition
4. Mrs. White’s visions encouraged twisted views of to these commands and examples. Not only did she
Scripture to suit SDA doctrine. The verses offered by guide in the development of SDA doctrine, but she was
Adventist teachers as proof texts for doctrines such as also a leading figure in the development of the SDA
Investigative Judgment or sabbath-keeping in the organization. She maintained a diligent public speaking
ministry, addressing large mixed crowds of men and

Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity 601