Ellen G. White's false prediction about the end of the world raises doubts about her credibility as a genuine prophetess.
White's endorsement of scientifically inaccurate ideas and claims about humans amalgamating with animals contradicts scientific understanding.
The lack of strong confirmations and accurate prophetic predictions in White's writings casts doubt on the accuracy and divine inspiration of her prophecies.
Evidence suggests that White extensively plagiarized from other authors, raising concerns about the authenticity of her writings.
Deep dives
Ellen G. White's visions and prophecies
Ellen G. White, co-founder of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, claimed to receive over 2,000 visions and revelations from God. She believed that her writings were divinely inspired and contained important counsel from God. However, there are reasons to be skeptical of her claims. One reason is the false prediction she made about the end of the world, which did not come true. Additionally, she endorsed scientifically inaccurate ideas, such as the belief in the pseudo-science of phrenology, and she made claims about humans amalgamating with animals, which goes against scientific understanding. Another problematic aspect is her vision of other planets, where she described Jupiter and Saturn with an accurate number of moons based on 19th-century knowledge, but modern science has revealed that both planets have many more moons than she described.
Questionable methods of evaluating prophecies
When evaluating Ellen G. White's prophecies, it is important to consider the methods used. Some Seventh Day Adventists argue that prophecies can be conditional and subject to change based on people's actions. However, it is difficult to believe that the actions of a small group at a conference in 1856 could reschedule major world events like the seven last plagues and the second coming. Furthermore, her prophecy about the participants of the conference did not come true, as all of them died before the second coming. These questionable methods and explanations raise doubts about the credibility of her prophecies.
Inaccurate health warnings and beliefs
Ellen G. White's writings contained health warnings and beliefs that are scientifically problematic. She warned against wearing wigs, claiming that they caused blood to rush to the base of the brain and led to physical and mental health problems. However, this is not scientifically supported. She also believed that the Great Flood was caused by interbreeding between humans and animals, a claim scientifically unfounded and widely regarded as a pseudoscience. These inaccurate health warnings and beliefs further raise doubts about the accuracy and inspiration of her writings.
Lack of strong prophetic confirmation
When examining Ellen G. White's prophecies, there is a lack of strong confirmations. Claims of fulfilled prophecies are often weak and rely on superficial resemblances or random chance. Specific examples, such as a prediction related to the September 11 attacks, do not align with the actual events. Additionally, no strong prophetic misses are found in her writings. Overall, there is a lack of compelling evidence supporting the idea that her prophecies were accurate or divinely inspired.
Questioning Ellen White's Visions
Ellen White's visions were not about providing scientific knowledge, but rather to strengthen faith. Captain Bates doubted Ellen's visions, so she needed to confirm her powers. The vision was given in Bates's presence to give him confidence. Ellen's vision corresponded to what telescopes showed in 1846, which was known to Bates.
Prophetic Missteps in Ellen's Vision
Ellen's reports of the inhabitants of Jupiter and Saturn contradicted what we currently know, as both planets are gas giants without people or green grass. The planets were likely Jupiter and Saturn based on Bates's knowledge at the time, but the claimed inhabitants do not align with scientific understanding.
Plagiarism and Financial Motives
Evidence suggests that Ellen plagiarized extensively from other authors without giving proper credit. She passed off the work of ghostwriters as her own and displayed a guilty mind about her actions, trying to keep her plagiarism secret. Her pursuit of financial gain through selling her books and her affluent lifestyle raise concerns.
Seventh-day Adventist founder Ellen White reported receiving more than 2,000 visions from God and that her writings were divinely inspired. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask whether Ellen was a genuine prophetess and if her visions were really from God.
