The Seventh-day Adventist view of the Public Participation of Women

Ellen Gould Harmon and the SDA’s

Sometimes we wonder why certain groups, denominations, or movements hold to a certain position when, in fact, such a position differs from what is plainly stated in the text of Scripture. In no way are we being obscurantist about this, but simply facing the clear facts of the Bible. Probably you and I can think of many examples of this but the way that I wish to cite presently has to do with the Seventh-day Adventist denomination.

Also, probably most of you who are reading this article have some background into this issue already but it is good to review this that deals with this matter from the Bible. The eighteenth century was one of searching and upheaval in the United States. Many people grew tired of the religions that had dominated religion for years and were looking for something more. Thus, we find the Mormons beginning about 1830, the “Church of Christ, Scientist” also beginning in the 1800s, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church all beginning and growing in the nineteenth century. Interestingly, the second and third denomination mentioned above were begun by women! Of course, there was also the Free Methodist Church that came from the Methodist movement and the Pentecostal Churches that arose at the end of the eighteenth century and the beginning of the nineteenth centuries.

At the time of the “Great Disappointment” that can be traced to 1843 and 1844, and led by William Miller, a farmer of New England, in which many people concluded that Christ was coming back to set up His kingdom, we find the beginnings of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination. Ellen Gould Harmon concluded that God had revealed to her that Christ actually was not returning when many thought He was but actually went from the heavenly “Holy Place” to the “Most Holy Place” (in heaven) to evaluate the deeds of the faithful. Further, in vision, Harmon received a “revelation” that Christians were to observe the seventh-day Sabbath day. Thus began the Seventh-day Adventist church, let by an ambitious girl (who married James White), that was based on the visionary Harmon.

Even though Ellen married James White, she was the real “head” of the marriage. Further, she was the undisputed head of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Today, if one were to visit this church, Ellen would be quoted and extolled in many different ways. It seems that she is cited as the authority and lifted up as God’s spokes person (in generations gone by we would call such a person a “spokesman” but today, in this age of “liberation,” people have refrained from such “masculine” terms). Thus, we must conclude that this denomination, like so many before and since, was not only founded by a woman but also led by a woman!

Do we see any problem with this?  Although today members are embroiled in discussions (even debates) over the proper roles of the woman in Adventism, we know that the church was begun by Ellen G. White. Further, we know also that women played a leading role in the ongoing leadership of the church. In our day, women have a leading part in teaching, in singing, in writing, and in almost every facet of leadership. We may rightfully say that women are leaders, teachers, and hold an important place in Adventism’s work and worship.

Is there anything wrong with this? Indeed, there is! And most Biblical students know that there is. What does the Bible say? We know that it doesn’t mention Seventh-day Adventism, but what does God’s Word say about women’s leadership? We do want to acknowledge that there are many fine members of this denomination (in a sense), that it promotes many different moral stances, and that their missionary outreach and medical missions are legendary.

Sadly, we must acknowledge that Ellen G. White was deeply involved in false doctrine. Anyone who reads the New Testament with an open mind can easily see this and must not only denounce this false doctrine but also must point out the outspoken teaching of this capable but faulty woman who insisted on taking the undisputed lead!

Ellen G. White lived from November 26, 1827 until July 16, 1915. We find this explanation of White’s contribution to this American organization:

Along with other Adventist leaders such as Joseph Bates and her husband James White, she was instrumental within a small group of early Adventists who formed what became known as the Seventh-day Adventist Church. White is considered a leading figure in American vegetarian history. The Smithsonian magazine named Ellen G. White among the “100 Most Significant Americans of All Time.” White’s writings still influence people today.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_G._White).

What else do we read?

White claimed to have received over 2,000 visions and dreams from God in public and private meetings throughout her life, which were witnessed by Adventist pioneers and the general public. She verbally described and published for public consumption the content of each vision. The Adventist pioneers viewed these experiences as the Biblical gift of prophecy as outlined in Revelation 12:17 and Revelation 19:10 which describe the testimony of Jesus as the “spirit of prophecy.” (Ibid.)

Granted that White was a controversial figure who was literary beyond all competition, we read this:

Historian Randall Balmer has described White as “one of the more important and colorful figures in the history of American religion”. Walter Martin described her as “one of the most fascinating and controversial personages ever to appear upon the horizon of religious history”. Arthur L. White, her grandson and biographer, writes that Ellen G. White is the most translated female non-fiction author in the history of literature, as well as the most translated American non-fiction author of either gender. Her writings covered a broad range of subjects, including religion, social relationships, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, creationism, agriculture, theology, evangelism, Christian lifestyle, education, and health. She advocated vegetarianism. She promoted and has been instrumental in the establishment of schools and medical centers all over the world, with the most renowned being Andrews University in Michigan and the Loma Linda University and Medical Center in California.

During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books. As of 2019 more than 200 White titles are available in English, including compilations from her 100,000 pages of manuscript published by the Ellen G. White Estate, which are accessible at the Adventist Book Center. Her most notable books are Steps to Christ, The Desire of Ages and The Great Controversy. (Ibid.)

This shows her widespread writings and extensive impact on not only her own religious heritage but also on American religion itself! Indeed, White must be reckoned with in many ways! It is true that he has been accused of being a renowned plagiarist, but still she must have been a captivating author.

What does the Bible say? Or, as Paul asked, “What does the Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3a). This is important since God is the One who has inspired Scripture and one day we will be judged by the same Scripture (cf. John 12:48). Since we have written on this subject at other times, let’s just make a few comments:

1. “A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet” (1 Timothy 2:11-12; cf. v. 13-15). Notice that this authoritative instruction is not merely given to women living in Ephesus (the place where Timothy resided at this time) but to others as well.
2. “The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak; but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says” (1 Corinthians 14:34; cf. 33-37).
3. “I want the men [aner, males] in every place to pray; lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension” (1 Timothy 2:8). Notice that the men/males (as the Greek makes clear) are to be the ones who pray publically—not the women).
4. “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife” (1 Timothy 3:2a). Notice that it is the men/males who are to be the husbands, the overseers, or the managers (see vv. 1-7).
5. “If any man is above reproach, the husband or one wife…” Only the males/men are to be elders (v. 5), overseers (v. 7) or teachers (v. 9).

Of course, we could go to many other passages of Scripture, including the fact that only men/males were chosen to be apostles (cf. Matthew 10:1-5), to be elders (Acts 20:17), or to be shepherds (1 Peter 5:2).

It is also probably good to remind ourselves that most men/males are not able to become apostles, overseers, shepherds, or elders. They simply are not qualified. So it is not just a matter of women but also men. We think that many overlook this important fact.

It is clear that women are not to become ones with authority over the opposite sex, but maybe we should emphasize what they can do, are qualified to do, and do well! Instead of bemoaning the fact that women are not permitted by God to have authority over the man, let’s remember that they are not only allowed but commanded to be involved in many activities to glorify God! (See such passages as Romans 16:1-16; Philippians 4:2; Acts 2:17-21; 21:9; etc.)

Let’s be involved in all that is open to us, be content with what God has forbidden to us, and always be active in doing what we can do for the Lord.

With this in mind, we know that the Seventh-day Adventist denomination has violently violated what God has commanded through Scripture. It seems that millions of these sweet and kind people openly permit what God has forbidden and forbid what God has clearly permitted! Especially in regards to their founder (Ellen G. White), it seems that they openly promote a veneration of a woman who has openly  violated the commands of Scripture.

Instead of condemning this woman as being worthy of condemnation, they seem to laud her participation and consider her the leading latter-day prophetess. Further, it does seem that in some quarters, women are permitted and encouraged to violate the dictates of God’s Word. We can neither understand this sort of wholesale disobedience nor promote this denominational leadership that millions look on with favor and commendation.

It is time to have a proper view of all of this. On the one hand, we want to commend all of the good and worthy work that this denomination does on a regular basis. They definitely do promote good nutrition, works of mercy, extensive service, definite outreach, and so much more. They believe in Biblical creation, the inspiration of the Bible, and other Scriptural elements. On the other hand, they openly defy Scriptural limitations on the participation of the female gender. Especially prominent is this denomination’s exaltation of a false teacher (or false prophetess). We’ve noticed this already. We find a curious combination of these elements that make this denomination unique in the realm of churchianity.

May God be glorified in this and in all other ways!

–Richard Hollerman