No comment from me. There are way to many quotes from the Spirit of Prophecy to prove where she stood on this manner. That and the Bible is where I do for direction. We all have chocies to make.

Avalee:

I have no intention of changing your mind.

But, what does one do when one is faced with evidence that contradicts one's beleif? I am confining my question to this situation.

One might:

a) Decide that one's belief needs revision. In this case, it would be that one's understanding of what EGW actually said, needs revision.

b) One might decide that EGW was an imperfect human, and therefore, as we all do, did not perfectly practice her beliefs.

c) One might find a way to explain away the evidence. I.e. One could conclude that one would only accept that EGW read a fictious story to her children if one could find an explicit statement from her, such as: "Last night I read . . ., which you all will know is a work of fiction, to my children."

Avalee, would your spiritual foundation crash if you concluded that either "a" or "b" was true?

What does it mean to be dedicated to follow truth wherever it leads, even if agains previous beliefs?

Still no comment.

Sounds like a whole new topic to me.

As far as this topic goes, the Harry Potter books are definitely satanic and should not be read.

We should be very careful about what we read.

As far as this side discussion on EGW goes, I would need to investigate this further myself.

Is there still a living person who knew Ellen White and may be able to shed some light on this?

I see this thread is about "what we SDAs should or should not read." I don't see that this issue is at all about what Sister white did, ate or read, she like Christ and all of us "learned obedience through suffering" . the Bottom line is what did the inspired writings of our prophet tell us and do we believe what God says. If we do, we have no questions.

We are told to guard the avenues of the soul.

"Guard the Avenues to the Soul. "--"The apostle sought to teach the believers how important it is to keep the mind from wandering to forbidden themes or from spending its energies on trifling subjects. Those who would not fall a prey to Satan's devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind must not be left to dwell at random upon every subject that the enemy of souls may suggest. "

Mind, Character, and Personality Volume 2--pg- 591

Fiction Creates an Imaginary World. --You have indulged in novel and story reading until you live in an imaginary world. The influence of such reading is injurious to both the mind and the body; it weakens the intellect and brings a fearful tax upon the physical strength. At times your mind is scarcely sane because the imagination
has been overexcited and diseased by reading fictitious stories. The mind should be so disciplined that all its powers will be symmetrically developed. . . ."

Our guidlines are the following texts:

Phi 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things."

Psa 101:3 "I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me."

Now shall we discredit these texts because we may find/judge in the writers lives something me may not approve of. Are we not to accept the "All scripture is inspired by the holy Spirit" and the same Holy Spirit inspired Ellen White.? Why are we searching so hard for a way to justify not taking the words of the SOP, as TRUTH.

Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students--- The False and the True in Education-----PG- 383

"By fostering a love for mere amusement, the reading of fiction creates a distaste for life's practical duties. Through its exciting, intoxicating power it is not infrequently a cause of both mental and physical disease. Many a miserable, neglected home, many a lifelong invalid, many an inmate of the insane asylum, has
become such through the habit of novel reading."

You say Jesus used parables...Yes, He Did. Were they for teaching bible truths based on what was happening or did happen is the recent past? i believe Ellen says so. Were they uplifting God's Law,mercy,grace/obedience parables and lessons in the saving Grace of God in their lives? God/Jesus centered parables, not adulterated by the world in any way, I would just guess, that God would still approve of this. I still remember reading the "Uncle Arthur Bedtime Stories" {the old ones...1940s] to my children and if some os those wonderful stories were made up.....so be it, they placed good moral goals [fruits of the Spirit] in the hearts of my Children.

But none of my/your words are inspired.

I would be greatly disappointed if a thread were opened up to disguss the credibility of our Prophet, Ellen White.

We are told that God leaves much "evidence" for the sceptic to doubt. To research this is to bring out evidence as to who is a believer and who is not. I am a believer and i don't have to explore her life/lifestyle to give me assurance that Ellen White was given to this last day church as our God inspired Prophet, it is so because God said it is so.

It is also so because the Spirit of Prophecy says it is so. To doubt is to sin.

If we had a hundred testimonies surviving pioneers, there are those that would not believe "though He raise one from the dead."

Instead, lets up Praise The Lord for His ever Loving guidance.

What about "Uncle Arthur Bedtime Stories"?

Were they fiction?

If so, are they an exception?

Are there any exceptions?

Also, what about the "Children Story" portion of our worship service? Are many of them fictional stories?

like i said in my above post.....

the bible gives us the guidlines. Why are we questioning this. And what Ellen White says is in line with this??? I don't understand. Your trying to make somthing out of nothing.

Psa 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; [it] shall not cleave to me.

Phi 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.


What about this do we not understand

Charlene:

I do not think that this is about EGWs credibility. God used her, and gave her a special place in the SDA Chruch. But, it is appropriate to discuss what EGW meant in her writings. It is also appropriate to discuss how she applied her writings to her life. In doing so, we can not expect that she applied them perfectly. She was human, and stated that she ws imperfect. But, as an honest person, we can suggest that her application in her own life has something to say about what her writings meant.


Daryl:

Those who know the history of BEDTIME STORIES know that A. S. Maxwell based them on experiences that he and his wife had with their children, and that other people told him. However, he then took those true events and wrote the stories in a manner to illustrate the truth he wanted to teach, regardless of that actual reality of the way he had writtten it. He also disguised people, as his children served as the inspiration for many of the stories.