Interpreting Prophetic Writings — Teacher Helps

20.11.2026

Teacher Comments

Part I: Overview

Key Text:

Study Focus: ; ; ; ; –49.

Introduction

Interpreting Scripture and the writings of Ellen G. White requires careful attention to context, intent, and the guiding work of the Holy Spirit. In (ESV), the word “interpreted” (Greek diermēneuō) means to explain, interpret, or expound, as Jesus did when He clarified the Scriptures to some disciples on the road to Emmaus. This meaning highlights the importance of rightly understanding and conveying God’s messages, rather than imposing upon them our personal assumptions. Likewise, interpreting Ellen G. White’s writings involves examining her words within their historical and literary context, while ensuring they align with the biblical foundation she upheld. This lesson thus appropriately moves from principles of interpreting Scripture to interpreting Ellen G. White’s writings.

Part II: Commentary

A correct understanding of the Bible requires correct principles of interpretation.

The following ten principles help explain how to interpret Scripture and hear God speak from His Word. (The ten principles are drawn from Richard M. Davidson, “Interpreting Scripture: An Hermeneutical ‘Decalogue,’ ” Journal of the Adventist Theological Society 4, no. 2 [1993]: pp. 95–114.)

The Bible Alone: The Bible is the ultimate authority in faith and practice (). All doctrines and beliefs must be tested against Scripture, which stands above tradition, reason, and experience. While general revelation through nature and prophecy exists, Scripture remains the final standard, helping us to avoid isolationist interpretations and overreliance on creeds.

The Totality of Scripture: All Scripture, not just select passages, should inform faith. Misinterpretations arise when verses are taken out of context, as seen in Satan’s deliberate misuse of Scripture during Jesus’ temptations (). Believers should consider the complete biblical picture to avoid distortion.

The Analogy (Harmony) of Scripture: Scripture is internally consistent and should be the criterion for its interpretation: Scripture interprets Scripture (). Readers must allow Scripture to correct their biases, as they continually compare individual passages with the broader biblical message.

Spiritual Discernment: Understanding Scripture requires the Holy Spirit’s guidance (). Prayerful study fosters humility and receptiveness to divine illumination. Therefore, pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit every time you study and meditate on the Bible.

Text and Translation: Because translations involve interpretation, studying original languages or comparing multiple translations can enhance our understanding. Formal translations, closely aligned with the original biblical languages, are preferred for careful study.

Historical Context: Every passage has a historical and cultural setting. Understanding both the author’s context and his or her audience deepens interpretation. When approaching a biblical book, seek to understand the following historical areas: the author, date, audience, situation the book addresses, culture, politics, and geography. Biblical commentaries and encyclopedias will help in each of these areas.

Literary Context: Recognizing the genre and the passage’s placement within its immediate and broader context helps uncover its meaning. Literary context refers to the words that come immediately before and after a passage. “The context of a sentence is its paragraph, the context of a paragraph is the series of paragraphs that precede and follow it, and the context of a chapter is the surrounding chapters. Ultimately, the whole book in which a passage appears is its controlling context.”—William W. Klein et al., Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017), p. 294.

Grammatical/Syntactical Analysis: Studying the structure and meaning of words in context reveals nuances essential for accurate interpretation. Thus, grammatical analysis and word studies can be helpful for understanding a biblical passage.

Theological Analysis: Interpreters should explore what a passage reveals about God and how it fits into broader theological themes. Theological analysis involves interpreting a passage in its larger literary context of the Testament in which it occurs and, finally, in the light of the entire biblical canon of 66 books. The interpreter must determine where a passage fits in relation to Christ. What does it say about Him?

Practical Application: Finally, apply the text’s principles to daily life, discerning timeless truths that guide faith and personal conduct.

For Further Study: Richard M. Davidson, “Biblical Interpretation,” in Handbook of Seventh-day Adventist Theology, ed. Raoul Dederen (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2000), pp. 58–104; and John C. Peckham, God With Us: An Introduction to Adventist Theology (Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press; Biblical Research Institute, 2023), pp. 331–342.

Ellen G. White’s writings also require correct principles of interpretation.

Discuss the following eight guidelines for correctly interpreting Ellen G. White’s writings. (The eight guidelines are drawn from Michael W. Campbell and Jud S. Lake, The Pocket Ellen G. White Dictionary [Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2018], pp. 21–30.)

First, study the Bible. Ellen G. White never intended for her writings to replace Scripture; instead, she emphasized the Bible as the supreme source of God’s revelation. She described her writings as an inspired application of biblical principles, much as the biblical prophets who interpreted Scripture for their audiences. Therefore, readers should prioritize studying the Bible and then read her writings in light of Scripture, not vice versa.

Second, consider all available information on a topic. To grasp Ellen G. White’s whole perspective on a subject, one must examine her statements comprehensively rather than relying on isolated excerpts. The Ellen G. White Estate website (https://egwwritings.org) provides a searchable database of her writings, allowing researchers to explore her writings. However, context is crucial. Statements should be read within their literary setting to avoid misinterpretation, which leads us to our next guideline.

Third, examine statements in their literary context. The meaning of Ellen White’s writings is best understood by analyzing the surrounding paragraphs, chapters, and books. Taking statements out of context distorts her message, a concern she frequently addressed. She warned against isolating sentences to support personal biases, rather than considering the full scope of her teachings. “Ellen White’s flow of thought, like that of any organized writer, was a series of related ideas she organized to communicate a specific concept. This communication involved a logical flow in which one thought led naturally to the next. In this way she communicated like most people communicate, with a series of selected ideas, all linked together in a logical pattern. Thus, each sentence she wrote must be understood in light of the other ideas expressed in the context, which is her train of thought.”—Jud Lake, Ellen White Under Fire: Identifying the Mistakes of Her Critics (Nampa, ID: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 2010), p. 182.

Fourth, analyze statements in their historical context. Ellen G. White’s writings must be understood within the broader historical framework of the nineteenth century, including significant political, social, and religious movements. Contextual elements such as war, social reforms, and church development influenced her messages. Time, place, and circumstances in Seventh-day Adventist history also played a key role in her counsel. She urged readers to consider the historical setting when interpreting her statements. Several biographical and historical resources help contextualize her work, including The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia and George Knight’s Ellen White’s World (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1998).

Fifth, identify underlying principles. It is essential to distinguish between universal principles and time-bound applications. For example, Ellen G. White once advised men not to shave on the Sabbath, a directive relevant in an era when shaving was labor-intensive. The principle behind this statement—avoiding unnecessary work on the Sabbath—remains applicable, but the specific practice may differ in modern times. Identifying the timeless principles in her writings allows for meaningful application in contemporary contexts.

Sixth, avoid extreme interpretations. Ellen G. White’s writings emphasize balance; yet, history shows that some have misapplied her counsel in extreme ways. For example, her advice on limiting egg consumption was specific to health concerns of the time; yet, some interpreted it as a universal ban. She repeatedly warned against such rigid, legalistic interpretations, cautioning that these extremes distort her intended message and misrepresent the truth.

Seventh, understand that inspiration is not verbal dictation. Ellen G. White did not claim that every word she wrote was dictated by God; thus, she rejected the idea of verbal dictation. Instead, she emphasized that inspiration works through human expression, similar to how biblical writers conveyed divine truths in their own words. A rigid view of inspiration often leads to misinterpretation, either by elevating her writings to an absolute, unchangeable authority or using discrepancies to discredit her messages.

Eighth, maintain a spiritual mindset. Interpreting Ellen G. White’s writings requires prayer, humility, and an open mind. George R. Knight advises readers to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and avoid allowing personal biases to control interpretation. Ellen White herself warned against a skeptical attitude, stating that those who desire to doubt will always find reasons to do so. Her writings should not be used as a tool to judge others but rather as personal guidance for spiritual growth.

Following these eight principles, readers can approach Ellen G. White’s writings with clarity, understanding, and balance, ensuring that her messages are interpreted harmoniously with Scripture and context.

For Further Study: George R. Knight, Reading Ellen White: How to Understand and Apply Her Writings (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1997); George R. Knight, Ellen White’s World (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1998); Denis Fortin and Jerry Moon, eds., The Ellen G. White Encyclopedia, 2nd ed. (Hagerstown, MD: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 2013).

Part III: Life Application

The following life application questions, drawn from the above commentary, are offered to enrich your class discussion. Choose from among them, and from those in the lesson, the ones that will best engage your class in meaningful reflection.

How can we ensure that our beliefs and practices are grounded in Scripture rather than in tradition, reason, or personal experience? Can you think of shared beliefs that rely more on tradition than on biblical teaching?
How can relying on the “totality of Scripture” guard against misunderstanding and misapplying individual passages? What does the following statement mean: “A text without a context is a pretext”?
How does viewing a passage in the light of Christ and of the entire canon of Scripture deepen your understanding? Can you think of an Old Testament passage that gains new meaning when viewed through Jesus’ life and ministry?
Why is it important to study all of Ellen G. White’s statements on a topic rather than relying on isolated quotes?
How does knowing the historical background of Ellen G. White’s time help clarify the meaning of her messages? Can you identify a statement that makes more sense in its nineteenth-century context? If yes, share and explain.
Ellen G. White cautioned against misinterpretation and extreme applications of her counsel (see Ellen G. White, Selected Messages, book 1, pp. 43–45; and Selected Messages, book 3, pp. 81–83). Can you think of a case in which a misapplication of her writings led to unnecessary restrictions or burdens? If so, what was it? How can we find a balanced, Christ-centered approach?