At Issue Index

Crosscurrents in Adventist
Christology
by Claude Webster

Crosscurrents in Adventist Christology treats an

import and and controversial issue in Adventist
theological dialogue. The first chapter gives an
illuminating historical perspective, while in the
next four chapters, Webster dissects the
Christologies of Ellen G. White and E. J.
Waggoner of the 19th, and Edward Heppenstall
and Herbert Douglass of he 20th centuries. The
final chapter reflects on the flow and counteflow of
Adventist Christology as reviewed by the works of
he four chosen theologians. If you wish to
understand Adventist Chtistology with its relative
issues, then Crosscurrents in Adventist Christology
is essential reading

© Peter Lang Publishing, Inc., New York 1984

Reprinted with permission by the
ANDREWS UNIVERSITY PRESS
Berrien Springs, MI 49104, USA
February 1992
Library of Congress Catalog Card No.
BT 198. W38 1984 232'.09 84-9734
ISBN 0-8204-0157-9
ISSN 0740-0446

Printed in USA
Used by Permission

Table of Contents
.
 Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction

Chapter 1 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND ADVENTIST ORIENTATION

Historical Perspective to General Christology
Seventh-day Adventist Orientation

Chapter II THE CHRISTOLOGY OF ELLEN GOULD WHITE

A Historical Sketch of Ellen G White
Contextual Factors in Approaching her Writings
Ellen White's Christology
The Pre-existence of Christ
The Incarnation and Nature
The Incarnation and Sin
Incarnation and Grace
Christ and Eschatology
An Interpretive Analysis of Three Problem Areas in Ellen White's Christology
Evaluation and Critique

Chapter III THE CHRISTOLOGY OF ELLET JOSEPH WAGGONER

The Historical Context
The Christology of E. J. Waggoner
The First Period
The Second Period
The Third Period
Evaluation and Critique

Chapter 1V THE CHRISTOLOGY OF EDWARD HEPPENSTALL

Historical Background
Three Salient Aspects of Heppenstall's General Theology
The Christology of Heppenstall
The Person of Christ
The Work of Jesus Christ
A Brief Analysis of Heppenstall's Christology
Evaluation and Critique of Heppenstall's Christology

Chapter V THE CHRISTOLOGY OF HERBERT DOUGLASS

A Brief Look at the Man
The Christology of Herbert Douglass
An Overview of the Theology of Douglass
A Brief Descriptive Summary of Douglass' Christology
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Upon the completion of a doctoral dissertation, it is appropriate and necessary to reflect

on the factors which have played their part in bringing the task to fruition. As far as the
background factors are concerned, I firstly would like to pay tribute to Christian parents,
now deceased, for their constant love, concern and inspiration. The course of my life
work owes much to their example and moulding influence throughout the years of my
youth and ministry. Secondly, I wish to mention the impact of dedicated Christian
teachers during my days at Seventh-day Adventist schools, Helderberg College and the
church's Theological Seminary. In addition, I owe a debt of gratitude to a number of
lecturers at the University of South Africa who guided me through both undergraduate
and post-graduate degrees.

Now, in the immediate context of this dissertation, I would like to express my deep
appreciation to the Theology Faculty of the University of Stellenbosch for their
willingness to open their doors and their hearts in Christian fellowship to one not of their
immediate theological tradition. I would like to thank Professor David de Villiers for his
helpful suggestions in launching me into the doctoral programme back in 1974, while I
was head of the Theology Department at Helderberg College, Somerset West. I have
greatly appreciated the interest and kindness shown to me by many different members of
the Stellenbosch Theology Faculty.

My chief word of gratitude is extended to Professor W D Jonker, head of the Department

of Dogmatology, in the Faculty of Theology, who graciously agreed to be my promoter.
His interest and concern, his time and his effort, his knowledge and his guidance and
above all his friendship, are all deeply appreciated. Professor Jonker was always ready
and willing to give his counsel and advice at every stage of the programme. I am deeply
indebted to his theological insights and his Christian dedication.

Many others have played an important part in the progress of this dissertation. I would
especially like to mention Dr Raoul F. Dederen, chairman of the Department of
Systematic Theology and Christian Philosophy the Seventh-day Adventist Theological
Seminary at Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, for his encouragement and
help. With his special expertise in Adventist Christology, he was able to give me valuable
counsel on possible routes and procedures to be followed both method and content. Then
again, I would like to say a special word of thanks to my son, John, who, while busy with
his M.Th. dissertation, shared his time, friendship and theological insights as we had
opportunity, rough the past two years, to discuss issues, grapple with problems and clarify
concepts. He was, perhaps, one of my severest critics.

Others have also assisted with various technical aspects of the dissertation. I would
especially like to thank Mrs. Louise Dederen of the Heritage Room, James White Library,
Andrews University; Dr Arthur 0. Coetzee the same institution; Bert Haloviak of the
General Conference Archives in Washington, D.C.; Tim Poirier of the Ellen G White
Estate; and Ken Cronje of the Pieter Wessels Library, Helderberg College, South Africa.
For their assistance in providing me with source material and biographical details I
express sincere appreciation. and then a special debt of gratitude goes to Magda Prinsloo
for her painstaking effort and expertise in typing this dissertation from the initial drafts
through the various stages right up to the final product.

And, now, I wish to express my heart-felt gratitude and appreciation to my wife, Ruth,
who through all the years of study and writing has shown such patience, love,
understanding and interest in me and my work. The final product is a tribute to her
loyalty and devotion.

Finally, I wish to give thanks to God in whom we live and move and have our being for
His enabling grace and sustenance throughout the project. And as this dissertation deals
with Christology, it is perhaps fitting that my deepest acknowledgement must be given to
Jesus Christ who is not only, in the final analysis, the Subject of this study, but is also the
unspeakable gift of God to man.

PREFACE

Christology has always been important to the life and well-being of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church. From its early beginnings in the New England states and its
organization in Michigan in 1863 and down past its European outreach in 1874, past the
historic 1888 Minneapolis Conference, and on to the present, the Person of Jesus Christ
has played a vital role in Adventism.

It is fitting that Andrews University should continue to have a molding influence in this
aspect of Biblical truth. Two of the Adventist theologians considered in this work are part
of the history of Andrews University. Ellen G. White lived and worked in Battle Creek,
Michigan, and was the moving force in the establishment of Emmanuel Missionary
College, forerunner of Andrews. Edward Heppenstall of England was professor of
systematic theology at Potomac and Andrews Universities during the 1950s and 1960s
and as such had great influence in shaping the thinking of the Church on Christology.

The Church has often had to grapple with its understanding of Christ. Not that this truth
is beyond the grasp of the simplest Christian for salvation, and yet, because of the very
nature of Christ, whom we believe to be God, there lies a depth that is beyond the
wisdom of man. This tension between simplicity and complexity must always be held in
balance by the Christian scholar and believer.

The quest for greater clarity and understanding of this central doctrine of the Church must
never cease. We must beware of those who feel that the quest is over and that they have
the last word to say concerning Jesus Christ and His nature and His Person. Men and
women must always approach this subject with the humility and spirit of a child realizing
hat human wisdom and skill are inadequate in solving these deeper mysteries.
The Church has been promised the presence and guidance of the Holy Spirit in
understanding and appreciating Jesus Christ. The Christian scholar must continually
submit his heart and life to the Comforter is he or she seeks to embrace the Saviour and
make His life and work more understandable to the world.

We have come to the last decade of the twentieth century and the challenge of the times
demands the best from the Adventist scholar. It is still true that "of all people Seventh-day
Adventists should be foremost in lifting up Christ before the world." The Christ that we
lift up should be such that sinners are drawn to the foot of the cross to find salvation by
grace, full and free.

May this work play its part in guiding the traveler in his or her theological journey. If it
can help in preventing the reader from falling into pitfalls or taking false trails and can
lead to safe and sure roads, it will not have been written in vain.

Eric G.Webster
Cape Town. South Africa January 1992

INTRODUCTION

Significance. Christology has always been the heart and centre of Christianity. From the
dusty roads of Palestine when the question was first posed, "Who do people say the Son
of man is?" (Matt. 16:13, N.I.V.), past the landmarks of the great ecumenical councils of
the church, along the corridors of the Reformation, through the portals of the Aufklärung
and on into the scientific age of modern times, Christology has maintained its vital role.
Sometimes the questions have been clearly articulated and the problems have been at the
centre of the debate, and at other times Christological issues have been submerged and
hidden in discussions on soteriology or eschatology or ecclesiology or in involvements
with social reform, liberation movements or black theology. And yet whether explicit or
implicit, Christology has remained significant for the church.

The first disciples confronted the historical Jesus and in their association accepted Him as
'vere homo'. This did not prevent them from also acknowledging Him as Messiah (John
1:41). Their approach to Jesus was very much 'from below' and they were slow to
perceive the full significance of Jesus Christ in relation to the Father. After the
resurrection of Christ and especially beyond. Pentecost, the small band of disciples
became transformed into the dynamic early church with a burning passion to proclaim the
crucified and risen Christ as the Saviour of the world. Now the question of Christ would
also be approached 'from above' in the light of the Old Testament Scriptures and the later
Pauline and Johannine corpus of the New Testament revelation.

The early Christological controversies of the First few centuries culminating in the
pronouncements of Nicea (325 A.D.) and Chalcedon (451 A.D.) are illustrative of the
significance of this aspect of dogma. The subsequent development of Christology down
through the centuries has often been a re-enactment or enlargement of the basic issues of
the earlier period. The fluctuations between the classical formulations of ontological
Thomists and scholasticists and the more scientific approaches of the functional
Christologists of modern times have been intriguing and have been representative of the
whole range of dogmatic development. The church's position on Christology has very
often been indicative of its orthodoxy or its heretical tendency. Karl Barth has aptly stated
that Christology is the touchstone of theology.1

The purpose of this dissertation will be to seek to discover the significance of Christology
in the Seventh-day Adventist movement. What role has it played in the internal life and
development of the church? Is Christology at the heart of Adventism or is it an appendage
to an eschatological sect? Does the Christology of Adventism stand in the mainstream of
historic Christianity or does it lurk in the tributaries of heretical movements? Is
Adventism's Christology unified or does it find itself diversified within its own ranks?
How vital is Christology in the present internal dialogue and discussion within the
church? What relationship is there between the Christology of Adventism and its sense of
mission and its soteriological message?

The Problem. Soon after New Testament times the early church began to realize the
theological problem of Christ. Against the background of the monotheism of Judaism
how should the relationship between Jesus Christ and God the Father be seen? Did
Ebionism and the teaching of Adoptionism have the best answers? To acknowledge only
the humanity of Christ and to recognize the impartation of special powers at His baptism
when He was adopted by the Father would maintain the uniqueness of God Or did the
answer lie in Docetism? Was the humanity of Christ simply a manifestation and an
illusion? Perhaps Christ was the one God of the universe masquerading as a human being
but in fact only being God. Then again for a period it appeared as if Arianism with its
subordinate Christ might have the answer to the problem of Christology. However, the
church at Nicea (325 A.D.) took its stand against Arianism and pronounced Christ as
'vere Deus' and 'vere homo'.

Subsequent to Nicea the church was to wrestle with the problem of the relation between
God and man in the figure of Jesus Christ. Theologians grappled with the problem and set
forth differing solutions. Finally, Chalcedon gave its verdict on the relationship between
the two natures in the one person of Jesus Christ. Can Chalcedon be considered the end
of the controversy or is it in some respects only the beginning of a further dialogue?

Limitation. A thorough study of all Christological development within Adventism from

1844 to the present would prove a far greater task than is possible within the scope of this
dissertation. The areas of concentration will, therefore, have to be delimited.

Within Adventism there is general acceptance of the pre-existence of Christ as well as His
participation in creation. There were variant views on Christ and the Trinity in early
Adventism but today there is agreement that Christ is of the same nature and substance as
the Father. The question of the eternity of Christ is also a settled issue and Arianism is
rejected. We will, therefore, not concentrate on these areas.2
Our special field of concentration will be the incarnation. And even here the virgin birth
will not detain us long. In the Incarnation was Jesus Christ truly God? How was His
divinity affected by the Incarnation? What of the kenosis? What was the nature of His
humanity? What of the doctrine of the two natures in one Person? How did sin affect the
humanity of Christ? Is the sinlessness of Christ viewed in sinless or sinful human nature?
What of Ebionism and Docetism and is Christ to be viewed 'from above' or 'from below'?
The whole question of the nature of Jesus Christ in the Incarnation will demand our
attention.

As the person and work of Christ should not be divorced,3 we will seek to discover how
Adventism has viewed soteriology in the light of its Christology. And this latter area will
be largely confined to Christ's work in His life, death and resurrection.

Methodology. This dissertation is written in the area of dogmatics with special emphasis
on apologetics. The Christology of Adventism will be critically analyzed and examined
while at the same time viewing it against the background of the Christian church as a
whole.

A dissertation of this nature could approach the problem chronologically from 1844 to the
present, or thematically, taking important themes in the Christologial field and holding
them up to the light of investigation, or the problem could be studied in the light of
certain selected Adventist representatives.

In this case we wish to combine these approaches. Firstly, we have selected four writers
and theologians or closer scrutiny. They are Ellen G White, Ellet J. Waggoner, Edward
Heppenstall and Herbert Douglass. A chapter will be devoted to each one and their
Christology will be critically examined. Secondly, the chronological approach will come
into play as the first two writers will occupy the latter half of the 19th century and the last
two the period from 1950 to 1980. The thematic approach will also be used as we confine
the research to limited themes in Christology for each writer.

In this dissertation major emphasis will be given to the presentation of evidence from
primary sources. Not only will the major works of the four authors be studied, but
hundreds of periodical articles written by these theologians will be used. Pamphlets and
other documents, both published and unpublished, will also form a part of the evidence.

The Christology of the four writers will be compared and contrasted and will also be
brought into relation with Christological views in the Christian church outside of
Adventism. The great church councils of Nicea and Chalcedon will be points of reference
but it should be remembered that the ultimate norm to test any Christology must be the
Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. While some Scriptural references will be used
in presenting the Christology of our four representatives, it will not be possible in the
scope of this dissertation to critically test these Christologies against this norm. Such a
study awaits the attention and research of yet another seeker after truth.
1 Karl Barth, Dogmatics in Outline, London: SCM Press, 1966, p.66:"That is
why...Christology is the touchstone of all knowledge of God in the Christian sense, the
touchstone of all theology." [back]

2 Evidence will be cited in the first chapter for the above assertions. [back]

3 See G C Berkouwer, The Person of Christ, Grand Rapids: Wm. B Eerdmans, 1969,
pp.101-110; P T Forsyth, The Person and Place of Jesus Christ, 3rd edition, Grand
Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, p.6; W D Jonker, Christus, die Middelaar, Pretoria: N G
Kerkboekhandel, 1977, b1.173 .[back]

Chapter One

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE AND ADVENTIST ORIENTATION

In this first chapter attention will be given to two objectives. The first will attempt to
offer some perspective to the intricate history of Christology, whereby the reader may be
reminded of the overall sweep of the subject. The second objective will be to familiarize
the reader with a brief orientation into the Adventist theological milieu.

I. Historical Perspective to General Christology

The purpose of this first section will be to offer a suggestion whereby the vast complexity
of the history of Christology may be reduced into five broad categories which can serve
as a background to our detailed analysis of Adventist Christology. It is not my intention to
present a chronological outline of the history of Christology. Others have applied
themselves to such a task and, furthermore, this would fall beyond the scope of the
present dissertation.

Many attempts have been made to categorize Christological thought into different
groupings. 1 For our purposes we would suggest the following categories, namely,
Ontological Christology, Speculative Christology, the 'History of Jesus' Christology,
Existential Christology and Functional Christology. 2 We would submit that all the main
emphases and trends in Christology may be divided into one of these five categories.
Such a scheme will help us to get the 'feel' of Christology in general and will be useful in
giving perspective to our analysis of the four Adventist representatives.

Let us firstly give a brief description of each of the five categories we have chosen. By
ontological Christology we understand that approach which places emphasis on the
'being' and the 'essence' of the person of Christ. There is an attempt to focus on the nature
and the substance of Christ. By functional Christology we mean that type of Christology
where the emphasis is placed on the meaning and significance of the mission and work of
Jesus in functional terms rather than in the intricacies of ontological language regarding
the substance of Jesus Christ. In functional Christology Jesus does have the task to bring
salvation and to reveal the Father in a special manner, but without having to subscribe to
the Chalcedonian formula. By the 'History of Jesus' Christology we understand that
approach to the subject whereby researchers anxiously seek to go behind the gospel
narratives, stripping them of all early church accretions to try and find the genuine
historical Jesus. Interest is focused on the real Jesus in His actuality, lying behind the
faith statements of the gospel writers. By speculative Christology we mean that approach
to the subject in which the infinite and the finite are merged in various forms of idealism.
In this system the historic Christ at times tends to lose His real significance and becomes
merely a symbol of a vast and complex metaphysical idea. When it comes to existential
Christology the interest is not so much on the person of Christ or on His historical
activity, but rather on His present impact on the life of the believer. The Christ that meets
man in his existence, choices and need is the Christ of the kerygma and of proclamation,
regardless of dogmatic exactitude or ontological formulations. Existential Christology
offers a present Christ who acts as a medium to assist man to understand and accept the
authenticity and reality of his own existence.

It is interesting to note that while there is a certain amount of overlap in time between
these various Christological categories, there are certain historical periods which are
dominated by one or other of these tendencies. We would suggest that ontological
Christology had its genesis in the first few centuries of the Christian era when the
philosophical climate was dominated by the thought patterns of the Grecian world. This
type of Christology persisted throughout the Middle Ages and flowered again during the
Reformation period. The background of the speculative movement was furnished by the
rationalism of the Aufklärung around the beginning of the eighteenth century. This was
the age of enlightenment and reason and speculative Christology was spawned in the
seedbeds of anthropocentric and scientific concern. This type of Christology has persisted
and has had its representatives right up to modern times. The 'History of Jesus'
Christology was, likewise, conceived in the spirit of the Aufklrung but was actually
brought forth during the nineteenth century. This was the age of liberalism and was
conducive to a deep concern for the hard bones of historical fact. While the particular
wave of historical concern of the nineteenth century ebbed, there have been fresh waves
of interest in this aspect of Christology. Existential Christology saw its heyday in the
early and middle twentieth century, especially in the Bultmanian era. This approach to
Christology and to life in general was particularly appropriate in the aftermath of a world
conflict which left much of Europe dazed by the seeming futility of life. There have been
enough disciples of Bultmann to periodically inject new life into the limbs and body of
this type of Christology. Our last category, namely, functional Christology, while very
much in vogue in our modern times, can trace its roots back to Schleiermacher. The
Weltanschauung of the latter half of the twentieth century is most conducive to this
pattern of thought. Life is seen in scientific and pragmatic terms and thus the 'miracle' of
the Incarnation is viewed as a stumbling block to modern Christianity. In today's thought
it is easier to accept Jesus Christ as a representative of truth than to confuse Him with the
substance of an unknown 'God'. Thus we can see that while these categories are not to be
confined to watertight compartments, they do reflect consecutively the five dominant
approaches in the history of Christianity from the first century to modern times.

A. Ontological Christology
It now becomes quite easy to place certain Christological movements and trends into
their appropriate category. For example, most of the Christological controversies and
subtleties of the early centuries and the middle ages may be classified as ontological by
nature. This is true whether we think of the threat of docetism or ebionism; or of the
accommodation of Modalism; or of the adoptionistic tendency of dynamic
monarchianism; or of the conflict concerning the concept 'homo-ousios' and 'homoi-
ousios' precipitated by Arius of Laodicea. Despite the wide differences between each of
these schools of thought they all represent examples of ontological Christology because
in each case the attention is focused on the 'being' and 'essence' of Christ. The historic
declaration at Nicea (325 A.D.) remains a monument to the ontological struggles in the
Christology of the early centuries. 3

Likewise, the mental and logical agility of men like Apollinaris, Euthychus and Nestorius
4
were devoted to the arena of ontological debate within Christology. One moment it
would appear as if Christ was trinitarian in nature; then the next moment He was set forth
in one unitary nature; only a little later to be split again into two co-existing persons,
namely, the Eternal Logos and the Man, Jesus of Nazareth. And then along comes
Chalcedon (451 A. D.) 5 with its historic pronouncement on Christ being one person in
two natures which exist without confusion, without change, without division and without
separation. Here in Greek terminology the church indicated where it stood at that moment
relative to the threats of heretical tendencies. The Chalcedonian statement remains a
watershed for ontological Christology.

Other illustrations of the ontological approach to Christology are revealed in the dialogue
concerning the 'anhypostasia' and the 'enhypostasia'; 6 in the monophysite and
monothelite controversies; 7in the Roman Catholic influence of transubstantiation upon
Christology and the transcendental emphasis of thinkers like Thomas Aquinas and Duns
Scotus;8 in the Reformation thinking of such men as Luther and Calvin, 9 and even in the
kenotic theories and proposals.10 Modern Christology is not devoid of examples of
completely ontological Christology. The Christology of the dialectical theologian, Karl
Barth, must be considered in the mould of the classical ontological style, albeit with
different nuances. D. M. Baillie,11representing a school of Christology which emphasizes
the element of paradox, must also find himself at home in the ontological Christology
category. W. Pannenberg, although taking his starting point 'von unten'12 instead of 'von
oben', ends up accepting the 'vere Deus' and finds his Christological thought compatible
with elements that could be classified under ontological Christology. The modern Roman
Catholic theologian, W Kasper,13 presents a Christology which also begins 'from below'
but ends clearly with 'vere Deus.' His exposition of the reality of the humanity and the
divinity of Christ must be placed in the category of ontological Christology. In the South
African context we would classify W D Jonker's Christological approach14 under this
same category. It should, however, be remembered that very often a particular theologian
may show tendencies of belonging to more than one Christological category. It would be
an oversimplification if we were to insist that every Christologist demonstrates only one
strand of thought.

B. Speculative Christology
While speculative Christology owes much to the thinking of philosophers like Kant and
Hegel, its roots run deep into the beginning of the Christian era. It has been suggested
that Origen (185-254 A.D.) could be considered the father of speculative Christology.15
Then cognizance must be taken of Gnosticism with its speculative influence upon
Christology.16 The concept of emanations from God in which creature and Creator are
Lost and submerged are characteristic of Gnosticism and were influential. 17

Preparatory to the thought of Kant and Hegel in more modern times we note the
philosophical influence of Spinoza, 18 the Jewish intellectual who was excommunicated
from the Hebrew fraternity. For him all men were manifestations of the Divine essence
and while he could agree that Jesus of Nazareth had a larger infusion of this Essence than
many others, he could never conceive that Jesus was God. 19 Immanuel Kant's thinking
illustrates the approach of speculative Christology. With him we find a sharp distinction
between the historical Jesus and Christ as 'idea' where the historical Jesus loses His real
significance. Barth indicates that Kant's Christological doctrine "takes a form in which
the incarnate Son of God is interpreted as 'the idea set before us for our emulation' of
moral perfection."20 In this concept of idealism the idea of Christ is swallowed up in the
total web of humanity.21 Speculative thinking22 has certainly presented a threat to the
traditional idea of the person of Jesus Christ. Hegel, 23 likewise, has had a very important
philosophical influence in setting forth the idea of the ontological unity between the
Infinite and the finite, between God and man. The whole history of the world is looked
upon as an expression of God, a happening in God Himself.

While Paul Tillich follows in some ways in the footsteps of functional Christology, thus
in the tradition of Schleiermacher, and also stands close to ontological terminology, he
can best be understood in terms of speculative Christology.24 It is also possible to see the
works of Karl Rahner and Jürgen Moltmann as illustrative of aspects of speculative
Christology. We notice this in Rahner's 'transcendental Christology'25 where he believes
that in Jesus Christ man has attained to God in an ultimate act of self-transcendence and
God's self-bestowal has been seen in its most radical form. For Moltmann God 'is' where
He 'happens' and this was on Calvary in the manifestation of the love of the Father and
the Son. The Father is not a personal God "in the heavens," but love. This love is
unconditional and without boundary in its acceptance of every unlovely and deserted
person. For Moltmann God is the future-oriented power of love which encompasses the
whole of human history and moves towards the triumph of love over hate, life over death
and liberty over bondage.26

C. 'History of Jesus' Christology

A 'History of Jesus' Christology is characterized by an interest in the actual historical

person of Jesus of Nazareth. Not satisfied simply with a theoretical discussion of
dogmatic Christology based either on the creeds and kerygma, or with the philosophical
approach of speculative Christology, the 'History of Jesus' Christology makes Jesus of
Nazareth once more the focus of theological research. This task is pursued through the
use of historical-critical tools. In this way the overriding concern is to unearth either the
essential facts of the life of Jesus or the essential features of His teaching through
historical research.

This type of Christology was exemplified in the search for the historical Jesus during the
18th and 19th centuries, then again, particularly in a revival of this interest in the latter
half of the twentieth century. While the search in the earlier period, no doubt, had honest
intentions for faith, it was strongly motivated by rationalism. 27 This may be seen whether
we are looking at Reimarus28 or David Strauss29 or at the fictitious "Lives of Jesus" by
such men as Bahrdt and Venturini. 30In many instances the research was also carried out
by an antagonism against the supernatural aura which it was felt had been built up around
Jesus Christ. 31 Albert Schweitzer was convinced that one of the greatest contributions of
German theology was in the critical investigation of the life of Jesus during the 19th
century. 32 Despite its limitations, Schweitzer was sure that those German theologians
who had wrestled with the historic Jesus of Nazareth, "though they cannot take Him with
them, yet, like men who have seen God face to face and received strength in their souls,
they go on their way with renewed courage, ready to do battle with the world and its
powers." 33

The more modern approaches in the latter half of the twentieth century to the quest of the
historical Jesus are more influential today than the19th century concern. This renewal
initiated by Karl Rahner's article on Chalcedon as end or beginning,34 and Ernst
Käsemann's 1953 lecture in Marburg on 'The Problem of the historical Jesus,'35 have set
the stage for a 'new quest' of the historical Jesus that, while differing from the old quest in
focus and method, nevertheless, retained its concern for the historical Jesus. Its
importance can be noted when Käsemann's challenge was taken up by representatives of
both Catholicism and Protestantism. 36 In the present emphasis on the historical quest for
Jesus the liberal research into the life of Jesus of the 19th century is a lost cause.

The new quest for the historical Jesus proceeds from the premise of present belief, and
measures that faith by its content, Jesus Christ. The characteristics of this new quest are
firstly a rejection of myth and docetism. The revelation of God is 'in the flesh' and the
salvific meaning of the true humanity of Jesus is emphasized. Secondly, the new quest
does not bypass the kerygma but takes note of this aspect. To indicate its present
importance we mention Kasper's conviction that the right way of re-establishing
Christology today, is to the element of a unilateral kerygma-and-dogma Christology and
one exclusively orientated to the historical Jesus with equal seriousness.37

It is important to note, therefore, that whether a certain Christology today shows signs of
the rationalism of the 19th century or more signs of the Christology of complementarity,
in which the earthly Jesus and the exalted Christ are linked together,38 the import of the
quest for the historical Jesus is influential and we can rightfully speak of a 'History of
Jesus' Christology.

D. Existential Christology
While the roots of existential Christology run deep into the philosophical thought of men
like Kierkegaard Heidegger,39 the modern movement owes much to the impetus of Martin
Kähler who emphasized the distinction between the historical Jesus and the Christ of
faith.40 For Kähler the search for the historical Jesus is irrelevant for it can only lead to an
ebionic picture of Jesus. He makes a difference between Historie and Gesrhichte and it is
the 'geschichtliche Christus' who in His supra-historical significance meets man wherever
the gospel is preached.

Kähler's influence spilled over into the 20th century and can be seen especially in
dialectical theology. Both Barth and Bultmann followed Kähler in their rejection of a
search for the historical Jesus in favour of the Christ of the Word and of proclamation,
respectively. Bultmann based his position on his 'Form-Criticism'41 of the New

Testament together with his existential interpretation. Instead of historical significance for
Christ he places meaning on the kerygmatic proclamation of Christ, and rather than
interest in the salvation acts of God in Christ through history, Bultmann emphasizes the
actual meaning of the proclamation for the self-understanding of man in the now and
present. Bultmann is persuaded that all we need for faith and proclamation is the 'that' of
the life and death of Christ and that the 'what' of His life, self-consciousness, activity and
preaching is irrelevant. Barth, of course, parted company with Bultmann in his existential
interpretation and showed much greater appreciation for the historical act of God in the
life and history of Jesus Christ.

Under the skillful scalpel of Bultmann, demytholo-gisation42 became a further

characteristic of existential Christology. For him the synoptic tradition is a product and
projection of the needs of the early church known as Gemeindetheologie. Bultmann
proceeded to this early theology and to lay bare the essential element of decision
concerning man's self-understanding. The message of the Christ of faith is subjected to an
existential interpretation which means that it is understood in anthropological terms. Thus
the connection between the historical Jesus and the Christ of faith can only be described
in its existential application.

Bultmann sees salvation as man coming to his right Selbstverständia and this happens
when he responds to the call which comes to him through the kerygmatic proclamation.
In the message of Jesus Christ, God has acted eschatologically and the message of the
faith community becomes the vehicle for him to come to a decision. Bultmann reduces
the work of Christ to His "call to repentance" and Christology finds its kernel in what He
is for us (pronobis). In existential Christology there are strong leanings towards a
functional Christology. In fact, existential Christology is closely tied to anthropology and
lies very much closer to a functional than to an ontological Christology.

In all types of existential Christology the actual being of Christ and His identity of
substance with the Father loses its importance. Just sufficient of an "implicit Christology"
in Jesus must be accepted to believe in the "explicit Christology" of the early community
to act as a vehicle for this bearer of God's presence to make impact in the mind and heart
of man. And thus as the gospel is proclaimed, man will be brought to a point of decision
for God and will be able to discover his true identity and his meaning in existence and
communion with his fellow man.

E. Functional Christology

We have already defined functional Christology as that type of Christology which finds
meaning and significance in Jesus in functional terms rather than in the intricacies of the
language of substance and essence. In contrast to the Chalcedon Christology, the unique
significance of Jesus is not to be sought in something that is before, above, or behind
Jesus' human reality. Jesus has unique significance and is named Son of God because He
is a human being in a unique, exemplary way. In His human reality He is as it were
sacrament, ephiphany, manifestation, image, corporeal expression, event, presence of
God in the highest and unsurpassable way.

Functional Christologists would generally feel uncomfortable with classical Christology.

There could be many reasons for this and Klaus Reinhardt has advanced three.43 The first
objection is that traditional Christology is essentialist, that is, "it speculates about the
essential constitution of the person of Jesus, and in doing so forgets His significance for
the history of salvation."44 A second objection is that classical Christology by starting
"from above" presupposes belief in the trinitarian God and explains the figure of Jesus in
terms of an Incarnation of the divine Logos. It is felt that such a Christology cannot really
arrive "below" at the history of Jesus of Nazareth. The third objection offered is the
dualistic starting point of traditional Christology with its two-natures doctrine.

Whether one is looking at Friedrich Schleiermacher,45 the father of the modern

movement, or at one of his present sons or daughters, the usual characteristic of
functional Christology is that it is approached 'from below' and Jesus is regarded as the
true, exemplary, new human being. Not that all Christologies which commence 'from
below' necessarily end up denying the essential divinity of Christ. Note, for instance, W
Pannenberg, who while developing his Christology 'from below'46 holds that the ground
of Jesus' uniqueness lies in His divinity and divine Sonship.

In what one might term the new Christology as opposed to Chalcedon Christology,
contemporary theology is attempting a number of approaches to throw light on Jesus'
uniqueness. Amongst these are the experience of human existence, the experience of the
world in its universal development and the experience of history. Functional Christology
is characterized by at least the first two approaches.

In the first approach Jesus is regarded as the Prototype of human existence and He is
looked upon either as the example of love and devotion,47 or as the "witness of faith"48 in
a godless world or as one who identified fully with His mission.49 Here Jesus is seen
either as stimulus and example or as the absolute prototype in whom idea and individual
are one. One may ask whether the unique significance of Jesus can really be maintained
by only accepting His exemplary humanity or His human transcendence? It is evident
that these Christological approaches which regard Jesus' divine Sonship only as an
"expression" of His humanity,50 or see in Jesus the representative of the absent God51 who
vindicates God's cause because God Himself does not intervene, would find it difficult to
do so.

In the second approach Jesus is regarded as the "last" Man. H. Berkhof and Dr E.
Flesseman-Van Leer may be considered as examples of a functional Christology which
sees Jesus as the new Man, the eschatological Man and the Man as God intended Him to
be.52 Neither would hold to the pre-existence of Christ as believed in classical
Christology. At best there could be an "ideal pre-existence" which means that He existed
in the mind and planning of God before the creation of the world and before His function
as representative of God.

Other characteristics of functional Christology are to see Jesus in the setting of

"contextual theology" where He is seen as the 'revolutionary,' the 'liberator' or the
'political Messiah';53 or to accept Jesus as the representative of God where Jesus fulfills
the role of God without partaking of any supernatural characteristics;54 or even as the
revelation of God without, however, partaking of His essential essence or being.55

Any serious consideration of functional Christology today must take into account the
important works by Edward Schillebeeckx, the Roman Catholic theologian. For him the
starting point of any Christological reflection is the man Jesus. His Jesus an Experiment
in Christology (1979) and Christ the Christian Experience in the Modern World (1980)
are works that will have a permanent place in the Christological arena.

Functional Christology is very attractive to the modern mind of the twentieth century. It
is able to discard many of the hellenistic concepts thought to be existent in the classical
formulations of traditional Christology. In the functional category Christ can remain fully
human, and supernatural or metaphysical explanations for His mission become
unnecessary. God reveals Himself in Jesus Christ as His revelation, His partner, His
representative and as His ideal man. This man becomes the leader, example, pattern and
model for all other men. The life that He lived, the faith that He manifested can be
revealed by others who show the same faith in God. His human achievement is a
trailblazer for all humanity and if others would rely on divine power as He did the results
would be the same. The life of Jesus Christ could be re-duplicated a thousand times by
those imbued with His spirit and by those following in His footsteps. Functional
Christology appeals to the reason of modern man and meets the scientific and
evolutionary concepts of our time.

Now that we have taken this short journey into the realm of general Christology by way
of these five routes, we are now ready to look at the Adventist theological scene,
preparatory to taking a further journey into the more particularized world of Seventh-day
Adventist Christology.
_____________________

1 W D Jonker has basically divided Christology into the two broad categories of
ontological and functional Christology with various shades in each. See W D Jonker,
Christus, die Middelaar, Pretoria: N G Kerkboek-handel, 1977. cf. John McIntyre, The
Shape of Christology, London: S C M Press, 1966. McIntyre has offered a different
classification of Christology. [back]

2 This classification is offered after personal reflection as a convenient method of

categorizing general Christology. It certainly remains only one suggestion amongst many
other possibilities. [back]

3 It would be useful here to quote the relevant portions of the Nicene Creed of 325 A.D.:
"We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord JESUS CHRIST, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, the only-
begotten; that is, of the essence of the Father, God of God , Light of Light, very God of
very God, begotten, not made, being óµoovoiov things were made [both in heaven and on
earth]; who for us men, and for our salvation, came down and was incarnate and was
made man; he suffered, and the third day he rose again, ascended into heaven; from
thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead." This creed was slightly amplified
at Constantinople in 381 A.D. Nicene Creed quoted in Philip Schaff, The Creeds of
Christendom, Sixth edition, revised and enlarged, Volume I, Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Baker Book House, 1977, pp.28,29. [back]

4 Most standard works on Christology or church history will elucidate the involvements
of these men and their contribution to the Christological struggle. See H R Mackintosh,
The Doctrine of the Person of Jesus Christ, Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1913, pp.196-215;
Reinhold Seeberg, The History of Doctrines, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book
House, 1977, Vol. I, pp.243-272. [back]

5 In connection with Chalcedon and the creeds see Philip Schaff, The Creeds of
Christendom, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1977, Vol. I, pp.29-34; Vol.
II, pp.62-65; R V Sellers, The Council of Chalcedon, A Historical and Doctrinal Survey,
London: S P C K., 1961, pp. 210,211. [back]

6 By 'anhypostasia' is understood 'impersonal humanity' which indicates that the human

element in the Incarnation was simply human 'nature' assumed by the Second Person of
the Godhead rather than an individual human being. Set forth by Cyril of Alexandria and
passed into Catholic dogma. By 'enhypostasia' we understand that the humanity of Christ,
while not impersonal, only is personal in the Logos, and hence has no independent
personality. For a discussion see Donald M. Baillie, God Was in Christ, New York:
Charles Scribner's Sons, 1948, pp.85-93; H R Macintosh, The Doctrine of the Person of
Jesus Christ, pp.383-406. [back]

7 For a discussion of the monophysite and monothelite controversies see Seeberg, The
History of Doctrines, Vol. I, pp.272-288; Mackintosh, The Person of Jesus Christ,
pp.215-222. [back]

8 For a discussion of this see Mackintosh, The Person of Jesus Christ, pp.223-229. [back]
9 Both John Calvin and Martin Luther followed in the tradition of the classical,
ontological Christology. For John Calvin see Institutes of the Christian Religion,
Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960, Book I, ch. XIII, 1-29, pp.120-159; Book II, chs.
XII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVI, XVII, pp.464-534. For a specific example of ontological
involvement on the part of both Luther and Calvin we refer to the doctrine of the
'communicatio idiomatum' (the interchange or communication of attributes). For
Reformed theology and especially Calvin, the doctrine does not mean that the human
nature of Christ receives divine attributes or that His divinity partakes of human
properties. Rather, each nature communicates properties to the one Person of Christ while
the two natures remain unmixed. In this way Calvin could teach that while Christ was a
babe in Bethlehem He at the same time, through His divinity, was ruling the universe
with His Father (Ibid., p.481). This view has become known as the 'extra Calvanisticum.'
Luther's interpretation of the 'communicatio idiomatum' was that each nature does in
reality receive properties from the other nature. In this way Luther teaches the ubiquity of
the human nature of Christ and that in the sacrament of the supper Christ's human
presence is with us having received the property of omnipresence from His divinity. (See
article X, 'The Holy Supper of our Lord,' in the Augsburg Confession quoted in Creeds of
the Churches, Ed. J H Leith, revised edition, Richmond: John Knox Press, 1973, p.71).
For Calvin this concept is impossible. [back]

10 The modern father of the kenosis doctrine was Gottfried Thomasius who in his
"Beiträge zur Kirchlichen Christologie," (1845), proposed a partial laying aside of the
divine attributes in Christ. Another form of the doctrine was offered by Th. A Liebner
who proposed a complete laying aside of the divine attributes in the kenosis. A third form
was propounded by Franck who believed that Jesus in the kenosis laid aside completely
His divine existence. Bishop Charles Gore of England was an important representative of
the modern kenosis doctrine in the early 20th century. He was particularly interested in
studying the human consciousness of Christ during the Incarnation and came to the
conclusion that Christ lived entirely on the level of the human. For an overview of the
history of the modern kenosis movement see Jacobus Johannes Müller, Die Kenosisleer
in die Kristoloqie sedert die Reformasie, (Th.D. Proefskrif), Vrije Universiteit to
Amsterdam, 1931. See also Baillie, God Was in Christ, pp.94-98. [back]

11 See especially the chapter, "The Paradox of the Incarnation," in Donald M Baillie,
God Was in Christ, pp.106-132. [back]

12 Wolfhart Pannenberg gives reasons why he does not build a "Christology from above"
but favours the approach "from below." He writes: "Therefore, our starting point must lie
in the question about the man Jesus; only in this way can we ask about his divinity. How
the divine Logos, the Second Person of the Trinity, would be thought of apart from the
incarnation and thus apart from the man Jesus completely escapes our imagination"
(Wolfhart Pannenberg, Jesus - God and Man, London: SCM Press Ltd., 1968, p.35).
Jonker suggests that while Pannenberg approaches his Christology 'von unten,' he may be
considered as belonging to the category of ontological Christology. (See Jonker, Christus
die Middelaar, bl. 112). [back]
13 See his whole approach in his work on Christology. Walter Kasper, Jesus the Christ,
London: Burns and Oates, 1976. [back]

14 We refer the reader to W D Jonker, Christus die Middelaar. [back]

15 Note the observation concerning Origen: "Though conscious of a staunch fidelity to

the historic faith, he felt it essential that the contents of the creed should at the same time
be sublimated by the methods of reverent speculation, provided only that the limits of
ecclesiastical and apostolic tradition were recognized" (Mackintosh, The Person of Jesus
Christ, pp.164,165). [back]

16 "Early Christian, Gnostic-inspired writings make speculations from it concerning the

being of Jesus" (A Grillmeier, Christ in Christian Tradition, London: Mowbrays, 1975,
p.69). [back]

17 For a discussion of Gnosticism and Christology see Ibid., pp.79-84. [back]

18 For a comment on the life of Spinoza see R Willis, Benedict de Spinoza: His Life,
Correspondence, and Ethics, London: Trübner & Co., 1870, pp.1-77. [back]

19 Note the comment of Willis: "To him [ Spinoza] indeed all men, as all things else,
were modes or manifestations of the Divine Essence, whereof one might have a larger
measure than another, but of which nothing having reality was utterly devoid. Whilst he
had no difficulty in admitting that Jesus of Nazareth had a larger infusion of Deity than
the average of men, it was, therefore, as impossible for him to conceive that Jesus was
God as it was for him to conceive that the triangle should assume or present itself with
the properties of the square" (Ibid., pp.101,102). [back]

20 K. Barth, Protestant Theology in the 19th Century, London: SCM Press, 1972, p.288.
[back]

21 Note Barth's discussion of Kant's thought: "Thus if, according to Kant, something
corresponding to what is called the 'Word' in the prologue to St. John's Gospel exists,
there is certainly, according to him, no suggestion that this Word might by any chance
have become flesh. To the religion of reason the Son of God is not a man, but 'the
abstraction of humanity" (Ibid.). [back]

22 Speculative thinking has been defined by Karl Barth as: "dissolving something real
and setting it in opposition to itself in such a way that the differences as determined by
one's thinking are set in opposition and the object is conceived as a unity of both" (Ibid.,
p.402). [back]

23 For a discussion of Hegel's concepts regarding God in the world see Hans Küng, Does
God Exist? London: Collins, 1980, pp.127-188.See also Warren McWilliams, "Beyond
'Mere Transcendence': The Riddle of Hegel's Phenomenology," Perspectives in Religious
Studies, Vol. 6, No. 1, 1979, pp.46-64; Winfried Corduan, "Hegel in Rahner, A Study in
Philosophical Hermeneutics," Harvard Theological Review, Vol. 71, 1978, pp.285-298;
Hans Kung, Menschwerdunq Gottes, Eine Einfuhrüng in Hegels Theoloqisches Denken
als Prolegomena zu einer künftigen Christoloqie, Freiburg, 1970. [back]

24 In many respects Tillich is a theologian who stands "on the boundary." (See W M
Horton, "Tillich's Role in Contemporary Theology," The Theology of Paul Tillich, New
York: The MacMillan Co., 1961, pp.26-47). There are some who feel that the revelation
of God in Jesus Christ is not essential to Tillich's system (see Arthur Cochrane, The
Existentialists and God, Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1956, p.90). Kenneth Hamilton
is out-spoken in his polemic against Tillich when he writes: "The more the system is
unfolded, the wider yawns the gap between the universal and the factual, and the harder
becomes any reconciliation with the Christian gospel... It is essential for the system that
the universal and the factual shall never meet directly" (Hamilton, The System and the
Gospel, London: SCM Press, 1963, pp.162,163). Michael Palmer, in a recent article on
Tillich's Christology, does not take this extreme view and endeavours to argue for
Tillich's conception of the actual historicity of Jesus Christ as the bearer of the New
Being (see Michael Palmer, "Correlation and Ontology: A Study in Tillich's Christology,"
The Downside Review, Vol. 96, April 1978, pp.120-131). [back]

25 Note Rahner's thought in brief: "The fact that this event, [the Incarnation], in which
man attains to God in an ultimate act of self-transcendence, and in God's own self-
bestowal upon man in its most radical form, has taken place precisely in Jesus of
Nazareth" (Karl Rahner, Theological Investigations, Vol. XI, London: Darton, Longman
& Todd, 1974, p.227). [back]

26 See the chapter, "Questions about Jesus," in Jürgen Moltmann, The Crucified God,
London: SCM Press, 1974, pp.82-111. See also J Moltmann, Theology of Hope, London:
SCM Press, 1967. [back]

27 Albert Schweitzer says of Renan, Strauss, Schenkel, Weizsäcker and Keim: "They all
portray the Jesus of liberal theology; the only difference is that one is a little more
conscientious in his colouring than another, and one perhaps has a little more taste than
another, or is less concerned about the consequences" (Albert Schweitzer, The Quest of
the Historical Jesus, London: Adam & Charles Black, 1954, p.200). [back]

28 Hermann Samuel Reimarus was born in 1694 and died in 1768. His writings asserted
the claims of rational religion as against the faith of the church. After his death, Lessing
published the most important fragments of Reimarus' magnum opus. Schweitzer says:
"His work is perhaps the most splendid achievement in the whole course of the historical
investigation of the life of Jesus, for he was the first to grasp the fact that the world of
thought in which Jesus moved was essentially eschatological" (A Schweitzer, The Quest
of the Historical Jesus, p.23). [back]

29 David Friedrich Strauss produced his first edition of the "Life of Jesus" in two
volumes of 1480 pages, (1835,6). Although Schweitzer speaks of this book as "one of the
most perfect things in the whole range of learned literature" (Ibid., p.78), he admits that
"Scarcely ever has a book let loose such a storm of controversy;" (Ibid., p.97). Amongst
the milder opponents of the book was Neander who, while recognizing that the book
would be a danger to the church, appealed for an answer by argument rather than by
arbitrary banning. [back]

30 The fictitious "Lives of Jesus" of Bahrdt and Venturini at the end of the 18th and
beginning of the 19th centuries, first attempted to apply, with logical consistency, a non-
supernatural interpretation to the miracle stories of the Gospel. See Schweitzer, The
Quest of the Historical Jesus, pp.38-47. [back]

31 Schweitzer writes: "They were eager to picture Him as truly and purely human, to
strip from Him the robes of splendour with which He had been apparelled, and clothe
Him once more with the coarse garments in which He had walked in Galilee" (Ibid., p.5)
[back].

32 Note the value that Schweitzer places on this critical investigation: "For this reason
the history of the critical study of the life of Jesus is of higher intrinsic value than the
history of the study of ancient dogma or of the attempts to create a new one" (Ibid., p.2).
[back]

33 Ibid., p.311. [back]

34 See K Rahner, "Chalkedon-Ende oder Anfang?" Das Konzil von Chalkedon, ed. by A
Grillmeier and ll Bacht, Vol. III, Wärzburg, 1954, pp.3-49; "Problems of Present-day
Christology," K Rahner, Theological Investigations, Vol, I, Baltimore, 1961. [back]

35 See E Käsemann, "Das Problem des historischen Jesus," Zeitschrift für Theoloqie und
Kirche, Vol. 51, 1954, pp.125-153. For the relation of the new to the old quest for the
Jesus of history, cf. R Slenczka, Geschichlichkeit und Personsein Jesu Christi.Studien zur
Christologischen Problematik der Historischen Jesusfraqe, Gottingen, 1967. [back]

36 Käsemann, while following in the footsteps of Bultmann, called for a drastic reversal
from kerygma orientation to history of Jesus interest. Amongst Catholics who took up the
challenge mention must be made of H U von Balthasar, W Breuning, H Küng, H Mühlen,
K Rahner, J Ratzinger, M Schmaus, D Wiederkehr, A Hulsbosch, E Schillebeeckx, P
Schooenberg, C Duquoc, and J Galot. Among Protestant theologians we mention K
Barth, H Braun, F Buri, G Ebeling, E Fuchs, F Gogarten, E Jüngel, J Moltmann, W
Pannenberg, R Schäfer, and P Tillich. For a survey of Christological essays on this
interest see H Küng, Menschwerdunq Gottes, Freiburg, 1970, pp.503-670; J Galot, Vers
une Nouvelle Christologie, Paris, 1971 [back].

37 See Walter Kasper, Jesus the Christ, London: Burns & Oates, 1976, p.19. [back]

38 Ibid., p.35. [back]

39 For an introduction to Soren Kierkegaard and Martin Heidegger and existentialism in
general see John Macquarrie, Existentialism, New York: Penguin Books, 1973. [back]

40 In 1892 his Der sogenannte historische Jesus and der geschichtliche, biblische
Christus, appeared. See M Kähler, The So-Called Historical Jesus and the Historical
Biblical Christ, Philadelphia, 1964. [back]

41 0n form criticism see Rudolf Bultmann, Karl Kundsin, Form Criticism, Two Essays
on New Testament Research, New York: Harper and Row, 1962. [back]

42 Bultmann: "This method of interpretation of the New Testament which tries to recover
the deeper meaning behind the mythological conceptions I call de-mythologizinq - an
unsatisfactory word, to be sure. Its aim is not to eliminate the mythological statements but
to interpret them" (Jesus Christ and Mythology, New York: Charles Scribner's Sons,
1958, p.18). [back]

43 See Klaus Reinhardt, "In what way is Jesus Unique?" Internationale Katholische
Zeitschrift, Vol. III, May-June, 1973, pp.343-364. [back]

44 Ibid., p.346. [back]

45 See Friedrich Schleiermacher, The Christian Faith, Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1928, pp.
374-475. [back]

46 See footnote 12 of this chapter. Klaus Reinhardt has stated that for Pannenberg Jesus'
uniqueness and universality lies not in His humanity, but in His divinity and divine
Sonship (see "In what way is Jesus Unique?" p.356). [back]

47 Cf. H Schürmann, "Der proexistente Christus-die mitte des Glaubens von Morgen?"
Diakonia, 3 (1972), pp. 147-160.[back]

48 Cf. R Schäfer, Jesus und der Gottesqlaube, Tübingen, 1970; W Kasper, Ein fahruno in
den Glauben, Mainz, 1972, pp.43-56; H Urs von Balthasar, "Fides Christi," in Sponsa
Verbi, Einsiedeln, 1960, pp.45-79; G Ebeling, "Was heisst Glaube," SGV, 216, Tübingen,
1958; "Jesus and Faith," in Word and Faith, pp.201-246; Das Wesen des Christlichen
Glaubens, J C B Mohr (Paul Siebeck), Tübingen, 1959, tr. Ronald Gregor Smith, The
Nature of Faith, Collins, 1961. [back]

49 Cf. K Barth, Kirhliche Dogmatik, 111/2, Zürich, 1948, pp.66-69; J Ratzinger,

Introduction to Christianity, 1969. [back]

50 See H Braun, Jesus. der Mann aus Nazareth und Seine Zeit, Stuttgart, 1969,
p.161.[back]

51 While Sölle speaks of Jesus as man's representative this does not mean complete
substitution. Man still has an important role to play. She says: "God, who despite the
satisfaction already made, is still not content with the representative, continues to count
on us, to wait for us...He is a representative, not a replacement (D Sölle, Christ the
Representative, London: SCM Press 167, pp.103,104). [back]

52 See H Berkhof, Christelijk Geloof, Nijkerk: Callenbach, 1973, pp.281-355; E

Flessemann-van Leer, Geloven Vandaaq, Nijkerk: Callenbach, 1972, pp. 94-103 Note: "Ik
meen dat het God-in-Christus voor mensen vandaag beter op een andere wijze tot
uitdrukking kan worden gebracht dan met behulp van de incarnatie leer" (p.101). [back]

53 As an example of "contextual Christology" see Jon Sobrino, Christoloqy at the

Crossroads, A Latin American Approach, London: SCM Press, 1978. Note the words: "In
Latin America Christology is in fact being worked out by comparing the present-day
situation with the historical Jesus. Latin American faithful see that as the best way to give
expression to their Christian faith" (p.13). [back]

54 See Herman Wiersinga, De Verzoeninq in de Theoloqische Diskussie, Kampen: J H

Kok, 1971. [back]

55 Note for example Cullmann's words: "Because the first Christians see God's
redemptive revelation in Jesus Christ, for them it is his very nature that he can be known
only in his work—fundamentally in the central work accomplished in the flesh.
Therefore, in the light of the New Testament witness, all mere speculation about his
natures is an absurdity. Functional Christology is the only kind which exists" (Oscar
Cullmann, The Christology of the New Testament, London: SCM Press, 1963). [back]

II. Seventh-day Adventist Orientation

Before focusing on the particular Christological problems in Adventism we need to

obtain a larger overview of the movement in order to more correctly evaluate the
significance of the parts to the whole. We plan, therefore, to firstly obtain a picture of
Adventism as it sees itself in the religious spectrum of the times. Secondly, we will trace
briefly the highlights of the Christological development within Seventh-day Adventism.
Thirdly, we will pause at the specific Christological problems that have arisen and show
why they have caused tension. Lastly, we propose to give a reason for the method of
research and the choice of the four representatives that we have chosen.

A. Adventism as it sees itself

Seventh-day Adventism sees itself as a part of the Christian church standing in the
tradition of the Protestant Reformation and having its roots running clear back to the New
Testament.56 There is evidence that the movement considers itself as a restorer of old
truths and a 'repairer of the breach' in the law rather than as some fringe cult bent on
startling the world with the queer and the bizarre.57

Seventh-day Adventists believe that the heart of their message is Jesus Christ and His
atoning death on the cross. One well qualified to speak wrote the following words:
"The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other
truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the Word
of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the
cross of Calvary. I present before you the great, grand monument of mercy and
regeneration, salvation and redemption - the Son of God uplifted on the cross. This is to
be the foundation of every discourse given by our ministers."58

The movement believes that it is to proclaim, along with other Christians, the Eternal
Verities to a world lost in sin. According to Leroy Edwin Froom, these Eternal Verities
"embrace the basic principles and provisions for the salvation of men, as springing from
and centering in the three persons of the Godhead, or Trinity."59 They are eternal because
God is eternal. They encompass everything needed to carry out the sacred covenant - the
Incarnation, Christ's sinless life and vicarious, atoning death, resurrection and priestly
mediation and His glorious return. Central to these verities is Christ's spotless
righteousness with which He clothes and transforms sinners. Component factors embrace
regeneration, justification, sanctification through the Holy Spirit and glorification. All of
these are rooted in God's love, grace, compassion and power. These are the conquering
provisions to overcome sin and to banish it from the universe. Thus, for Froom, the
Eternal Verities are simply the Everlasting Gospel in essence and operation. Seventh-day
Adventism has been called to proclaim these essentials to the world.60

Froom has also demonstrated in his Prophetic Faith of our Fathers that many of the
positions taken by Adventists, even in the field of prophetic interpretation and
eschatology, are common to scholars of past generations.61His two volumes on
conditionalism, likewise, reveal that the Adventist position on life, death and the
resurrection is not unique but has support in Christian thought.62 In fact, many modern
scholars recognize the holism of man and that the hellenistic concept of the immortality
of the soul is in conflict with the Biblical doctrine of the resurrection of the dead.63

Adventist apologist Francis D Nicol has also shown that Adventists are on common
ground with the fundamental Protestant position on the moral law of ten commandments
as a standard of righteousness as revealed n the historic creeds of the church.64 In fact,
:Edward Heppenstall's exposition of the law in Galatians and the function of the law in
the New Testament is in the best Reformed tradition.65 Hans K La Rondelle in his course
called "Protestant Theological Heritage," indicates to what extent Adventism stands in the
light of Luther and Calvin in many areas of theology.66

At the 1952 Adventist Bible Conference, Heppenstall67 presented a paper on the Law and
the Covenants. Here he took the position that God has presented to man essentially one
unified covenant at various times in the history of God's people.68 This is an anti-
dispensationalist view and echoes the Reformed position. The Adventist teaching of one
Sabbath covering both the Old and the New Testament eras and dominating the one
essential covenant is held as more logical than two different Sabbaths in the one covenant
of the traditional Reformed teaching.
The appearance of Questions on Doctrine in 195769 was well-received by the non-
Adventist world and indicated what a wealth of theological common ground actually
exists between Adventists and the rest of the Christian world. This has often been lost
sight of as points of variance have been emphasized.

The voice of Harold M S Richards Sr, pioneer broadcaster of the Voice of Prophecy radio
programme, has been sounding over the air for over 50 years,70giving a very positive
Christ-centered evangelical note which has greatly helped to dispel the fog of suspicion
and to establish the bona fides of Adventism as a legitimate part of the great Christian
church. In his book, Why I am a Seventh-day Adventist, Richards gives a clear and
concise statement of those doctrines held in common with most other Protestant
churches, a shorter list of teachings which are shared with some other Christians and then
finally a brief listing of those beliefs considered unique to Adventism.71

Froom has sought to show in his Movement of Destiny that Adventism72 seen in its best
light takes a strong stand on the 'eternal verities' such as the full and complete atonement
on the cross and the sinlessness of our Lord. For Froom, Adventism has been raised up of
God to call the Christian church back to loyalty to God and the Scriptures and the 'eternal
verities' of truth.

Seventh-day Adventism has been convicted of its Christian responsibility, embodied in its
name, of drawing the attention of the world to the importance of the seventh-day Sabbath
and the imminence of the second advent of Christ. Prominent in the early works on the
Sabbath was the standard treatise by John Nevins Andrews.73 Through the years a great
deal of literature has been produced on this doctrine. With this emphasis on the Sabbath,
Adventists have often appeared as legalists and given the impression of advocating the
Galatian heresy.74 However, evidence is strong that in spite of a burden for the Sabbath,
Adventism has strongly advocated salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ apart
from the works of the law.75 More recently the scholarly work on the Sabbath and the
origin of Sunday worship by Samuele Bacchiocchi76 has appeared, eliciting much
favourable interest and comment in the scholarly world. Undoubtedly, this will encourage
a new look at the Sabbath question as an important aspect of soteriology.

Adventism sees itself as a last-day reformatory movement entrusted with the 'Elijah
message,'77 to bring all men to the point of decision concerning allegiance to Christ and
obedience to God. The challenge of presenting the 'everlasting gospel' in the setting of the
three angels' message of Rev. 14:6-12 is considered in a serious light. Whether the core of
this message is justification by faith or an imitation of the faith and life of Christ is the
cause of some tension within the ranks of Adventism.

B. Christological Development within Adventism

In the aftermath of the second advent awakening78 and the Millerite movement,79
Seventh-day Adventism was born. Men drawn from various religious backgrounds united
in heralding the soon-coming Christ.80 The Christological stance of most of these
proponents of the message was trinitarian,81 but in some cases the position advocated on
Christ and the Holy Spirit was unorthodox.82

In the formative years of the movement the thrust of the message was eschatological and
with the emphasis on the imminence of the second advent, time was not taken for
definitive statements on Christology.

James White, one of the early leaders of the Adventist movement, had come from the
Christian Connection which held Arian views regarding Christ. In some early statements
White showed his Arian bias,83 but by 1877 came out clearly on the equality of Christ
with the Father.84

Ellen White came into Adventism from a Methodist background85 and this, no doubt,
influenced her Christology. Seventh-day Adventists believe that the lifework of Ellen
White was blessed with the gift of the 'spirit of prophecy'86 and in the next chapter
evidence will be given for her role in the Christological development within Adventism.

Joseph H Waggoner and Uriah Smith were both prominent Adventist leaders who lent
weight to the position of a derived and subordinate Christ.87

Ellet J Waggoner, son of J H Waggoner, was destined to play an important role in the
Christological development of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This role will be
studied in detail in the third chapter of this work. Suffice it to say that Waggoner's part in
the Minneapolis Conference of 1888 was prominent and this conference and its aftermath
resulted in greater expansion of the Christology of Seventh-day Adventism.

The influence of William W Prescott88 during the late 19th century and the early twentieth
century up to the important Bible Conference of 1919 and beyond was significant.
Thoroughly imbued with the concept that Jesus Christ should be the centre and heart of
all doctrine, Prescott produced a College Bible textbook, The Doctrine of Christ89 in
1920, which was the first serious attempt to produce a systematic theology around the
person of Christ. Froom states: "In the belief of many, the Prescott emphasis constitutes a
bridge, a major connection, between what had been and what must be."90

Another important man in the history of Seventh-day Adventist Christological

development was Arthur G Daniells.91 Not only as President of the General Conference,
but also in the Ministerial Institutes which he conducted in the 1920's his influence was
vital. Froom testified that it was during the Nashville Institute of 1925 that Daniells'
passion for Christ deeply affected his own life and influenced him to transfer his love
from a message to a Person.92 In 1926 Daniells produced his Christ our Righteousness
which was destined to have a strong Christocentric influence upon the rank and file of
Seventh-day Adventists.93

Largely through the influence of Daniells the latter part of the 1920's witnessed the
founding of the Ministry Magazine,94 which through the years was to play an important
role in Christological development. The story of the preparation of the statement of
fundamental beliefs in the 1930's and the uniform "Baptismal Covenant and Vow" of
1941 is important in the Christological drama of Adventism.95 During the 1940's the
Christological crescendo heightened in the continued emphases of men like Leroy Edwin
Froom, Walter E Read and Roy Allan Anderson.96 Froom's position was one of
prominence and his monumental works in prophetic interpretation increased his
ecumenical stature.97 The Bible Conference of 1952 gave due emphasis to a
Christocentric approach in the church's re-evaluation of dogma.98

It is difficult to understand theological discussion within Adventism during the period

1952-1981 without reference to Robert D Brinsmead.99 Although on the fringes of the
official church his impact has been significant. His soteriological message during the
1950's and 1960's was built on the traditional Adventist framework of the sanctuary motif
and embellished with ultimate perfectionism in the end time.100 Along with this went a
view of the sinful human nature of Christ without the practice of sin. Traditional
Adventist support could be found for his thesis.101

Brinsmead's views were seen as divisive and the official church opposed aspects of his
soteriology along with his Christology.102 Adventist theologians like Heppenstall and
Desmond Ford103 advocated the sinless human nature of Christ and the contrasting sinful
human nature of man which would remain until glorification at the final eschaton.

In 1957 Adventists published the book Questions on Doctrine as a result of ecumenical

consultations with a group of non-Adventist scholars.104This book was largely the work of
Leroy Froom, Walter Read and Roy Anderson. Although not approved by any official
committee of the church it did have general exposure to many Adventist minds.105 It was
an important watershed for Adventist Christology. Adopting a classical ontological
Christological stance the book has been widely distributed amongst non-Adventists. It
has helped to dispel the fears of evangelicals regarding Adventist Christology but as the
years have passed it has also served to polarize Adventist thinking between so-called
traditionalists and reformationists.

Milian L. Andreasen, one-time professor at the Adventist Seminary, was particularly

outspoken in his opposition to the Christiology of Questions on Doctrine.106 This
opposition sought to draw support from the past and also acted as a vanguard for
resistance in the subsequent years.107

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Heppenstall led in a renewed emphasis on the
centrality of Christ in soteriology and the inability of sinful man to save himself or attain
to ultimate perfection. Serving at the Adventist Theological Seminary, he acted as a
catalyst to train a generation of Adventist ministers in a closer Reformation stance on the
nature of Christ, the nature of man, original sin and righteousness by faith.108 As a result
of Heppenstall's influence at the Seminary during the 1950's and 1960's and then his
subsequent writings in the 1970's,109 one can almost speak of much of the period as the
Heppenstallian era of Adventism.
Following on the heels of Heppenstall at the Seminary came Raoul F Dederen and a little
later Hans K LaRondelle, both trained in the Adventist Reformation mould.110 Both
excellent scholars and teachers, they have continued many of the Christocentric and
Christological emphases of Heppenstall and built upon them.111

Far away in Australia, Desmond Ford, chairman of the Religion Department at Avondale
Adventist College, likewise taught in the style of Heppenstall. Throughout the 1960's and
1970's he espoused the cause of Reformationist Adventism, believing its roots to he
found in the 1888 Minneapolis revival and accepting this as the true intent of the writings
of E G White.

It was, no doubt, the influence of this triumvirate of Heppenstall, LaRondelle and Ford
which unseated Brinsmead theologically and drew him into the camp of the
Reformationists early in the 1970's.112 With the radical reversal in the theological thinking
of Brinsmead there came a reaction in certain Adventist circles. It was actually
discovered that a fairly large residuum of Adventist thought was sympathetic with many
aspects of Brinsmead's earlier soteriology and Christology. His apparent divisive effects
had kept many from openly espousing his cause. Now that Brinsmead had changed his
thought some Adventist writers and scholars openly propounded aspects of his earlier
views which they felt reflected traditional Adventist belief.113 Editors Wood and Douglass
of the Review and Herald during the 1970's now supported soteriological and
Christological views reminiscent of Brinsmead's earlier views.114

Wieland and Short115 who in the 1950's and 1960's were somewhat in disfavour with the
official view of the church, now appeared in a better light. Wieland had always believed
that the Christology and soteriology of E J Waggoner of Minneapolis fame had been lost
sight of through the work of men like Froom, Anderson and Heppenstall and that a
revival of the truth regarding the nature of Christ and 'righteousness by faith' would bring
the latter rain.116 Wieland's latest book on the message of 1888 has been prominently
advertised in the Review and Herald.117

The book, Movement of Destiny, by L E Froom in 1971 could well represent the capstone
in what might be termed neo-Adventist thought.118 Attempting to give a history of the
development of certain aspects of dogma in Adventism, Froom came out strongly in
favour of the full atonement at the cross and the sinlessness of Jesus Christ.119 His
disapproval of the position of Wieland and Short is apparent.120 This work is in the mould
of Questions on Doctrine and represents Froom's earnest efforts to steer Adventism into
an acceptable Christian stream and to the fulfilment of its destiny.

Closely allied with the Christological controversy has been the so-called 'righteousness
by faith' dialogue. The roots of this discussion lie deeply embedded in the Minneapolis
saga.121 Leading out on the one side of the issue has been Desmond Ford who maintains
that 'righteousness by faith' is a New Testament Pauline expression representing the
imputation of Christ's righteousness to the sinner in justification alone.122 On the other
side of the spectrum has been Herbert Douglass who maintains that 'righteousness by
faith' is wider than justification and includes sanctification and in fact represents the
possibility of saints living righteously as Christ did by faith in God.123 Many have
participated in these discussions and conferences have been held seeking greater clarity.
The Palmdale Conference of 1976 was an important event in this dialogue.124 It is clear
that Christology is also deeply involved in this whole discussion. At one stage it was felt
that the agitation on these issues was so divisive that a moratorium on further discussion
was called.125Further conferences were held by church committees and in 1979 the
statement "Dynamics of Salvation" appeared.126 To many this acted as a mediating
position in the field of soteriology. The deeper involvements of the Christological conflict
did not feature in this statement.127

The discussions within Adventism have been observed by those outside the ranks as
evidenced by Geoffrey Paxton's book, The Shaking of Adventism.128 While this work
concentrates on the soteriological claim of Adventism the question of Christology is
closely linked.129

In order to complete the picture of the historical development of Adventist Christology

we wish to quote the relevant Christological statements in the Fundamental Beliefs voted
at the 53rd General Conference Session of Seventh-day Adventists held at Dallas, U.S.A.,
April 17-26, 1980. These statements are amongst the twenty-seven articles of belief
which are a revision of chapter two of the Church Manual.130

The Trinity. There is one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, a unity of three co-eternal
Persons. God is immortal, all-powerful, all-knowing, above all, and ever present. He is
infinite and beyond human comprehension, yet known through His self-revelation. He is
forever worthy of worship, adoration, and service by the whole creation. (Deut. 6:4;
29:29; Matt. 28:19; 2 Cor. 13:14; Eph. 4:4-6; 131 1 Peter 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:17; Rev. 14:6,7).

The Son. God the eternal Son became incarnate in Jesus Christ. Through Him all things
were created, the character of God is revealed, the salvation of humanity is accomplished,
and the world is judged. Forever truly God, He became also truly man, Jesus the Christ.
He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived and
experienced temptation as a human being, but perfectly exemplified the righteousness
and love of God. By His miracles He manifested God's power and was attested as God's
promised Messiah. He suffered and died voluntarily on the cross for our sins and in our
place, was raised from the dead, and ascended to minister in the heavenly sanctuary in
our behalf. He will come again in glory for the final deliverance of His people and the
restoration of all things. (John 1:1-3, 14; 5:22; Col. 1: 15-19; John 10:30; 14:9; Rom.
5:18; 6:23; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Luke 1:35; Phil. 2:5-11; 1 Cor. 15:3,4; Heb. 2:9-18; 4:15;
7:25; 8:1,2; 9:28; John 14:1-3; 1 Peter 2:21; Rev. 22:20) .132

The Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. In Christ's life of perfect obedience to
God's will, His suffering, death, and resurrection, God provided the only means of
atonement for human sin, so that those who by faith accept this atonement may have
eternal life, and the whole creation may better understand the infinite and holy love of the
Creator. This perfect atonement vindicates the righteousness of God's law and the
graciousness of His character; for it both condemns our sin and provides for our
forgiveness. The death of Christ is substitutionary and expiatory, reconciling and
transforming. The resurrection of Christ proclaims God's triumph over the forces of evil,
and for those who accept the atonement assures their final victory over sin and death. It
declares the Lordship of Jesus Christ, before whom every knee in heaven and on earth
will bow. (John 3:16; Isa. 53:2; 2 Cor. 5:14,15; 19-21; Rom. 1:4; 3:25; 4:25; 8:3,4; Phil
2:6-11; 1 John 2:2; 4:10; Col. 2:15).133

C. Specific Christological Problems Within Adventism

Having viewed the fundamental beliefs in the Dallas statement relative to Christology
one might be led to believe that the Christological issue within Adventism has been
finally settled. However, this is not so. While there is general agreement in most areas,
there remains divergence of belief regarding the nature of Christ in the Incarnation with
reference to the sin problem. Almost all would agree that Christ did not perform acts of
sin in word, thought or deed. But did Christ begin where all men begin? Are men born in
a state of sin before committing acts of sin? Do men possess a sinful human nature prior
to deeds of sin? Is the possession of a sinful human nature equivalent to the theory of
original sin? If Christ came into the world in the same nature as man, did He also possess
a sinful human nature or was He different to sinful man in this respect? Could it be that
while Christ partook of man's sinful human nature that He was not inherently affected by
sin like all other men? Or when we speak of Christ and man taking sinful human nature,
do we only mean weakened human nature affected by sin and susceptible to temptation?
However, Adam and Eve before possessing sinful human natures were susceptible to
temptation. Do we then see Christ and man coming into the world on the same level
weakened by the effects of sin but in actuality being innocent? Are all men born into the
world in a state of neutrality, or innocence, or holiness or sinfulness? Does Christ start on
the same level as all men either in the state of neutrality, or innocence, or holiness or
sinfulness? The essential question is this did Christ begin life in the Incarnation exactly in
the same state as all men relevant to the sin problem or was there any difference?

There are two basic trends within Adventism in connection with the above problem. One
trend seeks to narrow the gap between sinful man and Christ as much as possible. The
other trend results in widening the gap between man and Christ relative to the sin
problem. Many evidences of these two trends could be cited. We wish to refer briefly to
two books both published by the Review and Herald Publishing Association within recent
years. The one appeared in 1977 entitled The Man Who is God by Edward Heppenstall
and the other in 1979, Was Jesus Really Like Us? by Thomas A Davis.134 The titles
immediately indicate that the one author would emphasize the uniqueness of Christ and
the other the similarity of Christ to all other men

.The general thrust of Davis, book is that the human nature of Christ was that of a born-
again Christian, albeit, the truly fully dedicated born-again person. At times he will speak
of Christ's weak, fallen nature and of His nature being in a sense a sinful nature.135 On the
other hand, for Heppenstall, Christ is completely different from man when it comes to the
state of sin. Heppenstall is unequivocal with regard to the absence of a sinful nature in the
humanity of Christ.136 It likewise becomes clear that because of their divergent
Christology, Davis and Heppenstall end up with different concepts of human
perfection.137

These two different trends in Adventist Christology have far-reaching consequences for
the soteriology of the movement. Almost every area of belief is influenced by one's
departure point regarding the nature of Christ. One's view of Christ radically affects one's
concept of such soteriological issues as the great controversy motif, the atonement, the
nature of man and of sin, justification and sanctification, the nature of obedience and the
issue of perfection. To what extent can plurality of belief on Christology be allowed
without impairing the impact of the movement? Are the two basic differences in
Adventist Christology at the foundation of the polarization in the church's soteriology?
We maintain that it is important to study Christology within Adventism with the view to
seek avenues of rapprochement without compromise of Scriptural truth in order to clarify
divergences and to seek for a strong united voice of witness.

Not only is Christology important for the internal unity and stability of the church. Up to
the publication of Questions on Doctrine Adventists were often under attack by other
Christians on the questions of the atonement and the nature of Christ. Froom endeavoured
to show in his Movement of Destiny that minority views had indeed given rise to some of
these accusations and that the church had taken steps to rectify matters.138 There have
been those within the church and on the fringes thereof who have expressed objection to
Froom's positions and feel that he along with others has been leading the church away
from the traditional position into Babylonian side paths.139 For the sake of the Christian
world outside of Adventism it is imperative for the church to clarify the issues and let all
know where it stands.

We, of course, must be patient when we remember that Christological controversies have
been part of the Christian church since the very beginning of New Testament times.
Adventism claims to have the 'spirit of prophecy' but it is still made up of fallible men
who must seek to interpret the message of the Scriptures. It is, therefore, not immune to
misinterpretation and limited understanding. Along with other Christian churches it must
humbly wait on God for greater clarity and understanding. Woe to any church which feels
that it is increased with goods (theological truth) and has need of nothing. The Lord
stands ready to bless the church as it humbly waits for the Spirit's greater illumination of
divine truth.

D. Proposed Approach to the Problem

In the introduction we indicated the methodology to be followed in this dissertation. Four

representative Seventh-day Adventist writers and theologians would be selected for this
Christological study. They are Ellen White, Ellet Waggoner, Edward Heppenstall and
Herbert Douglass. I now wish to motivate my choice of these four individuals.

Ellen G White occupied a prominent place in Seventh-day Adventism from the beginning
of the movement in 1844 to the time of her death in 1915. Her influence reaches to the
present largely through the prodigious amount of writing which she has left to the church.
Seventh-day Adventists hold her writings in special esteem, believing that the 'gift of
prophecy' was manifested in her life and work.140 She herself preferred not to call herself
a prophet but rather "the messenger of the Lord."141 She had the highest regard for the
Bible and believed that her writings should be tested by this norm.142 She firmly believed
that the canon of Scripture was closed with the New Testament143 and that while her
writings are doctrinally instructive they do not form part of the canon of Scripture and are
"a lesser light to lead to the greater light."144

In view of the authoritative nature of her writings for Seventh-day Adventists and the
very considerable amount of material dealing with Christology it was felt that it would be
very difficult to give a true picture of Christology within Adventism without giving
attention to her contribution in this field. It should further be noted that her husband,
James White, was a leading Seventh-day Adventist minister, writer and editor as well as
serving his church as president of the General Conference.145

The second choice is Ellet J. Waggoner who occupied an important place in Adventism as
a writer, editor and preacher.146 He rose to prominence as editor of the Signs of the Times,
contributing many theological articles to its pages.147 He is especially remembered for his
part along with Alonzo T. Jones in the historic Minneapolis Conference of 1888.148 There
is some uncertainty as to the exact nature of his discourses at this Conference but it is
believed that the law in Galatians and its relation to justification by faith featured
prominently.149 The subject of Christology became prominent especially in his published
books subsequent to Minneapolis.150 Waggoner was a leading speaker at church
conventions during this period151 dealing with theological themes. He continued his
editorial work in England and his articles also appeared regularly in the Australian
counterpart to the Signs of the Times.152 There are many in the church today who believe
that the contribution of E. J. Waggoner in the field of Christology is vital for the church's
fresh understanding of its role and for the forward thrust of the church as it seeks to fulfill
its mission. In the light of these facts it was thought important to look at the Christology
of E. J. Waggoner.

My third choice is Edward Heppenstall who has played an important role as a leading
theologian in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. He was especially prominent in the
Theological Seminary during the 1950's and 1960's where he had a moulding influence
on a generation of Adventist ministers,153 A thought-provoking and provocative teacher,
he challenged his students to think and was often on the frontier of new horizons in
Adventist thought. After moving from the Seminary to Loma Linda University he
continued making theological impact and his books have added to his influence.154
Heppenstall's Christology is in the classical and Reformation style and has elicited strong
support as well as antagonism within the ranks of Adventism. His Christology has
affected all areas of his theology and because his views have made impact within the
church and represent a strong wing of the movement it was felt imperative to give
attention to Heppenstall.

My last representative is Herbert E Douglass, writer, editor and theologian.155 As a

college president, associate editor of the Adventist Review and book editor of the Pacific
Press he has had wide influence. His Christology is different from that of Heppenstall and
represents another strong wing within Adventism. Opposed to the Christology of
Questions on Doctrine, he finds himself closer in thought to M L Andreasen and R. J.
Wieland in his Christological stance. Convinced of the special role of the Seventh-day
Adventist Church in the closing drama,156 he has developed and refined a "harvest
theology"157 which closely links Christology to soteriology. His view on Christology has
given special impetus to his understanding of 'righteousness by faith' and his emphasis on
a special demonstration by the last generation of saints plays a vital role in his concept of
the vindication of God. Because of. the considerable influence of Douglass in the field of
Christology and because he represents what many believe to be the traditional view of
Christology I thought it important to include his contribution.

________________

56 LeRoy Edwin Froom writes: "Our roots did not simply begin in 1844 - nor even with
the antecedent worldwide Second Advent Awakening and Movement of the early decades
of the nineteenth century, particularly the 1830's and 1840's. We stem back, in spiritual
ancestry, not only to Protestant Reformation times, but clear through to the Apostolic
founding period of the Christian church" (Froom, Movement of Destiny, Washington:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1971, pp.27,28). [back]

57Note Froom again: "We need to sense clearly that we are not simply another
denomination, arising belatedly in the nineteenth century - too late to come under the
category of the Reformation churches. Neither are a cult, holding certain strange,
heretical positions. We are emphatically not a people apart, isolated, and unrelated to
God's true church of the past. Instead, we are tied inseparably into the noble line of His
designated people stretching across the centuries" (Ibid., p.27). [back]

58 Ellen Gould White, Gospel Workers, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1915, p.315. Note also: "Christ, His character and work, is the
center and circumference of all truth. He is the chain upon which the jewels of doctrine
are linked. In Him is found the complete system of truth" (E G White, "Contemplate
Christ's Perfection, Not Man's Imperfection," Review and Herald, August 15, 1893).
[back]

59 Froom, Movement of Destiny, p.34. [back]

60 See Froom, Movement of Destiny, p.34. [back]

61 Leroy Edwin Froom, The Prophetic Faith of our Fathers, Vols. 1-4, Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946-1954. These volumes present the
historical development of prophetic interpretation from the early church period to modern
times. Comprising nearly 4,000 pages, these volumes are the result of 20 years of
research on the part of the author, requiring 3 extensive trips to Europe, protracted study
in South America and Inter-America and examination of available sources in all the great
libraries of North America. [back]
62 L E Froom, The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers, Vols. 1-2, Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald 1965-6. Covering 2,476 pages, Froom presents evidence regarding
the conflict of the ages over the nature and destiny of man. [back]

63 See Oscar Cullmann, Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection of the Dead?, New
York: The MacMillan Company, 1958; J J F Durand, "Life and Death as a Theological
Problem," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa, September, 1981, No. 36, pp.18-26.
[back]

64 Francis D Nichol, Reasons for our Faith, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1947,
pp.229-249. [back]

65 E Heppenstall, "The Law in Adventist Theology and Christian Experience," Doctrinal

Discussions, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, [1962?],
pp.11-26. [back]

66 Hans K La Rondelle has studied at Utrecht State University and holds the Th.D.
degree from the Free University of Amsterdam, where his promoter was Dr G C
Berkouwer. La Rondelle joined the faculty of Andrews University, Michigan, in 1967,
and currently is professor of theology and Christian philosophy at the Seventh-day
Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University. One of the classes he teaches is
called "Protestant Theological Heritage." [back]

67 Edward Heppenstall has spent most of his working life in the classroom. He has taught
at La Sierra College in California, where he was head of the religion department, and at
the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at both Washington, D.C., and Berrien
Springs, Michigan, as chairman of the department of theology. Since his retirement, Dr
Heppenstall has taught in the Division of Religion at Loma Linda University and also
authored Our High Priest, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
1972; Salvation Unlimited, Washington, D.C.; Review and Herald, 1974; The Man Who
is God, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1977. [back]

68 E Heppenstall, "The Covenants and the Law," Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 1,
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1953, pp.437-492.[back]

69 Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine, Washington, D.C.: Review and

Herald Publishing Association, 1957. "Prepared by a Representative Group of Seventh-
day Adventist Leaders, Bible Teachers and Editors." This book was produced as a result
of a series of eighteen conferences between a group of Seventh-day Adventist scholars
and Evangelical representatives during 1955 and 1956. Principal participants from the
Evangelical side were Dr Donald Grey Barnhouse and Walter Martin. For details on this
episode in Adventist history, see Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp.476-492. [back]

70 Harold M S Richards began a radio ministry in 1930 which soon became known as
"The Voice of Prophecy." In 1980 the Voice of Prophecy celebrated its Golden Jubilee.
Joined by his son, H M S Richards, Jr., father and son have done much to dispel the
suspicion of legalism in favour of a Christocentric image. [back]]

71 H M S Richards, Why I am a Seventh-day Adventist, Washington, D.C.: Review and

Herald Publishing Association, 1965. [back]

72 L E Froom, Movement of Destiny, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing

Association, 1971. [back]

73 See J N Andrews, History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week, Third Edition,
Revised, Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1887.
[back]

74 By the Galatian heresy we understand the system whereby man either on his own or
with the help of God endeavours to contribute to his salvation by a process of moral or
ceremonial acts. The concept is based on Paul's epistle to the Galatians. [back]

75 See "Relation of Works to Salvation, the Witness of Seventh-day Adventist Leaders on

Historical Record," The Ministry, Vol. 19, No. 6, May 1946, pp.3-6. In this article 15
prominent Seventh-day Adventists express themselves as to their conviction on salvation
by faith in Jesus Christ alone apart from works of obedience which are a fruitage of
salvation. [back]

76 Samuele Bacchiocchi, From Sabbath to Sunday, A Historical Investigation of the Rise

of Sunday Observance in Early Christianity, Rome: The Pontifical Gregorian University
Press, 1977. Bacchiocchi was the first Protestant to complete doctoral work in the Roman
Catholic Pontifical Gregorian University in over four hundred years of her history. [back]

77 The term is taken from Malachi 4:5,6 and while fulfilled in the life and work of John
the Baptist (Matt.11:14), a final eschatological fulfilment is expected. See P G
Damsteegt, Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission, Grand
Rapids, Michigan: W B Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1977, pp.250-253. [back]

78 The term applied to a renewed emphasis on the imminence of the second advent of
Christ which took place particularly in England and in North America in the early 19th
century and gathered momentum prior to 1844. See Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Students' Source Book, Edited by Don F. Neufeld and Julia Neuffer, Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1962, pp.933,934; A. W. Spalding, Origin
and History of Seventh-day Adventists, Vol. 1, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1961, pp.11-23. [back]

79 F. D. Nichol, Reasons for Our Faith, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1947, pp.43-64; The Midnight Cry, Washington, D.C.: Review
and Herald Publishing Association, 1944. [back]
80 L E. Froom, The Prophetic Faith of our Fathers, Vol. IV, Washington D.C.: Review
and Herald Publishing Association, 1954, pp.503-554. [back]

81 Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp.146-147. [back]

82 Ibid., pp.148-182. [back]

83 Ibid., pp.175-176. [back]

84 James White, "Christ Equal with God," Review and Herald, November 29, 1877,
p.172. [back]

85 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Editor D F Neufeld, Washington, D.C.: Review

and Herald Publishing Association, 1966, pp.1406-1418. [back]

86 Ibid., pp.1253-1254. By 'spirit of prophecy' the Adventist understands that God spoke
to and through Ellen White by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in a manner similar to
prophets in Biblical times without implying that her writings form part of the Scriptural
canon. [back]

87 Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp.157-174. Froom traces the semi-Arian views of

Uriah Smith from 18651898. He particularly compares Smith's Thoughts on the
Revelation as the author discusses Rev. 1:4. He notes Smith's modification of view in
comparing the first, second and third editions of 1865, 1875 and 1881. Smith died in
1903 and Froom states that in the 1944 revision of Smith's book this passage, together
with all others containing Arian concepts, were permanently deleted. Froom also
maintains that J H Waggoner held to stricted view of Christ and denied the personality of
the Holy Spirit. Ibid. [back]

88 William W Prescott (1855-1944) educator and editor. Was president of Battle Creek
College (1885-1894), then of Union College and Walla Walla College. Recognized as a
Biblical scholar. Started ministerial training work at Avondale School, Australia, then had
charge of Adventist work in England, where he associated with E J Waggoner. In 1901
was elected vice-president of the General Conference. Was chairman of Review and
Herald board, and editor of Review (1903-1909), then of Protestant Magazine (1909-
1916). Was principal of Australia Missionary College in 1922, head of the Bible
Department of Union College (1924-1928), then of Emmanuel Missionary College
(1930-1934) - thenceforth writing, editing, and researching until his retirement in 1937.
See Froom, Movement of Destiny, p.377. [back]

89 The Doctrine of Christ consists of 18 sections all revolving around the central pivot of
Christ. "Each section is comprised of a series of lessons. Each lesson is composed of a
series of propositions, followed by a list of supporting texts. And each chapter closes with
a series of notes or citations that illustrate and enforce the thought of the lesson." See
Froom, Movement of Destiny, p.381. For a discussion of the book see Ibid. pp.380-391.
[back]
90 Ibid., p.391.[ back]

91 President of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists from 1901-1922. For

brief biographical sketch see Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, pp.326,327.[back]

92 Froom, Movement of Destiny, p.397. [back]

93 See Arthur G Daniells, Christ our Righteousness, Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1926 (1941). In this work Daniells sets forth the
principles of righteousness by faith in the light of the Word of God and the writings of the
Spirit of Prophecy. [back]

94 In January 1928 the first issue of The Ministry, edited by the Ministerial Association
and published by the Review and Herald made its appearance. See Froom, Movement of
Destiny, p.402. The Ministry has appeared regularly on a monthly basis since 1928. It
serves particularly the ministers of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. [back]

95 For the story of the preparation of the "Fundamental Beliefs" in the Yearbook of 1931
and the unified Baptismal Certificate and Vow of 1941 see Froom, Movement of Destiny,
pp.409-422. [back]

96 Leroy E Froom was a leading Seventh-day Adventist editor and scholar. Particularly
as editor of The Ministry (1928-50) his influence on the ministry of the church was
strong. Walter E Read was a leading Adventist scholar and chairman of the Institute of
Biblical Research from 1952 to 1959. Read has given great impetus to sound Biblical
exegesis in his contribution to Adventist Christology. Roy A. Anderson, an Australian by
birth, became a leading evangelist in Australia, England and the U.S.A. His influence
became pronounced as editor of The Ministry (1950-66) and as Secretary of the
Ministerial Department of the church, first as associate (1941-5D), then as secretary
(1950-66). [back]

97 Mention has already been made of the four volumes of The Prophetic Faith of our
Fathers by Froom which appeared from 1946-1954. See footnote 61 in this chapter.
[back]

98 The 1952 Bible Conference was held in the Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church in
Takoma Park, Washington, D.C., September 1-13. For a full coverage of the presentations
given at the 1952 Bible Conference see Our Firm Foundation, Vols. 1,2, Washington,
D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1953. [back]

90 Robert D Brinsmead is an Australian of Adventist background who attended Avondale

College for a period but never entered the organized church work. A self-made scholar
and a writer of no mean ability, he championed the "Sanctuary Awakening" movement in
the 1950's and 1960's and then made a theological somersault in the 1970's to champion
the Reformed doctrine of Justification by Faith alone. More recently Brinsmead has
moved further away from Adventism by adopting a strong anti-Sabbatarian stance. His
present position on Law and Grace is more in harmony with a form of Lutheran
dispensationalism than with the Reformed tradition. See Robert D Brinsmead, "The
Sabbath and Genesis 2:2,3; The Heart of New Testament Ethics; A Reply to Desmond
Ford's Sabbatarian Arguments," Fallbrook, California: Verdict Publications, 1982. Best
known today as editor of the magazine entitled Verdict. [back]

100 Brinsmead took the Mosaic sanctuary as a lesson book on soteriology and found the
courtyard representing justification, the first apartment of the sanctuary symbolizing
sanctification and the most holy apartment anticipating perfection. Linking the Adventist
concept of the judgment taking place in the heavenly sanctuary after 1844 with the
ministry of Christ in the second apartment of the sanctuary, Brinsmead taught a bestowal
of ultimate perfection on the righteous dead and the righteous living in the pre-Advent
judgment. See R D Brinsmead, God's Eternal Purpose, Missouri: Ministry of Healing
Health Centers, 1959. [back]

101 See M L Andreasen, The Sanctuary Service, Second Edition, Revised, Washington,
D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1947, pp.299-321. See "A Condensed
Summary of the Historic SDA Positions on the humanity of Jesus," (Prepared by Herbert
Douglass and consisting of selected statements on the topic through the years by
numerous Seventh-day Adventists). A non-Adventist critic is of the opinion that prior to
the 1950's almost all Adventist authors taught the sinful nature of Christ and His
uncompleted work of atonement at the cross (see Paxton, The Shaking of Adventism,
p.88). Leroy Froom and Roy Anderson denied that this was the fundamental teaching of
Adventism. [back]

102 See General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Some Current Errors in

Brinsmead Teachings, Washington, D.C.: Defense Literature Committee, 1963;
Perfection, Washington, D.C.: Defense Literature Committee, 1965; The History and
Teaching of Robert Brinsmead, Washington, D.C.: Defense Literature Committee, 1968.
[back]

103 Desmond Ford, an Australian by birth and a leading Seventh-day Adventist scholar.
A professor of theology at Avondale College, Australia, from 1961-77. Obtained a Ph.D.
in New Testament from Manchester University in 1972, his thesis being The
Abomination of Desolation in Biblical Eschatology. Through the years he has been a
prolific writer contributing many articles to The Ministry magazine chiefly in the field of
apocalyptic and eschatology. His main books have been Daniel, Nashville, Tennessee:
Southern Publishing Association, 1978, and Daniel 8:14, The Day of Atonement, and the
Investigative Judgment, Casselberry, Florida: Evangelion Press, 1980. The latter book, in
manuscript form, was the basis of a church convention at Glacier View, Colorado,
(August 10-15, 1980), to examine his views. Subsequent to that meeting Ford has lost his
credentials as a teacher and minister in the church but has retained his membership. The
aftermath of this development has been somewhat divisive. [back]

104 For the recital of this episode in Adventist history see Froom, Movement of Destiny,
pp.476-492. See also footnote 69 of this chapter. [back]
105 See Questions on Doctrine, pp.7-10. [back]

106 Milian L Andreasen, Letters to the Churches, Queensland, Australia: Judgment Hour
Publishing Company, [n.d.]. These were a series of unofficial 'letters' which Andreasen
circulated expressing his personal opposition to what he felt were departures from
traditional Adventist views on the nature of Christ and the atonement. Subsequently these
'letters' were privately published. [back]

107 Adventist editors and scholars like Kenneth Wood, editor of the Adventist Review, H
Douglass, former associate editor of the Adventist Review and now book editor of the
Pacific Press, and C Mervyn Maxwell, Professor of Church History at the Seventh-day
Adventist Theological Seminary, have basically followed Andreasen in opposition to the
Christology of Questions on Doctrine. Note, for example, the following from a letter
written by H E Douglass to E C Webster on January 18, 1973: "As you no doubt know,
there are many, many denominational leaders on many campuses and in many leading
offices around the world who do not feel that the book Questions on Doctrine adequately
handled this central problem in Christian theology. There will be much more discussion
of this as time goes by, I am sure." [back]

108 Heppenstall has been a leading Adventist theologian who takes a strong
Christocentric stance maintaining the sinlessness of the human nature of Christ versus the
inherent sinfulness of man and his inability to attain to ultimate perfection in this life
apart from the merits of Christ. See E Heppenstall, "Let Us Go On Unto Perfection,"
Perfection, the Impossible Possibility, Nashville: Southern Publishing Association, 1975,
pp. 61-88. [back]

109 For details on Heppenstall's main works see footnote 67 of this chapter. [back]

110 By 'Adventist Reformation mould' I mean that type of theology which lays emphasis
on the inherent sinfulness of man, the contrasting sinlessness of Christ, the
substitutionary atonement of the cross and the primacy of Justification by Faith. [back]

111 Raoul F Dederen, of Roman Catholic background, became a Seventh-day Adventist

as a young man. With a thorough European educational background he trained for the
Adventist ministry and worked as a minister and later as a trainer of ministers at the
Seventh-day Adventist College at Collognes, France. After completing a doctoral degree
in Historical Theology at the University of Geneva, he was called to lecture at the
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in 1964. Upon the
departure of Heppenstall in 1966, Dederen was appointed as chairman of the Department
of Theology and Christian Philosophy, a post he still holds in 1982 at the time of writing.
Dederen has consistently taught a course in Christology at the Seminary during these
years and has had an important and moulding influence on the ministry of the Seventh-
day Adventist Church. [back]
112 See R D Brinsmead, A Review of the Awakening Message, 2 parts, [n.p.] , 1972-3;
Geoffrey J Paxton, The Shaking of Adventism, Delaware: Zenith Publishers, Inc., 1977,
pp.121-128. [back]

113 See Paxton, The Shaking of Adventism, pp.125-145. [back]

114 H E Douglass, "Why God is Urgent and Yet Waits, Review and Herald, special issue,
"Righteousness by Faith" (May 16, 1974); Jesus, the Model Man, Adult Sabbath School
Lesson Quarterly, April-June 1977; "Men of Faith-The Showcase of God's Grace,"
Perfection, the Impossible Possibility, pp.13-56. Kenneth H Wood, "Jesus Made the Way
Plain in Parables," Review and Herald, special issue, "Righteousness by Faith" (May 16,
1974); "For Your Information," Pt. 1, Review and Herald, October 21, 1976; "For Your
Information," Parts 2-4, Review and Herald, October 28, 1976, November 4, 1976,
November 18, 1976; "Fit for a Wedding," Review and Herald, December 2, 1976. [back]

115 Donald K Short and Robert J Wieland, 1888 Reexamined, Baker, Oregon: The
Adventist Forum Association, [1966?]. Early in the 1950's the above two missionaries
from East Africa returned to the U.S.A. on furlough and while studying at the Seventh-
day Adventist Seminary in Washington, prepared a document entitled 1888 Re-examined.
They maintained that the church had rejected the message of the Lord in 1888 and
corporate confession of the guilt was necessary. Notice their statement on Christ: "He
had, therefore, no natural born righteousness any more than we have; otherwise He could
not have partaken of our nature, but would have had an infinite and wholly extra-human
advantage which would have rendered faith unnecessary" (p.187). Notice the statement
on perfection: "The primary end and purpose of the Advent Movement in world history
was the attainment by a remnant church to a perfect character which would completely
vindicate the sacrifice of Calvary. No other community of 'saints' in all history had
attained to such a maturity of experience. This last community of saints should become
fully worthy to constitute the population of a New Jerusalem,' having overcome all the
mistakes of all previous generations of the professed people of God" (pp.9,10). [back]

116 The "Latter rain" is a term applied to a special bestowal of the Holy Spirit upon the
church in the end-time, enabling Christians to witness mightily for Christ. This results in
the earth being 'lightened' with the message of the gospel, enabling all men to decide
between truth and error. [back]

117 See Adventist Review, May 29, 1980, p.17. The advert speaks of Wieland and Short
as "two long-time advocates of Christ's righteousness." This periodical went through
several changes in nomenclature. At its inception in 1850 the name was Second Advent
Review, and Sabbath Herald; in 1851 the name changed to The Advent Review, and
Sabbath Herald; in 1861 to Review and Herald; in 1971 it went back to the old name
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald; and finally in 1978 it assumed its current name,
Adventist Review. Perhaps the name most widely used to identify the magazine in the
United States is Review and Herald. [back]
118 There is controversy as to whether Froom represents enlightened, progressive
Adventism built on the best in the past or whether he represents a subtle departure from
the faith. [back]

119 Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp.493-517. [back]

120 Ibid., pp.357-374. [back]

121 A Bible Institute was held at Minneapolis from October 10-17, 1888, followed by a
General Conference Session from October 17-November 4. At these meetings E. J.
Waggoner and A. T. Jones featured prominently and the emphasis on justification by faith
in Jesus Christ was strong. [back]

122 D Ford, "The Scope and Limits of the Pauline Expression 'Righteousness by Faith',"
Documents From the Palmdale Conference on Righteousness by Faith,' pp.1-13. [back]

123 That is exactly what the process, righteousness by faith, is all about - to
produce...someone just like Jesus," (H Douglass, Perfection, the Impossible Possibility,
p.29). [back]

124 See "Christ our Righteousness," Review and Herald, May 27, 1976, pp.4-7. At the
Palmdale Conference a group of Adventist theologians, editors and administrators from
Australia and the U.S.A. met to discuss the issues of the 'righteousness by faith'
controversy. A statement was issued after the Conference. [back]

125 N C Wilson, "An Open Letter to the Church," Adventist Review, May 24, 1979. In
this letter, Neal C Wilson, president of the General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists, appealed for a halt to the debate on the subject. He announced that the church
intended to study the issues in Conference and appealed for patience and prayerful study.
[back]

126 The Dynamics of Salvation," Adventist Review, July 31, 1980, pp.3-8. [back]

127 Ibid. In "Background on the statement 'The Dynamics of Salvation'," we quote:

"Certain aspects of this inexhaustible theme, such as the nature of Christ, perfection, and
original sin, are not dealt with in detail in this paper" (p.3). [back]

128 G J Paxton, The Shaking of Adventism, Wilmington, Delaware: Zenith Pub. Inc.,
1977. [back]

129 Ibid., especially pp.82-96. [back]

130 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Seventh-day Adventist Church

Manual, Revised 1976, pp.32-39.[back]

131 Adventist Review, May 1, 1980, p.23. [back]

132 Adventist Review, May 1, 1980, p.23. [back]

133 Ibid., p.25. [back]

134 Thomas A Davis, Was Jesus Really Like Us?, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1979; Edward Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, Washington,
D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1977. [back]

135 Note the thought of Davis: "We must keep before us the concept around which our
whole investigation points, that Jesus had a nature like that of a born-again person"
(Davis, Was Jesus Really Like Us? p.53). Speaking of Jesus' success in defeating Satan,
Davis says of Christ: "He never gave His weak, fallen nature a chance" (Ibid., p.70).
Then Davis also speaks of Christ's nature as one "affected by sin just as fully as our
natures are touched by sin, and in that sense was a sinful nature. Yet He had no sin"
(Ibid., p.80). One does wonder if there is not an element of contradiction in the book
when one reads elsewhere: "I suggest that Jesus was born with a spiritual nature and a
will as unfallen as that of Adam before the Fall" (Ibid., p.96). [back]

136 In view of the fact that we will be devoting an entire chapter to the Christology of
Heppenstall we will not enlarge now on his position, except to give one quote to illustrate
his contrasting view to that of Davis. Heppenstall writes: "The connection of all other
men with Adam has produced in them a fallen, human nature with tendencies to sin.
Christ is the one exception in that He had no such inclination or bent to sin" (Heppenstall,
The Man Who is God, p.132). [back]

137 In reading Davis one does come away with the impression that for him sin is to be
completely eradicated from the Christian's life. Concerning man Davis speaks of "a life in
which all sin is subdued" (Davis, Was Jesus Really Like Us? p.120); of "no sin, no
weakness, no besetment - of thought, action, word, impulse or feeling -that we cannot
overcome" (Ibid., p.129); and that there is no excuse "for continuing in sin in any way or
in any degree" (Ibid., p.156). We will discover when dealing with Heppenstall that his
doctrine of Christian perfection has a different nuance. More on that in the Heppenstall
chapter. [back]

138 Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp.148-181, 409-492. [back]

139 Fred T Wright, The Destiny of a Movement, Palmwoods, Queensland: The Judgment
Hour Publishing Company, 1976. [back]

140 We refer the reader to footnote 86 of this chapter. [back]

141 E G White, "A Messenger," Review and Herald, July 26, 1906. [back]

142 E G White, "A Missionary Appeal," Review and Herald, December 15, 1885. "The
Bible and the Bible alone, is to be our creed, the sole bond of union;" [back]
143 E G White, The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan, Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911, pp. v-xii. "In like manner, after
the close of the canon of Scripture, the Holy Spirit was still to continue its work, to
enlighten, warn, and comfort the children of God" (p.viii). [back]

144 E G White, Colporteur Ministry, Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1953, p.125 [back]

145 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, Commentary Reference Series, Vol. 10,

pp.1419-1425. [back]

146 Ibid., p.1385. [back]

147 Became assistant editor of the Signs of the Times in 1884 and editor in 1886,which
post he held until May 1891. From 1892-1903 he was editor of the British Present Truth.
[back]

148 The Minneapolis Bible Institute was conducted from October 10-17, with the
General Conference following from October 17-November 4, 1888. [back]

149 For some discussion regarding the content at the Conference see footnote 56 in
chapter three where we deal with the Christology of Waggoner. [back]

150 E. J. Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, Mountain View: Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1890; The Gospel in Creation, Battle Creek, Michigan:
International Tract Society, 1895; The Glad Tidings, Oakland, California: Pacific Press
Publishing Company, 1900; The Everlasting Covenant, London: International Tract
Society, 1900. [back]

151 E. J. Waggoner presented 16 sermons on the Romans at the 1891 General Conference
Session and studies on Hebrews at the 1897 session. He also at the 1899, 1901 and 1903
sessions. [back]

152 Became editor of the Present Truth in England in 1892 and continued until 1903.
Articles by E. J. Waggoner were used frequently in the Australian Bible Echo and Signs
of the Times. [back]

153 Edward Heppenstall was professor of theology at the Seventh-day Adventist

Theological Seminary from 1955-1967. See footnotes 67 and 108 of this chapter. [back]

154 Mention has already been made of his books, Our High Priest, Salvation Unlimited
and The Man Who is God. Heppenstall has also been a regular contributor to periodicals
like The Ministry and These Times. [back]

155 We will give a historical sketch of Douglass in the chapter devoted to him. He was
associate editor of the Review and Herald from 1970-1976. [back]
156 H. E. Douglass, "The Unique Contribution of Adventist Eschatology," North
American Bible Conference, 1974, Washington, D.C.: General Conference of Seventh-
day Adventists, 1974. [back]

157 'Harvest Theology' is based on the parable of the growing seed in Mark 4:26-29.
When the grain is ripe the sickle is put to it because the harvest is come. This concept
maintains that eventually a final generation of saints will reach such a point of spiritual
maturity that the harvest of the earth will be ripe and Christ will return. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

Chapter Two

THE CHRISTOLOGY OF ELLEN GOULD WHITE

In this chapter we wish to focus attention on the Christology of Ellen G White. Without a
doubt she has played a dominant role in Adventism due to the extent of her writings, to
her claim to possess the prophetic gift of the Spirit and to her span of personal influence
from 1844 to 1915.We will firstly place Ellen White in her historical context; secondly,
we will note the contextual factors in relation to her writings; thirdly, we will give an
analysis of her Christology; and, lastly, we will seek to give an evaluation and critique of
this aspect of her theological contribution.

1. A Historical Sketch of Ellen G White1

Ellen Gould Harmon was born on November 26, 1827, near Gorham, Maine, in the
United States of America. At the age of nine she suffered a severe accident when a
classmate threw a stone, hitting her in the face. The results were such that her formal
education was curtailed.

Ellen Harmon's parents and family belonged to the Methodist Church and when William
Miller2 held lectures in Portland,3 they accepted his second advent Because of this, Ellen,
her parents, and others were disfellowshipped from the Portland Methodist Church. At
the time of the Millerites' disappointment in the autumn of 1844 and again on October 22,
1844, she was deeply affected, and with others sought God earnestly for light and
guidance in the succeeding days of perplexity.

In December 1844 Ellen Harmon experienced her first vision during a morning ladies'
prayer meeting.4 In the ensuing years she claimed that God spoke to her in a unique way
through dreams and visions. On August 30, 1846, Ellen Harmon was united in marriage
to James White, an Adventist preacher, and thereafter became known as Ellen G White.
About this time James and Ellen White became convinced of the seventh-day Sabbath
and began its observance.

In July 1851 James White published Mrs. White's first pamphlet of 64 pages, entitled A
Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. This was followed in
1854 by a 48-page supplement. These now form a part of the currently available Early
Writings (pages 11-127).5

From 1852-55 they lived in Rochester, New York, busy printing church periodicals such
as the Review and Herald and the Youth's Instructor. In November 1855 the Whites
moved to new headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan.6 This became the centre for
Seventh-day Adventism. In 1858 Ellen White was shown aspects of the conflict between
good and evil which formed the basis of her Conflict of the Ages series. Shortly after the
organization of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, in May 1863, Ellen
White claimed to have received a vision regarding health reform which set the movement
on a health and temperance course. The winter of 1872-1873 found the Whites in
northern California on the first of several extended western visits made during the next
few years. In 1874 James White began the publication of a weekly journal, The Signs of
the Times, to which Mrs. White contributed articles. Some 2,000 articles from her pen
appeared in the Signs by the time of her death.

On January 4, 1875, Ellen White took a prominent part in the dedication of Battle Creek
College, the first of many Seventh-day Adventist educational institutions. During the next
few years she was writing continually, attending General Conference sessions, appearing
before temperance groups and speaking at camp meetings and in local churches. On
August 6, 1881, James White died at the age of 60, leaving his wife a widow, aged 53
years. In 1884 she was invited to spend time in Europe, which was done from August
1885 to August 1887. On her return to the U S A she settled at Healdsburg, California,
and attended the famous Minneapolis General Conference in 1888. For the next few years
she was engaged with others in expounding the subject of righteousness by faith in the
churches. In 1891 Ellen White was invited to labor in Australia and was accompanied by
her son, W C White. The years of labor in Australia from 1891 to 1900 proved of great
blessing in laying a solid foundation for Adventism in that part of the world. These were
also very productive years in the writing field for Ellen White.

Returning to the United States in 1900, Ellen White purchased Elmshaven, a country
home some 70 miles north of San Francisco. This became her base and from it radiated
an influence affecting Seventh-day Adventism. She attended a number of General
Conference sessions, encouraged the opening of the Loma Linda Medical School, lent
support to evangelism amongst the colored race in the southern states and continued to
write extensively. On July 16, 1915, Ellen G White died at the age of 87 years.

Ellen White's total literary production was unusually large. She covered a wide range of
subjects and amongst her best-known books are The Desire of Ages, Steps to Christ, The
Great Controversy, The Ministry of Healing, Education and the Testimonies for the
Church. At the time of her death her literary productions consisted of well over 100,000
pages; 24 books in current circulation; 2 book manuscripts ready for publication; 4,600
periodical articles in the journals of the Seventh-day Adventist Church; 200 or more out-
of-print tracts and pamphlets; 6,000 typewritten manuscript documents consisting of
letters and general manuscripts and 2,000 handwritten letters, documents, diaries and
journals.7
Ellen White, while recognizing that her work embodied that of a prophet, never assumed
the title of prophet or prophetess, maintaining rather that she was the Lord's messenger,
bearing His message to the people. She was not ordained by the laying on of hands,
neither did she hold office in a local church or conference, including the General
Conference. The Seventh-day Adventist Church repeatedly, in official actions in General
Conference session and unofficially at all times, has recognized Mrs. White as having
been called in a special manner as the messenger of the Lord.8

_______________

1 For further information on the life, work and teachings of Ellen G. White, consult the
following works: D. M. Canwright, Life of Mrs. E G White, Cincinnati: Standard
Publishing Company, 1919; Lewis Harrison Christian, The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts,
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1947; A Critique of the
Book Prophetess of Health, prepared by the staff of the Ellen G. White Estate,
Washington, D.C., 1976; Arthur Grosvenor Daniells, The Abiding Gift of Prophecy,
Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1936; D. A. Delafield,
Ellen G. White in Europe, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
1975; T Houses Jamison, A Prophet Among You, Mountain View, California: Pacific
Press Publishing Association, 1955; J N Loughborough, The Great Second Advent
Movement, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1905, 1909;
Francis D Nichol, Ellen G White and Her Critics, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1951; Ronald L Numbers, Prophetess of Health: A Study of Ellen
G White, New York: Harper and Row, 1976; Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia,
Commentary Reference Series, Vol. 10, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1966,
pp.1406-1418; Horace J Shaw, "A Rhetorical Analysis of the Speaking of Mrs. Ellen G.
White," Ph.D. dissertation, Michigan State University, 1959; Arthur W. Spalding, Origin
and History of Seventh-day Adventists, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1961, 4 volumes; Arthur L White, Ellen G White: The Early Elmshaven
Years, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1981, (Volume 5 of
a 6-volume series); Arthur L. White, Ellen G White: Messenger to the Remnant,
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1969; Arthur L. White,
The Ellen G. White Writings, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1973; James White, Life Sketches, Ancestry, Early Life, Christian
Experience and Extensive Labors, of Elder James White, and His Wife, Mrs. Ellen G
White, Battle Creek, Michigan: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1880;
Francis McLellan Wilcox, The Testimony of Jesus, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1934; Guy H. Winslow, "Ellen Gould White
and Seventh-day Adventism," Ph.D. dissertation, Clark University, 1933. [back]

2 William Miller, a Baptist lay-preacher, became convinced through personal study of the
prophecies of Daniel that the second advent of Jesus Christ would occur around 1843. In
1831 he felt compelled to begin public lectures. Others joined him and between 1840 to
1844 an interdenominational movement known as the Millerite movement flourished
particularly in the United States. This development gave rise to a group of denominations
classed as Adventist bodies, the largest of which, after 1844, developed into the Seventh-
day Adventist Church. For information on William Miller and the Millerite Movement,
see Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, pp.787-796; cf. Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Students' Source Book Commentary Reference Series, Volume 9, Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1962, pp.657- 662; Francis D Nichol, The
Midnight Cry, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1944. [back]

3 In March, 1840, William Miller visited Portland, Maine, and gave a course of lectures
on the second coming of Christ. As a young girl of 12, Ellen Harmon with some friends
attended these meetings. This led Ellen into an experience of spiritual awakening. In
June, 1842, William Miller gave a second course of lectures in Portland. Ellen and other
members of her family again attended. On June 26, 1842, Ellen was baptized by
immersion in Casco Bay on her own request by a Methodist minister and received into
the membership of the Methodist Church in Portland. However, in September 1843,
because of their views on the second advent, she and her parents and other members of
the family were disfellowshipped from the Pine Street Methodist Church. See Ellen
White, Testimonies for the Church, Volume I, Mountain View, California: Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1948, pp. 9-44 (first appearing in pamphlet form as Testimony
for the Church, No. 1, published in 1855, at Battle Creek, Michigan); Seventh-day
Adventist Encyclopedia, p.1406. [back]

4 An account of this first vision is given in Ellen White, Early Writings, Washington,
D.C.: Review and Herald, 1882, 1945, pp.13-19. Cf. Ellen White, Life Sketches,
Mountain View, California: Pacific Press, 1915, pp.64-68; Testimonies for the Church,
Vol. 1, pp.58-61. [back]

5 In Appendix A the reader will find a chart showing the development of the Ellen G.
White books from 1844-1915. [back]

6 James and Ellen White had the following children: Their first child, Henry Nichols, was
born on August 26, 1847. In July 1849, a second son, James Edson, was born at Rocky
Hill, Connecticut. On August 29, 1854, a third son, William Clarence, was born while the
parents were living at Rochester, New York. The fourth son, John Herbert, was born
September 20, 1860, at Battle Creek, Michigan. John died after a few months from
illness. Henry, their first son, died from pneumonia in 1863 at the age of 16. James Edson
went into private business and in 1893 was inspired to begin a Mississippi River boat
mission. This he did in a private capacity for many years and Spalding speaks of him as
the "challenger to Christian adventure and the despair of conventional workers" (A. W.
Spalding, Origin and History of Seventh-day Adventists, Vol. 2, p.347). William Clarence
became a strong worker in the church, being ordained as a minister, occupying many
different posts and even serving as acting president of the General Conference for a few
months in 1888. He is mainly remembered for his invaluable help to his mother and for
taking charge of the Ellen G. White Estate, chiefly a literary legacy. After Ellen White's
death in 1915, William White continued as administrator of the White Estate literary
works for another 22 years until his death (see Ibid., pp.34,35). [back]
7 Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, p.1413 .[back]

8 The reader is referred to Ellen G White Estate, The Spirit of Prophecy Treasure Chest,
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1960, pp.124- 126. Here a
sampling of General Conference actions regarding the work and writings of Ellen White
are recorded. Resolutions as recorded in the Review and Herald are given and those
selected cover the years 1857, 1869, 1870, 1873, 1882, 1954, 1958. Note a statement
from the 1958 resolution: "As delegates to the world session of the General Conference
of Seventh-day Adventists, we reaffirm our belief and full confidence in this prophetic
gift, as manifested through Ellen G White" (Treasure Chest, p.126). [back]

II. Contextual Factors in Approaching her Writings

Over 100,000 pages of written material by the time of her death in 1915 is a very unusual
accomplishment for a woman author.9 Beginning with two letters published in the Day-
Star of 1846, the volume of writing increased steadily, reaching a crescendo in the years
1890-1915. Since the death of Ellen White many compilations10 on different subjects
have appeared, making use of her published and unpublished sources, the latter being
mainly periodical articles, manuscripts, pamphlets and letters.

What motivated a woman with her limited educational background and with a husband
and four children, to devote so much of her time and efforts to writing? There is no doubt
that a sense of her prophetic mission to the Advent Movement was the dominating factor.
She was convinced that God had revealed Himself to her through dreams and visions and
that she was to make known to others what had been revealed to her. This led her to write
many 'testimonies' to individuals and church groups, some of the most representative
covering the period 1855-1909, appearing in nine volumes entitled Testimonies for the
Church. These testimonies were of a practical, exhortatory and instructional nature, often
containing devotional and inspirational nuggets.

Ellen White's range of theological interest covered aspects of the plan of salvation from
the inception of sin in heaven to the final restoration of all things. This theme of what she
called 'the great controversy between Christ and Satan' became the burden of much of her
writing. These thoughts first found expression in four volumes entitled Spiritual Gifts
appearing from 1858-1864. The messages in these volumes were refined and amplified in
another four volumes appearing under the title, The Spirit of Prophecy during the years
1870-1884. Further development took place and these books were replaced with the five
volumes of the Conflict of the Ages series, namely, Patriarchs and Prophets (1890);
Prophets and Kings (1917); Desire of Ages (1898); Acts of the Apostles (1911) and The
Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan (1888). The nature of these writings is not
exegetical but could be described as an expository, homiletical and descriptive survey of
the Scriptures set in a devotional and spiritual framework.

If one compares the style of the writing of Ellen White in her earlier works such as Early
Writings and Spiritual Gifts with such books as The Desire of Ages (1898), The Ministry
of Healing (1905) or Acts of the Apostles (1911), one discovers a development and
growth in her style of language and expression.

Building her own library, 11 she devoted time to the reading of books of a devotional and
theological nature on Biblical and historical themes. All of this contributed to the
development of her own writing style.

With the tremendous amount of writing, Ellen White felt it necessary to employ literary
assistants to aid in the checking, correcting, copying and compiling of the material. The
actual role of these literary assistants has been the subject of controversy. 12 The
secretaries would often have to gather existing written material by Ellen White from
periodical articles or manuscripts to form the basis of some new book. 13 It is now also
clear that in the preparation of her articles and books material by other authors found in
various sources was carefully selected for incorporation in her writings. This question of
Ellen White's use of other sources has also elicited much discussion and is at present
receiving scholarly investigation by the leadership of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
14

In the volume of material covering periodical articles, manuscripts, pamphlets, letters and
books it is understandable that there is a certain amount of repetition of material. This
must be borne in mind in making any investigation of the subject. It is important to find
the context of a particular statement to see how the author intended it to be understood.
This is, of course, particularly vital when material in compilations put together after the
death of Ellen White is studied. The compiler might take a paragraph and use it to
emphasize a certain point when the original context of the paragraph might throw a
different light on the material.

Ellen White is also not a systematic theologian and her views on Christology must be
gleaned from her whole corpus of writings. Her magnum opus on Christology, The
Desire of Ages, is, likewise, not a systematic theology, but a descriptive and devotional
study on the life of Christ.

_____

9 Reference has already been made to the fact that as a result of the accident which Ellen
White had at the age of nine her formal education was hampered. After intermittent
efforts, she made a brief last attempt at school at about the age of 12, and again suffered
failing health. Her later education came from reading and from contacts with others. She
must have been strongly motivated to have spent so much of her life in writing. [back]

10 In harmony with the provisions of Ellen White's will calling for the publication of
books compiled from her manuscripts, and her instruction that various of her articles
which had appeared in the journals of the church should be reprinted, the Board of
Trustees of the White Estate - which her will created to care for her writings have issued
many posthumous works. A few selected titles are given: Counsels on Health (1923);
Messages to Young People (1930); Evangelism (1946); The Adventist Home (1952);
Selected Messages, Books 1 & 2 (1958). For a complete list up to 1961 see
Comprehensive Index to the Writings of Ellen G. White, Mountain View, California:
Pacific Press Publishing Association, Vol. 3, pp.3206-3210. Books have continued to
appear regularly right up to the present. For example: In Heavenly Places (1967); Mind,
Character and Personality, Book 1 & 2 (1977); This Day With God (1979); Selected
Messages, Book 3 (1980). For the complete up-to-date listing write to the White Estate,
Washington, D.C. [back]

11 At the time of Ellen White's death in 1915, a detailed inventory of her estate was
made. Two separate sections of the inventory dealt with books. One section involved her
private library in her "sitting room bookcase", the other, her office library where her
literary assistants worked. For further study into the books owned by Ellen White an
important document listing all her books has just recently been prepared. It is: A
Bibliography of Ellen G. White's Private and Office Libraries, compiled by Warren H.
Johns, Tim Poirier, and Ron Graybill, Ellen G White Estate, May 1982. It consists of 47
pages of book listings. About five hundred and fifty of the titles listed were books sold to
Ellen White by Clarence C. Crisler on September 19, 1913. Crisler had been working in
Ellen White's office since July 1901. Important research is now in progress to see which
of Ellen White's books she used as source material in her own writings. [back]

12 For a discussion of the role of Ellen White's literary assistants see F. D. Nichol, Ellen
G. White and Her Critics, pp.468-86; Arthur L. White, The Ellen G. White Writings,
pp.99-101. [back]

13 Note the articles in The Review and Herald from July 3, 1913 to February 26, 1914
which formed the substance of Prophets and Kings pp.87-300 which was published in
1916. [back]

14 This question of Ellen White's use of sources will come up for more detailed
discussion in the evaluation. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

III. Ellen White's Christology

The material forming the substance of Ellen White's Christology lies scattered throughout
her writings. It is our task to discover the dominant themes and tendencies in her thought.
Is there any progression in her Christological views from the earliest times to her mature
years? Is there general harmony in her ideas or is there contradiction in the mass of
material? Does she approach Christology 'from above' or 'from below'? Would she find
herself comfortable in the ontological, the functional or some other classification of
Christology?

Because the main focus of this dissertation is on the Incarnation it was felt best to
concentrate on this area of Christology in our description of Ellen White's position. This
in itself is a broad field and offers much scope for the student of Ellen White. After
careful research and analysis it was decided to present three sections on the Incarnation,
namely, Incarnation and Nature, Incarnation and Sin and Incarnation and Grace. The first
will deal with the Person of Christ, the second with the relationship between Christ and
sin and the third with the work of Christ. To give perspective we will present Ellen
White's views of the pre-existence of Christ before we tackle the Incarnation and then
will close with a picture of Christ in the future. Let us commence with her views
regarding Christ's preexistence.

A. The Pre-existence of Christ

Ellen White always professed the pre-existence of Christ and in her later writings came
out clearly in support of the eternity of Christ and His equality with the Father in nature
and essence. Note her declaration in 189215 on the essential equality of Christ with the
Father in His pre-existent state: "The only way in which the fallen race could be restored
was through the gift of His Son, equal with Himself, possessing the attributes of God."16
To actually possess the attributes of God would place Christ on an essential equality with
the Father. In 1897 Ellen White said of Christ: "He is the eternal self-existent Son."17
Here she is clear that Christ had no beginning but is eternal. In her book, The Desire of
Ages, written in 1898, she states on His eternity: "From the days of eternity the Lord
Jesus Christ was one with the Father; He was 'the image of God', the image of His
greatness and majesty, 'the outshining of His glory.?"18 In a very important article in the
Review and Herald in 1906 these concepts regarding the pre-existence, the eternity and
the equality of Christ with the Father were penned:

"But while God's Word speaks of the humanity of Christ when upon this earth, it also
speaks decidedly regarding His pre-existence. The Word existed as a divine being, even
as the eternal Son of God, in union and oneness with His Father. From everlasting He was
the Mediator of the covenant,...Christ was God essentially, and in the highest sense. He
was with God from all eternity, God over all, blessed forevermore."19

We now wish to look back and note chronologically whether there was any development
in the clarity of thought and expression in Ellen White regarding the equality of Christ
with the Father and the question of His eternity in His pre-existent state. In order to
examine the evidence, we will compare comparative sections in the three books, Spiritual
Gifts, Vol. 1 (1858), Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1 (1870) and Patriarchs and Prophets
(1890).

The first chapter in Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1 entitled "The Fall of Satan" is foundational. The
first chapter in Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1 has the same title and amplifies the chapter in
Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1. The first chapter in Patriarchs and Prophets entitled "Why Was Sin
Permitted?" is a further amplification of the first chapter in the two earlier works.

We first quote from Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1 (1858):

"The Lord has shown me that Satan was once an honored angel in heaven, next to Jesus
Christ ..And I saw that when God said to his Son, Let us make man in our image, Satan
was jealous of Jesus. He wished to be consulted concerning the formation of man...He
wished to be the highest in heaven, next to God, and receive the highest honors... Satan
was insinuating against the government of God, ambitious to exalt himself, and unwilling
to submit to the authority of Jesus. Some of the angels sympathized with Satan in his
rebellion, and others strongly contended for the honor and wisdom of God in giving
authority to his Son...Satan and his affected ones...wished to look into his unsearchable
wisdom to ascertain his purpose in exalting Jesus, and endowing him with such unlimited
power and command. They rebelled against the authority of the Son of God,..."20

In the first sentence above it would almost appear as if there is a graded position between
God the Father, Jesus Christ and the angels. That Ellen White did not mean by this that
Jesus Christ was an angel is made clear in chapter III, "The Plan of Salvation" of the
same book: "The angels prostrated themselves before him. They offered their lives. Jesus
said to them that he should by his death save many; that the life of an angel could not pay
the debt. His life alone could be accepted of his Father as a ransom for man."21

In the remainder of the passage in Spiritual Gifts the suggestion is made that the Father
gave authority to His Son, exalted Him and endowed Him with unlimited power and
command. This is, of course, in connection with the coming creation of man but it does
sound as if the position of Christ was in doubt and as if God the Father bestowed the
authority on Christ which was not His inherently. It sounds in this passage as if the Son is
subordinate to the Father.

We move on to the comparative section as it appeared in The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1,

of 1870:

"Satan in Heaven, before his rebellion, was a high and exalted angel, next in honor to
God's dear Son...He [Christ] was one with the Father before the angels were created.
Satan was envious of Christ, and gradually assumed command which devolved on Christ
alone. The great Creator assembled the heavenly host, that he might in the presence of all
the angels confer special honor upon His Son...The Father then made known that it was
ordained by himself that Christ, his Son, should be equal with himself; so that wherever
was the presence of his Son, it was as his own presence. The word of the Son was to be
obeyed as readily as the word of the Father. His Son he had invested with authority to
command the heavenly host...Satan was envious and jealous of Jesus Christ...But Christ
was acknowledged sovereign of Heaven, his power and authority to be the same as that of
God himself...They [Satan and his sympathizers were discontented and unhappy because
they could not look into his [God's] unsearchable wisdom and ascertain his purposes in
exalting his Son Jesus, and endowing him with such unlimited power and command.
They rebelled against the authority of the Son...They [loyal angels] justified the act of
God in conferring honor upon Jesus Christ....They clearly set forth that Jesus was the Son
of God, existing with him before the angels were created; and that he had ever stood at
the right hand of God,...22
The above is similar in sentiment but more expansive than the 1858 presentation. Once
again there is the jealousy on the part of Satan over the exaltation and endowment of
Jesus Christ and the conferring of honor upon Him. There is the additional thought in the
1870 material on the oneness of Christ with the Father and their equality. Note, "He
[Christ] was one with the Father before the angels were created...it was ordained by
himself that Christ, his Son, should be equal with himself."23 The unity of the Father and
the Son is stated, a unity which reaches back before the creation of the angels. Christ is
declared to be the Son of God existing before the angelic creation and that he had ever
stood at the right hand of God. However, it is not clear whether this unity is an eternal
one or whether the equality of Christ with the Father is a delegated equality or an inherent
one of nature. It must also be said that the passage of 1870 sounds clearer than the one of
1858, indicating that the unity of the Son and the Father had been of long standing and
the special exaltation and endowment of Christ was a special act in view of the
participation of Christ in the creation of man.

We now finally look at Patriarchs and Prophets, written in 1890, and compare the
section covering the same ground as in the previous two works:

"Christ, the Word, the only begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father - one in
nature, in character, in purpose - the only being that could enter into all the counsels and
purposes of God. 'His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, the
everlasting Father, The Prince of peace'...The Father wrought by his Son in the creation of
all heavenly beings...Sin originated with him, who, next to Christ, had been most honored
of God, and was highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven...And
coveting the glory with which the infinite Father had invested his Son, this prince of
angels aspired to power that was the prerogative of Christ alone ...Lucifer allowed his
jealousy of Christ to prevail, and became the more determined...The King of the universe
summoned the heavenly hosts before him, that in their presence he might set forth the
true position of his Son, and show the relation he sustained to all created beings. The Son
of God shared the Father's throne, and the glory of the eternal, self-existent One encircled
both...The exaltation of the Son of God as equal with the Father was represented as an
injustice to Lucifer...There had been no change in the position or authority of Christ.
Lucifer's envy and misrepresentation, and his claims to equality with Christ, had made
necessary a statement of the true position of the Son of God; but this had been the same
from the beginning". 24

Here there is still further progression of thought in stating that Christ's equality with the
Father is one of nature as well as character and purpose. The glory of the eternal, self-
existent One encircles both the Father and the Son. Here it is clearly indicated that
Christ's equality with the Father had ever been such, but that Satan's jealousy over Christ
concerning his participation in the creation of man had made a declaration of the position
necessary.

This writer submits that in comparing these three works over the period 1858 to 1890
there is a progressive clarity in enunciating the Christology of Ellen White with relation
to the nature and person of the pre-existent Christ. We would suggest that what we are
dealing with here is not contradiction. The earlier work did contain the germinal thought
which was expanded and refined through the years. While never clearly adopting an
Arian position, Ellen White was surrounded with some Adventist leaders who thought in
this line and she, no doubt, worked in the theological milieu of her time. It is quite
remarkable that while a form of semi-Arianism was evident in Adventism up to the end
of the 19th century that Ellen White was able to avoid the pitfall.25 No doubt her own
thinking and understanding of the subject also grew and hence her language and
expression became clearer.26

It is important to note that well before the appearance of Patriarchs and Prophets in
1890,Ellen White was already using terms such as 'eternal' and 'everlasting' in relation to
Christ. In 1878 she contrasts the unworthiness, weakness and inefficiency of man with
'the eternal Son of God'.27 In 1881 when she described the price Christ paid on Calvary,
she says: "His throne is from everlasting, and his kingdom shall have no end."28 It is
helpful to remember Ellen White's ascription of Christ as eternal and everlasting in 1878
and 1881 in giving consideration to the previously from Patriarchs and Prophets it
simply states the position of Christ same from the beginning.29

It is also of interest to note that Ellen White said in 1874 that the sentence of death would
be borne by a substitute of greater value than the law of God: 'But a plan was devised that
the sentence of death should rest upon a substitute of superior value to the law of God.'30
To many Christians this statement might appear banal but it should be remembered that
for Seventh-day Adventist who place such emphasis on the moral law of God as the
standard of righteousness and as a transcript of the character of God, the statement is
significant for the person of Christ.

After 1890 Ellen White's thoughts on the eternity and the equality of the Son with the
Father in Christ's pre-existent state are clearly and forcefully enunciated. Could it be that
the Minneapolis Conference of 1888 sharpened her focus on the greater need to enunciate
her Christology with greater clarity for the benefit of the church? Her writings after 1890
become a gold-mine of Christological truth.31

____________

15 While we commence here with a declaration in 1892 please note that in the ensuing
discussion (pp.67-74) we devote attention to Ellen White's position on Christ relative to
the Father in her earlier period. [back]

16 E. G. White, "Imperative Necessity of Searching for Truth," Review and Herald,

November 8, 1892. See also Review and Herald, April 5, 1906; and The Great
Controversy, p.493: "Christ...was one with the eternal Father, - one in nature, in character,
and in purpose." The reader will notice that certain words of Ellen White are underlined
for emphasis. This is my own emphasis and will be occurring throughout this chapter. If
at any point the emphasis is Ellen White's own this will be stated. [back]

17 E. G. White, Manuscript 101, 1897 (Cited in Evangelism, Washington, D.C.: Review

and Herald Publishing Association, 1946, p.615). For further references on Ellen White's
view of Christ's eternity see Questions on Doctrine, pp.644,645. Here twelve references
are given. [back]

18 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1898, p.19. [back]

19 E. G. White, "The Word Made Flesh," Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 (Cited in
Questions on Doctrine, pp.645,642). [back]

20 E. G. White, Spiritual Gifts, The Great Controversy Between Christ and His Angels,
and Satan and His Angels, Vol. 1, Battle Creek, Michigan: Published by James White,
1858, pp.17,18. [back]

21 Ibid., p.24. Here Ellen White clearly differentiates between the Son of God and the
angels. Evidently, her intention is to convey the thought that angels are part of creation
and hence their lives would be insufficient for the atonement. She is implying that
Christ's life stood apart from creation. [back]

22 E. G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, The Great Controversy Between Christ and His
Angels and Satan and His Angels, Vol. 1, Battle Creek, Michigan: Steam Press of the
Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1870, pp.17,18,19.[back]

23 Ibid., p.17. [back]

24 E. G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, the Conflict of the Ages Illustrated in the Lives
of Holy Men of Old, Mountain View California: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1980, pp. 34-38. [back]

25 Leroy E. Froom has given evidence of some Arian and semi-Arian views in early
Adventism (see Movement of Destiny, revised edition, 1978, pp.148-187) Erwin Roy
Gane believes that these views were strong and more pervasive than Froom would
suggest (see his thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
Master of Arts at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews University,
Michigan, U S A, entitled, The Arian or Anti-Trinitarian Views Presented in Seventh-day
Adventist Literature and the Ellen G White Answer, 1963). While Gane comes out in
strong support of Ellen White's anti-Arian views against this background it should be
noted that his evidence is taken mainly from the period 1890 and beyond (see Ibid.,
pp.67-101). Gane has also compared Ellen White's presentation of Christ in The Spirit of
Prophecy, Vol. 1 (1870) with that in Patriarchs and Prophets (1890) as we have done in
this dissertation. But it should be noted that Gane overlooked the germinal statement of
1858 in Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1. [back]

26 We wish to take up this question of theological growth in Ellen White's thinking in the
evaluation. [back]
27 E G White, Review and Herald, August 8, 1878. It should be noted that in future many
references will be made to Ellen White statements in periodicals such as the Review and
Herald, Signs of the Times or Youth's Instructor. The name of the article will not always
be given. Standard Adventist procedure is to quote the periodical and the issue by year,
month and day. As Ellen White usually only had one article in each issue it is easy to
locate the statement or thought. In the bibliography the full title of articles and the page
numbers in the relevant periodical will be given. [back]

28 E. G. White, Review and Herald, August 2, 1881. See also Ibid., October 27, 1885:
"Jesus laid aside his robes of royalty, stepped down from his eternal throne..." See similar
thought in Ibid., December 1, 1885. [back]

29 A significant title which Ellen White applies to Christ in His pre-existence as well as
during His Incarnation is 'Majesty of heaven.' It appears to be used first in the Review
and Herald, December 17, 1872. In the periodicals of the Review and Herald alone it is
used over 80 times up to 1915. Some selected references to this usage are: Review and
Herald, February 24, 1874; December 6,1881; May 26,1885; February 18, 1890; January
21, 1909; April 13, 1911. There is a consistent use of this title over a span of many years.
This is an indication of the importance of the person of Christ for Ellen White. [back]

30 E. G. White, Review and Herald, March 3, 1874. See also Ibid., January 9, 1883:
"Christ alone was free from the claims of the law to undertake the redemption of the
sinful race. He had power to lay down His life and to take it up again." [back]

31 This can be established by a critical examination of the following books written by

Ellen White after this date: 1890 Patriarchs and Prophets; 1892 Gospel Workers; 1892
Steps to Christ; 1896 Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing; 1898 The Desire of Ages;
1900 Christ's Object Lessons; 1900-1909 Testimonies, Vols. 6,7,8,9; 1903 Education;
1905 The Ministry of Healing; 1911 The Acts of the Apostles; 1913 Counsels to Parents,
Teachers and Students; 1915 Gospel Workers (new edition); 1917 Prophets and Kings.
[back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

B. The Incarnation and Nature

Let us now address ourselves to Ellen White's teaching regarding the Incarnation and the
nature of Christ. We will firstly present her views on the Biblical concept of the kenosis;
secondly, her teaching in connection with the two natures of Christ; thirdly, we will give
attention to her understanding of the mystery of the Incarnation; fourthly, we will show
her concepts on the divinity of Christ; and lastly, we will note her emphasis on the
humanity of Christ.

1. The Kenosis

While Ellen White did not advocate the modern theories of the kenosis,32 she did
advocate some form of kenosis in harmony with the teaching of Philippians 2:6-8. When
the pre-existent Christ adopted humanity and became man what did He surrender and
give up? Does Ellen White believe that He laid aside some of the attributes of deity or all
of them or none of them? Does she teach that Christ was still God while on earth or does
she teach that He ceased to be God in the Incarnation?

Ellen White in many places states what Christ sacrificed and laid aside in becoming a
man. She states that He sacrificed His majesty, His splendor, His glory and His honor in
adopting humanity.33 The glory which He left is explained as the "glory of the heavenly
kingdom,"34 the "glory of the Father"35 and "the glory which He had with His Father
before the world was."36 Furthermore, she says: "He left the glory of creation and the
glory of instituting and administering the law with the Father."37 Elsewhere she states that
Christ "left His throne of glory", or exchanged "the throne of light and glory which He
had with the Father for humanity,"38 and "stepped down from the glorious throne in
heaven."39 He "laid aside His royal robes and His kingly crown"40 and left "His royal
throne"41 and "the royal courts."42 Christ also "left His riches and His high command"43
and "His heavenly home"44 and "laid off His glorious diadem."45

There are, therefore, many things which Ellen White says Christ laid aside in becoming
man. However, she does not state that Christ laid aside His essential deity or divinity or
the attributes of God in adopting human nature. Instead of saying that Christ laid aside
His divinity, she states repeatedly that Christ "clothed His divinity with humanity" or He
"veiled His divinity with humanity." These phrases or similar ones are used
approximately 125 times in her Review and Herald articles alone in the period from
1872-1914.46 These phrases are so important and representative of Ellen White's thought
that we wish to quote one clear example of each:

"For our sake He stepped down from His royal throne, and clothed His divinity with
humanity. He laid aside His royal robe, His kingly crown, that He might he one with
us."47

We give an example of the other phrase used: "The Majesty of heaven veiled His divinity
in humanity, and passed from place to place through towns and cities..."48

Only in one instance did I find that Ellen White used the phrase "laying aside His
divinity."49 When one compares the 125 usages of "clothing or veiling His divinity with
humanity" to the one usage of "laying aside His divinity," one is forced to give greater
weight to the intent of the former phrases and to accept them as indicating her clear
teaching.50

It is obvious that when Ellen White says that Christ "clothed His divinity with humanity"
she wished to teach that Christ retained His deity in the Incarnation. She writes very
clearly: "Christ had not exchanged His divinity for humanity; but He had clothed His
divinity in humanity."51 Ellen White does not propound a modern kenotic theory which
emaciates the divinity of Christ. Notice her words: "He veiled His divinity with the garb
of humanity, but He did not part with His divinity. "52 According to her, Christ did not
lose His divinity when He became man. He was not simply a good man who had been
God before. She says: "Though He took humanity upon Himself, He was divine. All that
is attributed to the Father Himself is attributed to Christ."53 Ellen White has a very high
view of the deity of the Man Christ Jesus: "Christ Himself was the Word, the Wisdom, of
God; and in Him God Himself came down from heaven, and clothed Himself in the
habitiments of humanity. "54 In describing the visit of Jesus Christ to the temple in
Jerusalem she says: "The second temple was honored, not with the cloud of Jehovah's
glory, but with the living presence of One in whom dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily, - God Himself manifest in the flesh."55

2. The Two Natures

Ellen White maintains that the divine and human natures were combined to form one
person. She writes: "Was the human nature of the Son of Mary changed into the divine
nature of the Son of God? No; the two natures were mysteriously blended in one person -
the Man Christ Jesus."56 This thought of the combination of the divine and the human in
Christ is repeatedly stressed. Notice this suggestive statement: "In Christ, divinity and
humanity were combined. Divinity was not degraded to humanity; divinity held its place,
but humanity by being united to divinity, withstood the fiercest test of temptation in the
wilderness."57 In the person of Christ there is a combination of the finite and the Infinite:
"The work of God's dear Son in undertaking to link the created with the Uncreated, the
finite with the Infinite, in His own divine person, is a subject that may well employ our
thoughts for a lifetime."58

In picturesque language Ellen White described Christ as linking humanity and the Infinite
in His own grasp. She writes: "With His human arm, Jesus encircled the race, and with
His divine arm He grasped the throne of the Infinite, connecting man with God, and earth
with heaven."59

The teaching of the two natures in one person is echoed constantly by Ellen White as she
described the combination of divinity and humanity in Christ. "In Christ were united the
human and the divine."60 In describing how Christ took upon Himself humanity, she
writes: "He took upon Him our nature, combining humanity with divinity."61 It was
because of this duality of nature that the sacrifice of Christ on the cross was of value. "In
Him divinity and humanity were combined, and this was what gave efficiency to the
sacrifice made on Calvary's cross."62

Ellen White, in speaking of the attitude of Christ's earthly brothers in their opposition to
Him wrote: "Their coarse, unappreciative words showed that they had no true perception
of His character, and did not discern that the divine blended with the human."63 Even the
disciples of Christ had failed to appreciate the fellowship of deity in their earthly
association with Christ. She says: "Looking upon Him in His humiliation, as He walked a
man among men, understood the mystery of His Incarnation, the dual character of His
nature. Their eyes were that they did not fully recognize divinity in humanity.64

Because of Christ's dual nature He was the only one who could be a mediator between
man and God. "He alone could be a mediator between God and man; for He possessed
divinity and humanity."65 In describing the qualities of divinity and humanity Ellen White
says: "Christ united His divinity with humanity. He possessed the qualities of Infinite and
finite. In His person all excellence dwells. "66 Speaking about the Bible, which
represented a union of divine and human, she writes: "Such a union existed in the nature
of Christ, who was the Son of God and the Son of man."67 In referring to Christ, Ellen
White at times refers to Him as the divine-human Saviour A divine-human Saviour was
needed to bring salvation to the world.68 The dual nature of Christ is clearly taught. He
has a two-fold nature at one human and divine. His both God and man.69

3. Mystery of Incarnation

While Ellen White believes in the dual nature of Christ and that in the Incarnation
divinity was clothed in humanity, she acknowledges that these truths present great
mysteries. She indicates that what makes the Incarnation so difficult to understand and
comprehend is the thought of the union of the Infinite and the finite. It is a mystery to
man that the God of the universe could be united to a babe in a manger. For man this
thought presents mystery and paradox.70

Ellen White speaks of the Incarnation of Christ as the "mystery of all mysteries."71 and
that these mysteries "could employ the pens and the highest mental powers of the wisest
men from now until Christ shall be revealed in the clouds of heaven in power and great
glory."72 These mysteries will ever call forth the best thought that the mind can give: "The
study of the Incarnation of Christ, His atoning sacrifice and mediatorial work, will
employ the mind of the diligent student as long as time shall last."73

4.The Divinity of Christ

We have already established that Ellen White taught that Christ did not lay aside His
divinity in the Incarnation. We have also examined her concept of the combination of
divinity and humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. We now wish to look more closely at
her concepts of the divinity of Christ during the Incarnation.

Ellen White teaches that although Christ was born into the world as a babe taking full
humanity He was, nevertheless, God. The Deity was His from His entrance into the world
and was not bestowed upon Him in an adoptionistic sense at some point in His ministry.
Speaking of the wise men who came to worship the babe she writes: "Beneath the lowly
guise of Jesus, they recognized the presence of Divinity. They gave their hearts to Him as
their Saviour, and then poured out their gifts - gold, and frankincense, and myrrh."74
Speaking of the priest who performed the dedication of Jesus in the temple, Ellen White
affirms that he did not sense that the One lying in his arms was the King of glory.75

Even in the days of His childhood "He was the divine Son of God, and yet a helpless
child."76
In the earthly life of Christ the manifestation of His glory was subdued and His majesty
veiled that the weak vision of finite men might behold it. "In the eyes of the world He
possessed no beauty that they should desire Him; yet He was the incarnate God, the light
of heaven and earth."77 Christ did not surrender His essential deity in becoming a man. In
accomplishing the redemption of man, Ellen White comments: "This was not done by
going out of Himself to another, but by taking humanity into Himself.78 In 1887 she wrote
regarding Christ's Person as being divine: "He was God while upon earth, but He divested
Himself of the form of God, and in its stead took the form and fashion of a man...He laid
aside His glory and His majesty. He was God, but the glories of the form of God He for a
while relinquished."79

In conversation with the Pharisees and rulers Jesus Christ made a startling declaration
regarding Himself in relation to Abraham when He said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you,
before Abraham was, I AM" (John 8:58). Ellen White comments on this and writes:

"Silence fell upon the vast assembly. The name of God, given to Moses to express the
idea of the eternal presence, had been claimed as His own by this Galilean rabbi. He had
announced Himself to be the self-existent One,..."80

In this language Ellen White places Jesus Christ on equal ground with the Yahweh of the
Old Testament and makes the highest claims for the deity of Christ. This is in keeping
with her words concerning Christ spoken in connection with His claim to be the
resurrection and the life when she wrote: "In Christ is life, original, unborrowed,
underived."81

While Ellen White maintains the full deity of Christ during the Incarnation, she also
indicates that in some definite way Christ's divinity was hidden and did not override His
humanity. In some mysterious way there was a holding back of the powers of divinity.
Speaking of the trial of Jesus at the end of His ministry, Ellen White writes:

"And He knew that in a moment, by the flashing forth of His divine power, He could lay
His cruel tormentors in the dust. This made the trial harder to bear... When Christ was
treated with contempt, there came to Him a strong temptation to manifest His divine
character. By a word, by a look, He could compel His persecutors to confess that He was
Lord above kings and rulers, priests and temple. But it was His difficult task to keep to
the position He had chosen as one with humanity. "82

Ellen White indicates that the constant temptation to Christ was for Him to rise above His
humanity and use His divine power to His own advantage. "It was as difficult for Him to
keep the level of humanity as it is for men to rise above the low level of their depraved
natures, and be partakers of the divine nature."83 Christ was not to exercise divine power
or perform miracles to benefit Himself.84

And yet, Ellen White in her book, The Desire of Ages, indicates Christ's ability to read the
hearts of men and the future. "With prophetic eye He looks into futurity, and sees not
only years, but centuries and ages."85 Upon meeting Simon Peter, Christ reads his
character and his life history.86 At the cleansing of the temple Christ discerns the thoughts
of the money- changers.87 In the case of Nicodemus, Christ in "His infinite
wisdom...saw before Him a seeker after truth."88 At Jacob's well Christ could read the
secrets of the life of the Samaritan woman.89 Before the Jewish nobleman had left his
Capernaum home to seek help from Christ the Saviour "had beheld his affliction."90 The
officer, when meeting Christ, became aware of His ability to read his thoughts.91 As
Christ faced the doubters in his home town of Nazareth, He gave evidence of His
divinity.92 Concerning Judas she indicates that the Saviour could read his heart and his
future.93 In discussing the first evangelists whom Christ sent out, Ellen White states that
Christ at a glance could take in the future.94 Ellen White continues with this same line of
thought when discussing the rabbis95 and the accusers of the woman caught in adultery.96
She pictures Simon at the feast being read by Christ as an open book.97

Ellen White also gives a picturesque description of the phenomenon when at times it
appeared as if the veiled divinity of Christ could not be held back or concealed and when
she speaks of it 'flashing through humanity.'98

In the calling forth of Lazarus from the grave we find again that "divinity flashes through
humanity."99 This miracle would be evidence of the divinity of Christ. "With intense and
painful interest all wait for the test of Christ's divinity, the evidence that is to substantiate
His claim to be the Son of God, or to extinguish the hope forever."100 According to Ellen
Write this miracle was not to show that Christ only functioned as a man fully dependent
on His Father, but this miracle was to be the crowning evidence that Jesus Christ was the
divine Son of God.

Thus far we have established that Ellen White taught that Christ retained His divinity in
becoming a man and that He was not simply partly divine. He was fully God while on
earth. We have also seen that this divinity was veiled in humanity and the full powers of
His divinity were not always exercised. At times His divinity would flash through
humanity in some supreme moment. We have also seen that Ellen White maintains that
Christ's divinity did not interfere with Christ's humanity. His divinity was not used to
unfair advantage of His humanity. And yet there are the many indications of the divinity
of His Person in His ability to read thoughts and hearts and the future. He forgave sin in
the capacity of His being the eternal Son of God. His miracles were an evidence of His
Messiahship.101 Ellen White's intent is that Christ did not wish men to believe that He was
simply a very good man who relied fully on His heavenly Father but that He was the
divine Son of God in a dependent relationship with the Father.

5. Christ's Humanity

In our presentation of Ellen White's strong views on the full divinity of Christ the
question could well be asked if she advocated a form of docetism. We will now turn to
her views regarding the humanity of Christ and will discover that her presentation of this
aspect of Christ is just as strong as her concept of His divinity.
a. Importance

Ellen White sees the humanity of Christ as vital to the plan of salvation. "The humanity
of the Son of God is everything to us. It is the golden linked chain which binds our souls
to Christ and through Christ to God. This is to be our study. Christ was a real man, and
He gave proof of His humility in becoming a man."102 Christ took humanity in order to
reach man where he is. Ellen White sees the ladder in Jacob's dream as symbolic of Jesus
Christ and says of His humanity: "If that ladder had failed by a single step of reaching the
earth, we should have been lost. But Christ reaches us where we are. He took our nature
and overcame, that we through taking His nature might overcome. Made 'in the likeness
of sinful flesh', He lived a sinless life."103

It was important for Christ to be a real man that He might pass over the ground which
Adam had passed and redeem his failure. "He took humanity on Himself, to stand the test
and trial which the first Adam failed to endure."104 Christ's life would be a substitutionary
life but it would be lived out in the same humanity that it sought to redeem. In addition to
being substitutionary, Christ would also give an example of the role of humanity. "If He
did not have man's nature, He could not be our example. If He was not a partaker of our
nature, He could not have been tempted as man has been. If it were not possible for Him
to yield to temptation, He could not be our helper. It was a solemn reality that Christ
came to fight the battles as man, in man's behalf. "105

Ellen White also believed that in order to die for a human race of rebels God adopted
humanity, for God cannot die. This also explains why the humanity of Christ was so
important. She believed that Christ laid aside His outer glory and "clothed His divinity
with humanity" in order to become a substitute and surety for all men, by dying in their
place. While Christ could not die as God, He could as a man.106

b. Reality

Ellen White believed that Christ's humanity was genuine and real. "Christ did not make-
believe take human nature; He did verily take it. He did in reality possess human
nature."107 Ellen White maintained that "He was made like unto His brethren, with the
same susceptibilities, mental and physical,"108 thus reaching man's level. Because of the
reality of His humanity, Christ knew what it was to experience pain, grief and
suffering.109 Furthermore, she says that Christ came into the world in like manner as other
members of the human family. She says: "Like every child of Adam He accepted the
results of the working of the great law of heredity."110 Thus Ellen White believed in the
completeness of the humanity of Christ.111

Although Christ took upon Himself man's nature with its weakness and liabilities He was,
nevertheless, a worthy representative of humanity. Ellen White says that Christ "was free
from physical deformity" and that "His physical structure was not marred by any defect;
His body was strong and healthy...Physically as well as spiritually, He was an example of
what God designed all humanity to be through obedience to His laws."112 "Christ is a
perfect representation of God on the one hand, and a perfect specimen of sinless
humanity on the other hand."113

In this section on Incarnation and nature we have sought to describe Ellen White's views
on various aspects of this subject. We have presented her ideas on the kenosis, the two
natures of Christ, the mystery of the Incarnation, the divinity of Christ and His humanity.
In a later section on analysis we will take a closer, critical look at the problem of the
relationship between the divinity and humanity of Christ in Ellen White's presentation.
For the present we turn our attention to her position on Incarnation and sin.

_________________

32 The reader is referred to footnote 10 in chapter one. [back]

33 E. G. White, Review and Herald, March 29, 1870. [back]

34 Ibid., April 19, 1870. [back]

35 Ibid., May 31, 1870. [back]

36 Ibid., July 25, 1854. [back]

37 Ibid., January 4, 1881. [back]

38 See E. G. White, Review and Herald, December 9, 1884; September 11, 1888. [back]

39 E. G. White, Review and Herald, December 11, 1888. [back]

40 Ibid., May 28, 1889. [back]

41 Ibid., July 16, 1889. [back]

42 Ibid., March 10, 1891. [back]

43 Ibid., May 31, 1870. [back]

44 Ibid., December 24, 1872. [back]

45 Ibid., November 26, 1895. [back]

46 The first time Ellen White used the expression "His divinity was veiled with
humanity" in the Review and Herald articles was on December 31, 1872, in an article
"The Life of Christ." The expression "clothing His divinity with humanity" was first used
in 1875 in "The Temptation of Christ," Review and Herald, April 1, 1875. The last usage
of the term in the Review and Herald was in 1914 where she says Christ "laid aside His
royal robe and kingly crown, and clothed His divinity with humanity" in the Review and
Herald, July 30, 1914. [back]

47 E. G. White, Review and Herald, October 24, 1899. [back]

48 E. G. White, Review and Herald, December 20, 1892. [back]

49 The sentence reads, "The salvation of souls was the great object for which Christ
sacrificed His royal robe and kingly crown, the glory of heaven, and the homage of
angels, and laying aside His divinity, came to earth to labor and suffer with humanity
upon Him." In "A Call to Consecration," Review and Herald, November 21, 1907. [back]

50 In a letter from Robert W. Olson, secretary of the Ellen G. White Estate, dated July 16,
1981, he states that he does not think that a mistake was made on the part of the
publishers. He feels that they faithfully produced what she gave them. He goes on to say
that in the light of his understanding of her writings he believes that in this statement she
means that "He laid aside the use of His divinity" (see letter). This, of course, is an
interpretative statement on the part of Olson. If the words of Ellen White are taken at face
value we would have a contradiction because her teaching that Christ did not part with
His divinity is clear. I would prefer to interpret her statement to mean that Christ laid
aside the outward form and glory of divinity. We might also wish to agree with Olson
when he says that the statement "is not quite as carefully worded as most of her other
statements on the subject" (see Letter R. W. Olson to Eric C. Webster, July 16, 1981).
[back]

51 E. G. White, Review and Herald, October 29, 1895. [back]

52 E. G. White, Review and Herald, June 15, 1905. [back]

53 E. G. White, Review and Herald, May 19, 1896. [back]

54 E. G. White, "The Plan of Redemption," Review and Herald, February 1, 1898. [back]

55 E. G. White, "Not by Might, nor by Power," Review and Herald, January 16, 1908.
[back]

56 E. G. White, Letter 280, 1904 (cited in The SDA Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p.1113).
[back]

57 E. G. White, "How to Meet a Controverted Point of Doctrine," Review and Herald,

February 18, 1890. [back]

58 E. G. White, "Bible Study," Review and Herald, January 11, 1881. [back]
50 E. G. White, "How to Meet a Controverted Point of Doctrine," Review and Herald,
February 18, 1890. For other references to this same idea see Ibid., October 27, 1885;
December 1, 1885; June 11, 1889; February 18, 1890; June 10, 1890; February 5, 1895;
July 9, 1895; September 22, 1896; July 18, 1899; October 17, 1899; November 21, 1899;
September 3, 1903; February 15, 1912. [back]

60 E. G. White, "The Life of Christ," Review and Herald, December 31, 1872. [back]

61 E. G. White, "The Relation of Christ to the Law is not Understood," Review and
Herald, February 4, 1890. [back]

62 E. G. White, "Christ our Hope," Review and Herald, December 20, 1892. [back]

63 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.326. [back]

64 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.507. See also Review and Herald, April 23, 1895.
[back]

65 E. G. White, "The Treasure of Truth Rejected," Review and Herald. April 3, 1894.
[back]

66 E. G. White, "Our Words - No. 2," Review and Herald, January 25, 1898. [back]

67 E. G. White, "Correct Views Concerning the Testimonies," Review and Herald,

August 30, 1906. [back]

68 E. G. White, "Cornelius, a Seeker for Truth," Review and Herald, April 6, 1911. See
also Review and Herald, January 13, 1903; July 16, 1914. [back]

69 E. G. White, Ms. 76, 1903, quoted in SDA Commentary, 7a, p.298. [back]

70 Note Ellen White's descriptive picture of the mystery: "In contemplating the
Incarnation of Christ in humanity, we stand baffled before an unfathomable mystery, that
the human mind cannot comprehend. The more we reflect upon it, the more amazing does
it appear. How wide is the contrast between the divinity of Christ and the helpless infant
in Bethlehem's manger! How can we span the distance between the mighty God and a
helpless child? And yet the Creator of worlds, He in whom was the fullness of the
Godhead bodily, was manifest in the helpless babe in the manger. Far higher than any of
the angels, equal with the Father in dignity and glory, and yet wearing the garb of
humanity! Divinity and humanity were mysteriously combined, and man and God
became one. It is in this union that we find the hope of our fallen race. Looking upon
Christ in humanity, we look upon God, and see in Him the brightness of His glory, the
express image of His person" (The Signs of the Times, July 30, 1896, cited in Questions
on Doctrine, pp.647,648). [back]

71 E. G. White, Letter 276, 1904, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6,

p.1082. [back]

72 E. G. White, Letter 280, 1904, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6,

p.1115. [back]

73 E. G. White, Gospel Workers, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1946, p.251.
[back]

74 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.63. This is a penetrative statement and clearly
establishes Ellen White's conviction on the divinity of Jesus Christ from His birth. Just
before the sentence quoted Ellen White says that the wise men "fell down and
worshipped Him" (p.63). In an article in the church paper she had written concerning this
worship: "They bowed in reverence to the infant King, committing no idolatry"
("Christmas is Coming", Review and Herald, December 9, 1884). [back]

75 We note Ellen White's significant comment: "Little did he think, as the babe lay in his
arms, that it was the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory...He did not think that this babe
was He whose glory Moses had asked to see" (The Desire of Ages, p.52). [back]

76 Ibid., p.88. [back]

77 Ibid., p.23. [back]

78 E. G. White, "The Word Made Flesh," Review and Herald, April 5, 1906. In
commenting on the statement of Christ, "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father"
(John 14:9), Ellen White writes: "Christ had not ceased to be God when He became man.
Though He had humbled Himself to humanity, the Godhead was still His own" (The
Desire of Ages, pp.663,664). It is interesting to note the high view which Ellen White had
on the essential Deity of Christ. [back]

79 E. G White, "Christ Man's Example," Review and Herald, July 5, 1887.Elsewhere

Ellen White uses similar language when speaking of Christ who hungered, thirsted and
slept, yet, "He was God in the flesh" ("Truth to be Rescued from Error," Review and
Herald, October 23, 1894). She indicates that the disciples often failed to appreciate
Christ's teachings but from time to time their minds were illuminated and "they realized
that the mighty God, clad in the garb of humanity, was among them" (The Desire of Ages,
p.494). [back]

80 Ibid., pp.469,470. [back]

81 Ibid., p.530. This is one of the strongest statements made by Ellen White on the
eternity and the essential Deity of Jesus Christ. The language is not ambiguous or
uncertain. This is certainly the opposite of Arianism. [back]

82 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.700. See E. G. White, "Caiaphas," Review and
Herald, June 12, 1900: "He could have flashed the light of His glory upon His enemies,
but He bore patiently their humiliating abuse." [back]

83 E. G. White, "The Temptation of Christ," Review and Herald, April 1, 1875. See also
E. G. White, Letter 19, 1901, cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5,
p.1081.[back]

84 Ellen White clearly states that Jesus Christ did not use His divine powers for His own
advantage. She writes: "It was not any part of the mission of Christ to exercise His divine
power for His own benefit, to relieve Himself from suffering" ("The Temptation of
Christ," Review and Herald, August 18, 1874). See also The Desire of Ages: "During all
the years of His stay in Nazareth, He made no exhibition of His miraculous power"
(p.74). Also: "Therefore He would not work a miracle to save Himself the pain and
humiliation that man must endure when placed in a similar position" (p.729). See also
p.734. [back]

85 E G White, The Desire of Ages, p.157. [back]

86 Ibid., p.139. [back]

87 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.162. [back]

88 Ibid., p.168. It is interesting to note that Ellen White ascribes infinite wisdom to
Christ. [back]

89 Ibid., pp.187,189. [back]

90 Ibid., p.197. [back]

91 Observe her words: "He knew that he was in the presence of One who could read the
thoughts, and to whom all things were possible" (The Desire of Ages, p.198). [back]

92 Ibid., p.238. "But Jesus gave them an evidence of His divinity by revealing their
secret thoughts." [back]

93 Observe: "The Saviour read the heart of Judas; He knew the depths of iniquity to
which, unless delivered by the grace of God, Judas would sink" (The Desire of Ages,
p.294). See also Ibid., p.653. At the last supper, "by reading the secret purpose of the
traitor's heart, Christ gave to Judas the final, convincing evidence of His divinity" (Ibid.,
p.655). It is interesting to note that Ellen White considers this ability as evidence of
Christ's divinity rather than the guidance of the Holy Spirit as some prophet might
experience. [back]

94 She writes: "His prophetic glance takes in the experience of His servants through all
the ages till He shall come the second time" (The Desire of Ages, p.352). [back]

95 Jesus gave the rabbis an evidence of His divinity by showing that He read their hearts"
(The Desire of Ages, p.456). See also Ibid., p.602. [back]

96 In connection with the accusers of the woman caught in adultery, Ellen White writes
of Jesus: "He read the heart, and knew the character and life-history of every one in His
presence" (Ibid., p.460). This is certainly a view of Christ which places Him in a different
category from other men. [back]

97 Note her words: "While he [Simon] thought himself reading his Guest, his Guest had
been reading him" (Ibid., p.567). [back]

98 Ellen White links this phenomenon with certain important experiences in Christ's life.
The first is on Christ's visit to Jerusalem at the age of 12. She writes concerning Jesus and
His parents: "On His face was a light at which they wondered. Divinity was flashing
through humanity" (The Desire of Ages, p.81). Again in the wilderness temptation
"divinity flashed through suffering humanity" (Ibid., p.130). Then at the cleansing of the
temple: "Looking upon Christ, they behold divinity flash through the garb of humanity.
The Majesty of heaven stands as the Judge will stand at the last day, - not now encircled
with the glory that will then attend Him, but with the same power to read the soul" (Ibid.,
p.158). Here, Ellen White gives Christ the same power to read the heart as He will have
in the final day. This is certainly beyond any normal human intuition. At the
transfiguration she describes how that "divinity from within flashes through humanity,
and meets the glory coming from above" (Ibid., p.421). This same experience is linked
with the second cleansing of the temple (Ibid., p.590), again before Caiaphas (Ibid.,
p.707), and in the presence of Herod (Ibid., p.731). [back]

99 Ibid., p.536. [back]

100 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.536. [back]

101 E G White, "The Spirit of Law-Breakers," Review and Herald, March 23, 1886.
Note: "The wonderful evidences of His Messiahship, by the miracles He performed in
healing the sick and raising the dead, and doing the works which no other man had done
or could do, . . ." [back]

102 E. G. White, Ms 67, 1898, Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7,

p.904.[back]

103 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp.311,312. The question of Christ and sin will be
handled in the next section of this chapter. [back]

104 E. G. White, ST May 10, 1899 in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5,
pp.1082,3. See Letter 156, 1897, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4,
p.1163. See Review and Herald, June 10, 1890. [back]

105 E. G. White, "How to Meet a Controverted Point of Doctrine," Review and Herald,
February 18, 1890. [back]
106 For this thought see Ellen White, Letter 97, 1898 (also cited in Questions on
Doctrine, p.666). [back]

107 E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906. See also Letter 106, 1896, in
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p.1124. She further believed that Christ
"possessed all the human organism" (Letter 32, 1899, cited in Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p.1130); had a body like ours (Review and Herald, February 5,
1895); employed the human faculties (Review and Herald, June 25, 1895); knew the
weakness and infirmities of the flesh (Ms. 76, 1903 cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary, Vol. 6, p.1074); accepted the liabilities of human nature (The Desire of
Ages, p.117; see also The Signs of the Times, August 2, 1905). [back]

108 E. G. White, "Notes on Travel," Review and Herald, February 10, 1885. Amplifying
this thought Ellen White says that because of His genuine humanity Christ was brought to
the "level of man's feeble faculties" (Review and Herald, December 11, 1888); "sought
strength from His Father " (Review and Herald, May 31, 1906); found prayer "a necessity
and a privilege" (Review and Herald, December 8, 1904). [back]

109 Ellen White says in this connection that "Christ knew the griefs of human nature"
(Review and Herald, March 4, 1884); that "He fought the battle in painfulness" (Review
and Herald, April 19, 1887); that He accepted humanity with its attendant ills (Review
and Herald October 3, 1912); and that He suffered as a man (Review and Herald,
November 18, 1890). [back]

110 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.48. See also Letter 97, 1898, in Questions on
Doctrine, p.666. [back]

111 E. G. White, Letter 35, 1894, in Questions on Doctrine, p.691. [back]

112 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.50. [back]

113 E. G. White, Ms. 44, 1898, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7,
p.907. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

C. The Incarnation and Sin

In this section we wish to concentrate on Ellen White's view of the Incarnation in relation
to the question of sin. This will be done by focusing on two aspects of the problem. What
did Ellen White teach in regard to Jesus Christ's relationship to the acts and the state of
sin? We will describe her views on these two aspects of Christology consecutively.
1. Acts of Sin

For Ellen White sin is essentially rebellion against God which later manifests itself in
transgression of His law. She sees the law as broad and deep, encompassing more than
outward deeds:

"The law of God, as presented in the Scriptures, is broad in its requirements. Every
principle is holy, just and good... it [the law] reaches to the thoughts and feelings;...If the
law extended to the outward conduct only, men would not be guilty in their wrong
thoughts, desires and designs. But the law requires that the soul itself be pure and the
mind holy, that the thoughts and feelings may be in accordance with the standard of love
and righteousness. "114

For Ellen White then any departure from God's love and righteousness is sin.

a. Christ's Sinless Life

When it comes to actual sin, whether of an outward or inner character, how did Ellen
White view Christ's life? It is very clear that she saw Jesus Christ as sinless in word,
thought and deed.115 For her He was free from all selfishness and sin.116 He was innocent
and pure117 and never degraded His soul with one foul blot of sin.118 In Christ there was
no imperfection, no selfishness, no spot, no stain of evil.119 Ellen White indicates that
"had one stain of sin rested upon our Redeemer, His sacrifice would not have secured the
salvation of man."120 Christ was the embodiment of purity121 and is spoken of as the
"Sinless One."122 Satan was perplexed by the sinless life of Christ. "The unsullied purity
of the childhood, youth, and manhood of Christ, which Satan could not taint, annoyed
him exceedingly."123

b. The Reality of Temptation

Scripture indicates that Christ was "tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was
without sin" (Heb. 4:15, N.I.V.). Were these temptations real in the case of Christ and was
there the possibility that Christ could yield to temptation? Ellen White believed in the
reality of the temptations which came to Christ:

"It is impossible for man to fully comprehend the strength of Satan's temptations to our
Saviour. Every enticement to evil, which men find so difficult to resist, was brought to
bear upon the Son of God in as much greater degree as His character was superior to that
of fallen man."124

Christ came to redeem the failure of man and He conquered where the first Adam failed.
"Christ has passed over every step of the ground where Adam failed, and He has gained
the victory in behalf of humanity."125 Notice the emphasis that Christ did not only gain the
victory for Himself, but His victory was substitutionary for the whole of humanity.
Ellen White believed that it was possible for Christ to have yielded to temptation and to
have sinned. She says: "But our Saviour took humanity, with all of its liabilities. He took
the nature of man, with the possibility of yielding to temptation. "126 She states that in the
glories of the eternal world we will realize the tremendous sacrifice that Christ made on
our behalf and that He "took the risk of failure and eternal loss127 for us.

2. The State of Sin

All will agree that Ellen White clearly taught that Christ committed no actual sin in His
human life. When it comes to the state of sin the issues are more complex. Did Ellen
White teach that Christ took the human nature of man before or after the fall? Did Christ
in His human nature start where all other children start? Does Ellen White maintain that
the human race was affected by original sin or not? If the race has been, was Christ also
affected in this way or was He exempted? Did Christ have the same human nature that
the converted man has, and if so, can all Christians live the unsullied life which Christ
lived? To these issues in Ellen White we will now address ourselves.

a. Christ Took Fallen Human Nature

Ellen White states many times that Christ took our nature upon Himself. "He left His
riches, His majesty, and His high command, and took upon Himself our nature."128 Here
she is clearly speaking about human nature. "He laid off His kingly crown and royal robe,
and for our salvation assumed human nature."129 However, Ellen White goes further than
this. In describing the humanity which Christ took she says that "He accepted humanity
when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin."130

Ellen White in numerous passages states that Christ took upon Himself our fallen nature.
In 1874 she wrote: "The King of glory proposed to humble Himself to fallen humanity!
He would place His feet in Adam's steps. He would take man's fallen nature and engage
to cope with the strong foe who triumphed over Adam."131 In the third volume of Spirit of
Prophecy which appeared in 1878 she said of Christ in relation to man that He " assumed
their fallen nature."132 In 1896 she was still consistently speaking in this vein when she
wrote:

"Christ the spotless Son of God, honored humanity by taking upon Himself fallen human
nature."133 In the same year she spoke of Christ connecting our fallen human nature with
His divinity:

"Though He had no taint of sin upon His character, yet He condescended to connect our
fallen human nature with His divinity. By thus taking humanity, He honored humanity.
Having taken our fallen nature, He showed what it might become, by accepting the ample
provision He has made for it, and by becoming partaker of the divine nature."134
In her classic, The Desire of Ages, which appeared in 1898, she wrote: " Notwithstanding
that the sins of a guilty world were laid upon Christ, notwithstanding the humiliation of
taking upon Himself our fallen nature, the voice from heaven declared Him to be the Son
of the Eternal."135 Not only does Ellen White speak of Christ taking our fallen nature
upon Himself, but she also speaks of taking upon Himself man's sinful nature. She wrote:
"Clad in the vestments of humanity, the Son of God came down to the level of those He
wished to save. In Him was no guile or sinfulness; He was ever pure and undefiled; yet
He took upon Him our sinful nature."136 Ellen White furthers her thought by stating that
human nature "degraded and defiled by sin" ;137 came in "the likeness of sinful flesh";138
upon Himself "the offending nature of man";139 its deteriorated condition.140 It is
interesting in nature in to note that Ellen White does not say that Christ possessed a sinful
nature, but that He "took upon Him our sinful nature."

Thus far we have seen that Ellen White taught that Christ took upon Himself humanity,
fallen humanity, our sinful nature, the infirmities of degenerate humanity and our nature
in its deteriorated condition. Before addressing ourselves to this particular problem we
will view the other side of the subject by observing her strong pronouncements on the
sinlessness of Christ in the extreme.

b. Christ's State of Sinlessness

There are strong indications that for Ellen White sin was foreign to Christ not only in
word, thought or deed, but to the very depths of His soul. She says repeatedly that Christ
was free from the very taint of sin. "And thus He who knew not the taint of sin, pours out
His life as a malefactor upon Calvary...Not only did Christ die as our sacrifice, but He
lived as our example. In His human nature He stands complete, perfect, spotless."141
Christ was "free from the taint of sin";142 He was "free from every taint of selfishness."143
She is emphatic that Christ throughout His life was free from the taint of sin.144

Other terms which Ellen White employs to indicate Christ's state of sinlessness are the
absence of corruption, pollution and defilement. She writes of Christ that "He was
unsullied with corruption, a stranger to sin."145 Similar language is used when she says:
"Jesus was incorruptible and undefiled..."146 Throughout His life Christ was untainted
with corruption.147 Ellen White says clearly that Christ was "born without a taint of sin,
but came into the world in like manner as the human family."148 This is a powerful
dialectical statement showing the thinking of Ellen White on the birth of Christ. Here she
is not speaking of deeds and actions but of state. For Ellen White Christ had no original
sin.

Contrasting the leprosy of sin with the pure life of Christ she wrote: "But Jesus, coming
to dwell in humanity, receives no pollution."149 If Christ entered the world without
corruption, or taint of sin or pollution, does Ellen White teach that all other men came
into the world in the same state?

Speaking of Seth, just one step away from Adam, Ellen White says: "Seth was a worthy
character, and was to take the place of Abel in right-doing. Yet he was a son of Adam,
like sinful Cain, and inherited from the nature of Adam no more natural goodness than
did Cain. He was born in sin..."150 And yet with regard to Christ who was born 4,000
years later and "accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity,"151 we
have noted that Ellen White says that He was "born without the taint of sin."152 Here is a
clear contrast between Seth and Christ. One was born in sin and the Other was born
without sin.

Note the great gulf between Christ and the Christian: "Satan could find nothing in the Son
of God that would enable him to gain a victory. He had kept His Father's commandments,
and there was no sin in Him that Satan could triumph over, no weakness or defect that he
could use to his advantage. But we are sinful by nature..."153 "Our hearts are naturally
depraved;"154 in comparison with the purity and glory of Christ we are "unworthy and
corruptible"155 and "human nature is vile."156

Ellen White believed that it was important for us to see the contrast between Christ and
ourselves. "Not to see the marked contrast between Christ and ourselves is not to know
ourselves. He who does not abhor himself cannot understand the meaning of
redemption."157 Notice how she contrasts the sinful desires of man with the attitude of
Christ: "Satan finds in human hearts some point where he can gain a foot-hold; some
sinful desire is cherished, by means of which his temptations assert their power. But
Christ declared of Himself, 'The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in Me.'"158
We have already observed Ellen White's teaching that Christ received no corruption,
defilement or pollution in taking humanity. In this He is different from man, because even
the converted child of God retains corruption. "As long as life shall last, there is need of
guarding the affections and the passions with a firm purpose. There is inward corruption,
there are outward temptations,..."159

Thus we can see that Ellen White makes a clear distinction between Christ and the
Christian when it comes to the state of sin. She has stated firmly that in Christ there is no
inner corruption, pollution, defilement or taint of sin. We will return to this issue in our
analysis of Ellen White's treatment of Incarnation and sin.

_____

114 E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1898. [back]

115 E. G. White, "A Message to Church Members," Review and Herald, April 26, 1906.
"In thought, word, and deed Jesus was sinless." [back]

116 E. G. White, "Aggressive Work to be Done," Review and Herald, August 2, 1906.
[back]

117 E. G. White, "Principle Never to be Sacrificed for Peace," Review and Herald, July
24, 1894. [back]
118 E. G. White, "Students Deciding their Eternal Destiny," Review and Herald, January
23, 1894. [back]

119 E. G. White, "Contemplate Christ's Perfection, not Man's Imperfection," Review and
Herald, August 8, 1893. Speaking of Christ being spotless she says He lived a "spotless
life from the manger to the cross" (Review and Herald, January 28, 1909); had a "spotless
character" (Review and Herald, September 20, 1881); a "spotless righteousness" (Review
and Herald, January 9, 1883); a "spotless purity" (Review and Herald, August 28, 1883);
a "spotless life" (Review and Herald, January 20, 1885). She speaks of Christ as "the
spotless Lamb of God who did no sin" (Review and Herald, April 22, 1884). [back]

120 E. G. White, "Sacrificial Offerings," The Signs of the Times, July 15, 1880. [back]

121 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.243. [back]

122 Ibid., p.111. She says that as the Sinless One He was "a faultless pattern" (Review
and Herald, February 14, 1893); and that in His total life He "satisfied the demands of
the law" (Review and Herald, November 28, 1912). [back]

123 E. G. White, "Christ's Triumph for Us," The Signs of the Times, April 5, 1883. [back]

124 E. G. White, Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2, 1877, p.88. See E. G. White, "The
Government of God," Review and Herald, March 9, 1886. [back]

125 E. G. White, "We Should Glorify God," Review and Herald, April 30, 1889. [back]

126 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.117. See also Review and Herald, February 18,
1890: "If it were not possible for Him to yield to temptation, He could not be our helper."
Cf. The Youth's Instructor, July 20, 1899; October 26, 1899. [back]

127 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp.131,49. See also The Signs of the Times, May
10, 1899. [back]

128 E. G. White, "Christian Recreation," Review and Herald May 25, 1886. See also
"Christian Perfection," Review and Herald, April 24, 1900. "Acquaint Now Thyself with
Him," Review and Herald, February 15, 1912. See The Desire of Ages, p.25. [back]

129 E. G. White, "An Appeal," Review and Herald, September 26, 1907. In this general
sense cf. The Signs of the Times, November 24, 1874; Ms. 21, 1895; Ms. 165, 1899.
[back]

130 Note Ellen White's full statement in this connection: "It would have been an almost
infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in
his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened
by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the
working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of
His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations,
and to give us an example of a sinless life" (The Desire of Ages, p.48). [back]

131 E. G. White, "Redemption No. 1," Review and Herald, February 24, 1874. [back]

132 E. G. White, Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. III, 1878, p.183. Further to the thought of taking
fallen nature cf. Review and Herald, December 31, 1872; Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2, p.39;
The Signs of the Times, February 20, 1893; June 9, 1898; April 26, 1905; General
Conference Bulletin, April 23, 1901. [back]

133 E. G. White, "The Uplifted Saviour," Review and Herald, September 29, 1896. See
also The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, p.46; Early Writings, pp.150-153. [back]

134 E. G. White, "Special Instruction Relating to the Review and Herald Office, and the
Work in Battle Creek," May 26, 1896, p.13, in Questions on Doctrine, p.657. [back]

135 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.112. Perhaps amplifying the idea of fallen nature,
Ellen White speaks of Christ taking the weaknesses and infirmities of degenerate
humanity. See The Desire of Ages, p.117; The Signs of the Times, December 3, 1902;
Review and Herald, October 13, 1896; January 19, 1905. [back]

136 E. G. White, "The Importance of Obedience," Review and Herald, December 15,
1896. This paragraph is repeated verbatim in an article "The Word of God" in the Review
and Herald, August 22, 1907. See also Ellen White, Medical Ministry, Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press, 1932, 1963, p.181 [back]

137 See E. G. White, The Youth's Instructor, August 23, 1894; Letter 106, 1896.[ back]

138 See E. G. White, The Youth's Instructor, December 20, 1900. She also speaks of the
"nature of Adam, the transgressor" (Ms. 141, 1901). [back]

139 E. G. White, Review and Herald, July 17, 1900. [back]

140 E. G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1, p.253. [back]

141 E. G. White, "Should Christians Dance?," Review and Herald, February 28, 1882.
[back]

142 E. G. White, "Humility Before Honor," Review and Herald, November 8, 1887.99.
[back]

143 E. G. White, "Obedience the Path to Life," Review and Herald, March 28, 1893.
[back]

144 Further references indicating that Christ was free from the "taint of sin." See The
Signs of the Times, December 9, 1897; Christ stood before Caiaphas "pure and undefiled,
without a taint of sin" (Review and Herald, June 12, 1900); and before the woman caught
in adultery Ellen White says of Christ: "Knowing not the taint of sin Himself, He pities
the weakness of the erring one" (The Signs of the Times, October 23, 1879). [back]

145 E. G. White, "An Appeal to Ministers," Review and Herald, May 19, 1885. [back]

146 E. G. White, "How to Deal with the Erring," Review and Herald, January 26, 1911.
[back]

147 Note Ellen White's strong statement: "In Christ dwelt the fullness of the Godhead
bodily. This is why, although He was tempted in all points like as we are, He stood before
the world, from His first entrance into it, untainted by corruption, though surrounded by
it" (Manuscript 16, 1890, cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7,
p.907). This is a very interesting thought. Here, instead of merely giving the secret of
Christ's overcoming power as faith and trust in His Father, she indicates that the secret
somehow lay in the deity of His Person. [back]

148 E. G. White, Letter 97, 1898, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7,
p.925. [back]

149 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.266. [back]

150 E. G. White, The Signs of the Times, February 20, 1879.[back]

151 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.48. [back]

152 For reference see footnote 148. [back]

153 E. G. White, "God's Willingness to Save," Review and Herald, May 27, 1884; see
also Review and Herald, October 21, 1884. [back]

154 E. G. White, "Literary Societies," Review and Herald, January 4, 1881.See also
Review and Herald, November 24, 1885.[back]

155 E. G. White, "Sanctification," Review and Herald, February 8, 1881. [back]

156 E. G. White, "The All-Important Lesson," The Signs of the Times, November 15,
1883. [back]

157 E. G. White, "Self-Exaltation," Review and Herald, September 25, 1900. [back]

158 E. G. White, "Humility before Honor", Review and Herald, November 8,

1887.[back]

159 E. G. White, Letter 86, 1891, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 2,
p.1032. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

D. The Incarnation and Grace

Now that we have presented Ellen White's views on Incarnation and nature, and
Incarnation and win, we turn to the aspect of Incarnation and grace. Here we will give
consideration to Ellen White's understanding of the work of Christ as it is related to the
Incarnation. Many theologians believe that the Person and work of Christ should not be
separated but are closely linked;160 hence the reason for our inclusion of this section. I
would suggest that there are at least five main aspects of the work of Christ which are
emphasized by Ellen White. These are: 1) Christ's substitutionary work of obedience and
atonement; 2) Christ's revelation of the character of the Father; 3) Christ's vindication of
God's law and government; 4) Christ's example serving as a pattern and model; and 5)
Christ's empowerment in the life of the redeemed.

1. Christ as Substitute and Surety

Of all the different aspects of the work of Christ, Ellen White gives greatest prominence
to Christ's substitutionary work. Repeatedly she speaks of Christ as 'Substitute and
Surety.'161 Ellen White believes that it is the fact that Christ is equal with the Father and
one with God which enables Him to be our Substitute and Surety.162 She goes on to point
out that because Christ possessed all the attributes of God and also was truly man, He
could be our Substitute and Surety. It was His possession of both the divine and human
natures which qualified Him for this responsibility. Ellen White puts it very clearly in the
following words:

"The reconciliation of man to God could be accomplished only through a mediator who
was equal with God, possessed of attributes that would dignify, and declare Him worthy
to treat with the Infinite God in man's behalf, and also represent God to a fallen world.
Man's substitute and surety must have man's nature, a connection with the human family
whom He was to represent, and, as God's ambassador, He must partake of the divine
nature, have a connection with the Infinite, in order to manifest God to the world, and be
a mediator between God and man."163

Ellen White uses the term 'Substitute and Surety' with primary reference to Christ's
atoning death on Calvary on behalf of sinners. She describes the substitutionary nature of
this work of Christ when she says of Him: "Guiltless, He bore the punishment of the
guilty, innocent, yet offering Himself to bear the penalty of the transgression of the law of
God."164Because He was guiltless and innocent His death became substitutionary.

Furthermore, Ellen White sees Christ's life of obedience as of a substitutionary nature.

She says that Christ kept the law for us.165 His whole life of obedience and His victory
over temptation was of a substitutionary nature. She says that in the wilderness
temptation "Christ overcame on the sinner's behalf."166 Thus she pictures Christ in His life
on earth and in His atoning death as the sinner's 'Substitute and Surety.'

2. Christ's Revelation of the Character of the Father

An additional aspect of the work of Christ according to Ellen White is that He came to
reveal the character of the Father. She states that one of the main reasons for Christ's
Incarnation and sojourn in this world was that He might reveal His Father to mankind.
Note how she describes this purpose: "It was to give in His own life a revelation of His
Father's character, that Christ came in the form of humanity."167

The reason why Jesus Christ could represent the Father and reveal His character,
according to Ellen White, was that Jesus was one with God in nature and character and
this qualified Him to be the Revelation. Very clearly she enunciates this: "Christ alone
was able to represent the Deity. He who had been in the presence of the Father from the
beginning, He who was the express image of the invisible God, was alone sufficient to
accomplish this work."168 Thus, for Ellen White, Christ must be of the same nature as the
Father if He is to truly reveal Him.

Finally, Ellen White indicates that the only way man can know God is through Christ.
There is no other way to come to a full knowledge of God. She states that because nature
is imperfect we cannot gain a perfect knowledge of God from nature alone.169 Jesus Christ
came to earth to declare the Father to mankind.

3. Vindication of God's Law and Government

Another important reason for Christ's work of grace in coming to this world, according to
Ellen White, was that He might vindicate God's law and government. Lucifer had
challenged the government of God and accused the Ruler of the universe of imposing an
arbitrary and harsh law upon His subjects.170 Because of this Christ came to demonstrate
through a life of obedience the justice of God's requirements. Ellen White says:
"It was to vindicate the just claims of the law of God, and to establish the supreme
authority of its divine Author, that Christ came to this earth."171

Ellen White indicates further, that not only was the life of Christ a vindication of God's
authority and love, but this was especially true of His death. In discussing the sacrificial
system of the Old Testament she says that the flowing blood pointed forward to a coming
Redeemer who would die for the sins of man, "thus fully vindicating His Father's law."172
Ellen White saw in the event of the cross the guarantee that not only was the redemption
of man assured, but in addition "the universe was made eternally secure."173 Thus she sees
the total life of Christ as a complete vindication of God's character, law of love and
government.
4. Pattern and Empowerment

There are also clear indications that Ellen White believed that Christ served as example,
pattern and Urbild for man. Linked with this concept of model is also the concept of the
empowerment of Christ to assist man in following the model. The first would require the
humanity of Christ; the second, His divinity. She states it well when she writes: "As the
Son of man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power
to obey."174

Amongst the names which Ellen White gives to Christ are Model, Exemplar and
Pattern.175 Thus quite obviously she lends weight to the idea that Christ is to be man's
example. It is the privilege and the duty of the Christian to live as Christ lived and to
follow His example.176 According to her, Christ is the only perfect example that man may
follow.177 Ellen White presents a paradoxical thought in suggesting that we may receive
divine power exactly as Christ did, and yet indicates that while we are to follow the
pattern we will never equal it.178

In Ellen White there is also the clear concept that Christ came to this world to grant man
the power to live the new life and to follow the example of Jesus. Through Christ we may
become partakers of the divine nature.179 Hereditary and cultivated tendencies to wrong
may be cut away from the character180 and the moral image of God may be restored in
man.181 According to Ellen White, Christ proved that man may obey the law of God
through His strength.182 She indicates that it is as Christ imparts His righteousness to man
that he is enabled to keep the law.183 As man becomes a partaker of the divine nature he
grows more and more like the Saviour until he reaches perfection.184

To balance the picture it must be said that Ellen White believed that man's perfection can
only be obtained through the merits of Christ, through the incense of Christ's
righteousness and through imputation. Note these words:

"But that which God required of Adam in paradise before the fall, He requires in this age
of the world from those who would follow Him, - perfect obedience to His law. But
righteousness without a blemish can be obtained only through the imputed righteousness
of Christ."185

We have thus seen that Ellen White pays much attention to the exemplary function of
Christ's work and to His continuing work of grace in providing power for man to live the
sanctified life.

In this section on Incarnation and grace we have paid special attention to Ellen White's
concept of the work of Christ as it relates to the Incarnation. We have considered her
views of His work as 'Substitute and Surety', revealer of the Father, vindicator of God's
law and government, and example and empowerment for man. In our analysis of certain
problem areas we will return to this aspect of Incarnation and grace and see whether there
might be some overriding motif in Ellen White which could tie all these strands together.
______

160 See G. C. Berkouwer, The Person of Christ, p.109; P. T. Forsyth, The Person and
Place of Jesus Christ, p.6. [back]

161 For a few selected references of her usage of the term, see E. G. White, Review and
Herald, July 11, 1882; August 19, 1884; August 21, 1888; September 29, 1891; June 23,
1896; October 2, 1900. [back]

162 Ellen White says: "The price of man's ransom could be paid only by One equal with
God, the spotless Son of the infinite Father" ("Laboring in the Spirit of Christ," Review
and Herald, October 20, 1896). See also Review and Herald, July 11, 1882; September
15, 1896; July 17, 1900; September 30, 1909. [back]

163 E. G. White, Review and Herald, December 22, 1891 (Cited in Questions on
Doctrine, p.692). See also E G White, The Youth's Instructor, June 21, 1900 (Cited in
Questions on Doctrine, p.665). Further: "In Him divinity and humanity were combined,
and this was what gave efficiency to the sacrifice made on Calvary's cross" (Review and
Herald, December 20, 1892); "Deity suffered under the agonies of Calvary" (Review and
Herald, April 4, 1899). [back]

164 E. G. White, "Christ our Hope," Review and Herald, December 20, 1892. It is the
blood of Christ which provides merit for the sinner (see Review and Herald, January 25,
1881; November 27, 1883; December 11, 1883). [back]

165 Note her words: "By His perfect obedience He has satisfied the claims of the law and
my only hope is found in looking to Him as my substitute and surety, who obeyed the law
perfectly for me" (The Bible Students' Library Series, April, 1893, cited in Selected
Messages, Book I, p.396). [back]

166 E. G. White, "The Temptation of Christ," Review and Herald, August 18, 1874. See
also Review and Herald, September 8, 1874, July 11, 1882. [back]

167 E. G. White, Review and Herald, December 7, 1905. Also: "He came to represent the
Father" (Review and Herald, October 14, 1890). See also Review and Herald, July 26,
1892; February 8, 1898. [back]

168 E. G. White, Review and Herald, June 25, 1895. See also The Desire of Ages, p.22;
Review and Herald, December 31, 1908; The Signs of the Times, June 9, 1898 (Cited in
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6, p.1101). [back]

169 Observe her words: "Those who think they can obtain a knowledge of God aside
from His Representative, whom the Word declares is "the express image of His person,"
will need to become fools in their own estimation before they can be wise. It is
impossible to gain a perfect knowledge of God from nature alone; for nature itself is
imperfect" ("The Revelation of God," Review and Herald, March 17, 1904). See also
Review and Herald, July 20, 1897; October 19, 1897. [back]

170 Ellen White states that Lucifer suggested "thoughts of criticism regarding the
government of God" in the heavenly courts (Letter 162, 1906, cited in Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 4, p.1143). See also E G White, Patriarchs and
Prophets, pp.33-43; The Great Controversy, pp.492-504. [back]

171 E. G. White, "Love Toward God and Man," Review and Herald, September 13, 1906.
Elsewhere she says that Christ in human flesh would "bear witness to heavenly
intelligencies that the law was ordained to life and to ensure the happiness, peace, and
eternal good of all who obey" (Ms. 29, 1899, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary, Vol. 7, p.915). See also Review and Herald, January 23, 1900. [back]

172 E. G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 2, p.86. If Christ fully vindicated the law in
His life and death then man could hardly add anything to this complete vindication except
by reflecting that vindication to the world. [back]

173 E. G. White, The Desire of Apes, p.764. For Ellen White the law and the government
of God were vindicated and secured by Christ's life, death and resurrection. This will be
the fruition of Christ's work: "Through Christ's redeeming work the government of God
stands justified. The Omnipotent One is made known as the God of love. Satan's charges
are refuted, and his character unveiled" (Ibid., p.26). [back]

174 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.24. [back]

175 E. G. White, "Search the Scriptures," Review and Herald, November 28, 1878.
[back]

176 Ellen White says we are to 'copy' the perfect pattern (Review and Herald, July 11,
1882); we are to 'imitate' Christ (Review and Herald, February 14, 1893; see also "A
Peculiar People," Review and Herald, May 18, 1886); "Christ lived the very life that He
requires His followers to live" (Review and Herald, April 13, 1905). [back]

177 Speaking of the law Ellen White says: "The only perfect example of obedience to its
precepts, is found in the Son of God" ("Nothing is Hidden," Review and Herald, March
27, 1888); see also "The Life of Christ was a Perfect Pattern" (Review and Herald,
August 18, 1874).[back]

178 Note Ellen White's words: "divine power was not given to Him in a different way to
what it will be given to us" (Manuscript 21, 1896, in the Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary, Vol. 7, p.926); "We can never equal the pattern; but we may imitate and
resemble it according to our ability" ("Conquer through the Conqueror," Review and
Herald, February 5, 1895). [back]

179 E. G. White: Christ "clothed His divinity with humanity, that humanity might take
hold of divinity, and become a partaker of the divine nature" (Review and Herald, May
15, 1900); see also "Our Need of the Holy Spirit," Review and Herald, January 3, 1907.
[back]

180 See E. G. White, "Christian Perfection," Review and Herald, April 24, 1900. [back]

181 E. G. White, "True Christianity," Review and Herald, March 1, 1898. [back]

182 E. G. White: "Christ kept the law, proving beyond controversy that man also can
keep it" ("The Great Standard of Righteousness," Review and Herald, May 7, 1901); see
also "An All-Sufficient Saviour," Review and Herald, July 4, 1912. [back]

183 See E. G White, Manuscript 126, 1901 in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
Vol. 6, p.1092 .[back]

184 For this thought see E. G. White, "The Righteousness of Christ in the Law" (Review
and Herald, April 22, 1902). [back]

185 E. G. White, "Obedience the Fruit of Union with Christ - No. 2," Review and Herald,
September 3, 1901. See also "A Holy People," Review and Herald, March 15, 1906;
"Made perfect by the merits of the Saviour" ("Courage in the Lord," Review and Herald,
May 5, 1910); and note: "There is an inexhaustible fund of perfect obedience accruing
from His obedience. In heaven His merits, His self-denial and self-sacrifice, are treasured
up as incense to be offered up with the prayers of His people" (Review and Herald,
October 30, 1900). [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

E. Christ and Eschatology

Having commenced the section on the Christology of Ellen White with a presentation of
her view regarding the preexistence of Christ, it is only fitting that we close this
descriptive phase with a picture of her concepts concerning Christ and the future. Biblical
eschatology really commences with the events surrounding Christ's humiliation and
ascension (see Heb. 1:2; 1 Cor. 10:11; Acts 2:17) and, therefore, it is from this point in
time that we will consider Ellen White's view of Christ. To this task we now turn our
thoughts.

1. The Ascended Christ

Ellen White presents a very high view of the importance of Christ's adoption of human
nature. Having fulfilled the conditions of the atonement and wrested the kingdom from
Satan, thus becoming the heir of all things,186 Christ ascended to His Father. In doing this,
Christ did not discard His humanity like a worn-out garment and enter the ethereal realm.
On the contrary, Ellen White maintains that "God has adopted human nature in the person
of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest heaven."187 Even though Christ will
be exalted to the glory which He had with His Father from the beginning, He will ever
"retain His human nature."188

Upon the ascension of Christ to the right-hand of His Father, certain significant events
took place, according to Ellen White. Christ "was enthroned amidst the adoration of the
angels."189 Not only was He enthroned, but He was also glorified with the glory which He
had with the Father from all eternity. Once this inauguration had been accomplished and
the ceremony was complete, the Holy Spirit descended in rich currents and in power
upon the waiting disciples in Jerusalem. This was the signal on earth that in heaven Christ
had been enthroned as both Priest and King.

2. The Priestly Ministry of Christ

In His office as Priest and King, Christ is graphically pictures by Ellen White as seated on
the right hand of the Father, ministering in the heavenly sanctuary as our merciful High
Priest. She sees Christ serving as both Advocate and Judge throughout the Christian
dispensation. Christ introduces His earthly children to His Father as His friends through
the merits of His blood. From the heavenly sanctuary Christ bestows upon His followers
the "benefits of His atonement."190

In apparently dialectical fashion Ellen White presents two concepts of Christ's heavenly
ministry. On the one hand, she has Christ fulfilling the type of both the daily and the
yearly Levitical priestly ministration in two great consecutive periods from His
inauguration until the consummation of all things.191 In this view Christ's dominant role in
the first period is of intercession and in the second period of judgment. On the other hand,
Ellen White also presents the concept that Christ's entire humiliation and total ministry in
the heavenly sanctuary throughout the Christian era fulfils only the day of atonement
symbolism.192 Perhaps for her, the antitype is too rich and full to find fulfillment in only
one view of the shadow.

3. Christ and the Eschaton

Ellen White's treatment of the cessation of Christ's heavenly ministry and His return to
this earth as King of kings and Lord of lords is an important segment of her
eschatology.193 Christ's second advent with all the angelic beings will be glorious and it
will inaugurate the resurrection of the righteous, the glorification and translation of all the
saints and the temporary destruction of the wicked and the binding of Satan. Ellen White
accepts the concept of the millennium during which time this earth will be desolate and
Christ and the saints will be reigning in heaven engaged in a further aspect of the
judgment with particular reference to the unsaved.194

At the close of the millennium, Ellen White pictures Christ returning to this planet with
the redeemed of all ages and in the glorious New Jerusalem, the city come down from
God. Then will be fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah that His feet shall once again stand
on Mount Olives (see Zech. 14:4,5,9).195 Christ now calls forth the wicked in the second
resurrection and they come up with the same characteristics of rebellion with which they
closed their earthly lives. Satan is pictured as leading the hosts of the wicked in one final
attempt to overthrow Christ and the government of God.196

And now Ellen White pictures the glory of Christ as He is seated on a throne high above
the city. She sees the redeemed saints surrounding Christ and states that no language can
describe and no pen can portray the power and majesty of Christ. "The glory of the
Eternal Father is enshrouding His Son. The brightness of His presence fills the city of
God, and flows out beyond the gates, flooding the whole earth with its radiance."197

It is in such a setting that the final coronation of Christ takes place. At His first ascension
He had been enthroned and inaugurated as Priest and King; now all events move to the
consummation. Note Ellen White's description:

"In the presence of the assembled inhabitants of earth and heaven the final coronation of
the Son of God takes place. And now, invested with supreme majesty and power, the
King of kings pronounces sentence upon the rebels against His government, and executes
justice upon those who have transgressed His law and oppressed His people."198

Ellen White closes her description of these final events in sweeping strokes. The wicked
stand before Christ in His glory and majesty and in a panoramic fashion see the events of
salvation history.199 Finally, the wicked are destroyed, sin is eradicated, the earth is
cleansed and becomes the eternal home of the redeemed. This world which went astray
will be honored above all other worlds in the universe and will become the centre of the
activity of the Father and the Son.200 And as the years of eternity roll there will be fresh
manifestations of the glory and the power and the majesty of Christ and the love of God
will be remembered in its highest revelation - Emmanuel, "God with us."

We have now completed our descriptive presentation of Ellen White's Christology. We

have covered the areas of the pre-existence of Christ, Incarnation and nature, Incarnation
and sin, Incarnation and grace, and finally Christ and eschatology. Now we will turn our
attention to analysis and evaluation.

_________

186 Note Ellen White's words: "Christ's sacrifice in behalf of man was full and complete.
The condition of the atonement had been fulfilled. The work for which He had come to
this world had been accomplished. He had won the kingdom. He had wrested it from
Satan, and had become heir of all things" (The Acts of the Apostles, Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press, 1911, p.29). See also Letter 136, 1902, in Questions on
Doctrine, p.670; The Youth's Instructor, April 16, 1903, in Questions on Doctrine, p.680.
[back]

187 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.25. [back]

188 Ibid. Thus, Ellen White sees human nature as a part of the exalted, eternal Christ.
Note: "In taking our nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is
never to be broken" (Ibid.); further: "Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is
enfolded in the bosom of Infinite Love" (Ibid., p.26). See also The Great Controversy,
p.674. [back]

189 For this quote and the thoughts of the entire paragraph see E. G. White, The Acts of
the Apostles, pp. 38,39: "He was enthroned amidst the adoration of the angels...The
Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven's communication that the Redeemer's inauguration
was accomplished...that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and
on earth,..." See also The Signs of the Times, August 16, 1899, in Questions on Doctrine,
p.664. [back]

190 Ellen White says: "The intercession of Christ in man's behalf in the sanctuary above
is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross" (The Great
Controversy, p.489). She states that Christ entered the heavenly sanctuary "to shed upon
His disciples the benefits of His atonement" (Early Writings, p.260). For a picture of
Ellen White's view on Christ as Mediator, Advocate, Intercessor and Judge see Questions
on Doctrine, pp.661-692. [back]

191 In this more generally accepted view of Ellen White she sees Christ as fulfilling the
first apartment phase of the earthly sanctuary shadow from His ascension to 1844
particularly as intercession, and His fulfilling the second apartment phase from 1844 to
the close of human probation with special emphasis on judgment. See E G White, The
Great Controversy, pp.409-432; Patriarchs and Prophets, pp.343-358. [back]

192 Note Ellen White's emphasis in this direction: "As in the typical service the high
priest laid aside his pontifical robes, and officiated in the white linen dress of an ordinary
priest; so Christ laid aside His royal robes, and garbed Himself with humanity, and
offered sacrifice, Himself the priest, Himself the victim. As the high priest, after
performing his service in the holy of holies, came forth to the waiting congregation in his
pontifical robes; so Christ will come the second time, clothed in garments of whitest
white, 'so as no fuller on earth can white them'" (The Acts of the Apostles, p.33). For
further references see The Desire of Ages, p.24; The Signs of the Times, April 19, 1905;
The Desire of Ages, p.757; Letter 230, 1907, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
Vol. 5, p.1109; Christ's Object Lessons, p.386; The Youth's Instructor, June 21, 1900, in
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p.1109. For a discussion of these see
Desmond Ford, Daniel 8:14, The Day of Atonement and the Investigative Judgment,
Casselberry, Florida: Evangelion Press, 1980, pp.346-350. [back]

193 For a brief summary of her views regarding this see E G White, The Great
Controversy, pp.613-652. For easy access to material on this subject see the recent
compilation on last-day events and eschatology, E. G. White, Maranatha, the Lord is
Coming., Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1976.[back]
194 See E. G. White, The Great Controversy, pp.653-661; Maranatha, the Lord is
Coming, pp.313-342. [back]

195 E. G. White, The Great Controversy, p.663 .[back]

196 Ibid., pp.663-665. [back]

197 Ibid., p.665.[back]

198 E. G. White, The Great Controversy., p.666 [back]

199 Ibid., pp.666-672.[back]

200 See E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.26.[back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

IV. An Interpretive Analysis of Three Problem Areas in Ellen White's

Christology

In this section it is our intention to present an interpretative analysis of Ellen White's

views on three problem areas in her Christology. The first will be in the area of
Incarnation and nature and will deal with the relationship between the divinity and
humanity of Christ. The second area will be that of Incarnation and sin and will seek to
interpret Ellen White's apparent tension with regard to Christ and sin. The third area will
deal with Incarnation and grace and will seek to present an overriding motif to seek to
integrate Ellen White's views on the work of Christ.

A. The Problem of the Relationship Between the Divine and Human Natures in
Christ

One of the most complex problems in Christology is the question of the relation of the
divinity and humanity of Christ. We have already given evidence of Ellen White's views
on the fact that Christ clothed His divinity with humanity and we will now give an
interpretive analysis of her position on this relationship to seek greater clarity on her
stand in this regard.

Ellen White sensed the complexity of the subject and the need for faith. She wrote:
"Christ's mission was not to explain the complexity of His nature, but to give abundant
light to those who would receive it by faith."201 She recognizes the wonder of the
Incarnation and yet she encourages a reverent study of the theme. 202 In the light of this
encouragement we seek for evidence of her understanding of this relationship.

1. The Divine Person of Jesus Christ

She maintains that the divine Son of God did not exchange His divinity for humanity;
neither did He go out of Himself, but took humanity into Himself. Note her words:

"Christ had not exchanged His divinity for humanity; but He had clothed His divinity in
humanity,..."203 "This was not done by going out of Himself to another, but by taking
humanity into Himself."204

By these thoughts we would understand that Ellen White believed that the Person of
Jesus Christ was the divine Son of God, the second Person of the Godhead or the Logos.
As she put it elsewhere: "In the Person of His only begotten Son, the God of heaven has
condescended to stoop to our human nature."205 This would be in harmony with the
evidence we have seen that Christ was fully God while on earth during the Incarnation.
The humility and condescension of Christ was that He was willing to discard the outward
honor, glory and majesty of God to approach sinful man on the level of humanity. One of
the attributes of God's omnipotence is that He can adopt humanity unto Himself and that
the mighty God can reveal Himself in the weak dimension of fallen man. Thus Christ
chose to veil His glory with human flesh but the glory and wisdom and power was always
His and He did not cease to be God. 206

Christ voluntarily chose to reveal Himself on the level of man and to take his liabilities
and weaknesses upon Himself. And so while inherently possessing all wisdom and
knowledge, He chose on the human level to "grow in wisdom and stature" (Luke 2:52).
He chose to face temptation like any other man, having to rely on prayer, faith and trust
in His Father. He chose not to work miracles on His own behalf in order to walk the path
of other men. One of the greatest temptations for Christ was to use His divine power to
escape the lot of humanity. T his He could have easily done according to Ellen White:

"He might have helped His human nature to withstand the inroads of disease by pouring
from His divine nature vitality and undecaying vigor to the human. But He humbled
Himself to man's nature."207

And so Christ "did not employ His divine power to lessen His burdens or to lighten His
toil."208

And yet at the same time Ellen White indicates that it is only because of Christ's divinity
that His person had saving qualities. It was because of His Godhead that He was the
Messiah. His miracles and wonderful works for others were an evidence of His
Messiahship. It was because of His divinity that His person had merit and that His
atonement was meritorious. No mere man or angel could have had saving virtue.

2. The Antithesis Between Christ's Divinity and Humanity

To illustrate the antithesis in her concept of the nature of Christ we wish to note
contrasting pictures given by Ellen White in the childhood of Christ, in His wilderness
temptation and in His death.209

Firstly, in connection with the outward appearance of Christ we have already noted that
Christ's brothers perceived Him only as an ordinary man. Ellen White wrote: "Their
coarse, unappreciative words showed that they had no true perception of His character,
and did not discern that the divine blended with the human."210 And yet she could write in
the very same year:

"No one, looking upon the childlike countenance, shining with animation, could say that
Christ was just like other children. He was God in human flesh. When urged by His
companions to do wrong, divinity flashed through humanity, and He refused decidedly. In
a moment He distinguished between right and wrong, and placed sin in the light of God's
commands, holding up the law as a mirror which reflected light upon wrong."211

In regard to the temptations which Christ met in the wilderness, Ellen White presents a
similar antithesis. We have noted her emphasis on Christ facing these temptations as man.
She wrote: "It was only by trusting in His Father that He could resist these temptations.
He walked by faith as we must walk by faith."212 And yet Ellen White could also write in
1874:

"Christ's humanity alone could never have endured this test, but His divine power
combined with humanity gained in behalf of man an infinite victory.213

Regarding the events around Gethsemane and the cross we again note the antithesis.
Speaking of Christ's humanity Ellen White says of Gethsemane:

"He must not call His divinity to His aid, but, as a man, He must bear the consequences
of man's sin, and the Creator's displeasure toward a disobedient subject.214

In speaking of the cross we see the other side of the dimension of Christ:

"Human nature can endure but a limited amount of test and trial. The finite can only
endure the finite measure, and human nature succumbs; but the nature of Christ had a
greater capacity for suffering; for the human existed in the divine nature, and created a
capacity for suffering to endure that which resulted from the sins of a lost world."215

The above three examples show that because Ellen White maintains both the divinity and
the humanity of Christ, such a relationship can only be presented in antithetical terms. We
would suggest that if we wish to correctly understand her in this area, we will have to be
willing to hold the functioning divinity and the functioning humanity of Christ in equal
tension. One can never speak of one without the other if we wish to do her full credit.

In conclusion, we would say that Ellen White held that the person of Jesus Christ was the
divine Son of God, equal with the Father, possessing all the attributes of God and yet, at
the same time, choosing to reveal Himself as a real man with the limitations of humanity.
B. The Problem of Christ and Sin

We have seen two apparently contradictory lines of thought in Ellen White with relation
to Christ and the sin problem in the Incarnation. One line states that Christ took man's
fallen, sinful nature after the fall and the other emphasizes the total sinlessness of the
human nature of Christ. Some, in seeking to interpret Ellen White, lay stress on the first
concept while almost ignoring the second, and teach that Christ and man both possess
sinful human natures having the same basic equipment with a difference in
performance;216 and others emphasize her statements regarding the sinless human nature
of Christ and believe that He not only was free from the acts of sin but also from the state
of sin, while all men are both in sin.217 This problem of the interpretation of Ellen White
relative to Christ and sin is a major one and has resulted in totally different soteriological
trends.218 We wish now to clarify Ellen White's position and to show that both aspects
must be kept in mind in presenting a true picture of her Christology.

1. Ellen White states the Case

In an article in the Signs of the Times in 1898 Ellen White presents both aspects of the
human nature of Christ in a truly dialectical fashion, thus showing that both aspects must
be held in tension. We quote:

"In taking upon Himself man's nature in its fallen condition, Christ did not in the least
participate in its sin. He was subject to the infirmities and weaknesses by which man is
encompassed, 'that it might be fulfilled which w as spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying,
Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.? He was touched with the feeling
of our infirmities, and was in all points tempted like as we are. And yet He 'knew no
sin.'... We should have no misgivings in regard to the perfect sinlessness of the human
nature of Christ."219

Here, in one paragraph, Ellen White combines the thought of the sinless human nature of
Christ with the fact that Christ took man's fallen nature upon Himself. She states that
Christ was not merely sinless in act but in nature. She defines the fallen nature which
Christ took upon Himself as being "subject to the infirmities and weaknesses" which face
men. Ellen White makes a distinction between "infirmities and weaknesses" on the one
hand and sin on the other. In speaking of Christ and His Incarnation, Ellen White makes
the statement: "On all points except sin, divinity was to touch humanity."220 And this is a
tremendous exception and would exclude all sin from the humanity of Christ. This same
thought is amplified

when Ellen White says: "He was to take His position at the head of humanity by taking
the nature but not the sinfulness of man."221 In any attempt to explain the concept of
Christ "taking upon Himself man's fallen and sinful nature" we must understand this in
the light of Ellen White's view of the inherent sinlessness of Christ's human nature. She
speaks of Christ "possessing our nature, though unstained by sin."222
We would, therefore, maintain that when Ellen White says that Christ took upon Himself
man's fallen and sinful nature, she means that Christ took upon Himself all the effects of
sin without being infected by sin. He stood in the very position and circumstances of
fallen man, tasting all the sorrows, weaknesses and liabilities of man. He took a physical
nature subject to all the effects of sin except sin itself. He accepted mortality and the
coincident infirmities of humanity such as weariness, hunger, thirst, sorrow and
subjection to temptation. He stood where sinful man stands in order to save him and
"became bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh."223 He likewise took upon Himself the
sins and the guilt of the whole world. By imputation the sins of the whole world pressed
upon His sinless soul.

While Ellen White has Christ taking the fallen nature of man after the fall, she is careful
to make it clear that this does not mean that Christ participates in man's corruption, or
evil passions or propensities. She wishes to maintain the distinct sinlessness of the human
nature of Christ. There is a clear difference between true Christian believers and Christ.
Speaking of the prayers, the praise and the penitent confession of true believers ascending
to the heavenly sanctuary where Christ ministers, she says: "but passing through the
corrupt channels of humanity, they are so defiled that unless purified by blood, they can
never be of value with God."224 According to Ellen White Christ took upon Himself sinful
human nature and yet He never needed the purification of blood or of a mediator to make
His prayers acceptable to the Father. Christ had no inherent corruption, but t rue believers
or saints need the constant merits of Christ225 because of the corrupt channels of
humanity. It was because Christ possessed a sinless human nature and had no inherent
corruption that He did not need a mediator.

Although Christ took upon Himself our fallen nature, He did not possess our evil
passions. Ellen White was emphatic: "He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in
possessing like passions. As the sinless One, His nature recoiled from evil."226 While
Ellen White is clear that Christ did not possess the passions of our fallen natures, she did
elsewhere indicate that Christ was fully human and, therefore, had the neutral passions of
humanity.227This fact would mean, for Ellen White, that Jesus Christ was a real, fully
functioning man. His humanity was not docetic or partial. It was complete. He was a
genuine human being who possessed appetite, knew hunger and thirst, experienced the
sexual drive, became weary, understood self-worth and self-preservation. However, in
clear contrast, Ellen White says He did not possess the passions of our human, fallen
natures. His nature recoiled from evil and inherently there was no tendency towards evil.
He did not possess corrupt tendencies or passions of inordinate appetite, of perverse sex,
of human pride, envy or jealousy. Not for a moment was there in Christ an evil passion.

2. Light from Contemporary Sources

Ellen White's dialectical usage of the concept of Christ taking upon Himself man's fallen
nature and yet possessing a sinless human nature is similar to that of certain theologians
of her time. Note the words of Abraham Kuyper:
"...this intimate union of the Son of God with the fallen human nature does not imply the
least participation of our sin and quilt. In the same epistle in which the apostle sets forth
distinctly the fellowship of Jesus with the human flesh and blood, he bears equally clear
testimony to the fact of His sinlessness, so that every misunderstanding may be obviated.
As by virtue of our conception and birth we are unholy, guilty, and defiled, one with
sinners, and therefore burdened with the condemnation of hell, so is the Mediator
conceived and born holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, made higher than
the heavens. And with equal emphasis the apostle declares that sin did not enter into His
temptations, for, although tempted in all things, like as we are, yet He was ever without
sin.

Therefore the mystery of the Incarnation lies in the apparent contradiction of Christ's
union with our fallen nature, which on the one hand is so intimate as to make Him
susceptible to its temptations, while on the other hand He is completely cut off from all
fellowship with its sin."228

Kuyper makes it clear that through the ages the Church has confessed that Christ took
upon Himself real human nature, not as it was before the fall, but such as it had become
by and after the fall.

Important evidence has recently come to hand of Ellen White's selection of Henry Melvill
as a source for her writings.229 Henry Melvill (1798-1871) was an Anglican minister who
was a teacher, preacher and writer. Melvill's sermons were published in several different
volumes, with many editions. The White Estate possesses Ellen White's personal, marked
copy of one of the collections, Melvill's Sermons, 3rd edition, New York, 1844. Research
at this stage has revealed that Ellen White used Melvill quite heavily. Of the 55 sermons,
there were only 18 in which no parallels to Ellen White's writings have been discovered.

There are interesting parallels between Ellen White and Melvill in the field of
Christology. Both held to the deity of Christ, to His divinity and humanity and to Christ's
sinlessness. On the question of the human nature of Christ, Melvill has a sermon in his
collection, entitled, "The Humiliation of the Man Christ Jesus." This sermon was
extensively drawn upon in the preparation of Ellen White's article for the Review and
Herald of July 5, 1887, which she entitled, "Christ Man's Example."

Within this sermon Melvill pauses to consider the question of Christ's humanity. While
denying that Christ was included in the covenant violated by Adam at the fall? and
therefore not technically "fallen" -Melvill is quick to define what he means by "fallen"
and "unfallen" humanity. For Melvill there are two primary consequences of the fall: (1)
"innocent infirmities," and (2) "sinful propensities." "From both was Adam's humanity
free before, and with both was it endowed after, transgression" (Melvill's Sermons, p.47).
By "innocent infirmities" Melvill understands such characteristics as hunger, pain,
weakness, sorrow and death. "There are consequences on guilt which are perfectly
guiltless. Sin introduced pain, but pain itself is not sin" (Ibid.). By "sinful propensities"
Melvill refers to the proneness or tendency to sin.
In his summary of the discussion, Melvill makes it clear that, in his view, Adam had
neither "innocent infirmities" nor "sinful propensities;" we are born with both, and Christ
took the first but not the second.230 Tim Poirier of the White Estate has suggested that
while Ellen White did not quote the words of the previous footnote the sentiments of
Melvill could very well reflect Ellen White's own conviction.231 It is suggested that the
apparent conflict found in Ellen White's statements on the humanity of Christ can be
resolved in the context of Melvill's discussion. Could it be that when Ellen White states
that Christ took upon Himself man's "fallen and sinful nature" she is thinking of those
"innocent infirmities" that brought Christ to man's level, and that when she speaks of the
sinlessness of Christ's humanity she is thinking of the fact that Christ did not possess
"sinful propensities?" We would concur that this concept of Melvill throws some
interesting light on Ellen White's total understanding of the problem of Christ and sin.

3. The Baker Letter

In an important letter written by Ellen White in Australia in 1895 to a Seventh-day

Adventist minister working in Australia by the name of W L H Baker, she devotes five
paragraphs to the subject of the humanity of Christ.232 There must have been some
emphasis in Baker's Christology which caused concern and called forth the warning
counsel in this letter. The five paragraphs reveal important insights regarding the question
of the humanity of Christ and sin. Special weight must be given to this letter as Ellen
White is specifically addressing herself to the problem of the humanity of Christ and sin.
These five paragraphs are explicit and direct and are not incidental. paragraph is as
follows:

"Be careful, exceedingly careful, as to how you dwell upon the human nature of Christ.
Do not set Him before the people as a man with the propensities of sin. He is the second
Adam. The first Adam was created a pure, sinless being, without a taint of sin upon him;
he was in the image of God. He could fall, and he did fall through transgressing. Because
of sin his posterity was born with inherent propensities of disobedience. But Jesus Christ
was the only begotten Son of God. He took upon Himself human nature, and was tempted
in all points as human nature is tempted. He could have sinned; He could have fallen, but
not for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity. He was assailed with
temptations in the wilderness, as Adam was assailed with temptations in Eden."233

In the above paragraph our attention is drawn to Christ, Adam and the posterity of Adam.
Ellen White warns that Christ should not be set before the people as a man "with the
propensities of sin" and that not for "one moment was there in Him an evil propensity."
Adam's descendants are contrasted with Christ in that they are "born with inherent
propensities of disobedience." It is quite clear that she is here speaking not of cultivated
propensities but of inherent propensities. Adam is spoken of as "without a taint of sin
upon him."

In the third paragraph of the letter Ellen White warns Baker, "Never, in any way, leave
the slightest impression upon human minds that a taint of, or inclination to, corruption
rested upon Christ, or that He in any way yielded to corruption."234 Quite clearly it must
have been that Baker was giving a wrong impression regarding Christ. If he was
presenting the fact that Christ took upon Himself man's fallen nature and that He came
"in the likeness of sinful flesh," it could have been that he was overstating his case and
implying that Christ possessed inherent propensities to evil like all other men. Ellen
White goes on in the third paragraph to say:

"That which is revealed, is for us and for our children, but let every human being be
warned from the ground of making Christ altogether human, such an one as ourselves; for
it cannot be."235

In the clearest language Ellen White shows the difference between ourselves and Christ.
We are "born with inherent propensities of disobedience," whereas with Christ "not for
one moment was there in Him an evil propensity." Christ is the second Adam and in
regard to sin He must be compared with the first Adam. Ellen White says: "He [Christ]
was assailed with temptations in the wilderness, as Adam was assailed with temptations
in Eden." And does Ellen White give any indication how Adam was assailed with
temptation in Eden? In a letter written in 1899 she writes:

"In what consisted the strength of the assault made upon Adam, which caused his fall? It
was not indwelling sin; for God made Adam after His own character, pure and upright.
There were no corrupt principles in the first Adam, no corrupt propensities or tendencies
to evil. Adam was as faultless as the angels before God's throne.236

In view of the above we would state that Ellen White held that Christ was assailed with
temptations in the wilderness on the same basis as Adam in Eden. It was not on the basis
of inherent evil propensities or tendencies to evil. Like the first Adam Christ had no inner
corruption. Adam was sinless and was tempted and fell. The second Adam was sinless
and was tempted but did not fall.

We conclude this section by stating that Ellen White believed that Christ took upon
Himself the nature of man after the fall with all its weaknesses and liabilities but not with
its sin. He stood where every sinner stands in his weakened physical, mental and moral
nature, but unlike all sinners, possessing a pure, sinless human nature without the
propensities or tendencies to evil.

C. The Problem of Ellen White's Concept of the Work of Christ

We have observed that Ellen White emphasizes five different concepts of the atonement
with reference to the work of Christ relative to the plan of salvation. These are
substitution, revelation or revealing the character of God, vindication of God's law and
government, example or model and empowering. This has led to at least three schools of
interpretation within Adventism. One is the "substitutionary atonement" school with a
strong emphasis on justification by faith; the other is the "moral influence" interpretation
with a call to trust the loving God revealed particularly in the life of Jesus Christ; the
third is the "vindication-demonstration" school which sees Christ's fulfillment of the law
as central and man's ability to keep the law by God's grace and the special final
generation demonstration of sinless living as the complete vindication of God.

There is often a clash between interpreters of Ellen White, because some tend to retain
only one trend in her writings. Or at least one line of interpretation is chosen as
paramount and is made the dominant theory of the atonement. Now there are two basic
options open for the researcher. Either one must accept that Ellen White's concepts with
regard to the work of Christ are fragmentary and contradictory, or there is some
overriding motif in Ellen White which provides a unifying synthesis of the various trends.
We suggest the following procedure to test which of these options is correct. If one could
find within a specific article or chapter all views brought into harmony, the option of
contradiction would be shown to lack evidence. Such an explicit discussion of the topic
in which all the trends were harmonized within a more comprehensive framework would
favor the option of an overriding motif providing a higher synthesis.237

We must emphasize that the issue under discussion here is not the evaluation of Ellen
White's view or of its validity but rather an attempt to analyze and understand her
position. We now propose to take the first chapter of The Desire of Ages as a test case for
the following reasons: Firstly, it deals explicitly with an overall view of Christ's work.
Secondly, it is a self-contained unit, written by Ellen White expressly for the purpose of
introducing the book and is not a compilation of statements made for other purposes.
Thirdly, as an opening chapter its express purpose is to outline the overall themes of the
person and work of Christ. This is evidently part of Ellen White's explicit Christology and
must be given more weight than an incidental reference. Fourthly, it presents in one
unified section her advanced thought on the subject appearing in print in 1898.

We proceed now with our analysis of the first chapter of The Desire of Ages. We notice
the title and find that it gives the theme clearly, "God with us." Firstly, we observe that
this is the covenant formula of the Old Testament, namely, "I will be your God and you
will be my people." This is also seen in God's instruction to Moses, "Let them make me a
sanctuary, that I may dwell among them" (Ex. 25:8). Secondly, "God with us" is revealed
in the name "Immanuel" given to Jesus of Nazareth. Thirdly, it is the phrase John chooses
to indicate the consummation of all history (Rev. 21:3,7). The opening words of the
chapter reinforce that this is indeed the topic - "His name shall be called Immanuel... God
with us."238 Ellen White then focuses on the "revelation" theme. She states that "the light
of the knowledge of the glory of God is seen in the face of Jesus Christ,"239 for He is God.
Note that Jesus is not just a representative of God - come to tell us in words and actions
what God is like, for "He came to reveal the light of God's lo240ve, - to be "God with us."
It was in the "happening" of the Incarnation that the extent of God's true love was
revealed for the first time. Therefore, the person of Jesus is the revelation.

Immediately Ellen White widens the scope. "Jesus was to reveal God both to men and to
angels...But not alone for His earthborn children was this revelation given. Our little
world is the lesson-book of the universe.241 This forces us to see God's plan and His grace
in cosmic terms and not in terms of mere reaction to a sin problem. The plan of God is
issue of sin alone. Because God is sovereign, one can conclude that God's plan from
eternity had this wider dimension. This is not to say that we are 'guinea pigs' or a 'test-
tube-world,' but that God had always planned something special for this world that
"angels would desire to look into and study throughout endless ages."242

Next Ellen White shows that the character of God and His law is "self-renouncing love."
The issue here has nothing to do essentially whether man can keep the law or not. We
note that this revelation of the law of God is in two phases. Firstly, the Incarnation itself
and secondly, in the cross of Calvary.

Ellen White then moves on to consider the sin problem. She indicates God's purpose "to
bring the lost into a fellowship with Christ which is even closer than they themselves
[angels] can know."243 Sin originated in Lucifer's self-seeking. We have seen that this
arose over the plan to create this world and man through Christ and was a rebellion
against Christ by Lucifer.244 Sin must therefore be seen Christologically. The answer to
this challenge was in the self-sacrifice of the person and the death of Christ. "This work
only one Being in all the universe could do. Only He who knew the height and depth of
the love of God could make it known."245

Thus far we have noticed Ellen White's emphasis on the importance of the Incarnation.
This theme of "God with us" is foundational to her thinking. In this act of "self-
renouncing love" the character of God would be revealed. Even the problem of sin would
be overcome by this principle of love.

We proceed now as Ellen White again shows the eternal plan of God. She is not dealing
simply with God's reaction to the ontological priority of the reality of sin. She writes:
"The plan for our redemption was not an after-thought, a plan formulated after the fall of
Adam."246 Secondly, "It was a revelation of 'the mystery which hath been kept in silence
through times eternal.'"247 Thirdly, "It was an unfolding of the principles that from eternal
ages have been the foundation of God's throne."248 Fourthly, Ellen White observes:

"From the beginning, God and Christ knew of the apostasy of Satan, and of the fall of
man through the deceptive power of the apostate. God did not ordain that sin should
exist, but He foresaw its existence, and made provision to meet the terrible emergency.249

The clear implication is that we are dealing here with the eternal purpose of God250
whereby He planned to reveal His love to the whole universe by taking a creature and
bringing him into a closer union with Himself than even the angels might enjoy.

But God is faithful to His covenant. Note the following key sentence. "So great was His
love for the world, that He covenanted to give His only begotten Son, 'that whosoever
believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.'"251 In the context of the
paragraph this took place from eternity. Elsewhere Ellen White makes this clear when she
says: "From everlasting He was the Mediator of the covenant,..."252 God is faithful to His
covenant. It was not a necessary, but a free act of grace. Note Ellen White says: "This was
a voluntary sacrifice...He chose to give back the scepter into the Father's hands, and to
step down from the throne of the universe,..."253

In the next paragraph Ellen White again underscores the theme of her whole concept of
the work of Christ. She writes: "Lo, I come....In these words is announced the fulfillment
of the purpose that had been hidden from eternal ages. Christ was about to visit our
world, and to become incarnate."254 The work of Christ in its main feature was to be "God
with us." Everything else depends upon this grand accomplishment. "This great purpose
had been shadowed forth in types and symbols."255 It was seen in the burning bush on the
mount, in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of cloud by night and in the whole
sanctuary symbol. These symbols met their fulfillment in the Incarnation:

"So Christ set up His tabernacle in the midst of our human encampment. He pitched His
tent by the side of the tents of men, that He might dwell among us, and make us familiar
with His divine character and life."256

Ellen White indicates clearly that all doctrines are related to this central truth. She says:
"For in every doctrine of grace, every promise of joy, every deed of love, every divine
attraction presented in the Saviour's life on earth, we see "God with us."257 In illustrating
this claim she surveys the trends of thought mentioned previously regarding the work of
Christ to show how they reveal "God with us." In an ascending order of importance she
presents the evidence. She begins with Satan's attack on the law of God and Christ's
purpose to vindicate its claims and God's government. "Satan represents God's law of
love as a law of selfishness... Jesus was to unveil this deception."258 She then moves on to
the example of Christ and to His moral influence upon us and also to Christ's
empowering ability in our lives. Satan calls the law selfishness, thereby driving us away
from God as a tyrant, while Jesus shows the law to be self-sacrifice, thus drawing us to
God and empowering us to obey. But His two natures provide the key: "As the Son of
man, He gave us an example of obedience; as the Son of God, He gives us power to
obey."259

Now Ellen White goes even further in her picture of the work of Christ. She says:

"But He stepped still lower in the path of humiliation. 'Being found in fashion as a man,
He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.'...'He
was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement
of our peace was upon Him.'

"Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserved. He was

condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His
righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we
might receive the life which was His. 'With His stripes we are healed.'"260

But the glory of the substitutionary atonement is only possible because of the Incarnation.
As man He fulfilled the covenant as God's faithful covenant partner. As man He died in
our place. As man He ascended to heaven as our representative.
We have thus seen Ellen White's graphic view of God's eternal plan and covenant as it
centers in Christ. This plan reaches back into the eternal ages and points particularly to
the Incarnation and atoning death. The shadows of the Old Testament as well as the
doctrines of grace reveal the plan and purpose of God. The Incarnation is seen to be the
pivotal fulcrum for the total work of Christ.

In the next paragraph Ellen White goes on to say: "By His life and His death, Christ
achieved even more than recovery from the ruin wrought through sin."261 She is now
back to the overarching theme:

"It was Satan's purpose to bring about an eternal separation between God and man; but in
Christ we become more closely united to God than if we had never fallen. In taking our
nature, the Saviour has bound Himself to humanity by a tie that is never to be broken...To
assure us of His immutable counsel of peace, God gave His only begotten Son to become
one of the human family, forever to retain His human nature... God has adopted human
nature in the Person of His Son, and has carried the same into the highest
heaven...Heaven is enshrined in humanity, and humanity is enfolded in the bosom of
Infinite Love. "262

Here we note the overarching theme of the covenant - "God with us." Here is an eternal
fellowship between God and man made possible by the self-renouncing love of Christ
who took upon Himself human nature.

The chapter closes with a picture of not only a restored world but of an exalted one. "In
the place where sin abounded, God's grace much more abounds. The earth itself, the very
field that Satan claims as his, is to be not only ransomed but exalted. Our little world,
under the curse of sin, the one dark blot in His glorious creation, will be honored above
all other worlds in the universe of God."263 And then Ellen White quotes Revelation 21
and presents the covenant promise that God will dwell with His people and be their God.
She ends the chapter with the words in bold letters, "Immanuel, 'God with us.'"

In conclusion we would say that Ellen White sees as the fundamental central premise of
all theology and of the Person and work of Christ the covenant between God and Christ
in eternity.264 All other themes depend on this one for their place and importance. Christ's
divinity is the presupposition for all else. Only one who was God could fulfil the
covenant and redeem man. Christ's humanity was not a necessity but was sheer grace. It
was God's eternal free decision. It was not necessary to prove anything by means of
Christ's humanity such as the possibility of keeping the law or that God is love. If such
things are proved, they are incidental. Furthermore, Christ's humanity is not a means to
an end - but the goal itself. Essentially, the gospel or the everlasting covenant is not only
something Christ came to teach us, or to show us or to demonstrate to us or even to
achieve for us. He Himself in His Person is that everlasting gospel and the eternal
covenant.

____________
201 E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 23, 1895. [back]

202 We observe Ellen White's caution: "When we approach this subject, we would do
well to heed the words spoken by Christ to Moses at the burning bush, 'Put off thy shoes
from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.' We should come to
this study with the humility of a learner, with a contrite heart. And the study of the
Incarnation of Christ is a fruitful field, which will repay the searcher who digs deep for
hidden truth" (The Youth's Instructor, October 13, 1898, cited in Questions on Doctrine,
p.647). [back]

203 E. G. White, Review and Herald, October 29, 1895. [back]

204 E. G. White, Review and Herald, April 5, 1906 [back].

205 E. G White, "The Revelation of God," Review and Herald, March 17, 1904. [back]

206 Note Ellen White's significant words: "But although Christ's divine glory was for a
time veiled and eclipsed by His assuming humanity, yet He did not cease to be God when
He became man. The human did not take the place of the divine, nor the divine of the
human. This is the mystery of godliness. The two expressions 'human' and 'divine' were,
in Christ, closely and inseparably one, and yet they had a distinct individuality. Though
Christ humbled Himself to become man, the Godhead was still His own" (The Signs of
the Times, May 10, 1899, cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 5,
p.1129). By her statement that the 'human' and 'divine' were in Christ closely and
inseparably one we would understand that the Person of Christ showed a unity and yet He
was at the same time really man and fully God. [back]

207 E. G. White, "Christ Man's Example," Review and Herald, July 5, 1887. [back]

208 E. G. White, The Signs of the Times, October 9, 1884. See also the reference in
footnote 84 of this chapter. [back]

209 Because of the complexity of the union between the divine and the human we are
often confronted with antithesis in the field of Christology. We wish to illustrate this in
the presentation of Ellen White. A decision has to be made whether we are here facing
true antithesis or pure contradiction. [back]

210 E. G White, The Desire of Ages, p.326. [back]

211 E. G. White, The Youth's Instructor, September 8, 1898 (Cited in Questions on

Doctrine, p.649). See also Review and Herald, March 3, 1874, where she speaks of the
"unsullied purity of the childhood, youth, and manhood of Christ which Satan could not
taint." [back]

212 E. G. White, The Review and Herald, March 9, 1886. See also Ms. 21, 1895; The
Youth's Instructor, April 25, 1901. [back]
213 E. G. White, The Review and Herald, October 13, 1874. Note: "Christ could have
done nothing during His earthly ministry in saving fallen man if the divine had not been
blended with the human" (Letter 5, 1889, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7, p.904). Observe these words: "In Christ dwelt the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
This is why, although He was tempted in all points like as we are, He stood before the
world, from His first entrance into it, untainted by corruption, though surrounded by it"
(Ms. 16, 1890, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p.907). See also
Review and Herald, January 28, 1909. [back]

214 E. G. White, The Review and Herald, October 9, 1888. [back]

215 E. G. White, Manuscript 35, 1895, (cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary, Vol. 5, p.1103). She says: "But Christ is equal with God, infinite and
omnipotent. He could pay the ransom for man's freedom" (The Youth's Instructor, June
21, 1900). Also: "The whole series of sorrows which compassed humanity Christ bore
upon His divine soul (Ms. 12, 1900, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 6,
p.1103). Further: "Deity suffered and sank under the agonies of Calvary" (Ms. 153, 1898,
in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p.907). Ellen White writes: "Justice
demanded the sufferings of man; but Christ rendered the sufferings of a God" (Letter 12,
1892, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p.913). [back]

216 Some examples of this school of thought are M L Andreasen (see footnote 218);
Robert J. Wieland (see The 1888 Message, An Introduction, Nashville, Tennessee:
Southern Publishing Association, 1980, pp.41-51); Kenneth H Wood (see "F.Y.I.-4,"
Review and Herald, November 18, 1976; "Jesus - the God-man," Review and Herald,
May 5, 1977 "Divinity and Humanity to be Combined in Us," Review and Herald,
December 29, 1977; Herbert E. Douglass (see Chapter V of this dissertation for a full
discussion); Thomas a Davis (see Was Jesus Really Like Us? 1979). [back]

217 Selected representatives of this school of thought are Leroy E Froom (see Movement
of Destiny, revised edition, 1978, pp.495-499); Roy A. Anderson (see Faith That
Conquers, Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1967, pp.59-75);
Edward Heppenstall (see Chapter IV of this dissertation); Desmond Ford (see "The
Relationship Between the Incarnation and Righteousness by Faith," Documents from the
Palmdale Conference on Righteousness by Faith, pp.25-41); J. Robert Spangler (see "Ask
the Editor," Ministry, April, 1978, pp.21-23). [back]

218 Questions on Doctrine appeared in 1957 and chapter 2 attempted to give answers to
questions about Christ. A careful reading of the section on the Incarnation (pp.50-65) will
reveal that the authors (mainly L. E. Froom, W. Read and R. A. Anderson) leaned heavily
on Ellen White in an attempt to give the Seventh-day Adventist position. They
endeavored to give emphasis to both streams of thought in Ellen White. There are those
who feel that Questions on Doctrine emphasized Ellen White's statements on the sinless
human nature of Christ to the neglect of her teachings on His having "taken our sinful
natures upon Himself." M L Andreasen issued his Letters to the Churches in which he
took sharp exception to the sentiments of Questions on Doctrine relative to the human
nature of Christ. In his first chapter he disagrees with the statement on page 383 of
Questions on Doctrine where it says that Christ was "exempt from the inherited passions
and pollutions that corrupt the natural descendants of Adam." He quotes many statements
from Ellen White to indicate what he feels is her opposition to such sentiments. Many in
the church would be happy with Andreasen's evaluation of the Ellen White evidence. On
the other hand, L. E. Froom later put out Movement of Destiny (1971) in which he
presented the Ellen White evidence for the sinless human nature of Christ and maintained
that Ellen White supported the idea that Christ took the sinless nature of Adam before the
fall and gives Ellen White support for this (see page 497). F. T. Wright, a former Seventh-
day Adventist and a strong supporter of the 'sinful human nature' concept of Christ in
Ellen White, published a book, The Destiny of a Movement, in 1976 in which he believes
that the Seventh-day Adventist movement has virtually apostatized as evidenced by
Froom's interpretation of Ellen White's Christology. Many names could be mentioned of
men who, as a result of their interpretation of Ellen White, are either in the 'sinful human
nature' camp or the 'sinless human nature of Christ' camp. As an example see the book
Perfection, Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1975, in which four
Adventist theologians present their views on Christian perfection. One observes that the
soteriology of these men is affected by their position on Christology. Both Douglass and
Maxwell lean towards the 'sinful human nature' concept of Christ and end up with
perfectionism, while Heppenstall and LaRondelle are closer to the 'sinless human nature'
concept more moderate view of perfection (see the entire book). The significance of this
rift in Seventh-day Adventism is not insignificant. [back]

219 E. G. White, The Signs of the Times, June 9, 1898, (Cited in Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p.1131). [back]

220 E. G. White, "Written for our Admonition - No. 2," Review and Herald, January 7,
1904. See also The Signs of the Times, April 17, 1884 and Review and Herald, January
20, 1863. [back]

221 E. G. White, The Signs of the Times, May 29, 1901, (Cited in Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p.912). [back]

222 E. G. White, "The Great Standard of Righteousness," Review and Herald, May 7,
1901. [back]

223 E. G. White, Manuscript 165, 1899, (Cited in The Faith I Live By, p.48). [back]

224 E. G. White, Manuscript 50, 1900, (Cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary, Vol. 6, p.1078). [back]

225 E. G. White, Manuscript 50, 1900, (Cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary, Vol. 6, p.1078). [back]
226 E. G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 2, pp.201,202. Note the similar thought in the same
volume: "He was a mighty petitioner, not possessing the passions of our human, fallen
natures, but compassed with like infirmities, tempted in all points even as we are"
(p.509). [back]

227 Note Ellen White's thought: "Though He had all the strength of passion of humanity,
never did He yield to temptation to do one single act which was not pure and elevating
and ennobling" (Manuscript 73, undated, cited in In Heavenly Places, p.155). We would
submit that this thought is not a contradiction to the sentiments presented under footnote
211. The normal passions of humanity were experienced by Adam and Eve before the fall
and are distinct from the "passions of our fallen natures." [back]

228 Abraham Kuyper, The Work of the Holy Spirit, London: Funk and Wagnalls, 1900,
pp.84,85. Cf. Robert L Ottley, The Doctrine of the Incarnation, London: Methuen & Co.,
1896, p.604. There are those who see the "fallen human nature" of Christ more radically
than Kuyper and Ottley might do. See Harry Johnson, The Humanity of the Saviour,
London: The Epworth Press, 1962. In this book the author demonstrates that through the
centuries there have been Christian leaders who believed that Jesus did have a "fallen
human nature," a term Johnson uses. For him this means that Jesus Christ participated in
'original sin' with tendencies and propensities to sin, but through His divinity Christ never
yielded to sin. At the cross He finally purged His 'fallen nature'. [back]

229 See the 98-page typed document assembled by Ron Graybill, Warren H. Johns, and
Tim Poirier, Henry Melvill and Ellen G White: A Study of Literary and Theological
Relationships, Ellen G. White Estate, Washington, D.C.: May 1982. [back]

230 Melvill writes: "But whilst he [Christ] took humanity with the innocent infirmities,
he did not take it with the sinful propensities. Here Deity interposed. The Holy Ghost
overshadowed the Virgin, and, allowing weakness to be derived from her, forbade
wickedness; and so caused that there should be generated a sorrowing and a suffering
humanity, but nevertheless an undefiled and spotless; a humanity with tears, but not with
stains; accessible to anguish, but not prone to offend; allied most closely with the
produced misery, but infinitely removed from the producing cause. So that we hold - and
give it you as what we believe the orthodox doctrine - that Christ's humanity was not the
Adamic humanity, that is, the humanity of Adam before the fall; nor fallen humanity, that
is, in every respect the humanity of Adam after the fall. It was not the Adamic, because it
had the innocent infirmities of the fallen. It was not the fallen, because it never descended
into moral impurity. It was, therefore, most literally our humanity, but without sin"
(Mellvill's Sermons, p.47). [back]

231 Tim Poirier, "A Comparison of the Christology of Ellen White and Henry Melvill,"
White Estate, April 1982. [back]

232 In a research paper prepared for Andrews University in March, 1975, entitled, "The
Christology of Ellen G White Letter 8, 1895: An Historical Contextual and Analytical
Study," Lyell Vernon Heise seeks to analyze the Christology of the letter. He gives a
sketch of the career of W. L. H. Baker as a minister, scholar and teacher. There is no clear
evidence as to what Baker was teaching in the area of Christology to elicit this letter from
Ellen White. Heise seeks to look at contextual factors such as the writings of Ellen White
in The Bible Echo around this time, the possible influence of E. J. Waggoner on Baker
and the work of W. W. Prescott in Australia between September 1895 and April 1896 to
give some possible clue as to Baker's Christology. He then proceeds with a detailed
analysis of the five paragraphs in the letter. [back]

233 E. G. White, Letter 8, 1895, (Cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol.
5, p.1128). In the book by R. J. Wieland, The 1888 Message: An Introduction, Nashville,
Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1980, the author discusses this letter on
pages 59-63. In two columns he seeks to give a comparison between the above statement
and portions of the ensuing paragraphs with a selection of an article by E. J. Waggoner
from the Signs of the Times, January 21, 1889. In Waggoner's column there are similar
sentiments to those in Ellen White's letter, but very clearly Waggoner is speaking of the
divine nature of Christ when he says: "yet His divine nature never for a moment harbored
an evil desire.' Wieland begins the Ellen White statement not at its commencement as
above, but with the words, "Jesus Christ was the only-begotten Son of God." In
comparing these two selections Wieland appears to want to give the impression that Ellen
White is also speaking of the divine nature of Christ as is Waggoner. However, a careful
analysis of the context of the five paragraphs reveals clearly that the burden of Ellen
White's thought is the humanity of Christ and not His divine nature. [back]

234 E. G. White, Letter 8, 1895, (Cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol.
5, [back]

235 Ibid., p.1129. It is interesting to note that R. J. Wieland does not quote this important
section of Ellen White's letter in his treatment of the material. [back]

236 E. G. White, Letter 191, 1899, (Cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
Vol. 1, p.1083). When Wieland discusses Ellen White's usage of "propensity" with
reference to Christ he refers to the Oxford English Dictionary and finds its meaning to be
"to hang or lean forward or downward." He then says: "The word propensity implies a
'response to gravity,' 'a definite hanging down,' instead of resistance. It definitely
connotes actual participation in sin, and Ellen White used the word in its finest English
connotation" (Wieland, op. cit p.62). It is interesting to note in Ellen White's 1895 letter
that she indicates that Adam's posterity are "born with inherent propensities of
disobedience." If one is born with such a propensity one would question Wieland's
definition of "propensity" as "actual participation in sin." Surely Ellen White's own usage
of the word would be determinative. Wieland further seeks to make a difference between
'propensity' and 'tendency.' He indicates that Christ did not have a 'propensity to evil'
which would connote participation in sin, but He could have 'tendencies or inclinations'
to evil. He says: "Ellen White did not equate 'evil propensities' with 'tendencies' or
'inclinations,' which all have as 'the results of the working of the great law of heredity'
and which Christ 'took upon Himself' in His battle with temptation as we must fight it.
She stated that Christ had 'to resist the inclination "'(Wieland, op. cit., pp. 62,63). It is
important to note in the letter of 1899 that Ellen White does equate 'corrupt propensities'
and 'tendencies to evil' in her discussion of Adam. [back]

237 We must bear in mind that if there was an overarching theme connecting the various
trends together, compilations of statements would miss this completely because the
connections between the trends might only become apparent in extended passages.
Moreover, the quotation industry has through the years built up preconceptions of what
Ellen White believed - each compiler tending to take the quotations that suit his purpose.
One would expect this overall theme to be reflected not only in specific writings, but also
in all her works taken as a whole. This overriding motif should be found to be the theme
of her entire theology. [back]

238 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.19. [back]

239 Ibid. [back]

240 Ibid. [back]

241 Ibid. [back]

242 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.20. [back]

243 Ibid., p.21. [back]

244 4E. G. White, The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, pp. 17-24. [back]

245 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.22.137 [back]

246 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.22. [back]

247 Ibid. [back]

248 Ibid. [back]

249 Ibid. [back]

250 Ellen White held that God's plan to create man and His knowledge of the possibility
of sin reach back into the eternal ages. Accompanying the possibility of sin was also
God's plan of redemption involving the Incarnation. Thus the plan of the Incarnation
would also reach into the past eternal ages in Ellen White's thinking. [back]

251 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.22. [back]

252 E. G. White, "The Word Made Flesh," Review and Herald, April 5, 1906. [back]

253 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.23 [back]

254 Ibid. [back]

255 Ibid. [back]

256 Ibid. [back]

257 Ibid., p.24. [back]

258 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.24. [back]

259 Ibid. [back]

260 Ibid., p.25. [back]

261 E. G. White, The Desire of Ages, p.261. [back]

262 Ibid., pp.25,26. [back]

263 Ibid., p.26.141 [back]

264 The institution of the Sabbath and the various covenants of the Old Testament are
signs and symbols of the everlasting covenant of grace. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

V. Evaluation and Critique

In this concluding section we wish to give an evaluation and critique of Ellen White's
Christology and will proceed in the following manner. Firstly, we will offer certain
general observations as a background; secondly, we will discuss the total impact of Ellen
White's Christology; thirdly, we will offer a specific critique; and, finally, we will present
a summary and conclusion.

A. General Observations

We will make our general observations under three headings, namely, concerning Ellen
White's theological development, her style and intention and finally, her use of sources.

1. Ellen White's Theological Development Relative to Christology

Ellen White commenced writing in 1846 at the age of 19 and continued until 1915 when
she was 88 years of age. It should be observed that this covers a period of 69 years
spanning two generations. I would place her Christological presentations into three
approximate chronological periods, as follows: 1) 1850-1870; 2) 1870-1890 and 3) 1890-
1915. The first period is illustrated by such works as Christian Experience and Views of
Mrs. E G White (1851); A Supplement to Experience and Views (1854); and Spiritual
Gifts (1858-1864). During this period there was an emphasis on visionary experiences
and her descriptions of the pre-existent Christ could be termed graphic, literalistic and
anthropomorphic. Her writings always featured Jesus, but were mostly set within the
framework of her eschatological visions. It was only with the unfolding of her 'great
controversy' theme in 1858 that her Christology broadened and began to be more
prominently presented. The second period is illustrated by writings such as the Spirit of
Prophecy series (1870-1884) and her Christology now showed clear signs of growth and
maturity. The third period could be considered as inaugurated with Patriarchs and
Prophets (1890) and is the period of Christological dominance in the writings of Ellen
White. This is the period of elaborate, far-reaching and increasingly insightful
pronouncements in her Christology. It is difficult to differentiate between the actual
Christology of the second and third periods; the content is very similar but the volume is
greater in the third. As far as the pre-existent Christ is concerned, during the first period
Ellen White appears to present Jesus Christ as subordinate to the Father; in the second
period she presents Christ as equal with the Father and eternal; during the last period
Christ is presented as of the same substance and essence as the Father and one in whom is
life original, unborrowed, underived.265

To what extent was Ellen White influenced by her contemporaries within Adventism with
regard to her Christology? Froom showed that Arianism and semi-Arianism had
manifested themselves in an unofficial way through the writings of John M. Stephenson
(1854), Uriah Smith (1865)266 and Joseph Waggoner (1884).267 Froom also shows that
James White, the husband of Ellen White, commenced his ministry with an anti-
Trinitarian stance, but by 1877 came out clearly in the Review and Herald on the equality
between the Father and the Son.268 Gane believes that early Adventism at least up to 1898
was even more strongly anti-Trinitarian and Arian than what Froom maintains. He
remarks:

"As has been shown, there was prior to 1898 considerable diversity of belief on the
subject of the nature of God. Bordeau in 1890 regretted this. But the present writer has
been unable to discover any evidence that 'many were Trinitarians'269 before 1898, nor has
there been found any Trinitarian declaration written, prior to that date, by an Adventist
writer, other than Ellen G White."270

Two observations should be made in connection with Ellen White. Firstly, in spite of the
fact that Ellen White exercised the gift of prophecy, one can believe that God speaks to
people in the setting of their times and within the scope of their theological thought
patterns. With a strong anti-Trinitarian atmosphere in her early environment even
including her husband, it can be understood that Ellen White could present her views of
Christ within her theological world and understanding. The second observation is that it
is quite remarkable to observe the rich and profound anti-Arian Christology issuing forth
from her pen starting as a gentle flow in the 1870's, becoming stronger in the 1880's and
swelling to a torrent in the 1890's when all around her were influential men with differing
views. Ellen White showed remarkable independence of thought in her Christological
development.

2. Ellen White's Style and Intention

Bearing in mind Ellen White's lack of formal education271 it can be appreciated that her
style of writing was at first simple, resulting in a feeling of inadequacy to present the
grand themes of salvation.272 She commenced writing out of a sense of mission and
calling. Ellen White was convinced that God had spoken to her and had placed a burden
upon her to make known to others what He had revealed to her. Her earlier writings
consisted of messages making clear what had been shown to her. In addition, she soon
began to write 'testimonies' to individual members and small companies and churches.
These messages were in the form of counsel, guidance, admonition and reproof and were
generally of a hortatory nature. The emphasis in the beginning was not upon exegetical or
expository writing but rather in the field of spiritual admonition.

Ellen White was not a trained theologian and, therefore, we cannot look for systematic
treatment of spiritual truth. But as time went by her intention to admonish, exhort and
guide the church flowered into a coherent presentation of Biblical themes. She excelled
herself in the development of the Conflict of the Apes series as these grew from the earlier
Spiritual Gifts into the Spirit of Prophecy and then, finally, into the five volumes of the
Conflict of the Ages series. Ellen White carefully traced the history of the drama of the
ages, weaving practical spiritual lessons into this recital. The end product has been
spiritual and edifying for the church. It is in this setting that her Christological themes
have been presented. They lie scattered throughout her writings and instead of forming a
systematized network of truth are rather like scattered jewels waiting to be gathered and
collected by observant wayfarers.

3. Ellen White's Christology in the Light of her Sources

It is helpful when making an evaluation of Ellen White's theology and particularly her
Christology to bear in mind her use of sources.273 Through the years it has generally been
thought that Ellen White only made use of sources when writing historical works such as
The Great Controversy.274 Research in more recent years and bibliographic work on the
inventory lists of her library books reveals that Ellen White had more than eleven
hundred books by non-Seventh-day Adventist authors275 and read more widely than has
generally been known. It is now known that she used sources in her writings covering all
subjects.276

Of particular interest for this dissertation is the question of Ellen White's use of sources in
the field of Christology. Here we think particularly of a book such as The Desire of Ages,
dealing with the life of Christ. In the development of this book, whether drawing from
her existing works or writing fresh material, Ellen White made use of at least twelve
other sources.277 Reference has already been made to a comparison of the Christology of
Ellen White and Henry Melvill, the Anglican preacher (1798-1871) from whom she drew
heavily. This latter source has thrown considerable light on the apparent conflict in Ellen
White's statements on the humanity of Christ.278

How does the question of Ellen White's use of sources affect our evaluation of her
Christological contribution? The tension and antithesis apparent in Ellen White's
Christology could arise, either from her use of sources with contradictory ideas, or from
the very nature of the subject. After personal research and consideration I would favour
the latter alternative. In fact, the general consistency in Ellen White's views over a
considerable span of time is a testimony to her clarity of thought. The fact that different
sources are used makes it all the more imperative for an author to use discretion and
wisdom in presenting a uniform picture. It would be easy to offer a confused and
contradictory Christological pattern, unless one was blessed with discernment. The
knowledge of Ellen White's use of different sources has heightened our appreciation of
her general Christological impact.

B. The Total Impact of Ellen White's Christology

In this section we will endeavor to evaluate Ellen White's Christological impact upon the
church in three sub-sections, namely, the dominance of her Christology, the heart of her
Christology and the tension of her Christology.

1. The Dominance of her Christoloqy

Many different subjects and themes are treated by Ellen White and various students might
have conflicting ideas as to her chief concern. There are those who feel that her treatment
of health and the body has priority. Others would see her burden for parents, children and
the home as dominant. Others again might even feel that her counsel on last-day events
has pre-eminence. We would like to suggest, however, that Ellen White's favorite theme
and topic woven into everything else is Jesus Christ.279Not only is this theme found in a
book like The Desire of Ages but it is intertwined with all types of subjects throughout her
writings. In going through all of her articles in the Review and Herald from 1850 to 1915
we found Christological nuggets lying all around and often in the most unexpected
places. Whether writing on temperance, the home, faith, Christian work or simply
recording travel notes, the theme of Jesus surfaced. For Ellen White Jesus Christ was the
manifestation of the Father, He was the Substitute and Surety, He was our sanctification
and our righteousness and our Example. For her Jesus Christ was the centre and the heart
of all Christian doctrine and ethics. No wonder she wrote:

"Christ, his character and work, is the center and circumference of all truth, he is the
chain upon which the jewels of doctrine are linked. In him is found the complete system
of truth. "280
2. The Heart of her Christology

Having described Ellen White's Christology and attempted to analyze it we now ask
whether it is possible for us to place our finger on the very heart of it all. What is it that
makes Ellen White's Christology live and move? What is the significance of Jesus Christ
in her total thought and scheme? How does Jesus Christ fit into the cosmic sweep of time
and eternity? I would suggest that lying in the very centre of Ellen White's thought,
whether conscious or unconscious, is the reality of Jesus Christ as the Mediator, the Link,
the Middleman and the Bridge between God and the universe. While this is true of the
whole universe, for us it has special meaning for this world. In this connection there
comes clearly to mind Ellen White's vivid picture of Christ who with His divine arm
grasps the throne of God and with His human arm the hand of man.281 Here Christ draws
God and man together in fellowship. In His very nature as both human and divine He
illustrates this tremendous truth of unity between the finite and the Infinite.

Let us test this heart of Ellen White's Christology. She herself speaks of Christ as the
eternal Mediator.282 Long before sin, Christ was the Mediator or Link between God and
the universe. In the plan to create man for fellowship Christ was to the medium of
creation. Once sin appeared in heaven and on earth Christ would in a special way be the
Bridge to restore fellowship. Underlying her whole concept of the great controversy
between Christ and Satan is the central fact of Christ's role as Mediator and Medium
between God and creation. In opposition to this role Lucifer commenced his nefarious
schemes of rebellion against God and His character. Now the issue of God's government
and His law of love came into focus as the 'great controversy between Christ and Satan,283
began to unfold. When man fell into sin this called for an additional dimension of Christ's
mediatorial function; thus "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son"
(John 3:16). This dimension of Incarnation and atonement lay dormant in the heart of
God from the days of eternity but was made manifest when sin appeared. Now during
"the great controversy" Christ would engage in this special mediatorial work of restoring
fellowship between a loving God and sinful man. In the process Christ will vindicate
God's character, His law and His government. Christ as Mediator, Link, Middleman and
Bridge between God and creation is marvelously illustrated in the eradication of the
temporary aberration of sin. The heart of Ellen White's Christology is Christ the
Mediator.284

3. The Tension of her Christology

Another important aspect of Ellen White's total impact is the force of the tension in her
Christology. Not that she worked as a trained theologian with an intentional philosophy
of antithesis and paradox. Nevertheless, it is interesting to discover that the whole world
of theological tension comes into play in her presentation of Christ.285 She presents the
helpless babe of Bethlehem and yet the mighty God of the universe; the combination of
the divinity and the humanity of Christ; the paradox of Christ possessing the attributes of
God and the fullness of the Godhead bodily and yet manifesting the weakness of
humanity; taking upon Himself our sinful natures but still possessing inherently a sinless
human nature; coming in the likeness of sinful flesh and yet Himself being without
corruption, pollution or the taint of sin. Ellen White presents the marked contrast between
Adam in Eden and Christ in the wilderness of temptation, and yet the tremendous
similarity between Christ and Adam in relation to the absence of inherent sinfulness. She
sees Christ relying on faith in His Father and the written word to overcome temptation in
the wilderness and yet the necessity of divinity combining with His humanity in order to
face the test. She pictures His miracles as an evidence of His Messiahship and yet His
reliance on prayer to perform His miracles. She shows that Jesus Christ came down to the
level of the sinner bearing the circumstances and results of sin and yet knowing no sin
Himself. She indicates that Christ did not use His divine powers to alleviate His human
position and yet He could read human hearts, forgive sin and manifest forth His divinity.
Christ had to be more than a man or an angel in order to make atonement for sin and so
Deity suffered and sank at Calvary and yet Deity did not die because God cannot die. The
complexity of Ellen White's Christology is an indication of its depth and richness.286

C. A Specific Critique of Ellen White's Christology

We would suggest that in the very strength of Ellen White's Christology as one of tension
and paradox, lurks also her greatest weakness. Because of the volume of her writing it is
difficult for many to obtain a balanced overview of her Christological offerings. It is thus
easy to see one side of the picture and to come away with a partial concept of Ellen
White's Christology. Some have recognized that this makes it possible to select and use
quotations of Ellen White to support differing concepts.287 Ellen White wrote under
differing circumstances and on different occasions when a particular need arose. These
very conditions have laid Ellen White open to the charge of contradiction.

As Ellen White was not a systematic theologian she did not attempt to systematize her
Christology and place it in a neat bundle. This has resulted in loose ends lying around and
each researcher can enter the field and decide for himself how he would like to stack the
bundles. There is plenty of evidence as to the variegated results of such enterprises.288 Gil
Gutierrez Fernandes has found that "a certain degree of ambiguity, however, seems to
characterize her statements on the condition of Christ's human nature."289

Because Ellen White never attempted to gather her Christological material into a
systematic whole we are left with some conflicting views.290 Those who have a high view
of inspiration in connection with Ellen White would hold that any apparent contradiction
is only apparent and not real, or that Christology is so complex that what appears to be
contradiction is only divine. Others would say that because Ellen White used paradox
different sources and was human she could end up with differing concepts. Still others
would say that some of the contradictory ideas are due to her own theological growth and
development, or to varying contextual circumstances. Much will depend in the end upon
one's own philosophical and spiritual presuppositions in approaching the work of Ellen
White.
D. Summary and Conclusion

We have presented Ellen White's views on the preexistence and eternity of Christ and of
His unity with the Father in nature and character. We have pictured her doctrine of the
Incarnation and its relation to the person and work of Christ. We discovered that for Ellen
White, Christ did not lay aside His divinity when He took on humanity; He was fully God
and fully man. While His deity was veiled, it functioned sufficiently for Christ to be God,
in a similar way as His humanity functioned sufficiently for Him to be man. In relation to
sin we found that Ellen White has Christ coming to earth in the post-fall nature of man
with all the "innocent infirmities and weaknesses of man," together with the imputed sin
and guilt of the whole world, thus bearing vicariously the guilt and punishment for all sin;
and yet, in a nature that was sinless and without corruption, pollution, defilement, sinful
propensities and tendencies or taint of sin. Furthermore, Ellen White sees all the manifold
work of Christ bound and tied together as the great Mediator, Middleman, Link and
Bridge between God and man.

Ellen White's impact on the Seventh-day Adventist Church and particularly on its
theology has been significant. It is a pity that her Christology has not been more readily
available to the general theological world. The scattered nature of her Christological
writings over many years and covering many sources has made it difficult for non-
Adventist scholars to get their hands on the comprehensive material. For one and all the
challenge to dig deeper and to study more remains. After all, Christology is like a well
that never runs dry.
_______________

265 E. R. Gane denies that there is any evidence of thought evolution in the Christology
of Ellen White. In a thesis presented to Andrews University in June, 1963, entitled, "The
Arian or Anti-Trinitarian Views Presented in Seventh-day Adventist Literature and the
Ellen G. White Answer," (already referred to in footnote 25), he says: "It has been
demonstrated that there was an evolution of thought among Adventists generally on the
nature of God. This took the form of gradual repudiation of Arianism and acceptance of
Trinitarianism. But Ellen G. White writings do not reveal this type of thought evolution.
The profound statements of her later period do not contradict anything she wrote in the
earlier period. Instead they reveal a growing awareness of the deeper mysteries of the
Godhead" (p.67). It is interesting to note that practically all of the quotations cited from
Ellen White on Christology in Gane's paper come from the years 1890 and beyond. Alden
Thompson, professor of religion at Walla Walla College, College Place, Washington, U S
A, takes a different line from Gane. In a series of five articles in the Review and Herald,
(December 3,10,17,24,21, 1981), entitled "From Sinai to Golgotha," Thompson discusses
what he calls the Sinai-Golgotha principle. Simply stated, this principle, according to
Thompson, illustrates how God takes His people from the commands of Sinai to the
invitation of Golgotha, enabling them to respond out of love instead of from fear.
Applying this principle to Ellen White's theological growth he sees a shift of emphasis in
the way she told the great controversy story itself. In comparing Patriarchs and Prophets
(1890) with Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, (1858), and The Spirit of Prophecy, Vol. 1, (1870),
Thompson found that, in general, Spiritual Gifts gives a simple narrative; The Spirit of
Prophecy expands it; Patriarchs and Prophets transforms it. In connection with the
eternal nature of Christ, Thompson writes: "Both Spiritual Gifts and The Spirit of
Prophecy reflect the tendency of some early Adventists to see Christ as a created being
who was exalted to equality with the Father. But in Patriarchs and Prophets the statement
of Christ's eternal relationship with the Father is clear and unmistakable" ("The Theology
of Ellen White: The Great Controversy Story," Review and Herald, December 31, 1981).
[back]

266 Froom quotes from Uriah Smith's Thoughts on the Revelation (1865) pages 14 and
59 to illustrate the Arian views of Smith. He then uses the second edition of 1875 and the
third edition of 1881 to show how Smith moved from an Arian to a semi-Arian position
on Christ. Froom maintains that even in Smith's book Looking Unto Jesus which
appeared in 1898 he still propounds semi-Arian views on Christ and taught a derived
Christ. See Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp.152-166. [back]

267 Froom discusses Waggoner's (the father of E. J. Waggoner) book, The Atonement,
which first appeared in 1868, with a second edition in 1872 and an enlarged edition in
1884. Froom shows that Waggoner held and taught Arian concepts regarding Christ. See
Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp.168-174. [back]

268 Ibid. , pp.175-177. [back]

269 Gane is referring to documents circulated by the Seventh-day Adventist leadership in

the early 1960's in which it was stated that "many were Trinitarians" in our early history
and that the Arian view was a minority one. See paper in next footnote, p.64. [back]

270 Cane, op. cit., p.65. [back]

271 The reader is referred to footnote 1. [back]

272 See Selected Messages, Book 3, p.90. See also Letter 40, 1892, and Letter 67, 1894
(both cited in Ford, Daniel 8:14, p. sA-257). [back]

273 The question of Ellen White and her use of sources has come up for discussion at
regular intervals. It has generally been known that she did make use of certain historical
works as source material in The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan, Battle
Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1888. She also drew from Conybeare and Howson,
The Life and Epistles of Saint Paul, London: Scribner, 1851, in her Sketches from the Life
of Paul, Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1883. For the Adventist defense of
this usage see: F. D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics, pp.403-467; A. L. White,
The Ellen G. White Writings, pp.121-136. In recent years the subject has been researched
more intensely. Ronald Numbers gave evidence in 1976 of Ellen White's use of sources
in the field of health (see Ronald L. Numbers, Prophetess of Health: A Study of Ellen G.
White, New York: Harper & Row, 1976). In a series of articles in the Review and Herald,
Arthur L. White, former secretary of the White Estate, presented evidence as to how
Ellen White prepared the Conflict of the Ages books (see Arthur L. White, "The E G.
White Historical Writings," Review and Herald, July 12,19,26, August 2,9,16,23, 1979).
See Molleurus Couperus, "The Bible Conference of 1919," Spectrum, Vol. 10, No. 1,
1979, pp. 23-57; Donald R. McAdams, "Shifting Views of Inspiration: Ellen G White
Studies in the 1970's," Spectrum, Vol. 10, No. 4, 1980, pp.27-41; Douglas Hackleman,
"GC Committee Studies Ellen White's Sources," Ibid., pp.9-15. For a recent critical
approach see Robert D. Brinsmead, Judged by the Gospel, Fallbrook, California: Verdict
Publications, 1980, pp.145-156; 361-383. Neal C. Wilson, president of the General
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, has admitted that her use of sources is more
extensive than was generally known. He writes: "Walter Rea, a former pastor in the
Southern California Conference, has shown that E. G. White borrowed more extensively
from contemporary sources than we had thought previously" ("The Ellen G White
Writings and the Church," Review and Herald, July 9, 1981). See also Wilson, "This I
Believe about Ellen White," Review and Herald, March 20, 1980. Recently a Roman
Catholic attorney, Vincent L. Ramik, who specializes in copyright law, rendered a 27-
page opinion on Ellen White's use of sources. He concluded that Ellen White was not
guilty of copyright infringement/ piracy (see Review and Herald, September 17, 1981,
pp. 3-7). For the most recent critical work see: Walter T. Rea, The White Lie, Turlock,
California: M & R Publications, 1982. For recent critical evaluations of The White Lie see
Jonathan Butler and Alden Thompson, "The White Lie: Two Perspectives," Spectrum,
Vol. 12, No. 4, 1982, pp.44-55. For a recent sympathetic review see: Desmond Ford,
Daniel 8:14, The Day of Atonement, and the Investigative Judgment, Casselberry,
Florida: Evangelion Press, 1980, pp.A-256-261. For a recent discussion of the topic by a
representative of the White Estate we refer to Ron Graybill, "E G White's Literary Work:
An Update," Aspire Tape, March 1982. See also a thorough discussion of the latest
findings on the subject, Warren H. Johns, "Ellen White: Prophet or Plagiarist?" Ministry,
June, 1982, pp.5-19. [back]

274 At the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Conference held in August 1919, at Washington,
D.C., leaders of the church discussed Ellen White and her writings amongst other
subjects. At that time it was thought that Ellen White's sources were confined to
approximately twelve other books besides the Bible. See Warren H Johns, "Ellen White:
Prophet or Plagiarist?" Ministry, June, 1982, p.16. [back]

275 See footnote 11 with regard to her library. Ellen White actually had three libraries—
an office library to which her literary assistants had access, a personal library, and a
library of 572 titles sold to her by C. C. Crisler in 1913. When she died in 1915 an
inventory was made of all her possessions including her books. It is unlikely that she
would have used many of the books bought from Crisler two years before her death.
More than 800 of the books listed in the inventory are no longer to be found in the White
Estate collection. See Warren H. Johns, "Ellen White: Prophet or Plagiarist?" Ministry,
June, 1982, p.9). [back]

276 Johns writes: "Today we know that Ellen White used literary sources in her
periodical articles, her unpublished manuscripts, her diaries, and her letters, in addition to
the published books...I cannot think of any major subject where I have not located
examples of 'literary adaptation!" See Ibid., p.16. [back]

277 Desmond Ford writes: "Desire of Ages drew upon at least the greater part of a dozen
well-known commentators on the life of Christ" (Desmond Ford, Daniel 8:14, p.A-256).
Amongst authors used were Geikie, Lightfoot, Fleetwood, Farrar, Hanna, Edersheim,
Samuel Andrews and John Harris. See Johns, Ministry, June, 1982, pp.6,7; See also
Arthur L White, "Completing the Work on The Desire of Ages," Review and Herald,
August 16,23, 1979. [back]

278 See discussion involving footnotes 229-231 in this chapter. [back]

279 The Index to the Writings of E. G. White give an index of the various topics in the
writings of Ellen White. It is very interesting to note the large number of entries under the
title, 'Christ.' Notice the number of pages, of entries of some selected subjects: Sabbath-
14; Ten Commandments-7; Health-3; Home-10; Advent-4; Christ-76. [back]

280 E G White, "Contemplate Christ's Perfection, not Man's Imperfection," Review and
Herald, August 15, 1893. [back]

218 For selected reference see footnote 59 of this chapter. [back]

282 Ellen White says: "From everlasting he was the Mediator of the covenant," ("The
Word Made Flesh," Review and Herald, April 5, 1906). [back]

283 There are some who believe that the heart of Ellen White's theology lies in "the great
controversy between Christ and Satan" (see Joseph Ballistone, The Great Controversy
Theme in E G White Writings, Berrien Springs, Michigan: Andrews University Press,
1978). While the history of this world and of sin could very well be described in terms of
'the great controversy' we would suggest that the Person of Christ is much richer, deeper
and greater than the aberration of sin. Christ's participation in "the great controversy"
represents only one phase of Christ's activity in the sweep of eternity. [back]

284 We suggest that this presentation would harmonize with our discussion of the first
chapter of The Desire of Ages regarding Ellen White's overriding motif in the work of
Christ. That theme of the covenant as fulfilled in the Incarnation, death and resurrection
of Christ would harmonize with Christ as the Mediator between God and the universe.
[back]

285 It should be remembered that if Jesus Christ is very God and very man, then we are
bound to face mystery, complexity and antithesis in Christology. It was Forsyth who said:
"Beware of clearness, consistency, and simplicity, especially about Christ. The higher we
go the more polygonal the truth is. Thesis and antithesis are both true" (P. T. Forsyth, The
Person and Place of Jesus Christ, Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company, [n.d.], p.71). [back]

286 At face value the above could be taken as simply evidence of contradiction in Ellen
White. However, there are a number of factors which make this unlikely. Firstly, there is
the consistency with which Ellen White presents her style of paradox, tension and
antithesis throughout her writings. It is not isolated to one aspect of her Christology but
permeates the whole field. Secondly, this paradox is seen within the shorter confines of
single articles, letters or chapters. Thirdly, in this chapter on Ellen White we have already
explored shorter paragraphs and even sentences which are rich in purposeful tension and
dialectic. Fourthly, it should be remembered that even theologians of note such as Barth
and Pannenberg have been accused of similar paradox and tension. [back]

287 0ne non-Adventist friendly critic has written: "I mentioned that Mrs. White wrote
voluminously. Those writings took place over a considerable period of time. They took
place in specific contexts, and they stood in a definite relationship to each other. To use
those writings correctly (so as not to misrepresent them) requires a great deal more skill
than is generally being exhibited" (Geoffrey J. Paxton, The Shaking of Adventism, p.156).
The author goes on to say that Ellen White has a wax nose and can be turned this way or
that way by those desiring to score a point. [back]

288 Let us review some of these results. We have already mentioned that Gane found no
theological growth in Ellen White's Christology while Thompson found the opposite (see
footnote 265 in this chapter); William H. Grotheer has given a history of the conflicting
opinions regarding Ellen White's Christology in "An Interpretative History of the
Doctrine of the Incarnation as taught by the Seventh-day Adventist Church," (1972, see
page 457); Desmond Ford interprets Ellen White one way on the nature of Christ and on
righteousness by faith (see Documents from the Palmdale Conference, pp.36-59) while A
John Clifford and Russell R. Standish interpret her another way (see Biblical Research
Institute Paper, Conflicting Concepts of Righteousness by Faith, 1976); W. E. Read
prepared a 17-page mimeographed pamphlet of Ellen White extracts on "The Sinlessness
of Jesus," 1956; see a differing view by Albert H. Olesen, Think Straight about the
Incarnation, An Examination and Application of Original Beliefs in Doctrine, [n.p.,
1960?]; see also A. Leroy Moore, The Theology Crisis, Texas: Life Seminars, 1980; see
Thomas A. Davis, Was Jesus Really Like Us? 1979. Many more examples could be given.
[back]

289 See G. G. Fernandez, Ellen G White: The Doctrine of the Person of Christ, Ph.D.
Dissertation, Drew University, 1978, p.73. [back]

290 Aside from the paradoxical elements as already presented in various parts of this
chapter we mention one example. Commenting on Hebrews 5:7, Ellen White says: "He
made his supplications to his Father with strong crying and tears. He prayed, not for
himself, but for those whom he came to redeem" (Testimonies, Vol. 4, p.373); further, "He
spent whole nights in prayer upon the lonely mountains, not because of his weakness and
his necessities, but because he saw, he felt, the weaknesses of your natures..."
(Testimonies, Vol. 3, p.379); similarly see Testimonies, Vol. 4, p.528. On the other hand,
note: "He was unsullied with corruption, a stranger to sin; yet he prayed, and that often
with strong crying and tears. He prayed for his disciples and for himself (emphasis
supplied), thus identifying himself with our needs, our weaknesses, and our failings,
which are so common with humanity" (Testimonies, Vol. 2, p.508); for similar thoughts
see Ministry of Healing, p.500; The Desire of Ages, pp.419,420. Do the two views
complement each other or contradict? This is simply an example of material which will
have to be handled with skill. Of course, the Scriptures also provide an ideal fruitful field
for potential conflict of views. [back]
At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

Chapter Three

THE CHRISTOLOGY OF ELLET JOSEPH WAGGONER

In this chapter we set ourselves the task of outlining the Christological views and
convictions of E. J. Waggoner. Showing ability as a writer, he commenced in this field in
1883 and continued using the pen as a denominational worker until 1903. One of
Adventism's most prolific authors, he wrote a number of books, numerous pamphlets and
hundreds of journal articles.1 Rising to prominence at the historic twenty-seventh General
Conference held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1888, he along with A. T. Jones, made an
indelible mark on the church by their theological presentations at the session. Up to the
present these two men have haunted the conscience of the Seventh-day Adventist
movement, resulting in numerous and continued attempts to uncover and unravel their
messages, to analyze the truthfulness of their positions and to relate the present situation
of the church to their theological views.2

We wish firstly to place E. J. Waggoner into his historical context and then to look at his
Christological contributions and development in chronological periods. The first period
will be from 1883 to 1887 with E. J. Waggoner in editorial work with The Signs of the
Times. The second period will be from the Minneapolis Conference of 1888 to the end of
his editorial work at the Pacific Press in 1891. The third period will cover his years of
service in England where he was editor of The Present Truth (1892-1902), and will
include his years of decline from 1903 until his death in 1916.3 The final section of the
chapter will be devoted to an evaluation and critique of the Christology of E. J.
Waggoner.

I. The Historical Context

Ellet Joseph Waggoner was born on January 12, 1855, in Baraboo, Wisconsin, and was
the sixth child of Joseph Harvey and Maryetta Hall Waggoner. His father had joined the
Adventist cause in 1852, eight years beyond the 'Great Disappointment' and eleven years
before the adoption of the official name 'Seventh-day Adventist Church.' The senior
Waggoner became a leading Seventh-day Adventist preacher and writer, remaining active
until his death in 1889.

E. J. Waggoner attended the Battle Creek College in Michigan, earliest Seventh-day

Adventist educational institution, dedicated on January 4, 1875. After gaining a classical
training he proceeded to the Bellevue Medical College in New York City and obtained a
medical degree. For a short period he served on the staff of the Battle Creek Sanitarium.
About this time he married Jessie Fremont Moser whom he had met at Battle Creek
College. With his heart really in evangelism Waggoner left the sanitarium and entered the
ministry.4

Notice should be taken of a remarkable experience which Waggoner had in October 1882,
while attending a campmeeting in Healdsburg, California. This experience is of
significance for his later Christological emphasis. He describes the incident in his book,
The Everlasting Covenant (1900), and again just before his death in 1916.5 Waggoner
relates that one rainy afternoon he was sitting in a tent listening to the preaching of the
Word. He did not recollect the text or the topic but suddenly he experienced what he
considered a "revelation."6 Let us hear him in his own words:

"Suddenly a light shone round me, and the tent was, for me, far more brilliantly lighted
than if the noon-day sun had been shining, and I saw Christ hanging on the cross,
crucified for me. In that moment I had my first positive knowledge, which came like an
overwhelming flood, that God loved me, and that Christ died for me. God and I were the
only beings I was conscious of in the universe. I knew then, by actual sight, that God was
in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself; I was the whole world with all its sin. I am
sure that Paul's experience on the way to Damascus was no more real than mine."7

Waggoner relates that there and then he resolved to spend the rest of his life making
known to others the Biblical message of God's love for individual sinners and he testified
that the light which shone on him that day from the cross of Christ had ever been his
guide in Bible study; that wherever he turned in the sacred Book, he found Christ set
forth as the power of God unto the salvation of sinners.8 No doubt this experience should
be seen as a key to his Christological development and emphasis.

In 1883 Waggoner was called to the Pacific Press to assist his father, who was editor-in-
chief of The Signs of the Times. Thus began his editorial experience. In 1884 he met A. T.
Jones and together they were destined to play an important role in the theological
development of the fledgling movement. In 1886 E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones became
joint-editors of the magazine and Waggoner remained at the post until May 1891.

At the Minneapolis General Conference session held from October 17 to November 4,

1888, E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones were the main speakers. Because no official records
were kept of the messages delivered it has been difficult to discover the full Waggoner
message of 1888. While it is generally accepted that justification by faith was a key
theme, variant views have been expressed.9

During the next few years Waggoner along with A. T. Jones and Ellen White endeavored
to spread the message of righteousness by faith in the churches and amongst the ministry.
From November 5, 1889, to March 25, 1890, Waggoner participated in a Bible school for
ministers at Battle Creek.10 The next year this school was repeated. The publication of his
book, Christ Our Righteousness, in 1890, would clearly indicate the Christological
burden of Waggoner. At the General Conference session in 1891 Waggoner presented
sixteen studies on the book of Romans.11

The General Conference invited Waggoner to become editor of the British Present Truth
and thus he with his family went to England in 1892, remaining there until 1903. During
this time he visited the United States in 1897, 1899, 1901 and 1903 to attend the General
Conference sessions and at all of these, except the last, he was a prominent speaker at the
Bible study sessions. Returning to his homeland in September 1903, he connected with
Emmanuel Missionary College (now Andrews University) in Michigan as a Bible teacher
during 1903 and 1904 In 1904 he left the college and went to Battle Creek to become co-
editor of the magazine, Medical Missionary.

Experiencing domestic difficulties, Waggoner was divorced from his wife in 1905,
resulting in his withdrawal from church employment. In 1906 he married Miss Edith
Adams whom he had known during his stay in England. Waggoner and his new wife
spent several years in Europe and returned permanently to the United States in 1910.12
The last six years of his life were spent at Battle Creek assisting Dr. J. H. Kellogg in
medical and spiritual work associated with Dr Kellogg's school and sanitarium.

E. J. Waggoner died on May 28, 1916, from a heart attack at the age of 61.His Confession
of Faith was discovered on his desk after his death and is rich in Christological content,
giving his basic views at the end of his life.13 The funeral service was conducted in the
Battle Creek Tabernacle and the sermon was preached by his old friend, A. T. Jones.14

_______________

1 See David P. McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, Fallbrook,
California: Verdict Publications, 1979, p.14. The following are Waggoner's main books:
Fathers of the Catholic Church, Oakland, California: Pacific Press Publishing Company,
1888; Christ and His Righteousness, Oakland, California: Pacific Press Publishing
Company, 1890; The Gospel in Creation, Battle Creek, Michigan: International Tract
Society, 1895; The Glad Tidings, Oakland, California: Pacific Press Publishing Company,
1900; The Everlasting Covenant, London: International Tract Society, 1900. [back]

2 We list a sampling of the attempts: A. G. Daniells, Christ our Righteousness, 1926; L.

H. Christian, The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts, 1947; B. W. Steinweg, "The Developments
in the Teaching of Justification and Righteousness by Faith in the Seventh-day Adventist
Church after 1900," 1948; A. W. Spalding, Captains of the Host, 1949; D. K. Short and
R. J. Wieland, 1888 Re-examined, 1950; A. L. Hudson, ed. A Warning and its Reception,
[1960?]; N. F. Pease, By Faith Alone, 1962; A. V. Olson, Through Crisis to Victory.:
1888-1901, 1966; L. E. Froom, Movement of Destiny, 1971; G. J. Paxton, The Shaking of
Adventism, 1977; D. P. McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, 1979;
R. J. Wieland, The 1888 Message An Introduction, 1980. [back]

3 We believe that this is the most natural method, Waggoner's life and work lending itself
to this scheme. The 1888 Minneapolis Conference is an important dividing mark between
the developing Waggoner and the prominent church figure. The second period naturally
fits between Minneapolis and his departure to England. The third period is fairly long, but
the major developments took place between 1892 and 1903 with little change thereafter.
While there are some inconveniences in this method we feel it warrants consideration.
[back]

4 Richard W. Schwarz, Adventist historian and vice-president of Andrews University,

admits to the lack of a good authoritative biography of E. J. Waggoner. He is not certain
as to when Waggoner attended Battle Creek College, but suggests that it would be at the
very start of the school. He believes that Waggoner probably had very little theology
other than the regular lectures given by Uriah Smith several times a week. Most of the
subjects were classical at the time. Schwarz has no idea when Waggoner studied medicine
at Bellevue or how long he was on the staff at the Battle Creek Sanitarium after his
return. In those days one had to spend at least three years in medicine at Bellevue to
obtain the doctor's degree (see Letter Richard W Schwarz to E. C. Webster, June 23,
1982). If McMahon is correct in stating that Waggoner and his wife moved to California
about 1880 (see McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner, p.19), then the experiences above
had to be packed in between 1872 and 1880. We do know that Waggoner was in
California at the Healdsburg campmeeting in 1882. [back]

5 See E. J. Waggoner, The Everlasting Covenant, p. v.; also Confession of Faith, n.p.,
[1916?], pp.5,6. The manuscript of this letter was the last thing written by Waggoner and
was addressed to M. C. Wilcox. Found on Waggoner's desk after his sudden death, May
28, 1916, it was published posthumously at the request of friends. [back]

6 Waggoner calls it "an impersonal, extra-Biblical revelation;" (see Confession of Faith,

p.6). [back]

7 E. J. Waggoner, Confession of Faith, pp.5,6. [back]

8 See E. J. Waggoner, The Everlasting Covenant, p. v. [back]

9 When we come to the section dealing with the 1888 Conference in greater detail we
will take note of these different views. See footnote 56 of this chapter. [back]

10 In Schwarz' letter, he states that a recent doctoral student who has just completed a
dissertation on W. W. Prescott, informs him that during this Ministerial institute,
Waggoner lectured on the covenants and the book of Galatians (see Letter R. W. Schwarz
to E. C. Webster). [back]

11 These 16 studies on Romans are recorded in the General Conference Bulletin of 1891
and can be found in the James White Library, Heritage Room. [back]

12 While Waggoner was living in England (1892-1903), he periodically did some Bible
teaching in Denmark. His daughter mentions the summer of 1897 and then again for two
or three months in 1902 (see Pearl Waggoner Howard, "Biographical Sketch and
Background," obtainable E. G. White-S.D.A. Research Centre, Newbold College,
England). Waggoner and his new wife returned to Denmark in 1907 until 1910 where he
gave English lessons to university students, probably in Copenhagen (see Ibid., and letter
of R. W. Schwarz). [back]

13 A copy of Waggoner's Confession of Faith can be obtained from the James White
Library, Heritage Room. [back]

14 For details on the life and work of E. J. Waggoner see Froom, Movement of Destiny,
1971, pp.188-217, 239-252, 269-299, 343-348, 518-526, 529-540; Pearl Waggoner
Howard, "Dr. E. J. Waggoner: Biographical Sketch and Background," 7 pages (obtainable
from E. G. White-S.D.A. Research Center, Newbold College, Bracknell, Berkshire);
McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, 1979; Richard W. Schwarz,
Light Bearers to the Remnant, Mountain View, California: Pacific Press, 1979, pp.183-
196, 470-475; Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, 1966, p.1385; Emmett K. Vande
Vere, The Wisdom Seekers, Nashville: Southern Publishing Association, 1972, pp.
61,62,114,122. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

II. The Christology of E. J. Waggoner

We wish to present the Christology of Waggoner in three chronological periods as already

indicated. In each period we will seek to describe Waggoner's Christology thematically.

A. The First Period: 1883 to 1888

During this period E J Waggoner emerged as a theological writer of no mean ability. Only
29 years of age in 1884, a perusal of his articles during that year in The Signs of the
Times indicates a theological grasp and a clear style of writing. His pen was rapidly to
bring him into prominence within his church and would lead to his being one of the two
main speakers at the 1888 Minneapolis General Conference session, the highest
deliberative gathering of the church.

The main platform of Waggoner during this period was The Signs of the Times printed in
California, U.S.A., with some articles appearing in the Australian counterpart, Bible Echo
and Signs of the Times, from 1886 to 1888. A careful analysis of the articles would
indicate that Waggoner specialized in the theological study of the law and the gospel.15
Intermingled with these themes was the role of justification by faith and the important
place and role of Christ. It is as Waggoner discusses the involvement of Christ in the law
and the gospel that we are able to obtain glimpses of his Christology.

1. The Divinity of Christ

Waggoner taught that all things were created by Christ and therefore angels worship the
only-begotten Son with equal reverence as the Father.16 Christ partakes of the attributes of
God and has life within Himself.17 In speaking of the Lord's day Waggoner says that the
title 'Lord' can be applied to both Christ and the Father, thus indicating their equality.18

In an article appearing in the June 19, 1884, The Signs of the Times, Waggoner discusses
the Biblical story of the rich young man and Christ as recorded in Matthew 19:16-22. In
commenting on Christ's remark, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one,
that is God" (Matt.19:17), Waggoner says: "Our Saviour did not mean to intimate by this
that He was not good."19 He then proceeds to show Biblical evidence that Christ knew no
sin and that He was absolutely good and the very embodiment of goodness. He then
concludes by stating:

"This being the case, we can understand His words, 'there is none good but one, that is
God,' as nothing but a statement of the fact that He Himself was entitled to be called God.
If there is but one that is good, viz., God, and Christ is good, then Christ must be God."20

Waggoner then shows that this is in harmony with the sentiments of Isaiah 9:6 and John
1:1 and that as the Son of God He partakes of the attributes of God. He is far more
exalted than the angels and has life within Himself, being the Creator of all things.
Waggoner states that God alone may be worshipped but it is clear from Scripture that
Christ accepted worship. The Father and Son are, therefore, one. This unity is expressed
in somewhat anthropomorphic terms:

"This oneness, then, is that of two distinct individuals having the same thoughts, the same
purposes, the same attributes. The Father and the Son were one in creating the earth, and
one in devising and carrying out of the plan of salvation."21

2. Christ the only Saviour in both Dispensations

Waggoner presents a strong view of Christ functioning as Mediator in Old Testament

times. "Did the Patriarchs Know Christ?"22 he answers in the In his article, affirmative
and shows from Abel's offering, Abraham's faith in Christ, Moses' esteeming the reproach
of Christ and the experience of the Israelites drinking from the spiritual Rock that this is
so. In answering the charge that men in the Old Testament had very limited knowledge of
Christ, Waggoner says:

"If it were true, it would show that God's ways are not equal, and that in different ages of
the world He has different ways of saving men; and still worse, the holding of such a
view dishonors Christ by virtually denying that in all things He has the pre-eminence."23

Waggoner believed that Christ was the Lamb "slain from the foundation of the world"
and it was on the basis of the clear promise of the Old Testament regarding immortality
through Christ that any were resurrected in Old Testament times.24

In this connection we must look at a 71-page pamphlet which Waggoner wrote in 1887
entitled, The Gospel in the Book of Galatians, in answer to a 85-page pamphlet put out by
G. I. Butler entitled The Law in the Book of Galatians: is it the Moral Law or does it
refer to that system of laws peculiarly Jewish?"25 While the pamphlet by Waggoner deals
primarily with the law in Galatians we do find some of His Christological views
surfacing.

Waggoner believed that the only method of approach to God in Old Testament and New
Testament times was through Christ.26 This also meant that the forgiveness in Old
Testament times was real.27 He was convinced that God only has one method of salvation
and Christ was the Saviour throughout.28 He believed that no one could build on anything
except Christ.29 To depend on anything except Christ for justification is the rejection of
Christ.30 Waggoner states that Christ was the One who spoke the ten commandments from
Sinai and, therefore, He was the great Mediator of the law in Galatians 3.31 He also
maintained that the term 'until the seed should come' (Galatians 3:19), not only applied to
the first advent of Christ but to the second advent and thus for him the function of the
moral law remained to lead men and women experientially to faith in Christ at all times.32

3. Christ and Sin

With regard to the problem of sin, Waggoner taught that man was sinful and Christ was
holy and righteous. In 1884 he was teaching that all of Adam's posterity were born into a
state of sin.33 As far as Christ was concerned, Waggoner believed that He came into the
same position as the sinner and bore the guilt of the sins of man from his entrance into the
world and yet was inherently righteous and holy. Note this contrast in his words:

"Christ was sinless; the law was in His heart. As the Son of God His life was worth more
than those of all created beings, whether in heaven or on earth...He took upon Himself
our nature, Heb. 2:16,17; and on Him was laid 'the iniquity of us all.' Isa. 53:6. In order to
save us, He had to come where we were, or, in other words, He had to take the position of
a lost sinner...And because Christ was 'numbered with the transgressors,' He suffered the
penalty of transgression.

"But the suffering of Christ was not on His own account. 'He did no sin, neither was guile
found in his mouth.' Pet. 2:22."34

In an article in The Signs of the Times Waggoner shows that Christ "had to put Himself in
the exact condition of those whom He would save."35 Does this mean that Christ was a
sinner? No, Waggoner says that Christ was "absolutely good, the embodiment of
goodness, yet He was counted as a sinner."36 So Waggoner says that Christ was counted
as a sinner although He was not one. He says that "He bore the sins of the world as
though they were His own."37 Waggoner believed that the innocent assumed the crimes of
the guilty and the sinless One was made sin for us. He wrote:
"None can die except those in whom sin is found; our sins were laid on Christ, and
accounted as His; and so, although personally 'He knew no sin,' He was made to suffer
the penalty of the law as a transgressor."38

In this article, "Under the Law," Waggoner takes the position that the term 'made under
the law' relative to Christ means not merely that Christ was subject to the law but that He
was subject to its penalty as an accounted sinner. Christ put Himself in the place of those
who had violated the law and were under the condemnation of death and thus suffered the
penalty of the law. Waggoner states his position very clearly in his article, "A New
Creature in Christ":

"God made Christ (the sinless one) to be sin for us. He was made in all things 'like unto
His brethren;' and that means not simply as to the outward, physical frame, but that he
bore sin, just as we do. The sins that he bore were not his own, but ours. He 'knew no sin,'
yet 'the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.' Isa. 53:6. Although the sins that he
bore were ours, they were counted as his own, and so caused his death." (Isa. 53:5
quoted).39

In his booklet, The Gospel in the book of Galatians, Waggoner deals with Galatians 4:4
and the fact that Christ became flesh. After quoting John 14 and Romans 8:3, Waggoner
says: "Christ was born in the likeness of sinful flesh."40 He then proceeds to quote Phil.
2:5-7 and Heb. 2:9 and writes:

"These texts show that Christ took upon Himself man's nature, and that as a consequence
He was subject to death. He came into the world on purpose to die; and so from the
beginning of His earthly life He was in the same condition that the men are in whose
place He died to save."41

After quoting Romans 1:3, Waggoner states that Christ was made of the seed of David.
The nature of David was sinful and Waggoner says: "Don't start in horrified
astonishment; I am not implying that Christ was a sinner. I shall explain more fully in a
few moments."42 After quoting Heb. 2:16,17 he says that Christ's being made in all things
like unto His brethren is the same as His being made in the likeness of sinful flesh. The
ancestors of Christ had all the weaknesses and passions that we have and we cannot
excuse our sinful acts on the ground of heredity. He says:

"If Christ had not been made in all things like unto His brethren, then His sinless life
would be no encouragement to us. We might look at it with admiration, but it would be
the admiration that would cause hopeless despair."43

Waggoner then quotes 2 Cor. 5:21 and indicates that Christ was made sin for us from His
birth when He was made flesh. He was made like men that He might undergo the
suffering of death. Waggoner says that Butler would agree that if Christ was under the
condemnation of the law on the cross without being a sinner Himself, then, why could He
not be under the condemnation of the law from birth and still be sinless? Quite clearly
Waggoner regards Christ as being accounted a sinner and not made one Himself
inherently. He goes on to say: "I do not know how the pure and holy Savior could ensure
all the infirmities of humanity, which are the result of sin, and be reckoned as a sinner,
and suffer the death of a sinner."44 With Waggoner we find this tension between a Christ
who knew no sin and did no sin and yet was counted as guilty and covered with
degradation.45

On the one hand, for Waggoner, Christ "was made on a level with man"46 and He took the
position of the lost sinner. It was in this sense that Christ came in "the likeness of sinful
flesh."47 In 1886 Waggoner was speaking of human flesh being depraved and having no
good thing in it,48 and at the same time, Christ being the embodiment of goodness and so
He could only have depraved flesh in an accounted sense. On the other hand, Waggoner
proclaimed Christ as the sinless One,49 the perfect Pattern,50 the One who is perfect
righteousness,51 who did no sin52 and knew no sin.53

For Waggoner Christ was sinless and the embodiment of holiness but "He went to the
very lowest depth of which man had fallen, in order that He might lift man to His own
exalted throne; yet He never ceased to be God, or lost a particle of His holiness."54

In discussing Christ's baptism, Waggoner makes it clear that we are dealing not merely
with an example, but with the vicarious nature of the atonement. It must have been for the
same reason that He died, namely, for sin. And then Waggoner makes a statement
showing clearly the vicarious nature of Christ's whole life:

"Not His own sin, but ours; for as in His death, so in His life, our sins were counted as
His. And thus it is that He could be all His life, even from His birth, under the
condemnation of the law. It was not on His own account, but on ours."55

Thus, for Waggoner, Christ ever remained sinless but He was verily made or accounted a
sinner and a transgressor with the sins of the world upon Him. This was a vicarious
atonement for Christ from His birth to His death.

During this period of 1883-1888 we have observed Waggoner's position with regard to
the divinity of Christ and Waggoner's high regard for a Saviour who possessed the same
attributes as God the Father. Moreover, we have seen Waggoner's insistence on Christ's
uniformity of mission and work during both the Old and New Testament dispensations.
Finally, we paused to consider Waggoner's view of Christ and sin and found that while
Waggoner has Christ coming to the place and position of the sinner from birth, it is in an
accounted sense. Thus, while Christ is made sin in a vicarious manner, He remains pure
and sinless in Himself.

_________

15 Notice some of the titles of his articles in The Signs of the Times during 1884 to 1888.
The figures behind the titles indicate the number of articles by that name in a series:
"Nature of the Law," (3), June 26, 1884, January 21, 28, 1886; "Under the Law," (8),
August 28, September 4, 11, 18, 1884; May 6, 13, 27, June 3, 1886; "Jurisdiction of the
Law," (4), February 4, 11, 18, 25, 1886; "Comments on Galatians 3," (9), July 8, 15, 22,
29, August 5, 12, 19, 26, September 2, 1886; "Christ the end of the Law," (2), July 24,
August 7, 1884. [back]

16 E. J. Waggoner, "Eternal Life," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 33, August 28,
1884, p.522: "Yet He gave His only-begotten Son, - the one by whom all things were
made, whom angels worship with reverence equal to that which they yield to God, - that
man might have eternal life." [back]

17 "> Ibid., No. 34, September 4, 1884, p.538: "...we turn to John 5:26 and read Christ's
words: 'For as the Father hath life in Himself, so hath He given to the Son to have life in
Himself.' Christ, then being the only-begotten Son of God, partakes of His attributes, and
has life in Himself. That is, He is able to impart life to others." [back]

18 E. J. Waggoner, "Eternal Life," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 46, December 4,
1884, p.729: "The title Lord is applied to both Christ and the Father. Since these two are
one, that which belongs to one must be the property of the other also, there can be no
division between them." See also November 27, 1884, p.713. Waggoner wrote a series of
five articles on the divinity of Christ appearing in The Signs of the Times from March to
May 1889 but we will present their main points in the second period of Waggoner. [back]

19 Ibid., No. 24, June 19, 1884, p.377. [back]

20 Ibid. See also "Which is Evangelical?" The Signs the Times, Vol. 11, No. 43,
November 12, 1885, where he applies Heb. 1:2,3 and Col. 2:9 to Christ. [back]

21 E. J. Waggoner, "An Important Question," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 24,
June 19, 1884, p.377. See also "Comments on Galatians 3, No. 7" The Signs of the Times,
Vol. 12, No. 32, August 19, 1886, p.502: "Thus in everything that concerns man, we see
oneness of thought and action between the Father and the Son." [back]

22 Waggoner, "Did the Patriarchs Know Christ?" The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 50,
December 30, 1886, p.790. See also "The Oracles of God," Bible Echo and Signs of the
Times, Vol. 3, No. 7, July 1888, p.106. Waggoner applies Isaiah 6:1 to Christ in "Thine is
the glory," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, Vol. 3, No. 12, December 1888, p.166.
back]

23 Waggoner, "Did the Patriarchs Know Christ?" The Signs of the Times, December 30,
1886, p.790.back]

24 See Waggoner, "Lesson for the Pacific Coast," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 22,
June 5, 1884, p.342. [back]

25 In 1886 Waggoner wrote a series of articles in The Signs of the Times on Galatians in
which he advocated that the law in Chapter 3 was the moral law. This disturbed Uriah
Smith, editor of the Review and Herald, and George Butler, president of the General
Conference. Butler then wrote his pamphlet in favor of the ceremonial law in Galatians
and the pamphlet was issued to coincide with the commencement of the 1886 General
Conference session on November 18.Butler also brought the matter to the Theological
Committee at the General Conference session of December 6. Although Waggoner was a
member of this committee, a resolution was passed with the idea that theological views
not held by the majority should not be published unless they had first been presented to
leading brethren of experience. On February 10, 1887, Waggoner prepared his 71-page
reply to the pamphlet issued by Butler. For some reason he held this back for almost two
years, only releasing it in December 1888, after the Minneapolis Conference. It could be
that a letter from Ellen White dated February 18, 1887, led Waggoner to hold his
pamphlet back. In this letter Ellen White spoke words of caution to Waggoner and
appealed for unity between the Review and Herald and The Signs of the Times. She
expressed her conviction that the matter was not of sufficient importance to have caused
Waggoner to have published his views in The Signs of the Times. A copy of Ellen White's
letter to Waggoner and Jones was sent to Smith and Butler and they took the opportunity
to attack Waggoner's views in the Review and Herald. This led to a letter from Ellen
White to Butler and Smith dated April 5, 1887, in which she stated that because of their
actions, matters were now different and it would only be fair for open discussion to take
place, and for Waggoner to have a fair opportunity to put his case. No doubt, this led to
the development of discussion leading to Waggoner's presentation of his talks at the
Minneapolis Conference of 1888. In December 1888, Waggoner issued his pamphlet and
in the explanatory note he wrote: "The delay of nearly two years has given ample time to
carefully review the subject again and again, and to avoid any appearance of heated
controversy." McMahon says: "The clash between Butler and Waggoner was a classic
conflict between ecclesiastical conservatism and the real spirit of Protestantism" (David
P. McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, p.56). For details see Ibid.,
pp.53-62. [back]

26 "Do you mean to intimate by this that there was ever a time when any people could
approach God except through Christ?...Your words seem to imply that before the first
advent men approached God by means of the ceremonial law, and that after that they
approached Him through the Messiah; but we shall have to go outside the Bible to find
any support for the idea that anybody could ever approach God except through Christ"
(Waggoner, The Gospel in the Book of Galatians, Oakland, California: 1888, pp. 11,12).
[back]

27 "How could this be? Simply because Christ is the Lamb slain from the foundation of
the world. That He should offer Himself as a sacrifice, was promised to our first parents
in Eden, and confirmed to Abraham by an oath from God, and, therefore, by virtue of that
promise, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all who wished, could receive as much virtue from
the blood of Christ as we can" (Ibid. p.30). [back]

28 Waggoner accuses Butler of having two plans of salvation, one for the Jews before the
cross and one for Christians after the cross. To counter this, Waggoner asks: "Were they
[the people before the cross] accepted in any other way than by humility of heart,
repentance, confession of sins, faith in the blood of Christ, and a determination to obey
God? Nay, verily" (Ibid., p.56). [back]

29 "Those who attempt to build their house on anything except the rock Christ Jesus, are
building for destruction" (Ibid., p.11). [back]

30 See Ibid., pp.9,11,15,16. [back]

31 Ibid., p.36. [back]

32 Ibid., pp.37-42. It is questionable whether Waggoner was correct in applying the term
'until the seed should come' (Gal. 3:19) to both the first and second advents. It appears
reasonable that the phrase has primary application to the historical coming of Christ and
the first advent. [back]

33 E. J. Waggoner, "The Mission of Christ," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 41,
October 30, 1884, p.650: "The stream, unassisted, cannot rise higher than the fountain,
and therefore Adam's posterity were necessarily born into a state of sin. When Adam
sinned, God looked down the ages and saw the whole human race in a state of rebellion,
and, consequently, of condemnation; and then it was that His great love was manifested,
in giving His only-begotten Son to die for a rebellious world." See also "Inheritance of
the Saints," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 12, March 19, 1885, p.182: "By his sin,
Adam not only lost the dominion for himself, but he made it impossible for any of his
posterity to possess it. For since it was forfeited through sin, his descendants could not
possess it, because they were born sinful. Moreover his whole posterity were, with
himself, doomed to death." [back]

34 E. J. Waggoner, "Condemned and Justified," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 26,
July 3, 1884, p.409. See also "Justified by Faith," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 12,
March 25, 1886, p.183: "Christ's righteousness was perfect. He delighted to do the will of
God, because the law - God's will - was within His heart." See also "Justification and
Sanctification," The Signs of the Times, April 1, 1886, p.199. [back]

35 For the source of the statements found in this paragraph see E. J. Waggoner, "Under
the Law," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 36, September 18, 1884. p.569. [back]

36 E. J. Waggoner, "Under the Law," The Signs of Times, Vol. 10, No. 36, September 18,
1884, p.569. [back]

37 Ibid. [back]

38 Ibid. [back]

39 E. J. Waggoner, "A New Creature in Christ," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No.
27,July 17, 1884, p.425. [back]

40 E. J. Waggoner, The Gospel in the Book of Galatians, p.60. [back]

41 Ibid. [back]

42 Ibid., p.61. [back]

43 Ibid. [back]

44 E. J. Waggoner, The Gospel in the book of Galatians, p.62. [back]

45 "And so the Innocent suffered for the guilty. Man had been overcome by sin, and by it
brought into bondage (2 Pet. 2:19), and in order to redeem him from this corruption, and
the death that must necessarily follow (James 1:15), the spotless Son of God took upon
Himself the form of a servant of sin, and consented to be covered with the same
degradation into which man had plunged himself." E. J. Waggoner, "Under the Law," The
Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 18, May 13, 1886, p.279. [back]

46 E. J. Waggoner, The Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 41, October 29, 1885. [back]

47 E. J. Waggoner, "Principles and Precepts," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 48,
December 17, 1885, p.761. At this stage Waggoner does not elaborate on an explanation
of Christ coming "in the likeness of sinful flesh." We will note further development in the
next period. [back]

48 E. J. Waggoner, "Brief Comments on Romans 7," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 12, No.
24, June 24, 1886: "The flesh is depraved, having no good thing in it so that although he
may determine to do good, he will not find any power in him to carry out his
determination" (p.374). [back]

49 E. J. Waggoner, "Judged 5y the Law," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 11, No. 45,
November 26, 1885, p.713. [back]

50 Ibid., Vol. 11, No. 46, December 3, 1885, p.729. [back]

51 Ibid., Vol. 12, No. 13, April 1, 1886, p.199. [back]

52 Ibid., Vol. 10, No. 47, December 11, 1884, p.744.back]

53 Ibid., "Things We Should Know," No. 2, The Signs of the Times, February 10, 1887.
[back]

54 E. J. Waggoner, The Gospel in the book of Galatians, p.63. [back]

55 Ibid. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

B. The Second Period: 1888-1892

We have chosen to use the historic Minneapolis Conference session of October 17-
November 4, 1888, as a useful point of time to introduce the second period of our
concentration. Here it was that E J Waggoner, along with A T Jones, were principal
speakers at this session which resulted in bringing Waggoner into greater prominence
than ever before. From this high point we will view his Christology until his departure to
England in 1892.

No official record was kept of the Waggoner-Jones messages given at the 1888 session. It
is not our task in this dissertation to try and solve the problem as to the exact message.56 It
could well afford a single field of study for another dissertation. For our Christology of
Waggoner during this period we will concentrate on three main sources, namely,
Waggoner's periodical articles during this period; Waggoner's book on Christology
published in 1890, Christ and His Righteousness; and Waggoner's sixteen studies on the
book of Romans given at the 1891 General Conference Session. Using these sources we
will now seek to describe Waggoner's Christology during this period under different
themes.

1. The Divinity of Christ

In 1889 Waggoner wrote a series of six articles on the divinity of Christ which first
appeared in The Signs of the Times and were then repeated in the Australian Bible Echo
and Signs of the Times later in the same year.57

Using a textual method Waggoner adduces the divinity of Christ from such texts as John
1:1; Isa. 9:6; John 14:8,9; Heb. 1:4-8; Ps. 50:1-6; Flab. 3:3-6; and Isa. 6:1-5. He makes a
strong point of the dialogue between Christ and the rich young ruler in Matthew 19.
Instead of finding a problem in Christ's words "Why callest thou me good? there is none
good but one, that is God," Waggoner finds this very strong evidence that Christ who is
wholly good was here asserting His oneness with God.58

Waggoner next presents the works of Christ to prove His divine nature. Because Christ is
Creator, Lawgiver and Redeemer, He partakes of the nature of God. Once again he gives
textual evidence that Christ is the Creator of all things. Waggoner says that some have
drawn a hasty conclusion from the expression 'first-born of every creature' (Colossians
1:15), as indicating that Christ is also a created being. He gives arguments to show that
Christ cannot be a created being as all things were created by Him. The expression 'first-
born of all creatures' shows the pre-eminence of Christ rather than His being the first one
to be born. Waggoner states: "No language could more perfectly show the pre-existence
and the creative power of Christ than does the language of Col. 1:15-17."59

Waggoner is clear on the pre-existence of Christ and states that Christ partakes of the
nature of God. He has life within Himself and is able to perpetuate His own existence.
The fact that Christ receives worship is further evidence of His oneness with God. When
Christ came to the earth He did not lay aside His divinity, but only His glory, and He
veiled His divinity with humanity. While Waggoner believed that Christ was not created
he does understand the term 'only-begotten' as indicating that there was a time when the
Son was not and when the Father brought Him forth. Note his words:

"In arguing the perfect equality of the Father and the Son, and the fact that Christ is in
very nature God, we do not design to be understood as teaching that the Father was not
before the Son...While both are of the same nature, the Father is first in point of time. He
is also greater in that He had no beginning, while Christ's personality had a beginning."60

In this series on the divinity of Christ Waggoner discusses Christ as the Lawgiver. He
gives proof from 1 Cor. 10 and Heb. 3:5-11 that Christ was in fact the leader of the
children of Israel in Old Testament times. The Angel of the Lord who appeared as the 'I
AM' is none other than Christ. The voice that spoke the law from Sinai is the divine Word
and it is this same Word that will shake the world at the end of time according to 1 Thess.
4:16; John 5:28,29 and Rev. 19:15.

Waggoner indicates that the Sabbath is tied to Christ as Creator, Lawgiver and Redeemer.
The One who created all things is Christ and, therefore, Christ made the Sabbath and it is
thus the Lord's day. Christ gave the Law, including the Sabbath command, on Sinai and
He is the One who effected redemption through His death on Calvary. Someone may
cavil that an innocent man cannot die for the guilty, but Waggoner says "when that
Innocent One is the Lawgiver Himself, there is no injustice."61

Waggoner's book, Christ and His Righteousness,62 (1890), basically reflects views which
he had already expressed in editorials in The Signs of the Times prior to this date. For
example, the section in the book dealing with the divinity of Christ parallels to a large
extent the series of five articles entitled, "The Divinity of Christ," appearing in The Signs
of the Times from March to May, 1889,63 which we have just considered.

He commences the book by giving reasons why it is important to consider Jesus Christ.
Because in Him "are hid all treasures of wisdom and knowledge" and because Christ is
the source of all righteousness we are to lift Him up. We are invited to give the same
honor to Christ as to the Father. Waggoner has a high view of the deity of Christ. He
gives scriptural evidence of the fact that Christ is God. "As the Son of the self-existent
God, He has by nature all the attributes of Deity."64 Christ has not been elevated to this
position, but it is one which He has by right.65 Waggoner is clear that Christ was truly
God even when here among men.66 In one section of the book Waggoner shows Christ's
divinity by all the scriptural indications that He is Creator.67 In another section he uses the
evidence of Christ as the Lawgiver to illustrate the actuality of Christ's divinity and of
His equality with the Father.68

For Waggoner Christ was not a created being but was begotten of the Father. He makes a
clear distinction between being created and being begotten.69 He shows that it is through
misconceptions that such verses as Rev. 3:14 and Col. 1:15 are applied to try to teach that
Christ was created.70 He indicates that Christ is of the "very substance and nature of God"
and that "He possesses immortality in His own right, and can confer immortality upon
others."71 It is interesting to note that Waggoner hints at the extra-Calvanisticum
attributed to the Reformer when he writes:

"Note the expression, 'the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father.' He has
His abode there, and He is there as a part of the Godhead, as surely when on earth as
when in heaven."72

With regard to the question of the 'begetting' of Christ, we have already noted that
Waggoner expressed himself strongly that Christ was not created. But he does have the
conception that the Father was prior to Christ. While not as extremely stated as in his
Signs articles,73 he nevertheless, still expresses this concept concerning the priority of the
Father:

"We know that Christ 'proceeded forth and came from God' (John 8:42), but it was so far
back in the ages of eternity as to be far beyond the grasp of the mind of man."74

2. The Humanity of Christ and Sinful Nature

In a very important article entitled "God Manifest in the Flesh" in The Signs of the Times
of January 21, 1889,75 Waggoner enunciates his convictions relative to the nature of
Christ in the Incarnation. While on earth Christ was both God and man. At first only
divine, He took upon Himself human nature and passed through this life as a common
mortal except at those times when His divinity flashed through His humanity. In
elucidating Romans 8:3,4, Waggoner once again states his conviction that Christ was not
only accounted a sinner, but took upon Himself sinful nature. He appears to go even
further in this article than he did in his letter to Butler of February 10, 1887. Waggoner
says that if Christ was made in the likeness of men then "it must have been sinful man
that He was made like, for it is only sin that causes death."76 Not only was the iniquity of
us all laid upon Him, but "the flesh which He assumed had all the weaknesses and sinful
tendencies to which fallen human nature is subject."77

If there was any ambiguity in the previous period as to whether Christ actually possessed
sinful human nature like other people or was only made a sinner in an accounted sense,
Waggoner has now come out clearly that Christ in His humanity was like all other
descendants of Adam in possessing not only weaknesses, but also sinful tendencies of the
flesh. Waggoner continues to press the point as he says: "If He was made in all things like
unto His brethren, then He must have suffered all the infirmities and passions of His
brethren."78 As he discusses the question of Christ being made sin for us, he writes:
"Sinless, yet not only counted as a sinner, but actually taking upon Himself sinful
nature."79 Waggoner proceeds to show that while children come into the world not
directly condemned by the law, for in infancy they have no knowledge of right and wrong
and are incapable of doing either, nevertheless "they are born with sinful tendencies,
owing to the sins of their ancestors. And when Christ came into the world, He came
subject to all the conditions to which other children are subject."80
In this article one senses that Waggoner has done more than emphasize the reality of the
humanity of Christ. Not only has he indicated that Christ was accounted a sinner and that
He accepted humanity with its weaknesses and liabilities, but he has blurred the fine line
between the sinfulness and sinlessness of Christ. He has pictured Christ as assuming the
sinful tendencies of human nature, as suffering the passions of His brethren, as taking
upon Himself sinful nature and as being born with sinful tendencies as other children
are.81

In the book, Christ and His Righteousness (1890), Waggoner presents a section on the
humanity of Christ, entitled "God Manifest in the Flesh, "82 which is virtually a repetition
of the article which appeared in The Signs of the Times, (1889) under the same title.83
There is thus no basic change in the position which Waggoner takes in 1890 over against
the stance of 1889. Christ still comes in the likeness of sinful flesh, was made like sinful
man, assumed all the sinful tendencies to which fallen human nature is subject, and
actually takes upon Himself sinful nature.84 While Waggoner's stand on the human nature
of Christ is still the same in 1890, there are some slight nuances which make the book
presentation a little less outspoken than the article.85 We would assert that Waggoner's
position on the sinful human nature of Christ in 1890 confirmed his stand of 1889.86

3. Christ could not sin

In continuing the theme "God Manifest in the Flesh" in both the Signs article and in the
book, Christ and His Righteousness, Waggoner makes it clear that for him there is no
danger in bringing Christ's humanity to the level of all other sinners, for in actuality
Christ could not sin because of the presence of His divine nature. Because He was God in
the flesh He could not sin. It was really His divine nature that was acting under the garb
of humanity and, therefore, however strong the tendencies of sin in the flesh He would
triumph.87

Waggoner believed that the fact that Christ could not sin because of His inherent divine
nature should not discourage us. We too can benefit by having Christ, in whom all the
fullness of the Godhead dwells, abide in us and by faith in Him we can conquer as well.
"All the power which Christ had dwelling in Him by nature, we may have dwelling in us
by grace, for He freely bestows it upon us."88 There is no doubt that Waggoner felt that in
bringing Christ to the level of the sinner and showing that Christ was able to resist
temptation successfully, men and women could have hope and confidence to do the same.
This would be accomplished by allowing Christ to dwell in the heart and thus He in
whom dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily would achieve victory for the
sinner.89

While ideally Waggoner has Christ and the sinner on the same level as to their human
state it is important to note that Waggoner gives this important place to the functioning of
Christ's Divine nature during the Incarnation. In practical terms this meant for Waggoner,
as we have seen, that Christ could not sin. Quite evidently, Waggoner did not subscribe to
a 'dormant' divinity in Christ during His earthly life.90

4. The Work of Christ

Waggoner was one of the main speakers at the 1891 General Conference Session held at
Battle Creek, Michigan. During this session Waggoner presented sixteen lectures on the
book of Romans.91 The main themes which Waggoner presents have to do with the law,
sin, righteousness, justification, the gospel and Jesus Christ. The emphasis is on
soteriology and the work of Jesus Christ in relation to the sinner saved by the grace of
God.92 The Christology which does appear has greater relevance to the work of Christ
than to His person.

For Waggoner the central doctrine in the book of Romans is the gospel of Christ.93 The
law requires a perfect righteousness from man which as a sinner he cannot give. No one
has ever lived the perfect life as Christ did and all men are guilty. Waggoner states that
through one man's fall all his children are born into the same condition. Instead of trying
to figure out the justice or injustice of this let us rather devote ourselves to accepting the
proffered salvation. What would we think of a drowning man who would not accept the
extended rope unless he knew that it was his own fault that he was drowning? Waggoner
presents a picture of the reality of the condition of original sin and its effects upon all
men.94

Because all men are in a condition of sin by birth and are sinners by action, Waggoner
states that righteousness, which is harmony with God's moral law and character, can
never come through the law.95 Jesus Christ is the only One who can provide righteousness
for He is righteous and without sin.96 Thus, righteousness may only be obtained by faith
in Jesus Christ who is equal with the Father and part of the Godhead.97

Seeing that man is unrighteous and righteousness is only found in Christ, the only way
for man to obtain this righteousness is as a gift through justification by faith.98 While
Waggoner does have Christ imputing His righteousness to the sinner in justification,99 the
Weight of his teaching at this time is towards an effective justification which makes the
sinner righteous and does not only declare him righteous.100 Christ brings the
righteousness of the law into the heart of the sinner and transforms his life. For Waggoner
the distinction between justification and sanctification is blurred and justification appears
to encompass not only a declarative act covering the past but a transforming and
empowering experience of the indwelling Christ.

This idea of the present Christ living in the Christian and abiding in the heart is a strong
one for Waggoner. He even speaks of the mystery of the Incarnation appearing again.101
With this strong idea of Christ in the flesh of the Christian Waggoner advocates that the
true Christian becomes an instrument in the hands of Christ who obeys the law in us.102
The obedience of the historic Christ is not sufficient in that Christ's obedience must be
made manifest in the life of the Christian.103 Because Waggoner sees Christ dwelling in
the heart of the believer and obeying the law he does not see Romans 7 as applying to the
true Christian life.104 Waggoner sees Christ fully victorious in yielded flesh and instead of
a struggle continuing he hints at the removal of the sinful nature from the true
Christian.105 Because this Christ was sinless, He will live out a sinless life within the
yielded Christian.106 Sinless living is quite possible because there is the infinite power of
Christ working in the life.107

In Waggoner's thinking, Jesus Christ made a dispensational view of salvation impossible.

Men do not look forward or back to Christ, but Christ has always been a Saviour and in
fact has ever been a present Saviour.108 For Waggoner the message of the third angel of
Revelation 14:9-12 in the last days is no different from the message of Paul in the first
century. It is not an advance on Paul's message of justification by faith.109 Waggoner thus
shows a consistency in his Christological and soteriological convictions.

Finally, Waggoner's concept of the everlasting gospel of the first angel of Revelation 14 is
broad enough to incorporate all of the second and third angels' messages. The everlasting
gospel is justification by faith, and Christ and Him crucified covers every true doctrine. A
true understanding of Christ and Him crucified will see the link between Christ and all
doctrines such as the law, the Sabbath, the saints' inheritance, the immortality of the soul
and spiritualism.110

We have looked at Waggoner's Christology in the period 1888-1892 under four headings,
namely, the divinity of Christ, the humanity of Christ and sinful nature, Christ's divine
power over sin and the work of Christ. We have discovered that Waggoner held a high
view of Christ's divinity, ascribing to Him the same nature and substance as the Father,
with the one suggestion of a coming forth at some point in the days of eternity. We also
noticed that Waggoner came out clearly in 1889 to the effect that Christ possessed a
sinful human nature with the same evil tendencies as all other men. And yet, Waggoner
maintained in 1889 that because of the presence of His divine nature it was not possible
for Christ to sin. Lastly, we focused attention on the work of Christ, noting Waggoner's
emphasis on justification by faith on the basis of Christ's righteousness. This justification
by faith was for Waggoner, not only a declarative act but an effective justification which
brought God's righteousness into the heart of the Christian.
____________

56 To show the diversity of thought regarding the actual message note the following: The
General Conference Daily Bulletins for October 1888 state briefly that Waggoner
discussed the question of the law of God and its relation to the gospel of Christ.
According to this source he appears to have based his messages on the books of Galatians
and Romans. Uriah Smith stated that Waggoner gave an instructive series of lectures on
'Justification by faith' (see General Conference Daily Bulletin for October 19, 21 and 26,
1888). Waggoner himself reported on Jones' and his own lectures in the November 2,
1888 issue of The Signs of the Times and stated that one of the subjects had reference to
the law and the gospel in their various relations, coming under the general head of
justification by faith. On the other hand, Leroy Edwin Froom believes that Waggoner's
1888 presentations were taken down in shorthand by his wife, Jessie F. Moser-Waggoner,
and then edited by Waggoner to appear later in book form as Christ and His
Righteousness (1890); The Gospel in Creation (1894) and The Glad Tidings (1900). (See
Froom, Movement of Destiny, p.189). While it could well be that the first book of 1890
reflected some of Waggoner's presentations at the 1888 session, one questions to what
extent this is true of the latter two books, except that his 1888 presentation of Galatians
coincided with the subject matter of the book, The Glad Tidings (1900). Robert J.
Wieland follows Froom's thought when he wrote in the foreword to his edited version of
The Glad Tidings which appeared in 1972: "I discovered that the message of this book
was in reality a transcript of studies that Dr. Waggoner gave personally to a gathering of
ministers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the fall of 1888" (p.6). Wieland also says in his
The1888 Message: An Introduction, (1980) that: "The very heart of the 1888 message
was a clear revival of New Testament justification by faith" (P.35). Elsewhere he says that
the message can be summed up in one word - "Christ" (see p.34). In contrast to Froom
and Wieland, Dr. Donald Yost, Archivist of the General Conference in Washington, stated
in October 1980, in private conversation, that there was no evidence that the nature of
Christ was the content of the 1888 presentations. David P. McMahon is convinced that
the human nature of Christ was not the content of Waggoner's message. He writes: "There
is no evidence that Waggoner's teaching on the humanity of Christ was part of his
message in 1888. This is one of the Waggoner myths demolished by an investigation of
the original sources" (Ellet Joseph Waggoner, p.104). Ellen G. White makes many
allusions to the message of 1888. In Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 91,92 she indicates that
God sent a precious message through Jones and Waggoner. The message was to bring
before the world the uplifted Savior. It presented justification through faith in the Surety
and invited people to accept the righteousness of Christ made manifest in obedience to
God's commandments. They needed to see Christ's divine person, His merits and His
love. Christ had all power to impart the gift of His righteousness to the human agent. This
was the third angel's message to be given in a loud voice. Furthermore, Ellen White also
says that it was an unwillingness to accept Waggoner's exposition of the moral law in
Galatians which caused the opposition to his messages (see Letter 96, 1896 and
Manuscript 15, 1888, in A. V. Olson, Through Crisis to Victory, pp.52-55). Among the
significant items that have been discovered recently are the W. C. White handwritten
notes from the Minneapolis meetings. These were uncovered at the White Estate in
Washington, D.C. In the light of these notes and other discoveries, Bert Haloviak,
assistant director of the Archives (General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists), wrote
as follows: "You can see from the handwritten W. C. White notes and also know from
thousands of documents recently studied pertaining to the 1888 period that Christology
was not the point of friction in 1888. The theology of the law in Galatians and of the
covenants and the question of the role of the Spirit of Prophecy were the basic points of
contention" (Letter from Bert Haloviak to E. C. Webster, August 3, 1982) [back]

57 Waggoner, "The Divinity of Christ," The Signs of the Times, March 25, April 1, 8, 15
and 22, May 6, 1889. Also Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, September 1, 16, October
1, 15, November 1, 1889. The original six articles in The Signs of the Times appeared in
five articles in the Australian Bible Echo. [back]

58 Here Waggoner is using the same argument for the divinity of Christ based on Matt.
19 as he did in 1884 (see The Signs of the Times, June 19, 1884, footnote 20 in this
chapter). His position on the divinity of Christ has not changed. [back]

59 E. J. Waggoner, "The Divinity of Christ," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, Vol. 4,
No. 18, September 16, 1889, p.281. [back]

60 Ibid., October 1, 1889, p.298. This indicates that Waggoner in 1889 did not believe in
the full eternity of Christ. Wieland is not entirely correct when he writes: "The Jones-
Waggoner idea of the divine, eternally pre-existent Christ coming to rescue man where he
is..." (R. J. Wieland, The 1888 Message an Introduction, pp.41,42). For Waggoner Christ
was divine and pre-existent, but, at least according to his views in 1889, not fully eternal.
In this one connection Waggoner shows affinity with the semi-Arian position. [back]

61 Waggoner, "The Divinity of Christ," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, Vol. 4, No.
21, November 1, 1889, p.330. [back]

62 For full details on this book see footnote 1 in this chapter. [back]

63 For details see footnote 57 in this chapter. [back]

64 Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, Oakland, California: Pacific Press

Publishing Company, 1890, p.12. [back]

65 Ibid. [back]

66 Ibid., p.14. [back]

67 Ibid., pp.16-19. [back]

68 Ibid., pp.39-46. [back]

69 Ibid., p.21. [back]

70 Ibid., pp.20,21 [back] .

71 Ibid., p.22. [back]

72 Ibid., p.15. Did Waggoner study John Calvin's works and obtain these ideas from him
or did he arrive at this conclusion from his own independent study of Scripture?
Waggoner did quote extensively from Luther's Commentary on Galatians. See "Different
Kinds of Righteousness," and "Lawful Use of the Law," The Signs of the Times, February
24, 1888, p.119; July 13, 1888, p.422. [back] .

73 Waggoner, "The Divinity of Christ," The Signs of the Times, April 8, 1889: "While
both are of the same nature, the Father is first in point of time." [back] .

74 Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, p.9. See also pp.19,22. [back] .
75 Waggoner, "God Manifest in the Flesh," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 3,
January 21, 1889, pp.38,39. [back] .

76 Waggoner, "God Manifest in the Flesh," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 3,
January 21, 1889, p.39. 9 7 [back] .

77 Ibid. [back] .

78 Ibid. [back] .

79 Ibid. [back] .

80 Ibid. [back] .

81 While Ellen White also maintained the reality of the humanity of Christ and the fact
that He took upon His sinless nature our sinful nature, she was far more careful than
Waggoner in stating her case relative to sin. Well before this time she had written
concerning Christ: "He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in possessing like passions.
As the sinless One, His nature recoiled from evil" (Testimonies, Vol. 2, pp.201,202).
When Lyell Vernon Heise discusses Ellen White's letter of 1895 to Baker in Australia
(already referred to in previous chapter. See footnote 232, chapter 2), he suggests that
Baker was an admirer of E. J. Waggoner and was, no doubt, influenced by his theology. It
would be quite easy for one not skilled in theological niceties to play with Waggoner's
concepts on the humanity of Christ and suddenly to find himself in deep water. Ellen
White warned Baker of the danger in setting forth the humanity of Christ: "Be careful,
exceedingly careful, as to how you dwell upon the human nature of Christ...Avoid every
question in relation to the humanity of Christ which is liable to be misunderstood...That
which is revealed, is for us and for our children, but let every human being be warned
from the ground of making Christ altogether human, such an one as ourselves; for it
cannot be" (E. G. White, Letter 8, 1895). Even in this article of Waggoner in 1889 he
came very close to making Christ 'such an one as ourselves'. [back] .

82 See Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, pp.24-31. [back] .

83 For details on this article also entitled, "God Manifest in the Flesh, "see footnote 75 of
this chapter. [back] .

84 See Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, pp.24-31. [back] .

85 We note that two sections appearing in the 1889 Signs article do not appear in the
book. One consists of a paragraph on the ancestry and posterity of David showing the line
from which Christ sprang which would be such "as would tend to concentrate in him all
the weaknesses of humanity" ("God Manifest in the Flesh," The Signs of the Times,
January 21, 1889, p.39). The other section consists of basically two paragraphs regarding
the fact that just as all other children are born with sinful tendencies, owing to the sins of
their ancestors, Christ entered the world subject to these same conditions (see Ibid.).
Although these two sections were left out of Christ and His Righteousness, we believe
that the material which remains expresses the same sentiments. There is one further
modification which should be noted. In referring to Christ being made like unto His
brethren, while the Signs article says: "then He must have suffered all the infirmities and
passions of his brethren" the book states: "then He must have suffered all the infirmities,
and been subject to all the temptations, of His brethren" (Christ and His Righteousness,
p.27). It could be argued that being "subject to temptations" is more mild than suffering
the "passions of His brethren." [back] .

86 It is important to note the three main expositions of Waggoner relative to the humanity
of Christ and the question of being made in the likeness of sinful flesh. The first is found
in his February 10, 1887, letter to Butler regarding the gospel in the book of Galatians
(see Waggoner, The Gospel in the Book of Galatians, pp. 60-63). The second is his
January 21, 1889, Signs article entitled "God Manifest in the Flesh." The third is the
section "God Manifest in the Flesh" in his 1890 book Christ and His Righteousness
(pp.24-31). While all three are unified in their general thrust the 1887 letter has a stronger
emphasis on Christ being accounted a sinner while the two later statements veer more
strongly towards Christ actually partaking of the same sinful tendencies as all men with
the 1889 Signs statement the strongest. We would pinpoint the 1889 Signs article as the
occasion when Waggoner came out clearly in proposing that Christ's humanity was
subject to the same sinful tendencies as all other men. [back] .

87 Note sentiments along this line from the Signs article: "'God was in Christ,' and hence
he could not sin. His humanity only veiled his divine nature, which was more than able to
successfully resist the sinful passions of the flesh...his divine nature never for a moment
harbored an evil desire, nor did his divine power for a moment waver" (The Signs of the
Times, January 21, 1889, p.39). Waggoner goes on to say that Christ could not be held in
the tomb "because it had been impossible for the divine nature which dwelt in him to
sin...Christ could not sin, because He was the manifestation of God" (Ibid.). The book,
Christ and His Righteousness, brings out the similar thought that because of Christ's
Divine nature and because of the Divine power dwelling within Him, Christ was more
than able to successfully resist the weaknesses of the flesh (see Christ and His
Righteousness, pp.28,29). It is true that the nuances of the Signs article are slightly
stronger in favor of the impossibility of Christ's sinning than the book. If this means
anything it could indicate Waggoner's possible conviction in 1888 that Christ could not
sin because of the power of His divine nature. [back] .

88 E. J. Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness, p.30. Cf. Waggoner, "God Manifest in
the Flesh," The Signs of the Times, January 21, 1889, p.39, for the identical statement.
[back] .

89 See the latter few paragraphs in E. J. Waggoner, Christ and His Righteousness,
pp.30,31, and The Signs of the Times, January 21, 1889, p.39. [back] .

90 To illustrate the fact that Waggoner was opposed to the idea of a 'dormant' divinity in
Christ we note two articles by Samuel T. Spear, D. D., which Waggoner, as editor of The
Signs of the Times, placed in the issues of December 2 and 9, 1889, evidently with
approval. In the section where Spear discusses Christ's functioning as God while on earth,
he mentions the idea of a distinguished clergyman that Jesus simply declared His divinity
as a matter of His own faith but did not, while on earth, show the fact by divine acts and
hence His divinity was held in a 'dormant' and inactive state. Spear comments: "A
'dormant' divinity in Jesus, while rather a queer idea, and for the time being no divinity at'
all, would practically reduce Him, while on earth, to the level of merely an inspired man,
not essentially different from the position of Moses of Paul" (Samuel T. Spear, "The
Personality of Christ," The Signs of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 46, December 2, 1889). This
emphasis on an active divinity in Christ while on earth appears to be in harmony with
Waggoner's thought in his article of 1889 entitled "God Manifest in the Flesh" which we
have discussed. [back] .

91 See General Conference Bulletin of 1891 where these 16 studies are recorded.
Obtainable from the Heritage Room, James White Library, Andrews University. We will
be referring to a facsimile reproduction from the General Conference Bulletin (1891)
lithographed by A. L. Hudson, Baker, Oregon, U.S.A., consisting of 54 pages. [back] .

92 We notice this same emphasis on soteriology in Waggoner's periodical articles during

the period 1890-92. His favorite themes were the law and the gospel and how
righteousness is obtained through justification by faith. [back] .

93 E. J. Waggoner, "Letter to the Romans - No. 1," General Conference Bulletin, 1891:
"There is but one doctrine we have to preach, that is the gospel of Christ" (p.1).
Waggoner in this first lecture states that our task is not to preach a message comprising
such subjects as the law, the Sabbath, the nature of man, the advent, etc., to which we add
a little gospel. All of these Biblical doctrines are summed up in righteousness by faith,
justification by faith and the gospel of Christ. See also "The Christian a Debtor," Bible
Echo and Signs of the Times, June 15 and December 1, 1891. [back] .

94 Waggoner discusses the state of sin in "Letter to the Romans - No. 9." He says many
will question as to why we are here in this 'sinful condition' without having had any
choice in the matter. He says: "Now we know that there was one man in the beginning,
and he fell. We are his children, and it is impossible for us to be born in any higher
condition than he was" (p.13). While this condition is not our fault and we might not
understand it, "We know that we are in a sinful condition and that this sinful condition, is
a lust condition" Therefore, let us acknowledge our lost condition in Adam and take hold
of salvation in Christ. "The work of Adam plunged man into sin; the work of Christ
brings men out of sin" (Ibid., p.14). [back] .

95 Waggoner believed that God's righteousness is "summed up in the ten

commandments" ("Letter to the Romans - No. 1," p.1). However, no man can find
harmony with the law through his works. "Whoever seeks to be justified by his works
will reap only wrath" ("Letter to the Romans - No. 9," (p.13). Discussing Paul's statement
that "by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous" (Rom; 5:19), Waggoner
states: "That settles the whole question, as to whether you and I can do works that will
make us righteous" (Ibid., p.15). [back] .

96 Note Waggoner's thought on the righteousness found in Christ: "The law requires in
man the perfect righteousness manifested in the life of Christ" ("Letter to the Romans-
No. 3," General Conference Bulletin, 1891, p.3); "In Christ is the perfect righteousness of
the law" ("Letter to the Romans-No. 4," p.4); Christ could lay down His life and take it
up again "because he was sinless" and was the only one "who was perfectly sinless"
("Letter to the Romans-No. 8," p.11); furthermore: "Sin had spent all its force on him,
and had not marred him in the least...the only sinless life is the life of the Son of God"
(Ibid., p.12); "There is one spotless life...He could stand before the world, and challenge
any to convict him of sin" ("Letter to the Romans - No. 9," p.15); "He had no sin,
consequently the law had no claim upon him" ("Letter to the Romans - No. 10, p.18). See
also "The Unconquerable Life," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, October 15, 1892,
where Waggoner says: life which Christ lived was untainted by sin." [back] .

97 See Waggoner's two articles entitled "How Righteousness is Obtained," Bible Echo
and Signs of the Times, November 1, 1890; September 1, 1891. [back] .

98 Speaking on Romans 3, Waggoner refers to Christ's gift of His righteousness and says
the prophets bore witness to this "for they preached justification through Christ, by faith"
("Letter to the Romans-No. 4," General Conference Bulletin, 1891, p.4). He says: "There
is but one thing in this world that a man needs, and that is justification...Righteousness
can only be attained through faith; consequently all things worthy to be preached, must
tend to justification by faith" (Ibid.). He says that justification by faith covers the present
as well as the past (Ibid.). Waggoner states that if we do not preach justification by faith
we are not preaching the gospel ("Letter to the Romans - No. 5," p.6). He continues to
say: "Those that are justified will be saved, and those that are not justified will be lost"
("Letter to the Romans - No. 16," p.52). Seeing that we are unprofitable servants, eternal
life must be "the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord" (see "Unprofitable
Servants," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, February 1, 1892). [back] .

99 Note Waggoner's thought: "God has promised to make us righteous, and the only way
to obtain that righteousness is to believe that God is able to impute it" ("Letter to the
Romans-No. 6," p.7). While Waggoner does here speak of imputation the general thrust
of his 1891 Romans lectures is toward an infusion of Christ's righteousness into the heart
of the believer, thus actually making him righteous. Thus actual righteousness and
obedience comes through faith in Christ. When Waggoner says in "The Unconquerable
Life," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, October 15, 1892: "This endless, spotless life
Christ gives to all who believe on Him" he does not clarify whether this is by imputation
or by actuality in impartation. [back] .

100 Observe Waggoner's thought: "When the Lord puts it on [robe of righteousness], it is
not as an outward garment merely; but He puts it right through a man, so that he is all
righteous" ("Letter to the Romans-No. 3," p.4); see also "Christ the End of the Law,"
Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, February 15, 1892. While Waggoner clearly has an
element of declarative righteousness in his doctrine of justification by faith, which covers
the sins of the past, he appears to lay stress on God's making the sinner righteous in
justification. This raises the whole question of the dialogue and controversy regarding the
analytical or synthetic character of justification by faith. If Waggoner is considered to
espouse the view of analytical justification it should be remembered that this term has
been used to describe a very broad spectrum of views. See G. C. Berkouwer, Faith and
Justification, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1954, pp.91-140; Hans Küng,
Justification, The Doctrine of Karl Barth and a Catholic Reflection, London: Burns and
Oates, 1964; 0. J. Venter, Analities of Sinteties? Kampen: J. H. Kok, 1959. [back] .

101 Waggoner sees it as a precious thought that we can be one flesh with Christ. We see
"the mystery of the Incarnation appearing again." If we can believe that God was
incarnate in Christ we can believe that Christ can live in our flesh today. (See "Letter to
the Romans - No. 12," p.27). [back] .

102 "Christ in us obeys, and by His obedience we are made righteous" ("Letter to the
Romans - No. 10," p.17). [back] .

103 Waggoner says that if we have Christ's life His obedience works in us and that makes
us righteous. We cannot say that Christ obeyed for us and therefore we can do as we
please. "His obedience must be manifested in us day by day. It is not our obedience, but
the obedience of Christ working in us" (See "Letter to the Romans - No. 9," p.15). While
Ellen White would agree that the child of God cannot simply do as he pleases after
justification she does emphasize that Christ kept the law for us: "Every soul may say: 'By
His perfect obedience He has satisfied the claims of the law, and my only hope is found
in looking to Him as my Substitute and Surety, who obeyed the law perfectly for me'" (E.
G. White, Selected Messages, Book 1, p.396, from "The Bible Students' Library" series,
April, 1893). [back] .

104 Waggoner states that Paul is not relating his own Christian experience. "He is writing
the experience of those who serve, but in the oldness of the letter, and while professedly
serving God, are carnal, and sold under sin" ("Letter to the Romans - No. 11," p.26).
[back] .

105 Waggoner says that we are made partakers of the divine nature, thus: "He has taken
away this sinful nature, - taken it upon Himself that we might be delivered from it"
("Letter to the Romans-No. 12," p.29). See also "The Issues of the Present Times," Bible
Echo and Signs of the Times, March 1, 1890. [back] .

106 Waggoner writes: "If we have the life of Christ, and it is working in us, it must do for
us all that it did for Him when He was in Galilee and Judea" ("Letter to the Romans - No.
10," p.19). [back] .

107 Waggoner says that we do not understand the power of justification by faith. It
should be able to lead to sinless living. He reprimands the preacher for his lack of faith:
"We have never dared to come to that place where we would believe that the Christian
life should be a sinless life. We have not dared to believe it or preach it. But in that case
we cannot preach the law of God fully" (see "Letter to the Romans - No. 10," p.19).
[back] .

108 Waggoner says that sometimes we think that the patriarchs and prophets looked
forward to Christ and we look back to the cross. This is not so, for Waggoner says: "We
look up to Christ, and so did they. We look to Christ a loving Redeemer by our side, and
so did they" (emphasis Waggoner's in "Letter to the Romans-No.8," p.9). On the same
page Waggoner speaks of a "present Saviour" to both Old and New Testament times.
Because of this forgiveness of sin in Old Testament times was real (see Waggoner, "Real
Forgiveness," Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, June 15, 1890). [back] .

109 Note Waggoner's conviction: "Now the question arises, Was this preaching of Paul's
anything like the third angel's message, or the three-fold message which is committed to
us? Did his preaching differ from the preaching which we preach? If it differs, are we
preaching what we ought to preach? In other words, should our preaching embrace
anything more than what the apostle Paul had? If it does, then whatever it may be, we had
better get rid of it as soon as we can" ("Letter to the Romans - No. 16," p.48). Contrary to
Waggoner's sentiments, there is some contemporary Adventist conviction that the
message given by Adventists in Rev. 14:6-12 is definitely an advance on Paul's
preaching. [back] .

110 See Waggoner's entire last lecture on Romans at the General Conference Session of
1891 ("Letter to the Romans - No. 16," pp.47-54). [back] .

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

C. The Third Period: 1892-1916

This third period of Waggoner's life which we have chosen may be sub-divided into two
sub-divisions. The first division would cover the time when Waggoner was in England
serving as editor of the Present Truth (1892-1903).111 This would be the most important
section of the two sub-divisions and will demand most of our attention in connection with
Waggoner's Christology. The second division of the total period would be Waggoner's
years of decline, as far as his connection with church work was concerned (1903-1916).112
This latter time period did not see any major Christological development over his years in
England.

In focusing on Waggoner's Christology during the first half of the period, namely, 1892-
1903, we will do this thematically as we did with the first two periods of Waggoner's
ministry. We will look at Waggoner's Christology under the following seven headings:
Christ considered as God; Christ the only means of salvation; the unity of Christ's work
in Old and New Testament times; Christ sinless but made sin; the internal and immanent
Christ; Christ produces sinless living in man; and the blurring of grace and nature. We
will devote an eighth section to a general overview of the main Christological position of
Waggoner in the years of decline (1903-1916).

1. Christ Considered as God

Waggoner upheld the divinity of Christ during this period. In an article in The Present
Truth of 1896113 he gave textual evidence for Christ as Creator in evidence of His divinity.
He maintained that Christ is not a created being and only a misconception of Revelation
3:14 would lead one into this error. Christ is of the very substance and nature of God and
has life in Himself, possessing immortality in His own right. Christ is properly called
Jehovah and the self-existent One. It is right and proper to worship the Son. Waggoner
taught that Christ was begotten but not created. For Waggoner this begetting, whatever it
indicated, was so far back in the days of eternity that it meant practically without
beginning.114 In a pamphlet, "How to Get Knowledge," Waggoner sees all true wisdom
centered in Christ. For him Christ is the only manifestation of God and is the source of all
creation. Christ is the beginning, the head, or source of the creation of God. The study of
natural science must begin and end with the study of God in Christ.115

In The Glad Tidings Waggoner gives an exposition of Paul's epistle to the Galatians.116
While focusing on the message to the Galatians, aspects of Waggoner's Christology are
clearly apparent. One of the important themes relative to Christ in this book deals with
the divinity of Christ. Waggoner sees all gospel teaching as based on the fact of the
divinity of Christ.117 He sees Jesus Christ and God the Father associated on equal terms.118
Waggoner accepts Christ as the truth, the power of God, and the Divinity of God.119 In
summarizing the first chapter of Galatians, Waggoner "notes the fact that Christ is
Divine."120 In this book Waggoner presents Christ as of the same substance as the Father
and as one with Him.121 It is from this high sense of the nature of Christ that Waggoner
discusses the claims of the gospel in this epistle.

It is important to note Waggoner's emphasis on the distinction between the divine Christ
and the Man, Jesus of Nazareth. He says that Christ is larger than the visible Jesus of
Nazareth. Flesh and blood cannot fully reveal the Christ. By the Spirit, Christ can dwell
in every man on earth, and fill the heavens as well, a thing which Jesus in the flesh could
not do.122 We observed this same hint of what is called the 'extra-Calvanisticum' in
Waggoner's work of 1890.123

2. Christ the Only Means of Salvation

Waggoner sees Christ in His person and work as unique and believed that He was the
only means and channel of salvation. To trust in anyone or anything else is to remove
Christ from His singular position as Saviour. Any teaching that leads men to trust in any
object or any work or effort of their own for salvation, is a perversion of the truth of the
gospel. It is only the life of God in Christ which has efficacy for salvation.124
To trust in Christ plus anything in addition is to destroy the unique role and work of
Christ. Waggoner, in discussing the true gospel and a counterfeit gospel, indicates that
although the question of the specific rite of circumcision for the purpose of salvation is
not an issue today, the question of salvation itself, whether by human works or by Christ
alone, is as live as ever. He states that when people lose the unique place of Christ in
salvation they are in danger of drifting far and will surely return to their former evil ways.
It is dangerous to turn any man away from Christ to some substitute.126

3. The Unity of Christ's Work in Old and New Testament Times

During this period Waggoner continued to maintain the unity between the Old and New
Testament dispensations. He did not see a dichotomy between the Old Testament and
Christianity. For him the religion of the Old Testament was Christianity. He saw
perverted 'Judaism' as a rejection of the gospel as set forth in the Old Testament and a
following of tradition. Waggoner believed that Moses revealed Christ.127 Waggoner
strongly advocated that Moses and Christ cannot be separated and we must believe in
both.128

In The Glad Tidings (1900) Waggoner continues to depict Christ's work as uniform in
both dispensations. He takes a typically anti-dispensational stance regarding the work of
Christ. Because God does not change, Waggoner cannot see any change in the gospel.
The same gospel which Paul preached to the Corinthians - "Jesus Christ and Him
crucified" - was the gospel preached by Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses and Isaiah. "Thus
we find that the way of salvation has every age.”129

Speaking of Christ as the Mediator, Waggoner says:

"It should be understood that Christ's work as Mediator is not limited either as to time or
extent...Christ was Mediator before sin came into the world, and will be Mediator when
no sin is in the universe, and no need for expiation...He is, then, the means, medium,
Mediator, the way, by which the light of life pervades the universe. He did not first
become Mediator at the fall of man, but was such from eternity.”130

It is interesting to note that Waggoner here also indicates the eternity of Christ which
could be an advancement on his 1890 position.131 In Waggoner's interpretation of the
phrase 'after that faith is come' (Gal. 3:25), he takes the position that this refers not to a
point in time but to one in experience.132 In this way he avoids two dispensations and has
the work of Christ and the gospel maintain their uniformity in all times. He does also
apply the phrase 'till the Seed should come' in a unique way as referring for its complete
fulfillment to the second advent of Christ.133 Waggoner also sees the sacrifice of Christ as
efficacious for all times: "It is 'through the eternal Spirit' that He offers Himself for us
(Heb. 9:14), so that the sacrifice is equally present and efficacious in every age."134

In The Everlasting Covenant (1900),135 Waggoner again reiterates the truth that Christ is
the Mediator of the covenant throughout the gospel dispensation which runs from Eden
lost to Eden restored.136 Christ is the only means of salvation and no change in this
method has been made by God.137 In the entire experience of Abraham and especially in
the covenant which God made with him it is clear that Abraham saw Christ and believed
in Him as his Savior. Waggoner believes that in Abraham's experience with Isaac, the
patriarch perceived the reality of God's revelation in Christ and saw His death and
resurrection.138In the experience of Jacob Christ is represented by the ladder connecting
heaven and earth.139 Waggoner believed that Moses clearly understood the sacrifice of
Christ for man and had such a knowledge of Christ as few other men have had. Moses
gladly accepted the reproach of Christ.140 Waggoner was clear that Israel of old
understood and knew Christ as a real and living Saviour.141 For him Calvary and Sinai are
connected and linked by the presence of Jesus Christ.142

4. Christ Sinless but made Sin

In this period Waggoner proceeds with the almost paradoxical position that Christ came
in sinful flesh with the same evil tendencies as all other flesh, and yet maintains the
sinlessness of Christ. He sees Christ as born in sinful flesh and believes that if the flesh of
Jesus was not like ours it would involve the idea of the immaculate conception.143
Strangely enough, after taking his stand on the similarity of Christ and all other men,
Waggoner maintains that it was Christ's miraculous birth which neutralized the evil
tendencies of His evil ancestry.144

Despite this picture of a Christ in sinful flesh possessing evil tendencies, Waggoner
endeavors to maintain the sinlessness of Christ. He says that because Christ was sinless
Satan could not have power over Christ's life and the grave could not hold Him captive.
Because His life was untainted by sin He could not be held bondage to this evil world.145

In The Glad Tidings (1900) the problem of the sinful nature of Christ is not accentuated
as much as in Waggoner's earlier Christ and His Righteousness (1890) and The Signs of
the Times article, "God Manifest in the Flesh," of January 21, 1889. He presents Christ as
without sin of His own and yet made sin for man. He says that these sins were not merely
figuratively laid on Christ, but they were actually in Him.146 Waggoner also sees Christ
continually bearing the sins of all men in an intimate association with mankind.147

5. The Internal and Immanent Christ

As this period progressed Christ became more and more immanent in Waggoner's
thinking. More emphasis was placed upon an internalized Christ of the heart and the life
than the Christ of history. The internal, existential crucifixion of Christ in the heart of the
believer took on great importance. In fact, the distinction between Christ and all
humanity became blurred, for Waggoner maintained that Christ dwells in all sinful human
flesh awaiting only to be recognized by the awakened sinner. This whole tendency on the
part of Waggoner grew slowly, gaining greater momentum around 1897 and flowering by
1900 when The Glad Tidings and The Eternal Covenant appeared.148
By 1900 Waggoner's emphasis on the immanent, internal Christ had become pronounced.
One could defend Waggoner to some extent for a legitimate usage of Paul's concept of the
abiding Christ in the life (See Eph. 3:17; Col. 1:27).149However, Waggoner proceeds
further to declare that Christ abides in the flesh of sinners. He says: "What a glorious
thought that wherever sin is there is Christ, the Saviour from sin! He bears sin, all sin, the
sin of the world. Sin is in all flesh, and so Christ is come in all flesh."150 Waggoner is
clear that Christ dwells and abides in all men whether they recognize it or not. The very
fact that we live is evidence that Christ is in all men. Sometimes the mere fact of living
and breathing is the only evidence that Christ is there.151 For Waggoner, the internal
experience of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ is vital. He says: "A man may
believe that Jesus was crucified eighteen hundred years ago, and may die in his sins; but
he who believes that Christ is crucified and risen in him, has salvation."152

6. Christ Produces Sinless Living in Man

In Waggoner's emphasis on the Christ of the inner life he maintained that the power of
Christ would be radically manifested in the believer. The power of the crucifixion and the
resurrection would be demonstrated in the life. Christ's healing of the palsied man
illustrated the powerful effect of the forgiveness of sins. Just as physical healing brought
restoration, so forgiveness of sin would bring an eradication of evil from the heart and
life. This power of Christ in the heart would bring about sinless living, perfect obedience
and the conquering of all lust, for Christ would do the obeying rather than man.153

While Waggoner accepted that the corruptible and sinful body would remain with us until
the end, he believed that God would demonstrate His perfection in man through the
indwelling Christ. This demonstration of God's power and ability would be seen in a
group of people before Christ returns at the end of time.154Christ is the power of God for
He is the Creator and when Christ abides in the heart by faith this brings the power of
God into the life of man.155 When Christ dwells in the heart of man He will be as obedient
to the law as He was eighteen hundred years ago.156 Waggoner, furthermore, saw the
internal Christ living the perfect life in place of the believer who exercised faith in Christ.
Notice his words: "It is not we that live, but Christ that lives in us, and uses His own faith
to deliver us from the power of Satan."157

7. The Blurring of Nature and Grace

It is important to notice the gradual merging in the thinking of Waggoner between the
spiritual and the natural worlds. This blurring of grace and nature began almost
imperceptibly like a tiny flow until it grew into a steady stream. No doubt, his very
emphasis on the internal and immanent Christ abiding in all flesh contributed to this
merging of the two realms. We notice an innocent reference to the similarity between
redemption and creation in 1893.158 While this position is Scriptural it can also serve as a
foundation for a progressive blurring of the spiritual and the natural realms. We observe a
tendency in 1895 to equate the gospel, at least partially, with the revelation of God's
power in the grass and flowers.159

Waggoner's book, The Gospel in Creation,160 while setting forth important spiritual truths
from the natural world could very well indicate the beginnings of a path which might
eventually lead Waggoner onto the slippery rocks of pantheism. Some have believed that
the contents of this work might also reflect the message of 1888 but there is no evidence
for this.161

In the Introduction to the book, Waggoner indicates that the reason why comfort and hope
can be found in the Scriptures, and particularly the Old Testament, is because Christ is
found in them. He maintains that the Old Testament contains the gospel. Creation is
intricately related to Christ as Creator and to the gospel message.162

Waggoner devotes one chapter to each day of creation and draws spiritual lessons from
each day's activities. In the first chapter he emphasizes that Christ is the Creator and gives
Scriptural evidence for this. He maintains that Christ is inseparably connected with
creation as Creator.163 By virtue of His power as Creator, Christ is set forth as
Redeemer.164 As to whether redemption or creation are the greater, Waggoner believes
that both are equal, for redemption is creation.165 It is only as we acknowledge and
worship Christ as the Creator that we acknowledge His divinity. Only by faith does one
get to know the alphabet and Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, even the entire
alphabet of God.166 Christ is the Word and just as everything Was spoken into existence in
the beginning, so Christ is the divine Word who speaks righteousness upon the sinner.167
Not only does Christ speak everything into existence, but He holds everything together as
well. Christ is a Rock and as we build on the Rock we become part of Him.168 The word
of God creates and upholds all things and the gospel is simply the creative power of God
applied to men.169 Christ as Creator created light and He is light. The light of Christ's
sinless life is to shine into the dark and evil hearts of mankind and this light of Christ is
the only source of righteousness.170 Righteousness is only found in Christ and thus man
can only live a righteous life if Christ, the light of the world, is abiding in him.171

For the second day Waggoner sees the clouds, the rain and the bow as symbolic of God's
presence, grace and pardon. On the spiritual plane these are revealed to us in Jesus
Christ.172 Christ, the Creator, who brought the sea into existence was able to control its
raging waters when He was on earth, and the growth of plant life reminds us of Him who
created this on the third day and is still able to control all physical and spiritual growth.173

The fourth day declares God's creative power in the heavens. The heavens, according to
Waggoner, preach the gospel and reveal Christ as the light of the world. The sun reminds
us that Christ is the brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His person.
The heavens show forth the faithfulness of God and Christ is the faithful and true
Witness. The saints will in the future shine as the stars which will be the flashing forth of
the grace with which they were filled by the indwelling of Christ.174

God's providential care for the animal world created on the fifth day is illustrative of His
care for man through Jesus Christ. While intense activity on the part of the creatures is
evidenced, the gracious nature of God's gifts is reminiscent of the gifts of God by His
Son.175 The creation of man on the sixth day from the dust of the ground is a reminder of
man's frailty and weakness apart from God. Sin entered to mar the image of God in man
but Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of God, is hope. Those who have a relation-ship with
Christ can have real hope for they have life and beyond tomorrow is the hope of the
resurrection and life everlasting.176

The final day of creation week saw the creation of the Sabbath. Christ made the Sabbath
and, therefore, it is the Lord's day.177 As Christ is the only manifestation of God it must
have been Christ who in the act of creation blessed and sanctified the Sabbath. That
which celebrates creation also celebrates redemption and thus the Sabbath points us to
Christ as Creator and Redeemer.178The works of creation show the power and divinity of
the Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the Sabbath is a sign of the divinity of Christ.179
Moreover, true Sabbath rest can only be found for one who trusts in Christ. The Sabbath
is a memorial of a perfect creation and also looks forward to a perfected world where
Christ Himself will lead His people into eternal rest.180

In this manner Waggoner endeavored to tie Christ and the gospel into the very fabric of
creation week. By 1897, when at the General Conference Session Waggoner presented
eighteen studies on the book of Hebrews, his move towards a more pronounced blurring
of grace and nature becomes apparent as we look back objectively from our vantage
point.181 At the fourth lecture Waggoner was suggesting that "God's power is in
everything," and that the gospel is found in the elements of nature.182 During the sixth
lecture he again spoke of God's power in man and appeared to mingle grace and nature as
he spoke of Christ in fallen man.183 We note Waggoner's interest in the close affinity
between divinity and the natural world: "Look at the trees; we see the power and the
divinity of God in the trees and grass, and in everything that God has made, and see it
clearly, too."184 During the seventh lecture Waggoner again mingled the power of God
and the natural world as he spoke of God's life in the grass. He said: "But what was that
power? - God's own life, his own personal presence there, doing in the grass just what he
designed for the grass; it was God that was working in it, both to will and to do of his
own good pleasure."185

We continue to observe this tendency on the part of Waggoner to mingle grace and nature
as he speaks of Christ and His presence in all of nature. Speaking during the eighth
lecture on the nearness of Christ, he said: "Why? - Because the Lord Jesus is in
everything that he has made. He upholds all things, because he is in them. He is cohesion
even to inanimate nature."186 In the ninth lecture we find Waggoner again mingling Christ
and nature as He identified Christ with light. He says that we should "simply drink in the
light, and that is the life of Christ."187 In the closing lecture on the book of Hebrews,
Waggoner again identified natural and moral law188 and spoke of God and Christ as a
force manifest in all matter: "God himself is personally present in all his works. He
himself is the energy that is manifest in all creation. God himself is force, the force that is
manifest in all matter."189 After speaking of God as force and power Waggoner pointed
out that Jesus Christ is the wisdom and the power of God. Was he here also implying that
Jesus Christ is a force which fills all sinners and all nature? We have now completed our
brief review of Waggoner's presentations at the 1897 General Conference Session.190

At the General Conference Session of 1899 Waggoner spoke on the gospel of health and
the mingling of nature and grace is apparent as he spoke of Christ and literal bread as
well as natural air and the Holy Spirit. Speaking of removing from our tables everything
that is corrupted he said: "Whoever really recognizes Christ in the bread, ought to cut off
every-thing from his table that which is not purely of Christ, and that does not have the
pure life of Christ in it."191 In Waggoner's message on the water of life at the same session
we find that Waggoner continued with the blurring of the distinction between the natural
and the spiritual worlds as he spoke of water and righteousness.192

In The Everlasting Covenant (1900) we continue to see evidences of this mingling of

grace and nature. Waggoner discovers the life of Christ in all creation including our water
and our daily bread. Christ is our life and apart from Him there is no life "so that
wherever there is any life there is evidence of the presence of God in Christ."193 After
referring to Romans 1:20 where God's power and divinity are seen in the things that are
made, Waggoner declares that here again we are brought face to face with the actual
presence of Christ in all creation.194 In commenting on the experience at Horeb where the
Lord gave the Israelites water, Waggoner indicates that if they had accepted Him by faith
in this incident "His Real Presence would have been in them by means of the water which
they drank, as well as by the food that they ate. "195

In this work under consideration, Waggoner sees the communion bread, not as a
representation or symbol of the body of Christ, but the actual body of Christ. Although
the bread of the Lord's supper was the ordinary bread eaten in every Jewish home, it was
nothing else than the body of Christ. Waggoner finds this unequivocal in the words, "This
is my body." He says: "So in the Lord's supper we partake of the body of Christ, and not a
mere representation of His body."196

Finally, we mention that at the1901 General Conference Session Waggoner again showed
his deep interest in his conviction that nature and grace should not be separated. In
discussing the Biblical statement, "God is light," Waggoner stated that he believed this
just as it read. He did not trouble his mind to differentiate between 'spiritual' or 'literal' or
'figurative' language, but accepted the Biblical statement at face value.197 In this same
message he indicated that light, food, drink and air are all manifestations of the life of
God.198 Thus we have seen Waggoner's growing interest in the relationship between
redemption and creation commencing imperceptibly in 1893 and having become
pronounced and all-absorbing in 1901.

We have now given consideration to Waggoner's Christology during the first half of the
third period, namely, 1892-1903. Waggoner continued to give prominence to the divinity
of Christ as he had done throughout the first two periods. In this respect there was no
fundamental change. He likewise maintained his convictions on Christ as the only means
of salvation. His usual clarity regarding the unity of Christ's work in Old and New
Testament times is evident. Regarding Christ and sin, Waggoner proceeded along former
lines that Jesus Christ was sinless although coming in sinful flesh. Here we have some
tension in a Christ in sinful flesh subject to evil tendencies and yet sinless because of His
miraculous birth. Whatever the intricacies of the humanity of Christ might be, these are
overshadowed by the implications of Waggoner's emphasis on Christ's divinity. During
this period we found a growing interest and concern for the internal and immanent Christ.
This naturally led Waggoner to the belief that an indwelling Christ would produce sinless
living in man, even if it called for the overshadowing of man's personality. We finally
discovered that Waggoner's interest in the immanent Christ was a part of his larger
concern for the blending and mingling of all aspects of deity with nature.

8. The Christology of the Declining Years199

During this second sub-division of the last period we will look at two sources as we
continue our investigation of Waggoner's Christology. The first will be periodical articles
during 1903-1905 and secondly, a document entitled the "Confession of Faith" written by
Waggoner shortly before his death in 1916.200

a. Periodical Articles, 1903-1905

In perusing these articles we discover that Waggoner's Christology was basically the
same now as during the latter part of the 19th century and the early 1900's. The
transitional period was roughly from 1893-1897201 and beyond the latter date there was no
marked change in his Christology.

The articles in the periodicals from 1903-1905 reveal at least five aspects of the nature of
the person and work of Christ in Waggoner's thinking. Firstly, Waggoner presents Christ
as sinless at least in action, and in fact has little to say regarding the sinful nature of
Christ. He indicates that our sinful natures make it impossible for us to judge others. Yet
despite this we may work for the salvation of sinners. The work of the gospel has been
committed to sinners, so much so that even He "who knew no sin had to be made sin for
us, in order that He might save us from sin," therefore, Waggoner says that "we have no
divine warrant for judging, for Christ, the sinless One, did not cast stones."202 Here we
have Waggoner's balance between a Christ who "knew no sin," called "the sinless One,"
and yet "made sin" for us.

Secondly, Waggoner presents Christ as the power of God and the One who is equal with
the Father, claiming the attributes and appellations of the Godhead. Waggoner speaks of
the life-giving power that flowed from Christ when He healed the sick. In describing the
healing of the woman with the blood affliction (Mark 5:24-34), he writes: "The power,
the life that went out from Jesus, went into the woman."203 Waggoner indicates that the
fullness of the power of the universe was manifested in Christ bodily while He was on
earth.204 He also refers to the divine nature of Christ being infinite.205

In this same connection we find that Waggoner ascribes the names of deity to Christ. He
discusses the significance of the "I AM" appellation for Christ's person.206 He also refers
to Christ as the 'Word of God,’207 the 'Creator' and the 'Amen,' 208 the ‘Lifegiver’209 and
the 'Power of God.' 210When Waggoner discusses the Lord's prayer one senses his
conviction on the equality of the Father and the Son in his treatment of the phrase
'Hallowed be Thy name.'

Thirdly, Waggoner continues to reveal a lack of sharp distinction between the life of
Christ and the life manifest in the natural world. We have already given evidence for this
in his Christology of the latter part of the 19th century.211This merging of deity and nature
on the part of Waggoner continued to be a feature of his Christology. For example, he
indicates that the light that shines is but the shining forth of God's glory and that when
Christ said He was the light of the world He meant it literally. In describing Christ's
healing of the blind man, Waggoner states that when Christ said, "I am the light of the
world" (John 8:12) He meant "that He is the light that shines from the sun; that He is the
light that shines in the daylight, in the starlight."212

Furthermore, Waggoner mingles the life of Christ with the plants and the vines of the
natural world. In speaking of Christ as the vine he could say: "He [Christ] is the parent
stock whence all vines on earth spring; and therefore when that same night He took the
cup containing the fruit of the vine, He could say, 'This is my blood.'"213 From his
treatment of the communion bread and the body of Christ214 we would assume that
Waggoner is likewise stressing the identity between the fruit of the vine and the blood of
Christ.

Fourthly, Waggoner shows continued emphasis on the existential nature of the cross and
resurrection experience in his treatment of the work of Christ. Not that he would reject
the reality of the cross and its significance, but it would appear that his interest was
primarily in the existential application of the cross experience in the heart of the
believer.215 Lastly, we note that Waggoner continued to lay stress on the internal and
immanent Christ as he did in the period from 1893-1903,216 which appears to harmonize
with his views concerning the identity of deity and nature and the existential nature of the
cross.217

b. The "Confession of Faith"

This brief document found on Waggoner's desk after his death in 1916 does reflect the
basic issues of his Christology at the close of his life.

Waggoner set forth the fundamental truth that Christ is the Word of God and is the
revelation of God to this world. This revelation must be seen as central to the Scriptures
and a failure to find Christ thus revealed indicates a faulty hermeneutic.218

According to Waggoner God is first revealed to us in Scripture as the Creator in Christ.

Christ as the living Word spoke everything into existence and the truth of Christ's creative
power is foundational for Christ as Redeemer.219 Whether speaking of creation or the
power of re-creation in redemption, Christ is the Mediator - the medium through whom
the work is accomplished.220

Very clear is Waggoner's expression of the uniformity of the work of Christ and the
gospel throughout all times. He takes a very strong anti-dispensational stance and finds
the same Christ operative in the lives of the patriarchs of the Old Testament as in the
saints of New Testament times.221

In this last testament of Waggoner he appears to present the paradox of Christ taking the
nature "of sinful man”222 and yet offering a “perfect life - a life free from sin,...”

Waggoner presents Jesus Christ as occupying the triple office of Prophet, Priest and King
simultaneously and concurrently from eternity rather than consecutively. Christ has
always been Prophet in that He is the Living Word who has always spoken for God.
Waggoner sees Christ as the mouthpiece of Divinity. He sees Christ as Heir and King
long before Bethlehem for He was born to the throne from His "goings forth." He
likewise sees Christ's Priesthood reaching back at least from the foundation of the earth
and bases this on the experiences of Abraham, David and Isaiah.223

In this final statement of Waggoner the existential nature of the cross relative to the work
of Christ stands out very strongly. He repeats his conviction that the cross of Calvary
profits us nothing unless it is erected in our own hearts and we are thus crucified with
Him. Waggoner understands Paul to indicate that "we do not find Christ in heaven or in
the grave, but only within, crucified and risen again in our own hearts."224

Waggoner sees the gift of God's life which since the fall comes by the way of the cross of
Christ as the great fact of eternity and not simply the event of a day.225 God is always
giving and the cross is the method of giving during the time of sin. Thus, Waggoner sees
the cross as an ever-present reality for all men and not as something confined to Palestine
nineteen hundred years ago. He believed that no one ever had to look either backward or
forward, but only upward and within, to find the cross.226

Thus ends Waggoner's contribution to the Christology of Adventism. It has been an

important and controversial one and it now awaits our evaluation and critique.

________________

111 In England Waggoner and his family lived in London. While editor of The Present
Truth, he also had charge of the church work in North London, and was also engaged in
conducting Sunday night evangelistic services and general evangelism in many parts of
England. Throughout his stay in England he was busy with editorial, ministerial and
evangelistic work. His daughter reports that her father was a member of a male quartet
which often sang at general meetings. About 1895, Waggoner, along with A T Jones,
made a trip through Turkey. In 1897 he spent a summer leading out as a Bible Instructor
at the new and large school at Frederickshaven, Denmark. In 1899 Waggoner helped out
at the Lausanne campmeeting in Switzerland. In 1901 he co-operated with Professor
Homer Salisbury and his wife in starting the first Adventist school in England. School
was held in Duncombe Hall, North London, and Waggoner taught Bible. This school was
later transferred and built up at Watford. In 1902 he spent two or three months teaching
Bible at Skodsborg Sanitarium, Denmark, Just before returning to the U.S.A., Waggoner
again spent a short time in 1903 teaching in Denmark. See Pearl Waggoner Howard, "Dr
Ellet Joseph Waggoner, Biographical Sketch and Background." [back]

112 We have observed that in 1905 Waggoner was divorced from his wife and the
following year was married to Miss Edith Adams. These events resulted in Waggoner's
severance from church employment and hence we have spoken of his declining years of
influence in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. [back]

113 E. J. Waggoner, "The Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ," The Present Truth, January
9, 1896. For Waggoner's application of the 'I AM' passages to Christ see the following:
"True Education," The Daily Bulletin of the General Conference, Vol. 8, No. 7, February
23, 1899, pp.70-72; "The Wondrous Name," The Present Truth, Vol. 15, No. 18, May 4,
1899; General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 1V, Extra No. 10, April 14, 1901, pp. 220-224.
See also "Studies in the book of Hebrews No. 1,2," The Daily Bulletin, 1897, pp.6-9; 23-
26. [back]

114 For the above thoughts see Waggoner, "The Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ," The
Present Truth, Vol. 12, No. 2, January 9, 1896, pp.17-19. We observe the similarity in
Waggoner's basic views on the divinity of Christ running right through from 1884 (see
footnotes 16-21; 57-74 of this chapter). [back]

115 E. J. Waggoner, "How to Get Knowledge," Apples of Gold Library, No. 4, Oakland,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Co., September, 1893. [back]

116 E. J. Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, Oakland, California: Pacific Press Publishing Co.,
1900. From the earliest years of his editorial work the epistle to the Galatians had been a
fruitful source for Waggoner. Even before Minneapolis (1888) while editor of The Signs
of the Times many of his editorials touched on the themes of Galatians. During July and
August, 1886, he wrote a series of nine editorials on Galatians 3. Then we have his reply
to Butler dated February 10, 1887, entitled The Gospel in the Book of Galatians, a 71-
page pamphlet which was distributed almost two years later. This pamphlet is not as
comprehensive as his 1900 The Glad Tidings. The pamphlet confines itself to certain
themes in the epistle such as the relationship between circumcision and righteousness,
justification by faith in Christ alone, salvation through Christ alone in all dispensations,
the centrality of the moral law in the epistle, the seed that should come, the phrase 'under
the law' and Christ's position in the Incarnation relative to that term. From November
1898 to May 1899 Waggoner placed a series of twenty-one articles on Galatians in The
Signs of the Times. These messages became the basis of The Glad Tidings. [back]
117 Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p.13. [back]

118 Ibid. [back]

119 Note Waggoner's words: "Now Christ is the truth (John 14:6-, and He is the power of
God (1 Cor. 1:24), and the Divinity of God (John 1:1)" (Waggoner, The Glad Tidings,
p.35). [back]

120 Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p.52. [back]

121 We note Waggoner's thought: "Truth for Christ, who is the shining of His glory, very
impress of His substance (Heb. 1:3), is (John 14:6)" (Ibid., p.67). [back]

122 Waggoner writes as follows: "Jesus of Nazareth was 'the manifestation of Christ in
the flesh;' but the flesh was not Christ, for 'the flesh profitteth nothing.' It is the Word
which was in the beginning, and whose power upholds all things, that is the Christ of
God... While Christ was going about doing good in Judea and Galilee, He was in the
bosom of the Father making reconciliation for the sins of the world" (Waggoner, The
Glad Tidings, pp.90.91). [back] >

123 We found this same thought in Waggoner's Christ and His Righteousness of 1890
(see footnote 72 of this chapter). In 1900 Waggoner appears to be even more outspoken
in this regard. [back]

124 See Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p.66. [back]

125 See Ibid., p.95. [back]

126 Waggoner comments: "But remember this one thing, when you seek to turn a man
away from Christ to some substitute for Christ, you cannot tell where he will end...If a
converted drunkard loses faith in Christ, he will take up his drinking habits as surely as
he lives, even though the Lord may have taken the appetite away from him" (Ibid.,
p.176). [back] >

127 See Waggoner, "Judaism and Christianity," in The Signs of the Times, August 1,
1895. Waggoner sees 'Judaism' as it developed by New Testament times as a perversion
of the intent of the Old Testament. He writes: "The religion of the Old Testament is the
religion of Jesus Christ" (The Glad Tidings, p.39). [back]

128 Waggoner, "They Can Not Be Separated," The Signs of the Times, September 19,
1895. [back]

129 Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, pp.28,29. Note also: "The Gospel differs in no
particular now from what it was in Abraham's day: for his day was the day of Christ. John
8:56" (Ibid., p.106). Further: "The Gospel was as full and complete in the days of
Abraham as it has ever been or ever will be" (Ibid., p.136). [back]

130 Ibid., p.141. [back]

131 See footnotes 73 and 74 of this chapter. In 1889 and 1890 Waggoner presented the
Father as first in point of time. In other words, Christ had a beginning even though in the
distant past. [back]

132 See Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, pp.151,152. [back]

133 See Ibid., pp.157,161. Here we are reminded of his same view presented in 1887
when he wrote to G. I. Butler on the gospel in Galatians. See footnotes 25, 26 in this
chapter. [back]

134 Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p.168. [back] >

135 For details see footnote 1 of this chapter. [back]

136 Note Waggoner's words: "But the Scriptures teach us that 'The gospel dispensation'
or 'gospel age' is from Eden lost to Eden restored" (The Everlasting Covenant, p.341).
[back]

137 Waggoner states that from the days of Adam and Eve to the present there "has been
no more change in the plan of salvation, nor in God's requirements for salvation, nor in
the number to whom salvation was offered, than there has been in God Himself..." (Ibid.,
p.353). [back]

138 Waggoner sees in the transaction between Abraham and Melchizedek evidence that
Abraham saw Christ's day (see Ibid., p.64); when Abraham believed the Lord and it was
counted unto him as righteousness, he must have believed in Christ, for righteousness is
only found in Jesus Christ (see Ibid., pp.68,69); Waggoner believed that in the experience
of Abraham and Isaac it was Abraham's faith in Jesus Christ as the resurrection that gave
him strength for the ordeal (see Ibid., p.100,101);see also Ibid., pp.302,341. [back]

139 See Waggoner, The Everlasting Covenant, p.138. [back]

140 See Ibid., p.166. [back]

141 Waggoner says: "Christ was as really present with them as He is with us. They could
endure as seeing Him who is invisible, and we can do no more" (The Everlasting
Covenant, p.200). Waggoner sees all the benefits of Christ's death and resurrection as
operative from the foundation of the world. [back]

142 Waggoner sees Jesus Christ as revealing the holiness of the law of God at both
Calvary and at Sinai. At Calvary this was seen in His death and at Sinai in His
proclamation of the precepts (see The Everlasting Covenant, p.311). [back]

143 In a sermon given on April 16, 1901, at the General Conference Session, Waggoner
discusses the question of the birth of Christ from the Virgin Mary. He states that the flesh
of Christ must have been the same as all other men and must have been sinful flesh. (See
General Conference Bulletin, Vol. IV, Extra, No. 17, April 22, 1901, pp.403-408). In a
sermon at the same session on April 6, 1901, Waggoner reiterates that Christ came in
sinful flesh so that God could demonstrate what His eternal power could do for any man.
(See Ibid., Vol. IV, Extra, No. 6, April 9, 1901, pp.145-150). [back]

144 See Waggoner, "The Miraculous Birth," The Present Truth, December 20, 1900. One
does wonder whether it is possible to hold together a Christ with sinful flesh possessing
evil tendencies from an evil ancestry, and at the same time, a spotless Christ as a result of
a 'miraculous birth'? When Waggoner goes on to state that godly parents could also,
through the power of the Holy Spirit, give birth to a similar child, one wonders if the
unique distinction between the birth of Christ and all other children is not destroyed.
[back]

145 Waggoner states: "Sin had spent all its force on Him, and had not marred Him in the
least. It had not made a single blot upon His character. His was a sinless life, and
therefore the grave could have no power over Him" ("Life in Christ," The Signs of the
Times, Vol. 19, No. 19, March 13, 1893, p.292). For a similar thought see also "The
Unconquerable Life," The Signs of the Times, March 27, 1893, p.323. See also
Waggoner's position on the sinlessness of Christ in 1900; "Christ alone is righteous; He
has overcome the world, and He alone has power to do it; in Him dwelleth all the fullness
of God, because the law - God Himself - was in His heart;" (The Glad Tidings, 1900,
p.80). While the law is an expression of the nature of God we would question Waggoner's
extreme equation of the law with God Himself. [back]

146 Waggoner does not see this as a superficial work. The sins were 'in His body' and
Christ was made a curse for us. While He "knew no sin" He was actually made to be sin
for us and yet was personally untainted by it. (See The Glad Tidings, pp.117,11.) See also
Ibid., p.238. [back]

147 Waggoner has Christ continually bearing sin in an existential relation with the sinner:
"Christ is crucified in the sinner, for wherever there is sin and the curse, there is Christ
bearing it" (The Glad Tidings, p.89). [back]

148 In 1893 there was a legitimate emphasis on the Christ of the heart. Note: "When
Christ is abiding in us, we are justified by faith, and we have His life abiding in us" ("Life
in Christ," The Signs of the Times, March 13, 1893); see also "The New Life in Christ,"
The Bible Echo, March 1, 1893. However, as early as 1893 there are some seed thoughts
which indicate Waggoner's possible predilection towards an over-emphasis on the
immanent Christ. He was speaking of the mystery of the Incarnation being manifested
again today in the lives of men. (See "Good Works," The Signs of the Times, March 20,
1893.) See this same idea in 1891 under footnote 101. He spoke of the internal Christ
taking over the personality "so that the one person is not us but Christ" ("Baptism-Its
Significance," The Bible Echo, February 15, 1893). At the 1897 General Conference
Session E. J. Waggoner gave a series of 18 studies on the epistle to the Hebrews, recorded
in the General Conference Bulletin (1897). This emphasis on the immanent Christ
becomes quite apparent. Note, for example, in the study given on Monday afternoon,
February 15, 1897, Waggoner discusses Romans 10:6-10 and says: "Christ has come in
the flesh, my flesh. Why? Is it because I am so good? - 0, no; for there is no good flesh
for Christ to come into. Christ has come in the flesh, in every man's flesh" ("Studies in
the Book of Hebrews - No. 6," The Daily Bulletin, pp.70,71). Also: "What life therefore
is manifested everywhere in the universe? - The life of Christ...that very same life is in
me, and confess it and believe it, everything that that life can do is mine" ("Studies in the
Book of Hebrews - No. 7," The Daily Bulletin, p.88). See also The Daily Bulletin,
pp.103,104 (study No. 8); also "Studies in Hebrews - No. 18," General Conference
Bulletin, 1897, p.11. [back]

149 For example, when Waggoner says: "In that Christ is given to every man, each
person gets the whole of Him...So the life of Christ lights every man that comes into the
world, and in every believing heart Christ dwells in all His fullness" (The Glad Tidings,
pp.16,17). [back]

150 Waggoner, Salvation in Jesus Christ, Apples of Gold Library, No. 64, October 1899,
p.4. See also General Conference Bulletin, Vol. IV, Extra No. 3, April 5, 1901, p.81,
where he speaks of Christ "taking on Himself sinful flesh, coming into your flesh and
mine, abiding there, standing there, enduring all the shame that we heap upon him"
waiting for the sinner to turn on the connection. [back]

151 See Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p.35.Further to the thought that Christ dwells
personally in all flesh, Waggoner says: "We do not make it so by believing it; it is so,
whether we believe it or not, we simply accept the fact, which all nature reveals to us"
(Ibid., p.81). The only difference is that in the sinner Christ is unrecognized in the life
while the Christian accepts His presence by faith (Ibid., p.89). In The Everlasting
Covenant (1900) Waggoner asks what is the difference between a sinner and a Christian
if Christ is in all men. He says the difference is only one of faith. "It makes all the
difference in the world, whether Christ is in a man simply as His life is in the brutes, or
whether He dwells in the heart by faith" (See pp.248,249). [back]

152 Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p.88. See also Salvation in Jesus Christ, Apples of
Gold Library, No. 64, October 1899, p.4. Waggoner says that the cross cannot be
separated from us. No one was ever saved simply by looking forward or backward to a
cross where Christ was erected. The cross must be internalized. For the same thought in
1891 see footnote 108. See also The Glad Tidings, p.84; Salvation in Jesus Christ,
October 1899, p.3. While it is legitimate to internalize the cross existentially, one must
guard against neglecting the importance of the historical events of Christ's life and death.
[back]

153 Illustrative of this emphasis on the power of the indwelling Christ are Waggoner's
two articles in The Bible Echo, entitled, "The Power of the Resurrection" (August 1,
1893) and "The Power of Forgiveness" (November 1, 1893). In the first article Waggoner
states that we are to know the resurrection of Christ, not as a historical event eighteen
hundred years ago, but as a present reality which gives us forgiveness and victory over
sin. In the second article Waggoner equates the forgiveness of sins with an effective
justification where the sinner receives actual power in forgiveness. Furthermore, the life
of Christ in the believer will demonstrate the same power as in His life. His life in us will
be as strong to resist sin as when He lived in Judea (see "The New Life in Christ," The
Bible Echo, March 1, 1893; compare a similar thought in 1891, "Letter to the Romans -
No. 10," p.19). See also "Christ the Life-Giver," The Signs of the Times, June 5, 1893.
Waggoner sees the gospel as "the revelation of the power of God to work righteousness in
men" ("What is the Gospel?" The Bible Echo, May 1,1893). He accepts that the perfect
life of Jesus will be reproduced in all the true church ("The Spirit of Prophecy," The
Daily Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 2, February 17, 1899, pp.13,14). [back]

154 Waggoner writes: "Before the end comes, and at the time of the coming of Christ,
there must be a people on earth, not necessarily large in proportion to the number of
inhabitants of earth, but large enough to be known in all the earth, in whom 'all the
fullness of God' will be manifest even as it was in Jesus of Nazareth. God will
demonstrate to the world that what He did with Jesus of Nazareth He can do with anyone
who will yield to Him" (The Everlasting Covenant, 1900, p.366). For similar thoughts see
also, sermon, April 6, 1901, General Conference Bulletin, Vol. IV, Extra No. 61, April 9,
1901, p.147; "The Gospel of the Kingdom," European Conference Bulletin, 1902, pp.62-
64.
[back]

155 See Waggoner, The Everlasting Covenant, pp.26,27. See also "The Work of the
Gospel," The Bible Echo, June 15, 1893; "The Power given to God's People," The Bible
Echo, July 1, 1893. [back]

156 Waggoner, The Everlasting Covenant, p.346. See also Ibid., p.367. Waggoner further
says that with Christ dwelling in our bodies "we have the instant and continual victory
over every lust of the flesh" ("Suffering in the Flesh," The Present Truth, Vol. 17, No. 7,
February 17, 1901). [back]

157 Waggoner, The Glad Tidings, p.92. Notice further: "He redeems us by coming into
our place literally, and taking our load off our shoulders...We drop out entirely, so that it
is 'not I, but Christ'" (Ibid., pp.168.169). He sees Christ dwelling in us "exercising His
own faith" (Ibid., p.81). Waggoner continues: "He lives in us also the fullness of His life,
so that it is no more we but Christ living in us, and then His obedience in us makes us
righteous" (Ibid., p.113). Is there not a danger here that the mystical Christ will make the
human personality dormant and expendable? [back]

158 Waggoner wrote: "Redemption is the same power that was put forth in the beginning
to create the world and all that is in it, now put forth to save men and the earth from the
curse of sin" ("Creative Powers," The Bible Echo, December 8, 1893).
[back]

159 Speaking of the growth of the grass and the flowers and the reception of God's gifts
resulting in the returning of the fruits, Waggoner says: "That is the Gospel" ("God's Glory
His Gospel," The Signs of the Times, July 25, 1895). [back]

160 Waggoner, The Gospel in Creation, London: International Tract Society, 1895.
[back]

161 0n the back cover of the facsimile reproduction of Waggoner's book, Christ and His
Righteousness (1890), printed in 1972 by the Southern Publishing Association, Nashville,
Tennessee, appears this statement: "Following this conference [1888], Dr Waggoner
edited the messages he had presented, and published them in three books: Christ and His
Righteousness (1890);.. The Gospel in Creation (1894); and The Glad Tidings (1900)."
Incidentally, our original copy of The Gospel in Creation carries the date 1895, but
regardless of the date, there is no substantial evidence that The Gospel in Creation forms
the basis of the 1888 conference messages. See footnote 56 of this chapter. [back]

162 Waggoner, The Gospel in Creation, pp.7-12. [back]

163 Ibid., pp.13-15. [back]

164 Ibid., p.15. [back]

165 Ibid., p.16. [back]

166 Ibid., pp.18.19. [back]

167 Ibid., p.27. [back]

168 Ibid., pp.30-42. [back]

169 Ibid., pp.43,44. [back]

170 Waggoner, The Gospel in Creation, pp.46-52. [back]

171 Ibid., pp.55-61. [back]

172 Ibid., pp.62-76. [back]

173 Ibid., pp.77-104. [back]

174 Ibid., pp.105-124. [back]

175 Waggoner, The Gospel in Creation, pp.125-133. [back]

176 Ibid., pp.134-144. [back]

177 Ibid., p.147. [back]

178 Ibid., p.150. [back]

179 Ibid., p.151. [back]

180 Ibid., pp.154-169. [back]

181 Ellen White was in Australia at the time and was not present at the session. It is
known that Dr. John Harvey Kellogg shared some of the same sentiments with Dr. E. J.
Waggoner. To what extent other ministers and leaders were conscious of any problem in
Waggoner's presentations at this time is not clear. According to David McMahon, Robert
Haddock is the first scholar to have detected Waggoner's so-called pantheism at the 1897
General Conference Session (McMahon, E. J. Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, p.148).
See Robert Haddock, "A History of the Doctrine of the Sanctuary in the Advent
Movement: 1800-1905," B. D. thesis, Andrews University, 1970. The general
understanding has been that it was Dr. J. H. Kellogg who introduced pantheistic ideas
during his talks at the 1897 General Conference Session which then influenced Waggoner
to move in that direction later. Arthur White has written: "Dr. Kellogg was also at this
session and spoke frequently and then introduced his pantheistic views - views which
were to have a far-reaching influence on Elder Waggoner" (Arthur White, "Compilation
on E. J. Waggoner," p.9, available from White Estate). Evidence from Waggoner's own
presentations of his 18 studies on Hebrews indicates that he hardly needed any
introduction to pantheistic ideas from Dr. Kellogg! [back]

182 After stating that God's presence is in fallen humanity and that the stamp of the cross
is upon everything, Waggoner said: "He simply means that everywhere we go, and
everything we have to do, and everything we eat, and the air we breathe, - through these
he is simply preaching the gospel to us, giving the gospel to us" ("Studies in the Book of
Hebrews - No. 4," The Daily Bulletin, 1897, p.46). [back]

183 Waggoner wrote: "He is brought face to face with the power of God in him, keeping
him alive. It is Christ in fallen man, it is Christ in cursed man, it is Christ with the curse
on him, it is Christ crucified" ("Studies in the Book of Hebrews - No. 6," The Daily
Bulletin, p.71). [back]

184 Waggoner, "Studies in the Book of Hebrews - No. 6," The Daily Bulletin, p.72.
[back]

185 See Waggoner, "Studies in the Book of Hebrews No. 7," The Daily Bulletin, 1897,
p.87. In the same lecture he spoke of natural law and moral law and asked whether there
was any difference. He went on to say: "Then what are called natural laws are simply the
life of God manifested in the things we see, -...It is the same life in the grass, in the vine,
in the oak tree" (Ibid., p.88). [back]

186 See Waggoner, "Studies in the Book of Hebrews - No. 8," The Daily Bulletin, 1891,
p.102. He goes on to say that it is the personal, powerful presence of God that keeps the
mountains together..."because God is there with his personal power" (Ibid.). [back]

187 Waggoner, "Studies in the Book of Hebrews - No. 9," The Daily Bulletin, p.159. In
the same lecture he had said: "Christ is the Sun of righteousness. We are to be trees of
righteousness, therefore the sun that is shining upon us is the Sun of righteousness, and
that is not far removed from the sunshine that we see, because that teaches us of it" (Ibid.,
p.158). To draw a lesson from light and the sun regarding Christ is in order, but the
general tendencies of these studies indicates a closer mingling of the elements of grace
and nature than is usual. [back]

188 Waggoner, "Studies in the Book of Hebrews - No. 18," General Conference Bulletin,
1891, p.13. [back]

189 Ibid. [back]

190 It is significant to note that in the eighteen studies on the book of Hebrews, presented
by Waggoner at the 1897 General Conference Session, he only covered certain aspects of
the first four chapters of the epistle. Some have asked the question as to why Waggoner
failed to get into some of the chapters such as seven to ten dealing with aspects of the
sanctuary service which are so important in the thinking and the theology of the Seventh-
day Adventist Church. David P. McMahon suggests that it was because he no longer
believed in a literal sanctuary in heaven nor in its "cleansing" through the intercession of
Christ. He bases this assertion, of course, on Waggoner's "Confession of Faith" found at
the time of his death. See David P. McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the
Man, p.147. For his treatment of the 1897 General Conference Session and the pantheism
of Waggoner see Ibid., pp.147-159. Robert Wieland does not accept Waggoner's
statement in his "Confession" of 1916, with regard to his having given up the sanctuary
doctrine some twenty-five years earlier, as fully reliable. See his arguments in footnote
257. On these grounds Wieland makes a suggestion as to Waggoner's intentions: "What
he should have said in 1916 was that as early as 1891 he began to be tempted to doubt the
doctrine. But it is hardly fair to say that he yielded to this temptation while he was
publicly teaching it" (Wieland, The 1888 Message, An Introduction, p.158). [back]

191 Waggoner, The Daily Bulletin of the General Conference, Vol. VIII, No. 7, February
23, 1899, p.58. He likewise spoke of the wonderful connection between the air we
breathe and the Holy Spirit and said: "When a man knows and recognizes that every
breath he draws is a direct breathing of God into his nostrils, he lives in the presence of
God, and has a Spirit-filled life" (Ibid.). [back]

192 Note Waggoner's thought: "0, I delight in drinking water, as I never have before: I
delight in bathing. Why, I come right to the throne of God. A man may get righteousness
in bathing, when he knows where the water comes from, and recognizes the source"
("The Water of Life," The Daily Bulletin of the General Conference, Vol. 8, No. 8,
February 24, 1899, p.80). For further details on Waggoner's presentations at the 1899
General Conference Session see McMahon, Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, pp.159-
165. [back]

193 Waggoner, The Everlasting Covenant, p.247. [back]

194 Waggoner, The Everlasting Covenant, p.248. [back]

195 Ibid., p.271. He goes on to say that if we do not see God's own life and His Spirit in
the water He gives us now we would fail to see anything wonderful in the river of life if
we get to heaven. See Ibid., p.275. [back]

196 Ibid., p.254. It is interesting to note that Waggoner rejects the Roman Catholic
conception of transubstantiation on the grounds that the priest does not change the bread
into the body of Christ as it is that already (see Ibid., p.255). He also sees no substantial
difference between the communion bread and our daily bread except that the Lord's
supper is a public profession of faith that we only have life in Christ and that we receive
His life in the food He gives us to eat (Ibid., 256). [back]

197 See Waggoner, General Conference Bulletin, Vol. IV, Extra No. 10, April 14, 1901,
p.221. [back]

198 Note his words: "The wind that blows, the air that surrounds the earth, is the breath
of God, and He is breathing it upon us day by day and month by month" (Ibid., p.222).
For more details on Waggoner's participation in the 1901 General Conference Session see
McMahon, Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, pp.165-171. [back]

199 The term 'declining years' does not refer to age or lack of mental ability. It has
reference to Waggoner's relationship to the church and its leadership largely as a result of
his developing theological ideas. Here we have in mind not only the merging of the
natural and the spiritual realms but particularly the teaching of 'spiritual affinity' - that is,
that one not rightfully a marriage partner here might be one in the life to come, and that
this allows a present spiritual union. Evidently, in the years after the General Conference
Session of 1897, where Waggoner had presented his lectures on Hebrews, he began to
promulgate his ideas of 'spiritual affinity' in England. He came to the 1901 General
Conference Session "enthused with what" he "supposed to be precious spiritual light" (E.
G. White Letter 224, 1908).In this same letter, Ellen White in speaking of Waggoner's
experience in 1901 said: "Dr Waggoner was then departing from the faith in the doctrine
he held regarding spiritual affinities" (Ibid.). It would appear that while in England,
Waggoner had been spreading these ideas abroad. Ellen White wrote in 1906: "In the
European field for a long time he has sown seeds that have borne and will bear evil fruit,
leading some to depart from the faith, and to give heed to seducing spirits, doctrines of
satanic origin" (E. G. White Letter 121, 1906). Ellen White had warned Waggoner of
becoming infatuated with another woman back in 1903 (see E. G. White Letter 231,
1903, cited in Medical Ministry, pp.100,101). As we have noted, Waggoner's wife
divorced her husband in 1905 and in 1906 Waggoner married Miss Edith Adams. [back]

200 This manuscript was the last thing written by Dr. E. J. Waggoner, and was found on
his desk after his death which took place suddenly, May 28, 1916. See footnote 5 of this
chapter. [back]

201 It is interesting to note that McMahon speaks of Waggoner being in theological

transition much earlier, in fact, between 1889 -1891 (see Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The
Myth and the Man, pp.93 -116). We prefer to place this later and see the transition time in
his theology as from 1893 -1897. [back]

202 See Waggoner, "Saving, Not Stoning, Sinners," Medical Missionary, January 1905,
pp. 2,3. Speaking of the one sacrifice on the cross for sin, Waggoner refers to the
atonement which Christ made when He took the sins of the world upon Himself: "The sin
of all the world was upon him who upholds the worlds; and so, in giving himself, he
atoned for the sins of the world" ("Daily Bread," Medical Missionary, May 1904, p.162).
It is good to hear Waggoner speaking of what sounds like an objective atonement on the
cross rather than a mystical atonement in the heart. [back]

203 Waggoner, "He Bore our Sicknesses," Medical Missionary, Vol. 14, No. 4, April
1905, p.100. He says that in healing the woman and other sick persons Christ laid down
His life just as surely as when He hung upon the cross of Calvary (Ibid., October 1903,
p.254). Is Waggoner not here in danger of losing the uniqueness of the death of Christ
upon the cross of Calvary or at least of mystifying it? He speaks of Christ demonstrating
resurrection and overcoming power in His person (see Ibid., November 1904, p. 352).
This power was manifested whether Jesus healed or saved (see Ibid., September 1903,
p.222). [back]

204 See Waggoner, "The Gospel of the Kingdom," General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 5,
No. 5, April 3, 1903, p.69. [back]

205 Ibid. [back]

206 See Waggoner, "Co-workers with God," Medical Missionary, April 1903, pp.93,94.
He further equates the names 'Lord,' 'Jehovah,' 'Living One,' and 'I AM' in discussing
Psalm 23:1 (see "Daily Bread for Christian Workers," Medical Missionary, June 1904,
p.194). [back]

207 Waggoner, Medical Missionary, September 1904, p.285. [back]

208 Ibid., p.283. [back]

209 Ibid., November 1904, p.349. [back]

210 Waggoner, Review and Herald, January 6, 1903, [back]

211 Notice especially footnotes 184-189 in this chapter which deal with Waggoner's
concept of Christ and the natural world. [back]

212 See Waggoner, The Medical Missionary, September 1933, p.222. Notice further:
"This was not a theoretical thing, a mere figment of the mind, which some people would
call 'spiritual light,' or 'mental light,' but real light that is visible to the natural eye" (Ibid.).
See also Ibid., June 1904, p.196; September 1904, p.284; May 1905, p.130. [back]
213 Waggoner, Medical Missionary, December 1904, p.391. For further examples of this
mingling of deity and creation life note the following: Waggoner says that the glory of
God may be seen in every wayside plant as truly as at Cana of Galilee or at the grave of
Lazarus (The Medical Missionary, May 1904, p.161); He sees the rain and water as the
flowing forth of the stream of God's own life and as therefore literally God's
righteousness (Ibid., December 1904, p.382); further examples of this tendency are when
Waggoner says: "Christianity is pure science" (Medical Missionary, September 1903,
p.222), and "Redemption is creation" (Ibid., May 1904, p.162). Sensing the charge of
pantheism around 1903 Waggoner defended himself by stating that unless one accepted
that God's personal life was manifest in all persons and all plant life one would have no
alternative but to state the heathen idea that God's life is one thing and the life in plants
and the natural world is another form of life, namely, creature life. (The Medical
Missionary, September 1903, p.223). See also Ibid., November 1903, p.300. [back]

214 See footnote 196 of this chapter. [back]

215 We note Waggoner's treatment of the cross of Christ and its importance for salvation.
See General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 11, April 1903, pp. 175-190; also "The
Manger and the Cross," Review and Herald, January 6, 1903, p.91. Rightly warning
against simply regarding the cross of Christ as a piece of wood set up nineteen hundred
years ago, Waggoner points out that the "cross of Christ is everywhere, always giving
life" (Medical Missionary, October 1903, p.253); furthermore, "Christ crucified, buried,
and risen again, with His eternal power, is with every person, in order that he may do the
things that are right" (The Medical Missionary, October 1903, p.252). One could raise the
question as to whether salvation is to be accepted by faith in the historical death and
resurrection of Christ or whether one can only accept its reality upon the mystical
application of the real crucifixion of Christ re-enacted in the heart. [back]

216 See footnotes 148-152 in this chapter regarding this emphasis during 1893-1903.
[back]

217 Waggoner says: "Christ dwells among us, only because He dwells in us - in
humanity. He dwells in every man" (The Medical Missionary, September 1904, p.283).
After speaking of God's presence being particularly with His children Waggoner says this
does not mean that God is not everywhere, "even in the heart and the mouth of the sinner,
but that with such He is present as a stranger - a transient lodger" (Ibid., April 1904,
p.125). [back]

218 Christ is primarily the Word of God, the expression of God's thought; and the
Scriptures are the Word of God simply because they reveal Christ" (Waggoner,
"Confession of Faith," p.5). Speaking of the revelation of Christ which came to him
thirty-four years before at a campmeeting in Healdsburg one Sabbath afternoon, he wrote:
"I have always believed that every part of the Bible must set forth with more or less
vividness, that glorious revelation" (see Ibid., pp. 5,6,). Speaking further of the centrality
of Christ to all Scripture Waggoner wrote: "Christ must be the beginning and end of all
Scripture, as He is the Author and Perfecter of faith. It was the Spirit of Christ that
testified in the ancient prophets; and so the Scriptures are the 'testimony of Jesus,' - the
'testimonies' to which the Psalmist so frequently refers" (Ibid., p.6). [back]

219 We know God first of all as the Creator in Christ" (Waggoner, "Confession of Faith,"
p.6). [back]

220 Ibid., p.14. [back]

221 Jesus Christ is 'the same yesterday, and today, and forever.' He cannot change,
because He is the revelation, the out-shining of the unchangeable God... Therefore, the
Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, must be
always the same, with no shadow of change" (Waggoner, "Confession of Faith," p.7).
Again he writes: "The unchangeable God has but one way of saving men. Any change
would make either for perfection or for imperfection...the Gospel was the same and as
complete in the beginning as it is now; for it is but the revelation of the life of God to and
in men dead in sin" (Ibid., p.10). Understanding the cross and its significance and God's
power to re-create men, Waggoner stated that twenty-five years ago it was evident to him
that there could never be any changes or differences in God's work of saving men, and
that Christ crucified was as much a reality and available in the days of Moses, Isaiah or
Paul as today. See Ibid., p.14. Quite clearly, Waggoner would never subscribe to a law-
gospel dispensational scheme or to some supergospel today over against Paul's day. We
remind the reader of his clear statement in 1891 in this connection. See footnote 109 of
this chapter. [back]

222 Ibid., p.8. He says that sin can only be met by "the gift of a perfect life - a life free
from sin, a life victorious over death. So God in Christ gave His life for and to sinful
men. That is the sum of the gospel" (Ibid., p.10). Waggoner says that "sin is a condition,
not an entity" (Ibid.), and therefore it cannot be removed and deposited somewhere else.
Again he says: "Sin is not an entity, neither is it a debt... but sin is part of the sinner; it is,
indeed, his whole life" (Ibid., p,11). This would imply that Waggoner sees the solution to
sin not as the payment of a debt but the new life of Christ applied to the heart of the
sinner which destroys the sin like leprosy or consumption is cured. Does this not point to
Waggoner's thought of an internal atonement in the heart of the sinner where the power of
the indwelling Christ will heal the condition of sin? On pages 14,15 Waggoner repeats the
thought that "sin is not an entity but a condition that can exist only in a person." Again on
page 18 he affirms that "sin is not an entity, a commodity, that can be taken away from a
person and deposited intact somewhere else, awaiting its final destruction." [back]

223 For Waggoner's discussion of this three-fold office of Christ see his "Confession of
Faith," pp. 8-10. Waggoner's treatment of these three offices of Christ is new. Usually,
Christ is seen as Prophet, Priest and King in relation to this world of sin. He could be
God's Prophet or mouthpiece during Old Testament times and during the Incarnation.
Then Christ is seen as Priest in the offering of Himself at Calvary and in His priestly
ministry in heaven. Thirdly, Christ is accepted as King of the throne of grace at His
ascension and, finally, King of glory at His second advent. Waggoner's presentation is
new and different. [back]
224 Waggoner, "Confession of Faith," P.11. [back]

225 Note his words: "It may be said, therefore, that the cross exists from eternity to
eternity, and that sin causes it, during the period of sin's duration, to be connected with
pain and shame; or we may say that the one thing which exists from eternity to eternity is
the gift of God's life, for the creating and re-creating of men, and that sin makes the cross
the only way of entrance for that gift" ("Confession of Faith," p.13). [back]

226 Ibid., p.12. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

III. Evaluation and Critique

We will now approach the evaluation and critique of Waggoner in two sections. Firstly,
we will reflect on him as thinker, writer and theologian. Secondly, we will present a
critique of his Christology, focusing on three important issues.

A. General Evaluation of Waggoner as Thinker, Writer and Theologian

In order to understand and evaluate Waggoner's contribution in Christology it is essential

to first see this in the context of his general theological ability. After our survey of his
Christological thought one comes to the conclusion that here was a man of no mean
ability as a thinker, writer and theologian.

1. Waggoner, the 'thinker'

As a ‘thinker’ Waggoner occupies an important place in early Adventism. His scientific

training and his logical approach to Biblical truth combined to produce an effective
advocate of the Christian message. However, like all thought leaders he must be seen
against the background of his time. Waggoner was both the product of Adventism as well
as the innovator of a new era within the movement. Illustrative of the former role, we find
him in the 1880's grappling with the problems regarding the relationship between the law,
the gospel and righteousness. Due to its eschatological emphasis Adventism had tended
to concentrate on the urgency of restoring the law and the Sabbath to their rightful place
in theology, often to the neglect of a proper emphasis on Christ and the gift of God's
righteousness.227 As a son of Adventism Waggoner, too, found his area of concern to be
the question of the sinner's relationship to the righteousness of God revealed in the law of
God.

In early Adventism the stress fell on the holiness and absolute authority of God, which
had been compromised by the popular theological thinking of the day but which was to
be restored before the coming of Christ.228 This was behind the emphasis on law and
obedience and the idea of the Sabbath as the test of loyalty to ultimate authority. The only
way to be ready for the coming of Christ was to live the life of total obedience to God
and to make Him the final authority in one's life, above human opinion, reason, tradition
or creed. It is against this backdrop that Waggoner's thinking must continually be seen.
He never renounced these concerns even after leaving the employ of the denomination.229
'How can the sinner live the obedient life?' is the question that must always be seen in the
background of everything Waggoner ever wrote if we are to evaluate him correctly. In
this way Waggoner was a product of Adventism.

And yet this very preoccupation in pre-1888 Adventism was to result in the blazing of
new trails as Waggoner adopted the role of innovator and champion of new ideas.
Waggoner was an innovator, not in the sense that he rejected the emphasis on holiness
and righteousness, but in his teaching of how it was to be found. Waggoner must be given
the credit for recognizing that the tendency in some of the pioneers' thinking was to
move in the direction of legalism and semi-pelagianism.230 He called a halt to this
tendency precisely because he saw that it failed to achieve the very objective it was
aimed at - holy living and righteous conduct. In the place of all this Waggoner
emphasized that Christ and His merits was the only way to find righteousness in this life.
Grace, justification by faith, and later the indwelling Christ were seen to be the way to
obedience and holiness. See him don the mantle of adventurous warrior as he presented
his editorials on the moral law in Galatians in contradiction to the views of Smith and
Butler. 231 The resultant contest between the young scholar and the church administrator
was to ripen into the challenging theological presentations at the 1888 Minneapolis
Session.

Waggoner's decisive theological contribution was to re-emphasize that we are saved by

grace through faith and not of works. Concretely this meant we are saved by Jesus Christ
alone. Christology inevitably was Waggoner's innovation central to Waggoner's thought.
was to make Christ central.

2. Waggoner, the 'writer'

In this general evaluation we must also see Waggoner as a 'writer.' During the early days
of Adventism, writing was a very important means of communication. Those believing
'the message' were a scattered people and initially there were no schools or seminaries.
The ability write and disseminate one's viewpoint was vital for anyone wishing to make
an impression on the public. Waggoner had ample opportunity to develop his skill as a
writer in his capacity as editor of church periodicals both in America and England.232 We
have also observed number of important books which came his pen.233 There is no doubt
that Waggoner's style of writing developed and showed many signs of logic, persuasion,
clarity and depth.234

It should be noted that Waggoner's ability as a writer is a primary contributing factor in

the impact of his Christological views and in turn in shaping Adventism's Christology.
Significantly, some current Seventh-day Adventist theologians of various shades of
thought endeavor to find support in Waggoner.235

3. Waggoner, the 'theologian'

We now take opportunity to briefly look at Waggoner in the specific role as theologian.'
In the early days of Adventism there were no actual trained theologians in the sense of
Seminary-trained men with degrees. Despite this, men like J. N. Andrews and E. J.
Waggoner developed into theologians of ability. Waggoner had received a medical
training at Bellevue Medical School and a brief theological course at Emmanuel
Missionary College. With a certain natural ability and application he developed into a
theologian of stature.

Here was a man who was able to make use of the tool of the original languages of
Scripture in his task as theologian.236 We have an illustration of his hermeneutical method
at its best as he sought to interpret the Biblical message of the gospel in the book of
Galatians as he dialogued with Butler in his pamphlet, The Gospel in the Book of
Galatians (1888). Evidence of his systematic grasp of truth is clear in his work, The
Everlasting Covenant (1900) as he saw the unified plan of God as expressed through the
work of Christ, the Mediator. There are many examples of Waggoner's logical thought
and the consistency of his themes. For example, running like a silver thread through all
his writings is the presentation of God's unified and consistent plan of salvation
throughout all time.

Another hallmark of Waggoner's theology was his totally Christocentric approach to

dogma.237 Waggoner also had a good grasp of church history as we see from his Fathers
of the Catholic Church (1888) in which he extracted evidence from the church fathers
illustrative of their departure from Biblical truth.238

His accent on the doctrine of justification by faith as exhibited in his The Gospel in the
Book of Galatians likewise showed evidence of familiarity with In this same pamphlet
showed that he was able to grasp the signified issues and had the ability to see
consequences or presuppositions in particular arguments.

Finally, it must be stated that Waggoner's ability as a theologian gave his Christology its
power and thrust.

B. A Detailed Evaluation of Waggoner's Christology

It was in the area of Christology that Waggoner was to make a significant contribution as
a theologian within the ranks of Adventism. In his "Confessions" he traces his deep
interest in Christology from that remarkable revelation which he experienced early in his
ministerial career.239With growing conviction Christ became pivotal to his developing
theological scheme.

In order to evaluate Waggoner's Christology we must do it against some norm. That norm
could be the Scriptures, the historical Christian creeds, or his own Christological
convictions at the time of the 1888-1890 era. The first two would require more space than
is available and we have thus chosen the third alternative.240

By 1890 Waggoner's Christology had the following clear marks of identity. The first was
a strong conviction regarding the essential deity of Christ; the second referred to the
actuality of the humanity of Christ in that He took upon Himself man's sinful nature and
was actually made sin on account of the sinful human race; the third accepted the
sinlessness of Christ in every aspect of His life of action, thought and deed; the fourth
mark is his emphasis on the consistency of the plan of salvation throughout history. The
work of Christ is seen to be uniform and consistent and his soteriology is thus essentially
anti-dispensational.

One must also bear in mind Waggoner's whole theological burden at this time of his
career. He recognized the sinfulness of man and his inability to achieve righteousness.
Righteousness was equated with the moral law and sinful man was not able to render
obedience. The gospel of Jesus Christ was the answer to man's dilemma. This gospel was
based on the reality of the divinity of Christ which gave significance to the atonement. In
the Incarnation Christ was made sin for man and did bear the sins of the whole world.
Through His death Christ has paid the penalty of the broken law and can offer the gift of
righteousness to all. Justification by faith is the all-embracing power that offers the sinner
a right-standing with God and brings the power of Christ into the life. Through faith
righteousness is obtained and the believer is made righteous and through the indwelling
Christ can render complete obedience to the law of God.

There are three chief problem areas to be considered in the evaluation of Waggoner's
Christology: Firstly, the development of his thought poses a problem for the question of
what constituted the essential heart of his Christology. Secondly, what role did
Waggoner's view that Christ took man's sinful nature in the Incarnation play in his overall
Christology? Thirdly, was Waggoner's 'demonstration group' at the end of time consistent
with his idea of the anti-dispensational nature of Christ's work?

1. The essential heart of Waggoner's Christology as a key to his later deviation

In seeking to evaluate Waggoner's developing Christology against the norm of his own
1890 position the question must be raised as to whether it remained consistent throughout
or whether any metamorphosis took place contributing toward his later pantheistic
outlook. Waggoner himself maintains in his "Confessions" that his 1916 theological
position was but the natural development of his 1888 presentations.241

During the 1890's Waggoner moved steadily from an emphasis on the historical events of
Christ and the cross to an emphasis on the existential event of the cross in a believer's
heart. The internal and immanent Christ appeared to gather greater importance than the
Christ of history.242 As this emphasis continued it was only logical that the internal Christ
would take on greater importance in living the life of righteousness. This theological
stance would also be favorable to a growing stress on the doctrine of perfection. And with
the merging of the existential and internal Christ with the human will, the distinction
between Deity and human nature became blurred. This loss of distinction between Deity
and nature in general is a hallmark of pantheism.243

Why was it that Waggoner's Christology became blurred in the mists of pantheism? Was
it simply an accident that the parasite of pantheism grew out of Waggoner's theology as
Wieland affirms?244 Or was it as a result of the loss of distinction in theology as
McMahon indicates?245 While it is true that this blurring of distinction did take place and
finally resulted in the identification of Deity with nature, we would like to suggest that
there is an underlying contributing cause to this whole progression. One cannot simply
say that everyone who maintains that 'righteousness by faith' implies the internal work of
sanctification as well as the puntiliar declarative work of justification by faith will end up
in the quagmire of pantheism as McMahon would seem to indicate.246

I would like to suggest that while Waggoner was greatly used of God in the 1888-90 era
of Adventism by bringing to his church a startling message of man's inadequacy, God's
holiness, heaven's provision of justification by faith, Christ's authority in His divinity and
the free gift of Christ's righteousness, Waggoner did not go far enough in cutting himself
free from a preoccupation with man and his righteousness. Perhaps without his
realization, Waggoner was still a child of the 19th century which lived under the shadow
of Schleiermacher with his anthropocentric emphasis.247 Waggoner, likewise, had been
interested in man and how he could keep the law. He made the great discovery that man
could keep the law by faith in Christ instead of his own works. But his Christology still
remained man-centered. Like an eagle bursting into the heavens his Christology appeared
to soar into the firmament of God's free grace immediately after 1888 only to plunge into
an anthropocentric plummet as the 1890's proceeded.

While sanctification and man's keeping the law is an important and necessary fruit of
salvation it must never become the end purpose of our Christology. Christology must be
to God's honor and glory and for the vindication of His plan and purpose. While
Waggoner started with God's grace in the gift of justification by faith he ended in an
existential, internal, immanent, inherent and mystical Christ of the inner life in which the
focus of attention became increasingly anthropocentric.248

Could it be that Waggoner was so concerned with the dichotomy Law-Gospel that he
failed to perceive the lore fundamental dichotomy between God-Man? Does not his loss
of all distinction between God and man in the later stages of his development point in this
direction? Would it not have been better if Waggoner had seen in Christ the climax and
fulfillment of God's great plan of restoration in the bridging of the gulf of sin in the
person of Christ - God with us? Did he not, instead, see Christ only as a means to a
greater end - the righteous living of the saints? And does this not wallow Christology up
in Anthropology? These questions re an integral part of Waggoner's Christology.

If Waggoner had continued with his Christocentric emphasis of 1890 and not slipped into
an anthropocentric stance he would have avoided the pitfalls of pantheism.
For those who live in the 1980's and look back to Waggoner the choice still remains. One
can find in Waggoner the Christocentric emphasis on God's holiness, man's inadequacy,
the blessings of justification by faith and the resultant growth in sanctification. Or one
can discover in Waggoner the anthropocentric emphasis on the internal and immanent
Christ in the heart of man with its strong leaning toward the primacy of sanctification,
obedience and perfection.

2. The role of Christ and sinful human nature in Waggoner's Christology

We have already observed that while Waggoner upheld the sinlessness of Christ in act he
did believe that Christ took man's sinful nature upon Himself. Whether by this Waggoner
meant that Christ came into the world a sinner by nature like all other men is not clear.249

Adventist scholars and theologians have reacted differently to Waggoner's concepts on

the sinful nature of Christ. This reaction has depended very often on their own
Christological and soteriological leanings. Froom has avoided the issue of Waggoner's
position on the sinful human nature of Christ; Wieland has accepted it into his
soteriological scheme; McMahon rejects Waggoner's purported view; while Fred Wright
has accepted and embellished it.250

We wish now to maintain that whatever the exact nature of Waggoner's view on the
humanity of Christ might be, his concept on the 'sinful nature' of Christ is not an essential
element for his total Christology and soteriology. By this we mean that much of the
impact of an 'example theology' is lost for two reasons.

Firstly, in 1889 Waggoner was teaching that Christ could not sin because of His divinity.
We have given clear evidence for this.251 In other words, if sin is not possible for Christ
because of His divine nature, then the degree of the actuality of His 'sinful' human nature
loses its relevance.

Secondly, in his unfolding Christology and soteriology during the 1890's, Waggoner
began to lay greater and greater stress on the internal and immanent Christ within the
heart of the believer. We have given much evidence for this in the present chapter. The
existential Christ is the one who lives in the believer's heart and takes over the actual
obedience. It is the faith of Christ operative in the believer that produces the law-abiding
life. In this view we submit that the human Christ who lived in Palestine and the actual
nature of His humanity is not an essential element. In fact, we have even seen that
Waggoner believed that the Christ was far more important than the flesh in which He
appeared.252

In this connection we must mention that by 1900 it would appear that Waggoner had
developed a speculative philosophy in regard to Christ. This was all part of his pantheistic
tendencies and his emphasis on the immanent Christ. It seems that there was an
identification of the infinite and the finite as Waggoner enlarged on Christ's presence in
all men, saints and sinners. We have also noticed his tendency to identify Christ's
presence in the natural world. Was there a clear distinction in Waggoner's mind at this
time between the humanity and the divinity of Christ or were these merged? Did he not
lose the uniqueness of the historical Jesus as he insisted on the divine Christ merging so
closely with all men and even nature? It appears probable that by this time Christ had
become a universal principle for Waggoner rather than a historical person.

Waggoner's soteriology was, therefore, not really based on the concept that what Jesus
Christ did in His humanity on earth man can do today by following His example and
relying upon the power of God as Christ did. Rather than this 'example theology'
Waggoner taught the power of the internal and existential Christ within the heart. We
repeat that this concept makes the debate on the actuality or the degree of the 'sinful
nature' of Christ irrelevant, at least to some extent.

3. The 'demonstration' model and Waggoner's anti-dispensational stance

Why does Waggoner bring forward the concept of a special 'demonstration' group in the
end-time in whom "all the fullness of God" will be manifest253 when he has been so
consistently anti-dispensational in his entire treatment of the work of Christ?254

For Wieland the sanctuary message calls for a unique and special work of Christ and a
'demonstration' model would fit this theology. Writing about sinless living and asking the
right questions at the right time Wieland writes: "And the right time is this time of the
cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary, while our great High Priest is completing His work
of final atonement. Christ is to accomplish a work unique in human history, since sin
began."255 For Wieland the work of Christ in the most holy apartment of the heavenly
sanctuary since 1844 calls for this special unique work of Christ. Wieland believed that
Waggoner and Jones derived their concepts from 'the great controversy' motif, the idea of
the cleansing of the sanctuary and from the three angels' messages.256

It must be stated that Waggoner could hardly have based his 'demonstration' model upon
the Adventist sanctuary doctrine for in his "Confession of Faith" (1916), he states that he
had abandoned this teaching earlier.257Wieland finds it difficult to accept that Ellen White
would have given her blessing to the work and teachings of Waggoner up to at least 1896
if the latter had either deviated from the 'truth' or entertained faulty theological
concepts.258 Speaking of the time from 1888-1896 Wieland says on this issue: "The only
way to charge apostasy on Waggoner during this period is to discredit Ellen G White by
assuming that she was either naive and misinformed or derelict in her duty."259 We submit
that Ellen White's endorsement of Waggoner's message does not necessarily mean that
she was in agreement with every aspect of his theology.260

It could well be that Waggoner was led to express his 'demonstration' model on the basis
of other concepts such as the 'great controversy' motif or the teaching of the three angels'
messages of Revelation 14 with their call to obedience. We, nevertheless, state that in
view of Waggoner's abandonment of the Adventist Sanctuary doctrine and in the light of
his anti-dispensational stance relative to the work of Christ, that in the end Waggoner was
not consistent in postulating a unique 'demonstration' model in the light of his consistent
Christology.

C. Conclusion

Let it be clearly understood that Waggoner made a definite contribution to the life of the
Adventist community in 1888 and subsequent years. His Christology and soteriology
proved to be a distinct advance in Adventism causing severe opposition in some quarters.
There is no doubt that he was used of God to give heaven's message at Minneapolis and
in subsequent years. Ellen White joined heart and hand in supporting his ministry.

To be used of God and to give heaven's approved message does not require infallibility in
the message. God still works through human, fallible instruments and while the message
can carry God's blessing and approval, it is not handed to man on a silver platter. It is still
given in human words and concepts. Furthermore, even if Waggoner's developing
theology subsequent to 1888 showed signs of deficiency or even if he abandoned certain
teachings which he formerly upheld, God's blessing is not automatically removed. God
works through fallible, dedicated human instruments to bring His message to the world.

We all should face the task of proclaiming Christ with humility. Even though one has
been called of God and truth has taken possession of the soul it is well to remember that
our grasp of God's infallible truth may well be fallible. God is prepared to use humble
instruments who continually seek for truth as a light that shineth more and more unto the
perfect day,

While Waggoner showed clear signs of an ontological approach to Christology in his

earlier years he appeared to move imperceptibly towards a speculative and existential
application of this aspect of dogma in his later years.

_____________________

227 See Ellen White in "Christ Prayed for Unity Among His Disciples," Review and
Herald, March 11, 1890: "As a people, we have preached the law until we are as dry as
the hills of Gilboa that had neither dew nor rain. We must preach Christ in the law, and
there will be sap and nourishment in the preaching that will be as food to the famishing
flock of God. We must not trust in our own merits at all, but in the merits of Jesus of
Nazareth." [back]

228 Mention should be made of the Methodist roots of Adventism as quite a group of the
Millerite founding leaders were Methodists. See Froom, Movement of Destiny, p.146,
where he lists 11 names including that of Ellen Harmon. The Methodist emphasis on
sanctification and holiness is well known. [back]

229 We know that Waggoner returned to the U.S.A. from England in 1903. There is
divided opinion as to whether he taught for a short time at Emmanuel Missionary
College. (See Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia, p.1385; Richard W. Schwarz, Letter
to E. C. Webster, June 23, 1982). He then worked at the Battle Creek Sanitarium during
the years 1904, 1905. Schwarz says one can consider this denominational employment if
one takes the Sanitarium as a church institution at the time. He says this may be open to
question. When Waggoner's wife divorced him in the winter of 1905-6, this effectively
ended any kind of denominational service he might have had at the time. (See Schwarz,
Letter June 23, 1982).[back]

230 While evidence can be found for a firm belief in Jesus Christ and the gospel (see A.
V. Olson, Through Crisis to Victory, pp.16-24), it was the very emphasis on the law and
the Sabbath which made Adventism vulnerable to these dangers. Olson says: "It was
because many early Seventh-day Adventist preachers in their public ministry placed their
principal emphasis on the law and the Sabbath instead of on Christ" (Ibid., p.24). See also
Ibid., pp. 9-15, the chapter entitled "Preachers of the Law;" also Arthur Spalding says that
while the fathers of the Second Advent cause believed in the atoning grace of Christ as
the sole means of salvation "the trend was to legalism" (Origin and History of Seventh-
day Adventists, Vol. 2, p.286).[back]

231 We have already referred to this incident. See footnote 25 of this chapter. [back]

232 Principally, The Signs of the Times (1884-1891) in the U.S.A. and The Present Truth
(1892-1903) in England. On his return to the U.S.A. he was associate editor of The
Medical Missionary periodical from 1903-1905.[back]

233 We refer the reader to footnote 1 of this chapter. [back]

234 As an example of logic and persuasion we point to Waggoner's, The Gospel in the
Book of Galatians (1888), in which he addressed himself to the arguments of G. I.
Butler's The Law in the Book of Galatians (1886). See also Waggoner's series entitled,
"The Divinity of Christ," in The Signs of the Times of March 25, April 1, 8,15,22; May 6,
1889. To illustrate clarity of thought see his series of 16 studies on Romans given at the
1891 General Conference Session, "Letter to the Romans - Nos. 1-16," General
Conference Bulletin, 1891. While we might not agree with all of the theology in The
Glad Tidings (1900), we do refer to this book as an example of Waggoner's depth of
thought and expression. Leroy Froom, no mean writer himself, has high praise for
Waggoner's Christ and His Righteousness (1890). He is especially impressed with
Waggoner's presentation of the Deity of Christ. Froom believes that this book was the
basis of Waggoner's presentation at Minneapolis (1888) and while there are others who
deny the certainty of this, we note Froom's approval of Waggoner's style. He speaks of
his "marvelous studies;" of "his truly historic presentation;" of "his pedagogical principle
of repetition for emphasis;" of "Waggoner's epochal message;" how that he "phrased his
thoughts with exactness, and in full understanding of their import." For Froom's
commendation see Movement of Destiny, pp. 269-280. In commenting on the one section
where Waggoner implies a beginning for Christ, Froom writes: "As we have said,
Waggoner's presentation was marred by this deviation from strict Biblical exegesis and
sound theology. But it must be judged as a whole and not by a single unfortunate slip"
(Ibid., p.293).[back]
235 Note, for example, particularly L. E. Froom in Movement of Destiny, pp.269-299, as
he approvingly discusses Waggoner's presentation of the deity of Christ in Christ and His
Righteousness (1890). R. J. Wieland has practically total endorsement for Waggoner's
view on the divinity and humanity of Christ in his book The 1888 Message; An
Introduction (1980).[back]

236 Waggoner had spent some time at the Battle Creek College during the Brownsberger
era. Sydney Brownsberger had completed an M. A. Degree in the classics at the
University of Michigan (1869) and was appointed principal of the Battle Creek School in
1873, a post he held until 1881. (For a history of the founding of the original school by
Goodloe Harper Bell in 1868, its official adoption by the church in 1872, the dedication
of the College on January 4, 1875, and the whole Brownsberger era from 1873-1881, see
Emmett K. Vande Vere, The Wisdom Seekers, pp.15-41). The curriculum records show
that Waggoner could have studied Latin, Greek and Hebrew. The classical course
required six years each in Latin and Greek, while the three-year Theology course also
offered Hebrew. We are not sure how long Waggoner was at the College but his later
writings and lectures demonstrate the use of Greek. See his reference to the Greek when
discussing the problem of Christ as "the beginning of the creation of God" in Rev. 3:14 in
Christ and His Righteousness, pp. 20,21; also in his 18 lectures on Hebrews at the
General Conference of 1897 -"Studies in the Book of Hebrews - No. 1," The Daily
Bulletin, p.9; "Studies in the Book of Hebrews - No. 2," The Daily Bulletin, ("It is not
indicated in the best Greek texts," p.24); "Lecture No. 4," The Daily Bulletin, p.44;
"Lecture No. 5," ("That word 'contrite' means rubbed together until it is dust"), The Daily
Bulletin, p.56; "Lecture No. 8," The Daily Bulletin, p.103; "Lecture No. 10," ("Now that
word Comforter is from the very same Greek word that is used in 1 John 2:1," The Daily
Bulletin, p.211); "Lecture No. 18," General Conference Bulletin, 1897, p.10. Waggoner's
daughter recollects that while they were living in California in the 1880's she remembers
her father studying and reading Hebrew aloud (see Pearl Waggoner Howard, "Dr. E. J.
Waggoner, Biographical Sketch and Background," p.4).[back]

237 0ne example is the Christ-centered approach to creation evidenced in his The Gospel
in Creation (1895). See also his long series on "The Gospel of Isaiah," which ran in the
weekly, The Present Truth, for 18 months from January 5, 1899, until June 21,
1900.[back]

238 In this book of 392 pages Waggoner commences with a discussion of the heathen
world and its philosophy, focusing on Plato, and then moves on through some of the early
church fathers, like Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian and
Origen, ending with the papal apostasy. In this work Waggoner quotes liberally from
sources such as Neander, Eusebius of Caesarea, Philip Schaff, Farrar, Mosheim, Joseph
Bingham, Henry Milman and Adolph Harnack to mention some. [back]

239 See footnote 5 of this chapter for details. [back]

240 The early Christology of Waggoner had crystallized by the time of the appearance of
his Christ and His Righteousness (1890). Its presentation of the divinity of Christ was
different from much of that offered on the current Adventist scene. This was particularly
true of such aspects as the essential equality of the Son with the Father in nature and
substance. Froom in his Movement of Destiny presents evidence for the Arian and semi-
Arian position on Christ within Adventism prior and subsequent to Waggoner (see
pp.148-180). We have already observed that Gane in his paper, "The Arian or Anti-
Trinitarian views presented in Seventh-day Adventist Literature and the Ellen G. White
Answer" (especially pp.5-66; 104-110), paints a more vivid picture than does Froom
concerning the strength of the anti-Trinitarian stance within Adventism. (For more details
on Gane's paper we refer the reader to footnote 25 in chapter two of this dissertation). We
have also noted that Adventist scholars of differing theological schools can look back
with common approval to the major features of Waggoner's Christology during this
period. In addition, Ellen White endorses and supports Waggoner's 1888 position. (This
does not mean that Ellen White was in total agreement with all of Waggoner's theology
even at this date. She could say: "Some interpretations of Scripture given by Dr.
Waggoner I do not regard as correct" (Manuscript 15, 1888). For a sample of her support
see Testimonies to Ministers, pp. 91,92; Ms. 5, 1889; Review and Herald, March 5, 1889;
Ibid., September 3, 1889. For these reasons we can use the Christology of 1888-90 as a
useful norm in evaluating Waggoner. [back]

241 At the beginning of his "Confession of Faith" (1916), Waggoner wishes to show that
his present position is a logical development from Minneapolis (1888). He writes: "You
remember Minneapolis. I am making bold to ask you, if you come to some things that
you feel inclined to dissent from, to point out to me where there is a break in the logical
sequence" (p.4). While Waggoner himself would not admit of his later deflection toward
pantheism, both his supporters and critics admit of this aberration in his later theology.
The only difference is that his supporters place the development of his pantheistic
sentiments later than do his critics, and the supporters see Waggoner's pantheism as a
parasite to his theological scheme while his critics see the development as a logical
outgrowth of Waggoner's whole theology. Wieland sees Waggoner as basically sound
throughout the decade following 1888. He writes: "And the complete balanced picture of
what they [Waggoner and Jones] taught in the decade after Minneapolis must be a fair
understanding of what was implicit in the message given in 1888" (R. J. Wieland, The
1888 Message: An Introduction, 1980, p.11). When preparing his revised edition of The
Glad Tidings (1972), he realized that pantheistic sentiments should be removed and he
editorially removed the more blatant statements. For a comparison of the two books note,
for example, the 1900 edition, pp.80-81, 85, 87-88, 117, and 169; and compare with 1972
edition pp. 42, 44, 45, 62, and 91. Wieland does not make any reference to this in his
foreword. In private correspondence to Tarling, Wieland admits of the pantheism of the
book. He writes: "The pantheism was not inherent in his understanding of Righteousness
by Faith but a parasite. Hence I wished to restore the message as nearly as I could to its
original purity as he gave it in the early 1888 era" (Wieland to Tarling, July 14, 1977,
quoted in Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man (1979) by D. P. McMahon,
p.178). Incidentally, there is no substantial evidence for Wieland's statement regarding
The Glad Tidings in the foreword to his edited version: "I discovered that the message of
this book was in reality a transcript of studies that Dr Waggoner gave personally to a
gathering of ministers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the fall of 1888" (p.6). If anything,
Waggoner's The Gospel in the Book of Galatians (1888) would be closer to the mark. On
the other hand, McMahon sees Waggoner in decline during the years 1892-1897 (see his
book, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, chapter 8, pp.117-145). He
maintains that Waggoner slowly lost the sense of distinction in his theology during these
years. Amongst others he mentions such distinctions as between justification and
sanctification, law and gospel, human nature of Christ and human nature of other men,
Christ's work on the cross and in our hearts, the believer and unbeliever, physical and
spiritual light, heaven and the believer's heart. He believed that thus Waggoner was losing
the proper distinction between the Creator and the creature and so his theology became
pantheistic (see Ibid., pp.118,119). While McMahon believes that Waggoner first
expressed his pantheistic ideas in 1894 (see Ibid., p.147) and that Waggoner, furthermore,
expressed pantheistic ideas strongly in his lectures on Hebrews at the 1897 General
Conference Session (see Ibid., pp.148-159), he nevertheless sees this gradual loss of
distinction in Waggoner's theology developing years earlier and preparing the ground for
his pantheistic ideas. [back]

242 As evidence for this see footnotes 148-152, 215-217, 224-226 of this chapter.[ back]

243 The classical exponent of the philosophy of pantheism was Spinoza. However, there
are different forms of the pantheistic theory. Some see God as immanent in the universe
of finite things and others see God as a pervading presence. (For a brief discussion of
pantheism see The Encyclopaedia Britannica, 14th edition, Vol. 17, London: The
Encyclopaedia Britannica Co., 1929, pp.190,191; see also Frederick Copleston, A History
of Philosophy, Vol. IV, London: Burns Oates & Washbourne, 1958, pp. 205-263). In
connection with Waggoner, it was at the 1901 General Conference Session that he first
spoke about pantheism by name. It could well have been that some were raising questions
as to his position. After speaking about the life of Christ manifested in us and God's life
coming through the air and light, Waggoner said: "Some people call this 'pantheism.'
Perhaps they know what the word means, but they do not know what they are talking
about" ("Bible Study," General Conference Bulletin, April 14, 1901, p.223). He then
defines pantheism as that form of heathenism which says that everything is God. He says
that this is not so, but God is above all and through all and in all. He continues to indicate
that some people speak of this power manifested in all creation as the power of God, but
not saving power; that there is divine power and creative power. Waggoner then says:
"That is pantheism" (Ibid.). Note again his defense. He says that someone not thinking
clearly has written: "There is life manifested here and there, but it is not God's life."
Waggoner then states that that is pantheism, because if it is not God's life, then the life in
the plant is inherent in the creature. If you have another supply of life beside God then
you have another god. Then one would believe that the creature is God. (see "Present
Truth," The Medical Missionary, September 1903, p.223). Thus Waggoner denied that his
line of thought was pantheistic. Despite this denial we must admit that if Waggoner had
not subscribed to pantheism, then he certainly showed evidence of pantheism. It is of
interest to ask whether it was actually John Harvey Kellogg or Ellet Joseph Waggoner
who was responsible for leading the Adventist Church to the brink of its pantheism crisis
in 1903. With Kellogg's Living Temple as the tip of the iceberg it is assumed by most that
Kellogg was the culprit. There are others, however, who view Waggoner's developing
immanent Christology of the 1890's as an important underlying motive factor. 0. A.
Olsen, president of the British Union Conference, wrote in 1903 to A. G. Daniells,
General Conference president, and referred to the long-term roots of the theology found
in the Living Temple and, indeed, looked beyond Kellogg, a non-theologian, to the
theology of E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones during the 1890's. Olsen noted Waggoner's
claim that Waggoner himself had been the source of the theology in Kellogg's book. See
Bert Haloviak, "Ellen White and A. T. Jones at Ottawa, 1889: Diverging Paths from
Minneapolis," 1981, p.1, obtainable from the General Conference Archives. [back]

244 Evidence for Wieland's assertion has been given in footnote 241 of this chapter.
[back]

245 See also footnote 241 for reference to McMahon. [back]

246 McMahon says: "Confounding righteousness by faith and sanctification was fatal for
Waggoner's theory of sanctification" (Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man,
p.112). He believes that when it is taught that sanctification is by faith alone, and
especially that Christ takes over completely in the life, there is danger of perfectionism
and eventually pantheism (see Ibid., p.113). While we must acknowledge a distinction in
justification and sanctification, and that in the gift of righteousness by faith in the Pauline
sense one is accounted totally righteous, is it not true that Christ is our justification and
sanctification and that when we truly accept Christ by faith we are accounted all that
justification or sanctification demands? There is also then an on-going impartation in
sanctification which never ends in this life. [back]

247 It would be interesting and important to discover what factors had an influence on
Waggoner's theological thought. Usually one does not develop in isolation to other
thinkers. Would Waggoner have discovered all his concepts simply by individual Bible
study? We have sought to find out what commentaries and which theologians Waggoner
read in order to answer some of these questions. Future research could investigate his use
of sources and reading habits. We have already mentioned Waggoner's use of Luther in
his Signs articles (see footnote 72) and we also looked at Waggoner's Fathers of the
Catholic Church (1888). In producing this work he did wide reading as we have already
mentioned in footnote 238. This included many encyclopaedias and also a host of church
historians. Mention of some of these has already been made in the footnote just referred
to. One could well ask whether Waggoner was not influenced by some aspects of
Hegelian thought, possibly not by reading Hegel himself, but writers in English who had
imbibed his philosophy. [back]

248 In our study of Waggoner's theology we do not find a clear and forthright doctrine of
the Holy Spirit. At least the personality and deity of the Holy Spirit as a part of the
Godhead is not emphasized. The prevailing attitude towards the Holy Spirit in Adventist
circles at the time of Waggoner's work was anti-Trinitarian, accepting the Holy Spirit as a
divine influence from God. (For example, Uriah Smith, leading editor of the Review and
Herald said in a sermon at the 1891 General Conference Session: "The Holy Spirit is the
Spirit of God; it is also the Spirit of Christ. It is that divine, mysterious emanation
through which they carry forward their great and infinite work." See General Conference
Bulletin, IV, arch 18, 1891, p.146. See also Froom's evidence in Movement of Destiny,
1971, pp.151-180. Also E. R. Gane, "The Arian or Anti-Trinitarian views presented in
Seventh-day Adventist Literature and the Ellen G. White Answer," pp. 20-24). In the light
of the above it is not surprising that Waggoner was influenced by his contemporaries in
regard to the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. In his developing Christology, Waggoner gave
greater emphasis to the abiding presence of Christ in the heart and could it be that without
a clear teaching on the Deity or personality of the Holy Spirit, Christ took over the work
of the Holy Spirit in Waggoner's thinking? In time this led to a lessening of the emphasis
on the historical work of Christ in His earthly life and death. The historical Christ was
almost lost in the form of the existential Christ who usurped the work and role of the
Holy Spirit in the heart. [back]

249 In his The Gospel in the Book of Galatians (1888) Waggoner states that Christ was
born under the condemnation of the law and carried this condemnation in His life and
death on the cross. While he indicates that Christ was made like unto His brethren in
order that His sinless life could be an encouragement to man he also indicates that Christ
was made sin not on His own account but on the account of sinners (see footnotes 40-44).
Waggoner was perhaps the most outspoken on the equality of Christ with sinners in his
January 21, 1889, Signs of the Times article, "God Manifest in the Flesh" (see footnotes
75-80). We have also noted the emphasis in his Christ and His Righteousness (1890). In
an article in The Present Truth, December 20, 1900, Waggoner discusses the fact that
Christ had a whole line of sinners in His ancestry and then writes: "How could He be
spotless with such a godless ancestry? - It was all due to His miraculous birth" ("The
Miraculous Birth"). Of course, once we grant the 'miraculous birth' of Christ we are
admitting a distinct difference between Christ and all other men. [back]

250 When Froom discusses Waggoner's work Christ and His Righteousness in his
Movement of Destiny he devotes a short section to Waggoner's handling of the humanity
of Christ (see pp.197,198). Froom interprets Waggoner as meaning that Christ was 'made'
sin for us only vicariously. Froom only stresses those features of Waggoner which agree
with his own strong views on the essential sinlessness of the nature of Christ. Wieland
accentuates the idea that Waggoner believed that Christ came in sinful flesh (see the
chapter "Christ Tempted as We Are," The 1888 Message: An Introduction, pp.41-51).
This is important to Wieland's soteriology as he believes that sinless living by God's last-
day saints will be a reproduction of what Christ did and will vindicate God (see the
chapter "Sinless Living: Possible or Not?" Ibid., pp.92-118). McMahon is quite
outspoken in ascribing to Waggoner a firm belief in Christ possessing a sinful human
nature. He writes: "We have already seen how he taught that Christ came in a sinful
human nature possessing all the sinful passions and evil tendencies common to all men"
(Ellet Joseph Waggoner, pp. 139-140). McMahon might have expressed Waggoner's
views too strongly, but after stating it thus he rejects the concept totally. Fred Wright, a
former Seventh-day Adventist (and yet, no doubt, claiming to be of the traditional line
and having views very similar to the early Brinsmead), has strongly supported Waggoner
and ascribed to him the concept of the sinful human nature of Christ. (See his book The
Destiny of a Movement, Palmwoods, Queensland: The Judgment Hour Publishing Co.,
1976).[back]

251 See footnote 87 as we discussed this issue. [back]

252 See footnote 122 where we noted that Waggoner in 1900 stated that the flesh was not
Christ. [back]

253 See footnote 154 where we quoted from The Everlasting Covenant, p.366.[back]

254 We have given much evidence in this chapter on the clear concept of the uniformity
of the work of Christ and the identity of the gospel to Abraham, Paul and the modern
world. Note, for example, footnotes 129 and 136.[back]

255 Wieland, The 1888 Message: An Introduction, p.93.[back]

256 See Ibid., p.11.[back]

257 Note his words: "Also, twenty-five years ago, these truths, coupled with the self-
evident truth that sin is not an entity but a condition that can exist only in a person, made
it clear to me that it is impossible that there could be any such thing as the transferring of
sins to the sanctuary in heaven, thus defiling that place; and that there could
consequently, be no such thing, either in 1844, A.D., or at any other time, as the
'cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary'" (pp.14,15). This would mean, according to
Waggoner, that he had abandoned the distinctive Adventist sanctuary teaching by 1891.
Some have felt that this might be an exaggeration on the part of Waggoner (see Letter A.
0. Coetzee, Andrews University, to E. C. Webster, July 27, 1982. Coetzee is, no doubt,
reflecting the opinions of some at Andrews, but no evidence is given for this assertion. It
could even be a subjective appraisal). Wieland believes that when Waggoner wrote this
'Confession' in 1916 he was an embittered, defeated and confused man, having suffered
opposition from his brethren, and that he had overstated his case. He does not accept at
face value Waggoner's probably unedited statement. He rejects it on the grounds of
silence (he says there is not a line in Waggoner's writings between 1891 and 1902 to
indicate that he had abandoned the sanctuary teaching); on the grounds of Ellen White's
endorsement of his message between 1891 and 1896 (see footnote 258); on the grounds
that he believes Waggoner did teach the distinctive Adventist Sanctuary doctrine during
the period from 1891 to 1902 and cites one evidence, namely, Present Truth, May 23,
1901.See Wieland, The 1888 Message: An Introduction, pp.157,158.[back]

258 Note this sentiment in his The 1888 Message: An Introduction, pp.11,40.[back]

259 Ibid., p.40.[back]

260 While it is true that Ellen White gave approval and support to the general thrust of
Waggoner's 1888 message it does not mean that she was in total agreement with that
message or with Waggoner's unfolding theology during the 1890's. Even at Minneapolis
Ellen White could say: "Some interpretations of Scripture given by Dr. Waggoner I do not
regard as correct" (Manuscript 15, 1888). She also said that some things presented by
Waggoner in Galatians were not clear to her and did not harmonize with her previous
understanding. Further: "I know it would be dangerous to denounce Dr Waggoner's
position as wholly erroneous. This would please the enemy. I see the beauty of truth in
the presentation of the righteousness of Christ in relation to the law as the doctor has
placed it before us" (Ibid.). Her subsequent approval of Waggoner's 1888 message and
her labors together with Waggoner during 1889-1891 must not be seen as a blanket
approval of every item of his theology. Did she support Waggoner's concept expressed in
The Signs of the Times (1889) that Jesus Christ could not sin because of His divinity?
(See footnote 87 of this chapter). While she spoke of Christ coming in fallen human
nature and taking man's sinful nature did she agree with Waggoner when he expressed in
1889, 1890 that Christ had the same sinful tendencies and passions as all men? (See
footnotes 75-80 in this chapter). Evidently she took a different line when she wrote to
Baker of Australia in 1895 (see footnotes 232-236 in chapter two). And if one compares
Waggoner's presentations on Hebrews at the 1897 General Conference Session with Ellen
White's The Desire of Ages (1898) can one not detect a radical difference between
Waggoner's treatment of Christ, where he tends to blur the distinction between the infinite
and the finite, and Ellen White's historical, objective and yet spiritual treatment of Christ?
Consult also the paper presented to Andrews University in partial fulfillment for a course
in Development of Seventh-day Adventist Theology by Age Rendalen, "The Nature and
Extent of Ellen White's Endorsement of Waggoner and Jones," 1978, pp.1-42.[back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

Chapter Four

THE CHRISTOLOGY OF EDWARD HEPPENSTALL

In this chapter we will attempt to accomplish four things. Firstly, we will seek to
understand the historical milieu in which Heppenstall formed his theological ideas.
Secondly, we will present a backdrop of three salient areas of his general theology in
order to give perspective to his Christology. Thirdly, we will endeavor to present his view
on Christology, concentrating on the person and work of Christ. Finally, we will attempt
to evaluate Heppenstall's Christological contribution to Adventism and its total impact on
the movement.

I. Historical Background

Edward Heppenstall influenced the Adventist theological scene during the 1950's and
1960's largely through his influence as seminary professor at Andrews University,
Michigan, in the area of systematic theology and Christian philosophy. With his
retirement from active teaching in 1970 the next decade slipped from his hands into the
hands of others, although his published works appearing during the 1970's continued to
remind Adventists of his impact.1 Even as the church passes through the archway of the
1980's into the present decade it cannot ignore the shadowy figure of Heppenstall
standing on the sidelines, challenging her to build her theology on the primacy of the
Word.

Edward Heppenstall was born at Rotherham, Yorkshire, in England at the turn of the
century.2 His parents were in business operating a china shop and were of non-Conformist
persuasion, belonging to the Congregational Church. Edward lost his father when he was
ten and at thirteen had to leave high school to work twelve hours a day, six days a week,
in a steel factory producing steering shafts for submarines. From those early days
Heppenstall learnt the importance of application to a task.

At the age of twenty-two a very important event took place in Edward Heppenstall's life.
Still working in the engineering line in a machine shop, Edward was an avowed agnostic.
Although his mother had become a Seventh-day Adventist some years prior to this,
Edward only made intellectual contact with Christianity. Working along with Edward in
the machine shop was a radiant Christian young man who introduced Edward to a living
relationship with Christ. After a time of struggle Edward became a Christian, was
baptized and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. This apparently insignificant act
was to have a far-reaching influence on Adventism in the second half of the century.

With this turning point in his life, Edward felt the need for further education and went to
Stanborough Seventh-day Adventist College where he studied for five years. Earning his
way through school by selling books, he immersed himself in the arts, sciences, theology
and studied Greek and Hebrew. Indicative of his caliber as a student is the fact that upon
his graduation the Board of the College immediately invited him to join the faculty
teaching English, Logic and Greek and, in addition, serving as dean of men. He occupied
this position for three years and no doubt the teaching of Logic was a contributing factor
to the sharpening of his theological thought.

With an insatiable appetite for further education Edward Heppenstall left England in
1931, crossed the Atlantic Ocean and attended Emmanuel Missionary College, Michigan,
forerunner of Andrews University, for two years. Here he completed his B. A. degree,
majoring in English literature and also doing work in science and theology. He was
profoundly influenced by Bible teacher W. W. Prescott with his Christ-centered approach
and his emphasis on righteousness by faith, Prescott having been present at the famous
Minneapolis Conference of 1888. Here, again, we note an important formative influence
on Heppenstall's theology.

Proceeding to Ann Arbor, Heppenstall completed an M. A. in History and Semitics at the

University of Michigan. After this he was engaged in teaching and doing evangelistic and
pastoral work in the Michigan Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He was
subsequently appointed to the post of Youth Director of his church in the same
Conference. In 1938 Edward Heppenstall was married to Margit StrØm who had come to
America from Norway. Margit had been a college teacher in Norway and throughout their
years of married life she has been a real companion to her husband intellectually as well
as in many other areas.
In 1940 Heppenstall was called from Michigan to join the faculty of the Seventh-day
Adventist La Sierra College in Arlington, California. He remained there for fifteen years,
much of the time as Chairman of the Department of Theology. Murdoch, writing of this
period, wrote of Heppenstall: "Here he became one of the foremost Bible teachers the
denomination has produced."3 During this time of teaching he also pastored the La Sierra
College Church, giving him opportunity to present his theology in practical preaching
from the pulpit. While at La Sierra Heppenstall also took time to continue his studies at
the University of Southern California over a protracted period. He earned a Doctor of
Philosophy degree in the field of Religious Education in 1950 and received the Phi Beta
Kappa award in recognition of the excellence of his work.

In 1955 Heppenstall was called to the chair of systematic theology and Christian
philosophy at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary then in Takoma Park,
Washington, D.C. He remained there for eleven years, serving as Chairman of the
Department for the whole period except the first two years. His influence now became
world-wide as he taught teachers and ministers from all parts of the world. He also
extended his impact by conducting seminary extension schools in Australia, the
Philippines, California and in England.4 From his pen flowed articles for denominational
periodicals and contributions to the Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary and
Questions on Doctrine.5 His practical outreach was important as he conducted Weeks of
Spiritual Emphasis in colleges and academies, spoke at youth rallies, Bible conferences,
campmeetings, retreats and ministerial institutes, in addition to regularly occupying
pulpits almost every week. Norval Pease says of Heppenstall during this period: "These
were the years of his greatest outreach."6

In 1967 Heppenstall was called from the Theological Seminary to Loma Linda University
where he taught in the Division of Religion until his retirement from active teaching in
1970. Since that time he has concentrated on writing and has produced his major works
which have already been noted.7 He lives now in retirement with his wife at Carmel on
the West Coast of the United States.8 Indicative of his continuing interest in theology and
the freshness of his mind is the fact that Andrews University sent him out to Helderberg
College, South Africa, from October to December 1981, to lecture in the first leg of an
ongoing M. A. programme being offered for ten weeks every year.

_________

1 Through the years Heppenstall has been a contributor to Seventh-day Adventist

periodicals, particularly The Ministry, The Signs of the Times and These Times. For his
main published works we refer to: E Heppenstall, Our High Priest, Washington, D.C.:

Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1972; Salvation Unlimited, Washington,

D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1974; "Let us go on to Perfection,"
Perfection, the Impossible Possibility, Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing
Association, 1975; The Man Who is God, a Study of the Person and Nature of Jesus, Son
of God and Son of Man, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
1977. It is interesting to note that Heppenstall's books all appeared after his retirement
from teaching. No doubt, his very busy life as a Seminary professor, minister and
travelling lecturer prevented him from accomplishing this task earlier. Possibly writing
has not been his first love when weighed against the classroom and the pulpit. [back]

2 Edward Heppenstall was born on May 8, 1901. For biographical details that will follow
we are indebted to Margit S. Heppenstall, wife of Edward. She wrote a 5-page typed
document in 1970 and forwarded it to Dr. W. G. C. Murdoch of the Seventh-day
Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, Michigan. his is obtainable from the
E. G. White Research Center at Andrews University. See also a similar typed document
of 5 pages prepared by W. G C. Murdoch and also available at the E. G. White Research
Center. [back]

3 W. G. C. Murdoch writing a tribute to Edward Heppenstall in The Stature of Christ,

essays in honor of Edward Heppenstall, collected and published by Vern Carner and Gary
Stanhiser, privately printed and published Loma Linda, California, 1970, p.2. The Stature
of Christ is a volume consisting of a collection of scholarly articles prepared by students
and colleagues of Heppenstall and presented at the end of the 1970 academic year at
Loma Linda to honor Edward Heppenstall at the time of his retirement from active
teaching. [back]

4 For a report of the 8 week Extension School held in Australia from December 8, 19S7,
at Avondale College, see E Heppenstall, "Theological Seminary Extension School in
Australia," Review and Herald, Vol. 135, No. 11, March 13, 1958, p.23. Here Heppenstall
taught two courses. one on the Sanctuary and one on Grace and Law. For the Extension
School in the Philippines during April/May 1962 where Heppenstall taught
"Righteousness by Faith," see Heppenstall, Review and Herald, Vol. 139, No. 4S,
September 27, 1962, pp.16,17; for the School in California during the school year 1962-3
where he taught Righteousness by Faith, Law and Covenants, the doctrine of the
Sanctuary and the doctrine of inspiration and revelation, see Heppenstall, "SDA Seminary
Western Extension School," Review and Herald, Vol. 140, No. 1S, April 11, 1963, p.20;
for the extension school in England where he taught two courses in theology, see
Heppenstall, "Seminary Extension School in England," Review and Herald, Vol. 141, No.
36, September 3, 1964, P.32.[back]

5 See Murdoch in The Stature of Christ, p.3.[back]

6 Norval F. Pease, Loma Linda University, Chairman Department of Religion, College of

Arts and Sciences, in The Stature of Christ, essays in honor of Edward Heppenstall,
p.5.[back]

7 See footnote 1 of this chapter. [back]

8 0n the human interest side the Heppenstall’s have two children, both married. Their son,
Malcolm, is an orthopedic surgeon and has two children. Their daughter, Astrid, is a
pediatrician and her husband is a cardiologist. They have three children. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

II. Three Salient Aspects of Heppenstall's General Theology

In order to understand Heppenstall's theological frame of reference and in turn to

appreciate more fully his Christological position, we wish to present three main aspects
of his theological emphasis. These three areas are Revelation and Authority; Law and
Covenant; and Righteousness and Grace.

A. Revelation and Authority

We will proceed to describe Heppenstall's stand on Revelation and Authority in four

parts. These will be the nature of Revelation, the avenues of Revelation, faith and reason
and objective or subjective authority.

l. The Nature of Revelation

Heppenstall accepts the first basic presupposition to be the existence of God. The second
presupposition is that this God has revealed Himself somewhere and to someone.
Heppenstall sees revelation as the manifestation of something or Someone that was
previously concealed, an understanding of knowledge which cannot be achieved by man
on his own.9 Hence it is a way of acquiring knowledge that is essentially opposite to the
usual method of acquiring knowledge through observation, research and thought.
Heppenstall sees in revelation a supernatural element.

Man does not discover God for He is absolute mystery until He reveals Himself. Without
revelation man would always be in some form of darkness or bondage. Heppenstall sees
sin as that factor which causes man to be in darkness and which necessitates a divine
revelation. Natural acquisition of secular knowledge makes us masters of that which we
know. In revelation the tables are turned and God becomes Lord and Master of man. And
in this very Lordship man becomes free.

Heppenstall sees the purpose of revelation as God's desire to lay hold on man and to draw
him once more to Himself in order to set Him within the kingdom of His dear Son. The
nature of revelation is for Heppenstall both a disclosure of facts, events, information,
prepositional truths as well as of God Himself above all in the person of Jesus Christ.10

2. The Avenues of Revelation

Heppenstall would see the principal avenues of God's revelation as being the Scriptures11
with Jesus Christ Himself as the fullest revelation of the Father.12 God has revealed
Himself to the prophets in the Scriptures in a way in which He has not revealed Himself
to others. This required special revelation and if it were not for the Scriptures man would
not know God's truth. In the Scriptures God reveals both content and propositions as well
as Himself. The Holy Spirit is needed to rightly understand and accept God's revelation in
the Word of God.13 In Heppenstall's high regard for the revelation in Scripture he does not
take a fundamentalist or a narrow evangelical position on verbal inspiration. In fact, he
does not believe that this is required to maintain Scripture as revelation from God.14
While not arguing for inerrancy, Heppenstall does accept the Scriptures as the infallible
Word of God and the historicity of the events of Scripture in typical conservative
fashion.15

In regard to special and general revelation, Heppenstall believes that prior to the fall,
general revelation could reveal God to man, but subsequent to the fall man's mind has
been so darkened by sin that he needs special revelation to accept the true God.16 This
special revelation comes primarily through the Scriptures and Jesus Christ. Heppenstall
believes that salvation can only be found in Jesus Christ as revealed in the Word of God
and cannot be found through other persons or through a natural theology.17

3. Faith and Reason

Heppenstall sees faith as vital in accepting God's revelation in Christ and in His Word.
This faith is a reliance upon, a trust in and a commitment to a person, Jesus Christ. It has
no merit in itself and earns nothing, for it is a gift of God. Faith demands a personal
involvement with Jesus Christ who is the object of faith. Never should we focus upon the
excellence of our faith but rather upon the excellence of the object of faith. Our faith
must be grounded in Christ and should never be concentrated upon ourselves. Faith is not
simply a passive virtue but demands an active participation and involvement on the part
of the subject towards the object of faith, Jesus Christ.18

Heppenstall sees reason as the channel of knowledge which is to lead ultimately to faith
and acknowledgement. God makes His revelation in such a way that it can reach the mind
and the reason of man and not simply his emotions.19 However, for Heppenstall, reason is
strictly limited.20 Unless it is guided by the Holy Spirit and yielded to Christ in faith it
will not avail to fully understand spiritual truth. An unbeliever could pass a stiff
theological examination and prove intellectually that he understands New Testament
theology and yet, in the sense of spiritual understanding based on real faith, he has
understood nothing.21

4. Objective and Subjective Authority

When it comes to the question of authority, Heppenstall believes that authority in spiritual
matters lies outside of man in the objective revelation of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.
While Jesus Christ is the ultimate authority, for man in this world of sin God has given
the objective authority of Scripture which is to be our primary authority in this world.22
Heppenstall sees an appeal to the authority of man himself as a false concept of true
authority. It is for this reason that Heppenstall cautions against certain aspects of
existentialism.23 He believes that this philosophy can focus attention on the authority of
man's being and existence over against the objective authority of God's written and
revealed Word, the Scriptures.

B. Law and Covenant

In this section we plan to briefly present Heppenstall's ideas regarding the nature of the
Law, the purpose of the Law and thirdly, his changing concepts regarding the Covenant.

1. The Nature of the Law

When we realize that Heppenstall's course on grace and the law or on the law and the
covenant covers a quarter or a semester, we recognize that our summary will only be a
synopsis. Heppenstall sees the term "Law" in broad perspective and scope. In one sense it
is a division of the Old Testament (Luke 24:44); in another it means the moral law of Ten
Commandments (Deut. 4:12,13); and yet again the Shema (Deut. 6:4-9) or the ceremonial
law (Heb. 9:9,10); and there is also the law of sin (Rom. 7:23) and the law of the spirit of
life (Rom. 8:2).24 Heppenstall sees the law of Moses as incorporating both the temporary
ceremonial laws and the permanent moral law.25

Heppenstall sees the nature of the law of God as being characterized by love.26 As such
the principles of the moral law are eternal and were in existence prior to the creation of
man.27 These principles were worded to meet man in his fallen condition.28 While the
moral law of Ten Commandments only entered in a codified form at Sinai these basic
principles defined sin from the time of Adam.29 At the time of Christ the Pharisees had
lost sight of the true nature of the law and Christ Himself became the embodiment of the
principles of the decalogue.30 Jesus revealed the depths of the requirement of the law and
exposed the evil of man's heart in relation to God's requirement. He also showed the basic
nature of the law in His declaration of its essence being love to God and love to man.31

2. The Purpose of the Law

Heppenstall sees the law serving its true function or being used as a method of bondage
or of salvation.

a. The Law as a Standard

Heppenstall's view of the law prior to sin, is that it was ordained to life (Rom. 7:10).32 But
subsequent to the fall of man life cannot be obtained through obedience to the law.33 The
true function of the law is to serve as a standard of right and wrong and of God's
righteousness,34 and to lead the sinner to Christ.35 This standard is necessary to reveal sin
and should be used along with the gospel in revealing man's sinful condition.36
Heppenstall believes that Christ must always be presented in the law and it is this
combination of the law and the gospel which can bring the sinner to conviction.37In this
sense as a standard of righteousness the moral law remains in force this side of the cross.
b. The Law as a Custodian

In another sense the entire law as entrusted to Israel at Sinai in its moral, ceremonial and
civil nature was imposed upon the nation to serve as a custodian to guard them and lead
them until the Seed should come (Gal. 3:19-24).38 Heppenstall sees this as a historical
development and states that when Jesus Christ came and faith was revealed this aspect of
the guardianship of the whole Jewish legal system came to an end.39 In this sense God's
people were "under the law" until the historical achievement of Christ was fulfilled. In
this jurisdictional sense the purpose of the legal system was first, to give sin the character
of transgression (Gal. 3:19) and secondly, to show man his constant need of a Redeemer
in point of time.40

c. The Law as Bondage

Heppenstall also sees another meaning to the term 'under the law.' This is a life lived
under the domination and driving power and motive of the law.41 This is on the
experiential plane and is opposite to a life dominated and motivated by grace. The carnal
nature and the life in the flesh is lived 'under the law' and is also characterized by a
slavish attachment to the 'letter' of the law which kills.42

d. The Law as a Method of Salvation

Heppenstall makes much of the difference between the law as a standard and as a
method.43 When the law of God is considered as a method of salvation then Heppenstall
sees a perversion of the true function of the law.44 This false function of the law accounts
for Paul's apparent animosity towards the law.45 The law has no power to forgive the
sinner or to bestow righteousness upon him. Therefore, to use the law as a method of
obtaining righteousness can only lead one into the barren wastelands of legalism and
Phariseeism.46 Heppenstall sees "Christ as the end of the law for righteousness" (Rom.
10:4) and by this he, understands Christ to be the purpose of the law and also the end of
any method of trying to obtain righteousness by means of the law.47

e. A new relationship to the Law

Once the sinner has found a new life in Christ and obtained the righteousness of the law
through faith, Heppenstall sees a new relationship between the saint and the law.48 Now
the law is written in the heart of the believer and obedience to the law becomes the fruit
of salvation rather than a method of salvation. Heppenstall does not accept the idea that
obedience to the law of God in the new life is legalism.49 Legalism is an effort to earn
merit and acceptance with God through obedience but when obedience springs from a
grateful heart in love to God and in thankfulness for salvation, legalism is not involved.
When we receive the gift of salvation in Jesus Christ we come into a new relationship to
the law of God, which is one of loving obedience.50

3. Changing Concepts of the Covenant

Prior to 1952 Heppenstall was teaching basically that there are two covenants which God
presented to man.51 One was the everlasting covenant formulated from the days of
eternity and offered to man when he fell into sin (Gen. 3:15). This was the covenant of
grace extended to the patriarchs including Abraham. Circumcision initially was a sign of
this covenant of grace. While it was thus operative from the beginning of the world it was
only ratified by the death of Christ on the cross. This covenant was renewed by Christ
and is the new covenant spoken of by the writer of the Hebrews (Heb. 8:8-10). The other
covenant, according to Heppenstall, was the old covenant which God offered to the
children of Israel at Sinai when His people rejected the everlasting covenant through self-
confidence.

At the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Conference in 1952, Heppenstall presented his new
position on the question of the covenants.52 He now suggested that essentially God has
only one everlasting covenant which He not only offered to the patriarchs and Abraham,
but also to His special people at Sinai. God was not offering the Israelites an inferior
covenant or a second-rate plan of salvation. Heppenstall stated that if God was really
offering the old covenant or a covenant of works then He could hardly castigate the
Jewish people for turning the system into a programme of works. If this is what God
offered them then they were highly successful in accomplishing His purposes.

No, Heppenstall indicated that God was offering Israel the same eternal covenant of grace
only in different trappings. God's purpose and approach to Israel at Sinai was one of love
and grace. The testimony of the writers of the Old Testament is that Sinai was a glorious
demonstration of the love of God.53 God offered them the same covenant that He had
made with Abraham (Ex. 2: 24).54 God was pleased with the response that Israel made at
Sinai (Ex. 24:7; Deut. 5:27,28).55 Heppenstall stated, furthermore, that the covenant
which God sought to make with Israel at Sinai was based upon righteousness by faith
(Deut. 30:11-14).56 Moreover, Heppenstall sees the numerous appeals by leaders and
prophets to return to God's covenant as highly significant for the spirituality of the
original covenant He made at Sinai.57

While Heppenstall advocates one essential covenant, he recognizes that from the
manward side the Sinaitic covenant became a symbol of man's will to own his own life
and to live by works instead of grace.58 The spirit of pride, independence, and self-effort
toward the law was the outstanding sin of Israel and turned God's covenant of grace
experientially into an old covenant' of works. By the time of Paul the history of Israel had
become synonymous with salvation by works and Sinai is, therefore, looked upon as an
epitome of bondage (Gal. 4:22-25).59 While God only had one covenant, Paul now speaks
of a covenant that gendereth to bondage and another which is free. The Sinaitic covenant
had become perverted by man's sin and rebellion and the New Testament era became a
point in time for Christ to offer the everlasting covenant of race in His own precious
blood.

C. Righteousness and Grace

In this section we will give attention to what Heppenstall often calls "righteousness by
faith." This incorporates all aspects of the process whereby the sinner receives the
righteousness of God and finds himself accepted by heaven. We will limit our attention to
four areas of this problem as handled by Heppenstall. These are the radical nature of
man's sin; justification by faith; sanctification; and Christian perfection.

1. The Radical Nature of Man's sin

Heppenstall has consistently taught that human sin is radical by nature.60

He has never taught a superficial view of sin. In his early teaching career he taught that
sin includes both conduct and a state or inner condition. The essential principle of this
state of man's sin is selfishness.61 This principle of sin consists of self-sufficiency instead
of faith, self-will instead of submission, self-seeking instead of benevolence and self-
righteousness instead of humility.62 Heppenstall has spoken of the effects of Adam's sin
on his posterity in terms of the depravity of man.63

For Heppenstall original sin is wrong being rather than wrong doing.64 He does not see
God punishing all men for Adam's sin; rather the result of one man's sin is that all men
are born in a state of separation from God.65 In this state of separation man finds himself
in a broken relationship with God and in a state of self-centeredness.66 Heppenstall sees
original sin as a spiritual problem rather than a deficiency in the genes.67 He does not see
sin as transmitted genetically from parent to child. Each child born into this broken
spiritual relationship confirms Adam's sin by committing acts of sin.68 Heppenstall has
pioneered the way in the Adventist theological world with reference to the doctrine of
original sin often amidst mixed reaction.69

Because Heppenstall views man's sinful condition as deep and radical, he makes Jesus
Christ and His salvation all the more necessary and vital. He says: "The right view of sin
and death demands the right view of the divine remedy."70 There is no doubt that
Heppenstall's concept of the depravity of man and his lost condition has led him to
emphasize the necessity of salvation outside of man in Jesus Christ.

2. Justification by Faith

Heppenstall sees justification by faith in Jesus Christ as the answer to the dilemma of
sin.71 Because man is unrighteous, God must provide righteousness from some other
source. This source is none other than Jesus Christ who came to this world, lived a fully
righteous life of obedience, died a substitutionary death upon the cross and bore the
penalty for all sin.72 It is on the grounds of Christ's obedience and death that God can be
just and can justify the ungodly.73

In justification Heppenstall sees God declaring the believing sinner righteous rather than
making him righteous.74 This declaration that the sinner is no longer exposed to the
penalty of the law is made not on the basis of the righteous acts or the personal character
of the sinner, but solely on the grounds of the righteous life and atoning death of Jesus
Christ.75 While Heppenstall maintains the declarative nature of justification he also sees
justification by faith as not only deliverance from punishment but also as restoration to
favor.76

3. Sanctification by the Holy Spirit

While Heppenstall holds to a distinction between justification and sanctification he

believes that these two conditions can never be separated.77 Christ provides justification
for past sins and for the present and immediately becomes the sinner's source of
sanctification.78 Heppenstall sees the work of sanctification as a continuous one which
lasts as long as life lasts. Sanctification is never complete and finalized in this life.79

Because Heppenstall sees man as possessing two natures, the sinful nature with which he
is born and the new nature from above, sanctification is always necessary.80 The sinful
nature is not eradicated at conversion nor at any subsequent time before the second
coming of Christ.81 Therefore, it is necessary to receive the imparted righteousness of
Christ to neutralize the sinful nature. In the process of sanctification the sinful nature
must also be crucified daily and one must reckon oneself dead to sin.82

Although Heppenstall sees sanctification as a continuous work the child of God does not
need to live in uncertainty and insecurity. Christ is given wholly to the saint in
sanctification and the child of God can, therefore, be ready for eternal life at every
moment of his life.83 Even though he still has weaknesses and defects Christ is a total
Saviour and in justification and sanctification comes to the life as a complete Saviour. On
the grounds of Christ's imputed righteousness and His imparted righteousness the
growing saint can be accounted fully righteous and ready for heaven.84

4. Christian Perfection

Because of Heppenstall's radical view of man's sin and because of his view that the sinful
nature of man remains until glorification, Heppenstall cannot teach a doctrine of sinless
perfection.85 He has rather taught Christian perfection in the Biblical terms of maturity
and full dedication to Christ resulting in relative perfection rather than absolute
perfection.86

While Heppenstall does believe that the Holy Spirit can give glorious victory over sin in
the life, he believes that the law is so broad and deep and the nature of man so sinful that
the state of sin remains with the saint, making the total eradication of sin impossible.87 He
believes that the struggle between the flesh and the spirit will continue as long as life
lasts.88 There will always be more love that can be shown, greater heights of self-
sacrifice, higher levels of spiritual attainment to be reached. Heppenstall believes that the
saint will always need to pray the Lord's Prayer and will have to ask for the forgiveness
of sin.89 The closer the saint comes to Christ the more clearly will he see his sinful
condition and state and will cry out for a closer relationship with Christ.90

Because of man's sinful nature Heppenstall sees a gulf between the sinlessness of Christ
and the life of the best saint.91 Jesus Christ is the only one who ever lived a life of sinless
perfection and no man has ever been able to do this.92 Salvation does not depend on man's
trying to reach sinless perfection but is dependent upon a loving and trusting relationship
with Jesus Christ which will provide the state of perfection necessary to be saved in
God's kingdom.93

Having given attention to these three background areas of Heppenstall's theology we

have already become aware of the centrality of Jesus Christ in his thinking. When it
comes to Revelation and Authority, we have noted that for Heppenstall Jesus Christ is the
supreme revelation of God and is also the ultimate point of reference and authority in our
lives. As far as the Law and the Covenant is concerned, Heppenstall finds that the entire
Jewish legal system pointed to Christ, and the moral law or decalogue only has real
significance when presented in Christ. Likewise, the one everlasting covenant has its
ground and basis in the righteousness of Christ. When it comes to Righteousness and
Grace, Jesus Christ is the One who provides all of the benefits of justification and
sanctification and is the total answer to the problem of sin and the challenge of Christian
perfection. Heppenstall has a Christocentric approach to his theology.

___________________

9 Heppenstall treats the subject of Revelation and Inspiration in his Syllabus for Bible
Doctrines, Volume I, which he prepared for the Theology Department of La Sierra
College, California. He was teaching there between 1940 and 19S5. The first volume is
undated but our issue of Volume II bears the date 195S.We can be sure that Volume I does
reflect Heppenstall's views during his period at La Sierra. For the thought that God must
reveal Himself to man in order for man to know God, see page 3 of Volume I where
Heppenstall handles the nature of Revelation. On the fact that God has revealed Himself
"through His Son and through His chosen servants the prophets in a way that is wholly
distinct from the way God speaks to us today" see Heppenstall, "Constructing a Sound
Theology," The Ministry, April 1957, p.19 (the entire article pp.18-22). Note also
Heppenstall's unpublished manuscript, "The Nature of Revelation," where he sides with
evangelical theology by insisting that all we can know of God is by revelation. This
knowledge is not the product of human searching. "Revelation is no mere human
achievement. Were it not for God's revelation, God would remain a stranger to man; so
would His workings in history; so would the truths and doctrines found in His Word"
(page l; this manuscript available from Norval F Pease, Loma Linda University). In 1970
Heppenstall reaffirmed his view that in order for sinners to know and understand God, He
must reveal Himself to man. See his articles "The Doctrine of Revelation and Inspiration,
Parts I and II," The Ministry, Vol. 44, Nos. 7,8, July 1970, pp. 16-19; August 1970, pp.28-
31.[back]

10 Notice these two emphases when Heppenstall writes: "Revelation is communication

from God, either by the disclosure of Himself, by events in history, or by the spoken and
written Word" (unpublished manuscript, "The Nature of Revelation," p. l.). During his La
Sierra period (1940-1955), Heppenstall appeared to be stronger on the concept of
revelation being a personal communication than in his later period. Note his comment:
"The real content of revelation in the Bible is not 'something'; it is not 'creed' but God
Himself" (Syllabus for 8ible Doctrines, Vol. I, p.3). In speaking about the response of
faith to divine revelation this concept of a relationship to a Person rather than simply to
doctrine is apparent: "This faith is not a revelation to just a set of ideas, certain dogmatic
truths and doctrines; it is wholly a personal relationship; my trustful obedience to Him
who has revealed Himself" (Ibid., p.5). Heppenstall usually addressed himself to
problems facing the Adventist community and could it be that during the 1940's
Heppenstall felt that Adventists faced the danger of regarding revelation coldly in the
form of 'doctrines,' 'truths' and 'facts'? Later as Heppenstall believed that the church was
facing the opposite danger of some aspects of existentialism in placing man's personal
encounter above objective truth he gave another emphasis. See his article "The Doctrine
of Revelation and Inspiration," The Ministry, July 1970. Here he argues for the rational
and propositional aspect of Revelation: "These messages constitute the rational content of
the revelation, identified with the words of Scripture" (page 17). He says that in this
existential interpretation "Revelation mediates God's presence, not doctrine, not verbal
rational truths" (Ibid.). He says that the formula for the new view is that God
communicates Himself, not truths or doctrines about Himself. Heppenstall makes his
appeal: "What is needed today is to unmask a false doctrine of revelation that by-passes
the revealed Word of God given in propositional terms" (Ibid., p.18). Evidently,
Heppenstall believes that the danger in the 1970's is that theologians will veer away from
objective revealed truths to a reliance on a subjective experience of encounter. [back]

11 There is no question but that Heppenstall sees the Scriptures as foundational for any
acceptable theology. See his article, "Constructing a Sound Theology," The Ministry,
April 1957, pp.18-22. He says that man has been confronted with divine revelation in
God's activity through Jesus Christ and through His Word. The true theologian first
believes the Scriptures to be the Word of God. The Word of God existed prior to the
church and brought the church into existence. "The books of the Bible were inspired long
before the church councils made any declaration concerning them" (Ibid., p.20). In 1970
in the article, "The Doctrine of Revelation and Inspiration," The Ministry, July 1970,
Heppenstall seems to favor the traditional view that revelation is "inscripturated in the
Bible" (p.16) over against a modern view that emphasizes man's personal encounter with
God outside of Scripture. For other references on the importance of the revelation of
Scripture see Heppenstall, "Why You Need the Bible Now," The Signs of the Times,
March 1970, pp.6,7; "Let the Bible be Studied," These Times, December 1975, pp.24-
26.[back]
12 For Heppenstall Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God. In 19S7 he wrote: "We
do not worship the 8ible, but Him of whom the Scriptures bear witness - the true and
living God and His Son, Jesus Christ" ("Constructing a Sound Theology," The Ministry,
April 1957, p.21). At La Sierra he was saying that all "the doctrines and truths in the
Bible point to nothing else than that God Himself addresses us in order that we ourselves
may answer Him in faith" and then says significantly: "That is the significance of Jesus
being the Word - John l:l-3" (Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. I, p.5). While he says that,
"The 8ible is the Word of God, the primary authority in all spiritual matters," he stated in
the same source: "Christ's coming, his incarnation, his work of atonement is the full
revelation of God that actually and potentially affects every man in the world"
(Heppenstall, Access to God Through Special or Natural Revelation, Loma Linda,
California: Division of Religion, Loma Linda University, 1974, pp.9,11).See also "The
Final Authority," These Times, June 1967, pp.4-7, where he couples Christ and His Word
but appears to give ultimate authority to Christ. He writes about committing ourselves "to
Christ and to the will of God as He has stated it in Holy Scripture" (Ibid., p.6), and
furthermore: "Our ultimate frame of reference is still Jesus Christ" (Ibid.). No doubt
Heppenstall would say that in the absence of Jesus Christ the Bible is the primary
authority pointing to the ultimate authority who is Jesus Christ the image of God. [back]

13 The role of the Holy Spirit is vital in the doctrine of revelation and inspiration. Firstly,
Heppenstall sees the function of the Holy Spirit with regard to inspiration in ensuring the
accuracy of that which is revealed to the prophet and recorded by him (see Heppenstall,
"The Nature of Revelation," p. l; see also "The Doctrine of Revelation and Inspiration,"
The Ministry, August 1970, p.28). Secondly, he sees the important role of the Holy Spirit
in enabling us to understand revelation. (See Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, p.6.
where Heppenstall brings revelation, reason and faith together under the blessing of the
Holy Spirit.) See also "Constructing a Sound Theology," The Ministry, April 1957,
p.21.[back]

14 See Heppenstall, "The Doctrine of Revelation and Inspiration," The Ministry, August
1970, pp.28-31.[back]

15 Heppenstall refers to Christ's acceptance of many of the events of the Old Testament
as actual and historical. See Ibid. [back]

16 We refer the reader to Heppenstall's discussion of special and natural revelation in his
work, Access to God (1974), where he shows the inadequacy of natural revelation for
salvation and the vital role of special revelation through Jesus Christ and the Scriptures.
[back]

17 Heppenstall takes a Christocentric stand on the question of salvation. Note his words:
"God has provided reconciliation in Christ and in the gospel and nowhere else," Access to
God (1974), p.8. Further: "There are not two ways of salvation. All salvation stems from
Christ and His work on the cross" (Ibid.). He states clearly: "It is essential that no shadow
be cast over the supreme revelation in Christ and the need for man's conscious, intelligent
commitment to Christ and to His Word" (Ibid., pp.7,8).[back]
18 For Heppenstall's discussion of faith see his work, Salvation Unlimited, 1974, pp.64-
96; also Syllabus for Righteousness by Faith, Seventh-day Adventist Seminary, August
1959, pp.3,4. While this element of relationship has always been important in
Heppenstall's concept of faith, it appeared strong as ever during his La Sierra days when
he couched his idea of faith in almost neo-Orthodox language: "But faith is more than
intellectual assent. It is obedience and surrender to the divine revelation...8ut faith is not
the acceptance of the statement of a reliable authority; it is the relation of trust in another
person; it is a personal relation between two human beings...True faith is the work of
grace which changes the sinful, independent self into a self that depends utterly upon
God" (Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, p.5).[back]

19 Notice his words: "But belief and faith cannot be made nonintellectual. True faith is
based on true knowledge (Rom. 10:17)" ("Constructing a Sound Theology," The Ministry,
April 1957, p.19). Moreover: "The demand today is to build our theologies on critical
scholarship. God does not put a premium on ignorance" (Ibid., p.21). He acknowledges
that revelation has a rational and a propositional nature (see Heppenstall, "The Doctrine
of Revelation and Inspiration," The Ministry, July 1970, p.17).[back]

20 See Heppenstall, Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. I, La Sierra, p.6. He says that we
must recognize "the limitations and incompetence of human reason" in determining what
is truth and that reason can only be fruitful when directed by the Holy Spirit (see
"Constructing a Sound Theology," The Ministry, April 1957, p.21). Furthermore, the
mind of man "partakes of that depravity under which he is now held in bondage and from
which he has no escape except through special revelation" (Access to God, p.5).[back]

21 See Heppenstall, Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. I, p.6.[back]

22 See Heppenstall, "The Foundation of the Adventist Faith," The Ministry, Vol. 38, No.
8, August 1965, pp.3-6, 13. Here he states that revelation is given historically in Christ
when on earth and in the Scriptures. He cautions against subjective experience without
the objective authority of the Word. See also Heppenstall, "Creed, Authority and
Freedom," The Ministry, April 1979, pp.13-14.[back]

23 See Heppenstall, "The Dangers of Existentialism," Part I and II, The Ministry, October
1968, pp.13,14,42; November 1968, pp.28-30. While he states that a trustworthy
approach to the truth is both objective and subjective he does raise his voice in warning:
"Existentialism shatters faith in objective truth, moral absolutes, and eternal principles
revealed in the Holy Scriptures" (The Ministry, October 1968, p.14). He sees in
existentialism a danger in rejecting the objective nature of revelation thus removing the
criteria for distinguishing between truth and error (see The Ministry, November 1968,
p.29).[back]

24 See Heppenstall, Syllabus for Grace and Law, Seventh-day Adventist Theological
Seminary, July 1957, p. l; see also Syllabus for Grace and Law, January 1958 and July
1961, which are both identical with the Syllabus of 1957. See also Syllabus for Bible
Doctrines, Vol. l, La Sierra, pp.68-74.[back]

25 Heppenstall, Syllabus for Grace and Law, p. l. [back]

26 Ibid.,p.2. See also Doctrinal Discussions, pp.20-24.[back]

27 Heppenstall, Syllabus for Grace and Law, p.3.[back]

28 We note that Heppenstall finds this thought in Ellen White, The Signs of the Times,
April 15, 1875 (see Syllabus for Grace and Law, p.2).[back]

29 Heppenstall, Syllabus for Grace and Law, p.2.[back]

30 Ibid., pp.2,3.[back]

31 See Heppenstall, "The Law in Adventist Theology and Christian Experience,"

Doctrinal Discussions, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
[1962?), pp.20-24.[back]

32 Heppenstall says: "So far as the purpose of God is concerned, the Ten Commandments
are perfectly adapted to fill the soul with peace and purity provided everything in man
had remained as it had been created" (Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 1, Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1953, p.462).[back]

33 Notice Heppenstall's thought: "But original conditions no longer prevail. Man must
continue to accept the law of God as a standard of righteousness, but he can no longer use
the law as a method of becoming righteous" (Ibid., p.463).[back]

34 Heppenstall writes: "First, law is God's standard of what is right and true; it is the
standard of obedience to the will of God" (Ibid., p.461).[back]

35 Note again: "On the positive side Galatians 3: 19-26 shows that the law leads us to
Christ, by shutting us up to one method of salvation, faith in Christ" (Ibid., p.468).[back]

36 See Heppenstall, "Does Gospel Nullify Law?" The Signs of the Times, August 1967,
pp.12-14. See also "The Law and the Gospel United for Christ's Righteousness," Our
Firm Foundation, Vol. 1, pp.475-487.[back]

37 Heppenstall writes: "To see Christ in the law leads to repentance and salvation,
because it leads to trust and faith" (Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 1, p.470).[back]

38 See Heppenstall's treatment of this in "The Law in Adventist Theology and Christian
Experience," Doctrinal Discussions, pp.12-16.[back]

39 This is clearly Heppenstall's concept in Doctrinal Discussions pp.12-16. The article

appearing in this source was first printed in The Ministry, June 1960, pp.4-11 in response
to Walter R Martin's book, The Truth about Seventh-day Adventists, Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1960.In 1960 Heppenstall took the position that
"There is a time element involved, where one is said to be 'no longer under law'...One
cannot dismiss the time factor by saying that this applies merely to one's personal
experience" (Doctrinal Discussions, pp.12,13). Interestingly enough, Heppenstall seemed
to take a slightly different approach in his treatment of Gal. 3:19-25 at the 1952 Bible
Conference. Then he said: "Paul is not speaking of a fixed, definite point of time when
faith came" (Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 1, p.473; see the whole treatment, pp. 468-474).
We feel that the 1960 position as found in Doctrinal Discussions is an improvement on
the 1952 explanation. [back]

40 See Heppenstall, Doctrinal Discussions, p.1S.[back]

41 In this condition the condemning power of the law over the carnal nature is apparent.
See Ibid.,pp.16-18. See also Heppenstall, Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 1, p.466.[back]

42 See Heppenstall, Syllabus for Grace and Law, 1957, pp.S,6, where he discusses the
problem of 'letter' versus 'spirit' as found in 2 Cor. 3.[back]

43 See Heppenstall, Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 1, p.464: "The Seventh-day Adventist
position is simply this: that the law of God is unchangeable and immovable as a standard.
In order to attain to that standard, law as a method must be forever rejected, and man
must live by grace alone, by faith that works by love." See pp.461-474.[back]

44 ibidback]

45 Ibid., p.460.[back]>

46 See Heppenstall, Syllabus for Grace and Law, 1957, pp.2,3.[back]

47 Note Heppenstall's words in commenting on Romans 10:4: "Hence Christ is the end of
the law as a method of salvation to everyone that believeth" (Our Firm Foundation, Vol.
l, p.466).[back]

48 Heppenstall says that the Christian is now "in law" to Christ and not "under law" in a
sense of bondage and dominion. See Doctrinal Discussions, pp.19,20.[back]

49 See Heppenstall, "Should Christians Obey the Law of God?" These Times, March
1969, pp.10-13; also "Should Christians Keep the Ten Commandments?" Part 1 and 2,
The Signs of the Times, September 1962, pp.21-23; October 1962, pp.20,21; see also
"Why Don't We Delight in God's Law?" These Times, September 1965, pp.24-26.[back]

50 See Heppenstall, "The Relationship of Love and Law," Doctrinal Discussions, pp.20-
24.[back]

51 For Heppenstall's treatment of the two covenants, namely, the old covenant offered at
Sinai and the everlasting covenant, see his Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 1, La Sierra,
pp. 80-85. This presented his pre-1952 position. [back]

52 For this new concept see Heppenstall, Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 1, pp.437-457. See
also Heppenstall, Syllabus for Grace and Law, 1957, pp.6-31 for a full treatment of the
idea of essentially one covenant offered by God. Heppenstall's presentation on the
covenant at the 1952 Seventh-day Adventist Bible Conference was greeted with mixed
reaction. In a letter from A. O. Coetzee to E. C. Webster (dated July 27, 1982), Coetzee
reports on a long personal conversation with Heppenstall in July 1982. Heppenstall
mentioned that R. R. Figuhr, resident of the General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists at the time, congratulated him on his presentation. He did not remember much
opposition although he did make mention (not by name) of one Bible teacher on the West
Coast of the U.S.A. who was opposed to his ideas. The writer of this dissertation
recollects remarks by Edward Heppenstall in classes during Seminary days in 1957/8 that
indicated a little wider opposition to his presentation than his 1982 conversation with
Coetzee reveals. McMahon makes the observation that Waggoner's concepts of the unity
of God's covenant "did not forcefully appear again until Dr Edward Heppenstall's work
on the one everlasting covenant in the 195's" (Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the
Man, p.179). However, Heppenstall did not simply take over Waggoner's ideas.
Heppenstall reported in one of his classes how he locked himself away for several weeks
with his Bible and studied and wrestled out his concepts. [back]

53 See Heppenstall, Our Firm Foundation, Vol. 1, p.444.[back]

54 Ibid., p.441, 442.[back]

55 Ibid., pp. 442, 443.[back]

56 Ibid., p.445[back]

57 See Heppenstall, Our Firm Foundation, Vol. l, p.445-449.[back]

58 Ibid., pp. 449-455.[back]

59 Ibid., pp.45S-457.[back]

60 We notice this concept of the radical nature of man's sin in Heppenstall's Syllabus for
Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, pp.18,19, which represented his early views during the La Sierra
era from 1940-1955. He spoke of sin as relating not only to conduct but also to state.
Note his view on the effects of Adam's sin: "God imputes the sin of Adam immediately to
all his posterity, in virtue of that organic unity of mankind by which the whole race at the
time of Adam's transgression existed, not individually, but seminally, in him as its head"
(Ibid., p.18). Note also page 35 where he says that "these representations of sin as an
inner principle or state of the life are much deeper than sin as a mere act." See similar
sentiments in 1959 where sin is seen as corruption of the very centre of human nature and
is not simply a matter of evil deeds (see Syllabus for Righteousness by Faith, Theological
Seminary, 1959, p.5). See the same teaching on the radical nature of sin in Heppenstall's
chapter, "Man the Problem: Who is He?" Salvation Unlimited, 1974, pp.7-25. See "Let
Us Go on to Perfection," Perfection, Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing
Association, 1975, pp.61-88;see also his treatment of original sin in The Man Who is
God, 1977, pp.107-125. See also "Creed, Authority and Freedom," The Ministry, April
1979, p.14.[back]

61 Heppenstall: "The Essential Principle of Sin is Selfishness" (Syllabus for Bible

Doctrines, Vol. l, La Sierra, p.17).[back]

62 Ibid., p.18.[back]>

63 Ibid. See also Heppenstall, Salvation Unlimited, p.216; In Touch with God,
p.91.[back]

64 Heppenstall says: "Original sin is not per se wrong doing, but wrong being" (The Man
Who is God, p.122).[back]

65 "The children inherited the results of the parents' sin, separation from God" (Ibid.,
p.121). See also: "Consequently, all of Adam's descendants born thereafter have inherited
the result and the consequences of Adam's sin: separation from God" (Salvation
Unlimited, p.12).[back]

66 Heppenstall writes: "Every child is born with an impossible self-centeredness" (The

Man Who is God, p.121).[back]

67 He speaks about sin causing a broken relationship between man and God resulting in a
life apart from God. "The issue is a spiritual one and not something in a gene" (Ibid.,
p.122).[back]

68 Ibid., p.123.[back]

69 Note, for example, the typed document by Ralph Larson entitled, "In Sorrow, Not in
Anger" (77 pages, undated, in the possession of the writer of this dissertation). Ralph
Larson has recently been a Seventh-day Adventist pastor in California and at the time of
writing is a theology lecturer at the Adventist Seminary in the Philippines. Larson takes
special exception to at least two of Heppenstall's theses which he defines as "the
impossibility of total sanctification and the existence of original sin as a state or condition
into which man is born, and which is entirely separate and distinct from acts of sin
[Larson's emphasis]" ("In Sorrow, Not in Anger' p.5, see Larson's whole line of argument
from pp. 4-22). Quite clearly Larson is not happy with the concept of original sin being a
state separate from acts of sin. [back]

70 Heppenstall, Salvation Unlimited, p.25.[back]

71 See Heppenstall's Syllabus for 8ible Doctrines, Vol. 1, La Sierra, pp.35-38 where he
handles "Justification." See also Syllabus for Righteousness by Faith, 1959, pp.6-10,
where he treats Justification in three aspects, namely, as forensic, as experiential and as
eschatological. See also the chapter, "God 'Acquits the Guilty’" in Salvation Unlimited,
pp.44-63.[back]

72 Heppenstall, Salvation Unlimited, pp.52-54.[back]

73 Heppenstall: "What is central is the worth of Christ's obedience and sacrifice. By the
merits of Christ the believer's status and life are changed" (Ibid., p.57).[back]

74 Note Heppenstall's words: "In these scriptures the emphasis is on God's declaring a
man just, the passing of a favorable verdict. Obviously the believer is not made righteous
in the sense that he is no more a sinner" (Salvation Unlimited, pp.55,S6). Note also the
declarative nature of justification in Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, La Sierra,
pp.36,37.[back]

75 Heppenstall: "This has its ground, not in the sinner's personal character or conduct, but
solely in the obedience and righteousness of Christ, to whom the sinner is united by faith"
(Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 1, p.37). See also Syllabus for Righteousness by Faith,
1959, p.6.[back]

76 Regarding restoration to favor, Heppenstall says: "besides deliverance from

punishment, justification implies God's treatment of the sinner as if he were, and had
been, personally righteous" (Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 1, p.37). Also: "So
justification means both to declare right and to be set right" (Salvation Unlimited,
p.60).[back]

77 Heppenstall says: "But no man is ever justified who is not now being sanctified"
(Salvation Unlimited, p.63). Furthermore: "Justification and sanctification belong
together" (Ibid., p.145).[back]

78 Note his words: "A perfect righteousness has been provided by God in one Man, Jesus
Christ. He is the God who shares Himself with men" (Salvation Unlimited, p.144). It
should also be observed that Heppenstall does not believe that justification only deals
with the past, leaving the sinner to struggle on by himself in sanctification. The sinner
who truly believes in Christ is in a present state of security and can even face the
judgment of works on the basis of justification by faith (see Syllabus for Righteousness
by Faith, 1959, p.6).

79 He says: "We are continually being saved. Salvation is not something that occurs once
and for all... In the Scriptures sanctification is both a completed and a continuing
work....There is no finality in sanctification in this life" (Salvation Unlimited,
pp.147,153,154).[back]
80 Therefore the Christian must always trust in Christ. "Never in this life will he arrive at
the place where he can dispense with the counteracting power of Christ against the sinful
tendency in his life" (Heppenstall, "Is Perfection Possible?" The Signs of the Times,
December 1963, p.11).[back]

81 Heppenstall: "The sinful nature is not eradicated until the day of the resurrection, until
'this mortal shall have put on immortality" ("Is Perfection Possible?" The Signs of the
Times, December 1963, p.11). Note also in Perfection, p.63, that Heppenstall says that the
full moral and spiritual ideal in Christ will only be realized fully with the return of Christ
and not before. [back]

82 Heppenstall says: "Sin does not reign, but it does remain" (Perfection, p.69) and this
makes it necessary to die daily to sin and the sinful nature. See also p.80. See also
Salvation Unlimited, p.161.[back]

83 Heppenstall says: "So long as we are in Christ, we can have certainty of a present
salvation" (Salvation Unlimited, p.147).[back]

84 Note: "The Christian is not sinless; but he is brought into that full and efficient
adequacy whereby God can use him in His service to the glory of God" (Perfection,
p.69). See also Salvation Unlimited, pp.167-170.[back]

85 See his treatment of this subject in "Let us go on to Perfection," Perfection the

Impossible Possibility, pp.61-88; also "Is Perfection Possible?" The Signs of the Times,
December 1963, pp.10,11,30.[back]

86 He says: "Perfection is relative to man's capacity and ability, relative to his

consciousness, and his knowing, relative to the state in which he was born" (Perfection,
p.63).Instead of seeing perfection in terms of sinlessness, Heppenstall sees it as Christian
maturity and dedication to Christ (Ibid., p.65).[back]

87 Note his words: "If Christian perfection means restoration here and now to Adam's
sinless state and complete harmony with God, so that a man need no longer be classed as
a sinner, then the Bible knows nothing of it" (Perfection, p.61).[back]

88 In this earthly life there is always a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit"
(Heppenstall, "Is Perfection Possible?" The Signs of the Times, December 1963,
p.11).[back]

89 Heppenstall: "There will never come a time when we do not need to repeat the Lord's
prayer...As long as we live in this sinful world, we shall never reach a place where our
moral and spiritual discernment cannot be increased" (Perfection, p.77).[back]

90 The closer we come to Christ, the more clearly we see our distance from the absolute
perfection of God" (Ibid.).[back]

91 As we come closer to Christ, we sense the hidden motives and self-centered intentions
that have marked so much of our religious response" (Ibid., p.81)[back]
92 On earth Jesus Christ lived in complete oneness with His Father. His sinless state and
life was the expression of this absolute harmony...This points to a moral and spiritual
harmony and elevation of character unknown in our human experience" (Heppenstall,
Perfection, p.64).[back]

93 Heppenstall says: "To live by love means that a man is saved, not by the right creed in
either the Old Testament or the New, not by the right law, but saved when his heart is
right, when he has come into the love relationship with God" (Doctrinal Discussions,
p.24).[back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

III. The Christology of Heppenstall

We now turn specifically to the Christology of Heppenstall and wish to describe the
aspect of his theology under two basic headings, namely, the Person of Christ and
secondly, the Work of Christ. In the first section where we will focus on the Person of
Christ, we will do this in three parts. Firstly, we will look at the Man who is GOD, with
emphasis on Christ's deity. Secondly, we will describe Heppenstall's view of the MAN
Who is God, with concentration on His humanity. Finally, we will seek to understand
Heppenstall's concept of the relationship between the GOD-MAN and sin.

A. The Person of Christ

As we focus on Heppenstall's picture of the Person of Christ we have found inspiration

for our three divisions of this section from the title of his book, The Man Who is God
(1977).

l. The Man Who is GOD

In seeking to describe Heppenstall's view of the divinity of Jesus Christ we plan to do this
in four parts, namely, the Incarnation, the virgin birth, the possession of divine attributes
and the use of Christ's divine nature.

a. The Incarnation

The crucial question of Christianity has to do with the claim that Jesus was more than a
good man and in effect was both God and man. Heppenstall sees the Incarnation as the
greatest miracle of all time and eternity.94 One cannot understand or explain the mystery
of how God could become flesh. If the Incarnation is the most marvelous thing to take
place in earth or heaven then it must be of extreme importance. Heppenstall believes that
the Incarnation is the central fact of Christianity.95
Heppenstall defines the Incarnation as the in-dissoluble union of the divine and the
human.96 The eternal Son of God, who existed from eternity, actually took on flesh in the
form of humanity and became a real man. This union of the divine with the human results
in two natures in one Person.97 When Christ took upon Himself human nature He was still
God. He did not cease to be God in the Incarnation. Heppenstall says: "In Jesus we have a
historical union of man and God."98

Heppenstall turns his attention to the purpose of the Incarnation.99 Sensing the crisis
caused by the sin problem in the universe he sees a reason for the Incarnation in the
moral character of God Himself. God is absolute righteousness and love and He would
not simply abandon man to his own evil devices. by coming into the arena of sin Himself,
He would demonstrate His love and His righteousness and settle the moral and spiritual
crisis of the universe.100

A second reason for the Incarnation given by Heppenstall is that by becoming man Christ
could reveal to all men the character of God.101 By beholding Christ and His manner of
life one can obtain a clear concept of the love of God. "Christ's revelation of the Father
tells us we have a personal God who is not neutral."102

Another purpose for the Incarnation, according to Heppenstall, is that the character of
God might be vindicated before the universe and that every doubt about the Father be
removed.103 God would not choose to settle the rebellion by force. He would come in the
Person of Christ to settle the issues through redeeming love. Given time the universe has
understood the issues at stake, the nature of sin and rebellion and the character of God.
The Incarnation vindicated the Father, and Christ continues to reign until He has settled
every dispute and in the end will fully establish the justice, mercy and authority of God.104

Heppenstall moves to the heart and the core of the Incarnation in its relation to the
atonement.105 Only the God who created could redeem and this redemption could not be
accomplished by an angel or by a created being.106 Christ adopted humanity in order that
He might offer Himself a sacrifice for sin. "The Son of God took upon Himself humanity
in order to bear God's judgment on sin."107 8ecause God cannot die He came in the form
of humanity in order to bear the punishment for sin.108 Thus Christ brought redemption
from sin within the grasp of all who would believe in His atoning death.109

Heppenstall sees Christ as fulfilling the role of the second Adam as a further purpose of
the Incarnation. From the first Adam comes physical, mental and spiritual degeneracy and
from the second Adam comes justification, righteousness and eternal life. The two Adams
stand as representative men under whose banner all mankind resort. Through Christ the
reign of sin as a result of the first Adam is reversed and the reign of grace and
righteousness becomes a reality.110

A final reason given for the Incarnation by Heppenstall has reference to the fact of
judgment. Jesus Christ is the faithful judge of all mankind because of His Incarnation and
His being one with man. Because of His oneness with man and His having taken upon
Himself the nature of man, judgment has been committed into His hands. He is able to
feel with man because He Himself has experienced the human lot. The universe can never
say that God was arbitrary in the judgment of mankind. The Incarnation has provided a
faithful and righteous Judge.111

b. The Virgin Birth

By the virgin birth Heppenstall understands that Jesus Christ was born into this world of
a woman without the participation of a human father under the power and influence of
the Holy Spirit. If Jesus Christ had entered the world by means of both father and mother
He would have been no different from any other child. The fact that Christ was born of a
virgin makes Him unique. If, on the other hand, Christ had entered this world without
either an earthly father or mother He would not have been a man or partaken of human
nature.112

Furthermore, in the virgin birth we are confronted with the supernatural over against the
natural. This reality tells us that God has visited our planet in person and that in Jesus
Christ we have the supreme revelation of God. Heppenstall sees the virgin birth as
harmonizing perfectly with the truth of the Incarnation. Taking both the Incarnation and
the virgin birth together we have a basis for the claim that it was very God who came to
earth in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.113

In spite of the problems surrounding the Hebrew of Isaiah 7:14, Heppenstall believes that
Matthew was acting under the guidance of the Holy Spirit in taking this ancient prophetic
word and giving it a Messianic interpretation.114He believes that Matthew's use of the
Greek word parthenos to describe Mary as a chaste young woman was done with
deliberate intent, and while the word does not always carry the connotation of chastity, in
this case it is clear that Matthew wished us to understand it thus.115 The virgin birth tells
us that Jesus Christ was the Man who is GOD.

c. The Divinity of Christ

Heppenstall has always believed that when God became man in Jesus Christ He retained
His divinity and was fully God while also being fully man.116 Some of the evidences for
His divinity are His miraculous birth by means of the Holy Spirit, His sinless life, the
manifestation at His baptism, His revelation to the Samaritan woman and the healing of
the palsied man. In Christ's Sabbath miracles He gave evidence of His equality with His
Father and hence of His divinity. In the incident concerning Lazarus and his resurrection
are evidences of His divinity. His claim to be judge of all men and the fact that He
accepted worship declared Christ's divinity. In the death and resurrection of Christ are,
likewise, evidences of His divinity.117

In dealing with the divinity of Christ while upon earth, Heppenstall wrestles with the
problem of the kenosis as set forth by Paul in Philippians 2:5-7.118 While there is an
indication of some form of limitation on the use and manifestation of Christ's divinity
while on earth, Heppenstall does not wish to indicate that Christ abandoned any of His
divine attributes or that He was not fully God while on earth.119 He says that if Christ
emptied Himself of any part of His deity then Christ was no longer God and Christ would
really only be a man.120 If this was the case the Christian religion would not have a full
salvation to offer us. In this whole question of the kenosis, Heppenstall is aware of the
danger of abandoning the deity of Christ in favor of His humanity.121 Therefore, he
continually stresses the fact that Christ did not abandon His divine attributes and
remained fully God while on earth.122

Heppenstall also presents a further thought in connection with the deity of Christ. He
offers the suggestion that while Christ did not lay aside His deity, He did manifest it in
another form. This form was that of a ‘slave.’ There was no question but that Christ was
equal with God. As fully God His divine nature is unalterable and unchangeable.
However, in taking the form of man Christ changed the mode of expressing His deity.123

d. The Use of Christ's Divinity

Although Heppenstall wishes to hold to the full deity of the incarnate Christ and to the
fact that "in Jesus Christ are two natures...in one Person,"124 and that Christ did not
abandon any of His divine attributes, he does wish to address himself to a limitation of
the use of Christ's divine attributes. After establishing the concept of the full divinity of
Christ by nature, Heppenstall makes room for a voluntary limitation of the use of Christ's
divinity. This limitation was self-imposed by Christ.125

This surrendering of the use of the attributes of deity did not mean giving them up, for
this would destroy Christ's deity. He "surrendered their control to His Father without
losing His deity."126 He chose to live as a man and became subject to the limitations of
humanity. While He was still God, Heppenstall saw Christ as limited in knowledge,
subject to temptation and requiring the aid of the Holy Spirit.127 Jesus Christ exercised no
power not available to other men.128

In seeking to understand Heppenstall's concept regarding the surrender of the use of

Christ's deity the question should be asked for the sake of clarity as to whether
Heppenstall believed that Christ surrendered the total use of His deity, while still
retaining the attributes, or whether Christ only surrendered the independent use of His
deity.129 In other words, did Christ never use His surrendered deity during the Incarnation
or did He use His deity at times by per-mission of the Father?130 While it appears that
Heppenstall suggests that Christ surrendered His divine attributes to the control and
direction of the Father through the Holy Spirit,131 it would appear that the general thrust
of Heppenstall's teaching in his later years is that Christ very rarely actually exercised His
divine attributes.132

2. The MAN Who is God

We will now seek to describe Heppenstall's position on the humanity of Jesus Christ and
will do this in three sub-sections. Firstly, we will look at the reality of Christ's humanity.
Secondly, we will consider Heppenstall's view concerning the centre of Christ's
consciousness and, thirdly, we will relate the fact of temptation to Christ's humanity.

a. The Reality of Christ's Humanity

Heppenstall has been consistent in accepting the full humanity of Jesus Christ in
opposition to any docetic tendency.133 In adopting human flesh Christ accepted the
limitations of humanity.134 The humanity of Christ was real in that it truly followed the
natural process of development from childhood to manhood.135 Heppenstall says that "a
growth of mind and body, of character and personality"136 took place. He says that Christ
developed His personality and consciousness through the same process as do all other
children.137 Throughout His life He lived as a man, thinking as a man, eating and drinking
as a man, sleeping as a man and demonstrating the mental and emotional activities of a
man.138

Heppenstall is clear that Christ's humanity was not a super-humanity beyond that of man.
In fact, it was not even the unaffected humanity of Adam before the fall. He says of
Christ: "He took a weakened human nature, not the perfect nature Adam had before he
sinned.139 He makes a distinction between sin and the consequences of sin when he says:
"Christ took human nature in such a way that this nature, without sin, bore the
consequences of sin.140 And yet while Heppenstall has Christ bearing the consequences of
sin he sees Him as possessing "a perfection of mind and ability above that of sinful
man."141 Paradoxically, Heppenstall can see Christ with weakened human nature and yet
as the very example of what God intended man to be.142

b. The Center of Christ's Consciousness

To emphasize his understanding of the reality of the humanity of Christ, Heppenstall

takes time to discuss his concept of the centre of Christ's consciousness.143 While
maintaining that Christ was divine he rejects the idea of a double consciousness in Christ
in favor of the single human consciousness.144 He does not believe that Christ operated
with two wills and two separate consciousnesses.145 For Heppenstall the human
consciousness is so real and vital that he can say of Christ "every act and decision was a
human act and decision."146 He is convinced that from the time of Christ's conception to
His resurrection the only consciousness which He possessed was that which all other men
have.147 Heppenstall cannot accept that in the same Person there could be both knowledge
and ignorance of the same events. He sees the Gospels as accepting the centre of Christ's
consciousness and mental processes as human rather than divine.148 With a truly human
consciousness Jesus Christ was not omnipotent, omnipresent or omniscient during the
Incarnation, according to Heppenstall.
c. Temptation and the reality of Christ's humanity

In dealing with the problem of Christ and temptation Heppenstall does so in relation to
the reality of His humanity. How does the humanity and divinity of Christ affect the issue
of the temptations of Christ? We will firstly look at Heppenstall's view of the reality of
Christ's temptations, secondly, at his position regarding the seat or locale of temptation
for Christ, and thirdly, at his conviction with reference to the method of Christ's victory
over temptation.

i) Reality of Christ's temptations. Heppenstall desires to maintain the reality of Christ's

temptations and not to regard them as fictitious or deceptive charades. He believes that if
the divinity of Christ was active during the Incarnation this would so dominate Christ's
humanity as to make it impossible for Christ to sin and hence would negate the reality of
His temptations. Because Heppenstall maintains that Christ's deity "was quiescent"149
during the Incarnation he can uphold the reality of temptation for Christ. Heppenstall
believes that Christ's temptations were no make-believe but rather were real cross-roads
where Christ had to decide between His own will or the Father's will (Heb. 5:8,9).
Because Christ possessed a human nature that was free to choose the path of
disobedience and was not dominated by His divinity, Heppenstall sees the temptations of
Christ as very real and fraught with the possibility of a wrong choice.150

ii) Seat or Locale of temptation for Christ. Heppenstall believes that the temptations
facing Christ were directed to His humanity rather than to His divinity. Because the
centre of Christ's consciousness was human and not divine, according to Heppenstall,
temptation would meet Christ's human will, intellect and emotion. If temptation had been
directed at Christ's deity Heppenstall feels that it would have been pointless because God
cannot be tempted by evil (James l: 13).151

Heppenstall sees temptation coming to man in two ways.152 One comes to the inner man
in his sinful condition and with his bias toward sin. From this avenue temptation had no
hold on Christ for He Himself said: "The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in
me" (John 14:30). In this respect Satan could find no foothold with Christ. Heppenstall
sees temptation also coming to us from outside. It is not necessary to have a sinful nature
or an inner bias to evil in order to suffer temptation. Adam and Eve were tempted before
they fell into sin, and unfallen angels and beings have been tempted without yielding to
temptation. The possibility of being tempted is the same for a sinless or for a sinful
person. The temptations of Christ came not from inner corruption but from external
pressure upon His normal human faculties.

iii) Method of Christ's Victory. For Heppenstall the secret of Christ's victory over
temptation did not lie in hidden resources within Himself,153 or in a reliance upon His
divine nature154 but rather in a life of total dependence by faith in His Father.

And so Christ owed His victory to a living faith in His Father155 and to the presence of the
Holy Spirit in His life. If Christ had achieved victory through dependence on His own
power it would have been tantamount to declaring His independence from God. Satan
tried to break Christ's perfect trust in His Father.

The real problem in sin is a lack of faith and a reliance upon self. Because independence
from God is the real problem, Heppenstall sees Christ choosing the path of utter
dependence upon God rather than living in self-dependence based on His own inherent
power.156

3. The GOD-MAN and Sin

In describing this aspect of Heppenstall's Christology we wish to give attention to the

questions concerning Christ and original sin, Christ and sinful human nature, Christ and
actual sin and finally, the implications of Christ's sinlessness.

a. Christ and Original Sin

We have already observed that Heppenstall takes a firm stand on the radical nature of
human sin.157 His position is that all members of the human race are born into a sinful
state or condition. This condition or disposition is separate from and preparatory to
personal acts of transgression for which the sinner is responsible. Adam and Eve became
separated from God and their children inherited the results of the parents' sin, separation
from God. "This state of sin into which all men are born is called original sin - not in the
sense of inherited guilt, but of an inherited disposition to sin."158

Having established Heppenstall's view of original sin and how it affects all humanity, the
question must now be asked concerning his teaching with regard to the effect of original
sin on Christ.

Heppenstall believes that because Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit (Luke l:35)
and was God Himself, we cannot apply an alienated condition to Christ. He was not born
separate from God and did not begin life with a tendency toward independence from God
as we do. He was born without the taint of sin. the self-centered spirit of fallen man was
totally absent from Christ. He was never selfish as all other men are and He was perfect
in surrender, in obedience, in faith and righteousness. All other men need regeneration
but Christ never needed this experience.159

Heppenstall believes that we have no right to say that Christ was born in a state of
sinfulness as we are. In support of Christ's sinless state are the New Testament witness,
the miraculous nature of His Incarnation and birth, His deity united with humanity and
His mission to provide perfect righteousness for unrighteous men.160

b. Christ and Sinful Human Nature

Heppenstall is clear that Christ did not possess a sinful nature as all men do. In this sense
Christ is separate from sinners (Heb. 7:26). Christ was unstained by sin and free from all
evil within His Person. Heppenstall believes that if Christ had had a sinful nature He
could not have offered a perfect sacrifice. "The efficacy of Christ's sacrifice lay in His
absolute sinlessness and His deity."161 A perfect atonement, according to Heppenstall,
requires a sinless Christ in both nature and conduct.162 In stating his Christological
position he comes across strongly against any concept that Christ possessed a sinful
human nature.163 While all men have fallen, sinful human natures with tendencies and a
bent to sin, Christ had no inclination or bent to sin.164 From His birth He was called that
holy child" (Luke l:35). He never needed to be born gain or to find a new divine centre,
for at the centre f His being was Deity itself.165

Heppenstall agrees that Christ partook of the flesh of His contemporaries after 4,000
years of sin and was subject physically to the decline of the race, but because he separates
original sin from the genetic process he can maintain that Christ did not have a sinful
nature like man does.166 He did not come in sinful flesh but only in "the likeness of sinful
flesh" (Romans 8:3).167 While Heppenstall sees in this a similarity between man and
Christ, he also sees a dissimilarity. He believes that Paul is very careful "to make clear the
sinlessness of Christ's nature."168 It is true that "Christ was not born free from physical
deterioration"169 but at the same time He did "not have a sinful nature like our own."170

c. Christ and acts of sin

While some Adventist theologians would differ with Heppenstall on his views of Christ
in relation to the state of sin, all would agree with him in regard to the sinlessness of
Christ in act and deed. Heppenstall is clear that Christ never once confessed Himself a
sinner or as having committed sin. He never had to ask His Father for forgiveness. There
was no trace of personal guilt or of remorse over some sin committed. His entire life
breathed sinlessness.171

When Heppenstall considers 2 Cor. 5:21 and the phrase "made to be sin" with reference
to Christ, he believes that it is "quite out of the question to believe that God made His
Son sinful in any way."172 In no way was Christ made a sinner. What is meant, according
to Heppenstall, is that God laid on Christ our iniquity in an accounted sense, and this was
done at the cross and not at Christ's birth.173

d. Implications of Christ's sinlessness

Heppenstall believes that the view of Christ possessing a sinful nature like all other men,
leads to the reduction of Christ to the same level as all sinners.174 He believes this is
wrong and that the gospel rests on the truth of Christ's perfect righteousness as opposed
to man's unrighteousness. Instead of a reductionism, Heppenstall advocates a theory of
elevation for Christ. "So let no one claim to be righteous in the sense that Christ was
righteous, sinless in the sense that Christ was sinless."175

This view of Christ's sinless human nature leads Heppenstall to veer away from a gospel
based on example or imitation.176 The gospel is grounded in what Christ accomplished
through His sinless life, atoning death and glorious resurrection. Sinful man is to
recognize his need and to accept the gift of Christ's righteousness. Instead of struggling to
imitate Christ the sinner is to enter a loving relationship with Jesus Christ, to trust in His
merits and to look to Him in daily surrender.

Finally, Heppenstall's stand on the sinless human nature of Christ and the radical nature
of human sin has led him to champion the cause of anti-perfectionism within
Adventism.177

______________

94 See Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, pp.20,21. Here Heppenstall shares Ellen
White's sentiments when she says: "When we want a deep problem to study, let us fix our
minds on the most marvelous thing that ever took place in earth or heaven - the
incarnation of the Son of God" (Ellen G. White, Manuscript 76, 1903).[back]

95 It was a very important issue which led to the Incarnation. Heppenstall says: "Jesus
did not become incarnate in the interest of the superficial and the unreal" (In Touch With
God, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1975, p.300). Would
it be more accurate to say "God did not become incarnate in Jesus...?" See also
Heppenstall, Syllabus for Bibles Doctrines, Vol. l, La Sierra, p.25; The Man Who is God,
p.21. Heppenstall says further: "In Jesus Christ there has come into our world a new
objective truth from God that is decisive for faith and experience" (The Man Who is God,
p.7).[back]

96 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.21. Elsewhere he writes: "He descended from
heaven and took upon Him human nature" ("What is Man Worth?" These Times, January
1969, p.5). See also "I Believe in Life after Death," The Signs of the Times, April 1964,
p.14.[back]

97 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.22. Here we have typical Chalcedonian language
used by Heppenstall indicative of his traditional stand. [back]

98 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.25. Heppenstall's emphasis on the historical
aspects of the events of salvation is strong. Note: "God's supreme revelation is found at
one single point in history: the incarnation of the second member of the Godhead" (Ibid.,
p.7).[back]

99 For Heppenstall's discussion of the purpose of the Incarnation as he understood it in

1977 see The Man Who is God, pp.28-46. In his Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, La
Sierra, he presented the purpose of the Incarnation in three parts, firstly, the preliminary
purpose, secondly, the primary purpose and thirdly, the plenary purpose (see pp.26-28).
The preliminary was to reveal the Father to mankind and in addition to reveal man to
himself through the Ideal Man, Jesus Christ. The primary purpose of the Incarnation was
two-fold; firstly, relative to the entire universe and secondly, concerning man. As far as
man is concerned, Heppenstall speaks of God's purpose in providing a second Adam who
could destroy the works of the devil, overcome sin on man's behalf, take away sin and
become a faithful and merciful High Priest. The plenary purpose of the Incarnation was to
provide reconciliation and atonement for sin. [back]

100 The moral and spiritual crisis of the universe has to do with the mysterious origin of
rebellion and sin which first arose in the heart of Lucifer and threatened God's character
and government. God chose to solve this problem, not by force, but by love in giving
Himself in the Person of His Son to redeem mankind. See Heppenstall, The Man Who is
God, pp.28,29. See also "Can You Stand Persecution?" These Times, July 1968, p. 5,
where Heppenstall says that Jesus Christ offered to the world "the only solution to the sin
problem." See also "Things Which Cannot be Shaken," These Times, January 1972, p.4,
where he says: "The universality of sin requires a divine answer and a plan of salvation."
God would seek to solve man's deepest problem through Jesus Christ. Further to the
thought of the crisis and problem he says that God sent His Son "to provide an answer to
the sin-and-death problem, and to win men back to fellowship with Him" ("How God
Works to Save Us," These Times, February 1973, p.12). Again Heppenstall says: "He
came to provide a solution to the problem of sin" ("The Invitation;' These Times, March
1973, p.4). [back]

101 Heppenstall says: "We see in Christ the embodiment of grace and truth, the supreme
revelation of divine goodness" ("Who Will Plead My Case?" These Times, May 1975,
p.13). Here Christ is called the supreme revelation of 'divine goodness' and that only
resides in God. In Access to God, p.11, Heppenstall links the Incarnation with the work of
atonement as the "full revelation of God that actually and potentially affects every man in
the world." See also "Can Man be Really Free?" These Times, February 1967, p.10: "God
confronts us with the revelation of Himself in Christ." See also Heppenstall, The Man
Who is God, p.29-32; In Touch with God, p.13.[back]

102 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.31. [back]

103 See this thought in Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 1, p.27, where Heppenstall
brings out the idea that le Incarnation was not only for this planet but to serve purpose of
vindicating God's character and law before the entire universe. See also Heppenstall, The
Man Who is God, pp. 32-35. [back]

104 Heppenstall speaks of the continuing work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary where
He confirms the triumphs of the Incarnation and the cross and where Christ performs the
last phase of "priestly work leading the vindication of God and His people, and the
eradication of sin and Satan" (Our High Priest, p.157). He speaks of Christ restoring "the
truth about God and His final movement for a dying world" from the heavenly sanctuary
(Ibid., p.180). Further: "It will prove God righteous in all His judgments" (Ibid., p.184).
Heppenstall has an exalted view of Christ's victorious work from the heavenly sanctuary.
[back]

105 As far back as his La Sierra days (1940-1955) Heppenstall was teaching that the
main or plenary purpose of the Incarnation was for reconciliation and atonement. See
Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 1,p.28, where he cites Col. l:20 and Eph. l:10 in
connection with reconciliation. There is no doubt that the cross plays a very crucial role
in the theology of Heppenstall. This was still vital for Heppenstall in 1977 (see The Man
Who is God, pp. 35-39). See Salvation Unlimited, p.43: "all the lines of human history
meet at the cross." [back]

106 Heppenstall writes: "God could not give us a Saviour by delegating the work of
redemption to an angel. He could not place the destiny of our race in the hands of a
created being from another world. Only the God who created us could redeem us" (The
Man Who is God, p.38). [back]

107 7Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.35. [back]

108 Heppenstall says: "Had He remained in His preexistent state there was no way for
Him to die. But He came to die" (The Man Who is God, p.3S). Therefore, the Son of God
became man. See also Salvation Unlimited, p.54: "For divinity cannot die." [back]

109 Heppenstall states: "God alone, in a unique act of redemption, has brought to bear
upon man's lost condition a revelation of His saving power and righteousness" (Salvation
Unlimited, p.32). [back]

110 Heppenstall says the second Adam is Jesus Christ incarnate. "Jesus Christ is called
the second Adam because to Him was entrusted the task of redeeming man from the first
Adam's fall and separation from God" (Salvation Unlimited, p.122). The second Adam
came to give eternal life, obedience instead of disobedience, justification instead of
condemnation, righteousness instead of unrighteousness. In this way Christ
communicates spiritual life to all who receive Him (see Ibid., p.123). See also
Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, pp. 39-42. See also Heppenstall, In Touch with God,
p.120. "Christ...as the second Adam, brought new life to the race, for those who believed
in Him." See also Ibid., p.359. [back]

111 For Heppenstall's view of Christ's work of both redemption and judgment from the
heavenly sanctuary, see Our High Priest, pp.187-217, in the chapter, "The Hour of God's
Judgment." Note also: "From His priestly throne in the heavenly sanctuary Christ
administers redemption and judgment" (Salvation Unlimited, p.244). [back]

112 For Heppenstall's discussion of this aspect of the virgin birth see The Man Who is
God, pp.47,48. [back]

113 See Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, pp. 49-54. [back]
114 Ibid., pp. 56-60. [back]

115 Ibid., pp.62-66. Heppenstall is conscious of the textual problems in connection with
the Hebrew word 'almah in Isaiah 7:14. He, therefore, inserts a discussion by Raymond F.
Cottrell taken from Problems in Bible Translation (see The Man Who is God, pp. 64,65).
While Heppenstall would not accept the typical liberal pre-suppositions that underlie
much of modern historical criticism, he does accept that theology must be engaged in a
critical ("The demand today is to build our theologies on critical scholarship" - see
"Constructing a Sound Theology," The Ministry, April 1957, p.21), historical and
grammatical method. [back]

116 We note that at La Sierra (1940-1955) Heppenstall was teaching the full deity and the
full humanity of Jesus Christ (see Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, pp.19-24). This has
remained his position in later years. See The Man Who is God, pp.2S-28, where he has
Christ retaining all the attributes of deity in the kenosis and yet also being a full and real
man. See also In Touch with God, pp. 35, 64, 154, 217, 299; also "Things Which Cannot
Be Shaken," These Times, January 1972, pp.4,5. [back]

117 For these evidences of Christ's divinity as given in the paragraph see The Man Who
is God, pp.25-28; 129. Heppenstall says: "The fact that Christ Himself was God at His
incarnation and was born of the Holy Spirit deny His being was in any part out of
harmony with His Father" (Perfection, p.64). See also "Getting Rid of Sin," The Signs of
the Times, August 1965, p.13; "Creed, authority and freedom," The Ministry, April 1979,
p.14. Note also: "Just as Christ and the Father are one in essence, so the Holy Spirit and
Christ are one in essence" (The Holy Spirit and You," These Times, November 1970,
p.18). This is an important statement by Heppenstall on the identity of essence between
Christ and the Father. This indicates true deity in Christ. [back]

118 For Heppenstall's handling of the kenosis problem see The Man Who is God, pp. 67-
83. Heppenstall appears to have accepted some form of kenosis. He rejects the kenotic
theory which would call for Christ to part with His divine nature or any part of it. For him
this would mean a shrunken divinity and Christ would not be fully God. Another form of
the theory which Heppenstall does not accept maintains that Christ retained the full
conscious and active deity in Himself but that while on earth He acted as if He did not
possess these. The form of kenosis which Heppenstall appears to have adopted for
himself is that which sees Jesus as fully God and fully man, but surrendering the use or
function of certain divine attributes to His Father, which then became latent or quiescent
while He lived on earth. [back]

119 Heppenstall says: "Nothing is said of giving up His deity or any part of it, or of
abandoning any of His divine attributes" (The Man Who is God, p.74). [back]

120 Note Heppenstall's thought: "Any interpretation that would make Christ less than
fully God is contrary to the Word of God" (The Man Who is God, p.70). In talking about
Christ accepting the limitations of humanity Heppenstall observes: "In accepting these
limitations the Son of God does not cease to be God" (Ibid., p.71). [back]
121 All the heresies that have arisen as to the nature of Christ have tended to sacrifice
Christ's deity on the one hand or His humanity on the other" (Heppenstall, The Man Who
is God, p.71). [back]

122 Heppenstall quotes Lightfoot approvingly in this connection: "Our Lord divested
Himself, not of His divine nature, for this was impossible; but of the glories, the
prerogatives of Deity" (B Lightfoot, Saint Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, p.112, quoted
in The Man Who is God, p.75). Note: "In Him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead
bodily" (In Touch with God, p.22). [back]

123 For Heppenstall's discussion of this concept see The Man Who is God, pp. 71-73.
Note: "He did not lay aside His deity; His deity was manifested in another form, the form
of a 'slave" (Ibid., p.73). [back]

124 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.84. We are here reminded of footnote 97 in this
chapter. [back]

125 Heppenstall clearly presents some form of limitation of the use of Christ's divinity
during the Incarnation. He speaks of Christ 'adjusting' His divinity to the human Jesus. In
some way there was a limitation so that the deity of Christ did not overwhelm the human
aspects of His personality (see The Man Who is God, p.68). Heppenstall says: "We cannot
think of Christ's becoming a man without His having in some way limited His deity"
(Ibid.). Speaking of the cross experience, Heppenstall says that although Christ possessed
all power "He still refused to use that power to relieve His own suffering or escape from
the experience of rejection" ("What it Means to 'Fall in Love' with God," The Signs of the
Times, April 1958, p.23). See also The Man Who is God, pp.75,78. [back]

126 Heppenstall says that when Christ surrendered the use of His divine attributes to the
Father it does not mean that He gave them up, for this would destroy His deity (see The
Man Who is God, p.91). Heppenstall makes a difference between surrendering these
attributes and abandoning them. Concerning the latter he says: "Christ could not abandon
any of His attributes without losing His deity" (Ibid., p.79). [back]

127 Regarding this limitation of His deity by surrendering His divine attributes to the
control of the Father, Heppenstall said in 1977 that there "is no proof that Jesus had the
fullness of divine knowledge during His life on earth" (The Man Who is God, p.92).
Furthermore, Christ "performed His miracles by the power of the Holy Spirit and angels"
and He was "not turning off or on His divine nature" (Ibid., p.96). See also Salvation
Unlimited, p.140: "Never by His own inherent power did Jesus perform any of His
miracles." See also In Touch with God, p.24. [back]

128 See Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.90. [back]

129 Would it be better to say that Christ surrendered the independent use of His divine
attributes but that He did act in His divinity in forgiving sin and in performing His
miracles? Could we say that Christ used His divine attributes in submission to His Father
and never for His own benefit as a man? [back]

130 While Heppenstall states: "The only way that Christ could give expression to His
divine attributes would be through their release by the Father at the request of the Son,
and which the Father had evidently agreed to" (The Man Who is God, p.89), he gives no
evidence of this release but rather shows that Christ lived as other men do from the centre
of His human consciousness and did not use His divine attributes. He says that Christ
surrendered "the exercise of His deity and divine attributes" (v., p.71), the "active use of
certain attributes" (Ibid., p.79), and He "relinquished the use and display of those
attributes that would have prevented His living as we live" (Ibid.). In similar vein
Heppenstall says that Christ did not "exercise those divine attributes that would have
given Him the answers to anything He wanted to know and do" (Ibid., p.80), and that
Christ "relinquished the right to use His divine attributes" (Ibid., p.88). Again noticing
Heppenstall's limitation of the function of the divine nature we read that God became
man in such a way "that His divine nature had no activity, no knowledge outside or apart
from His humanity...The Son of God laid aside the functions of deity and lived as a man"
(Ibid., p.90). When Heppenstall speaks of Christ surrendering the use of His divine
attributes to His Father it appears that he means the function of these attributes was held
in abeyance and withdrawn and that they were not in operation. Rather, Christ had to live
life as man must live it entirely by faith (see Ibid., pp.79,89). [back]

131 Note Heppenstall's words: "In some mysterious way He surrendered them to the
control and direction of the Father, through the Holy Spirit" (The Man Who is God, p.79),
[back]

132 We have seen that Heppenstall's general teaching in The Man Who is God relative to
Christ's use of His deity could be summed up thus: "The Son of God laid aside the
functions of Deity and lived as a man" (page 90). We have also observed that Heppenstall
indicated that when Christ performed miracles this was by the power of the Holy Spirit
and the angels (see footnotel27). It is interesting to note a slight change from his La
Sierra period (1940-1955). While he then also maintained that Christ "held in abeyance
His divine power for His own benefit and life and voluntarily made himself dependent
upon His Father" (Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 1, p.23), he did say that Jesus knew
and taught and performed only what the Spirit permitted and directed and when thus
permitted "he knew, taught and performed, not like the prophets, by power communicated
from without, but by virtue of His own inner divine energy" (Ibid., p. 24). Would this
earlier view of Heppenstall not be in closer harmony with his stated acceptance of the
two natures in one Person, a position which he still adheres to? (See The Man Who is
God, p.84), No doubt, Heppenstall gave considered thought to his change of direction in
this instance, in order to maintain the reality of Christ's humanity. [back]

133 In his La Sierra era (1940-1955) Heppenstall taught the reality of Christ's humanity.
Note: "The flesh and blood which the Lord Jesus Christ took showed that He became
truly and really man. Do not think of Him as merely appearing a man, or as being a man
only in His body. One of the earliest heresies in the Christian church was the doctrine
designated as Docetism, the doctrine that our Lord had a body like ours, only in
appearance, not in reality" (Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, p.22). Heppenstall has
taken this position consistently through the years. In The Man Who is God (1977), he
sides with those who accept the 'full deity and the full humanity of Jesus Christ (see )
page 71). [back]

134 Heppenstall says: "When Christ took human flesh He accepted the limitations
imposed by His life on earth" The Man Who is God, p.68). This limitation meant for
Heppenstall that Christ during the Incarnation was not omniscient, omnipresent or
omnipotent (see Ibid., pp. 9l-100). It is interesting to observe that during the earlier La
Sierra period (1940-1955) Heppenstall appeared to give as proofs that Jesus was divine
His claim of omnipotence (Mtt. 28:18) and omniscience (Col. 2:3). See Syllabus for
Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, pp.19,20. It does appear as if there was a shift in Heppenstall's
thinking between 1950 and 1977 towards a more radical acceptance of the limitations
accepted by Christ in His humanity. Here, it is interesting to note a difference between
Heppenstall and the Waggoner of The Glad Tidings (1900). While Heppenstall states:
"Nothing of deity remained outside the incarnate Son" (The Man Who is God, p.90), we
remember Waggoner's idea that Christ was larger than the flesh and occupied heaven
while Jesus was on earth (see footnote 122 of chapter III). In fact, even in Christ and His
Righteousness (1890),Waggoner spoke of the Son of Man being in heaven while He was
on earth (see footnote 72 of chapter III). [back]

135 "The Gospels teach us that Jesus' life in every way followed the natural process of
development" Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.85). He was teaching this back at La
Sierra when he said that Christ was subject to the "ordinary laws of human development"
Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, p.23). [back]

136 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.86. [back]

137 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.86. [back]

138 In his Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, La Sierra, Heppenstall showed that Christ
experienced weariness, hunger, temptation, suffering and sorrow, thus sharing the
common lot of humanity (see p.22). See also The Man Who is God, p.86. Note also: "He
became a man like us. He belongs to us" ("Who Will Plead My Case?" These Times, May
1975, p.13). See also In Touch with God, pp.27,256. See also Syllabus for Bible
Doctrines, Vol. l, La Sierra, p.22, where Heppenstall applies the "Son of Man" references
to Jesus. [back]

139 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.74. [back]

140 Heppenstall, Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, p.23. The consequences of sin must
not be seen as equivalent to 'original sin,' for in the section on "Christ and original sin"
we will observe that Heppenstall, while accepting the principle of 'original sin' for all
men, excludes Christ from the state of sin as well as from the acts of sin. [back]

141 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.92. [back]

142 Note Heppenstall's words: "Jesus is humanity at its highest and best, the very flower
and glory of the human race. He alone does justice to the idea of humanity as God
intended it to be. He is the center in whom humanity finds its fulfillment" (The Man Who
is God, p.105). Also: "Jesus Christ is the representative Man, the ideal Man," Salvation
Unlimited, p.143. [back]

143 For Heppenstall's treatment of the one human centre of Christ's personality and
consciousness see The Man Who is God, pp.84-106. Quite evidently, Heppenstall
believes that he can maintain this position and still hold to Christ's full deity and to the
concept of two natures in one Person (see Ibid., p.84). Heppenstall does not have Christ
abandoning His divine attributes, but surrendering their use and function into the hands of
the Father. This means, for Heppenstall, that there is only one single consciousness
functioning in Jesus Christ in the Incarnation, and he has opted for a human
consciousness. While Heppenstall was teaching at La Sierra (1940-1955) that Christ
"held in abeyance His divine power for His own benefit and life and voluntarily made
himself dependent upon His Father" (Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, p.23), it is only
in this one source of 1977 (The Man Who is God) that we found Heppenstall's concepts
regarding the single consciousness of Christ spelt out clearly for the first time. We have
not discovered this in any other source. [back]

144 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, pp. 84-91. The reason we are only referring to
The Man Who is God in footnotes 144-148 is that we have not been able to discover any
reference to or discussion of a single human consciousness in any other books or articles
by Heppenstall. [back]

145 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.97. [back]

146 Ibid., p.90. [back]

147 See Ibid. [back]

148 Ibid., p.91. [back]

149 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.154. If the divinity of Christ was not a
contributing factor in the victory of Christ over temptation one does wonder how Christ
could have achieved complete victory in His humanity whereas all other men have failed.
Heppenstall would state that it should be remembered that Christ possessed a sinless
human nature whereas all other men are born in sin. Furthermore, Christ was so
possessed by the Holy Spirit from birth that He always chose correctly. We will
remember that at one stage Waggoner believed that it was impossible for Christ to sin
because of His divinity (note footnote 87 in Chapter III dealing with Waggoner). This
was no real disadvantage for man, for what Christ was by nature man could become by
grace. While Ellen White, like Heppenstall, maintained that Christ faced real temptation
in His humanity ("The enemy was overcome by Christ in His human nature" Ellen White,
The Youth's Instructor, April 25, 1901), she does make some allowance for a more active
usage of Christ's divinity in the struggle than does Heppenstall. Note her words: "No one,
looking upon the childlike countenance, shining with animation, could say that Christ
was just like other children. He was God in human flesh. When urged by His companions
to do wrong, divinity flashed through humanity, and He refused decidedly. In a moment
He distinguished between right and wrong, and placed sin in the light of God's
commands, holding up the law as a mirror which reflected light upon wrong" (Ellen
White, The Youth's Instructor, September 8, 1898). Is it not possible to maintain the
reality of Christ's temptations and yet to make greater allowance for a conscious usage of
Christ's divinity even if it is generally exercised in choosing to live on the level of
humanity? [back]

150 Furthermore, Heppenstall sees Christ facing temptation more strongly than even
Adam. for Christ inherited a physical constitution weakened by the increasing degeneracy
of the race. "The possibility of His being overcome was greater than Adam's because of
this" (The Man Who is God, p.154). Heppenstall thus sees sin as a possibility for Christ in
His human nature. [back]

151 Heppenstall quotes Shedd approvingly when the latter states that the divine nature is
intemptable and impeccable but the human nature is both temptable and peccable. Taken
from Wm. G. T. Shedd, Dogmatic Theology, Vol. 11, p.332 (see Heppenstall, The Man
Who is God, p.152). [back]

152 For Heppenstall's discussion of these two avenues of temptation see The Man Who is
God, pp.151,152. [back]

153 See Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.151. See also, Syllabus for 8ible Doctrines,
Vol. l, p.23, where Heppenstall says that Christ needed prayer as a man to live the life of
faith. [back]

154 Note Heppenstall's denial of this: "Christ voluntarily committed the use of His divine
attributes into the Father's hands and refrained from exercising them without His Father's
express permission during His earth life" (The Man Who is God, p.153). Heppenstall
wished to make certain that Christ's deity never superceded His human faculties. The
temptation was always present for Christ to exercise His divine prerogatives. The greatest
temptation was for Christ to forsake the level of humanity which He had chosen and to
assert His divine nature. [back]

155 Heppenstall says: "In His human life on earth, our Lord lived by faith in His Father"
(Salvation Unlimited, p.64). Note also: "Jesus Christ on earth lived righteousness by
faith" (Ibid., p.34). See also pp.139, 141, 142, 143. [back]

156 Instead of seeing Christ virtually never using His divinity and only living in His
humanity in utter dependence on His Father, could one not say that Christ used both His
divine and human natures in complete dependence upon His Father, for He had chosen
the path of submission and humiliation? [back]

157 See footnotes 60-70 in this chapter. For further references on original sin not given
previously see Heppenstall, Salvation Unlimited, pp.68, 79, 123, 139, 140; Our High
Priest, pp.25, 51, 52; In Touch with God, p.66; "Getting Rid of Sin," The Signs of the
Times, August 1965, p.13. [back]

158 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.107. Adventists in general have been cautious
on the doctrine of original sin. Some are opposed to extreme forms of the doctrine; others
have theological objections to the doctrine as a whole; still others reject the concept for
soteriological reasons. They feel that if original sin for man is conceded and Christ is
exempted, a gulf is created between man and Christ which leads to the teaching of
relative sanctification and perfection for man. If Christ and man can be placed on the
same level as to inherent state and condition then the sinless life of Christ is a possibility
and requirement for all God's children. While many Adventist theologians are clear on the
actuality of original sin, more work needs to be done, generally, to enunciate an Adventist
view of original sin which will fit the general scheme of Adventist theology and be true to
Scripture. [back]

159 See The Man Who is God, pp.125-128. Note also: "Christ was the one life lived on
earth in which the will of God alone was obeyed from the beginning to the end"
(Heppenstall, Salvation Unlimited, p.139). [back]

160 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.129. [back]

161 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, pp.140,141. [back]

162 It is not sufficient for Christ to be only sinless in conduct. He must also be sinless in
His nature and in the very centre of His being. Heppenstall says: "Only a sinless Christ is
sufficient to provide us with a perfect atonement and redemption from sin" (The Man
Who is God, p.142). Redemption could not be achieved if Christ were a sinner, "either by
possessing a sinful nature or by committing a sinful act" (Ibid.). Note also Heppenstall's
discussion on the humanity of Jesus and freedom from sin in Syllabus for Bible
Doctrines, Vol. 1, p.23. [back]

163 Note his declaration: "To believe that Jesus Christ inherited a sinful nature as all men
do - a nature that was inclined to evil and incapable of doing any good of itself - is to
ascribe total depravity to Him, to say that the whole of His being was sinful as is ours. If
this was so, then He needed to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit" (Heppenstall, The Man
Who is God, p.141). It is true that Christ came under judgment at the cross but this was
because of the accounted sins of the whole world being laid upon Him, rather than
because of His own inherent sinful nature or misdeeds. Heppenstall says that the picture
of Christ with a sinful nature - a nature bent to evil, is not the God-man of Scripture but
might only be a godlike man. It is hardly possible to overemphasize the need for a sinless
Christ (see Ibid., p.148). [back]

164 Heppenstall remarks: "Christ is the one exception in that He had no such inclination
or bent to sin" (The Man Who is God, p.132). Note also: "Jesus Christ was sinless, free
constitutionally from every taint of sin and defilement" (Salvation Unlimited, p.142).
While one understands Heppenstall's position and concern, one wonders if the word
'constitutionally' is the best word in light of Heppenstall's insistence that 'original sin'
should not be tied to physiological or genetic processes (see The Man Who is God,
p.138). At La Sierra (1940-1955) he was likewise teaching that Christ's nature had no
tendency to sin. Note: "But if in Christ there was no sin, or tendency to sin, how could he
be tempted? In the same way that Adam was tempted" (Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol.
l, p.23). [back]

165 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.135. It is interesting to note that Heppenstall
places deity at the very centre of the being of Jesus Christ. This must be harmonized with
his concept of the single human consciousness of Christ. [back]

166 Heppenstall makes a difference between the flesh and the normal genetic process on
the one hand, and the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus Christ on the
other hand. While Christ would suffer the weaknesses and liabilities common to all men
He would possess a human nature that was pure, holy and sinless. See The Man Who is
God, p.138. Note: "Christ, in taking us up into Himself, takes all that belongs to US
except sin" (In Touch with God, p.94). [back]

167 For Heppenstall's discussion of Romans 8:3 see The Man Who is God, pp.136-139.
[back]

168 Ibid., p.137. Heppenstall says elsewhere that many can testify "that the only
perfection, the only sinlessness, they have ever seen or known has been that of Jesus
Christ, the only perfect and sinless Man;" ("Is Perfection Possible?" The Signs of the
Times, December 1963, p.10). [back] >
169 The Man Who is God, p.138. [back]

170 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.137. [back]

171 Heppenstall says that Christ "lived in complete oneness with His Father." He
possessed a "sinless state and life." Also, Christ's will was not in rebellion to the will of
God. "This points to a moral and spiritual harmony and elevation of character unknown
in our human existence" (Heppenstall, Perfection, p.64). Also: "Had Christ disobeyed the
law in the slightest degree, there would not be a divine righteousness to reckon to man's
account" (Heppenstall, Salvation Unlimited, p.39). See also The Man Who is God, p.146;
Salvation Unlimited, pp.54, 151. Note also: "Everything about Him is perfect"
(Perfection, p.72). See also Ibid., pp.76, 77, 83, 85. [back]

127 Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.143. [back]

173 For Heppenstall's position on 2 Cor. 5:21 see The Man Who is God, pp.143,144. We
have noted Waggoner's different stand from Heppenstall. Waggoner saw Christ being
"made sin" in an accounted sense at the birth of Christ, while Heppenstall applied this to
the cross. Waggoner goes further and includes Christ's possession of a sinful human
nature as part of being "made sin" for us. On Waggoner see footnotes 40-44 in Chapter
three. [back]

174 Note Heppenstall's words: "Men sometimes equate their own sinful nature with the
nature of the Redeemer and reduce His stature to their own level" (The Man Who is God,
p.147). [back]

175 Ibid. [back]

176 Heppenstall says that the attempt to imitate Christ can degenerate into a system of
ethics and moral achievement. A religion which does not realize the sinner's hopeless
condition, while concentrating on the imitation of Christ, can create a preoccupation with
self. See The Man Who is God, pp.148,149. Note also: "There is no salvation in the life
example of Jesus, the carpenter of Nazareth, if that is all there is" (Ibid., p.37). Because
of Heppenstall's Christology, his soteriological emphasis is not based on achievement,
quest or imitation, but rather on reception and acceptance of the historical events
connected with Christ, and His abiding presence in the life through the Holy Spirit.
[back]

177 We have already referred to this in a previous section of this chapter. See footnotes
85-93. For additional source material, not referred to in these footnotes, see the
following: Heppenstall, "Some Theological Considerations of Perfection," Supplement to
The Ministry, Washington, D.C.: General Conference Ministerial Association, [n.d.]; also
some objections to 'Perfectionism' in Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, p.46, indicating
that Heppenstall's stand on this subject has been consistent throughout at least the major
portion of his teaching career. Note his words then: "The fundamental error of
perfectionism is its low view of God's law and its narrow conception of sin" (Ibid.).
While, for Heppenstall, Christ did not possess a sinful human nature, man is in this
position and the sinful nature will not be eradicated until the second advent of Christ. See
Perfection, p.88; "Is Perfection Possible?" The Signs of the Times, December 1963, pp.10,
11, 30. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

B. The Work of Jesus Christ

After having viewed Heppenstall's concepts regarding the Person of Christ we now come
to the picture of His work. While Christ's work encompasses His earthly life of obedience
and victory and His glorious second advent and eternal reign, we have chosen two
intermediary aspects of the work of Christ as presented by Heppenstall. The first will be
Christ and the cross, and the second, Christ and His heavenly ministry.178
l. Christ and the cross

While Heppenstall emphasizes the sinless life of Christ as a substitution for our
disobedience and often links the life and death of Christ together,179 there is no question
but that Heppenstall singles out the cross for special attention and treatment.180 Let us
look at Heppenstall's teaching regarding the centrality of the cross, the revelation of the
cross and the accomplishment of the cross.

a. The centrality of the cross

Heppenstall emphasizes the central place occupied by Jesus Christ and the cross of
Calvary in the plan of God and the drama of the ages.181 The cross was not an
afterthought, but was a foreordained plan as part of the everlasting covenant.182 When it
comes to the history of this world and its relation to the cross, Heppenstall divides
salvation history into three broad periods, namely, promise, redemption and judgment.183
Redemption is central and points primarily to the events surrounding the cross of
Calvary.184 The promise in the Old Testament pointed forward to the redemption of the
cross and the judgment looks back and is based on the accomplishments of Calvary.

For Heppenstall salvation issues forth from Christ and the cross.185 He upholds the
greatness and wonder of salvation in Jesus Christ with the pivotal point being in the
cross.186 The cross becomes the turning point for all men and is upheld as the stupendous
act of God.187 Heppenstall sees all lines of salvation history meeting at the cross.188
When it comes to the gospel of salvation, he finds the "death and resurrection of Christ"
to be "the central core of the gospel."189 The cross occupies the central place in salvation
history and is the climax of Christ's work.190

b. The revelation of the cross

Heppenstall sees the cross as a medium of revelation to this world and to the entire
universe. Firstly, the cross is a revelation of the character of God. If one's spiritual eyes
have been enlightened the cross will be seen to reveal the tremendous love of God for a
lost race.191 That love was so strong and deep that God was willing to go to the cross in
the person of His Son. But, not only is the cross a revelation of the love of God; it is also
an unveiling of His righteousness.192 God's character is holy and righteous and if sin and
the transgression of the law called for nothing else than the cross of Calvary, one can
appreciate to a limited extent the righteousness of God. Furthermore, the cross is a
revelation of the justice of God.193 The transgression of the law called for the death of the
sinner and God's heart yearned to forgive. But God's justice called for the offering of
Himself upon the cross that He might lawfully accept repentant sinners on the basis of
Christ's substitutionary death.
Heppenstall also sees the cross of Calvary as a revelation of the character and nature of
sin.194 Seen in the light of Calvary, sin is not something superficial or insignificant. If sin
called for the death of God's beloved Son, it must be a condition of deep and grave
consequence in a universe where love reigns. Finally, the cross is also a revelation of man
at his worst.195 It was the work of men and the sin of the world which placed Christ upon
the cross. The events surrounding the cross brought out some of the worst traits of
humanity. And yet, the same events also revealed that man can respond to the love of
God, and Calvary shows us that sinners can be transformed into the image of God by His
grace and power.196

c. The accomplishments of the cross

Heppenstall sees certain divine moral issues and necessities within the Godhead which
called for reaction to the sin problem.197 These issues involved God's character of
holiness together with His love, justice and mercy. God could not ignore the problem of
sin and evil and He chose to settle this problem at Calvary.198 and called for the death of
His Son.199

The cross was God's judgment At the cross of Calvary a full and complete atonement was
made for sin.200 Redemption was accomplished and provided for all. Heppenstall has a
ring of finality about Calvary where the work of expiation of sin was performed. Christ's
sacrifice on the cross was a once-for-all offering and will never be repeated. Nothing
more needs to be done beyond Calvary to make salvation secure. The words of Christ, "It
is finished," have significance for the work of the cross.

On the cross Christ bore the sins of all men and with His precious blood He paid the full
penalty for the broken law.201 This accomplishment has provided a full salvation for all
repentant sinners. The death of Christ on the cross has brought vindication to a righteous
God and to His moral law before the universe.202 These events at Calvary brought defeat
to the originator of evil and sin.203

2. Christ and His heavenly ministry

While Heppenstall believes in the centrality of the cross and that a complete atonement
was there achieved, he places great importance on the continuing priestly ministry of
Christ as High Priest in the heavenly sanctuary beyond the cross.204 "With the resurrection
and ascension of Christ, the center of the drama shifted to the sanctuary in heaven."205
Here Christ is still engaged in a ministry of reconciliation, based on the finished work of
Calvary. This work is certainly not sacrificial,206 for this aspect was accomplished by
Christ once-and-for-all on earth. Neither is it bearing sin,207 for this work Christ also did
once on the cross. Rather, Christ's work is one of redemption and judgment208
corresponding to the earthly sanctuary.

While Heppenstall has presented a threefold scheme in the divine plan consisting of
promise, the act of redemption and the work of judgment,209 he has presented a similar
scheme in the work of atonement. This is a complete atonement at the cross, an ongoing
atonement of intercession and redemption, and finally, atonement through judgment.210
Here, Heppenstall follows the Adventist concept of a tension in the atonement between
the now and the not yet; between the accomplished and the yet to be realized.211 With his
anchor tied firmly to the cross, he can reach out to an ongoing ministry of intercession
and judgment in which the benefits of the atonement are applied to man.212

For Heppenstall the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary is truly good news.213 At the
Father's right hand Christ is engaged in the work of redemption, in directing the progress
of the church on earth, and in supervising God's designs throughout the universe.214
Everything in this ministry of Christ is dynamic, genuine and vital.215

Heppenstall sees the intercession of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary as based on the shed
blood of Christ.216 For him "the blood of Christ is heaven's currency."217 It provides the
basis for all intercession in the heavenly sanctuary. The New Testament speaks of the
blood of Christ exercising positive redemptive action.218 The blood justifies, reconciles,
redeems, cleanses and sanctifies.219 "Nowhere does the blood of Christ defile. Only sin
defiles."220

The mediatorial work of Christ is given emphasis and wide scope by Heppenstall.221 One
important aspect of this work of Christ as Mediator is the work of intercession and
redemption from the heavenly sanctuary. Flowing from the cross, Christ performs His
work of intercession before the Father. This must not be taken to indicate an antithesis
between the Father and the Son.222 There is total harmony as Jesus Christ provides access
for man, perfect security for the repentant, salvation to the uttermost, saving faith leading
to works of faith, and merit for the deficiencies of the saints.223

In traditional Adventism, the third phase of Christ's work of atonement was referred to as
the 'investigative judgment' and was pictured mainly as an examination of the character
of the saints.224 Heppenstall has been responsible for introducing the term 'pre-Advent
judgment'225 rather than 'investigative judgment.' He also has taught that the scope of this
judgment work of Christ should be widened and broadened to include a judgment against
the 'little horn' and the enemies of God.226 Furthermore, when it comes to the saints,
Heppenstall has taught that the judgment is "in favor" of them rather than against them.227
This shift in emphasis has been followed by a number of present-day Adventist
scholars.228

Heppenstall sees this judgment phase of Christ's High Priestly work from the throne as an
important aspect of the prophetic message of Daniel and the Revelation.229 Only a correct
understanding of the 'pre-Advent' judgment will give a proper perspective to these
messages. The ministry of Christ in the work of judgment during the antitypical Day of
Atonement is also based on Christ's finished work on the cross.230 Christ's ministry from
the throne will finally expose the total effects of sin, bring final vindication to the
character of God before the universe,231 provide evidence for a favorable verdict on
behalf of the saints,232 establish the responsibility of Satan for sin and rebellion, and open
the way for the total eradication of sin and rebellion in God's universe.233

_______________

178 While Heppenstall believes in Christ's resurrection and in the Parousia, the emphasis
in his three main works refers to the two aspects we have chosen. [back]

179 Note Heppenstall's thought: "The divine source of saving righteousness is Jesus
Christ, His person and His work on earth" (Salvation Unlimited, p.33). Also: "Had Christ
disobeyed the law in the slightest degree, there would not be a divine righteousness to
reckon to man's account" (Ibid., p.39). See also "Should Christians Obey the Law of
God," These Times, March 1969, p.12. In connection with the life and death of Christ
being linked, notice: "In His life on earth and by His death on the cross Christ made
possible eternal salvation for us" ("Anchored to Christ," The Signs of the Times, June
1966). Heppenstall also speaks of the claims of the life and death of Christ upon the
human heart (see "What is man worth?" These Times, January 1969, p.6). Note the
chapter "Saving Righteousness Revealed," in Salvation Unlimited, pp. 26-43. [back]

180 The cross is certainly central in Heppenstall's thinking and writing. See, for example,
the following: "Christ our Sacrifice," Our High Priest, pp. 33-48; see the five chapters in
Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 1, devoted to the cross - "The Place of the Cross in the
Redemptive Plan," "The Place of the Cross in the Life of Christ," "The Place of the Cross
in Christian Experience." The last chapter is repeated three times, devoted to justification,
regeneration and sanctification. See pp. 29-47. For Heppenstall the goal of the
Incarnation is the cross. [back]

181 Note especially Heppenstall's chapter, "The Place of the Cross in the Redemptive
Plan," in Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, pp. 29-31. Here he shows the centrality of
the cross in the origin of the plan of salvation and then during salvation history in the
Word of God. See also Access to God, p.7. [back]

182 Speaking about the plan of salvation and the covenant of mercy Heppenstall says:
"Notice that this is the eternal covenant made between the Father and the Son in eternity,
called 'the everlasting covenant" (Syllabus for 8ible Doctrines, Vol. 1, p.29). Heppenstall
sees, therefore, the cross as part of God's plan from eternity in the light of his
foreknowledge of sin. [back]

183 Heppenstall speaks of "the promise, with which the Old Testament is largely
concerned; the act of redemption at the cross and its subsequent proclamation; and
finally, the work of judgment" ("Sin, Salvation, and the Sanctuary," The Ministry, March
1977, p.13). This appeared first in his book, Our High Priest (1972), p.14. See also "How
God Works to Save Us," These Times, February 1973, p.12. We note that redemption at
the cross is pivotal for Heppenstall. [back]

184 See "The Place of the Cross in the Life of Christ," Syllabus for 8ible Doctrines, Vol.
1, pp.32-34; Our High Priest, pp.33-48. [back]
185 Heppenstall states: "All salvation stems from Christ and His work on the cross...God
has provided re-conciliation in Christ and in the gospel and nowhere else" (Access to
God, p.8). If there is any central point in Heppenstall's theology it is Christ and the cross.
[back]

186 Heppenstall says we must recognize the awfulness of sin "in order that we may trust
in the exceeding greatness of salvation in Christ" ("Getting Rid of Sin," The Signs of the
Times, August 1965, p.13). [back]

187 Heppenstall speaks of it as the "turning point for all men" and the "stupendous act of
God" (Ibid.). [back]

188 Heppenstall writes: "All the lines of human history meet at the cross...Christ, the
perfect Man, covers the believer with the robe of His righteousness" (Salvation
Unlimited, p.43). [back]

189 Heppenstall, Our High Priest, p.37. [back]

190 Heppenstall is emphatic: "Christ crucified is central" (Our High Priest, p.21). Also:
"The cross constitutes the climax of Christ's work for the salvation of men" (In Touch
with God, p.19). [back]

191 Heppenstall speaks of: "The foolishness of the cross as the great revelation of God's
love for lost men" ("The Love your Heart is Needing," The Signs of the Times, April
1958, p.22). See also Access to God, p.11; Our High Priest, pp. 38-48.[back]

192 Observe: "So the cross is the marvelous revelation of the loving and righteous
character of God" (Heppenstall, Our High Priest, p.48). "God was there at His sublimest"
("The Love your Heart is Needing," The Signs of the Times, April 1958, p.23).
Heppenstall can adequately combine the love and righteousness of God at Calvary. [back]

193 Heppenstall shows that the cross of Calvary reveals not only the love of God but also
His justice. See Our High Priest, pp.40-48. "Both love and justice are real in God" (Ibid.,
p.47).For Heppenstall the demands of God's broken law call for a just penalty. This was
provided in Christ. [back]

194 Heppenstall observes: "Calvary testifies to the horrible nature of sin, the terrible
price God paid because of man's departure from the law of God" ("Why Don't we Delight
in God's Law?" These Times, September 1965, p.26). The whole sanctuary service dealt
with the problem of sin. See Heppenstall, Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary,
1958.Also his entire book Our High Priest. [back]

195 In speaking of the cruelty, hostility and lovelessness of man revealed at Calvary,
Heppenstall writes: "The cross exposes forever the true nature of man, as it reveals the
true nature of God" ("The Love your Heart is Needing," The Signs of the Times, April
1958, p.22). On the evil nature of man see Heppenstall, Salvation Unlimited, pp.7-25
.[back]

196 See Heppenstall, "Christ's Gift is Life," Salvation Unlimited, pp. 120-143. [back]

197 Note Heppenstall's treatment of "God's problem with Sin," in Our High Priest, pp.
38-48. Here he says: "The sacrifice of Christ, then, first meets necessities within the
Godhead itself" (Ibid., p.42); "The necessity for Christ's death lies in the righteousness of
God rather than in the radical nature of man's rebellion" (Ibid., p.43); "The cross met
divine moral issues" (Ibid., p.44). [back]

198 Heppenstall speaks of the "sacrifice of the Son of God as the divine solution to the
sin problem" (Our High Priest, p.39). He also wrote in 1967: "The atoning work of Christ
is the complete answer to the sin problem" ("Does Gospel Nullify Law?" The Signs of
the Times, August 1967, p.13). [back]

199 "The cross is also a divine expression of judgment on sin" (Heppenstall, Our High
Priest, p.43). Note a similar thought: "Since Christ passed judgment on our sins at the
cross, it is imperative that we agree with that judgment" ("The Gospel of Reconciliation,"
Review and Herald, September 1, 1966, Vol. 143, No. 41, p.5). See also Salvation
Unlimited, pp. 52,54. [back]

200 This idea of a complete atonement at the cross has always been a major theme with
Heppenstall. See Heppenstall's Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary, Seventh-day
Adventist Theological Seminary, January 1958, pp.6-8 where he discusses the meaning of
the completed atonement on the cross. (See also the syllabus, Doctrine of the Atonement,
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, 1966, which is identical to the above. Here
he deals with the charge of a double atonement made against Seventh-day Adventists.
Heppenstall says: "If one speaks of the redemption price paid for sin and sinners, the
actual redemption of the human race in the heart and mind of God, then the atonement is
complete at the cross" (Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary, p.6). If, however, one
means by the atonement the complete eradication of sin as represented by the typical Day
of Atonement, including the banishment of Satan, then obviously, the atonement is not
complete at the cross (see Ibid.). Taking the first meaning, Heppenstall produces
arguments for a completed atonement at the cross (see Ibid., pp.6-8). Note some of his
observations: "Our acceptance of the atonement does not in any way add to the
completion of the atonement...God has done it all....It is a work outside of man in which
'God has reconciled the world unto himself.' Reconciliation, the atonement is something
which is done. There is a work called the atonement which is in process, but it has as its
basis the finished work of Christ...Nothing else can be added to that which has been
wrought out on the cross" (Ibid., p.7). See also Our High Priest (1972), pp. 33, 34, 171,
("His complete atonement at the cross"); Salvation Unlimited (1974), pp.104,179; In
Touch with God (1975), pp.37, 100, 213. In this stand Heppenstall was in agreement with
such other Seventh-day Adventist representatives as Walter Read, Roy Anderson and
Leroy Froom, chief architects of Questions on Doctrine (1957). This book also advocated
the completed atonement on the cross. Other Seventh-day Adventists felt that this
position denied the special emphasis on the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary and
the significance of the antitypical Day of Atonement service in the heavenly sanctuary
beyond 1844. They looked upon this 'final atonement' in the heavenly sanctuary as
something in addition to the atonement on the cross. One representative of this group was
M. L. Andreasen, a former professor of the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary in
Washington, D.C. He opposed both Heppenstall and Questions on Doctrine, especially on
the atonement and the nature of Christ. He wrote his Letters to the Churches, Palmwoods,
Queensland: Judgment Hour Publishing Company, [n.d.]. These were really underground
letters of opposition which he distributed, and unfortunately, the experience embittered
Andreasen. The relationship between himself and the church administrators became
strained, but fortunately, a better understanding was reached before his death. Froom's
Movement of Destiny (1971) appeared later confirming the position of Heppenstall and
Questions on Doctrine regarding the atonement and the nature of Christ [back]

201 Heppenstall writes: "On Calvary Christ bore our sins and paid the penalty for them"
(In Touch with God, p.37). He says Christ was our sin-bearer and took upon Himself our
guilt and paid the penalty for sin (see Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary, p.12) on the
cross. See also Access to God, pp. 17,19; "The Gospel of Reconciliation," Review and
Herald, September l, 1966, pp.2,3; Our High Priest, pp. 35,169; Salvation Unlimited,
p.54. Heppenstall has Christ dealing with the guilt and the penalty of sin at the cross.
[back]

202 Heppenstall says that the atonement on the cross is "vindication of a righteous God,
vindication of the moral law of God, in a moral universe" (Our High Priest, p.44). It will
be important to note that for Heppenstall vindication of God comes from the acts of
Christ in His life, death on the cross and subsequent ministry in heaven and not from
man. [back]

203 "The throne of God is eternally secure because Christ defeated Satan at Calvary"
(Heppenstall, Our High Priest, p.22). Identical statement found in "Sin, Salvation, and
the Sanctuary," The Ministry, March 1977, p.16. This article is a repeat of a portion of
chapter one of Our High Priest (1972), pp.14-23. [back]

204 After discussing the importance of Christ's ministry in the heavenly sanctuary,
Heppenstall says: "This is not in any way to deny the complete atonement for sin made
once for all at the cross" ("The Hour of God's Judgment is Come," Doctrinal Discussions,
p.164). Heppenstall has consistently emphasized the significance and importance of the
priestly ministration of Christ in heaven. See his La Sierra emphasis (1940-1955) in the
first seven chapters of Syllabus for 8ible Doctrines, Vol. 11, 1955, pp.l-42. The same
emphasis at the Theological Seminary (1955-1967) is seen in his Syllabus for Doctrine of
the Sanctuary 1958, (his Doctrine of the Atonement Syllabus 1966, is identical); "The
Hour of God's Judgment is Come," The Ministry, June and July 1961, later appearing in
Doctrinal Discussions, pp. 158-186. His former emphasis is only sharpened at Loma
Linda and in retirement years, see Our High Priest (1972) and "The Pre-Advent
Judgment," The Ministry, December 1981, pp. 12-15. On the importance of this ministry
observe: "Christ's ministry in the heavenly sanctuary is as vital and important as His
sacrifice on the cross" ("God Will Win," The Signs of the Times, November 1975, p.15).
[back]

205 Heppenstall, Our High Priest, p.16. See also "Anchored to Christ," The Signs of the
Times, June 1966. [back]

206 Heppenstall says: "Sacrifice is not part of Christ's work before the throne of God,
where He is a priest forever" (Our High Priest, p.50). Note further this observation
regarding Christ's heavenly work: "Sacrifice it cannot be, for He did that once on earth"
(Ibid., p.55). [back]

207 See Heppenstall's thought on Christ as our Sin-8earer in Syllabus for Doctrine of the
Sanctuary (1958), p.12. Here he indicates that Jesus Christ bore our sin, our guilt and our
penalty or punishment at the cross of Calvary. This is not a work Christ is doing in the
heavenly sanctuary. Note also: "Christ bore man's sins once - on the cross. He does not
bear sins now" (Our High Priest, pp. 35,36). [back]

208 Heppenstall speaks principally of these two aspects of Christ's heavenly mediatorial
work. Note, after speaking of the work on the cross, Heppenstall writes of Christ's
"continued ministry of redemption and judgment from the heavenly sanctuary" (Our
High Priest, p.23; see also pp.18, 180, 199). See also "Sin, Salvation, and the Sanctuary,"
The Ministry, March 1977, pp.13-16. By 'redemption' in this setting Heppenstall includes
the concept of Christ's intercessory work as especially typified by the first apartment
phase of the earthly sanctuary ministry. Note also Christ as "Redeemer and Judge" ("Who
Will Plead My Case?" These Times, May 1975, p.13). See also "God Will Win," The
Signs of the Times, November 1975, pp. 14-16. [back]

209 See footnote 183 in this chapter. [back]

210 Notice Heppenstall's explanation: "The first is the atonement at the cross when Christ
brought redemption to sinful man. The second is the priestly ministry of Christ
(comparable to the daily ministry of the Levitical priesthood), His intercession and re-
presentation before the Father on our behalf, and His guidance of the church to its
ultimate triumph. The third is the atonement through judgment" (Our High Priest, p.31).
Thus beyond the cross Heppenstall sees Christ performing the two phases of intercession
and judgment as typified by the first and second apartments of the earthly sanctuary.
[back]

211 Ellen White has maintained this tension. She speaks of the Father seeing the
"completion of the atonement" at the cross (The Signs of the Times, August 16, 1899) and
yet she can write: "All need to become more intelligent in regard to the work of the
atonement, which is going on in the sanctuary above" (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p.575). For a
fuller treatment of Ellen White's views see Questions on Doctrine, pp.661-692. In our
evaluation of Heppenstall we will have occasion to note his contribution to a greater
emphasis on the completed atonement on the cross in contrast to the general Adventist
position which had been to lay greater emphasis on the atonement in the heavenly
sanctuary from 1844 and beyond. [back]

212 Speaking of these benefits Heppenstall writes: "Christ our High Priest procures for
His people all the riches and the blessings that flow from His complete atonement at the
cross" (Our High Priest, p.171). Concerning the ministry from heaven Heppenstall says:
"Christ ministers with love and power to translate His redeeming work on the cross into
human regeneration and growth into His likeness. By His Spirit He restores the image of
God in those who trust in Him" (Ibid., p. 180). [back]

213 Heppenstall comments: "The message from the divine sanctuary is good news" (Our
High Priest, p.19). See also "How God Works to Save Us," These Times, February 1973,
p.13; "Sin, Salvation, and the Sanctuary," The Ministry, March 1977, p.14 - both these
two articles being reprints from Our High Priest (1972). Heppenstall's picture of Christ's
heavenly ministry is a positive one. [back]

214 Regarding the work of redemption and intercession, we note Heppenstall's constant
emphasis in all his sanctuary material. See especially, Syllabus for Doctrine of the
Sanctuary (1958), pp.9-11; Our High Priest, pp.49-76. In connection with Christ's work
of directing His church on earth see Our High Priest, pp. 17,31. With regard to Christ's
work on behalf of the universe from the control centre of God's throne, Heppenstall
speaks of Christ's work "to restore the absolute sovereignty of God throughout the
universe, to make His throne forever secure" (Doctrinal Discussions, p.173). See also
Our High Priest, pp.157-185. [back]

215 Heppenstall writes: "In the heavenly sanctuary all is vital, dynamic, genuine, and
concerned with eternal issues" (Our High Priest, p.19) Note: "Christ did not ascend to the
heavenly sanctuary and sit at the right hand of the Father to do nothing" (Ibid., p.17). For
Heppenstall the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary is not nebulous. See also
Heppenstall, "Anchored to Christ," The Signs of the Times, June 1966. [back]

216 In this connection see "Pleading the Blood," Our High Priest, pp. 57-61. Observe:
"The shed blood of Christ plays a key role in the work of intercession" (Ibid., p.57). See
also Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 11, 1955, pp.22,23; Syllabus for Doctrine of the
Sanctuary (1958), pp. 10,11. [back]

217 Heppenstall, Our High Priest, p.56. [back]

218 Note Heppenstall's words: "The New Testament always speaks of the blood of Christ
as exercising positive redemptive action" (Our High Priest, p.58). [back]

219 Heppenstall gives the following Scriptural support for his contention regarding the
blood of Christ: "It cleanses (l John 1:7; Rev. l:5). It justifies (Rom. 3:24,25; 5:9). It
reconciles (Eph. 2:13) It redeems (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14; Rev. 5:9). It sanctifies (Heb.
10:29; 13:12)" (Ibid.). [back]
220 Ibid. Note Heppenstall's contrasting thought: "Sin defiles. Blood cleanses" (Ibid.,
p.83). Heppenstall was beginning to think this way at La Sierra (1940-1955). Note his
question and observation: "Does the blood cleanse or does it defile? - Not defiled by
confession of the sinning member but by the sinning of the individual" (Syllabus for
Bible Doctrines, Vol. 11, 1955, p.26). See a more extended treatment in Syllabus for
Doctrine of the Sanctuary (1958), pp.10-12, as he established his views on this question.
Here he takes the same position as in Our High Priest (see footnote 219) that Christ's
blood cleanses, justifies, reconciles, redeems and justifies. Heppenstall then points out
that it is the sacrifice of Christ which is the basis of judgment. He says that the shedding
of Christ's blood makes valid the recording of man's sins. The sacrifice of Christ is the
basis of God's judgment upon us. "The blood does not record but it makes valid the
recording. Obviously, sins are recorded when they are committed, not when they are
confessed" (Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary, p.11). Heppenstall's views on the
blood cleansing rather than defiling has brought a new perspective to the Adventist
sanctuary doctrine. The general conception amongst Adventists prior to Heppenstall has
been that the blood defiles in the symbolism of the sanctuary service. This idea was based
on the earthly sanctuary ritual, where sins were in figure transferred from the individual
to the sanctuary through the blood of a sacrifice. This necessitated a 'cleansing" of the
sanctuary on the Day of Atonement (see Leviticus 16). However, even a careful reading
of the earthly sanctuary symbolism would reveal that it is sin that defiles while blood
provides some form of mediation, covering, forgiveness and substitution. For an
Adventist presentation see Ellen White, "The Tabernacle and its Services," Patriarchs
and Prophets, pp.343-458. For a differing view from Heppenstall see Gerhard F. Hasel,
"Studies in 8iblical Atonement I: Continual Sacrifice, Defilement// Cleansing and
Sanctuary" The Sanctuary and the Atonement, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1981, pp.87-114; also "Studies in Biblical Atonement II: The Day
of Atonement," Ibid., pp. 115-133. [back]

221 Heppenstall had already developed his ideas on the wide scope of Christ's
mediatorial work at La Sierra. For this foundational treatment see Syllabus for Bible
Doctrines, Vol. II, 1955, pp.14-18. Here he presents Christ as Eternal Mediator, as
Mediator in Creation, in preserving all things, as Prophet, Priest and King, as Mediator in
Redemption, through the Incarnation, through His sacrifice on the cross and, finally,
Christ as Mediator in the heavenly sanctuary. See a similar position in Syllabus for
Doctrine of the Sanctuary (1958), p.4. [back]

222 Heppenstall does not see a picture of an angry God that must be placated by Christ's
intercessions. "Does Christ need to plead with His Father in order to persuade Him to do
something He is reluctant to do? Obviously not" (Our High Priest, p.61). For Heppenstall
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are united in the work of man's redemption.
Intercession is but one of Christ's redemptive functions that harmonizes with God's
character of love. [back]

223 See Heppenstall, Our High Priest, pp. 63-76. [back]

224 See S. N. Haskell, The Cross and its Shadow, South Lancaster, Massachusetts: The
Bible Training School, 1914, pp. 209-219; Uriah Smith, Daniel and the Revelation,
Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1897, p.135; W. A.
Spicer, Our Day in the Light of Prophecy, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1918, p.236; Ellen G White, "The Investigative Judgment," The
Great Controversy, pp. 479-491. [back]

225 Heppenstall evidently felt that the term 'Investigative Judgment' could carry the
connotation of a judgment carried out by God to discover who really belonged to Him. In
his book, Our High Priest (1972), Heppenstall introduced the term the 'Pre-Advent
Judgment' (see Ibid., pp. 107-129). This term would apply to the same judgment and the
same time-period but would allow for a wider scope to the event. See also Heppenstall,
"The Pre-Advent Judgment," The Ministry, December 1981, pp.12-15. [back]

226 Heppenstall has called for a widening of the scope of this pre-Advent Judgment
which would include not only the saints, but especially the 'little horn' power and the
enemies of God. We note this already in his Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary (1958,
p.15; also in his early 1960 Ministry articles, where, in referring to this judgment he said:
"both sides of the controversy are to be seen in proper perspective... It is the restricted
concept that often throws the picture out of focus and gives ground for criticism of our
position" (In Doctrinal Discussions, p.169); furthermore, he said that this "is no
contradiction of our previous position, but a widening of the perspective" (Ibid., p.172).
Note also that the "judgment is against the enemies of God and for the saints" (Our High
Priest, p.115; see the whole chapter pp. 107-129). This is the burden of his article, "The
Pre-Advent Judgment," The Ministry, December 1981, pp.12-15, where he calls for this
wider view of the Pre-Advent Judgment which will involve both the saints and the
antichrist. He writes: "There is no reason to insist that the pre-Advent judgment is
concerned only with the saints" (Ibid., p.15). [back]

227 Already in Heppenstall's Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary (1958), where he
deals with the issue of the judgment as the destruction of the dominion of the 'little horn'
and the establishment of the dominion of Christ (see p.15) this tendency is apparent. Very
clearly in Doctrinal Discussions, Heppenstall advocates that the judgment is "in favor of
the saints" (see pp.168, 169). See also Our High Priest, pp.89, 107, 115, 117, 121, 122,
201 ("The saints are not in jeopardy"); also "The Pre-Advent Judgment," The Ministry,
December 1981, pp.12-15. While this is true, Heppenstall believes that the judgment will
be based on the realities of our lives, for Christ did not come "to reduce the moral order
of the universe to an anarchy of love in which, regardless of how men live, God will
overlook it all" (Heppenstall, "Who Will Plead My Case?" These Times, May 1975, p.12).
[back]

228 See G. F. Hasel on Aspire tape, July 1981, in the presentation, "Implications-
Sanctuary Doctrine;" also W. G. Johnsson, "The Heavenly Assize," Adventist Review,
July 9, 1981, p.13, where he writes concerning the pre-Advent judgment and says:
"Judgment is given 'to the saints' (verse 22), that is, for, or on behalf of, the saints." His
whole thrust in the first section of this article is that the pre-Advent judgment brings a
note of hope; see also the consensus statement made at Glacier View, held August 11-14,
1980, entitled, "Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary" and quoted in the October 1980 issue
of The Ministry. [back]

229 See Heppenstall, Doctrinal Discussions, pp.158-186. See also Our High Priest, pp.
187-217. [back]

230 Heppenstall sees the finished work of Calvary as the basis for both Christ's
intercession and work of judgment: "The finished work at the cross cannot mean anything
unless there is continued action in and from the heavenly sanctuary in terms of
redemption and judgment" ("The Pre-Advent Judgment," The Ministry, December 1981,
p.13). [back]

231 Heppenstall states that what is at stake in Daniel 8 is "the vindication of God and His
people over against the forces of evil" (Our High Priest, p.175). The little horn power has
competed for the saving ministry from the sanctuary and Jesus Christ, the true High
Priest, is the one in whom the perfect action of the Godhead is concentrated in
forgiveness and judgment. And He will fully vindicate God's character and purposes. (see
Ibid., pp.157-185). See also Heppenstall, "Your Turn in Court," These Times, September
1977, pp. 14-16; "God Will Win," The Signs of the Times, November 1975, pp.14-16.
[back]

232 This favorable evidence is one of the purposes of a judgment according to works.
Works are not meritorious as a means of salvation, but they do provide evidence of one's
relationship with Jesus Christ. See Heppenstall's chapter, "Judgment according to Works,"
Our High Priest, pp. 131-140. [back]

233 Christ's death on the cross and His priestly ministry of intercession and judgment
will eventually fully expose evil and will result in the banishment of Satan and the final
eradication of evil. "Only the action of judgment by the living Christ can possibly end the
conflict, banish sin, and establish righteousness" (Heppenstall, Our High Priest. p.191).
See Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary (1958), pp.13, 14; see the entire chapter, "The
Hour of God's Judgment," Our High Priest, pp.187-217. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

C. A Brief Analysis of Heppenstall's Christology

Before moving to the evaluation and critique of Heppenstall's contribution, we wish to

give a brief analysis of Heppenstall's Christology after having sought to describe it.

Heppenstall's Christology is based on the concept of Christ being fully God and fully
man. His deity ensures that the One who came to rescue man is no one other than God.
This gives inestimable worth to the sinless life and atoning death of Christ. Moreover,
His genuine humanity means that Jesus Christ has truly met man on common ground, can
face the reality of temptation and can genuinely qualify to become man's merciful High
Priest.

Heppenstall's insistence on the sinless human nature of Christ has helped to maintain the
uniqueness of Christ. Even though Heppenstall has Christ using His human attributes,
having surrendered His divine attributes to the control of His Father, Christ stands out
above all other men who have ever lived. His sinlessness guarantees His qualifications to
be a complete Saviour. Although Heppenstall holds up Christ's manner of victory as
possible for all men, his stand on Christ's sinlessness, in nature and act, has prevented
him from using Christ's perfection for soteriological ends.

From the firm base of Christ's person, Heppenstall moves to the centrality and
importance of the cross of Calvary where Jesus Christ made a complete atonement for
sin. In the work of the cross, Heppenstall maintains the historical reality of an objective
atonement that was made once-for-all, never to be repeated. Despite this finality, he has
given much prominence to Christ's continued work of redemption and judgment in the
heavenly sanctuary. Only when this work is accomplished will the finished work of
Calvary be translated into living reality throughout God's universe.
At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

IV. Evaluation and Critique of Heppenstall's Christology

In this section we wish to make an evaluation of Heppenstall's Christology. In order to do

this effectively it will be necessary to bear in mind the interplay between the man, his
method and the content of his work. It will also be important to discern the mutual
influence of Heppenstall's Christology and Adventist theological thought during the latter
part of the twentieth century. Therefore, we will firstly attempt a general evaluation of
Heppenstall's contribution to Adventist thought on Christology. Secondly, we will discuss
specific contributions in the area of the person and work of Christ. Lastly, we will suggest
some problem areas in his Christology that await further thought and discussion.

A. General Evaluation of Heppenstall's Contribution to Adventist Thought on

Christology

Under this general evaluation we will review Heppenstall's contribution as a teacher; we

will consider his underlying desire to synthesize Adventist and mainstream Christian
thought; and finally, we will evaluate his attempt to systematize Adventist thought around
Christ.

l. Major contribution as a teacher

Perhaps Heppenstall's greatest contribution to Adventism has been made in the College
and Seminary lecture-room as a teacher rather than as a theological writer. Occupying
this arena for three decades from 1940 to 1970, he had a moulding influence upon a
generation of Adventist pastors, writers and Bible teachers.234 It should be remembered
that his three major books only appeared during the seventies to crown as it were his
teaching career. Whereas Waggoner's main contribution from his earliest years was in the
field of writing, Heppenstall's mark was made in the classroom.

Heppenstall had the mental equipment necessary to make a real contribution as a

theologian in the lecture theatre. His openness to truth, his ability to ask probing
questions, to challenge concepts, to stimulate thought and discussion, to engage self-
confident students in dialogue and to inspire his listeners to explore new vistas of reality
has been significant. In addition, a survey of his course syllabi reveals a broad and deep
presentation of Biblical truths,235 bound to challenge the thinking of students. His ability
to exegete the Scriptures and to use the tools of the original languages all added to his
influence.236

Aside from his method, the consistent Christian life of Heppenstall has added weight to
his message. His loving concern for his students and his apparent clear commitment to
Christ has influenced the credibility of his theological convictions. Moreover, the fruit of
his teaching has been seen in the lives of thousands of his students who have imbibed his
love for Christ. Those who have followed Heppenstall have made Jesus Christ central,
have maintained the primacy of the atonement on the cross, have revealed a faith
relationship with Christ and have held a view of the inadequacy of man which has kept
them from the paths of perfectionism at times traversed within Adventism.

2. Synthesis of Adventist and mainstream Christian thought

To a large extent Heppenstall was in sympathy with the growing trend within Adventism
emerging from the 1930's237 to clarify the issues which were open to misunderstanding
by the wider Christian world. This trend reached a decisive point in 1957 with the
publication of Questions on Doctrine238 in which Heppenstall himself played a part. This
would be particularly so with the section on Christology. Heppenstall shared the desire to
synthesize Seventh-day Adventist thought on Christology with mainstream Christian
beliefs. Some might look upon this attempt with suspicion, but Heppenstall shared the
basic concepts of Froom that Adventism was not some new and novel sectarian
digression, but was rather a renewed emphasis of forgotten truths and that the whole
movement should stand in the main stream of Reformation theology while focusing on
neglected aspects of eternal truth.239 Heppenstall was indeed thinking in terms of the
wider Christian tradition and, no doubt, wished to present his view of Christology in this
broader spectrum while at the same time being true to those Adventist traditions which he
regarded as Biblically sound.240

3. Attempt to systematize Adventist theology around Christ

There is no doubt that Heppenstall's desire was to build his theology around Christ and to
make it truly Christocentric. Whether teaching 'righteousness by faith' or a course on
grace and law, or on the Sabbath, the atonement or the sanctuary, for Heppenstall all
roads led to Christ. This was made clear by his method as well as by the content of his
courses.241

This is of particular importance as we have seen Heppenstall endeavoring to integrate the

unique Adventist eschatological views of the judgment with Christology.242 The atoning
work of Christ in connection with the cross was made foundational to Christ's further
ministry in the heavenly sanctuary whether this was seen as intercession or as judgment.
The historical Christ of the Incarnation, who in His life, death and resurrection made
atonement for sin, was the same ascended Christ who by His heavenly ministry applied
the benefits of the atonement to mankind.243 Even the Adventist concept of the special
judgment phase ministry of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary was not seen by Heppenstall
as a super gospel overshadowing Calvary.244 The Christ of the cross was the same Christ
of the judgment and only by His merits could sinners be right before God.245 On the basis
of this Christocentric view of eschatology Heppenstall interpreted the judgment of Daniel
7 and 8 ("judgment was given to the saints" Dan. 7:22) as judgment in favor and on
behalf of the saints.246 In this way Heppenstall wedded Christology to the Adventist
interpretation of the sanctuary message.

A further evidence of Heppenstall's attempt to systematize Adventist theology around

Christ is seen by his trilogy on the Person and work of Christ. His first major work, Our
High Priest, appearing in 1972, gave emphasis to the eschatological work of Christ
centering in the heavenly sanctuary. His second work, Salvation Unlimited, produced in
1974, focused attention on the historical work of Christ in relation to man's salvation. The
third book, The Man Who is God, coming off the press in 1977, concentrated on the
historical Person of Christ.247 These three books rightfully illustrate the Christocentric
nature of Heppenstall's theology and place Christ in His correct position. True Adventism
has often emphasized the need to place Christ central in practice and theory and
Heppenstall has ably made a concrete contribution to this ideal.

B. Specific Contributions to the Doctrine of the Person and Work of Christ

In dealing with the specific contributions of Heppenstall's Christology, we wish to

evaluate his approach from the perspective of the Person of Christ, his emphasis on the
historical and objective nature of Christ's Person and work, his view of the use of Christ's
divinity, his concept of the sinless nature of Christ, his contrast between the perfection of
Christ and man, and finally, his understanding of the uniform method of salvation.

l. His approach to Christology was from the perspective of the Person of Christ

Although in terms of sequence Heppenstall's major works first dealt with the work of
Christ, it is important to note that his thinking was always from the perspective of the
divine-human nature of Christ.248 For him the Person of Christ was foundational to His
work. Because of who He was, great significance could be attached to what He did. We
might also say that Heppenstall saw ontology with reference to Christ as the basis for His
function as Saviour. Because Christ was the second Person of the Godhead and possessed
deity at the centre of His being it was God who became man to accomplish salvation. For
Heppenstall the conception by the Holy Spirit, the wonder of the Incarnation and the
virgin birth, the manifestation of deity, the uniqueness of Christ, the sinless human nature
and the resurrection, constitute the basis for the assertion that God was in Christ
reconciling the world unto Himself.249

This emphasis on the Person of Christ as the basis for His work has not always been
adopted by Adventist scholars. Some who have given primary emphasis to the work of
Christ over against His Person have demonstrated certain characteristic tendencies in
their theology. Their thinking has been influenced by perfectionistic trends, by an undue
emphasis on the example of Christ and by subjective theories of the atonement.250
Heppenstall has rather followed in the tradition of writers such as H. M. S. Richards, W.
E. Read, L. E. Froom and R. A. Anderson.251 With these latter authors the clear concept
of the Person of Christ has prevented the work of Christ from being viewed mainly as a
stimulus and example for man.

Even though Heppenstall has emphasized the true humanity of the Person of Christ, he
has maintained the distinct uniqueness of Christ and, therefore, focused attention on the
once-for-all, historic work of Christ in His life, death and resurrection. For Heppenstall
man may be inspired by the example of Christ but he is never saved by it.252 Because of
the uniqueness of the Person of Christ He has accomplished a full salvation for sinners
which can never be reduplicated.

2. His emphasis on the historical Person of Christ and the objective nature of His work

While Heppenstall definitely believed in the experiential union of the saint with Christ,
his stress on the priority of the historical Person of Christ prevented him from going to
extremes on the former. Likewise, his emphasis on the objective aspect of the work of
Christ resulted in the subjective aspect taking its rightful place.253 The experiential and
subjective work of Christ in man was rather consequential to the historical and objective
nature of Christ's Person and work.

Often in Adventist theology the tendency has been to focus attention on man and his
subjective response to Christ to the neglect of the objective realities of the gospel. We
have seen this tendency with Waggoner when the subjective and experiential work of
Christ became so dominant that even the distinction between the saint and the Saviour
becomes blurred. Likewise, Christ became so identified with all flesh that even the
identity between Christ and the unsaved was lost. These are some of the dangers that
threaten when the historical and objective aspects of Christ lose their primacy.

The sheet-anchor of the historical and objective nature of Christ and His work helped
Heppenstall to keep a clear distinction between Christ and man. This position also
accentuated the once-for-all nature of the life, death and resurrection of Christ. It
emphasized the objective nature of the atonement made on the cross.254 It ensured that
Heppenstall did not succumb to the pitfall of emotionalism and subjectivism. Likewise,
salvation by grace on the basis of the merits of Christ was safeguarded from dilution with
salvation by works and man's participation. It, no doubt, also contributed to Heppenstall's
aversion to perfectionism in man.

3. His view that in the Incarnation we have, not the laying aside of deity, but a different
mode of that divine existence

Fundamental to Heppenstall's whole theology is the acceptance of the genuine divinity of

Jesus Christ during the Incarnation. This is in contrast to the usual kenotic theories where
we find that Christ has been stripped of His essential deity in order to maintain His
humanity. Instead of veiling His divinity with humanity, these theories bring us closer to
a laying aside of the divine attributes when Christ becomes man.

The danger is that in such theories we lose the idea of God becoming man for our
salvation. Rather, we have the concept that He who was God has been changed into a
man, a metamorphosis instead of an incarnation. We lose the clear concept that God is the
One who is vitally concerned with man and comes to be our Substitute and Surety.

In contrast to this, while Heppenstall does hold to some form of kenosis, it is clear that he
does not wish to lose any of the divine attributes of Christ in the Incarnation. Although
manifested as a true man with a human consciousness, Heppenstall holds that at the
center of His being is deity and for him this meant that Christ remains essentially God
and does not lay aside any attribute of His divinity. It is only the use of His divine
attributes that has been surrendered to the control of the Father. Heppenstall maintains
that Christ's divinity has been revealed in another mode of existence, namely, as a slave.
Christ has appeared in another dimension while retaining His deity. This approach has the
advantage that while still holding to the essence of Christ's deity he can avoid any form
of docetism. Christ reveals Himself as a real ad true man. His humanity is genuine and
not phantasmal. This view is likely to be quite acceptable to modern man who finds it
hard to accept the co-existence of an active deity and humanity or of the infinite and the
finite in one person. Heppenstall, without stating in so many words, no doubt, believes
that modern man can better grasp the concept of a single consciousness in Christ's
humanity, than a mysterious combination of a divine and human mind. And Heppenstall
would also say that in taking this approach he can do full justice to the genuine humanity
of Christ as revealed in the Gospels. He would also, no doubt, claim that this view is
more consistent, philosophically, than the involved speculation regarding the exact extent
and locus of each of the two natures. And yet, maintaining that Christ is divine in
essence, and has merely revealed His deity another mode, Heppenstall believes that he
has held to the full deity of Christ. Whether he has fully succeeded in this will be
discussed in the next main section.

4. His view on the radical nature of sin in man's fallen nature as opposed to the sinless
nature of Christ

We have seen that Heppenstall viewed sin in a radical light. Sin has infected the whole
nature of an and goes much deeper than merely acts of transgression. For Heppenstall all
men are born into a state of sin, implying the need for salvation even prior to overt acts of
transgression of the law of God. This state of sin means that all men are born separate
from God as a result of Adam's sin. In this state man finds himself dominated by self-
centeredness and in need of salvation from outside himself. His irresistible bias and
tendency is towards evil and he needs the implanting of a new nature. While for
Heppenstall all men possess a sinful human nature, he believed firmly that with respect to
this deeper aspect of sin, Christ was different from man and possessed a sinless human
nature.255

What have been the implications for Adventism as a result of this position taken by
Heppenstall? Firstly, this has brought the concept of some form of 'original sin' under the
searchlight of Adventist theological discussion. Adventist theologians and informed
laymen realize that one's attitude towards 'original sin' will determine which theological
road one will take and will decide on one's destination. Those Adventist theologians
following Heppenstall would place greater emphasis on the primacy of justification by
faith than those rejecting this concept.256

Secondly, Heppenstall's contribution in this respect has had the effect of broadening the
issue of sin. Because sin is not merely acts of transgression the nature of the law of God
has been seen in far greater depths.257 Sin is not something which can be handled by even
converted man in his stride. Because of man's sinful nature and the depth of sin even the
obedience of the child of God requires the added merit of the righteousness of Christ to
make it entirely acceptable to God.258 As a result of Heppenstall's view of man's sinful
nature and his understanding that this will only be eradicated at the second advent, he
would view the ongoing struggle of Romans 7 as applicable to the converted man.259

Thirdly, Heppenstall's firm stand on the sinless human nature of Christ has for him
created a clear gulf between Christ and sinful man. While Christ came in true human
nature, He was unique with respect to sin. Has Heppenstall been true to the Scriptural
picture of the humanity of Christ? For those who understand the Scriptures as equating
Christ in all respects with man the answer would be 'no.'260 For those who see Christ's
equality in all respects except sin the answer would be 'yes.'261

Fourthly, one's position on soteriology is affected by one's stand on sin and Christ. For
those who accept a similar line to Heppenstall on the radical nature of sin and the sinless
nature of Christ the unique work of Christ as Substitute and Surety will be primary.262 On
the other hand, those who equate Christ and man with respect to the sinful nature would
lay greater stress on Christ as example.263 Great emphasis will be laid upon complete
sanctification and perfection for man. What Christ did man can do by God's help. The
final vindication of God does not lie in Calvary or in Christ's life, work and death, but in
man's demonstration of the Christ-life.

Finally, Heppenstall's stand has laid greater stress on salvation by grace apart from the
merits of sinful man. Let it be noted that while Heppenstall has spelt out his position with
respect to the radical nature of sin, other Adventist theologians prior to him have taken a
similar line.264 Because of his prominence, the wide dissemination of his views and the
theological climate of Adventism in the latter half of the twentieth century, Heppenstall's
contribution on 'original sin' and the nature of Christ has added fuel to the crackling fires
of Adventist theological dialogue.265

5. His contrast between the nature of Christ's perfection and man's perfection

It is in the light of Heppenstall's radical view of human sin and Christ's relation thereto,
that his concept of perfection must be seen. Heppenstall does propound a doctrine of
Christian perfection but it is influenced by his Biblical concept of maturity rather than
sinlessness.

We have already noticed the two different basic approaches adopted on perfection in a
discussion by four Adventist scholars.266 Heppenstall would see man's perfection as
relative while Christ's perfection was absolute.267 For man perfection would always be
seen as progressive and never as static.268 Christ's perfection was, for Heppenstall, one by
nature, whereas man's perfection was by grace.269 Christ was inherently righteous
whereas sinful man is only righteous in relationship with Christ. The moment the
relationship is broken man loses his righteousness and perfection totally.

This whole emphasis has led to a number of results in Heppenstall’s theology. Firstly, one
will discover that for Heppenstall, relationship is of greater importance than an emphasis
on ethics. Instead of concentrating on ethics, Heppenstall would focus on the importance
of a living relationship with Christ resulting in an ethical life. His view of perfection
would never lead to a primary and dominant concentration on ethics. Relationship, first
and foremost; ethics secondly, and consequentially.

Secondly, Heppenstall's view on perfection has tended to lead to a Christocentric

emphasis rather than to an anthropocentric one. Those who look upon human perfection
in terms of reaching a condition of sinless living tend to concentrate on man and his
progress. On the other hand, Heppenstall's approach appears to lead one to remove the
gaze from man and to focus attention on Christ. Strangely enough, it is often the
Christocentric stance that in the end has an even more radical influence on man than does
the anthropocentric one. Heppenstall's teaching on perfection has given Adventism a
Christocentric impetus.

Finally, Heppenstall's view on human perfection has influenced Adventism to find

security of salvation in God's grace and initiative rather than in man's works or even co-
operation. Man's salvation is based on God's initiative in and through Christ.270 Man's
response, no matter how 'perfect,' can only accept salvation but never deserve or earn it.

6. On the conditions and mode of salvation

With his presentation of the unitary nature of the one everlasting covenant of grace
Heppenstall effectively lent his weight to a uniform concept of the work of Christ. While
most Adventist scholars have accepted intercession and judgment as depicting Christ's
two-phase heavenly ministry, some have tended to see Christ as offering a higher form of
grace during the judgment phase than during the first phase.271 A few have even
maintained that Christ administered sanctification prior to 1844, relative perfection after
1844 and absolute perfection during the short period between the close of probation and
the second advent.272

While Heppenstall has upheld the basic Adventist sanctuary doctrine in his work, Our
High Priest, he has never succumbed to a dispensational view of Christ's work. For him
the everlasting gospel is the same in all ages and the saving power of Christ has been
available on the same basis during all time.273 Men have not been able to live holier lives
in some particular time period because of extra grace made available from Christ.

When Ellen White uses the term 'final atonement' in referring to the judgment aspect of
Christ's heavenly ministry, some have seen in this an indication that Christ is able to
mediate more enabling power for holy living than during any earlier period.274 They
would, therefore, look for a greater demonstration of holiness in the saints than in
preceding generations.275 The motif of the 144,000 of Revelation 7 is seen as adding
weight to this line of interpretation. Heppenstall, in the other hand, while accepting the
special judgment concept of Christ's eschatological heavenly ministry, would not accept
that this would add any grace or power not available to all saints on the basis of the cross
of Calvary.276 Heppenstall's unitary concept of the covenant and of the everlasting gospel
forbids him to see the work of Christ in dispensational terms.

C. Specific Problems in Heppenstall's Christology

There are two problem areas in Heppenstall's Christology which we wish to mention.
One has to do with the relation of the divinity of Christ to the question of His human
consciousness, and the other is in connection with Heppenstall's opposition to the term
'fallen nature' with respect to Christ.

1. The relation of the Divinity of Christ to the question of His human consciousness

We have noted Heppenstall's clear enunciation of the humanity of Christ. For him it is the
human nature of Christ which has functioned during the Incarnation. This function has
been revealed in a single human consciousness rather than in a double consciousness.277
Furthermore, Heppenstall sees Christ performing His miracles and mighty deeds in His
humanity, through the power of the Holy Spirit, rather than through the power of His own
divinity.278 Heppenstall did not want a functioning divinity in Christ to negate His
genuine humanity.

While we have seen that Heppenstall strongly maintains the retention of Christ's divine
attributes and only calls for the surrender of their use into the Father's hands, the
insistence on a single consciousness, and that a human one, does raise a question as to the
reality of Christ's divinity during the Incarnation. What evidence does Heppenstall give
for the assertion that deity is at the very center of His being? If there is no divine mind or
intelligence in the earthly Christ to what extent does He still possess divine attributes?
Granted, it is difficult for us to understand infinite knowledge and limited understanding
in one person, but is this not the very same problem in the traditional two natures-in-one-
Person doctrine? Whereas Heppenstall accepts the two nature doctrine of Christ279 should
he not be willing to then accept that Christ was truly fully God and truly fully man during
the Incarnation? To be fully man one should at least have a human mind. Would it not be
logical to suppose that to be fully God one should at least have an infinite mind?

It is one thing to say that Christ possessed all divine attributes and only surrendered their
use to the Father. However, is it not a different matter to have Christ not only surrender
the use of these attributes but to actually find that He does not possess any other attributes
but the human ones?280 It would seem that if Heppenstall wishes to retain the concept
that Christ had two natures during the Incarnation, he should be willing to give greater
scope to the divine nature even if its use was surrendered into the Father's hands. Would it
not even be better to see Christ only surrendering the independent use of His divinity or
to have exercised His divinity on behalf of others but not for His own benefit?

It should be borne in mind that Heppenstall's clear enunciation of a single consciousness

in Christ only appeared in 1977 in his work, The Man Who is God. This was long after
his active teaching career in the classroom. We have also noted a change in Heppenstall's
position in 1977 from his La Sierra days (1940-1955) when he indicated that when the
Holy Spirit allowed Him to function in His divinity, Christ did so on the basis of His own
inherent attributes.281 Furthermore, the strong Christocentric stand of Heppenstall and his
insistence on a Christ without a sinful nature has so dominated his theology that the
question of the consciousness of Christ in 1977 has not affected his total impact.

2. Does Heppenstall's opposition to the term 'fallen nature' with respect to Christ not
clash with Seventh-day Adventist tradition?

When considering the Christology of our first representative we noticed a paradoxical

element in her exposition of the human nature of Christ. She maintained that Christ did
not come in the pre-fall nature of Adam but rather in human nature as affected by the fall.
There are those statements indicating that Christ 'took' fallen human nature and others
stating that we can be assured that Christ possessed a sinless human nature. We
endeavored to find some harmony between these paradoxical pictures of Christ. When it
comes to Heppenstall it appears as if he wishes to dispense with any paradox and come
out boldly on the side against any 'fallen' or 'sinful' nature for Christ.

In the case of Waggoner we also noticed that he leaned heavily towards the idea of Christ
coming in 'sinful' human nature. This is not always an easy concept to handle and it was,
no doubt, a mishandling of Waggoner's concepts that brought Baker into trouble and
evoked a letter of warning from Ellen White. We have seen that other Adventist authors
such as M. L. Andreasen, R. J. Wieland, K. Wood, M. Maxwell and T. Davis, to name a
few, have followed Waggoner in this concept of the 'fallen' human nature of Christ. For
those who have no doctrine of 'original sin' the idea of Christ appearing in 'sinful' human
nature might only mean that Christ came in a nature that was able to sin. However, for
those like Heppenstall who subscribe to a more radical view of sin and accept some form
of 'original sin' the idea of Christ having a sinful human nature is anathema. Whether
there is a difference between stating that Christ ‘took’ man's sinful nature or that he
'possessed' a sinful nature is open to discussion.

Heppenstall only allows for a weakened physical constitution in Christ but otherwise
chooses to advocate the sinless human nature of Christ. We have seen that he is clearly
more comfortable with men like L. E. Froom, W. E. Read, R. A. Anderson, B. Seton, D.
Ford and R. J. Spangler in regard to the human nature of Christ. The question may be
asked as to whether there is not an intermediary position between the two extreme
Adventist positions in this regard. Would it not be possible for both groups to move to
this position where Christ could be considered to have taken fallen human nature but to
clearly possess a sinless human nature without the tendencies or propensities to evil? Is
there not a way of holding the two paradoxical elements together in tension and still
coming out with a radical concept of sin and also a Christ who was inherently sinless in
every respect? suggest that this aspect of Christ 'taking' upon Himself man's ‘fallen’
nature requires more attention in Heppenstall's Christology in the light of the total
Adventist tradition.

D. Conclusion

Edward Heppenstall has made a mark on Adventist theology which will be difficult to
erase, Coming onto the scene as a trained theologian with a background345 of logic and
philosophy he applied these assets faithfully to his task. With his strong faith in the
reliability of Biblical revelation he was preserved from wandering into attractive
philosophical bypaths. Blessed with the Englishman's doggedness and determination, he
was not afraid to state his case even though it meant that he might become the target of
controversy.

Heppenstall has had the ability to see issues in their totality rather than in isolation.282
This is always the hallmark of a systematic theologian and many attempts have been
made by Heppenstall to bring Adventist theology into a single framework. He, himself,
has realized the desperate need to write a systematic theology from an Adventist
perspective. Heppenstall has shown the way by setting forth his Christological views in
his trilogy, but he would be the first to admit that the challenge of preparing an Adventist
systematic theology still remains to entice the mental and spiritual energies and prowess
of men still in their prime.

Heppenstall finds himself today at the end of his career in an unusual position. He stands
very nearly in the center of Adventism. Those in the extreme right wing of traditional
Adventism still view Heppenstall with some suspicion mainly because of his views on
the nature of Christ and of sin and perfection. Those in the extreme left led by Ford, feel
they have bypassed Heppenstall in their concepts of justification by faith and the finished
work of Christ on the cross with a depreciation of the Adventist concept of an
investigative judgment in 1844. Standing in the middle, Heppenstall has place to
maneuver because while holding to the basic sanctuary message of Adventism, he
himself believes that it needs adjustment and refinement in its presentation to ensure its
sound Biblical base. Whether the final forward thrust in Adventism will come from the
right or the left or the centre remains to be seen.

__________________

234 Notice the comments made in The Stature of Christ, published at Loma Linda,
California, in 1970, to honor Edward Heppenstall at the time of his retirement. Vern
Carner and Gary Stanhiser, compilers of the essays, stated in the preface: "His teaching of
Righteousness by Faith and Covenant Theology has influenced profoundly the character
and direction of Adventist theology, and has shaped and compelled men in their
preaching" (Ibid., p. ix); W. G. C. Murdoch, then at the Seventh-day Adventist
Theological Seminary, Andrews University, stated: "His academic stature, his broad
vision, his tenacity of purpose, and his total commitment to the ministry of the Word in
the classroom and on the platform cannot be measured" (Ibid., p. l); Norval F Pease, then
of Loma Linda University, wrote: "In my opinion, his greatest contribution was his
unwavering insistence on conservative evangelical theology" (Ibid., p.5); Paul C.
Heubach, also then of Loma Linda University, while stating that he and Heppenstall had
not always agreed on some theological and philosophical areas, said: "During a man's
lifetime there are always a few men whose lives have had a profound influence on him.
For me you have been one who stands high on the list" (Ibid., p.10) [back].

235 See for example, Heppenstall, Syllabus for the Epistles of Paul, La Sierra College,
Arlington, California: August 1946, (A syllabus showing careful and thorough work);
Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 11, La Sierra College 1955, (revealing a broad grasp of
truth); Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary, Seventh-day Adventist Theological
Seminary, January 1958. [back]

236 Study, for example, Heppenstall's Syllabus for Grace and Law, Seventh-day
Adventist Theological Seminary, July 1957, for his ability to exegete the Scriptures. For
his ability to use the Greek of the New Testament in his courses see Syllabus for the
Epistles of Paul, La Sierra, 1946 (this usage appears so frequently that it is not necessary
to indicate pages or examples). [back]

237 Froom delineates this development in his work Movement of Destiny. He commences
with the adoption of a statement of "Fundamental Beliefs" which first appeared in the
Yearbook in 1931 and later was incorporated in the Church Manual in 1933. In 1941 a
uniform "Baptismal Covenant" and "Vow" based on the "Fundamental Beliefs" was
adopted. In 1944 the revision of Uriah Smith's Daniel and Revelation was undertaken. In
1949 a note in Bible Readings for the Home Circle stating that Christ "partook of our
sinful, fallen nature" (p.174), first written by W. A. Colcord in 1914, was eliminated from
the book. There definitely was a desire during these years to change the image of
Adventism before the world at large. Note should also be taken of the appearance of
major apologetic works by Francis D. Nichol such as The Midnight Cry (1944), Ellen G.
White and her Critics (1951) and Answers to Objections (1952 revised and enlarged)
Froom rehearses the events leading up to the preparation of the important work Questions
on Doctrine (1957). Froom's own work in the production of The Prophetic Faith of our
Fathers (four volumes, 1946-54), and The Conditionalist Faith of our Fathers (two
volumes, 1965-6) was further evidence of this trend. See L. E. Froom, Movement of
Destiny, pp. 409-492 [back]

238 We remind readers of events surrounding a series of eighteen conferences held

between Seventh-day Adventist and Evangelical representatives during 1955 and 1956 in
the U.S.A., resulting in the production of Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on
Doctrine (1957). For the full details see L E Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp. 476-492;
also footnotes 69 and 104 in Chapter one. [back]

239 We mean by this that Adventism stands on the foundation of the best in the Protestant
Reformation, such as, the authority of the Word, the primacy of justification by faith, the
centrality of Jesus Christ and the sovereignty of the grace of God. The neglected aspects
of truth were, for example, the Law of God as a standard, the seventh-day Sabbath, the
prophetic books of Daniel and Revelation, the three angels' message of Rev. 14:6-12 and
the imminence of Christ's second advent. [back]

240 Some traditions might not have proved to be too sound. In his work, Movement of
Destiny, Froom discusses the history of what he calls "variant views" within Adventism.
These refer particularly to aspects of doctrine in connection with the nature of Christ and
the doctrine of the atonement. Note especially, Froom, Movement of Destiny, pp. 148-
187. [back]

241 This This is possibly Heppenstall's greatest contribution to Adventist theology. Christ
permeates all his thinking and his subjects. Note, for example, in Syllabus for Bible
Doctrines, Vol. 11, 1955, when he deals with the earthly sanctuary and the law. Note, the
very titles of some chapters: "Christ in the Earthly Sanctuary"; "Christ in the Ceremonial
Law and Jewish Ritual" (pp.4-13). See the entire Salvation Unlimited (1974) [back].

242 Heppenstall does not see a tension between the Christ of the New Testament who
offered present salvation, gave His life as an atoning sacrifice on Calvary, and the
doctrine of the Pre-Advent Judgment in the heavenly sanctuary prior to the Second
Advent. He has the judgment linked to the cross, the merits of Jesus Christ and the Person
of Christ in such a way that any tension is removed. See, for example, "The Pre-Advent
Judgment," Our High Priest, pp.107-129. [back]

243 Heppenstall says: "Revelation is fundamentally historical in the Person and nature of
Jesus Christ" (The Man Who is God, p.8). Furthermore: "The key event is the incarnation,
life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ" (Ibid.). For Heppenstall there is no break in
this Christ and the Christ he reveals in Our High Priest. [back]

244 See the chapter, "The Hour of God's Judgment," in Our High Priest, pp.187-217, and
it will become clear that Heppenstall does not teach that there is a basic change in the
"everlasting gospel" during the judgment phase of Christ's ministry. [back]

245 In Heppenstall's teaching sanctification, while in one sense complete in Christ, is in

another sense never final and complete. There is the need for the merit of Jesus Christ to
be added to the Christian who wishes to stand in the judgment. (See Salvation Unlimited,
pp.144-174). Also because of Heppenstall's view of the radical nature of sin and of man's
relative perfection in the light of Christ's absolute perfection, there will always be the
need for the merit of Christ to be the sole righteousness of the saint (see Perfection, pp.
61-88). [back]

246 See footnote 227. At times Adventism has given the impression that the 'investigative
judgment' is particularly against the saints, in that the rigorous examination of character
would be such that only those who have reached 'perfection' as weighed against the law
would pass the test. See P. Gerard Damsteegt, Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist
Message and Mission, Grand Rapids, Michigan: W. B. Eerdmans,1977, pp.165-176; see
also Stephen N. Haskell, The Cross and its Shadow, South Lancaster, Massachusetts: The
Bible Training School, 1914, pp. 220-238. Even Ellen White's chapter, "The Investigative
Judgment," The Great Controversy, pp.479-491, can be read in this light. However, when
balanced against her complete writings, the picture of Christ's righteousness and merits
added to the saint even in the judgment emerges. See Testimonies to the Church, Vol. 5,
pp.467-476. [back]

247 It is interesting to note the order in which he dealt with these Christological themes.
The usual approach is to start with the Person of Christ, proceed to His reconciling work
on the cross, and then finally, to add almost a postscript on His heavenly ministry.
Heppenstall proceeds from Christ's heavenly ministry, via His historical work, and
concludes with the nature of Christ. Furthermore, this should also be seen as an attempt
to deal with eschatology as a whole from the perspective of Christ first, then to proceed
to soteriology again viewed Christocentrically, and finally dealing specifically with
Christology. The motive for this approach is not wholly clear but contextual factors, no
doubt, played a major role. [back]

248 See, for example, in his early days at La Sierra, where he begins with the solid
foundation of Christ's Person as eternal and as possessing full deity. This can be seen in
Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. 1, pp. 19-21; 25-28, where he deals with the eternity
and deity of Christ and with the Incarnation. It is the Person of Christ who also forms the
basis and back-ground for God's righteousness in Heppenstall's course on 'righteousness
by faith.' See Syllabus for Righteousness by Faith, Seventh-day Adventist Theological
Seminary, August 1959 [back].

249 See Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, p.129; 173-188. [back]

250 As an illustration of perfectionistic trends and undue emphasis on the example of

Jesus see Thomas A. Davis, Was Jesus Really Like Us? Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1979. For a similar trend see Robert J. Wieland, "Sinless
Living: Possible or Not?" The 1888 Message: An Introduction, pp. 92-118. [back]

251 For H. M. S. Richards note sample sermons from the thousands he has broadcast
over the years: "Our Divine Saviour," February 11, 1945; "The Great I AM," September
2, 1945; "The Virgin Birth," July 1, 1951; "The Divinity of Christ," July 6, 1952; "The
Deity of Christ," January 23, 1955; "The Lord our Righteousness," July 12, 1964. Each
year's sermons are bound and are available at the Voice of Prophecy, California. In
connection with L. E. Froom, see "Deity and Atonement Attain Destined Place,"
Movement of Destiny, pp.493-517. W E Read produced a considerable amount of material
on the deity of Christ. As a sampling see "Christ the "Logos" - The Word of God," The
Ministry, August 1958. "Christ Our Lord," Parts l,2,3,4,5, The Ministry, August,
September, October, November, December, 1963. As an illustration of R. A. Anderson's
thought, see Faith that Conquers Fear, Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing
Association, 1967, pp. 19-27, 59-75. [back]

252 Heppenstall writes: "There is no salvation in the life example of Jesus, the Carpenter
of Nazareth, if that is all there is" (The Man Who is God, p.37). Redemption rather lies in
the righteousness of Christ "and His sacrificial death, appropriated and received by faith"
(Salvation Unlimited, p.238). [back]

253 0n the importance of the historical Person of Jesus Christ and the objective nature of
Christ's life, death and resurrection, see: Heppenstall, "Christ in Human History," The
Man Who is God, pp. 7-19; "Led by the Spirit," Salvation Unlimited, pp. 175-209. [back]

254 See the very important article by Heppenstall entitled, "Subjective and Objective
Aspects of the Atonement," in The Sanctuary and the Atonement, pp. 667-693. While
stating that the atonement is both subjective and objective, he argues for the priority and
importance of a correct, Biblical understanding and appreciation of the objective nature
of the atonement. [back]

255 See Heppenstall, "Christ and Sin," and "The Sinlessness of Christ," in The Man Who
is God, pp.107- 150; "Let Us Go on to Perfection," Perfection, pp. 61-88. [back]

256 As examples of Adventist theologians who see the primacy of justification by faith
see Raoul Dederen, "What Does God's Grace Do?" The Ministry, March 1978, pp.5-7;
see also Hans K. LaRondelle, Syllabus for Righteousness by Faith, Theological Seminary,
Andrews University, 1973. [back]

257 See Heppenstall, Syllabus for Bible Doctrines, Vol. l, pp.68-77; Syllabus for Grace
and Law, July 1957, pp.1-6; "The Law in Christian Doctrine and Experience," Our Firm
Foundation, Vol. l, pp.458-492; "The Law in Adventist Theology and Christian
Experience," Doctrinal Discussions, pp.11-26. [back]

258 Heppenstall writes: "Even the best Christians reveal their limitations by their
increased need of the appropriation of divine redemption and Christ's righteousness"
(Perfection, p.79); "Saving grace summons us to confess our sinful state until we see
Christ face to face" (Ibid., p.82). [back]

259 This would be reflected in Heppenstall's article, "Is Perfection Possible?" The Signs
of the Times, December 1963, pp.10, 11, 30. Here he states that in this earthly life "there
is always a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit" (Ibid., p.11); also the "sinful nature
is not eradicated until the day of the resurrection" (v.); even the "Christian knows that
there still remains in him a fountain of evil, a depraved nature" (v., p.30). See also
"Relative Perfection," Perfection, pp.76-81. [back]

260 For example, Robert J. Wieland would say 'no.' See his chapter "Christ Tempted as
We Are," in The 1888 Message: An Introduction, pp.41-51, where he identifies himself
with E. J. Waggoner who said the flesh of Christ had "the same evil tendencies to contend
with that ours does" (General Conference Bulletin, 1901, p.403), quoted in The 1888
Message, p.43. [back]

261 As an illustration of those who would say 'yes,' consult Bernard Seton, "Nature of
Christ," on Aspire Tape-of-the-month, February 1978. Obtainable from the General
Conference Ministerial Association, Washington, D.C. [back]

262 This would be the primary emphasis of a man like Desmond Ford. Illustrative of his
thought see: “The Relationship Between the Incarnation and Righteousness by Faith” in
Documents from the Palmdale Conference on Righteousness by Faith, 1976, pp.25-41.
[back]

263 See again Thomas A. Davis, Was Jesus Really Like Us? [back]

264 See, for example, W. H. Branson, The Way to Christ, Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1948: "Through sin, man's nature has been so debased
that he does not have the resisting power to ward off its repeated attacks" (p.25). Francis
D. Nichol rejects the idea that man "is inherently good or at least that he has infinite
potentialities of goodness" (Reasons for our Faith, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1947, p.178). [back]

265 Reference could be made to the Brinsmead sanctuary awakening message of the
195's and 1960's. This message with its emphasis on the sinful nature of Christ, the
distinction between sanctification and perfection in the saints and the eradication of the
sinful nature from the saints in the 'judgment of the living,' found numerous responsive
hearts within the fold of Adventism. Because of its divisive nature and some theological
dangers, the church opposed the movement and looked to men like Heppenstall in
America and Desmond Ford in Australia to meet the threat theologically. Both men were
equipped to meet the challenge, largely because of their view on the sinlessness of the
human nature of Christ, the radical nature of human sin with a concept of original sin,
their anti-perfectionistic stance and belief that the sinful nature of man would only be
eradicated at the second advent. Once this aspect of the 8rinsmead agitation had subsided,
the Review and Herald during the 1970's changed gears to support some of the earlier
emphases of the Brinsmead message. Heppenstall now found himself uncomfortable with
the Review and Herald's leaning towards the sinful human nature of Christ, the absence
of original sin in fallen man and the emphasis on total sanctification and perfection. We
have already referred to Ralph Larson's opposition to Heppenstall's views as reflected in
his typed document, "In Sorrow, Not in Anger" (see footnote 69). During the 1970's and
the beginning of the 1980's Heppenstall still found himself in the whirlpool of theological
discussion within Adventism. The controversies involved 'righteousness by faith' and the
sanctuary doctrine. In the vanguard of the discussions has been Desmond Ford,
Heppenstall's former ally and student. While in basic agreement with Ford on the nature
of Christ and the radical nature of sin, Heppenstall was not happy with Ford's apparent
separation of sanctification from the gospel, nor with his interpretation of Biblical
prophecy or his treatment of the sanctuary and the judgment. At Glacier View, August 11-
14, 1980, called to consider Ford's position on the sanctuary, Heppenstall made an effort
to appeal to Ford to soften his position. Reluctantly, Heppenstall was eventually forced to
oppose Ford on a number of his major premises. [back]

266 In the work Perfection, the Impossible Possibility, Heppenstall and LaRondelle have
taken what they consider to be the Biblical view of perfection as signifying maturity and
a living relationship with Christ. Influencing both men would be their view on 'original
sin.' On the other hand, Douglass and Maxwell, being against the concept of 'original sin,'
see human perfection in terms of man reaching a condition of living without sin. See
footnote 218 in Chapter two. [back]

267 See Heppenstall's whole treatment, "Let us go on to Perfection," Perfection, the

Impossible Possibility, pp.61-88. [back]

268 Notice Heppenstall's thought: "The perfecting and maturing process continues as
long as life itself" (Perfection, p.67); "But there is no finality in perfection in this life"
(Ibid.); "If we could arrive at sinless perfection in this life, the groanings that come from
the depths of our hearts would cease" (Ibid., p.71); note also: "In the Scriptures
sanctification is both a completed and a continuing work" (Salvation Unlimited, p.153).
[back]

269 Regarding Jesus Christ, Heppenstall can say: "Absolute perfection is that all-
inclusive, all-comprehending finality of righteousness which we see in Jesus Christ"
(Perfection, p.76); "Christ does not have a sinful nature like our own" (The Man Who is
God, p.137; see the entire chapter, pp.129-150). On the other hand, as far as man is
concerned, his perfection is by grace: "The Christian with a 'perfect heart' lives in a state
of grace even unto the coming of our Lord," and "We are perfect to the degree that we
live in Him and never in ourselves" (Heppenstall, Perfection, p.83). And, of course,
Heppenstall says of grace: "Grace is the eternal and free favor of God, manifested toward
the weak, the guilty, and the unworthy" (Ibid., p.81). [back]

270 God takes the initiative in Jesus Christ. Heppenstall comments: "God's invasion into
our world on a rescue mission occurred in the Person of God's Son, Jesus Christ"
(Salvation Unlimited, p.21); "Man is blind to his lost condition unless he is enlightened
by God and by His Word" (Ibid., p.25). See the entire chapter, "Saving Righteousness
Revealed," Salvation Unlimited, pp.26-43. [back]

271 Robert J. Wieland sees this as a special work of grace. In this second phase of
Christ's ministry since 1844, "Christ is to accomplish a work unique in human history,
since sin began" (The 1888 Message, p.93). Speaking of overcoming all sin, he speaks of
Christ's ministry in the most holy apartment achieving such results. [back]

272 See the earlier presentation of Robert Brinsmead in his God's Eternal Purpose,
Conway, Missouri: Ministry of Healing Health Centers, 1959, where he propounds this
view. This dispensational idea of the bestowal of grace upon the believer does influence
the thinking of some within the Adventist community. [back]

273 3Heppenstall sees the work of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary since 1844 as
involving the "vindication of God, His government and His character" (Our High Priest,
p.98), rather than dispensing special grace to the Christian not available at other times.
[back]

274 This would be the basic position of C Mervyn Maxwell, chairman of the Department
of Church History at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary, Andrews
University. See his "Ready for His Appearing," Perfection, pp.141-200. [back]

275 This is the thrust of 1888 Re-examined, Baker, Oregon: The Adventist Forum
Association. Here authors Robert J. Wieland and Donald K. Short state: "The primary
end and purpose of the Advent movement in world history was the attainment by a
remnant church to a perfect character which would completely vindicate the sacrifice at
Calvary. No other community of 'saints' in all history had attained to such a maturity of
experience" (pp.9,10). The authors state that this community would "overcome all the
mistakes of all previous generations of the professed people of God" (Ibid.). [back]

276 The whole thrust of Heppenstall's chapter "Christ Our High Priest," in Our High
Priest, pp.33-76 is that through Christ's one sacrifice on the cross, grace and power and
all the benefits of the atonement are made available to men during the entire period of
Christ's heavenly ministry whether the focus be on intercession or judgment. [back]

277 See Heppenstall, "The Center of Christ's Consciousness," The Man Who is God,
pp.84-106. [back]

278 Ibid., p.96. [back]

279 See Heppenstall, The Man Who is God, pp.22, 84. [back]

280 This is evidently how the author of the cover jacket of Heppenstall's book, The Man
Who is God, understood him, for he writes how Heppenstall shares with his readers
"insights into the place of Christ in human history, the wonder of the Incarnation, the
mystery of Jesus laying aside many of the attributes of deity to become a man." While
Heppenstall denies that Christ laid aside any of His divine attributes, has his concept of
the single consciousness of Christ not virtually indicated that Christ has laid aside some
divine attributes? [back]

281 See footnote132 in this chapter. [back]

282 This is true whether Heppenstall approaches the concepts of the law and the
covenant, or the whole question of salvation as seen in his Salvation Unlimited or the
total truth of the atonement at the cross and administered from the heavenly sanctuary
(Our High Priest). [back]
At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

Chapter Five

THE CHRISTOLOGY OF HERBERT DOUGLASS

In this chapter we turn our attention to a contemporary Adventist theologian who

represents a stream of Adventist thought, the direction of which should be noted. We will,
firstly, take a brief bird's-eye view of the man and his accomplishments. Secondly, we
will focus on his theological convictions as they relate to Christology and intertwine with
anthropology, soteriology and eschatology. Finally, we will seek to evaluate the
theological contribution of Douglass to Adventism and endeavor to give a critique of his
theology with special reference to his Christology and its impact on his total theology.

I. A Brief Look at the Man

Herbert E Douglass was born May 16, 1927, in Springfield, Massachusetts, and obtained
a Bachelor's degree in the arts and theology in 1947 at Atlantic Union College in the
same state of the United States. After graduation from this Seventh-day Adventist
institution, Douglass spent six years (1947-1953) in ministerial work in Illinois as an
Adventist clergyman. Towards the end of 1953 his interest turned back to the classroom
as he responded to a call to join the Department of Religion at Pacific Union College
(1953-60), another Adventist educational institution, in California. During his assignment
at this college, Douglass was granted study leave to attend Potomac University at that
time situated in Washington, D.C.1 Here Douglass completed an M. A. in Religion in
1956 and a B. D. in 1957.

In 1960 Douglass transferred to his alma mater, Atlantic Union College, where he spent
the next ten years. For the first four years he was Chairman of the Department of
Religion at the college. 67 he served as academic dean of this institution. His
administrative gifts were recognized when he was invited to become President of Atlantic
Union College, which position he held from 1967-70.

During Douglass' teaching experience at Pacific Union and Atlantic Union Colleges he
continued to study theology, enrolling in the Pacific School of Religion in California. In
1964 he obtained a Th.D. degree from this latter institution, submitting his doctoral
dissertation entitled, "Encounter with Brunner: An Analysis of Emil Brunner's Proposed
Transcedence of the Subjectivism-Objectivism Dichotomy."2 In this dissertation Douglass
considered Brunner's theology of preaching and saw in it "the possible solution to the
problem inherent in the subjectivism-objectivism dichotomy as it relates to the Christian
faith and its proclamation."3 He emphasizes Brunner's concept of "truth as encounter" and
sees it as providing a solution to the tension between objectivism and subjectivism. He
sets forth Brunner's understanding of this personal encounter assuming the shape of an
ellipse, "the first focus being the self-communicating God and the second, the
responsibility of man. Faith is that point between when man accepts the love of God as a
gift and as a task."4 This dissertation must be borne in mind when seeking to evaluate
Douglass' own theological thinking.5

In 1970 Douglass moved from the college atmosphere to the editor's desk. Responding to
a call from the Review and Herald Publishing Association, Douglass became an associate
editor of the Adventist Review, the weekly periodical of the Seventh-day Adventist
Church, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. Here, in association with Kenneth Wood,
editor-in-chief, Douglass was in a position of influence in the Adventist Church from
1970-76.6 Between 1976-78 Douglass was granted a sabbatical and in 1978 he once again
took up responsibilities in the Adventist organization, becoming an associate book editor
of the Pacific Press Publishing Association in Mountain View, California. He was
appointed chief book editor in 1980 which position he still holds at the time of writing in
1982.

Douglass' writing career really blossomed with his move to editorial work in Washington.
Aside from his numerous editorials in the Adventist Review, Douglass now had
opportunity to author a steady flow of books published by Adventist publishing houses.7
To balance his writing Douglass has shown a keen interest in the out-of-doors and the
world of nature.8 His pursuit of excellence has been a motivating influence in his career
and has brought him recognition.9

_____

1 Potomac University was the registered name of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological
Seminary in Washington, D.C. prior to its transference to the campus of Andrews
University, Berrien Springs, Michigan in 1959.[back]

2 Herbert Douglass, Encounter with Brunner: An Analysis of Emil Brunner's Proposed

Transcendence of the Subjectivism-Objectivism Dichotomy in its Relation to Christian
Proclamation, May 1964. Microfilm-xerography, 1974, University Microfilms, Ann
Arbor, MI., U.S.A. 382 pages. [back]

3 Ibid., p.11.[back]

4 Ibid. [back]
5 Douglass comments on the importance of the subject matter of this dissertation: "You
can easily imagine how important this study has been to me through the years - especially
during the last ten. The theological divisions within our church have all developed
because someone has pushed a truth either into objectivism or subjectivism. And truth
can not be found in either camp" (Letter from Herbert E. Douglass to Eric C. Webster,
December 28, 1981). [back]

6 The Adventist Review has a long history in the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Appearing every week since 1850 this magazine is considered the official mouthpiece of
the church and has considerable weight in influencing theological thought in the church.
While The Ministry magazine has greater influence amongst the ministers the Adventist
Review has an important impact on the church at large. [back]

7 Herbert E. Douglass, If I Had One Sermon to Preach, Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1972, 192 pages. A book in which Douglass has invited
selected Adventist ministers to submit a sermon which they might preach if it were their
last; Why I Joined, editor, Thomas A Davis, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1972, 63 pages. A booklet in which Douglass selects seven
Adventists and briefly tells the story of how and why they became Seventh-day
Adventists; What Ellen White Has Meant to Me, edited by H Douglass, Washington,
D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973, 226 pages; We Found This Faith,
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1974, 64 pages;
Perfection, the Impossible Possibility, Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing
Association, 1975, 43 pages (book has 200 pages). In this book Douglass joins three
other Adventist theologians, namely, Edward Heppenstall, Hans K. LaRondelle and C.
Mervyn Maxwell, in discussing the issue of Christian Perfection; Why Jesus Waits, editor,
Thomas A. Davis, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976,
61 pages; Jesus the Model Man, Adult Sabbath School Lesson, second quarter, 1977,
Mimeographed Publication copy, 187 pages; H Douglass and Leo Van Dolson, Jesus -
The Benchmark of Humanity, Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association,
1977, 128 pages; Faith, Saying Yes to God, Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing
Association, 1978, 96 pages; The End, Mountain View, California: Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1979, 192 pages; Parable of the Hurricane, Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1980, 32 pages; Lewis R. Walton and H.
E. Douglass, How to Survive the Eighties, Mountain View, California: Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1982, 108 pages. [back]

8 Douglass has shown a keen interest in the wilderness survival seminars and counts
gardening as one of his hobbies. [back]

9 Douglass was designated distinguished alumnus of Andrews University for 1976. He

has also been listed in Personalities of the West and Midwest, Notable Americans,
Directory of American Scholars, Personalities of America and Men of Achievement -
International Edition. [back]
At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next
The Christology of Herbert Douglass

Before looking at the Christology of Douglass in detail we need to obtain an overview of

his total theology. We do this for two main reasons. Firstly, it is evident that Douglass is a
systematic thinker and his system is logical and well-planned.10 In order to appreciate the
one part we need to see the entire system first. Furthermore, we suggest that Douglass'
anthropology, soteriology, eschatology and Christology are particularly closely linked and
interlocked.11 There is a logical interdependence between these areas of thought and,
therefore, to better understand the Christology of Douglass, we need this overview.

In the second place, while the anthropology, soteriology and eschatology of Douglass are
most prominent and form the dominant part of his system,12 this superstructure rests on
his Christology which plays a smaller but vital role. Therefore, to correctly understand
the crucial nature of his Christology it will be necessary to look at the superstructure
which it undergirds. We will, therefore, first take the overview of Douglass' main
theological thrust and then we will present his Christology in sharper focus.

A. An Overview of the Theology of Douglass

We will endeavor to present the basic theology of Douglass in summary form showing
the logical progression of each section.

l. Man's life of faithDouglass' primary focus

Wherever one begins in Douglass’ theology, it soon becomes apparent that the bottom
line is always the question of the quality of man's existential life in the here and now.13
Because of this we have chosen to start at this particular point.

Whether Douglass starts with the origin of sin, the creation, the Incarnation, the cross or
the second advent, he quickly moves to his central concern, namely, the character and
quality of man,14 because for him the crux of Christianity lies in the visible production of
happy, healthy and contented people.15 But it is essential to note that for Douglass this
quality of life depends entirely upon a faith relationship with God.16 For Douglass, this
faith is not simply mental assent to some creed or dogma;17 it is not merely a matter of
playing word games;18 it is saying a meaningful ‘yes’ to God under all circumstances.19
However, saying ‘yes’ to God is not a one-time only event but a repeated affirmation
which affects the actual character of man.20 And it affects man continuously, for faith is
not static but it is a dynamic and on-going response to the call of God.21

But for Douglass this on-going response cannot be left in this abstract form, for as God's
call is clearly revealed in His will, namely, the law of God, the response of faith
manifests itself in obedience to the law of God.22 Faith includes, therefore, obedience to
God.23 Through faith in God's power this obedience to the law of God can become perfect
and total.24 For Douglass, therefore, faith can also be understood as righteous living.25
Douglass sees 'righteousness by faith' as living righteously by faith.26

2. The gospel as the means to the life of faith

For Douglass the essential meaning of the gospel is that God has provided power for man
to live righteously by faith.27 The gospel enables man to live a life of victory and to
overcome sin.

While Douglass does maintain that the gospel includes provision for the pardon of the
sins of the past, his main emphasis in the gospel is what it can do for man in the present
and future.2 Justification is seen as a part of the gospel, but essentially it is viewed as the
correction of the past and the clearing of the decks 29 preparatory to the real action of the
future. Therefore, we can see that this view is consistent with what we previously
indicated to be Douglass' primary focusthe present quality of life.

Thus for Douglass the heart of the gospel is what God does in the life of the saint.30 It is
in the work of sanctification performed in the heart of man that the real gospel is
evidenced.31 Any claim to faith in Christ which does not produce a radical change
evidenced in righteous living is a false gospel.32

3. The 'great controversy' as the essential presupposition to the understanding of the

gospel

One does not grasp Douglass' view of the gospel fully unless one sees it against the
background of his view of the essential nature of the dilemma to which it is the answer.
The gospel is only good news because it answers the problem. For Douglass the problem
revolves around the character and government of God.33 This is epitomized in the
opposition to the requirements of the moral law of ten commandments (which he sees as
the transcript of God's character).34 Therefore, for Douglass all failure to keep God's law
is essentially rebellion against God's government.35

This opposition to God's law and government forms the heart of what Douglass calls the
'great controversy.' He sees the 'great controversy' between Christ and Satan as the central
drama and conflict of all time.36 In Douglass' thinking this is an overarching concept
which reaches back to the origin of sin in heaven.

Initially, the controversy arose in heaven over the character of God.37 Lucifer insinuated
that God was a tyrant and that His demands were unjust. As the concrete transcript of
God's character is found in His moral law, the controversy moved to the question of the
reasonableness of obedience to God's requirements.38

With the fall of man the controversy was intensified and Satan continued with his attack
on the unjust requirements of God's law. The moral law of God was clearly stated in the
Ten Commandments and this became the heart of Satan's attack.39 Douglass believes that
Satan's charge in the controversy was that no man could keep this moral law.40

Christ’s Incarnation was to help settle this ‘great controversy’ over the character and law
of God.41 Christ’s life on earth was to show that fallen man could meet God’s
requirements and keep His law.42 Furthermore, Christ has set an example so that men and
women by faith in God can live righteously and through the power of the gospel have a
part in settling the issues of the 'great controversy.'43 When man has finally demonstrated
the victorious life in the flesh by perfect obedience to the law of God the 'great
controversy' will have finally been settled.44

4. Sin is the act of transgression of the law and thus the central issue of the 'great
controversy'

For Douglass sin is the actual transgression of the law of God in thought or act rather
than a state into which all men are born.45 For him any concept of 'original sin' in the
traditional form is to be rejected.46 Prior to the first deliberate act of sin man is innocent
and not guilty before God.47

There is some tension in Douglass' thinking on the state of man at birth. While on the one
hand he rejects 'original sin', he does maintain that all men are born with fallen, sinful
natures.48 All men are subject to the great law of hereditary and inherent liabilities,
weaknesses and tendencies to evil.49 However, this fact does not make man a sinner. He
only has the human equipment to make sin a possibility.50

While man has the tendencies, passions and propensities to sin, he remains innocent and
without personal sin until he actually yields to temptation.51 Douglass does not equate
man's sinful nature with 'original sin'. Possessing a 'sinful nature' man has merely
inherited the results of sin and man is in a position to suffer temptation to sin from within
as well as from without.52

For Douglass, therefore, human sin is not inevitable. In fact, if the environment was
correct, and if the parents were well trained and prepared, and if the child was carefully
instructed from his earliest moments and if he could maintain a faith relationship with
Christ it would be quite possible for such a child not to commit sin.53 Hence, the Biblical
statement that all men are sinners would be seen as a retrospective statement of fact and
not an apriori statement of possibility.

Because sin is the actual transgression of the moral law in wrong acts, Douglass also
maintains that through reliance upon God by faith and through the power of God's Word
the man who is a sinner by act can reach the place where he ceases to transgress the law
through wrong actions and by the grace of God lives above sin.54

5. The humanity of Christ in relation to the 'great controversy' and sin

For Douglass the full and complete humanity of Christ in the Incarnation is of vital
importance in settling the issues in the 'great controversy' between Christ and Satan.55
One of the main reasons for the Incarnation, according to Douglass, was to show that Ian
could keep God's law, thus disproving Satan's Marge.56 give an example of obedience and
this could serve to encourage all other men with the hope of victory in the struggle
against evil.57 In addition, Douglass teaches that Christ came in fallen, sinful human
nature, reaching man at his lowest point, proving that fallen man can obey God's law
perfectly.58

What Christ did in His humanity all other men can do by the grace of God. For Douglass
the reality and genuineness of the humanity of Christ is vital because what Christ did will
be accomplished by His followers through faith.59 Those who follow the example of Jesus
in living lives of perfection will have an important part in finally settling the basic issues
of the 'great controversy' - are God's laws reasonable and can they be kept?60

Thus for Douglass there is nothing docetic about Jesus Christ and His earthly life. Christ
was a real man and came into the world like all other men.61 He was born with the
hereditary traits of His ancestors and was not exempt from the weaknesses and liabilities
of man62 He took upon Himself man's sinful, fallen human nature with the possibility of
yielding to temptation.63 He had the normal passions and tendencies of humanity and
faced temptation from within as well as from without.64

Douglass has a two-fold view of the propensities of sin with reference to Christ.66 The
first is a propensity to sin which all men including Christ inherit. In this sense all men
have sinful human natures, natures which are able to yield to temptation. The second
class of propensities are propensities of sin which means that an individual has yielded to
temptation and has committed sin; hence a propensity of sin has been cultivated. While
all men are sinners by act and possess this second type of propensity, Christ never sinned,
and therefore, did not possess cultivated propensities of sin. But Douglass would maintain
that Jesus Christ in His humanity did possess tendencies, passions and propensities to sin.

For Douglass, the full humanity of Christ is hence of utmost importance in the ‘great
controversy.’66 If Jesus in His fallen human nature never transgressed the law of God then
we can do the same for, according to Douglass, Jesus Christ had no advantage over
humanity in general.67 Christ’s obedience to the law is as reasonable as our obedience to
God’s requirements and together combine in settling this vital issue in the ‘great
controversy.’68 full obedience to God’s requirements on the part of man is reasonable and
possible.69

6. Jesus' example as the essence of the gospel and the means of a life of faith

As we have seen in the previous section, the humanity of Jesus has a crucial relation to
the 'great controversy’ precisely in the fact that the sinless life of Christ answered the
challenge that the law could not be kept.70 Coming with our liabilities, Jesus successfully
lived above sin.71 Flowing from these two points, we can discern the logical bridge to that
which Douglass declares is the second major function of the humanity of Christ. That is
as example and model for all men.72 It is precisely because Jesus lived without sin, with a
nature exactly like ours,73 that it therefore becomes possible and necessary for us to do
the same. The reason why it is necessary goes back to Douglass' insistence on the primary
importance of the 'good news' that man can live above sin in the life of faith here and
now. Douglass writes: "Jesus did it - I can too. I can live sinlessly even as He did, through
faith in my heavenly Father."74 The possibility opens the way to the insistence of its
necessity. Christ's humanity stands, therefore, as the example and model which must be
copied by man.

Douglass would insist that while on earth Christ laid aside the powers of His divinity and
lived successfully in His humanity by means of faith in His Father.75 He never used any
powers not available to man.76 Through faith in our heavenly Father we too may live the
victorious life on the basis of Christ's example.77 The life of faith was the secret of
Christ's success and as example and model we are challenged to copy Him.

Because Jesus Christ is example and model rather than an end in Himself for Douglass,
he tends to see the faith of Jesus as being of greater significance than faith in Jesus.78 He
would interpret the 'faith of Jesus' as having 'faith like Jesus had.'79 This is vital for man if
he wishes to follow the example of Jesus. While it is good to have faith in Jesus Christ,
this must be translated into a personal faith in God like Jesus had, in order for the power
of the gospel to really become operative in man and for man to follow the example of
Jesus.

Furthermore, Douglass would see the life of Christ as a motivating power which would
inspire man to go out and do the same. What Christ did in His humanity would be an
inspiration and an influence for man to do. The moral influence of the life of Jesus would
result in man's doing what He did.80

Douglass would agree that in this life, at least up to the close of probation,81 man might
fall short of reaching the ideal and of really following Christ fully as example and
model.82 There is pardoning grace available to man upon acknowledgement and
confession of sin in failing to reach the example.83 When man is prepared to forsake sin,
God gives him another opportunity to reach the standard and in this way he will always
strive to follow the model as closely as possible.84

7. Sinless perfection - the logical implication of Christ as Model

While Douglass makes provision, as we saw in the previous section, for a temporary
failure to reach the ideal, there is no doubt that the implication of his view of the human
nature of Christ and its exemplary function would lead him to an explicit acceptance of
the possibility of sinless perfection for all men.85 Furthermore, living a life of total
obedience to the law of God is not an impossibility, for God's requirements and laws are
reasonable and for our good, hence, Satan's accusations against the law of God are false.86
The power of the gospel is available to change lives and to make obedience total. If one's
relationship with Christ is maintained, a life of perfection by God's grace is attainable.
For Douglass the ideal of sinless perfection becomes a necessity for the following
reasons. Firstly, in order to make our Christian witness in an unbelieving world as
effective as possible the perfect response to the witness to God's will would be
persuasive.87 Secondly, if the Christian has the faith of Jesus and the same basic
equipment, would it not be a logical expectation to see in man the same life of perfection
as was evidenced in Christ?88 Thirdly, Douglass maintains that a life of sinless perfection
would indicate that those living such lives by God's grace are "safe to save."89 To save a
rebel or a man who is at enmity with God's law or by his faulty life shows a preference
for sin would be to invite sin to rear its head again in God's universe. Finally, Douglass
insists on perfection on the basis of the judgment.90 As the law of God is to be the
standard in the judgment it must be within God's provision for man to render perfect
obedience. The promise that "He is able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless
before His presence" (Jude 24) is taken by Douglass to indicate that man will reach a
condition of inherent perfection, through Christ's power, rather than what he would
consider a synthetic state of perfection through the merits of Christ.91

8. The Pre-Advent Judgment as the setting for sinless perfection

We have noted in the previous section that one of the reasons for the necessity of sinless
perfection for Douglass is the judgment taking place in heaven. Along with traditional
Adventist teaching, Douglass holds that the earthly Mosaic sanctuary is a type of the true
heavenly sanctuary and that just as there were two divisions of priestly work in the
earthly sanctuary, so there are two divisions to the work in the heavenly Sanctuary since
the cross.92 Accordingly, it is held that Christ began His High Priestly ministration in the
'first apartment of the heavenly sanctuary at His ascension and in 1844, at the close of the
2,300-day period of Daniel 8:14, Christ moved into the second or most holy apartment
and began the second phase of His ministration.93 This corresponds to the 'cleansing of
the sanctuary' and points to a work of judgment.94

Douglass would see this second phase of priestly ministration focusing on the ark of the
covenant, the law of God and the judgment.95 During this antitypical Day of Atonement
when man faces the solemnity of the judgment he is to seek to come into an experience of
total perfection.96 While Douglass believes that throughout time individuals have here and
there experienced sinless perfection, the period since 1844 would call for a greater and
more consistent evidence of this experience.97

The final generation who are alive to face the investigative judgment will require this
perfection of character as they must live through the 'time of trouble' without a Mediator
and hence live without sin.98 Furthermore, for God to close probation while men are still
living and able to make new decisions, necessitates their having reached a state where
they will not choose to sin again so that God can be just in declaring them righteous.99

Quite evidently, for Douglass, this group demonstration of sinless perfection has not yet
been seen despite the lapse of almost 140 years since 1844.100 This is not due to failure on
the part of God or Christ but is wholly man's fault.101 However, Douglass is confident that
the time will come when a generation of Advent-orientated people will achieve sinless
perfection and when this truly 'cleansed' generation emerges, the heavenly sanctuary will
be finally 'cleansed' and the investigative judgment will come to an end.102

9. A perfect generation vindicates God during the judgment

For Douglass the question of the vindication of the character of God is vital.103 The 'great
controversy' has raged around the character of God and His law. While it is true that
Christ's earthly life of obedience and His death on the cross brought vindication to God,
Douglass sees this vindication as not final or complete.104 He believes that a further and
fuller Vindication of God is needed.105 While individual Christians have sporadically had
a part in vindicating God this demonstration has not been adequate. Since 1844 Christ has
been ministering in the second phase of His priestly ministration and the special
judgment-hour message has been going to the world. Hence, Douglass maintains that any
time after 1844 the time has been ripe for a final vindication of the character of God.106
He believes that it is necessary for a whole generation of saints to live righteously by
faith as Christ did and to demonstrate in a consistent way that complete obedience to
God's law makes men holy, happy and healthy.107

According to Douglass, all heaven has been waiting for this final demonstration and
vindication, and when a generation of Advent-orientated Christians accept the challenge
and experience the faith which Jesus had and live a life of perfection and of victory
everyone will see that Satan has been a liar expectations have not been too high.108 These
saints will demonstrate the truth of Revelation 14:12: "Here are they that keep the
commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus."109 They will become Exhibit A110
before the universe that God's ways are just and right. Douglass believes that God will be
able to point to these people without embarrassment111 and say: "Here they are; take a
good look at them. This is what my kingdom is like."112 This final demonstration by a
sufficiently large group of people will bring complete vindication to the character of God
before the entire universe.113

10. The second advent delayed due to a lack of a quality people

Douglass' eschatology is characterized by an element of conditionalism with reference to

the eschaton.114 He believes that the second advent has been delayed primarily because
the final vindication of God by a generation of quality Christians has not yet taken
place.115 He finds the principle of the delayed Advent in the parable of the virgins of
Matthew 25 with its picture of the bridegroom who tarried.116

Douglass is convinced that Christ could have returned very soon after 1844 if the church
had in a practical way accepted righteous living by faith.117 He believes that the delay has
been substantial and in fact says: "Our Lord has been in a holding pattern for more than a
century."118
According to Douglass this delay in the second Advent of Christ is not God's fault,119
neither is it because world conditions are not ripe for the Advent.120 For him the real
problem lies in the character and life-style of God's children.121 He is convinced that it is
a failure to demonstrate the life of faith that is delaying the coming of Christ. He believes
that God's people are not revealing the Christian love and maturity that is called for.122
Those who claim to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus are not really
demonstrating the consistent quality of life that would be an effective witness to the
world.

Therefore, Douglass holds that the failure of the church to live the life of faith, to
experience the power of the gospel, to truly keep the commandments of God, to reach a
correct level of perfection and to reveal the depth of love of a quality generation is
causing a delay in the second Advent.123 This delay will continue until God finds a
committed generation who are prepared to fully reflect the image of Jesus and thus
vindicate the character of God.124

11. Douglass' theology culminates in 'harvest' eschatology

In view of what has been said in the previous sections, we would submit that Douglass'
eschatology is largely dominated by what he calls the 'harvest' principle.125 He bases this
on the parable of the growing seed in Mark 4:26-29. Here we read of the stalk, then the
head and finally of the full kernel in the head: "As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the
sickle to it, because the harvest has come" (verse 29). Douglass then links this with
Revelation 14: 14-16 and maintains that character is being developed and when a
generation of believers have reached a stage of character ripeness, Christ will return to
reap the harvest.126 The 'harvest' principle is Douglass' method of tying together the
various strands of his thought into a neat bundle. The achievement of the quality life of
faith which will hasten on the Advent, is likened to the ripened grain which brings on the
harvest. Furthermore, the harvest will bring to fruition the good news of the gospel that
God is truly able to save men from sin. The harvest will also climax the 'great
controversy' and will bring both the ripened grain and the full-grown tares to reaping
time. For Douglass the harvest at the end of the world will demonstrate that sin has been
an unnecessary tumor waiting only to be excised by faith. Furthermore, Douglass would
see the humanity of Christ as a type of first-fruits of the general harvest at the end and
hence of the same quality. If the first-fruit was perfect and without fault then the 'harvest'
principle would demand that the final product also be perfect and complete. Douglass
finds harmony in the concept of the judgment and the harvest. He sees both pictures as
eschatological and each casting light on the other. The final, perfect harvest gathered in at
the end will bring full vindication to God and will prove that God's ways are best.
Douglass is convinced that the 'harvest' principle of the full-grown and mature grain will
fully explain the delay in the second Advent.127 Christ will return but He cannot come
until a generation of mature Advent-orientated men and women produce the ripeness of
character fitted for the final harvest.128
_________________

10 Evidence for this assertion will be presented in the following section as we give an
overview of the main points of his systematic theology. [back]

11 This will also become apparent as we present the overview. [back]

12 A careful scrutiny of his books and articles will give evidence of the dominance of
soteriology and eschatology over Christology. This is seen, for example, in his Faith,
Saying Yes to God, in his contribution to Perfection: The Impossible Possibility?, in his
The End-Unique Voice of Adventists About the Return of Jesus and in Why Jesus Waits.
And yet, while the volume of his Christological contribution is less, it is of vital
significance to his soteriology and eschatology. [back]

13 Notice the article "Jesus Waits for a Quality People," Review and Herald, December 6,
1973: "He is waiting for His people to demonstrate that the commandment-way of life
produces the happiest, nicest, healthiest people on the face of the planet, for unless that is
done He will not have truly settled His case with the universe." See also "Beyond
Excellence," Review and Herald, January 29, 1970. "Excellence with a burning
commitment to reproduce Christ's way of life in the flesh again is the achievement for
which all heaven still waits." Notice Douglass' emphasis that the first duty of the
Christian is self-development (Perfection, p.27). [back]

14 See Perfection, pp.22,23, where Douglass is discussing Matthew 24,25 and very soon
focuses on the ‘quality of life’ of man. In "Why the World Needs Mission '72," Review
and Herald, March 16, 1972, Douglass writes: "Plainly, man's regard for the quality of
life will determine his fitness to live forever" (p.6). [back]

15 Douglass often uses such words to describe God's last generation of believers. Men
and women "will demonstrate that God's way of life is the happiest, nicest, healthiest way
to live" (Why Jesus Waits, p.29). See also Perfection, p.13; The End, p.108. While there is
truth in this optimistic view of man reaching God's ideal one must ask regarding the place
for the dedicated, saintly Christian who might be very unhealthy or diseased. At times
their demonstration is more convincing than that of a healthy person. This paradox is
evident in a world of sin and suffering. [back]

16 See Douglass’ articles, "Faith the Free Response of a Convinced Man," Review and
Herald, March 26, 1970; "The Rock of Christian Faith," Review and Herald, April 2,
1970; "Where is your Faith?" Review and Herald, January 4, 1973; "Faith is more than
Belief," Review and Herald, March 6, 1975; "Faith the Opposite of Rebellion," Review
and Herald, March 20, 1975. [back]

17 Douglass, Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.45: "The faith that is unto salvation is not a
mere intellectual assent to the truth." See chapter 2, "How Faith is Misunderstood," in the
same book. [back]

18 Douglass, Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.69: "The Lord of heaven...does not play word
games with His children. The issue has always been faith or rebellion, obedience or
disobedience, love or self-centeredness." Here Douglass is particularly speaking of
justification by faith. [back]

19 See Douglass, Faith, Saying yes to God. See also The End, p.100. [back]

20 "Such faith transforms men and women...A new power, a new principle of action,
takes over a person's life" (Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.45). [back]

21 Douglass: "Biblical faith, then, is man's proper response to God's initiative" (Faith,
Saying yes to God, p.46). See also "Faith, the Free Response of Convinced man,” Review
and Herald, March 26, 1970, p.11, See "The Rock of Christian Faith,” Review and
Herald, April 2, 1970: “New Testament faith is not static...Each new encounter with the
Lord, every time the insight registers that God’s Word is speaking to us, that rock of
conviction and certainty takes on new dimension: (p.14). [back]

22 Note Douglass' linking of faith with obedience to the law of God: "In fact, His
[Christ's] example of obedience proved that the nicest, happiest, most composed person
in the midst of life's great distresses was a man of faith and a commandment keeper"
(The End, p.134). [back]

23 Douglass says: "Faith was belief, trust, obedience, and deepest conviction all wrapped
up in a cheerful companionship with their Lord and Master" (Faith, Saying Yes to God,
p.32). Further: "Faith is the whole person doing everything that a grateful person can do
to show gratitude, sincerity, and loyalty" (Ibid., p.60). [back]

24 Note Douglass' words: "One of the distinguishing features of Christianity is that its
members may cease to sin, may overcome all inherited and cultivated tendencies to sin"
(The End, p.147). Douglass writes of God's purpose to save His people from the penalty
and power of sin, "and that He will have a people demonstrating once and for all that His
grace is more than sufficient to eradicate sin from human practice" (Ibid., p.150). [back]

25 Douglass says: "Noah preached his message of righteous living by faith at a time
when 'the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and...filled with violence' Genesis 6:11" (The
End, p.84). [back]

26 Douglass calls 'righteousness by faith' a process of living righteously by faith.

Speaking of the development of attractive Christians he writes: "That is exactly what the
process, righteousness by faith, is all about" (Perfection, p.29). See his discussion of
'righteousness by faith' as a process by which a man becomes right with God and proves
his fitness to live forever (Ibid., pp.47-49). See "Faith, the Key to the 'Last Generation',"
Review and Herald, April 17, 1975, P.13. [back]

27 See Douglass, "What is the Gospel?" Mimeographed document, [n.d.] , 19 pages.

Obtainable from the Seventh-day Adventist Biblical Research Institute, Washington, D.C.
[back]
28 Douglass writes: "If Jesus is only man's Saviour and not truly his Substitute or
Example, thus proving that all men can do what He did if they too would live a life of
faith, then the challenge to do what He did is immeasurably reduced" (Perfection, p.49).
One wonders why Douglass makes such a clear distinction between Saviour and
Substitute and prefers to link Substitute with Example almost equating the latter two
terms. It is significant to note that in one of Douglass' articles he places Christ as
Example before Substitute: "His role as man's example and substitute would have to be
heralded to the world" ("Faith, the Free Response of a Convinced Man," Review and
Herald, March 26, 1970). Does this not indicate Douglass' greater concern for
sanctification than for justification? For a discussion of justification see Faith, Saying Yes
to God, pp.62-71. [back]

29 Notice Douglass' interest in the real action of the future: "The message of the Bible
becomes more precious as well as exceedingly simple. 'Jesus did it - I can too. I can live
sinlessly even as He did, through faith in my heavenly Father.'" Perfection, pp. 49,50.
[back]

30 Douglass, The End, p.94. "The 'gospel of the kingdom' is the good news that God has
all the solutions 'or man's salvation, that Jesus reigns, especially in :he lives of men and
women of faith." See also p.112. [back]

31 Douglass, The End, p.78. "'This gospel of the kingdom' is the good news about how
God will save men and women from their sins. The story of how God reaches out to
pardon all mankind, how He stands ready to provide the power to keep from sinning, is
the best news that any man or woman, regardless of his station in life, can ever hear." See
also p.138 where he writes of this good news that honest, weary, struggling men and
women want to know. [back]

32 See Douglass, "What is the Gospel?" Mimeographed document, [n.d.] , p.2. [back]

33 This problem arose in heaven with Lucifer before the creation of this world and
revolved around the law of God as the basis of God's government. See Douglass,
Perfection, pp.36,37; The End, pp.132-140; "God on Trial," The Ministry, May 1982,
pp.7-9. [back]

34 Theologians of varying Reformed and Lutheran background would accept this

thought. See Francis Nichol, "The Law of God in Church Creeds," Reasons for our Faith,
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1947, pp.229-249.
However, it should be remembered that even the Ten Commandments are given in human
language and that God who is love cannot be circumscribed by such language. [back]

35 In describing those who "keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus"
(Rev.14:12), Douglass speaks of this "last generation" as men and women who are no
longer rebels. See Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.85. In Douglass' thinking, are those who
acknowledge the commandments of God as a divine standard and submit to Christ but do
not always keep the commandments 'perfectly' still rebels? Is it only the 'last generation'
who are no longer rebels? [back]

36 Douglass says: "To Seventh-day Adventists has been given the assignment of making
this theology of the great controversy known in simple terms" (The End, p.20). Note also:
"From Genesis to Revelation the story of the controversy unfolds, describing how God
defends Himself and settles the questions that deception has raised" (Douglass, "God on
Trial," The Ministry, May 1982, p.7). [back]

37 See Douglass, The End, p.134; "God on Trial," The Ministry, May 1982, pp.7-9.
[back]

38 See Douglass, Perfection, p.36. Note also: "Eventually Lucifer charged that God's law
could not be obeyed and that God was the author of sin, suffering and death" (Douglass,
"God on Trial," The Ministry, May 1982, p.7). [back]

39 Although the Ten Commandments were only given in codified form at Sinai it is
believed that they were given orally to Adam and Eve after their fall so that they were
aware of these principles of right and wrong. [back]

40 In other words, God was a tyrant and unreasonable in His expectations regarding man
and his ability to obey the moral law. [back]

41 Douglass, Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, pp. 35-40; See also The Humanity of
Jesus, mimeographed document, pp.2,3; see also "The Humanity of the Son of God is
Everything to Us," Review and Herald, December 23, 1971, p.12. [back]

42 Douglass says: "Jesus proved that man, even in his fallen human nature, could keep
God's law" (Perfection, p.36), also p.53; see also, "Jesus Showed Us the Possible,"
Review and Herald, December 30, 1971, p.16. [back]

43 See Douglass, "The Demonstration that Settles Everything," Review and Herald,
January 6, 1972, p.13. See also Douglass, The End, p.113: "This kind of life pattern, as
depicted in Matthew 24 and 25, will settle many questions in the great controversy and
will open the way for Jesus to return." [back]

44 See Douglass, Why Jesus Waits, pp.55-61 which is the chapter entitled "Why Time
Lingers." [back]

45 Note Douglass' words: "However, the Biblical truth about the reality of Christ's
humanity and Ellen White's resounding confirmation of His complete identification with
all humanity's liabilities, short of sinning Himself, turns the whole story around"
(Perfection, p.49). Note the accent on the act of sin. [back]

46 Douglass, in speaking against the 'transmitted sin syndrome' writes quite clearly
against the concept of original sin: "Some have called it the original sin that all men
share, or the federal head fallout, etc. Although there are many variations, the idea seems
to surface that either all men are born guilty, or that all men are born sinful. If 'sinful'
means 'able to sin unless there is divine grace to keep from falling,' there is no
misunderstanding and there would be no disagreement. But something more than the
above definition for 'sinful' is demanded although whatever is said becomes mysterious
and contradictory to such Adventist concepts as free will and human responsibility" (pp.
4,5). An Historical Footnote, mimeograph document, 1975, 6 pages. Biblical Research
Institute. [back]

47 Ibid. [back]

48 Douglass has Jesus descend to the level of our sinful fallen natures: "The majesty of
Jesus is demeaned when we lessen His real victory as the Sinless One by making it
appear that He did not descend to the level of our sinful, fallen nature and face temptation
as all other men have" (Perfection, p.39). [back]

49 Discussing the word 'propensities' Douglass suggests that Ellen White uses the word
in two ways and the first is applicable here: "in the sense of inherent weaknesses,
liabilities, tendencies to sin, and clamors of our fallen nature that every child of Adam
inherits;" (An Historical Note on the 1895 Baker Letter, mimeo-graphed document, 1975,
12 pages). Obtainable from Biblical Research Institute. For more elaborate treatment see
footnote 228 of this chapter. [back]

50 For Douglass a 'sinful nature' does not make a child a sinner. In a letter from Douglass
to this author he wrote: "Probably the easiest way to understand the phrase, 'sinful nature'
is to think of it as 'nature that is able to sin" (Letter from Douglass to E C Webster,
October 20, 1972, in this author's files). In a letter from Webster to Douglass dated
November 17, 1972, it was pointed out that if this definition of 'sinful nature' was
accepted we would have the anomaly of Adam and Eve possessing 'sinful natures' before
they had sinned. In Douglass' reply of January 18, 1973, he wrote: "I concede to your
observation regarding a definition for sinful nature being 'a nature that is able to sin'. This
is only a working definition for men this side of the fall in Eden." [back]

51 This is, of course, necessary for Douglass because he wishes both Christ and man to
be on the same level. As both have 'sinful natures' and Christ cannot be a sinner, man,
likewise, remains sinless until his first wrong choice. [back]

52 In a compilation of Ellen White statements Douglass endeavors to show that Jesus

Christ like sinful man was tempted from within as well as from without. See
Compilations by Herbert Douglass, mimeographed document, 1975, 12 pages. Biblical
Research Institute. It might be in order for Christ to be tempted from within if we
maintain that He was without taint of sin like Adam. However, it is very easy to think
incorrectly of Christ having sinful tendencies like fallen man. To have Christ face
temptation from within on this basis is incorrect. [back]

53 Douglass implies this as he discusses the fact that Jesus chose His mother and
proceeds to argue for the powerful influence of a godly mother upon the child. See
Unidentified Mimeographed document prepared by H E Douglass for the Biblical
Research Institute, pp. 3a,b,c. See also Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, p.46. [back]

54 Douglass speaks of the "unsullied purity and sinless perfection of character to be

revealed by faithful Christians in the last generation" (Perfection, p.35). [back]

55 See Douglass' chapter, "God with Us," In Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, pp.25-
40. [back]

56 See Perfection, pp.35,36. In speaking of the Incarnation as the bedrock of all Christian
faith, Douglass shows that in this event "Jesus proved that man, even in his fallen human
nature, could keep God's law" (p.36). [back]

57 Douglass writes: "Jesus did it - I can too. I can live sinlessly even as He did, through
faith in my heavenly Father" (Perfection, pp.49,5). [back]

58 This is the whole intent of Douglass' Compilations of Ellen White's statements dealing
with Christ's taking man's fallen nature and acting as an example for all fallen men.
[back]

59 Douglass wishes us to understand of Christ "that He proved that any other man of
faith, open to the empowering Holy Spirit, may live a Christ-like (that is, sinless) life
also" (Perfection, p.39). [back]

60 See Douglass, "The Demonstration that Settles Everything," Review and Herald,
January 6, 1972, p.13. [back]

61 This is the theme of his book, Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity. [back]

62 Douglass writes: "The burden of proof rests with those who believe that a break
existed between Mary and Jesus and that He did not take upon Himself the full liability of
human nature as do all babies" (Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, pp.27,28). See Faith,
Saying Yes to God, p.8. [back]

63 See Why Jesus Waits, pp. 7-10. [back]

64 See Douglass' An Historical Note on the 1895 Baker Letter. [back]

65 When we come to an evaluation of Douglass' Christology we will devote some space

to his relationship to Ellen White and will note his observations on the Baker letter. See
footnote 228 in this chapter. [back]

66 See Douglass, Perfection, pp.40,41. See also The Humanity of Jesus, mimeographed
document, pp.2,3. [back]
67 Douglass says: "Jesus employed no advantages that are not available to every human
being. His faith in His heavenly Father alone constituted the secret of His triumph over
sin (1 John 5:4)" (Perfection, pp.44,45). [back]

68 See the chapter. "God's People Vindicate His Government," in The End, pp.132-138.
[back]

69 Ibid., p.132. [back]

70 See Douglass, Perfection, p.43. [back]

71 Douglass speaks of Jesus "who demonstrated, with all of man's liabilities besetting
Him, that God's law of love could be kept - that man could be indeed an overcomer, here
and now" (Perfection, p.14). [back]

72 The idea of example and model is the theme of the entire book, Jesus-The Benchmark
of Humanity. [back]

73 See Perfection, pp.40-45, where Douglass discusses the human nature of Christ and
gives supporting Ellen White evidence. [back]

74 Douglass, Perfection, pp.49,5. Furthermore he writes: "Christ proved that sin was not
inevitable or necessary. He demonstrated by a life of faith that men and women when
connected with divine power can live without sinning" (Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.77).
[back]

75 Note Douglass: "So with Jesus Christ; because He chose to lay aside His divine
powers while He was a man, He too had to trust completely on the power of God through
faith" (Perfection, p.45). Writing in the special anniversary issue of the Review and
Herald, Douglass says: "He [Christ] had set aside for a time His divine prerogatives when
He became truly human" ("Meet the Man Who Makes Us Human," Review and Herald,
Vol. 152, No. 51, 1975, p.38). [back]

76 See Douglas, Perfection, p.45. Also: "There was nothing special or unique about His
human nature that gave Him any advantage over 'his brethren'" (Special Anniversary
Issue, Review and Herald, Volume 152, No. 51, 1975, p.38). [back]

77 Douglass says: "He still rebukes men and women when they fear that they cannot be
like Him. Any self-serving, comfortable thought that we will not 'be like Him' (l John 3:2)
this side of the resurrection will again receive His condemnation" (Faith, Saying Yes to
God, pp. 8,9). Further: "To put it plainly, living in faith is living as Jesus did" (Ibid.,
p.47). And: "His victory over temptation has demonstrated that any man may also
overcome as He overcame" (Perfection, p.33). [back]

78 For Douglass 'faith in Jesus' could be spurious but when a person has the 'faith of
Jesus' and demonstrates this by a Christ-like life, the power of the faith which Jesus had
is being clearly evidenced. [back]>

79 See Douglass' discussion of the 'faith of Jesus' in Faith, Saying Yes to God, pp.11-13.
Also in Perfection, p.46, where Douglass writes: "Do you want their happiness and hope?
If you do, then you must know their secret: they keep My commandments, and they have
a faith like Jesus had." [back]

80 This is the main line of thought in Douglass' presentation of Jesus Christ as man's
Model and Example. [back]

81 The 'close of probation' is Adventist terminology applied to a point in time when

Christ ceases His priestly ministration in the heavenly sanctuary as the destiny of all men
is settled. The seven last plagues of Revelation 16 are then poured out upon the finally
unregenerate preparatory to Christ's second advent. [back]

82 He does recognize this in the practicality of human life but actually believes that there
is no real excuse for sin. [back]

83 Douglass writes: "On the other hand He does not pardon unconditionally. He expects a
change before He pardons, or else the integrity of His government would disintegrate.
That change He has called faith" (Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.67). [back]

84 Note Douglass' comment: "The Lord of heaven wants an end to sin as soon as
possible, and He has promised the resources of heaven to assist those who feel the same
way about their sins" (Faith. Saying Yes to God, p.69). [back]

85 In this connection Douglass writes: "Christ proved that sin was not inevitable or
necessary. He demonstrated by a life of faith that men and women when connected with
divine power can live without sinning" (Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.77). Douglass does
apply the term 'sinless perfection' especially to the last generation. This is clearly his
intent generally. He speaks of the "unsullied purity and sinless perfection of character to
be revealed by faithful Christians in the last generation" (Perfection, p.35). This 'sinless
perfection' is applied to the character and not to the body. Douglass would also be quick
to differentiate between 'sinless perfection' and 'perfectionism,' which he would reject.
See Douglass, "Paxton's Misunderstanding of Adventism," Spectrum, Vol. 9, No. 3, July
1978, pp.31-37. [back]

86 See Douglass, The End, pp.132,133. [back]

87 Douglass: "Their public witness becomes God's last plea to a rebel planet" (Faith,
Saying Yes to God, p.10). [back]

88 Douglass says: "Jesus proved that man in sinful flesh could live without sinning"
(Perfection, pp. 43,44). [back]

89 Douglass describes some generation of latter-day Christians who will reveal perfection
of character and speaks of these as "safe to save." This is a favorite saying. See
Perfection, p.30; The End, pp.102,103; "Advent Waits for God's Exhibit A," Review and
Herald, August 13, 1970; "U.S. Population Growth Rate Declines," Review and Herald,
April 6, 1972; "No Anxiety in the Man of Faith," Review and Herald, August 30, 1973.
[back]

90 Douglass writes: "Even God will not give, posit, reckon, or credit His character to
another in the judgment" (The End, p.102). If this is true it would mean that everyone
coming up in the judgment must possess a spotless character of their own. Why will God
not credit His own character to a believing saint in the judgment? The whole basis of
justification is that "Christ's character stands in place of your character, and you are
accepted before God just as if you had not sinned" (E. G. White, Steps to Christ, p.62).
While it is true that our characters are taken to heaven and we cannot change them after
death, every saint will need the character of Christ in the judgment to add any merit to his
own. Speaking of the judgment, Ellen White says: "Christ will clothe His faithful ones
with His own righteousness, that He may present them to His Father 'a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing'" (The Great Controversy, p.484). It is in
the judgment that God's people are clothed with Christ's righteousness and thus enabled
to be without spot. [back]

91 Douglass uses Jude 24 to mean that when God says He will present the saints as
faultless before His presence, they are really and actually without fault. For Douglass this
is a promise that God can actually keep us from sinning and make us inherently faultless
by His grace. This is the intent of Douglass' usage of Jude 24 in the article "Christ Our
High Priest, Pardon and Power," The Ministry, March 1977, p.12. Here he speaks of
Christ giving "sufficient power for the present" and then quotes Jude 24. See also
Douglass, Why Jesus Waits, p.50; Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.78; The End, p.138.[back]

92 For representative Adventist sources in this connection see M. L. Andreasen, The

Sanctuary Service, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1937;
W. H. Branson, In Defense of the Faith, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1933, pp.268-305; L. E. Froom, Movement of Destiny,
pp.541-560; S. N. Haskell, The Cross and its Shadow, Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1949; W. G. C. Murdoch, "The Gospel in Type and
Antitype," Our Firm Foundation, Vol. l, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1953, pp.301-356; Uriah Smith, Looking Unto Jesus, Battle
Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald Publishing Company, 1898; C. H. Watson, The
Atoning Work of Christ, Takoma Park, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1934; E G White, The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan,
Mountain View: California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911, pp.391-432; 479-
491; E G White, Patriarchs and Prophets, Mountain View, California: Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1913, pp.343-373.[back]

93 William Miller believed and taught that Christ would return to earth at the end of the
2300 days. When this did not take place he and his followers experienced the 'Great
Disappointment' of October 22, 1844. After further study some who had passed through
this experience found what they believed to be Biblical support for the idea that Christ
entered the second phase of His priestly ministry in 1844. See P. Gerard Damsteegt,
Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission, Grand Rapids,
Michigan: W. B. Eerdmans, pp.103-135; Francis D. Nichol, Reasons for our Faith, pp.15-
225; 353-375; A. W. Spalding, Origin and History of Seventh-day Adventists, Vol. l,
pp.97-113.[back]

94 The 'cleansing of the sanctuary' used in the King James translation is connected with
the ritual of the cleansing of the Mosaic sanctuary on the Day of Atonement in Leviticus
16 and thus it is believed that in 1844 the heavenly sanctuary was to be 'cleansed'. This
would involve a work of the examination of the heavenly records and the final disposal of
the record of sin. [back]

95 In the earthly sanctuary the ark containing the Ten Commandments was the one article
of furniture in the Most Holy place. Thus it is believed that in the anti-type in heaven the
attention will be focused on the law of God as the basis of judgment. [back]

96 While Douglass would interpret this experience as one of inherent sinless perfection
by God's grace, other Adventist thought leaders such as Heppenstall, Ford and Spangler,
to name only a few, would see loyalty to Christ as the main issue in the judgment rather
than sinless perfection. Instead of contending for sinless perfection, Heppenstall writes:
"Properly understood, we contend for the Biblical doctrine of perfection: the perfecting of
a right relationship to God, full commitment, a mature and unshakable allegiance to Jesus
Christ" (Perfection, p.64). See also Heppenstall, "Theological Answer to Perfectionistic
Doctrine," typeset document, 11 pages, in possession of author of dissertation. On
Desmond Ford, see "When Probation Closes; Absolute Loyalty or Absolute Sinlessness,"
typeset document, 10 pages, in possession of author of dissertation. Spangler says clearly
on Aspire Tape of the Month, June 1981, in "The Theological Uniqueness and Issues
Within Adventism," that if all those to be saved in the judgment had reached sinless
perfection there would be no need for a judgment. Because God saves some sinners and
rejects others a judgment is required. [back]

97 Douglass says: "One of the most urgent messages of the sanctuary doctrine to
Christians since 1844 is that something special is required of God's followers in terms of
character development that may not have been so crucial to the development of the
church heretofore" (Why Jesus Waits, p.45).[back]

98 Quite clearly Douglass speaks of "the unsullied purity and sinless perfection of
character to be revealed by faithful Christians in the last generation" (Perfection, p.35).
Although Douglass states that "God does expect sinlessness in this life" (Ibid., p.47), He
reserves this highest ideal particularly for the last generation. [back]

99 After the ‘close of probation' there will be a short period before Christ returns. During
this time Christ will not be actively engaged in intercessory ministration in the heavenly
sanctuary. Douglass says of the saints at that time: "They are ready for probation to close
because they have allowed God to cleanse their hearts from all sin. Their life pattern is
that of a commandment-keeper" (Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.88).[back]

100 Douglass speaks of the future group demonstration: "Here at last are the people for
whom God has been waiting, for at least a century - people who not only say Yes to
everything He says, but who demonstrate the distinctive quality of what happens to
people who say Yes to God" (Perfection, p.55). See also "Advent Waits for God's Exhibit
A," Review and Herald, August 13, 1970; "Truth with Urgency," Review and Herald,
August 20, 1970; "God Waits for the Fruit of the Spirit," Review and Herald, April 5,
1973; "Why Jesus Waits," Review and Herald, October 4, 1973; "Jesus Waits for a
Quality People," Review and Herald, December 6, 1973; "Why God is Urgent - and yet
Waits," Review and Herald, May 16, 1974.[back]

101 See Douglass, The End, pp.97,98.[back]

102 Douglass writes: “The heavenly sanctuary is truly cleansed when God's people are
finally truly purified, cleansed, and clean” “In Christ Our High Priest,” The Ministry,
March 1977, p.12.[back]

103 This is an important theme in Douglass' thought. See "God's People Vindicate His
Government," The End, pp. 132-138; "The Vindication of God," Why Jesus Waits, pp. 45-
54; "The Integrity of God's Government Vindicated," Perfection, pp.52-56.[back]

104 This vindication will be accomplished by Jesus and the last generation. See
Perfection, p.14; Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.92; The End, p.136.[back]

105 Douglass sees this final vindication of God as necessary for Christ to return. He says:
"Jesus is delaying His Advent until His people exhibit His kind of faith, thus vindicating
the fairness and wisdom of God's dealing with man" ("God Does Not Play Word Games,"
The Ministry, October 1974, p.37). This final vindication will come when church
members "let God work in their lives...as He has never been given the chance before on
such a worldwide scale" (Ibid.). See also "The Vindication of God," Why Jesus Waits,
pp.45-54.[back]

106 Douglass says: "As far as God is concerned, the harvest could have, and should have,
ripened decades ago. The divine catalog said: 'Anytime within the generation living in
1844!'" (The End, p.68).[back]

107 Douglass says that God does expect perfection of character in His people - "a
demonstration that some generation of latter-day Christians will reveal before Jesus
returns" (Perfection, p.30). See also Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.89. Evidently, the
demonstration which even Adventists have been giving over the past 138 years since
1844, by God's grace, is not good enough. [back]

108 This is a recurring theme in all of Douglass' writings and much emphasis is placed on
man's part in bringing final and full vindication to God. [back]
109 Douglass says: "Such a demonstration will be on full display in the last generation of
Christians who truly 'keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.' Revelation
14:12" (The End, p.136).[back]

110 Douglass often refers to the demonstration of the last generation as "Exhibit A." See
"Advent Waits for Exhibit A," Review and Herald, August 13, 1970; "The Age of
Aquarius - for Real," Review and Herald, June 4, 1970; "Regard for Purpose on the
Adventist Campus," Review and Herald, September 10, 1970; "Truth with Urgency,"
Review and Herald, May 30, 1970; "The 'Clean Life' Pays Off," Review and Herald,
February 25, 1971; "Why Gifts Were Given to the Church," Review and Herald, March
22, 1973; "God Waits for the Fruit of the Spirit," Review and Herald, April 5, 1973; "No
Anxiety in the Man of Faith," Review and Herald, August 30, 1973; "What is the Gospel
of the Kingdom," Review and Herald, February 6, 1975; Faith, Saying Yes to God,
p.10.[back]

111 Douglass says: "For the first time in this world's history God will be able to point to
His church and say without embarrassment: 'Here are they that keep the commandments
of God, and the faith of Jesus' (Revelation 14:12, KJV)" (Perfection, p.46). Further:
"Faith has brought them to the point where God can without embarrassment introduce
them as His trophies of grace, appealing through them to all men and women to take a
good look at what His way of life is all about" (Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.85; see also
p.89). See also Douglass, "God's Long-Awaited Harvest," The Signs of the Times, July
1979, p.14.[back]

112 See Perfection, p.46; "Jesus Waits Quality People," Review and Herald, December
"Emmanuel - God with Us," Review and Herald, 20, 1973; "God's Purpose through a
Symbol," Review and Herald, November 6, 1975.[back]

113 See Perfection, p.14, 52-56. The general thrust of Douglass' writings over the years
has been that this special vindication of God by a future group of people who will be
living without sin is necessary for the plan of salvation to be complete. Speaking of this
group Douglass writes: "When such a people are cleansed from sin and reflect the image
of Jesus winsomely and courageously, then God's honor is vindicated, His government
cleared of Satan's accusations" (The End, pp.136,137). In a recent article in The Ministry
Douglass has attempted to soften his position by broadening man's vindication of God
over the span of history. He says: "The last-day vindication of God through His people is
not a new feature in the great controversy scenario" ("God on Trial," The Ministry, May
1982, p.9). Has Douglass endeavored to broaden this concept of vindication to counter
the criticism of soteriological dispensationalism? If this proves a genuine shift in his
thinking he might have to modify his views of 'sinless perfection' confined to some future
group for whom God is waiting. Either the vindication of God has been going on and is
taking place or God is still waiting for this unique demonstration. [back]

114 By this we mean that Douglass holds that Jesus Christ could have returned in any
generation since 1844 and will only return when a final generation have reached God's
ideal of Christ-like living. The eschaton is conditioned by the state of the church. [back]
115 See "Jesus Waits for a Quality People," Perfection, pp.18-34. Even in an article on
New Testament preaching, Douglass finds that the life-style of preachers and Christians
in general has caused a delay in Christ's return. He writes: "Because professed Christians
have not fulfilled their role as the living exponent of truth...in word and life, the return of
Jesus has been delayed" ("The Essence of New Testament Preaching," The Ministry,
November 1972, p.36). [back]

116 See "Jesus Waits for a Quality People," Perfection, p.25. [back]

117 Ibid., p.18. [back]

118 Douglass, "How Near is Near, Part 1," Insight, October 7, 1980, p.8. He writes
further: "Here at last are the people for whom God has waited for at least a century"
(Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.95). See also The End, p.141.[back]

119 See "The Return of Jesus Has Been Delayed," Perfection, pp.15,16.[back]

120 See Ibid., pp.21-24.[back]

121 See Perfection, pp.22,23. Further Douglass says: "readiness for the advent is more a
matter of character and life-style than emergency activity" (The End, p.93). The theme of
the delay in the Advent was an important one for Douglass in his earlier ministry too. See
his series, "Hastening the Advent," Parts l-4, in the Gleaner, official organ of the Atlantic
Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, Vol. LX, No. 31, August 7, 1961, pp.l,2;
Vol. LX, No. 32, August 14, 1961, pp.l,2; Vol. LX, No. 33, August 21, 1961, pp.l,2; Vol.
LX, No. 34, August 28, 1961, pp.l,2. In these articles Douglass discusses the problem of
the delay and finds the solution in 'righteousness by faith' and 'Christ our Righteousness.
'[back]

122 Douglass says that only a living demonstration can be credible. See Perfection,
p.24.[back]

123 See "Advent Waits for God's Exhibit A," Review and Herald, August 13, 1970; "The
'Clean Life' Pays Off," Review and Herald, February 25, 1971; "Jesus Waits for a Quality
People," Review and Herald, December 6, 1973; "God Stakes His Honor on a Victorious
People," Review and Herald, July 4, 1974; "Heaven Waits for Human Channels," Review
and Herald, August 29, 1974.[back]

124 Douglass confirms: "Only when Christians finally realize that God will wait for a
quality people, generation after generation if need be, will they become serious about the
standard of maturation (or perfection) that they must reach" (Perfection, pp.46,47). See
also Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.93; The End, p.137.[back]

125 See Douglass, "The Harvest Principle," The End, pp.65-82; Perfection, pp.18-21;
"How Near is Near?" Parts 1 & 11, Insight, October 7, 14, 1980; "God's Long-Awaited
Harvest," The Signs of the Times, July 1979, pp.13,14; "Why God Waits," These Times,
July 1975, pp.8-11.[back]

126 Douglass writes: "Such people are the harvest of the gospel seed for which Jesus now
waits" (Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.10).[back]

127 See The End, p.68.[back]

128 Douglass says: "That is, God will wait for the maturing of Christian character in a
significant number of people as the chief condition determining those events which affect
the time when probation for the world will close, and thus the time of the advent" (The
End, p.65).[back]
At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

B. A Brief Descriptive Summary of Douglass' Christology

Having presented an overview of the system existing in Douglass' overall theological

scheme, we now wish to focus on his Christological position by giving a succinct
description of his thought in this area. This will be followed in the next section by a
discussion of the soteriological implications of Douglass' Christology.

In this section we will therefore proceed to address ourselves to a brief description of the
Christology of Douglass. We will cover the preexistence and eternity of Christ, the
Incarnation, the divinity of Jesus Christ, His humanity, and finally, the work of Christ.

1. The Pre-existence and Eternity of Christ

While Douglass does not devote much space to the pre-incarnate Logos, he does maintain
clearly the preexistence of Jesus Christ as the divine Son of God.129 This pre-existence
reaches back into the days of eternity before the creation of this world. In fact, Christ is
the divine agent through whom the creation of all the universe and all heavenly beings
came into existence.130 Douglass, therefore, upholds the eternity of Christ131 Douglass,
therefore, upholds the eternity of Christ as well as His deity and unity with His Father.132
Douglass would disassociate himself from the Arian position which sees the pre-existent
Christ as inferior to the Father either in time or in nature.133

2. The Incarnation

Douglass upholds the virgin birth of Jesus and the reality and necessity of the Incarnation.
In summarizing the reasons for the Incarnation according to Douglass, we would give
seven: to show man what God is like; to vindicate the character of God against a
multitude of Satan's accusations; to prove that the law is the foundation of God's
government and can be kept perfectly by sinless beings and fallen man; to present Christ
as Substitute and Surety and to maintain the justice and mercy of God; to equip Christ to
serve as example and Model of obedience for fallen men and women; to introduce Christ
as Teacher to define the principles of God's government and the plan of salvation; and to
allow Christ to experience the lot of fallen man in order to establish His credentials as a
merciful and faithful High Priest.135

3. The Divinity of Jesus Christ

Douglass holds that Jesus Christ was fully God while here on earth136 but at the same time
maintains that He laid aside His divine powers and prerogatives to live the life of man.137
The first chapter of Jesus-the Benchmark of Humanity is devoted to the theme 'God With
Us' with emphasis on the first word. Here Douglass shows with Biblical evidence that
Jesus Christ is God.138 And yet beyond this brief and introductory treatment little attention
is given to the divinity of Christ. Douglass lays so much emphasis and importance on the
humanity of Christ that one questions what pragmatic evidence he has for the divinity of
the earthly Christ. We will return to a consideration of this issue in our evaluation and
critique.

4. The humanity of Jesus Christ

For Douglass what is vital is the full and genuine humanity of Jesus Christ along with its
complete identification with the humanity of fallen man.139

Douglass accepts the post-Lapsarian position regarding the human nature of Christ.140
Christ came, not in Adam's nature, but in fallen man's sinful nature, thus standing exactly
where fallen man finds himself.141 Christ inherited from His earthly ancestors just what
any other child would inherit from his earthly parents.142 He came with the same natural
equipment as did all other children.143 Christ entered the human scene with the same
weaknesses, liabilities, inherent tendencies and passions as any other child.144 For
Douglass this is what is meant in maintaining that Christ took man's sinful human nature.
And yet this does not make Christ an actual sinner for Douglass does not accept a concept
of original sin.145

Douglass holds that all men have succumbed to the inherent passions and tendencies of
their sinful natures by choosing to sin, whereas Christ resisted the natural desires of the
sinful nature and never yielded to temptation for one moment thus never transgressing the
law of God and always remaining sinless.146

He teaches that Christ's victory over temptation was not on the basis of His divinity but
was due to His reliance upon prayer, the study of the Scriptures and reliance upon His
Father.147 This victory was gained in Christ's humanity and His method is available to all
men.148 In this way Christ had no basic advantage over fallen man, according to Douglass,
except that man has sinned and Christ has never fallen.149
This whole emphasis on the humanity of Christ and His identity with the sinner plays a
vital role in Douglass' theology.150 He believes that the example of Christ's humanity is
vital for the solution of the 'great controversy' between Christ and Satan. God is waiting
for the possible to happen when a whole generation of fallen men and women will follow
the example of Christ, live as He lived in His humanity and finally vindicate the character
of God.151This vindication is entirely possible, necessary and reasonable and is the logical
outgrowth of Douglass' Christological role of the humanity of Christ.

5. The work of Christ

We have already noticed emphasis on the work of Christ when we outlined the seven
reasons given by Douglass for the Incarnation.152 While every aspect is important, there is
no question that Douglass gives the most prominence to the work of Christ in
demonstrating before the universe that the law of God is reasonable and can be perfectly
kept, thus equipping Himself to serve as Guide, Example, Model and Coach to all men.153
Much of the writing on the work of Christ is devoted to this aspect of Christ serving as a
model for all men to emulate.154

In the post-ascension work of Christ in heaven, Douglass gives much emphasis to Christ's
work in the heavenly sanctuary as High Priest in the two phases of His work, namely, that
of intercession and judgment.155 For Douglass this work is of equal, if not greater
importance, than Christ's work on the cross.156 The final judgment phase of Christ's
heavenly work is of paramount importance and increases in significance as time
advances.157 Douglass sees the condition of the church on earth as closely linked with this
priestly work of Christ. Christ's 'cleansing' work above is vitally related to the parallel
'cleansing' work in the hearts of God's people on earth revealed in living without sin in a
state of perfection.158

For Douglass, the climax of Christ's work in the second Advent is dependent upon the
state of the church on earth.159 Thus the condition of the church causes a delay in Christ's
return, according to Douglass. As we have previously stated, he has promoted the
'harvest' principle to explain the apparent delay and to enable man to determine the
progress of Christ's work.160 Christ's work in heaven will reach its climax in the second
Advent when the church on earth has given its final demonstration and fully vindicated
God.161

Having now presented this descriptive summary of Douglass' Christology we wish to

focus our attention on the soteriological implications of Douglass' Christology. That there
is a close connection between Douglass' soteriology and Christology there can be no
question. Whether his Christology has influenced his soteriology or vice versa is an open
question. In spite of this, we now turn to a consideration of the soteriological implications
of Douglass' Christology.

_________________
129 "Jesus Christ was the eternal God who took upon Himself human form (Philippians
2:5-11)" (Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, p.19). [back]

130 Douglass, Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, pp. 19,21. [back]

131 Douglass, Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, pp. 19,21. [back]

132 We have not found that Douglass speaks in terms of 'nature' or 'substance' when
referring to the fact of the deity of Jesus Christ. He does speak of Christ as being "fully
God" (Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, p.21) and of the deity of Christ. He writes:
"For most conservative Christians, there seems to be little question about our Lord's
Deity, and His unborrowed, underived existence as an eternal member of the Godhead"
("Christ our High Priest," The Ministry, March 1977, p.9). Douglass clearly identifies
himself with this sentiment. [back]

133 Douglass implies agreement with Christians, including the Adventist Church, in their
efforts to refute Arianism, but at the same time questions the feeble attempt to refute
Docetism. See "Jesus Showed Us the Possible," Review and Herald, December 30, 1971.
[back]

134 Douglass does not actually spend very much time on the virgin birth. He mentions it
briefly in the chapter "God with Us," Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, p.27. He is
anxious to mention that the Bible does not indicate that the human hereditary stream was
broken between Mary and Jesus. [back]

135 See Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, pp.36-39; The Humanity of Jesus

(mimeographed document), p.2. [back]

136 See "God with Us," Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, pp.13-24; Douglass writes
concerning Judas: 'He lived three years, day and night, with God Himself" "How to be
Deceived by Reason," Review and Herald, August 26, 1971); see also "The Peculiar
Temptation of Successful People," Review and Herald, September 16, 1971; 'Jesus
Showed us the Possible," Review and Herald, December 30, 1971; Why Jesus Waits, p.8.
[back]

137 Douglass says: "So with Jesus Christ; because He chose to lay aside His divine
powers while He was a man, He too had to trust completely on the power of God through
faith" (Perfection, p.45). Also: "Although Jesus remained God, He temporarily laid aside
His divine powers" (The Humanity of Jesus (mimeographed document), p.15). See also
footnote 75 of this chapter. Despite Douglass' support of the divinity of Christ does it not
appear as if he has accepted some form of the kenotic doctrine? [back]

138 It must be admitted that Douglass does not devote much space to this and his Biblical
evidence is sparse. See Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, pp.13-24. [back]

139 Not surprisingly, Douglass devotes most of his Christological thought to the
humanity of Christ. See Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity; Perfection, pp.35-45; "Meet
the Man who Makes us Human," Review and Herald, November 13, 1975. [back]>

140 See, for example, "The Humanity of the Son of God is Everything to Us," Review
and Herald, December 23, 1971; The Humanity of Jesus (mimeographed document);
Compilations by Herbert Douglass (Handed to M. R. Thurber during the Task Force
meeting in January 1975, and obtainable from the Biblical Research Institute). [back]

141 See Perfection, pp.39-41 (on page 42 Douglass speaks of "the great Christian heresy
that our Lord's human nature was as Adam's before his fall"); "Jesus Showed us the
Possible," Review and Herald, December 30, 1971; "Emmanuel - God with Us," Review
and Herald, December 20, 1973. [back]

142 See Perfection, pp. 37,52; The End p.142; Why Jesus Waits, p.9; "Why the Angels
Sang," Review and Herald, December 21, 1972; "Where is Your Faith," Review and
Herald, January 4, 1973. [back]

143 Douglass says that Jesus had the same natural equipment as all other children but
was different in performance. See "The Humanity of Jesus," (mimeographed document),
p.14; "The Humanity of the Son of God is Everything to Us," Review and Herald,
December 23, 1971; "The Mystery of the Manger," Review and Herald, December 19,
1974. [back]

144 See Perfection, pp.14,35,42,49; "Concepts of Jesus affect Personality," Review and
Herald, August 31, 1972. [back]

145 Douglass actually devotes no space to a treatment of the problem of original sin.
However, the whole thrust of his argument in placing Jesus and all other children on the
same level precludes any form of original sin for man. [back]

146 Douglass is very clear that Jesus Christ never yielded to temptation. This is evident
throughout his writings. This is the one difference between man and Jesus. See, for
example, "Why Jesus Is Exalted," Review and Herald, February 24, 1972. [back]

147 Douglass writes: "His faith in His heavenly Father alone constituted the secret of His
triumph over sin (l John 5:4)" (Perfection, p.45). [back]

148 See Perfection, pp.33,52; Why Jesus Waits, p.33; "Emmanuel - God with Us,"
Review and Herald, December 20, 1973. [back]

149 See Perfection, pp.38,39,44,45; "The Humanity of the Son of God is Everything to
Us," Review and Herald, December 23, 1971; "Why Jesus is Exalted," Review and
Herald, February 24, 1972. Douglass says that Christ had two advantages over other
men: "(l) He chose His mother and (2) He was not afflicted by negative consequences of
His own habits that would have plagued Him if He Himself had sinned" (Unidentified
mimeographed paper, no date, obtainable from Biblical Research Institute), p.3a. [back]
150 The title of one of Douglass' editorials speaks eloquently to this issue. "The
Humanity of the Son of God is Everything to Us," Review and Herald, December 23,
1971. [back]

151 Douglass writes: "The example of Jesus, the God-man, stands before us all as the
viable goal that will be achieved in a remarkable demonstration by the last generation of
advent-oriented Christians" (Perfection, p.43, see also p.55); "The demonstration that
settles everything," Review and Herald, January 6, 1972. [back]

152 These seven reasons were given on page 381. See also footnote 135 of this chapter.
[back]

153 This emphasis is dominant. See his book, Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity. Notice
further the prominent position given to Christ as example: "His role as man's example
and substitute would have to be heralded to the world" in article "Faith, the Free
Response of a Convinced Man," Review and Herald, March 26, 1970. Christ is called our
'Coach' in "How Far is a Year?" Review and Herald, January 7, 1971. Christ's example is
almost given saving power in an article where Douglass says that unless Jesus had lived
His sinless life on man's level "His example would have had limited power to save"
("Why Jesus is Exalted," Review and Herald, February 24, 1972). [back]

154 See, for example, Jesus, the Model Man, Sabbath School lesson series for second
quarter, 1977. [back]

155 See Douglass' series of articles entitled, "Importance of the Sanctuary Truth," Review
and Herald, September 4,18; October 2,23,30; November 6,27; December 4, 1975. These
same articles formed the basis of his book, Why Jesus Waits, 1976, 61 pages. [back]

156 See Why Jesus Waits, p.13. Also the entire article, "Christ our High Priest," The
Ministry, March 1977, pp.9-13. [back]

157 See Why Jesus Waits, pp.45,46. [back]

158 Douglass says: "The heavenly sanctuary is truly cleansed when God's people are
finally truly purified, cleansed and clean" ("Christ our High Priest," The Ministry, March
1977, p.10). [back]

159 See the section "The State of the Church Rather than the State of the World,"
Perfection, pp. 22-24. [back]

160 See footnotes 125-128 in this chapter. [back]

161 See Perfection, pp.52-56. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next
The Soteriological Implications of Douglass' View on the Humanity of
Christ

Douglass' main Christological effort has concentrated on the humanity of Jesus Christ.
And this concentration has been for the distinct purpose of challenging his readers to
emulate the example of Jesus. Jesus Christ has been set forth as Model for man as he
seeks to follow in the footsteps of Christ. This is clearly seen from a careful study of the
two most significant Christological productions of Douglass, namely, Jesus-The
Benchmark of Humanity, and Jesus, the Model Man162

When the motivating force of the example of Jesus remains in the realm of the fruitage of
the Christian life it is one thing, but when this example becomes the driving force which
must be emulated in order to assist God in bringing the plan of salvation to fruition, there
are certain clear soteriological implications which emerge.

In studying Douglass' Christology it becomes apparent that a definite basic pre-

supposition exists. This pre-supposition is that Jesus Christ stood on exactly the same
level as fallen man with regard to basic performance.163 equipment, the only difference
being in the realm of Hence, from birth to death, what Jesus Christ was, man is; what
Jesus Christ did, man can do.

Now this basic pre-supposition regarding Jesus and man is the foundation upon which
Douglass' soteriological edifice is erected. Let us observe how this pre-supposition has
affected Douglass' concepts regarding sin, man and the last things.

l. Implications of Douglass' Christology in the understanding of sin

Because Douglass accepts Jesus Christ as equal to fallen man at birth there must be some
accommodation with regard to the doctrine of sin. If Jesus Christ is not to be guilty of any
type of original sin or of depravity, then man must, likewise, be free from these states.
Christ must have no distinct, basic, advantage over fallen man. Hence, Douglass would
not accept any doctrine of original sin or of depravity that would make man or Christ
guilty at birth.164

While Douglass rejects the concept of original sin, he would accept that Jesus Christ and
fallen man both possess sinful natures. These sinful natures are the result of thousands of
years of sin and mean that hereditary weaknesses and liabilities are passed on to man and
Christ.165 In this way Douglass sees the very real possibility of temptation arising from
within as well as from without. For Christ and man these sinful natures meant the reality
of tendencies and propensities to sin, weaknesses, liabilities and clamors of the fallen
nature. Jesus Christ successfully resisted the pull of His sinful nature, but all other men
have succumbed to temptation.

Because of Douglass' view on the basic equality of Christ and fallen man, he sees sin in
the realm of performance rather than state. The state of Jesus and man is the same and
hence is not basically incriminating. Sin is only seen as a deliberate choice of wrong acts
in thought, word and deed.

Douglass would, therefore, conclude that because Jesus constantly performed without
sinning man must be able to do the same. Because of their identity in equipment, man
should be able to reach the place where he stops performing acts of sin. This ideal with
regard to the cessation of sin in the life of man becomes a driving force for Douglass.

2. Implications of Douglass' Christology for our understanding of man

For Douglass, Jesus Christ becomes the prototype of man. Jesus is the benchmark and the
Model for all men.166

Because of the equality of equipment, the quality life of Jesus becomes the dominant
ideal for fallen man. Hence, Douglass' emphasis on man's quality life. There is a
concentration on the importance of character, health, happiness and self-development in
man. Constant progress is necessary in order for man to attain to the necessary level of
Christ's life.

As Douglass sees the perfect performance of Jesus, he believes that man must likewise
perform perfectly. This emphasis on the role of perfect performance has opened the door
to some form of perfectionism for Douglass.167

Because of Douglass' basic Christological presupposition, the performance of Jesus

remains a constant motivating power. Hence, for Douglass man's performance
(sanctification) takes precedence over his state (justification).168 Because man's fallen
state is identical with the nature of Jesus, the state of man is not the vital issue. It is man's
acts of sin that must be forgiven and then attention must be given to the eradication of
wrong performance. While the death of Christ on the cross provides forgiveness for
wrong acts, it is the indwelling life of Christ through the Holy Spirit that provides victory
over sin in the actual life. Man cannot really be satisfied until his performance
(sanctification) equals that of Jesus Christ.

Douglass would see the performance of Jesus linked very closely with His obedience to
the law of God. In fact, for Douglass the most important reason for the Incarnation is that
Jesus Christ came to show that He and fallen man could perfectly keep the moral law of
God.169 Because of the equality of Christ and fallen man, the whole question of man's
obedience and man's keeping the law perfectly becomes a major issue for Douglass. The
'great controversy' over the law is settled not only by Christ's performance but by the
necessary perfect performance of man. The 'controversy' will only be settled when a
significant number of people reduplicate the perfectly obedient life of Jesus Christ.

While Douglass views man's faith in Christ as helpful, it becomes imperative for him that
man develop the same faith that Jesus had by reliance on the Father.170 Man is quite
capable, with God's help, of demonstrating this similar faith. Having developed the faith
which Jesus exercised, Douglass sees man as having a vital part in vindicating God. For
Douglass it is not sufficient that Jesus Christ should vindicate the law and His Father.
Man must have an important part in this vindication process. Only when fallen man
participates in Christ's perfect obedience and in keeping the law as He did will the
vindication of God be complete.171

In Douglass' soteriology his concept of Christ's humanity has driven him into the absolute
necessity of fallen man reduplicating the perfect life of Jesus in order to complete the
plan of salvation. For Douglass only those who equal the performance of Jesus, even if it
be for a short period, are 'safe to save'.172

3. Implications of Douglass' Christology for eschatology

We will also note how Douglass' basic presupposition that Jesus Christ equals fallen man
except in performance has influenced his eschatology.

Because Douglass accepts that man's performance has not always equaled that of Christ,
he has developed and refined what is called the 'harvest' principle.173 The time must come
even if it be at the end when fallen man will reduplicate the life of Jesus. In the 'harvest'
principle Douglass has found an answer to the problem of man's apparent inadequacy.
Just as the plant grows from the seed to the stalk and then to the full grain, so Douglass
sees each generation of believers growing and developing until we come to a generation
which has achieved maturity and perfection. The 'harvest' principle is Douglass'
soteriological solution to the demand of his Christological pre-supposition.

In Douglass' eschatology the problem of the delayed Advent has assumed important
significance. He scribes this delay, not to the fact that the gospel has not been proclaimed
or to the fact that world conditions re not ripe for this event, but to the fact that his
Christological pre-supposition has not been realized.174 Douglass believes that the Advent
is being delayed because fallen man has not yet realized his destiny, namely, of
reduplicating the performance and lifestyle of Jesus Christ.

Likewise, Douglass understands that the heavenly sanctuary has not yet been 'cleansed'
because man is till falling short of the lifestyle of Jesus.175 Only when fallen man reaches
the place where he equals the performance of Jesus and stops sinning will the sanctuary
be 'cleansed.' The reduplication of the life of Jesus in the flesh will synchronize with the
final 'cleansing' of the records of sin in the heavenly sanctuary.

Even the presentation of the gospel is closely inked to Douglass' Christological pre-
supposition.176 The reason why the gospel message has not been finalized and
accomplished is because the life of fallen man has not equaled that of Christ's life. The
gospel in reality is seen in the lives of God's children and if this picture is defective the
gospel of the kingdom is not being proclaimed effectively. Only when God's people live
like Christ lived, will the gospel message be effective and the end will come.
While in his prophetical interpretation Douglass has opposed the dispensational
schema,177 and while at times he has upheld the uniform method of salvation by faith as a
Matterhorn principle,178 he has slipped into a soteriological dispensationalism because of
his Christological pre-supposition. If fallen man can equal the life of Jesus Christ,
Douglass faces the problem that either only those who achieve this ideal for a certain
length of time will be saved or God will save some by a less exacting standard than
others. It would appear that Douglass has chosen the second alternative and sees God's
requirements for perfection as higher in certain times than others. The challenge for fallen
man to perform like Christ is always present but for Douglass it was more urgent after
1844 than before179 and today it is more vital than at any other period. In fact, only when
a generation of believers reduplicate the life of Jesus will the problem of sin be finally
settled. For those who wish to live through the 'time of trouble' and be alive when Jesus
returns the standard of salvation will be higher than for those who have died before Christ
returns.

In this section we have seen that Douglass' Christology has very clear implications for his
understanding of soteriology especially as this relates to the problem of sin, the doctrine
of man and the understanding of eschatology.
_________________

162 Jesus, the Model Man is the Adult Sabbath School lesson prepared by Douglass for
the world Seventh-day Adventist Sabbath School for the second quarter of 1977. Jesus-
The Benchmark of Humanity is a joint-publication by Herbert E. Douglass and Leo Van
Dolson also appearing in 1977. A comparison of the contents of the two productions will
show their interdependence upon each other. We would anticipate that the book was an
outgrowth of the Sabbath School manuscript prepared by Douglass. Each work contains
thirteen chapters and we list these in two columns to demonstrate their similarity:

Jesus, The Model Man Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity

1. God with Us. l. God with Us.

2. God with Us. 2. God with Us.

3. Model Child and Youth. 3. The Teenager's Best Friend.

4. Model Overcomer. 4. The Model Overcomer.

5. Model Man of Prayer. 5. Prayer Makes all the Difference.

6. Model Witness. 6. Friend of Non-church Members.

7. Model of Integrity. 7. Putting the "Grit" back into Integrity.

8. Model Teacher. 8. Prince of Teachers.

9. Model of Sociableness. 9. Whose "Light" is about to Dawn?

10. Model of Faith.10. The Faith of Jesus.

11. Model of Humility.11. He Emptied Himself.

12. Model of Love.12. "Inasmuch".

13. The Model Waiting13. Our Measure is too Short. to be Reproduced.

Although the wording in each chapter in these two productions differs there is a similarity
of thought and content. [back]

163 Douglass writes: "Jesus was like fallen humanity, identical in form and nature, except
that He did not sin. That means He was like fallen humanity in every respect from the
stand-point of human equipment, including basic desires and needs. But He was not like
fallen humanity from the stand-point of human performance: He did not sin" (The
Humanity of Jesus, mimeographed document, p.14). [back]

164 In An Historical Footnote, 1975, Douglass briefly discusses the book Questions on
Doctrine and is quite clearly opposed to its presentation of Adventist Christology. When
opposing what he calls 'the transmitted sin syndrome' he writes: "Although there are
many variations, the idea seems to surface that either all men are born guilty, or that all
men are born sinful" (page 4). Quite clearly Douglass is opposed to this concept. [back]

165 See Perfection, pp.40-42. [back]

166 This is the basic described in footnote 162. [back]

167 See "What Jesus Achieved Will Be Reproduced in the Last Generation," Perfection,
pp. 46-51. [back]

168 The emphasis of Douglass' writings is far heavier on performance than on state. See,
for example, his Review and Herald series on "Ellen White's Eschatological Principle"
(May 23-August 29, 1974); the series on "How the Church Becomes Convincing" (May
15-August 21, 1975); and the series on the "Importance of the Sanctuary Truth"
(September 4-December 4, 1975). This preference for sanctification over against
justification was also seen in the early 1960's. Douglass wrote: "On this point of imparted
righteousness pivots the whole plan of salvation. Imputed righteousness to cover
struggling reconciled sinners proves that God is merciful but not that He was fair in
asking His creatures, angels or men, to obey His law as the only avenue to achieve
happiness" ("Hastening the Advent," Part IV, Gleaner, August 28, 1961, p.1). [back]

169 Although Douglass gives several reasons for the Incarnation, we submit that the
weight of evidence in his writings favors this one. [back]
170 See "Faith, the Key to the 'Last Generation", Faith, Saying Yes to God, pp.85-95.
[back]

171 See "The Integrity of God's Government Vindicated," Perfection, pp.52-56. After
speaking of God's ways being vindicated by the life of Jesus Christ and the lives of all
Christians to follow, Douglass states: "Yet, the most dramatic demonstration was to be
made in the last generation of Christians to live on earth. Just as soon as this
demonstration is revealed there will be no further need of continuing the experiment of
sin" ("Hastening the Advent," Part IV, Gleaner, August 28, 1961, p. l). [back]

172 See footnote 89 of this chapter. [back]

173 See footnote 125 of this chapter. [back]

174 A careful analysis of the chapter, "What Jesus Waits For," The End, pp.92-114, will
reveal the truthfulness of this claim. See also Perfection, pp.15-34.[back]

175 This is basically the whole thrust and message of the book Why Jesus Waits. [back]

176 See Douglass' presentation "What is the Gospel?" mimeographed document, 19

pages. Available from the Biblical Research Institute. [back]

177 See The End, pp.28-64. Also "No Prophetic Significance for Modern Israel," These
Times, August 1974, pp.3-5 In this article Douglass takes an antidispensational stance.
[back]

178 Note Douglass' words: "The awesome Matterhorn truth of the New Testament is that
there is no spiritual distinction between the men of faith in the Old Testament and the
men of faith in the New" (The End, p. 47). The same words found in "No Prophetic
Destiny for Modern Israel," Review and Herald, November 22, 1973, p,9 .[back]

179 Douglass writes: "One of the most urgent messages of the sanctuary doctrine to
Christians since 1844 is that something special is required of God's followers in terms of
character development that may not have been so crucial to the development of the
church heretofore" (Why Jesus Waits, p.45). [back]
At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

III. Evaluation and Critique

In this section we wish to evaluate the positive contribution which Douglass has made to
Adventism as a result of his Christological emphasis and to give a critique of his theology
with special reference to Christology. One would be tempted to deal with the entire orbit
of Douglass' theology but this would take us far from our primary task. Hence we must
limit ourselves to those aspects of his theology which legitimately relate to Christology.

A. An Evaluation of the Contribution of Douglass' Christology to Adventism within

the Framework of his total Theology
In Section A it is our intention to concentrate on the positive contribution which Douglass
has made to Adventism while not hesitating to raise certain questions. This evaluation
will be sub-divided into four divisions.

1. Douglass has attempted to draw attention to the crucial role of Christology in

Adventist thinking

Whatever one's view of Douglass' Christology might be, one must agree that for
Douglass, Christology has implicit, if not always explicit, importance in his system. As
we have seen, Christ plays a crucial role in Douglass' whole concept of the 'great
controversy' as it relates to salvation and the future.180 Anyone seeking to understand
Douglass must realize that his concept of Christ is interlocked with his whole theological
network.181 Douglass' influence in this regard on Adventism has been primarily through
two avenues, namely, his lucid ability to integrate theological and philosophical
dimensions of Christology with the practical concerns of Adventism, and secondly,
through his contribution to the 'Righteousness by Faith' dialogue. We will now look at
these two aspects in turn.

a. Douglass has attempted to integrate the theological and philosophical implications

of Christology with practical concerns of Adventism

A careful perusal of Douglass' published works, whether in book form or in editorials in

the Adventist Review, reveals a lucid writing style which can be compelling. Douglass has
the ability of taking theological and philosophical concepts, tying them to his
Christological motif of the humanity of Christ and ending up with practical issues of
everyday importance to Adventism.182

It is evident that Douglass' concern for the soteriological and eschatological implications
of Christ's life and example, whether couched in theoretical terms or not, leads him into
many practical issues which he believes are of importance to Adventism.

For example, Douglass will often be found championing the Adventist concern for such
practical issues as ecology, 183 the quiet life versus destructive influence of noise,184 the
danger of smoking,185 the peril of cancer 186 and the general interest in health issues.187
And, of course, for Douglass these practical concerns are tied into his strong motivating
conviction that the humanity of Christ is an attainable model for all men and that this
ideal will change all of life.

But while Douglass has succeeded in stimulating the Adventist mind towards the goal of
making Christ's life the pattern for all of Adventist living, one would raise the question as
to whether Douglass has not used his writing skill to condition his readers from every
possible angle that Christianity is essentially the reproduction of the life of Christ in the
flesh. Has Douglass not overplayed his one dominant theme and ended up by using Christ
chiefly as a stepping-stone to primarily anthropocentric interests? Almost all of his
writing flows into this one main stream of thought. This is evident whether he writes on
the church,188 the sanctuary,188 eschatology,190 or the apparent delay in the Advent.191

b. Douglass' contribution to the 'righteousness by faith’ dialogue within Adventism

A second, but not inconsequential avenue through which Douglass has attempted to bring
Christology into greater prominence within Adventism, has been in the 'righteousness by
faith’ discussions. In this, Douglass is following the lead given by men such as M. L.
Andreasen, Short and Wieland, and even the ‘early’ Robert Brinsmead.192 In essence this
has been the argument that ‘righteousness by faith’ means righteous living by faith, and
secondly, that Christ who overcame in sinful flesh shows fallen man how this is to be
achieved. Thus, in the book Perfection (which deals with the whole subject of
'righteousness by faith'), we notice that Douglass is the only author to draw his arguments
extensively from Christology.193 His basic argument is that perfection (righteous living by
faith) is possible for fallen man because of the example of Jesus in sinful, fallen nature.
Notice that here Christology is a logical necessity to his views on 'righteousness by faith.'
A further example is the special issue of the Review and Herald on ‘righteousness by
faith’ where the role of Christology is evident.194

2. Douglass has attempted to give due weight to the full implications of the humanity of
Christ in all his thinking

It must be stated that Douglass has contributed to the proper emphasis on the reality of
the humanity of Christ within Adventism. As we have seen, for Douglass Christ was not
an astronaut from outer space insulated From the realities of planet earth.195 Any tendency
towards docetism within Adventism would be opposed by Douglass.

While Adventism has always accepted the humanity of Jesus Christ, Douglass has
pursued this aspect with considerable tenacity. Firstly, for Douglass it is not sufficient to
merely assert that in the Incarnation Jesus assumed humanity in general, for he insists
that we go further to assert that He assumed sinful humanity. Secondly, Douglass wishes
to go beyond the traditional Adventist acceptance of Christ's participation in the external
conditions of sin, and to insist that He also participated in the internal conditions of sin.
Thirdly, Douglass insists that we not balk at the concept of inherited propensities to sin
which form a part of these internal conditions.

It is in this light that Douglass has seen the humanity of Christ as a benchmark for all
mankind and the humanity of Jesus as a model which men can follow. The man Jesus is
in touch with all sinners, He experiences their level, He can sympathize and feel with
their struggles and can give them victory in the hour of temptation. For Douglass, the
humanity of Jesus is everything and the example of Jesus in His earthly life becomes an
attainable goal for all men.
While some positive aspects of this emphasis on the humanity of Jesus can be
acknowledged, one wonders whether Douglass has really done credit to the uniqueness
and glory of the person of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the New Testament. Is it not
precisely the divinity of Christ that lifts the story of Bethlehem above the level of other
human births?

One can ask whether the treatment of the humanity of Jesus has not been conducted in
too mechanical a manner by Douglass. For his system, Jesus must be just like man in
every respect. This is a matter of necessity and with inevitable consistency all
considerations must bend to this pre-supposition. Does not the logical pressure of
Douglass' system of the necessity of the humanity of Jesus prevent him from just
standing back and rejoicing in the glory, the grace and the wonder of the Incarnation
when God became man in the person of His Son? Is God really at the center of Douglass'
treatment of Jesus Christ of Nazareth? These are the questions which we must take up in
our critique.

3. Douglass has attempted to link the quality of life in the here and now with
Christology

Because of the very close link in Douglass' thinking between Christology and
anthropology the logical consequence has been an emphasis on the quality of man's life
in the present. This is a healthy emphasis and is a contribution to Adventism's impact on
the world. In the past Adventism has at times been criticized for its other-worldliness and
its indifference to the culture and quality of this life. Douglass has assisted in dispelling
this criticism.

Motivated by Christ's humanity and example, Douglass shows great interest and concern
for excellence,196 for quality education on the Adventist campus,197 for cleanliness of body
and mind,198 for health and related matters,199 for happiness200 and for general quality of
life.201 This deep concern for the quality of life in this world is a very clear outgrowth of
Douglass' Christology. He must be commended for his occupation with the interests of
this life for the Christian.

There is no doubt that with this interest which Douglass shows for man's sanctification
and self-development he has contributed to the concept of the importance of man within
Adventism. This, of course, is also in keeping with the universal concern for man in this
scientific and humanistic age.

While Douglass can be commended for this role in highlighting the importance of man,
two subtle dangers Lie hidden in this very emphasis. The one is in taking the attention
from Christ and the cross of Calvary as man's only hope. As the searchlight plays on man
and his quality, the danger exists of losing the realization of the primacy of Christ in
contrast to man. The second danger at the other end of the spectrum is in transforming
sanctification and the quality of life into an insidious means to an end rather than the fruit
of grace in the life.
4. Douglass has attempted to integrate the Adventist sense of mission and future hope
with Christology

Finally, we must acknowledge that one of the effects of Douglass' emphasis on the
humanity of Christ has resulted in an unexpected spin-off in the area of missiology and
eschatology. Based on his view of Jesus as the benchmark for man, Douglass has placed
considerable stress on the vital role to be played by the quality of the Christian's life in
the mission of the church.202 By imitating Christ in being healthy, happy and loving, the
church's witness will become convincing to a skeptical world.

Furthermore, Douglass' whole tendency to carry the implications of the person of Christ
into the last generation has had the effect of giving far more weight to eschatology than
has often been the case in Christian dogmatics. Where eschatology has often been
nothing more than the postscript to theology, for Douglass, his whole system is dependent
on the vital significance of eschatology. Concepts such as the vindication of God, the
great controversy regarding the law, the image of God in man, the harvest of character
and the achieving of sinless perfection all await consummation in the final generation.
Douglass has also contributed in sharpening the focus of the Adventist upon the end 203
and upon the unique role which the Adventist Church is to play in preparing the world for
the second Advent of Christ. The question of the delay in the Advent assumes great
importance for Douglass and gives added impetus to his challenge that the church
member appropriate his God-given privilege of reproducing the life of Christ, thus
hastening the Advent.

In the light of the usual tendency to treat histology as a theoretical exercise divorced from
the practical issues of mission and the future, Douglass must e commended for his
attempt to integrate these concerns. However, we must notice that Douglass has done this
by making a distinction between what we may call 'inaugural Christology' linked with the
historical Jesus, and a future 'consummated Christology' which he has projected into the
last generation of this age. We will take up his observation and explain it in the next
section.

But even if it has only been by arousing discussion, Douglass has made a contribution by
pointing out the real need for an integration of Christology and other areas of theology.

B. A Critique of Douglass' Christology against the Background of his total Theology

Notwithstanding the positive directions taken by Douglass and noted in the previous
section, we would ail to be fully objective if we did not look at certain problem areas in
his Christology. These areas will be, namely, Douglass' relation to Scripture, his relation
to Ellen White, and the logical inconsistencies in his system.

1. Douglass fails to do real justice to Scripture

While Douglass does obviously use Scripture and often is in harmony with its message,
there are, nevertheless, certain specific problems which must be noted. The two which we
will discuss are his tendency towards selectivity and his, at times, inadequate
hermeneutic.

a. Douglass tends to be selective in listening to the witness of Scripture

While, undoubtedly, total objectivity is beyond the reach of any of us and while all of us
have to read the Bible through our own eyes, the temptation to be selective in one's use of
Scripture must be resisted if we are to do justice to its message. One cannot help
wondering whether Douglass has not, all too often, succumbed to this temptation
especially in his treatment of the crucial question of the person of Christ.

The stress in Douglass' Christology lies overwhelmingly on the example and teachings of
Jesus rather than on the mystery of His person.204 For example, Douglass has shown a
tendency to give more weight to the parables of Jesus than to the apostolic witness to
Jesus. We have seen this in his constant use of the parable for the growing seed 205and his
dependence on a book like Christ's Object Lessons.206 While the teachings of Jesus are,
no doubt, meant to play an important role in any Christology, to give them greater
priority than the events of Christ's life is surely to invert the priority of the New
Testament gospels themselves.207

And as Douglass has shown a strong preference for the humanity of Jesus, has he not
been selective in listening more intently to the synoptic account of Jesus than to the
Johannine record of the incarnate Word?208 Furthermore, even in his concentration on the
humanity of Christ has Douglass not even neglected the synoptic witness to the
uniqueness of the Messiah? For example, hen Christ asks His disciples the question,
"Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (Matt. 16:13, NIV), Matthew acknowledges that
Jesus is only satisfied when the uniqueness of His person as the Christ, the Son of the
living God (v.16) is recognized. Furthermore, why does Douglass not make more of the
Lucan record of the distinction of Christ in His birth when he writes, "So he holy one to
be born will be called the Son of God" Luke 1:35)?

Aside from the testimony of the gospels one must ask whether Douglass has listened
objectively to the entire witness of the Pauline corpus. In his desire to emphasize the
humanity and the ethics of Jesus, has he not neglected the strong emphasis on the
substitutionary nature of Christ's obedience, death and resurrection? Has due regard been
given to the strong confessional nature of the Pauline evidence regarding Christ? 209 And
when Douglass listens to the testimony of the book of Hebrews why is it that he has
emphasized the second chapter regarding the humanity of Christ while apparently failing
to give equal weight to the first chapter dealing with His divinity? Does the epistle to the
Hebrews not wish to hold the divinity and the humanity of Jesus Christ in equal tension?

What must be said of Douglass' attention to the Old Testament in his Christology and
overall theology? It is quite evident that the New Testament writers have made a clear
attempt to base their view of the person of Christ on the Old Testament.210 If Douglass
places most of his emphasis on the humanity of Jesus and the importance of following
His human example, has he given sufficient place for the importance of Christ in the Old
Testament dispensation before He adopted humanity? It is quite clear that the apostles
regarded Christ to be the eternal Mediator between God and man and, therefore, the
active agent in creation and salvation-history.211 If following the example of Jesus is so
vital in the salvation process for Douglass, how were the Old Testament saints 'saved'
without this example?

b. Douglass uses an inadequate hermeneutic

It is evident that at times Douglass' interpretation of Scripture is biased by his systematic

pre-suppositions. This is seen, for example, in his approach to the key text, Revelation
14:12. "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of
God, and the faith of Jesus." Of particular interest is Douglass' use of the phrase 'faith of
Jesus' in his entire theology. For Douglass, Jesus must be just like fallen man and it is of
pivotal importance that what Jesus did man must be able to do. Hence, for Douglass, the
'faith of Jesus' does not mean 'faith in Jesus' but a reduplication of the faith which Jesus
exhibited. Upon this interpretation rests Douglass' whole concept of the vindication of
God by man, the 'harvest' principle, the idea of sinless perfection and the delay in the
Advent. This interpretation has little support from the majority of New Testament
exegetes.212 Even if the phrase in question was a subjective rather than an objective
genitive it is dubious whether such theological amplification is warranted without other
clear Scriptural support. It is interesting to note that the Seventh-day Adventist Bible
Commentary appears to lend weight to an interpretation of the phrase in question as 'faith
in Jesus.'213

Not only is an inadequate hermeneutic seen in Douglass' approach to individual texts but
he manifests an almost total failure to engage in genuine exegesis of larger passages of
Scripture. He is, for example, happy to concentrate on Romans 8:l-4, where he finds in
the phrase 'the likeness of sinful man' (vs.3) an indication that Christ possessed a sinful
human nature like man and that it is possible for fallen man to live a life of total
obedience to God's law.214 However, it must be asked whether Douglass has taken the
context of the whole of Romans 7 and 8 as a unit into proper perspective. Would a careful
exegesis of Romans 7 not reveal the radical nature of sin for all men? Does it not show
that sin in humanity is far deeper than mere acts of transgression? Could it not indicate
that even for man who delights in the law of God there is a principle of sin within his
members which condemns him, but for the merits of Jesus Christ? How could Douglass
ascribe such a nature to Christ for this would in fact make Him a sinner? In Romans 7
and 8 is Jesus Christ really on the same level as fallen man when it comes to the principle
of sin in their members? And when Paul says in conclusion "in order that the righteous
requirements of the law might be fully met in us" (Rom. 8:4) does he mean in actuality or
through the merits of Jesus Christ? Would a careful exegesis of the entire passage by
Douglass not be more convincing than the reliance upon 'proof' texts to bolster a
position?

Finally, Douglass reveals a 'dispensational' 215 tendency in his usage of Scripture. He will
not hesitate to apply certain New Testament texts to the end-time and then will take other
texts clearly having reference to first-century times and project them almost exclusively
into the same future time. For example, this is seen in Douglass' treatment of Revelation
14:12.216 He rightly understands that this text calls for people in the last generation who
will truly and fully keep the commandments of God. For him there are no ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’
connected with this obedience.217 It is total obedience and the 'faith of Jesus' will provide
the power for sinless living. But now to strengthen this concept of 'sinless living'
Douglass brings in a host of texts clearly applying to the apostolic days and the entire
Christian dispensation. Instead of using these texts to illustrate that God's standard is the
same throughout the ages, Douglass has utilized them to support strongly dispensational
view of perfection in the endtime.218 It is highly questionable whether this method of
interpretation does justice to the New Testament.

2. Inadequacies in Douglass' use of Ellen White's writings

Douglass believes, along with many others, that Ellen White has made a major
contribution to the basic structure of Adventist theology and hence draws heavily from
her writings to support his Christology. It is in the light of this fact that we must notice
some weaknesses in Douglass' use of Ellen White. These are a tendency to be selective in
the use of this author and incomplete grasp of her Christology.

a. Tendency to be selective in the use of Ellen White

For one who claims to use Ellen White as an authority for his Christology it should be
expected that he would give equal treatment to her total output. However, it appears that
Douglass is at times selective his usage of Ellen White's Christological material. This
selectivity is also revealed by the disproportionate weight that Douglass places on certain
Ellen White material and the apparent neglect of other material thus distorting the balance
of Ellen White's at times antithetical and paradoxical presentation.

For example, Douglass will often state that Jesus was just like other children except for
the fact that they committed acts of sin and Jesus did not.219 Why does Douglass fail to
give due emphasis to the other stream in Ellen White's thought in this connection, for
example, in such a statement as: "No one, looking upon the childlike countenance,
shining with animation, could say that Christ was just like other children. He was God in
human flesh."220

To merely quote from statements that indicate the similarity between Jesus and other
children is to fail to do justice to other statements such as the above where, for Ellen
White, Christ was not merely similar to other children but was essentially different in His
person.
Again, as Douglass endeavors to place Christ on the same level as all other men with
regard to hereditary traits and yet rejects any concept of original sin for man, why does he
neglect Ellen White's clear contrast between the birth of Seth and that of Christ?
Speaking of Seth, Ellen White clearly states that he was 'born in sin' and yet by contrast
she states that Christ was "born without the taint of sin."221 It is evident that she is here
speaking not of acts, but of state, for at birth there has been no opportunity for acts of sin.
Once again this is an example of a tendency to ignore contrary evidence in Ellen White.

And again when it comes to man and sin, it appears as if Douglass neglects those Ellen
White passages which describe the radical nature of man's sin. Is this because of his
desire to keep man and Christ on the same level? Ellen White states that even for
converted believers who truly worship the Lord, their prayers and praise pass through the
corrupt channels of humanity and unless purified by the blood of a Mediator, are
unacceptable to God.222 If this is not a description of the radical sinfulness of man's nature
which separates the saint from Christ then words are inadequate to describe the depth of
human sin. Douglass nowhere attempts to come to grips with this other side of Ellen
White's thought.

When Douglass emphasizes the humanity of Jesus the question could well be asked as to
why he does not give due emphasis to the dialectical approach to the dual concept of God
and man in Jesus Christ as followed by Ellen White. Douglass ignores the careful
balancing of weight given by Ellen White to her statements regarding the divinity and the
humanity of Christ. He writes almost as if Ellen White only believed in the humanity of
Christ. And yet evidence is replete that for Ellen White Jesus Christ was both fully God
and fully man while on earth.223

Douglass lays great importance on Ellen White's work on Christ, namely, The Desire of
Ages.224 For him it is the epitome of her work on the Saviour. It is interesting to note how
Douglass will select those sections of this book which deal with the humanity of Jesus
and His acceptance of man's heredity and weakness. These passages are acclaimed as
depicting Ellen White's view on Jesus but the question must be raised as to why Douglass
has failed to give equal weight to her strong emphasis on the divine person of Jesus
Christ in this same book. For her, Christ was no ordinary man; He was the great I AM,
the Eternal One in human flesh.225 It appears that Douglass has used Ellen White's Desire
of Ages to present partial evidence. All of this should not be taken to mean that Douglass
denies the divinity of Christ, but his selective use of Ellen White, drawing largely on
those statements emphasizing the humanity of Christ, results in a caricature of Ellen
White.

b. Incomplete grasp of Ellen White by Douglass

In spite of Douglass' heavy dependence upon Ellen White and in addition to the problem
of selective usage of her material, there remains the suspicion that Douglass in some
respects fails to grasp the complexities and depth of Ellen White's Christology. One can
postulate that Douglass' understanding of her total thought in this area remains partial and
incomplete.

Take, for example, Ellen White's complexity of thought with regard to Christian
perfection. Douglass is inclined to equate perfection with sinless living and he would say
whereas the Bible and Ellen White call for perfection, and Jesus showed that sinless
living is possible, therefore all His followers should live sinless lives. However, the
pragmatic evidence in the lives of countless saints is that sinless living on a par with
Jesus is extremely rare. Douglass himself admits that this type of perfection is lacking,
hence he has suggested that the Advent is being delayed because of this deficiency,
awaiting a generation who will ideally reach the standard.226 We would suggest that
Christian perfection is far more complex in Ellen White's thought than Douglass would
have us believe, 227 and can only be understood in a dialectical setting in order to avoid
the dispensational solution proposed by Douglass.

We would also suggest that Douglass fails to really do credit to Ellen White's view
regarding Christ and sin. Because of his failure to understand the radical nature of sin,
Douglass falls into the trap of compromising with an almost sinful Christ. Not sinful in
act; but sinful in nature. We see Douglass trying desperately to disentangle himself from
the tentacles of the Baker letter with its "propensities of sin." 228 While Ellen White states
that Adam's posterity are born with inherent propensities of disobedience, Douglass' pre-
supposition must dictate that Christ is born with these same inherent propensities. And
then we see Douglass wrestling with Ellen White's succeeding thought that "not for one
moment was there in Him an evil propensity." All Douglass can do is to engage in fancy
footwork as he gingerly steps between 'propensities to sin' and 'propensities of sin.'

Finally, we would submit that Douglass fails to grasp the divine secret of the person of
Christ in the total works of Ellen White. When Douglass states that Jesus Christ laid aside
His divine powers and prerogatives when He became man, we ask what kind of a Christ
does Douglass have left? Was He really anyone more than the best man after being
stripped of these powers and prerogatives? Is not the total message of Ellen White that
this Man, Jesus, remained fully God? Did He not retain His essential divinity in His
Incarnation? Does Ellen White not present a far more complex Christ than simply
Someone who used to be God and now has become a Man? It might be more simple for
us to understand Christ as a mere Man but simplicity is not the final answer to the
mystery and glory of the person of Jesus Christ.

3. Logical inconsistencies in Douglass' Christology within his total scheme

As we have seen, Douglass attempts to integrate the various elements of his theology into
a systematic scheme and we have already noted that Christology in its explicit form plays
a minor but crucial role within this scheme. It is, therefore, obvious that any logical
inconsistencies within Douglass' theological scheme would tend to jeopardize the whole
structure. We are talking here of the inner logic of Douglass' own thought rather than of
some external rationalistic principle imposed upon him.
a. Christ and temptation

One of the major Christological premises of Douglass' whole theological system is that
salvation (and especially living the Christ-like life) is only possible if Christ became
exactly like every fallen, sinful man in nature. There can be no difference except for
actual sin. If Christ is to help the worst possible sinner He must have stooped down to
that level. We have seen how Douglass courageously attempts to follow this thought to its
logical conclusion. He insists that Christ took fallen sinful nature and that He was subject
to temptation not only from without, but also from within, on the basis of inherent
propensities to sin. On this basis he confidently states that Christ has faced any
conceivable situation that man must face and thus can be the Model for all men. What He
did, we can do.

We suggest, however, that in the final analysis there is a major logical flaw in this kind of
reasoning. Is it not true that the temptation to commit sin is heightened and strengthened
after repeated sin? When a man has fallen into a particular sin, the temptation to commit
that same sin again is more powerful. Right here there remains a massive gap between
Christ and the sinner. At best, Christ can only face initial temptation, but He cannot be
brought down to the level of the alcoholic who faces the temptation to indulge in strong
drink for the thousandth time. The more a man finds himself in the quagmire of actual sin
the further he drifts away from Christ who never sinned. Christ never knew the power of
habitual sin and cannot meet fallen man on that level. Thus despite Douglass' best efforts
to bring Christ to sinful man's level in order to validate his entire system, Douglass'
attempt seems to collapse on the bedrock of habitual sin.

Besides, would it not be true to say that any particular historical existence in a particular
historical time and place and cultural setting would immediately distance Christ from all
other situations? Even though Christ was a male did He face the temptations that a
married man faces, let alone those of a woman? Or did Jesus face all the particular
temptations peculiar to our generation? If Douglass counters this and says that although
Christ did not face each particular temptation, but only the essence of temptation, then he
weakens his whole argument for the fallen nature of Christ, because it would be quite
possible for Christ to have faced the ground of temptation (i.e. to act independently of
God) even if He had a sinless unfallen human nature. It is quite clear that Adam was
readily susceptible to temptation from a clear position of innocence. In the light of this
second consideration it is clear that the implication of Douglass' presupposition, namely,
that in order to save all men Jesus must face and overcome all temptations within the
capacities of fallen man, falls apart on the stumbling-stone of historical particularism.

b. Christ and the virgin birth

A further example of a problem of logic associated with Douglass' view on the sinful
nature of Christ is his strange equivocation on the question of the virgin birth and Jesus'
relationship to Mary. In one place Douglass asserts that the birth from Mary proves that
Jesus inherited a normal human nature with all the liabilities and propensities to sin as do
all other men. 229 How can Douglass make such an assertion, for surely the virgin birth
(and Douglass accepts that Christ had no natural father) proves that Jesus had anything
but a simple natural human descent. Does the conception by the Holy Spirit play no
distinctive role and have no special significance? From what perspective can Douglass
declare that the fact of Jesus' human mother implies He had a sinful human nature when
Douglass refuses to draw the contrasting conclusions in the light of His paternal origin?
Besides, in the light of Douglass' general teaching that Jesus is on exactly the same level
as all other men, what can be understood by Douglass' assertion that the reason for Jesus
not sinning when a child was because He selected the best possible mother? 230 Why insist
on Jesus coming to the lowest level and yet wanting the very best mother? Is it logical to
insist on both?

c. Christ and 'sinful nature'

In Douglass' concern that Jesus and man be on the same level exactly when it comes to
'equipment', he has ascribed 'sinful nature' to all of humanity including Jesus. However,
he faces a problem, for while it would be in order to make 'sinful nature' for man as stark
as possible, when it comes to Jesus His 'sinful nature' must harmonize with His purity,
incorruption and sinlessness. Douglass does not want a sinful Jesus. Therefore, he is
forced to have everyone in a state of innocence and purity at birth. The term 'sinful
nature' is watered down to the place where it means either 'innocence', 'neutrality', 'a
nature able to sin' or at worst 'innocent weaknesses and liabilities'. For Douglass the
contrast between man and Jesus is only in act, but not in state. In view of this, one
wonders if it is not really inconsistent to speak of Jesus or man possessing a 'sinful nature'
when nothing sinful is intended. Would it not be more logical for Douglass to speak of
man possessing an innocent nature' rather than a 'sinful nature'? furthermore, it does seem
illogical to speak of a 'sinful nature' and yet deny any form of original sin. as Douglass
not in fact opened himself to criticism and can his friends be entirely blamed for placing
him in the Pelagian camp? 231

d. Christ and sinless perfection

We face another logical problem in connection with Douglass' concept of sinless

perfection for the last generation. If Jesus Christ really reached man's fallen level and
became a model for all why is this Model so elusive? Why does Douglass reserve it
primarily for some future generation? Quite clearly he believes that the life-style of Jesus
has not been achieved by the church at large, hence the delay in the Advent. If Jesus is the
benchmark for all men, why relegate perfection to a future time? Surely it should be the
attainable reality for all Christians. Furthermore, would it not be far more logical to
postulate that the apostles and saints of the first century, who saw Christ and associated
with Him, would have a greater advantage in forming perfect characters, in view of the
influence of the Model, than the last generation separated from Christ by thousands of
years? Surely there is some fault in the logic of Douglass' timing of sinless perfection.
e. Christ and vindication

In Douglass' thinking we have seen that the theme of the 'great controversy' is a vital
one.232 An integral part of the controversy has been the question of the possibility of full
obedience to the law of God. It is in this connection that Douglass advocates the
vindication theory. 233 We would suggest that there appears to be an inconsistency in the
application of this theory. If, according to Douglass, Jesus possessed a sinful human
nature and kept the law perfectly, thus vindicating His Father's government, what
requirement would necessitate man later endeavoring to do the same? For surely a man
who never sinned once can vindicate the issue far better than the man who has sinned
often and finally stopped? And since all men have sinned, what type of vindication would
be offered by man? Even if he lived a sinless life for six months or two years, would this
be required to add to Christ's perfect vindication? On the other hand, if Jesus was not on
our level (without a sinful nature), then one could argue that Jesus did not really prove
that sinful man could keep the law and hence a later vindication by fallen men would be
required. The alternative is simply this. If the controversy revolves around the question
whether man can keep the law, then surely a man who never sinned once is a far better
answer than a man who finally stopped sinning. Or if Douglass wants to show that the
real vindication of God is that sinners can stop sinning, then in what possible way could
Jesus have done this? Either Christ vindicates or the last generation vindicates. It would
appear that in order to preserve a theory of man's vindication of God, logic would
demand one of the alternatives. It appears as if Douglass has endeavored to combine
these two alternatives. However, if one believes that Jesus Christ really vindicated God
fully in His life and death, no consequential vindication by man at any later time is a
necessity for the plan of salvation.

f. Christ and 'inaugural' and 'consummated' Christology

A well-known distinction in the field of eschatology has been made between inaugural
eschatology, which applies to the inauguration of the kingdom in connection with Christ's
first advent and consummated eschatology dealing with the setting up of the kingdom of
glory at the second Advent. 234 This schema has been used in eschatology to clarify the
tension between the kingdom of grace and the kingdom of glory, between the 'already'
and the 'not yet' and between Christ's resurrection and the last resurrection. We have
borrowed the terms 'inaugural' and 'consummated' from eschatology because we believe
that they can adequately describe an analogous scheme which seems to appear in
Douglass' Christology.

While Douglass fully accepts the historical events connected with the Incarnation and the
earthly life, death and resurrection of Jesus as the 'already', there is a very strong element
of the 'not yet' in his Christological thought. For Douglass, Jesus kept the Father's law
perfectly, but this was not sufficient to answer the challenge to God's justice, and
therefore, he believes that this function of Christ awaits consummation by a 'final
generation'. He believes that Jesus in His life revealed the character of His Father, but
again this function awaits consummation by a larger demonstration of the character of
God by the 'final generation'. Douglass sees Jesus as the Model Man who has already
come, but the demonstration by God's people in the final time will serve as a completion
of the Model before the universe. In the 'already', Jesus Christ was both divine and human
and in the 'not yet' man will partake of the divine nature and live victoriously, in a sense
consummating the Incarnation. Douglass accepts that Jesus Christ made an atonement for
sin upon the cross, but he also sees Christ as making a further atonement in the lives of
the saints during the end time. Finally, while Douglass accepts that Jesus vindicated His
Father's rule and government during His earthly life, he believes that this initial
vindication must be supplemented by a fuller vindication at the end. For Douglass the
'already' has taken place, but he believes that heaven is waiting for the 'not yet' to be
accomplished in the lives of the saints. Thus we can see that practically all of the
functional aspects of the work of Christ fit into this concept of 'inauguration' and
'consummation'. We have called it 'inaugural and 'consummated' Christology because
functions that traditionally have been seen as entirely the prerogative of the work of
Christ within Christology have here been separated into this two-phased distinction.

The question must be asked whether Douglass' scheme can be harmonized with the
overwhelming emphasis in the New Testament on the uniqueness and completeness of
Christ's earthly work. This is, of course, not to deny that Christians have always believed
in the heavenly reign and priesthood of Christ, culminating in the last judgment and
return. But the point is that these have always been seen as further aspects of the work of
Christ which rest on the finished work of His earthly life. What Douglass has done has
been to dilute the historical work of Christ by extending it through the efforts of man the
final generation. Does not the New Testament have a ring of accomplishment and finality
about Jesus' life, ministry and death? These events will never be repeated because it is
through the obedience of one Man, rough the death of one Man and through the
resurrection of one Man that the gates of heaven have been opened once and for all for all
men.

Does this view of Douglass not tend to lessen the real importance of the events and
person of the historical Jesus? Does it not also, in fact, make the life and work of Jesus
incomplete and insufficient? Does it not in reality mean that man is to add to the work of
Jesus Christ to bring it to fulfillment? In is scheme there is the danger that man can be as
important as Jesus Christ in accomplishing the plan of salvation and the work of grace.

C. Conclusion

We have seen that in Douglass' theological system eschatology, anthropology, soteriology

and Christology are closely interlaced and interrelated. The question could we11 be asked
as to the initial interest and concern which started Douglass on his particular theological
path. Looking back to his earliest writings, we would suggest at it was most probably
eschatology which must claim first position in this quest.235 It is clear that the whole
question of the second Advent, the apparent delay in the Advent and the reasons for this
delay loomed large in his initial writings and have become more absorbing as the years
have passed. 236 Around this subject of the delay in the Advent has grown Douglass'
solution, called the 'harvest principle'.

It would seem that from the springboard of eschatology, Douglass found himself involved
with man and his responsibility for the delay in the Advent. As the delay was not God's
fault, the problem must be located in the inadequacies of man. The searchlight was now
on man and his responsibility to keep the commandments, to exercise the faith which
Jesus had, to reach God's standard of sinless living, to reflect the health and happiness of
the Lord, to consummate the gospel, to finally solve the 'great controversy' and to fully
vindicate God. For all of these God would wait. The eschatological dilemma had directed
Douglass to his interest in man. This, of course, in turn led him into the related field of
soteriology.

From man's problem and dilemma it was natural for Douglass to turn to Jesus as the
answer. For him Jesus was no astronaut, no stranger to man. He had come, according to
Douglass, with the same equipment as any other man and He has shown us how to live
and overcome sin. If Jesus could live without sin, then fallen man, with the same nature
which Jesus had, could do the same with God's help and grace. This whole concept has
shaped Douglass' Christology which in turn must harmonize with his eschatological
expectations, with his view of the inadequacies of man and with his soteriological
demands.

We would suggest then, that from eschatology via anthropology and soteriology,
Douglass arrived at Christology. Once having reached this point, Christology now took
on greater significance. Douglass found that the humanity of Jesus was the key which
could unlock the doors to the whole theological edifice. Jesus was the pattern and model
for all men. And now the journey was reversed for Douglass. This time starting with
Jesus, Douglass was led to soteriology and discovered that the faith which Jesus had was
the power necessary for full salvation. From this faith experience Douglass was led back
to anthropology when he discovered that all of man's inadequacies could be met by Jesus
as man's Substitute and Example. And the journey continued this time from anthropology
back to the place where it all began, namely, eschatology. The circle was now complete
and today it is difficult to know whether the theological journey, for Douglass, begins
with eschatology or with Christology. Whatever else is said, Douglass must be respected
for his sincere attempts to make a meaningful theological journey.
_____________

180 Because Christ's perfect obedience to the law in sinful flesh sets the stage for fallen
man to do the same. Man's response in sanctification today and during the 'last
generation' is in imitation of the example of Jesus Christ. [back]

181 This theological network has been presented in the 'Overview of the Theology of
Douglass' on pages 351-80 of this chapter. [back]

182 See, for example, one of his series of editorials in the 1970 Adventist Review. Here in
seven articles he dealt with the concepts of faith and truth in man's search for relevancy
amidst the collapse of certainty in modern times. Douglass, "The Modern Cry for
Relevance," Review and Herald, February 19, 1970; "Self-authenticating Truth," Review
and Herald, February 26, 1970; "Separating the Head from the Heart," Review and
Herald, March 5, 1970; "The Search for Relevancy," Review and Herald, March 12,
1970; "The Collapse of Certainty in Modern Times," Review and Herald, March 19,
1970; "Faith, the Free Response of a Convinced Man," Review and Herald, March 26,
1970; "The Rock of Christian Faith," Review and Herald, April 2, 1970. In dealing with
these somewhat abstract themes Douglass reveals an ability to handle philosophical
concepts in an interesting writing style. As a sample of his writing style we quote from
one of the above articles: "The prevailing cry for relevancy and personal meaning is a
religious as well as a social phenomenon of the twentieth century. The unusual and often
bizarre methods that young and old have used in the past decade in their attempts to 'do
their thing' cannot be lightly written off as a passing fad as we would the goldfish-
swallowing of an earlier generation. Neither can it be said that if these lonely,
dispossessed seekers for a personal faith would only try organized Christianity they
would find that their heart's desire. Precisely at this point much of the disillusionment
began" ("The Search for Relevancy," Review and Herald, March 12, 1970, p.14). [back]

183 See his series of three editorials in the Adventist Review, "Is Ecology a Legitimate
Concern for Adventists?", April 16,23,30, 1970; also "Adventist Leadership in Ecology,"
Adventist Review, May 4, 1972. [back]

184 See Douglass, "Noise, One of Life's Cruelest Enemies," Adventist Review, December
9, 1971.[back]

185 Douglass, "Nonsmoking Society Makes Sense," Adventist Review, February 10,
1972.[back]

186 Douglass, "Cancer and a Meat Diet," Adventist Review, December 2, 1971.[back]

187 See Douglass, "How to Cut Health Care by 40 Per Cent," Adventist Review, January
16, 1975; a series of three articles "Health Ministry - A Means or an End?", Adventist
Review, January 15,29; February 5, 1976.[back]

188 Notice Douglass' series of five editorials entitled, "How the Church Becomes
Convincing," in Adventist Review, May 15,29; June 5,19; August 21, 1975.[back]

189 See the series of eight editorials by Douglass entitled, "Importance of the Sanctuary
Truth," in Adventist Review, September 4,18; October 2,23,30; November 6,27;
December 4, 1975.[back]

190 In a series of editorials in the Adventist Review, Douglass analyses what he calls
"Ellen White's Eschatological Principle" as he discovers it in her book, Christ's Object
Lessons. For Douglass, Ellen White's principle is that essential to the plan of salvation is
the emergence of the last generation that will vindicate the government of God, and that
without this distinctive generation the plan of salvation would have failed to prove its
efficacy. See Douglass, "Ellen White's Eschatological Principle," Adventist Review, May
23; June 6,20; July 4,18; August l,15,29, 1974. This concept of the final vindication of
God by the last generation is, of course, very closely tied to Douglass' view of Christ and
His important role as example and model. [back]

191 A constantly recurring theme in Douglass' writing is the concept of the delay in the
second Advent primarily caused by the fact that the members of the church are not
reproducing the life-style of Jesus Christ. This note is sounded in many articles dealing
with a totally different subject and many references could be cited. Merely as an example
we refer to the articles in the Adventist Review entitled, "Gallup Poll Highlights
Adventists" (October 21, 1971) and "U.S. Population Growth Rate Declines" (April 6,
1972). One of Douglass' books is devoted entirely to the concept of the delay in the
Advent, Why Jesus Waits, Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
1976, 61 pages. We select the titles of some of Douglass' articles in the Adventist Review
dealing specifically with the delay in the Advent. "Advent Waits for God's Exhibit A,"
(August 13, 1970); "God Waits for the Fruit of the Spirit," (April 5, 1973); "Why Jesus
Waits," October 4, 1973); "Jesus Waits for a Quality People," December 6, 1973); "Why
God is Urgent and yet Waits," May 16, 1974); "Heaven Waits for Human Channels,"
August 29, 1974); "Does Jesus Wait for more evil before He can return?" (November 7,
1974); "Why Time Lingers," (December 4, 1975). [back]

192 M. L. Andreasen, D. K. Short, R. J. Wieland and the 'early' Robert D. Brinsmead

built their concept of ‘righteousness by faith’ on an acceptance of the ‘sinful nature’ of
Christ. In the case of Andreasen this contention is supported by the evidence of his
"Letters to the Churches" in opposition to the Christology of Questions on Doctrine.
Andreasen's whole emphasis flowered into his concept of ‘sinless perfection’ of the 'final
generation' and is definitely a prelude to Douglass' thought. For a critique and evaluation
of Andreasen in this connection see "The Doctrine of the Sanctuary in the Seventh-day
Adventist Church: Three Approaches" by Roy Adams, presented in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the degree, Doctor of Theology, at Andrews University in August
1980. As for Wieland and Short, their understanding of the connecting links between the
‘sinful nature’ of Christ and 'righteousness by faith' are clearly seen in their joint effort,
1888 Re-examined, and also in Wieland's The 1888 Message: An Introduction, with a
foreword by Short. In the sanctuary awakening message of the ‘early’ Brinsmead this
same link between the ‘sinful nature’ of Christ and ‘righteousness by faith’ was
prominent. Brinsmead was perhaps just a step ahead of Andreasen and Wieland and Short
in realizing that sinless perfection was ultimately God's work in man and hence called for
a 'psychic experience' in the judgment which would do for man what he could not do
through normal spiritual channels. [back]

193 We have already observed how heavily Douglass draws on the work and example of
Jesus in his arguments for human perfection. Heppenstall's presentation, "Let Us Go on to
Perfection," (Perfection, pp.61-88), while revealing the great contrast between Jesus
Christ and sinful man, is not dependent on the argument of Christology. Likewise,
LaRondelle approaches perfection from a purely Biblical basis without delving into the
subject of the person of Christ. (See "The Biblical Idea of Perfection" in Perfection,
pp.93-136). Maxwell, in "Ready for His Appearing" (Perfection, pp.141-200), handles
the subject of character perfection and 'righteousness by faith' in the light of the Sabbath,
the sanctuary and the second coming of Christ. Also, in his case Christology is not used
as a basic argument, as in the case of Douglass. [back]

194 See "Why God is Urgent and yet Waits," Review and Herald, May 16,
1974,'righteousness by faith', special issue. Note Douglass' words: "Righteous Jesus,
wonderful Lord! Righteous Christians, triumphs of grace! (p.22). [back]

195 Douglass writes: "No, Jesus was not an astronaut...He became man without a
protective spacesuit, either visible or invisible, that would separate Him from the kind of
life lived by His contemporaries" (Why Jesus Waits, p.9). [back]

196 See Douglass, "Beyond Excellence," Adventist Review, January 29, 1970. [back]

197 Douglass, "Regard for Purpose on the Adventist Campus," Adventist Review,
September 10, 1970. [back]

198 Douglass, "The 'Clean Life' Pays Off," Adventist Review, February 25, 1971. [back]

199 Douglass, "How to Cut Health Care by 40 Per Cent," Adventist Review, January 16,
1975; "Health Ministry - A Means or an End?" Adventist Review, January 15,29;
February 5, 1976. [back]

200 Douglass, "Unhappy People Outnumbered Four to One," Adventist Review, April 27,
1972. [back]

201 Douglass, "Jesus Waits for a Quality People," Adventist Review, December 6, 1973.
[back]

202 See Douglass' series "How the Church 8ecomes Convincing," in the Adventist
Review of May 15,29; June 5,19; August 21, 1975. [back]

203 As one example we refer to Douglass' book, The End. [back]

204 To our knowledge Douglass makes no attempt to discuss the dual nature or the two
natures of Christ. He simply by-passes this problem which has engaged Christian thought
before and since Chalcedon. He writes simply as if Jesus was the best Man and Teacher
who ever lived. [back]

205 It is one of the basic foundations of the books, Perfection and The End, and also of
many editorials. [back]

206 See, for example, his series "Ellen White's Eschatological Principle" covering the
book, Christ's Object Lessons, in the Adventist Review, May 23-August 29, l974. [back]
207 A careful study of the four gospels will reveal that Christ's miracles as evidence of
His Messiahship and His passion occupy more space and prominence than His teachings.
[back]

208 While the synoptic gospels give emphasis to the humanity of Christ, without
neglecting His divinity, it is especially the gospel of John that upholds Christ as the
divine Logos who reveals the Father. [back]

209 Reference is here made to such passages as Romans 3:21-26; 8:31-39; 10:4-11; 1
Cor. l:23-30; 3:6; 12:3-6; 15:3-8; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; 13:14; Eph. 3:11-21; 4:4-6; Col. 1:12-
20; 2:6-10. [back]

210 See, for example, Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2;
Stephen's defense before the Council in Acts 7; Paul's preaching at Antioch as recorded in
Acts 13. [back]

211 See, for example, Ephesians 3:l-11; 1:12-19; 1 Timothy 2:3-5; Hebrews l:l-14. [back]

212 See the International Critical Commentary series, and consult R. H. Charles, A
Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St. John, Vol. 1, Edinburgh: T.
& T. Clark, 1920, p.369, which says: "the faith which has Jesus for its object"; A. T.
Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, Vol. V1, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker
Book House, 1933, p.413, where he refers to the phrase as "the faith in Jesus" and calls it
an objective genitive as in 2:13; Mark 11:22; James 2:l; see also, Robert H. Mounce,
Revelation, in The New International Commentary on the New Testament, general editor,
F. F. Bruce, Grand Rapids, Michigan: J. B. Eerdmans, 1977, p.277; A Bible Commentary
for English leaders, edited by Charles John Ellicott, Vol. V111, London: Cassell & Co.,
[n.d.], p.603; The Daily Study Bible Series, revised edition, Revelation, Vol. 2, translated
by William Barclay, Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1976, p.112. [back]

213 This commentary states: "Faith of Jesus. Or 'faith in Jesus.' The Greek may be
understood either Jay, though the latter meaning is generally preferred" Seventh-day
Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, comments on Revelation 14:12, p.833. [back]

214 See Jesus-The Benchmark of Humanity, p.29. Also The Humanity of Jesus,
(mimeographed document), pp.6,7. [back]

215 By this we do not mean traditional dispensationalism of the Darby or Schofield or

Hal Lindsey type. No, Douglass is opposed to prophetic dispensationalism. However, in
practice Douglass does present a soteriological dispensational scheme, if not
intentionally, then inadvertently. [back]

216 See "Faith Condemns Sin in the Flesh," Faith, Saying Yes to God, pp.7S-81. [back]

217 Douglass writes: "God's people are commandment-keepers. No ifs, and, and buts -
the 8ible says that they are commandment-keepers" (Faith, Saying Yes to God, p.11).
[back]

218 We note how Douglass will discuss the future perfection of the 'last generation' for
which he says God is waiting and will then use New Testament texts plying to the first
century and the entire Christian dispensation as if they were written especially for this
future state of perfection. See his reference to Ephesians 1:4-6; 4:13,24; Col. l:10-22; 1
Peter l:15; Peter l:3,4; 3:11-14; 1 John 3:2,3. See Perfection, .31-34. [back]

219 See "The Humanity of the Son of God is Everything to Us," Review and Herald,
December 23, 1971; "Jesus Showed Us the Possible," Review and Herald, December 33,
1971. [back]

220 Ellen White, The Youth's Instructor, September 8, 1898. [back]

221 See Ellen White, The Signs of the Times, February 20, 1879; Letter 97, 1898, in
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p.925. [back]

222 Ellen White, Manuscript 5, 1900, (cited in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
Vol. 6, p.1078). [back]

223 As an example see the selected Ellen White statements in Appendix A and B of
Questions on Doctrine, p.641-660. [back]

224 Douglass speaks of this book being the touchstone by which all other statements on
the human nature of Christ should be understood. See "An Historical Note on the 1895
Baker Letter," pp.l,2. [back]

225 For some of this evidence see Desire of Ages, pp.168, 198, 207, 217, 231, 326, 406,
421, 469-70, 475, 494, 507, 530, 535-6, 608-9, 645, 663-4, 700, 729, 731, 734, 751, 785,
799. [back]

226 See pages 376-378. [back]

227 In seeking to understand Ellen White's view of perfection one must bear several
factors in mind. These are, the ever-present ideal of living without willful sin by the grace
of God; the possibility of obeying the law of God; the constant need of the merit of
Christ; the requirement for the righteousness of Christ to be added to man's obedience;
the continual struggle between the flesh and the Spirit which will remain as long as life
lasts; the corruption of human nature demanding the constant addition of the fragrance of
Christ's righteousness to make man acceptable to God. These and other actors combine to
make Ellen White's view of Christian perfection rich and complex. [back]

228 In "An Historical Note on the 1895 Baker Letter" (mimeographed document
prepared by H. Douglass, February 13, 1975, 12 pages), Douglass suggests that Ellen
White uses the word 'propensities' in two distinctly different ways. Firstly, in the sense of
"inherent weaknesses, liabilities, tendencies to sin, and clamors of our fallen nature"
(pp.6,7). In this first sense all the children of Adam, including Jesus, have an equal share.
He labels this first usage as a "propensity to sin" and calls it the category of "inherent,
natural, original propensity" (p.7). Douglass then suggests that the word 'propensities' is
used in a second sense by Ellen White, namely, in the sense of "actual weaknesses,
liabilities, and clamors stimulated by participation in sin" (p.7). He calls these
"propensities of sin" to differentiate from the first category of "propensities to sin." While
Christ, according to Douglass, would have "propensities to sin," He would be excluded
from the second category, namely, "propensities of sin." Can this distinction be
substantiated in the Baker letter? A close look at the first paragraph of this letter reveals
that Ellen White uses the word 'propensity' or 'propensities' three times in the one
paragraph (see E. G. White, Letter 8, 1895, in Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary,
Vol. 7A, pp.248,249). In the first usage she says: "Do not set Him before the people as a
man with the propensities of sin" (Ibid.). Douglass would say, fine, that means the second
category. In her second usage, Ellen White speaks of Adam and his descendants and
states: "Because of sin his posterity was born with inherent propensities of disobedience"
(Ibid.). This sentence creates a problem for Douglass. In fact, he bypasses it entirely in
his "Historical Note." On the one hand, Douglass would say that this second usage
belongs to category number one, because Ellen White is speaking of the inherent
propensities at birth. According to Douglass' own classification, this state should then
include Jesus. However, in this sentence Ellen White speaks of "propensities of
disobedience" which sounds very much like Douglass' category number two, namely,
cultivated propensities stimulated by participation in sin. Quite clearly Ellen White makes
no distinction between inherent "propensities to sin" and cultivated "propensities of
disobedience" in this paragraph. The point being made is that Adam's posterity are born
with inherent "propensities of disobedience" while Jesus Christ was not born with these
inherent propensities. The contrast is not merely between Adam and Christ, but between
Adam's posterity and Jesus Christ. In the final usage of the word, Ellen White puts the
capstone on her argument: "but not for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity."
In this paragraph, Jesus Christ did not "inherit propensities of disobedience." In this way
Ellen White links Douglass' category one and category two and excludes Jesus Christ
from both. [back]

229 See The Humanity of Jesus (mimeographed document) p. 4. [back]

230 See Unidentified Document, p.3a. [back]

231 For a discussion of Pelagianism see H. K. LaRondelle, Perfection and Perfectionism,

Kampen: J. H. Kok, 1971, pp.287-295. [back]

232 We refer the reader to pages 356-359. [back]

233 For a critique of Douglass' vindication theory see "A Critical Examination of the
Theology of Herbert E. Douglass" by William B. Willruth, a term paper presented in
fulfillment of the requirements of the course, THST 890 Directed Readings in Systematic
Theology, Andrews University, Autumn quarter, 1979. For his discussion of Douglass'
view on vindication see pp.11-15; 44-47. [back]

234 0n the question of 'inaugurated' and 'consummated' eschatology see: John Bright,
The Kingdom of God, Nashville, 1953, pp.216, 231-232; 237-238; George B. Caird,
"Judgment and Salvation," Canadian Journal of Theology, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp.235,237; 0.
Cullmann, Christ and Time, London, 1951, pp.84-87; C. H. Dodd, The Apostolic
Preaching, New York, 1962, pp.13,36; 42-43; 84-86; Desmond Ford, Daniel 8:14, The
Day of Atonement, and the Investigative Judgment, Casselberry, Florida, 1980, pp.316-
325; Joachim Jeremias, The Parables of Jesus, New York, 1963, pp.117,118; G. E. Ladd,
The Pattern of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, 1968, pp. 90-97; 100-102. [back]

235 Note his early series on eschatology entitled “Hastening the Advent," parts 1-4, in the
Gleaner, August 14,28, 1961. This is a sample of his earliest writing some nine years
before he became associate editor of the view and Herald. See footnote 121 of this
chapter. [back]

236 On the whole question of the delay in the Advent, see footnotes 114-124, 191 of this
chapter. [back]

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

Chapter Six

IN SUMMARY AND IN REFLECTION

Having traversed the Christological paths of four representative Seventh-day Adventist

theologians, the time has come for us to summarize and reflect on the course we have
covered.

In this concluding chapter we will attempt to cover four points. Firstly, we will endeavor
to contrast the primary motivation underlying the Christology of each author. Secondly,
we will compare the views of our representatives in three cardinal relationships. Thirdly,
we will reflect on the overall Christology of our four theologians with a view to the
challenge of the future.

Finally, we will conclude with some capsule proposals in summary form. I. Underlying
Motivations Contrasted In this section we wish to paint a thumbnail sketch of the
contrasting motivations underlying the Christological thinking of each representative.

A. Ellen White's Concern for God's Character

Ellen White's primary concern that the entire universe become assured of the benevolent
character and purpose of God, and that all understand the law of self-renouncing love to
be the foundation of His government, is an essential one for her Christology. In the broad
sweep of cosmic history and reality she stresses the significant role played by Christ in
his entire function as Mediator, Revelator and Redeemer. Important as man and his
destiny are, the larger theocentric issues dominate Ellen White's thinking and are
foundational to her view of the history of this world. The stakes are so high that the
function and person of Christ take on vital dimensions. In her thinking, Christ assumes
the highest priority in upholding the sovereignty, honor and glory of God. This concern of
Ellen White should be seen as of ultimate importance in her Christology.

We would suggest that for Ellen White sin is not the ultimate factor in the world. God's
love, God's grace and God's purposes are of even greater import than the terrible tragedy
of sin. We have seen in our review of Ellen White, that she pictured God's gracious plan
to create man as prior to the entrance of sin in heaven. In fact, she implies that sin arose
in Lucifer's heart precisely over Christ's involvement in the creation of man. God had
some divine intention of love and grace in the creation of man which would also embrace
divine fellowship. She saw sin arising as a temporary interlude, seeking to halt God's
purposes, but in vain. In love God continued with His plan to create this world and man
through Christ. Once the aberration of sin has been destroyed, she sees everyone
acknowledging that God is indeed love and that His plans are gracious. For her, the cross
will ever be the central theme of the science of salvation, not because sin is the greatest
force in God's realm, but because here is the unsurpassable revelation of the love and
holiness, the mercy and justice, and the grace and righteousness of God, that both settles
the problem of sin and vindicates God's character for eternity.

B. Waggoner's Concern for the Achievement of Holiness in Man

Underlying everything in Waggoner's Christology is his concern for the way in which
righteousness is to be achieved in man. In this connection let us firstly reflect on
Waggoner's insistence on the divinity of Christ. We have seen how he argues for a deity
of Christ in which the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily. But it is crucial to note that
for Waggoner this inherent divinity of Christ incorporates the concept of power. This
power, moreover, is precisely that which enables man to life the righteous life. Waggoner
continually carries his argument from the divinity of Christ to its implications for the life
of man. We also notice that in Waggoner's emphasis on the creative and regal power of
Christ, his concern is once again for the fact that this power is available for man. Because
Christ has all the power of divinity in His being, He will bring this same power into the
heart of man when He comes to abide there. Thus for Waggoner the divinity of Christ is
essential because it guarantees power for righteous living in the life of the believer.

Waggoner's treatment of the humanity of Christ shows a similar tendency. We have

noticed that he sees Christ's humanity as real in that Christ took upon Himself sinful
flesh. 8ut Waggoner's main underlying concern was that if Christ could live righteously in
humanity nineteen hundred years ago, then all sinful humanity can do this again through
the indwelling of Christ. Thus we can see that Waggoner's view on the humanity of Christ
was an extension of his basic concern for the achievement of holiness in man. We have
seen how Waggoner believes that God can come into the flesh of man again and in a
sense repeat the Incarnation. Sinful humanity is no hindrance for the divine Christ to take
up His abode in the heart and once more grant power for righteous living. Thus, even the
Incarnation is subordinate to his central concern, and in the later Waggoner the actual
historical Incarnation was overshadowed by the need to stress an 'experiential' incarnation
in which Christ becomes flesh again in the life.

C. Heppenstall's Concern for Objective Salvation

There can be no doubt that Heppenstall's emphasis an objective salvation in Christ has
been of supreme importance at a time when many have turned to more subjective
concerns. This has been highlighted in Heppenstall's counterbalance to the traditional
Adventist stress on ethics and the law. There is no question that Heppenstall strongly
maintains the law of "God as a standard of righteousness, but he clearly advocates the
ideal intention of Adventism that the law can never be a method of salvation, because
only the objective life and death of Jesus Christ is the means to salvation. Heppenstall's
concern for objective salvation can be seen in his understanding of salvation by grace
alone. In a particularly significant way Heppenstall has nurtured this fundamental
Protestant principle within Adventism against the danger of turning obedience from
fruitage into a means of salvation. This concern has motivated Heppenstall in keeping
Jesus Christ and His perfection at the heart of all soteriology and eschatology.

Furthermore, Heppenstall's interest in objective salvation is marked by his use of the

substitutionary model in His Christology. From every angle he approaches this objective
salvation through reliance upon the substitutionary life and work of Jesus Christ. Quite
clearly he cannot present either the doctrine of assurance or of salvation on the basis of
man's following the example of Jesus. For him it is the sinless life of Christ that stands in
place of man's sinful life; it is the objective sacrifice on the cross that saves the sinner; it
is on Calvary that Christ died in the sinner's place. A further example of Heppenstall's
emphasis on substitution is his insistence that the blood shed for us can never defile but
only cleanse, and that the intercession of Christ in the heavenly sanctuary gives assurance
instead of fear, and again, that Christ's work of judgment in the pre-advent judgment is on
behalf of the saints rather than against them.

D. Douglass' Concern for Christlikeness

Underlying all of Douglass' Christology has been his main concern for Christian living
based on the example of the humanity of Jesus. We have previously noted that Waggoner
was likewise concerned for Christian or righteous living, but whereas he relied upon the
divinity of Christ to reach this goal, in contrast, Douglass stresses the role of the
humanity of Jesus in achieving a similar objective. Furthermore, whereas Waggoner
found the secret of righteousness in the internal Christ dwelling and reigning in the heart,
Douglass believes that the solution is found in imitating an external, historical Jesus by
reliance on the Father.

We have already observed Douglass' preoccupation with Christian living. For him all
Christological roads lead to the destination of successful Christian living. Whatever
Christ was or had to offer would be tested on the touchstone of the Christian life. Hence
Douglass' interest in the development within man of his talents, the constant search for
the quality of life, the ardent desire to see people happy, healthy and friendly. The world
should be able to observe the demonstration of this successful Christian living. All sinful
acts or tendencies should be eradicated from the life in order to make the practical life as
appealing as possible.

Because of the real and genuine humanity of Jesus, the call to perfection and Christian
living is not an idle call, but a heartening challenge. Douglass has not wanted a Christ
who is merely an astronaut from outer space, decked in a space suit and immune from the
realities of the human situation. He has wanted a Christ who took man's sinful nature and
can, therefore, meet him in his situation, his needs and his temptations. Christ's example
is not an illusive target. He sees Christ's life as an attainable goal for sin-weary men and
women. The humanity of Jesus is thus a constant pattern for man at all stages of his life.
Douglass' entire eschatology hinges on his central concern, namely, that men and women
imitate the human example of Jesus to the extent that God ill ultimately be satisfied with
man's performance.

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

II. Views Compared in Three Cardinal Relationships

In this section we intend to briefly compare the main positions of our four authors with
reference to the relationship of the divinity and humanity of Christ; the relationship of
Christ and sin; and thirdly, the relationship between the person and work of Christ.

A. The Relationship of the Divinity and Humanity of Christ

In the preceding chapters we have seen that Adventist Christology is united in its
understanding and acceptance of the truth that Jesus Christ is very God and very man.
There is agreement that in Christ both divinity and humanity were manifested. All four of
our representatives stand in the tradition of Nicea in his respect and would not want to be
accused of either Docetism or ebionism. This conviction is perhaps more clearly
articulated by some than by others. We have observed that Ellen White comes out in
strong support of the full deity of Christ while on earth, and at the same time, in equal
support of His humanity. Waggoner, on the other hand, while making place for the
humanity of Christ even to the extent of sinful flesh, moved strongly in the direction of a
continuous manifestation of the divinity of Christ which eventually eclipsed the
significance of His humanity. Heppenstall gave equal recognition to the divinity and the
humanity of Christ in his position on the two natures in one Person. Douglass, while
maintaining the deity of Christ, has focused so heavily on His humanity that the emphasis
on His divinity tends to be muted.

When it comes to the question of the actual use of the attributes of the divine nature of
Christ we have seen that the situation becomes more complex. For example, in Ellen
White we find divergent and apparently contradictory expressions and concepts. At times
she pictures Christ in full use of His deity and at other times she gives the impression that
He laid down the active use of His divinity during the Incarnation. Then again, she will
give the impression that Christ functioned in His divinity for the sake of His mission and
for others, but never for His own sake to lighten the role of His humanity.Sometimes
Ellen White suggests that the miracles which Christ performed were done as a sign of His
divinity, and then again she will suggest that His miracles were performed on the basis of
prayer and faith. There are occasions when Ellen White would suggest that if it were not
for the divinity of Christ His humanity would never have been able to bear the
temptations of the wilderness or the rigors of Gethsemane. And then on the other hand,
she will give the impression that if we give to the humanity of Christ a power not
available to us, we are decrying the reality of His temptation and trial as man.

As far as Waggoner is concerned, we would submit that he comes across as one of the
strongest proponents of the fact that Christ used His own divinity during the Incarnation.
It is true that he also suggests a veiled use of this divinity, but nevertheless, there is the
strong idea that it is on the basis of the full deity of Christ that He had power on earth for
His mission, miracles and message. We have noticed that Waggoner is of the opinion that
the flesh of Jesus loses some of its importance in comparison with the ever-present,
universal Christ in all men. The role of the humanity of Christ eventually tended to lose
its significance for Waggoner.

While Heppenstall upholds the full deity of Christ, he does not set forth an active use of
His divinity. We have observed his conviction that the evidence points to the human
centre of Christ's consciousness. Heppenstall believes that Christ, while retaining His
deity, surrendered the active use of His divinity into the hands of His Father and would
only use His own divinity with permission of the Father. It appears that for Heppenstall
occasions for such permissive use are infrequent.

In the case of Douglass we have seen that he has no question with regard to the reality
and completeness of Christ's humanity. To this aspect of Jesus Christ he gives much
emphasis and attention. He is anxious to have Christ functioning as man's example and,
therefore, this emphasis. However, when it comes to the active use of Christ's divinity, it
appears that Douglass does not devote much attention to this aspect of Christology. In
fact, he seems prepared to acknowledge that Christ laid this use aside during the
Incarnation.

B. The Relationship of Christ and Sin

One of the most difficult areas to handle in connection with the humanity of Jesus Christ
has to do with His relation to the problem of sin. All four of our representatives believe
that Jesus Christ possessed real and genuine humanity and yet are agreed that He was
sinless in act, thought and deed. To this extent they are united in their view that Christ
was different from all other men who have ever lived. When it comes to actual sin, all
four are unanimous that Christ never performed an act of sin and was, therefore, sinless.
It is when we go a little deeper into the problem of sin that divergent views appear to
surface amongst our four theologians. Both Heppenstall and Ellen White advocate the
radical nature of man's sinful nature since the fall. We have seen that in Heppenstall's
case he presents all men as having been affected by original sin. While Ellen White does
not use the term 'original sin', she is almost as outspoken on man's naturally evil nature as
is Heppenstall. We would suggest that Waggoner comes close to Heppenstall and Ellen
White in depicting man's natural sinful state. In this connection Douglass stands apart
from the other three and nowhere clearly pictures man's sinful state as one of inherent
separation from God with the bias to sin from birth.

If man's possession of a fallen, sinful nature from birth, apart from acts of sin, places man
either in a state of guilt or at least in that condition where he needs a Saviour, how would
this affect Jesus Christ at His birth? Douglass would immediately say that in the absence
of original sin all babies, including Jesus Christ, are born without guilt and hence are not
sinners. We have seen that because Heppenstall views man's sinful nature in the light of
original sin and in a more radical sense than does Douglass, he cannot equate Jesus Christ
with sinful humanity even in state. We have observed that for Heppenstall, Jesus Christ
clearly does not possess a sinful human nature. And so for Heppenstall, Christ is sinless
in both state and in act. In this respect the paths of Heppenstall and Douglass are
decidedly divergent.

While we have seen that in the case of the two theologians just referred to, they quite
clearly reveal their stand in either black or white, the views of Ellen White and Waggoner
in connection with Christ and the state of sin are more shaded. In many instances we have
noticed that Ellen White appears to make a sharp distinction between man's sinful nature
and the sinless nature of Christ. We remember, for example, her description of Seth being
born in sin and yet Christ being born without sin. Her contrasting pictures of Christ and
sinful man even in nature are often vivid and stark. Because of her strong view of Christ
as God, she can uphold the inherent sinlessness of the Saviour from birth to death. There
is no shadow of doubt, for her, that in Christ there was no taint of sin, no corruption or
pollution, no propensity of disobedience and no evil passions or tendencies. And yet she
has Christ taking man's fallen nature and coming down into the arena of sin, there to
share in man's lot and his suffering. She has Christ sharing the results and consequences
of man's rebellion and drinking the dregs of the cup of human woe and alienation.

When it comes to Waggoner, there are, likewise, more conflicting strands in his
presentation of this problem. At times he has appeared to promote a strong view of Christ
being made sin and bearing sin in a vicarious sense. In this setting he would be similar to
Heppenstall and to a strong strand running through Ellen White. And yet at other times
Waggoner has clearly presented the humanity of Christ as actually possessing the same
sinful tendencies as all other children. In this view he would find closer kinship with
Douglass than with either Heppenstall or Ellen White. Heppenstall would never have
Christ possessing sinful tendencies or propensities. We have noticed how that Douglass
endeavors to dissect propensities into two, suggesting that Christ possessed tendencies
and propensities to sin but never allowing them to develop into propensities of sin.
C. The Work of Christ and the Relationship Between His Person and His Work

In giving consideration to the views of our four representatives in regard to the work of
Christ, we became aware of differences in conception and approach. We saw that
Heppenstall clearly emphasized the objective, substitutionary work of Christ in bringing
reconciliation between God and man relative to the sin problem. Douglass, again, sees
Christ's work of obedience to the commandments of God, thereby serving as an attainable
goal or man as Christ's chief function. In this way Christ really prepared the way for man
to finally solve the sin problem in his own heart based on Christ's example. Waggoner's
concern for Christ's work is somewhat broader, in that, at least initially, he gave equal
emphasis to the reconciling, exemplary and empowering aspects of Christ's work. It was
later, as we have seen, that Waggoner's interest in the work of Christ appeared to shift
from the objective and historic aspect to a more internal work in the lives of all men. The
picture of the work of Christ painted by Ellen White becomes even more multiplex.
While we have indicated that her concept of the work of Christ as eternal Mediator is
central, we discover that she gives almost equal emphasis to most models of the work of
Christ in her voluminous writings.

When it comes to the relationship between the person and work of Christ, we would
suggest that it is the person of Christ that is the dominant factor with Ellen White,
Waggoner and Heppenstall. For them the work of Christ flows from their concept of His
person. In the case of Douglass we suggest that it is the work of Christ which is the
determining factor influencing his understanding of His person.

For Ellen White the fact that Jesus Christ is the divine Son of God equal with the Father
is the essential presupposition for her view of His work. It is because of His person that
Jesus Christ can reveal the Father. Only One who knew the length and height and breadth
of the love of God could make it manifest. For Ellen White it is because Christ is in the
bosom of the Father that He could declare the Father's love. 8ecause Jesus Christ is who
He is, only thus, can He vindicate the law and government of God. Only because He is
equal with God can He be our substitute and make full atonement on the cross. Thus for
Ellen White the person of Christ is foundational to His work.

Waggoner follows a similar line. He argues from the person of Christ to His function as
the One who brings in redemption and provides righteousness for all. It is only because
Christ is divine and has all power that He can dwell in the human heart and produce
righteous living. Waggoner's whole concept of the indwelling Christ in the heart of the
believer is based on who Christ is. Thus again we can see that Waggoner's views of the
person of Christ are necessary for his arguments regarding Christ's work.

Heppenstall, likewise, takes his departure from the person of Christ. Because Christ is the
divine Son of God and equal with the Father, He can make a full atonement on the cross.
The blood of Christ can cleanse because it is God who has come down to meet man in his
need. Because Christ is one with the Father, Christ's humanity has saving power. Because
Christ is the second person of the Godhead, His saving life on earth was untouched by
original sin or by actual sin. In view of the fact that Christ is the Son of God, He can be
our Redeemer and Saviour. Thus, Heppenstall places primary emphasis on the person of
Christ from which basis flows Christ's entire salvific work on behalf of sinners.

For Douglass it is his view of the work of Christ which seems to dictate his concept of the
person of Christ. And, of course, the work of Christ in a sense flows from Douglass' view
of man. For him the vital issue is that man, with God's help, can keep the law and
vindicate God's character. In this respect man s following the example of Jesus Christ.
Christ really came to help settle the 'great controversy' and to show an that the law could
be perfectly kept. This was His main task and mission. In order to keep Christ's and man's
human 'equipment' on a par, Douglass finds that he must accommodate Christ's person to
His work. For Douglass it is first the work of Christ and then the person. Because Christ
as example must do what every other man should do, the person of Christ is seen very
much in human terms on a level with man even when it comes to sinful human nature.
Thus Douglass finds his concept of the person of Christ shaped and molded by his
anthropology and by his convictions on the primacy of the work of Christ.

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

III. A Reflection on the Overall Christology of our Four Theologians with a

View to the Challenge of the Future

In this section we will firstly attempt to simply categorize the overall Christology of each
representative in terms of the five basic types set forth in the first chapter. Secondly, we
will attempt to reflect on the overall strengths and weaknesses of the theologians we have
dealt with, thus exposing some of the challenges which have emerged.

A. Christologies Classified

In our first chapter we classified Christology into five different categories, namely,
ontological, speculative, 'history of Jesus', existential and functional Christologies. The
question may well be asked as to how we see our four Adventist representatives in this
regard. We would suggest that as far as Ellen White and Edward Heppenstall are
concerned, they would best fit into the category of ontological Christology. And then in
the ontological camp both of these theologians would find themselves amongst those
approaching their Christology 'from above'. We have seen that this approach does not
mean a lessening of the reality of the humanity of Jesus Christ.

While Waggoner initially would have fitted comfortably into the ontological camp, we
suggest that in his later years he gradually shifted into a speculative school of Christology
where the emphasis on a blending of the infinite and the finite is more pronounced. As far
as Herbert Douglass is concerned, we raise the question as to whether his Christological
emphasis is not more characteristic of the functional Christologists than of the ontological
school. Douglass' aversion to the Chalcedonian language of 'nature' and 'substance' seems
to support this suggestion.
B. A Reflection on Overall Strengths and Weaknesses

We have previously evaluated each author's Christology in depth. We have also suggested
underlying motivations which appear to undergird each Christology and we have
summarized and compared the central features of their thought. What remains is to
attempt to reflect on the overall thrust of their Christologies, assessing those features
which are most illuminating and promising for the future of Adventist Christology, and
isolating those elements which best should be avoided.

1. Richness Without Ambiguity

The one overriding impression gained from the analysis of Ellen White's Christology is
the great freedom in which she brings together different metaphors, thought-forms and
models in presenting the person and work of Christ, sometimes even within the same
passage. This approach ensures a richer perspective and safeguards against the
absolutising of any single way of expressing the complex meaning of the person and
work of Christ. This is no small contribution in the light of the tendency to become one-
sided in the approach to Christology. Now, as is so often the case, in this very strength of
Ellen White there also lies a weakness. This consists in the fact that the diversity of her
Christology can present such a variegated pattern as to appear unclear or even
contradictory. Here lies a happy hunting ground for the unwary and for the over-
enthusiastic compiler of quotations. Such a presentation as Ellen White's, requires a
proper hermeneutic.

2. Paradox Without Confusion

Another positive contribution arising from Ellen White's Christology was her willingness
to hold together a presentation of Christ's active use of His divine attributes with the full
functioning of His genuine humanity. For Ellen White this in no way implies a
contradiction, but is precisely what is meant by speaking of 'vere Deus' and 'vere homo'.
It would seem that Ellen White is correct in implying that only if we hold to some active
use of His divinity can we speak meaningfully of Jesus being fully God. In whatever way
we might wish to present the concept of an active divinity, the necessity of doing so
remains as a challenge for future Adventist theologians.

In our chapter on Waggoner we found that he followed the same direction on the question
of the use of Christ's divinity. We have suggested that this was a dominant feature of
Waggoner's whole Christology. For him it was Christ's inherent divinity which was the
source of the power which flowed into the lives of others for healing, restoration,
forgiveness and salvation. Here again we can see that in this way of presenting Christ,
one can actually specify in what way Jesus was more than a man. The divinity of Christ
has taken on some significance and has a particular role in the work of Christ. Without
some presentation of this nature, the divinity of Christ threatens to be no more than an
unsupported assertion. 8ut neither for Ellen White or Waggoner does the stress on Christ's
active use of His divinity ever become docetic, because it was counter-balanced by an
equally strong presentation of Christ's humanity.
However, even in this approach certain dangers must be recognized. The first one which
we have already mentioned is Docetism. Certainly Docetism must be avoided, not
because it is out of step with the humanism of the modern world, but because it would
negate the accessibility of revelation, the reality of the reconciliation and the actuality of
"God with us." Another danger in the presenting of both a functioning divinity and a
functioning humanity is that if presented without care, it could degenerate into an absurd
contradiction. Therefore, the divine mystery of the union of divinity and humanity must
always be offered from God's 'given', rather than by mere rational speculation.

Finally, we would want to avoid another danger into which Waggoner himself eventually
stumbled. That is, because in Christ we have a unity of the infinite and the finite, we must
never suppose that this unity should be transposed into all men and nature in general, for
this would dissolve Christology into pantheism.

3. Participation Without Corruption

One of the dominant features of Douglass' Christology which is a significant

contribution, is his attempt take the Incarnation with absolute seriousness. This means
that Jesus Christ is not to be thought of as merely appearing among us as someone alien,
remote and unaffected our lot, but as One who was really with us in our situation of
alienation, suffering and sin. This is a valid Biblical emphasis. The problem, however, is
that in order to achieve this, Douglass implicated Christ in the corruption of sin by
suggesting that He partook of man's tendencies to sin. This is not an entirely new
concept, for he could well maintain that he is following in the footsteps of Waggoner. But
it should be noted that Waggoner's presentation is considerably more nuanced, as can be
seen in his initial conviction that it was impossible for Christ to sin because of His
divinity. And furthermore, even while Waggoner made much of the sinful nature of
Christ, its implication for man's full imitation of Christ's earthly life was qualified by his
strong emphasis on an active divinity in Christ. The particular significance of Waggoner's
presentation of the Incarnation and its relation to sin was that while occasionally drew
ethical implications from it, his primary emphasis was that Christ was "made sin" for us
vicariously', primarily for man's salvation rather than for his emulation. Thus while we
would maintain that the intention of both Douglass and Waggoner to bring Christ close to
man was valid, Waggoner's presentation the sinful nature of Christ precipitated problems
at in Douglass have resulted in his making the sinful nature of Christ the pre-supposition
of his entire soteriology.

It was precisely these soteriological dangers accompanying the concept of the sinful
nature of Christ, which Heppenstall recognized and consistently resisted. Heppenstall's
insistence that Christ should never be equated with man's inherent corruption and
depravity is of continuing significance and relevance to the Seventh-day Adventist
church. Furthermore, his clear distinction between the relative perfection of man and
Christ's absolute perfection is a particular strength. This is so because it ensures that our
salvation remains rooted in the person of Christ rather than in the efforts of man. Christ
remains our Substitute and not merely our Forerunner.
Once again we find Ellen White's position on this point to be particularly fruitful, for we
discover that she evidenced the same concern for the reality of the Incarnation that was
later displayed by both Waggoner and Douglass. At the same time, she showed a concern
similar to that of Heppenstall in keeping Christ separate from sinful tendencies,
propensities and corruption. The major contribution of Ellen White in this regard was her
ability to distinguish between sin understood in the sense of an inner bent or bias to evil,
and sin understood as the general condition, consequences and situation of the fallen
world. Thus in this latter sense she can speak of the sinful nature of Christ without in any
way implying the former. The real condescension of God to man's actual level is
safeguarded in Ellen White's position that Christ came in man's post-fall nature. Thus
because Christ tasted fully of the limitations, trials and sufferings and death of man, there
can be no ground to accuse God of withholding Himself from man's lot. But on the other
hand, Ellen White is very careful to insist that this identification with fallen man never in
any way compromises the absolute holiness, righteousness and purity of Christ. Ellen
White clearly rejects the idea that Christ possessed inherent tendencies to evil.

4. Christocentrism Without Objectivism

Another contribution emerging from this study which is of considerable importance for
the future of Adventist Christology, is Heppenstall's great emphasis on the priority of the
objective and historical salvation wrought in the life, death and resurrection of Christ,
over against the subjective, existential realization of such salvation in the life of the
believer. Only in this way can the doctrine of assurance be safeguarded. And while we
would grant that Waggoner's later increasing emphasis on the subjective experience of the
believer should never be eliminated, it cannot be allowed to eclipse the priority of the
historical vents of salvation. Douglass' overriding anthropological focus could also result
in a blurring of the importance of these events. Adventist Christology must remain rooted
and grounded in the actual historical person of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps one of the most important contributions that has emerged is the necessity of
making Jesus Christ the center of one's whole theology. We noted repeatedly that for
Ellen White Jesus Christ is always central. But it was Heppenstall who, as a systematic
theologian, consistently tried to ground his whole theology in Christ. He did not do this
by merely multiplying references to Christ, but rather by attempting to think through each
aspect of theology from a Christocentric perspective. On the other hand, the theological
pilgrimage of Waggoner and the soteriological aberrations of Douglass are perennial
reminders of the dangers of what happens when the central focus shifts from Christ to
man. It is imperative for Adventist Christology to make Jesus Christ the center and
circumference of all truth, for He is the chain upon which all the jewels of doctrine are
linked. In Him is found the complete system of truth.

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

IV. Proposals and Conclusion

In this final section we intend to set forth certain propositions which will serve both as a
concise summary and as a challenge for the future. In Section A we will set forth seven
propositions arising directly from the study of our four representatives. Then, in Section
B we will present fifteen propositions of Christological content, as the conclusions to
which I have come concerning the state of Adventist Christology and the suggested
direction which it should take in the future. Section C will bring the dissertation to a
close.

A. Propositions Arising From the Study of Our Four Representatives

The first proposition will seek to succinctly declare the state of basic agreement within
Adventist Christology, now that we have surveyed the field as represented by our four
representatives. The second will outline the areas in which such agreement is still lacking.
The third proposition will state the relationship of Adventist Christology to historical
Christology. The remaining propositions will present certain conclusions for Christology
in the light of the strengths and weaknesses of our four representatives.

1. We CONCLUDE after this survey that Adventist Christology is in agreement on the

eternal pre-existence of Christ, on His essential equality with the Father, on His oneness
with, yet distinction from the Father and the Holy Spirit, on the virgin birth of Christ, on
His genuine humanity, on His existence in two natures, on the reality of temptation and
the possibility of sin, on the fact of Christ's sinless life, on the efficacy of His atoning
death, on the historicity of His resurrection and ascension, on the important role of His
heavenly ministry as High Priest, on the glorious hope of His second advent and on His
everlasting reign with His Father in the earth made new.

2. We CONCLUDE after this survey that there are differences within Adventist
Christology concerning the following nuances: Whether Christ laid aside some, none or
all of His divine attributes when He became a man; whether all men are or are not
affected by original sin, and hence, what Christ's relation was to original sin; whether
Christ was essentially the same or essentially different from all other men at birth;
whether Christ was or was not assisted by His divinity living a sinless life during His
infancy and childhood; whether Christ exercised His divinity fully or partially or not at
all during the Incarnation; whether Christ's miracles were performed on the basis of His
amenity or His divinity or His total person; whether gist only had one level of
consciousness, human or .vine or whether He had two levels; whether Christ assessed a
sinful or a sinless human nature; whether Christ had tendencies and propensities to sin or
not; whether Christ's work was predominantly substitutionary or exemplary; whether
salvation lies essentially in faith in Christ or in exercising a faith like that of Christ;
whether man after the fall can with God's help live a sinless life just as Jesus did or not.

3. We CONCLUDE that, in general, Adventist Christology stands in agreement and

harmony with the Christological declarations given at both Nicea and Chalcedon relative
the fact that Christ was very God and that in Him existed both divinity and humanity.
4. We PROPOSE that Ellen White's position on the full functioning of both Christ's
divinity and His humanity is worthy of serious consideration, and furthermore, that her
wide usage of different models for Christ's work, held together by the underlying motif of
the principle of the covenant - God with us - is significant.

We SUGGEST, in the light of Ellen White's total Christology and in the light of recent
research on her usage of the terms 'fallen nature' and 'sinful nature', that while we may
speak of Christ coming in fallen human nature, it would be wiser and safer to avoid the
term 'sinful nature' when speaking of Christ's humanity. Care should be taken in the
presentation of Christ's humanity lest He be set forth as such an one as ourselves.

5. We PROPOSE that Waggoner's position on the fullness of the Godhead dwelling

bodily in Jesus of Nazareth be appreciated and, furthermore, that this divinity of Christ as
an empowering agency in the life of the Christian be acknowledged.

We SUGGEST that while the reality of Christ's humanity be acknowledged and the fact
that He was "made sin for us", Christians should avoid attributing to Christ sinful
tendencies and inclinations, and furthermore, we suggest that care be taken lest the reality
of the presence of Christ with us be so diffused with nature that grace and nature become
blurred and confused.

6. We PROPOSE that it be acknowledged and appreciated that Heppenstall has made a

fundamental contribution to Adventist Christology in setting forth clearly the objective,
substitutionary, historical life, death and resurrection of Christ as the basis of salvation,
with His death on the cross as a full atonement for sin, thereby strengthening Adventism's
traditional intention of salvation by grace alone through faith.

We SUGGEST that while Heppenstall maintains both the fullness of Christ's divinity and
His humanity, he should endeavor to clarify his position regarding the kenosis lest he be
misunderstood to imply that Christ did in fact lay aside some of His divine attributes in
the Incarnation.

7. We PROPOSE that the Christology of Douglass has resulted in the real identity of
Jesus of Nazareth being maintained, and in safeguarding the church from falling into the
pitfall of docetism, and in helping us all to take seriously the humanity of Christ,
realizing, furthermore, that the example of Jesus is worthy of prayerful emulation.

We SUGGEST, however, that the tendency to build Christology on our anthropology and
eschatology, and then to use it mainly as a springboard for soteriological purposes can
lead to the dangers of perfectionism and lack of Christian assurance. Furthermore, in this
type of Christology there is a very real danger of slipping into one or another form of
Pelagianism.

B. Suggested Propositions for the Present and Future Practice of Adventist

Christology
1. We SUBMIT that God the Son is co-eternal and of the same substance, nature and
character as God the Father God the Holy Spirit.

2. We SUBMIT that the Word that was "in the beginning with God and was God," is the
revelation of the character God to the entire universe, and the eternal Mediator of the
covenant of grace to our specific world.

3. We SUBMIT that He who was the active Agent in the creation of all things, Himself
became a Man, not by going out of Himself, but by taking humanity into Himself, thus
veiling His divinity with humanity.

4. We SUBMIT that He who was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary,
while retaining the divine attributes and nature, laid aside the outward glory of God and
became a genuine Man, "bone of our bone" and flesh our flesh."

5. We SU8MIT that it was a correct understanding of the content of the New Testament
that led the early church to declare that Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully Man
during the Incarnation, and we joyfully admit that this mystery and paradox lies at the
heart of our faith.

6. We SUBMIT that it was precisely the exercising of all of the divine attributes that
made the Incarnation possible both initially and at every successive moment, for it was
only by the continual exercising of grace, freedom, love, omnipotence, omniscience and
omnipresence that God was able to dwell among us as real Man without ceasing to be
true God.

7. We SUBMIT, furthermore, that it was precisely the exercising of all the human
attributes that enabled the Incarnation to be truly the revelation of God, for it was only by
His sharing our suffering and by the continual exercising of His human will, language,
sympathy, tenderness and love that He could show us the Father.

8. We SUBMIT, therefore, that during the Incarnation Jesus Christ exercised His divinity
in order to be fully God and that He exercised His humanity in order to be fully Man.

9. We SUBMIT, moreover, that as Jesus Christ came into the world in the humanity of
Adam after the fall and not before the fall, He assumed humanity affected by the laws of
heredity and subject to weakness, infirmity and temptation.

10. We SUBMIT, however, that Jesus Christ, while coming in fallen human nature was
not infected by original sin and was born without any tendencies and propensities to sin,
thus, we need have no misgivings concerning His absolute sinlessness.

11. We SUBMIT, in addition, however, that Jesus Christ freely chose to assume not only
a nature like ours in all respects, sin excepted, but also a common situation of suffering,
alienation and lostness, by coming in mortal flesh, vicariously taking our guilt,
punishment and separation on Himself.
12. We SUBMIT that because Jesus Christ was Immanuel -God with us, the fulfillment of
the eternal covenant -He could reveal the character and love of God, and die the sinner's
place as Substitute and Surety for all men, and rise again to offer His vicarious sacrifice
on the cross as a full atonement for sin.

13. We SUBMIT that salvation is found in Jesus Christ not in man, and that God's
method of saving men by simple faith in the substitutionary life, death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ, is the same in all ages.

14. We SUBMIT that while no man is saved by following the example of Jesus Christ, all
men are saved to follow the example of Jesus Christ.

15. We SUBMIT that it is man's privilege to uplift Jesus Christ on the cross, thus
participating in His full and complete vindication of God by pointing away from
ourselves to the One who will present the entire church in all ages to God without spot or
wrinkle by the merits of His own righteousness, in spite of the continued presence the
sinful human nature which remains until glorification.

C. Conclusion

In conclusion we suggest that it is possible to have a multi-faceted Christology, drawing

on all the New Testament models concerning the person and work of Christ, while also
upholding the full divinity and full humanity of Christ without falling into contradiction.
We believe it is possible to emphasize an active divinity in Christ without falling into
Docetism or into pantheism. We maintain that we can accept the full humanity of Christ,
with all its limitations, and yet have the full, functioning divinity of Christ and also a
Christ who knew no sin. Finally, we affirm that it is possible to hold to the priority of the
substitutionary life, death and resurrection of Christ, while still holding to the power of
the indwelling Christ and the importance of Christ's example.

To all of these and more we may hold. And we may be sure that as the future unfolds,
Christ will ever be ahead of us beckoning us to follow Him more closely and to
understand more clearly. Let us not be surprised if we often have to pause, only to
discover that our very best has not been good enough, and that our cherished ideas must
be revised. Let us not be dismayed if we cannot fully grasp the "unsearchable riches of
Christ," remembering that where we cannot understand we can always bow and worship.
For in the final analysis, Christology is also of the heart and not only of the head. Christ
is a Person to be received, not merely a creed to be believed.

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous Next

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous

 Crosscurrents in Adventist
Christology
by Claude Webster

Bibliography

General Selected Biography, Arranged Alphabetically

A. Books, Pamphlets, Theses and Dissertations.

B. Journal Articles.

C. Unpublished Material.

A. Books, Pamphlets, Theses and Dissertations

Anderson, Roy Allan. Faith that Conquers. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing
Association, 1967.

Anderson, Roy Allan. A Faith to Live By. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1943.

Andreasen, M. L. Letters to the Churches. Palmwoods, Queensland: Judgment Hour

Publishing Co., [n.d.] .

Andreasen, M. L. The Sanctuary Service. Second edition, revised. Washington, D.C.:

Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1947.

Andrews, J. N. History of the Sabbath and First Day of the Week. Third Edition, revised.
Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1887.

Bacchiocchi, Samuele. From Sabbath to Sunday, A Historical Investigation of the Rise of

Sunday Observance in Early Christianity. Rome: The Pontifical Gregorian University
Press, 1977.

Baillie, Donald M. God was in Christ. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1948.

Ball, B. W. The English Connection. The Puritan Roots of Seventh-day Adventist Belief.
Cambridge: James Clarke, 1981.

Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics. Volume 1, part 2. Translated by G. T. Thompson and H.

Knight. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1956.
Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics. Volume IV, part 1. Translated by G. W. Bromiley.
Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1956.

Barth, Karl. Protestant Theology in the 19th Century. London: SCM Press, 1972.

Berkouwer, G. C. The Person of Christ. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1969.

Branson, W. H. In Defense of the Faith. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald

Publishing Association, 1933.

Branson, W. H. The Way to Christ. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1948.

Bright, John. The Kingdom of God. Nashville: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1953.

Brinsmead, Robert D. God's Eternal Purpose. Missouri: Ministry of Healing Health

Centers, 1959.

Brinsmead, Robert D. Judged by the Gospel. Fallbrook, California: Verdict Publications,

1980.

Brinsmead, Robert D. A Review of the Awakening Message. 2 Parts, [n.p.] 1972-3.

Brinsmead, Robert D. The Sabbath and Genesis 2:2,3; The Heart of New Testament
Ethics; A Reply to Desmond Ford's Sabbatarian Arguments. Fallbrook, California:
Verdict Publications, 1982.

Bultmann, Rudolf, and Kundsin, Karl. Form Criticism, Two Essays on New Testament
Research. New York: Harper and Row, 1962.

Bultmann, Rudolf. Jesus Christ and Mythology. Charles Scribner's Sons, 1958.

Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Edited by John T. McNeill. Translated
by Ford Lewis Battles. The Library of Christian Classics, Vol. XX. Philadelphia:
Westminster Press, 1960.

Charles, R H. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Revelation of St John. Vol. 1.

International Critical Commentary. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1920.

Copleston, Frederick. A History of Philosophy. Vol. IV. London: Burns Oates &
Washbourne, 1958.

Cochrane, Arthur. The Existentialists and God. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1956.

Cullmann, Oscar. Christ and Time. Translated by Floyd V. Filson. London: SCM Press,
1951.
Cullmann, Oscar. The Christology of the New Testament. Second edition. Translated by
Shirley C. Guthrie and Charles A. M. Hall. London: SCM Press, 1963.

Cullmann, Oscar. Immortality of the Soul or Resurrection of the Dead? New York: The
MacMillan Co., 1958.

The Daily Study Bible Series. Revised edition. Revelation, Vol. 2. Translated by William
Barclay. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1976.

Damsteegt, P. Gerard. Foundations of the Seventh-day Adventist Message and Mission.

Grand Rapids, Michigan: W B Eerdmans, 1977.

Daniells, A. G. Christ our Righteousness. Washington, D.C.: Ministerial Association of

Seventh-day Adventists, 1926; reprinted 1941.

Davis, Thomas A. Was Jesus Really Like Us? Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1979.

de Gruchy, John W, ed. Journal of Theology for Southern Africa. No. 35 Cross Currents
in Contemporary Christology. June, 1981.

Dodd, C. H. The Apostolic Preaching. New York: Harper, 1956.

Douglass, H E.; Heppenstall, E.; LaRondelle, H K.; Maxwell, M. Perfection, the

Impossible Possibility. Nashville: Southern Publishing Association, 1975.

Ellicott, John Charles, ed. A Bible Commentary for English Readers, Vol. VIII. London:
Cassell & Co., [n.d.].

The Encyclopaedia Britannica. 14th edition, Vol. 17. London: The Encyclopaedia
Britannica Co., 1929.

Ford, Desmond. The Abomination of Desolation in Biblical Eschatology. Washington,

D.C.: University Press of America, 1979.

Ford, Desmond. Daniel. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1978.

Daniel 8:14, The Day of Atonement, and the Investigative Judgment. Casselberry,
Florida: Evangelion Press, 1980.

Forsyth, P T. The Person and Place of Jesus Christ. Third edition. Grand Rapids: Wm. B.
Eerdmans, [n.d.] .

Froom, Leroy E. The Conditionalist Faith of Our Fathers. Vols. 1, 2. Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1965,6.
Froom, Leroy E. Movement of Destiny. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1971.

Froom, Leroy E. The Prophetic Faith of our Fathers. Vols. 1-4. Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946-1954.

Galot, J. Vers une nouvelle christologie. Paris: Lethielleux, 1971.

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. "Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day

Adventists." General Conference Bulletin. May 1, 1980.

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. The History and Teaching of Robert

Brinsmead. Washington, D.C.: Defense Literature Committee, 1968.

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Our Firm Foundation. Vols. 1,2

Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1953.

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Perfection. Washington, D.C.: Defense

Literature Committee, 1965.

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual,

Revised. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald, 1976.

General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Some Current Errors in Brinsmead

Teachings. Washington, D.C.: Defense Literature Committee, 1963.

Grillmeier, A. Christ in Christian Tradition. Translated by John Bowden. Second revised

edition. London: Mowbrays, 1975.

Grotheer, William H. An Interpretive History of the Doctrine of the Incarnation as Taught

by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Florence, Mississippi: Adventist Layman's
Foundation of Mississippi, Inc., October 1972.

Hamilton, Kenneth. The System and the Gospel. London: SCM Press, 1963.

Hasel, Gerhard F. "Studies in Biblical Atonement," Parts 1 & 2. The Sanctuary and the
Atonement. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1981,
pp.87n133.

Haskell, Stephen N. The Cross and its Shadow. South Lancaster, Massachusetts: The
Bible Training School, 1914. Reprinted 1949.

Horton, W. M. "Tillich's Role in Contemporary Theology." The Theology of Paul Tillich.

Edited by C. W. Kegley and R. W. Bretall. New York: The MacMillan Co., 1961.

Adcon, A. L. A Warning and its Reception. Baker, Oregon: Hudson Printing Co., [19591.
Jeremias, Joachim. The Parables of Jesus. Translated by S. H. Hocke. Revised edition.
New York: Scribner, 1963.

Johnson, Harry. The Humanity of the Savior. London: The Epworth Press, 1962.

Jonker, W. D. Christus, die Middelaar. Pretoria: N G Kerkboekhandel, 1977.

Kähler, M. The Son Called Historical Jesus and the Historical, Biblical Christ.
Translated and edited by Carl E. Braaten. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1964.

Kasper, W. Ein führung in den Gladben. Mainz: Matthias-Grünewald-Verlag, 1972.

Kasper, W. Jesus the Christ. London: Burns and Oates, 1976.

Küng, Hans. Does God Exist? London: Collins, 1980.

Küng, Hans. Menschwerdunq Gottes. Eine Einführunq in Hegels theologisches Denken

als Prolegomena zu einer Künftigen Christologie. Freiburg: Basel, Wien, Herder, 1970.

Küng, Hans. On Being a Christian. Translated by Edward Quinn. Glasgow: Collins,

1978.

Kuyper, Abraham. The Work of the Holy Spirit. Funk and Wagnalls, 1900.

Ladd, G. E. The Pattern of New Testament Truth. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Eerdmans,
1968.

LaRondelle, H K. Perfection and Perfectionism. Kampen: J H Kok, 1971.

Leith, J. H, ed. Creeds of the Churches. Revised edition. Richmond: John Knox Press,
1973.

MacIntosh, H. R. The Doctrine of the Person of Jesus Christ. Second edition. Edinburgh:
T & T Clark, 1913.

McIntyre, John. The Shape of Christology. London: SCM Press, 1966.

Macquarrie, John. Existentialism. New York: Penguin Books, 1973.

Melvill, Henry. Sermons by Henry Melvill B. D., ed. C. P. McIlvaine. New York: Stanford
& Swords, 1844.

Moltmann, Jürgen. The Crucified God. London: SCM Press, 1974.

Moltmann, Jürgen. Theology of Hope. London: SCM Press, 1967.

Moore, A Leroy. The Theology Crisis. Corpus Christi, Texas: Life Seminars, 1980.

Mounce, Robert H. Revelation. The New International Commentary on the New

Testament. General editor F. F. Bruce. Grand Rapids, Michigan: W B Eerdmans, 1977.

Müller, Jacobus Johannes. Die Kenosisleer in die Kristologie sedert die Reformasie.
Th.D. Proefskrif. Vrije Universiteit to Amsterdam. Purmerend: Muusses, 1931.

Murdoch, W G C. "The Gospel in Type and Antitype." Our Firm Foundation. Vol. 1.
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1953.

Neufeld, Don F. and Neuffer, Julia, eds. Seventh-day Adventist Bible Students' Source
Book. Commentary Reference Series, Vol. 9. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1962.

Neufeld, Don F, ed., et al. Seventh-day Adventist Encyclopedia. Commentary Reference

Series, Vol. 10. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1966.

Nichol, Francis D. Answers to Objections. Revised and enlarged. Washington, D.C.:

Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1932; 1947; 1952.

Nichol, Francis D. The Midnight Cry. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1944.

Nichol, Francis D. Reasons for Our Faith. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1947.

Nichol, Francis D, Ed., et al. The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 7 Volumes.
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1953-1957.

Olesen, Albert H. Think Straight About the Incarnation. Published privately by the
author. [1961?].

Olson, A V. Through Crisis to Victory: 1888-1901. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1966.

Ottley, Robert L. The Doctrine of the Incarnation. London: Methuen & Co., 1896.

Pannenberg, W. The Apostles' Creed in the Light of Today's Questions. London: SCM
Press, 1972.

Pannenberg, W. Jesus-God and Man. Translated by Lewis L. Wilkins and Duane A.

Priebe. London: SCM Press Ltd., 1968.

Paxton, Geoffrey J. The Shaking of Adventism. Delaware: Zenith Publishers, Inc., 1977.
Pease, N F. By Faith Alone. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1962.

Prescott, W. W. The Doctrine of Christ. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1920.

Provonsha, Jack. You Can Go Home Again. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1982.

Rahner, Karl. "Chalkedon-Ende oder Anfang?" Das Konzil von Chalkedon. Edited by A
Grillmeier and H. Bacht, Vol. III. Würzburg, 1954.

Rahner, Karl. "Current Problems in Christology." Theological Investigations, Vol. I.

Translated by Cornelius Ernst. London: Darton, Longman & Todd. 1961.

Rahner, Karl. Theological Investigations, Vol. XI. Translated by David Bourke. London:
Darton, Longman & Todd, 1974.

Richards, H. M. S. Why I am a Seventh-day Adventist. Washington, D.C.: Review and

Herald Publishing Association, 1965.

Robertson, A. T. Word Pictures in the New Testament. Vol. VI. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Baker Book House, 1933.

Schäfer, R. Jesus und der Gottesqlaube. Mohr, 1970.

Schaff, Philip. The Creeds of Christendom. Sixth edition, revised and enlarged. Volume 1,
11. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1977.

Schillebeeckx, Edward. Jesus an Experiment in Christology. Translated by Hubert

Hoskins. London: Collins, 1979.

Schillebeeckx, Edward. Christ the Christian Experience in the Modern World. Translated
by John Bowden. London: SCM Press, 1980.

Schleiermacher, Friedrich. The Christian Faith. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1928.

Schwarz, Richard W. John Harvey Kellogg, M.D. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern

Publishing Association, 1970.

Schwarz, Richard W. Light Bearers to the Remnant. Mountain View, California: Pacific
Press, 1979.

Schweitzer, Albert. The Quest of the Historical Jesus. London: Adam & Charles Black,
1954.
Seeberg, Reinhold. The History of Doctrines. Translated by Charles E. Hay. Volume 1.
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House, 1977.

Sellers, R V. The Council of Chalcedon, A Historical and Doctrinal Survey. London:

S.P.C.K., 1961.

Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine. Washington, D.C.: Review and

Herald Publishing Association, 1957.

Slenczka, R. Geschichlichkeit und Personsein Jesu Christi. Studien zur christologischen

Problematik der Historischen Jesusfrage. Gottingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1967.

Smith, Uriah. Daniel and the Revelation. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1897.

Smith, Uriah. Looking Unto Jesus. Battle Creek, Michigan:

Review and Herald Publishing Company, 1898.

Smith, Uriah. Thoughts on the Revelation. First, second and third editions. Battle Creek:
Review and Herald, 1865; 1875; 1881.

Spalding, A. W. Captains of the Host. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1949.

Spalding, A. W. Origin and History of Seventh-day Adventists. Volumes 1 - 4.

Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1961.

Spangler, J R, ed. The Ministry. Christ and His High Priestly Ministry. Ministerial
Association. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, October
1980.

Spicer, W A. Our Day in the Light of Prophecy. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1918.

Strand, Kenneth A, ed. The Sabbath in Scripture and History. Comprehensive study by 18
scholars at Andrews University. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1982.

Vande Vere, Emmett K. The Wisdom Seekers. Nashville: Southern Publishing

Association, 1972.

Vick, Edward W. H. Jesus The Man. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing

Association, 1979.

Waggoner, J H. The Atonement. Battle Creek: Review and Herald, 1868; 1872; 1884.
Watson, C H. The Atoning Work of Christ. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1934.

Weiland, Robert J, and Short, Donald K. 1888 Re-examined. Baker, Oregon: Adventist
Forum Association, 1950.

Wiersinga, Herman. De Verzoening in de Theologische Diskussie. Kampen: J H Kok,

1971.

Willis, R. Benedict de Spinoza: His Life, Correspondence, and Ethics. London: Trübner
& Co., 1870.

Wright, Fred T. The Destiny of a Movement. Palmwoods, Queensland: The Judgment

House Publishing Company, 1976.

B. Journal Articles

Caird, George B. "Judgment and Salvation." Canadian Journal of Theology. Vol. 2, No.
4.

Corduan, Winfried. "Hegel in Rahner: A Study in Philosophical Hermeneutics." Harvard

Theological Review. Vol. 71, 1978.

Dederen, Raoul F. "I Believe in Jesus Christ." The Ministry, July 1981, pp.18-20.

Dederen, Raoul F. "What Does God's Grace Do?" The Ministry, March 1978, pp.5-7.

Durand, J. J. F. "Life and Death as a Theological Problem." Journal of Theology for

Southern Africa. No. 36, September 1981.

Ford, Desmond. "The Relationship Between the Incarnation and Righteousness by Faith."
Documents from the Palmdale Conference on Righteousness by Faith. Goodlettsville,
Tennessee: Jack D Walker, 1976, pp.25-41.

Ford, Desmond. "The Scope and Limits of the Pauline Expression 'Righteousness by
Faith'." Documents from the Palmdale Conference on Righteousness by Faith, pp.1-13.

Johnsson, W. G. "The Heavenly Assize." Review and Herald, July 9, 1981, pp.13,14.

Käsemann, E. "Das Problem des historischen Jesus." Zeitschrift für Theologie und
Kirche. Vol. 51, 1954.

McWilliams, Warren. "Beyond 'Mere Transcendence': The Riddle of Hegel's

Phenomenology." Perspectives in Religious Studies. Vol. 6, No. 1, 1979.
Palmdale Conference. "Christ our Righteousness." Review and Herald, May 27, 1976,
pp.4,5.

Palmer, Michael. "Correlation and Ontology: A Study in Tillich's Christology." The

Downside Review. Vol. 96, April 1978.

Read, W. E. "Christ the 'Logos' the Word of God." The Ministry, August 1958; "Christ our
Lord," Parts 1,2,3,4,5. The Ministry, August, September, October, November, December,
1963.

Reinhardt, Klaus. "In What Way is Jesus Unique?" Internationale Katholische Zeitschrift.
Vol. III, May-June, 1973.

"Relation of Works to Salvation, the Witness of Seventh-day Adventist Leaders on

Historical Record." The Ministry, May 1946, pp.3n6.

Righteousness by Faith Consultation. "The Dynamics of Salvation." Review and Herald,

July 31, 1980, pp.3n8.

Schürmann, H. Der proexistente Christuszdie mitte des Glaubens von Morgen?"

Diakonia, 3 (1972).

Spangler, Robert J. "Ask the Editor." The Ministry, April 1978, pp.21-23.

Spear, Samuel T. "The Personality of Christ." The Signs of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 46,
December 2, 1889; No. 47, December 9, 1889.

White, James. "Christ Equal with God." Review and Herald, November 29, 1877.

Wilson, N C. "An Open Letter to the Church." Review and Herald, May 24, 1979, pp.4,5.

Wood, Kenneth H. "Divinity and Humanity to be Combined in Us." Review and Herald,
December 29, 1977, pp.2,17,18.

Wood, Kenneth H. "Fit for a Wedding." Review and Herald, December 2, 1976, pp.2,11.

Wood, Kenneth H. "For Your Information." Parts 1-4. Review and Herald, October 21,
1976, p.2; October 28, 1976, pp.2,19; November 4, 1976, pp.2,15; November 18, 1976,
pp.2,13.

Wood, Kenneth H. "Jesus Made the Way Plain in Parables." Review and Herald, May 16,
1974, pp.14,15,24.

Wood, Kenneth H. "Jesus - the God-man." Review and Herald, May 5, 1977, pp.2,12.
C. Unpublished Material

Adams, Roy. "The Doctrine of the Sanctuary in the Seventh-day Adventist Church: Three
Approaches." Th.D. dissertation, Theological Seminary, Andrews University, August
1980.

Clifford, A. John, and Standish, Russell R.. "Conflicting Concepts of Righteousness by

Faith." Biblical Research Institute Paper. Washington, D.C. April 1976.

Cottrell, Raymond F. "Historical Development of the Doctrine of the Person of Christ."

Typescript. Biblical Research Institute, Washington, D.C., 1948.

Ford, Desmond. "When Probation Closes; Absolute Loyalty or Absolute Sinlessness."

Typescript document. [n.d.] .

Gane, Erwin Roy. "The Arian or Anti-Trinitarian Views presented in Seventh-day

Adventist Literature and the Ellen White Answer." A thesis, Andrews University, June
1963. Typescript. James White Library, Heritage Room.

Hasel, Gerhard F. "Implications - Sanctuary Doctrine." Aspire tape. Ministerial

Association, Washington, D.C., July 1981.

LaRondelle, Hans K. "Syllabus for Righteousness by Faith. "Theological Seminary,

Andrews University, 1973.

Metz, Fred C. "The Incarnation of Christ, Adam's Human Nature versus Fallen Human
Nature." Denver, Colorado: Fred C. Metz, September 1964.

Richards, H. M. S. "Our Divine Saviour," February 11, 1945; "The Great I AM,"
September 2, 1945; "The Virgin Birth," July 1, 1951; "The Divinity of Christ," July 6,
1952; "The Deity of Christ," January 23, 1955; "The Lord our Righteousness," July 12,
1964. Sample sermons by Richards. Bound in volumes and available at the Voice of
Prophecy office, California, U.S.A.

Seton, Bernard E. "Nature of Christ." Aspire tape. Ministerial Association, Washington,

D.C., February 1978.

Spangler, J. Robert. "The Theological Uniqueness and Issues within Adventism." Aspire
tape of the month. Ministerial Association, Washington, D.C., June 1981.

Steinweg, B. W. "Developments in the Teaching of Justification and Righteousness by

Faith in the Seventh-day Adventist Church after 1900." Master's thesis, Seventh-day
Adventist Theological Seminary, 1948.
Walker, Jack D., ed. "Documents from the Palmdale Conference on Righteousness by
Faith." Goodlettsville, Tennessee: Jack D. Walker, 1976.

II. Selected Bibliography n Ellen Gould White.

A. Primary Sources arranged chronologically.

1. Books and Pamphlets.

2. Journal Articles, Manuscripts and Letters.

B. Secondary Sources, consisting of Books, Journal Articles, Dissertations and

Letters, arranged alphabetically.

A. Primary Sources

1. Books and Pamphlets by Ellen G. White

A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. Saratoga Springs, New
York: James White, 1851.

Supplement to the Experience and Views of Ellen G. White. Rochester, New York: James
White, 1854.

Spiritual Gifts. 4 Vols. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1858-1864.
Facsimile reprint available.

Sufferings of Christ. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1870.

Testimony for the Church at Battle Creek. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald,
1872.

The Spirit of Prophecy. 4 Vols. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1870-1884.
Facsimile reprint available.

Redemption. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1874-1878. Eight pamphlets
with covers serially numbered.

Testimony for the Physicians and Helpers of the Battle Creek Sanitarium. Battle Creek,
Michigan: Review and Herald, 1879.

Early Writings of Ellen G. White. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1882.
Testimony for the Battle Creek Church. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press
Publishing Association, 1882.

Sketches from the Life of Paul. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1883.

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan. Mountain View, California: Pacific
Press Publishing Association, 1888.

Testimonies for the Church. 9 Vols. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1885-1909.

Patriarchs and Prophets. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing

Association, 1890.

Steps to Christ. New York: Fleming H. Revell, 1892.

Gospel Workers, Instruction for the Minister and the Missionary. Battle Creek, Michigan:
Review and Herald, 1892.

Justified by Faith. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association,

1893.

Christian Education. Battle Creek, Michigan: International Tract Society, 1893.

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing. Battle Creek, Michigan: International Tract
Society, 1696.

Christ Our Savior. Battle Creek, Michigan: International Tract Society, 1896.

Healthful Living. Battle Creek, Michigan: Medical Missionary Board, 1896.

Special Instruction Relating to the Review and Herald Office and the Work in Battle
Creek. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1896.

Special Testimony to Battle Creek Church. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald,
1896.

Special Testimonies to Ministers and Workers Series A, Nos. 1-12. Eleven numbered
pamphlets issued by the General Conference in Battle Creek, Michigan, 1892-1897. No.
12 issued in 1905.

Special Testimonies Concerning the Work and Workers in the Pacific Press. Mountain
View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1897.

Special Testimonies on Education. No imprint, probably Review and Herald, 1897.

The Southern Work. Published by J. E. White on the missionary boat Morning Star,
[1898] .

The Desire of Ages. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1898.

Selections From the Testimonies Bearing on Sabbath School Work. Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1900.

Christ's Object Lessons. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald, 1900.

Manual for Canvassers. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1902.

Education. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1903.

The Ministry of Healing. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing

Association, 1905.

Special Testimonies, Series B. Another series comprising 19 numbers in 21 pamphlets of

varying size and in various editions with pagination not uniform, comprising in all more
than 750 pages, issued between 1903 and 1913 to meet special situations, of a local or
temporary character.

The Acts of the Apostles in the Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Mountain
View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911.

Recreation. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1912.

Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students Regarding Christian Education. Mountain

View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1913.

Life Sketches of Ellen G. White. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1915.

The Story of Prophets and Kings as Illustrated in the Captivity and Restoration of Israel.
Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1917.

Ellen G. White Present Truth aid Review and Herald Articles. 6 Vols. Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1962. A facsimile reproduction of articles
appearing in the Present Truth (1849-1850) and of the pages in the Review and Herald
bearing Mrs. White's articles 1851z1915 and certain articles from unpublished sources
printed subsequent to Mrs. White's death in 1915.
Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary. Vol. 7A. Ellen G White Comments from Vols.
1 - 7 with Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions on Doctrine, Appendixes A,B,C.
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1970.

Ellen G. White Signs of the Times Articles. 4 Vols. Mountain View, California: Pacific
Press Publishing Association, 1974. A facsimile reproduction of articles appearing in The
Signs of the Times (1874-1915) written by Ellen G White.

After Ellen White's death in 1915 many books have appeared as compilations of her
writings, drawn from her books, pamphlets, periodical and journal articles, manuscripts
and letters. The only ones now given are those consulted or referred to in this dissertation.

Counsels on Health. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association,

1923. Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers. Mountain View, California: Pacific
Press Publishing Association, 1923.

Messages to Young People. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1930.

Medical Ministry. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1932.

Evangelism. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1946.

The Adventist Home. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1952.

In Heavenly Places. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1967.

Maranatha. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1976.

Mind, Character, and Personality. 2 Vols. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing

Association, 1977.

This Day with God. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1979.

Selected Messages. 3 Vols. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing

Association, Books 1 & 2, 1958; Book 3, 1980.

2. Journal Articles, Manuscripts and Letters by Ellen G. White Journal Articles

"To the Young." Review and Herald, July 25, 1854, p.197. "Parents and Children."
Review and Herald, January 20, 1863, p.59.

"Practical Remarks." Review and Herald, March 29, 1870, pp.113-115; April 12, 1870,
pp.130,131; April 19, 1870, pp.138,139.

"Christian Recreation." Review and Herald, May 31, 1870, pp.185,186.

"The First Advent of Christ." Review and Herald, December 17 and 24, 1872.

"The Life of Christ." Review and Herald, December 31, 1872.

"Redemption - No. 1 and No. 2." Review and Herald, February 24 and March 3, 1874.

"The Temptation of Christ." Review and Herald, July 28; August 4, 18; September 1, 8;
October 13, 1874; March 4, 18, 25; April 1, 15, 1875.

"An Appeal to the Ministers." Review and Herald, August 8, 1878.

"Search the Scriptures." Review and Herald, November 28, 1878.

"The Great Controversy." The Signs of the Times, February 20, 1879.

"Wisdom and Compassion of Jesus." The Signs of the Times, October 23, 1879.

"Sacrificial Offerings." The Signs of the Times, July 15, 1880.

"Literary Societies." Review and Herald, January 4, 1881, pp. 2, 3.

"Bible Study." Review and Herald, January 11, 1881, pp.18,19.

"Sanctification." Review and Herald, January 25, 1881.

"Sanctification." Review and Herald, February 8, 1881, pp.81,82.

"Rest for the Weary." Review and Herald, August 2, 1881, p.89.

"The True Vine." Review and Herald, September 20, 1881, pp.193,194.

"Simplicity in Dress." Review and Herald, December 6, 1881, pp.353,354.

"Should Christians Dance?" Review and Herald, February 28, 1882, pp.129,130.

"The Primal Object of Education." Review and Herald, July 11, 1882, pp. 433, 434.

"The Sacrifice of Separation." Review and Herald, January 9, 1883, pp. 17, 18.

"Christ’s Triumph for Us." The Signs of the Times, April 5, 1883.

"Our Present Position." Review and Herald, August 28, 1883, pp.545,546.

"The All-Important Lesson." The Signs of the Times, November 15, 1883, pp.55,506.

"Notes of Travel." Review and Herald, November 27, 1883, pp.737,738.

"Notes of Travel." Review and Herald, December 11, 1883, pp.769,770.

"Unity in Christ." Review and Herald, March 4, 1884, pp.145,146.

"Important Duties in Home Life." The Signs of the Times, April 17, 1884, pp.241,242.

"Effectual Prayer." Review and Herald, April 22, 1884, pp.257,258.

"God's Willingness to Save." Review and Herald, May 27, 1884, pp.337,338.

"Importance of Education." Review and Herald, August 19, "Literary Societies." 1881,
pp.2,3.

"The Benefits of Industry." The Signs of the Times, October 9, 1884.

"Notes of Travel." Review and Herald, October 21, 1884, pp. 657, 658.

"Christmas is Coming." Review and Herald, December 9, 1884, pp. 769, 770.

"Thoughts for the New Year." Review and Herald, January 20, 1885, pp.33,34.

"Notes of Travel." Review and Herald, February 10, 1885, pp.81,82.

"An Appeal to Ministers." Review and Herald, May 19, 1885, pp.305,306.

"A Cross in Accepting the Truth." Review and Herald, May 26, 1885, pp.321,322.

"Seek First the Kingdom of God." Review and Herald, October 27, 1885, pp.657,658.

"The Heavenly Guest." Review and Herald, November 24, 1885, pp.721,722.

"The Precious Promises." Review and Herald, December 1, 1885, pp.737,738.

"The Government of God." Review and Herald, March 9, 1886, pp.145,146.

"The Spirit of Law-breakers: How Ministers Should Meet Them." Review and Herald,
March 23, 1886, pp.177,178.

"A Peculiar People." Review and Herald, May 18, 1886.

"Christian Recreation." Review and Herald, May 25, 1886, pp.321,322.

"The Conference at Basel." Review and Herald, April 19, 1887, pp.241,242.

'Christ Man's Example." Review and Herald, July 5, 1887, pp.417,418.

'Humility Before Honor." Review and Herald, November 8, 1887, pp.689,690.

"Nothing is Hidden." Review and Herald, March 27, 1888, pp.193,194.

"The Book of Books." Review and Herald, August 21, 1888, pp.529,530.

"The Work of the Minister." Review and Herald, September 11, 1888, pp.577,578.

"God's Provision for a Fallen World." Review and Herald, October 9, 1888, pp.625,626.

"The Inestimable Gift." Review and Herald, Extra, December 11, 1888, pp.1,2.

"We Should Glorify God." Review and Herald, April 30, 1889, pp.273,274.

"Let Us Go Without the Camp." Review and Herald, May 28, 1889, pp.337,338.

"Man's Failure to Comprehend Divinity in Humanity." Review and Herald, June 11,
1889, pp.369,370.

"Compassion for the Erring." Review and Herald, July 16, 1889, pp.449,450.

"The Relation of Christ to the Law is not Understood." Review and Herald, February 4,
1890, pp.65,66.

"How to Meet a Controverted Point of Doctrine." Review and Herald, February 18, 1890,
pp.97-99.

"Conditions for Obtaining Eternal Riches." Review and Herald, June 10, 1890,
pp.353,354.

"The Object of Christ's Teaching." Review and Herald, October 14, 1890, pp.625,626.

"A Peculiar People." Review and Herald, November 18, 1890, pp.705,706.

"Peril of Neglecting Salvation." Review and Herald, March 10, 1891, pp.145,146.

"Missionary Work." Review and Herald, September 29, 1891, pp.593,594.

"No Caste in Christ." Review and Herald, December 22, 1891, pp.785,786.

"Search the Scriptures." Review and Herald, July 26, 1892, pp.465,466.

"Imperative Necessity of Searching for Truth." Review and Herald, November 8, 1892,
pp.690,691.

"Christ our Hope." Review and Herald, December 20, 1892, pp.785,786.
"The Need of Trained Workers." Review and Herald, February 14, 1893, pp.97,98.

"The Plan of Salvation." Review and Herald, February 13, 20, 27, 1893; pp.230,231; 246,
247; 262,263.

"Obedience the Path to Life." Review and Herald, March 28, 1893, pp.193,194.

"Contemplate Christ's Perfection, Not Man's Imperfection." Review and Herald, August
8, 1893, pp.497,498.

"Students Deciding Their Eternal Destiny." Review and Herald, January 23, 1894,
pp.49,5.

"The Treasure of Truth Rejected." Review and Herald, April 3, 1894, pp.209,210.

"Principle Never to be Sacrificed for Peace." Review and Herald, July 24, 1894,
pp.465,466.

"Truth to be Rescued from Error." Review and Herald, October 23, 1894, pp.657,658.

"Conquer through the Conqueror." Review and Herald, February 5, 1895, pp.81,82.

"Christ, the Light of the World, Uncomprehended." Review and Herald, April 23, 1895,
pp.257,258.

"Even So Send I You." Review and Herald, June 25, 1895, pp.401,402.

"The Duty of the Minister and the People." Review and Herald, July 9, 1895, pp.433,434.

"Satan's Malignity against Christ and His People." Review and Herald, October 22, 29,
1895, pp. 673,674; 689,690.

"An Appeal for the Southern Field." Review and Herald, November 26, 1895,
pp.753,754.

"Take the Cup of Salvation." Review and Herald, May 19, 1896, pp.305,306.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." Review and Herald, June 23, 1896, pp.385,386.

"Child Life of Jesus." The Signs of the Times, July 30, 1896, pp.4n6.

"The Keeping Power of God's Love." Review and Herald, September 15, 1896,
pp.581,582.

"Our Advocate and Our Adversary." Review and Herald, September 22, 1896,
pp.597,598.
"The Uplifted Saviour." Review and Herald, September 29, 1896, pp.613,614.

"The Spirit of Sacrifice." Review and Herald, October 13, 1896, pp.645,646.

"Laboring in the Spirit of Christ." Review and Herald, October 20, 1896, pp.661,662.

"The Importance of Obedience." Review and Herald, December 15, 1896, pp.789,790.

"Prepare to Meet Thy God." Review and Herald, July 20, 1897, pp.449,45.

"Words of Comfort." Review and Herald, October 19, 1897, pp.657,658.

"In Gethsemane." Review and Herald, December 2 and 9, 1897; pp.740; 55,756.

"Our Words - No. 1 and No. 2." Review and Herald, January 18 and 25, 1898; pp.37,38;
pp.53,54.

"The Plan of Redemption." Review and Herald, February 1, 1898, pp.69,70.

"The Truth Revealed in Jesus." Review and Herald, February 8, 1898, pp.85,86.

"True Christianity." Review and Herald, March 1, 1898, pp.133,134.

"The Truth as it is in Jesus." The Signs of the Times, June 16, 1898, pp.370,371.

"And the Grace of God was upon Him." The Youth's Instructor, September 8, 1898.

"Search the Scriptures." The Youth's Instructor, October 13, 1898.

"After the Camp-Meeting." Review and Herald, April 4, 1899, pp.209,210.

"Christ Glorified." The Signs of the Times, May 10, 1899, pp.1,2.

"Not in Man's Wisdom." Review and Herald, July 18, 1899, pp.453,454.

"A Crucified and Risen Saviour." The Signs of the Times, August 16, 1899, pp.533,534.

"This Do, and Thou Shalt Live." Review and Herald, October 17, 1899, pp.661,662.

"Our Example." Review and Herald, October 24, 1899, pp.677,678.

"Let This Mind Be in You, Which Was Also in Christ Jesus." Review and Herald,
November 21, 1899, pp.749,75.

"Christian Perfection." Review and Herald, April 24, 1900, p.257.

"God Loveth a Cheerful Giver." Review and Herald, May 15, 1900, pp.305,306.

"Caiaphas." Review and Herald, June 12, 1900, pp.369, 370.

"Price of Our Redemption." The Youth's Instructor, June 21, 1900.

"The Lord's Vineyard." Review and Herald, July 17, 1900, pp.449,45.

"Self-Exaltation." Review and Herald, September 25, 1900, pp.609,610.

"Lessons from the Christ-Life." Review and Herald, October 2, 1900, pp.625,626.

"Pray without Ceasing." Review and Herald, October 30, 1900, pp.689,690.

"After the Crucifixion." The Youth's Instructor, April 25, 1901.

"The Great Standard of Righteousness." Review and Herald, May 7, 1901, pp.289,290.

"God's Purpose for Us." The Signs of the Times, May 29, 1901, p.339.

"Obedience the Fruit of Union with Christ," Nos. 1 & 2. Review and Herald, August 27
and September 3, 1901; p.551; pp.567,560.

"The Righteousness of Christ in the Law." Review and Herald, April 22, 1902, pp.8,9.

"In all points Tempted Like as We Are." The Signs of the Times, December 3, 1902,
pp.770,771.

"Extending the Triumphs of the Cross." Review and Herald, January 13, 1903, pp.8,9.

"Divine Sonship." Review and Herald, September 3, 1903, pp.6,7.

"Written for our Admonition - No. 2." Review and Herald, January 7, 1904, pp.8,9.

"The Revelation of God." Review and Herald, March 17, 1904, pp.8,9.

"The Privilege of Prayer." Review and Herald, December 8, 1904, p.12.

"Notes of Travel." Review and Herald, January 19, 1905, pp.8,9.

"An Open Letter." Review and Herald, April 13, 1905, p.8.

"With Power and Great Glory." The Signs of the Times, April 19, 1905, p.249.

"God Manifest in the Flesh." The Signs of the Times, April 26, 1905, p.264.
"Lessons from the Second Chapter of Philippians." Review and Herald, June 15, 1905,
pp.8,9.

"Wounded for our Transgressions." The Signs of the Times, August 9, 1905, pp.9,10.

"The Glory of Solomon's Earthly Reign." Review and Herald, December 7, 1905,
pp.9,10.

"A Holy People." Review and Herald, March 15, 1906, pp.8,9.

"The Word Made Flesh." Review and Herald, April 5, 1906, PP.8,9.

"A Message to Church Members." Review and Herald, April 26, 1906, pp.7,8.

"A Call for Greater Consecration." Review and Herald, May 31, 1906, pp.8,9.

"Aggressive Work to be Done." Review and Herald, August 2, 1906, pp.8,9.

"Correct Views Concerning the Testimonies." Review and Herald, August 30, 1906,
pp.8,9.

"Love Toward God and Man." Review and Herald, September 13, 1906, pp.8,9.

"Our Need of the Holy Spirit." Review and Herald, January 3, 1907, p.8.

"The Word of God." Review and Herald, August 22, 1907, p.8.

"An Appeal." Review and Herald, September 26, 1907, PP. 8,9.

"A Call to Consecration." Review and Herald, November 21, 1907, pp.5,6.

"Not by Might, nor by Power." Review and Herald, January 16, 1908, pp.7,8.

"A Habitation for the Spirit." Review and Herald, December 31, 1908, pp.8,9.

"Lessons from Christ's Labors." Review and Herald, January 21, 1909, pp.7,8.

"A Message to our Churches." Review and Herald, January 28, 1909, pp.7,8.

"That They All May be One." Review and Herald, September 23 and 30, 1909; p.8;
pp.8,9.

"Courage in the Lord." Review and Herald, May 5, 1900, p.3.

"How to Deal with the Erring." Review and Herald, January 26, 1911, pp.3,4.
"Cornelius, a Seeker for Truth." Review and Herald, April 6, 1911, pp.3,4.

"Acquaint Now Thyself with Him." Review and Herald, February 15, 1912, pp.3,4.

"An All-Sufficient Savior." Review and Herald, July 4, 1912, pp.3,4.

"The Dignity of Labor." Review and Herald, October 3, 1912, pp.3,4.

"Peril of Neglecting Salvation." Review and Herald, November 21 and 28, 1912; p.3; p.5.

"Looking Unto Jesus." Review and Herald, July 16, 1914, p.3.

"Simplicity and Economy." Review and Herald, July 30, 1914, p.3.

Miscellaneous Journal Articles

The Youth's Instructor, August 23, 1894; July 20, 1899; October 26, 1899; December 20,
1900.

Review and Herald, March 5, 1889; September 3, 1889; March 11, 1890.

Manuscripts - The abbreviation SDABC stands for Seventh-day Adventist Bible

Commentary

Manuscript 15, 1888 (in Olson, A V. Through Crisis to Victory, pp.294-302).

Manuscript 5, 1889.

Manuscript 16, 1890 (in SDABC, Vol. 7, p.907).

Bible Students' Library Series, No. 104, April 1893 (in Selected Messages, Book 1,
p.396).

Manuscript 21, 1895 (in SDABC, Vol. 7, p.925).

Manuscript 35, 1895 (in SDABC, Vol. 5, p.1103).

Manuscript 101, 1897 (in Evangelism, p.615).

Manuscript 44, 1898 (in SDABC, Vol. 7, p.907).

Manuscript 67, 1898 (in SDABC, Vol. 7, p.904).

Manuscript 153, 1898 (in SDABC, Vol. 7, p.907).

Manuscript 29, 1899 (in SDABC, Vol. 7, p.915).

Manuscript 165, 1899 (in The Faith I Live By, p.48).

Manuscript 12, 1900 (in SDABC, Vol. 6, p.1103).

Manuscript 50, 1900 (in SDABC, Vol. 6, p.1078).

Manuscript 126, 1901 (in SDABC, Vol. 6, p.1092).

Manuscript 141, 1901.

Manuscript 76, 1903 (in SDABC, Vol. 6, p.1074).

Manuscript 73, undated (in In Heavenly Places, p.155).

Letters

Letter 5, 1889 (in SDABC, Vol. 7, p.904).

Letter 86, 1891 (in SDABC, Vol. 2, p.1032).

Letter 12, 1892 (in SDABC, Vol. 7, p.913).

Letter 40, 1892 (in Ford, Daniel 8:14, p.A-257).

Letter 35, 1894 (in Questions on Doctrine, p.691).

Letter 67, 1894 (in Ford, Daniel 8:14, p.A-257).

Letter 8, 1895 (in SDABC, Vol. 5, p.1128).

Letter 96, 1896 (in Selected Messages, Book 1, pp.234, 235).

Letter 106, 1896 (in SDABC, Vol. 5, p.1124).

Letter 156, 1897 (in SDABC, Vol. 4, p.1163).

Letter 97, 1898 (in Questions on Doctrine, p.666).

Letter 32, 1899 (in SDABC, Vol. 5, p.1130).

Letter 191, 1899 (in SDABC, Vol. 1, p.1083).

Letter 19, 1901 (in SDABC, Vol. 5, p.1081).

Letter 231, 1903 (in Medical Ministry, pp.100,101).

Letter 276, 1904 (in SDABC, Vol. 6, p.1082).

Letter 280, 1904 (in SDABC, Vol. 6, p.1115). Letter 121, 1906.

Letter 162, 1906 (in SDABC, Vol. 4, p.1143).

Letter 230, 1907 (in SDABC, Vol. 5, p.1109).

Letter 224, 1908.

B. Secondary Sources - arranged alphabetically

1. Published Books, Dissertations and Journal Articles.

2. Unpublished Material.

1. Books, Dissertations and Journal Articles

Battistone, Joseph. The Great Controversy Theme in E. G. White Writings. Berrien

Springs, Michigan: Andrews University Press, 1978.

Butler, Jonathan, and Thompson, Alden. "The White Lie: Two Perspectives." Spectrum.
Vol. 12, No. 4, 1982, pp.44z55.

Canright, D. M. Life of Mrs. E. G. White. Cincinnati: Standard Publishing Co., 1919.

Christian, Lewis Harrison. The Fruitage of Spiritual Gifts. Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1947.

Conybeare and Howson. The Life and Epistles of Saint Paul. London: Scribner, 1851.

Couperus, Molleurus. "The Bible Conference of 1919." Spectrum. Vol. 10, No. 1, 1979,
pp.23-57.

A Critique of the Book Prophetess of Health. Prepared by the staff of the Ellen G White
Estate. Washington, D.C., 1976.

Daniells, Arthur Grosvenor. The Abiding Gift of Prophecy. Mountain View, California:
Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1936.
Delafield, D. A. Ellen G. White in Europe. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1975

Ellen White's Use of Sources." Review and Herald. Reports on the opinion of Vincent L.
Ramik, copyright lawyer on Ellen White and plagiarism. September 17, 1981, pp.3-7.

Fernandez, G. G. Ellen G. White: The Doctrine of the Person of Christ. Ph.D.

dissertation, Drew University, 1978.

Hackleman, Douglas. "GC Committee Studies Ellen White’s Sources." Spectrum. Vol. 10,
No. 4, 1980, pp.9-15

Jemison, T. Housel. A Prophet Among You. Mountain View, Pacific Press Publishing
Association, 1955.

Johns, Warren H. "Ellen White: Prophet or Plagiarist?" The Ministry, June 1982, pp.5-19.

Loughborough, J. N. The Great Second Advent Movement. Washington, D.C.: Review

and Herald Publishing Association, 1905, 1909.

McAdams, Donald R. "Shifting Views of Inspiration: Ellen G. White Studies in the

1970's." Spectrum. Vol. 10, No. 4, 1980, pp.27z41.

Nichol, Francis D. Ellen G White and Her Critics. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1951.

Numbers, Ronald L. Prophetess of Health: A Study of Ellen G. White. New York: Harper
and Row, 1976.

Rea, Walter T. The White Lie. Turlock, California: M & R Publications, 1982.

Shaw, Horace J. "A Rhetorical Analysis of the Speaking of Mrs. Ellen G. White." Ph.D.
dissertation, Michigan State University, 1959.

The Spirit of Prophecy Treasure Chest. Prepared by Ellen G. White Estate. Washington,
D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1960.

White, Arthur L. Ellen G. White: The Early Elmshaven Years. Washington, D.C.: Review
and Herald Publishing Association, 1981. (Vol. 5, first published of a 6-Vol. series).

White, Arthur L. Ellen G White: Messenger to the Remnant. Washington, D.C.: Review
and Herald Publishing Association, 1969.

White, Arthur L. The Ellen G White Writings. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1973.
White, Arthur L. "The E G White Historical Writings." Review and Herald, July 12, 19,
26; August 2, 9, 16, 23, 1979.

White, James. Life Sketches, Ancestry, Early Life, Christian Experience and Extensive
Labors, of Elder James White, and His Wife, Mrs. Ellen G. White. Battle Creek,
Michigan: Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1880.

Wilcox, Francis McLellan. The Testimony of Jesus. Takoma Park, Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1934.

Wilson, Neal C. "The Ellen G White Writings and the Church." Review and Herald, July
9, 1981, pp.4-7.

Wilson, Neal C. "This I Believe about Ellen White." Review and Herald, March 20, 1980,
pp.8-10.

Winslow, Guy H. "Ellen Gould White and Seventh-day Adventism." Ph.D. dissertation,
Clark University, 1933.

2. Unpublished Material

"Bibliography of Ellen G. White's Private and Office Libraries." Compiled by Warren H.

Jones, Tim Poirier, and Ron Graybill. First revised edition. Ellen G White Estate, May
1982.

Graybill, Ron. "E. G. White's Literary Work: An Update." Aspire tape, March 1982.

Heise, Lyell Vernon. "The Christology of Ellen G. White Letter 8, 1895: an Historical,
Contextual and Analytical Study." Research paper, Andrews University, 1975. Typescript.
James White Library, Heritage Room.

Letter Olson, R. W., to E. C. Webster, July 16, 1981.

Poirier, Tim. "A Comparison of the Christology of Ellen White and Henry Melvin." Ellen
White Estate. Typescript. April 1982.

III. Selected Bibliography - Ellet Joseph Waggoner Primary Sources

A. Primary Sources arranged chronologically.

1. Books and Pamphlets.

2. Journal Articles.

B. Secondary Sources, arranged alphabetically.

A. Primary Sources

1. Books and Pamphlets by Ellet Joseph Waggoner

Honor Due to God. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1884.

A Series of Readings Covering a Portion of the Ground Embraced in the Bible Course at
Healdsbrug College, 1883-1884. 1st and 2nd editions.

2 Vols. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, [n.d.] .

The Gospel in the Book of Galatians: A Review. A letter to George I. Butler, dated
February 10, 1887. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1888. Republished by
the Judgment Hour Publishing Company, 309 Chevallum Road, Palmwoods, Queensland,
Australia.

Fathers of the Catholic Church. Oakland, California: Pacific Press Publishing Company,
1888.

Prophetic Lights: Some of the Prominent Prophecies of the Old and New Testaments,
Interpreted by the Bible and History. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1889.

Baptism: Its Significance. Bible Student's Library, No. 79. Oakland: Pacific Press
Publishing Company, 1890.

Christ and His Righteousness. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1890. In
1972 a facsimile reproduction of the original edition was issued by Southern Publishing
Association, Nashville, Tennessee.

The Full Assurance of Faith. Bible Student's Library, No. 64. Oakland: Pacific Press
Publishing Company, 1890.

Living by Faith: Christian Growth. Bible Student's Library, No. 75. Oakland: Pacific
Press Publishing Company, 1890.

The Sure Foundation and the Keys of the Kingdom. Bible Student's Library, No. 63.
Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, [1890?].

Bible Studies on the Book of Romans. Baker, Oregon: A. L. Hudson, [n.d] A facsimile
reproduction from the 1891 General Conference Bulletin.

Sunday: The Origin of Its Observance in the Christian Church. Bible Student's Library,
No. 80. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, [1891?] .

How to Get Knowledge. Apples of Gold Library, No. 4. Oakland, California: Pacific Press
Publishing Company, 1893.
The Rest That Remains for the People of God. Bible Student's Library, No. 101. Oakland:
Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1893.

The Power of Forgiveness. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1894.

The Gospel in Creation. London: International Tract Society, 1895.

The Cross of Christ. Apples of Gold Library, No. 15. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing
Company, 1894.

Foreknowledge and Foreordination. Apples of Gold Library, No. 41. Oakland: Pacific
Press Publishing Company, 1897.

Letter and Spirit. Apples of Gold Library, No. 37. Oakland: Pacific Press Publishing
Company, 1897.

Salvation in Jesus Christ. Apples of Gold Library, No. 64. Oakland: Pacific Press
Publishing Company, 1899.

The Everlasting Covenant. London: International Tract Society, 1900.

The Glad Tidings. London: International Tract Society, 1900. Republished by the
Judgment Hour Publishing Company in unedited and unrevised form.

The Glad Tidings. Edited and revised by Robert J. Wieland. Nashville: Southern
Publishing Association, 1972.

Confession of Faith. [n.p.] [1916?] Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.

James White Library, Heritage Room.

2. Journal Articles

"Lesson for the Pacific Coast." The Signs of the Times, June 5, 1884, p.342.

"An Important Question." The Signs of the Times, June 19, 1884, pp.377,378.

"Nature of the Law." The Signs of the Times, June 26, 1884, p.392.

"Condemned and Justified." The Signs of the Times, July 3, 1884, pp.408,409.

"A New Creature in Christ." The Signs of the Times, July 17, 1884, pp.424,425.

"Christ the End of the Law." Nos. 1 & 2. The Signs of the Times, July 24, 1884, p.442;
August 7, 1884, pp.473,474.
"Eternal Life." The Signs of the Times, August 28, 1884.

"Under the Law." Parts 1 n 4. The Signs of the Times, August 28, p.520; September 4,
p.537; September 11, pp.553,554; September 18, 1884, pp.569,570.

"The Mission of Christ." The Signs of the Times, October 30, 1884, pp.649,650.

"Eternal Life." The Signs of the Times, December 4, 1884.

"The Inheritance of the Saints." The Signs of the Times, February 12, 1885, p.102.

"Which is Evangelical?" The Signs of the Times, November 12, 1885, p.681.

"Judged by the Law." The Signs of the Times, November 26, 1885, pp. 712,713.

"Principles and Precepts." The Signs of the Times, December 17, 1885, pp.760,761.

"Nature of the Law." Parts 1 & 2. The Signs of the Times, January 21, 1886, pp.39,40;
January 28, 1886, p.55.

"Jurisdiction of the Law." Parts 1 - 4. The Signs of the Times, February 4, pp.71,72;
February 11, p.87; February 18, pp.103,104; February 25, 1886, p.119.

"Justified by Faith." The Signs of the Times, March 25, 1886, pp.183,184.

"Justification and Sanctification." The Signs of the Times, April 1, 1886, pp.199,200.

"Under the Law." Parts 1 - 4. The Signs of the Times, May 6, pp.263,264; May 13,
pp.278,279; May 27, p.310; June 3, 1886, pp.326,327.

"Brief Comments on Romans 7." Parts 1 & 2. The Signs of the Times, June 17, 1886,
pp.359,360; June 24, 1886, p.374.

"Comments on Galatians 3." Nos. 1 - 9. The Signs of the Times, July 8, 1886, p.406; July
15, 1886, pp.422,423; July 22, 1886, p.438; July 29, 1886, p.454; August 5, 1886, p.470;
August 12, 1886, p.486; August 19, 1886, p.502; August 26, 1886, pp.518,519;
September 2, 1886, pp.534,535.

"Did the Patriarchs Know Christ?" The Signs of the Times, December 30, 1886, p.790.

"Things We Should Know." Nos. 1 & 2. The Signs of the Times, January 27, 1887, p.54;
February 10, 1887, p.86.

"Different Kinds of Righteousness." The Signs of the Times, February 24, 1888, p.119.

"The Oracles of God." Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, July 1888, p.106.
"Lawful Use of the Law." The Signs of the Times, July 13, 1888, p.422.

"Editorial Correspondence." The Signs of the Times, November 2, 1888, p.662.

"Thine is the Glory." Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, December 1888, pp.185,186.

"God Manifest in the Flesh." The Signs of the Times, January 21, 1889, pp.38,39.

"The Divinity of Christ." The Signs of the Times,

March 25, 1889, p.182;

April 1, 1889, p.198;

April 8, 1889, p.214;

April 15, 1889, p.230;

April 22, 1889, pp.246,247;

May 6, 1889, p.262.

"The Divinity of Christ." Bible Echo and Signs of the Times,

September 1, 1889, pp.265,266;

September 16, 1889, pp.281,282;

October 1, 1889, pp.297,298;

October 15, 1889, pp.313,314;

November 1, 1889, p.330.

The articles on the "Divinity of Christ" in the Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times are
basically a reprint of the series first appearing in The Signs of the Times.

"The Issues of the Present Time." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, March 1, 1890,
p.74.

"Real Forgiveness." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, June 15, 1890, p.186.

"How Righteousness is Obtained." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, November 1,
1890, p.330.
"How Righteousness is of the Times, Obtained." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times,
September 1, 1891, pp.265,266.

"Bible Study Letter to the Romans –

No. 1." General Conference Bulletin, March 8, 1891, pp. 33, 34.

No. 2 March 9, 1891, pp.45, 46

No. 3. March 10, 1891, pp.63, 64

No. 4. March 11, 1891, pp.74, 75

No. 5. March 12, 1891, pp.85, 86

No. 6. March 13, 1891, pp.101, 102

No. 7. March 15, 1891, pp.115-117

No. 8. March 16, 1891, pp.127-131

No. 9. March 17, 1891, pp.135-140

No. 10. March 18, 1891, pp.155-160

No. 11. March 19, 1891, pp.170-174

No. 12. March 20, 1891, pp.185-189

No. 13. March 22, 1891, pp.199-n204

No. 14. March 23, 1891, pp.212-216.

No. 15. March 24, 1891, pp.227-231.

No. 16. March 25, 1891, pp.238-246.

"The Christian a Debtor." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, June 15, 1891,
pp.185,186.

"Unprofitable Servants." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, February 1, 1892, p.41.

"Christ the End of the Law." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, February 15, 1892,
p.57.
"The Unconquerable Life." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, October 15, 1892,
pp.313,314.

"Baptism - Its Significance." The Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, February 15,
1893, p.58.

"Baptism - Its Significance n The New Life in Christ." The Bible Echo and The Signs of
the Times, March 1, 1893, pp.73,74.

"Life in Christ." The Signs of the Times. Vol. 19, No. 19, March 13, 1893, pp.291,292.

"Good Works." The Signs of the Times, March 20, 1893, pp.307,308.

"The Unconquerable Life." The Signs of the Times, March 27, 1893, p.323.

"What is the Gospel?" Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, May 1, 1893, p.138.

"Christ the Life-Giver." The Signs of the Times, June 5, 1893, p.471.

"The Work of the Gospel." Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, June 15, 1893, p. 202.

The Power Given to God’s People." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, July 1, 1893,
pp218, 219.

The Power of the Resurrection." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, August 1, 1893,
pp. 250, 251.

"The Power of Forgiveness." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, November 1, 1893,
pp. 345, 346.

"Creative Power." Bible Echo and The Signs of the Times, December 8, 1893, pp. 385,
386.

"Studies in Romans: The Salutation." The Present Truth, June 21, 1894, pp. 388-391. For
the ensuing series on Romans totaling 38 which ran from June 21, 1894 to August 1,
1895, see McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, pp. 215-217. The
same series ran in The Signs of the Times from November 7, 1895 to September 10, 1896.
See Ibid., pp. 234-236.

"God’s Glory His Gospel." The Signs of the Times, July 25, 1895, p. 449.

"Judaism and Christianity." The Signs of the Times, August 1, 1895, pp.466,467.

"They Cannot Be Separated." The Signs of the Times, September 19, 1895, pp.577,578.
"The Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ." The Present Truth, Vol. 12, No. 2, January 9,
1896, pp.17-19.

"Studies in the Book of Hebrews - No. 1." General Conference Bulletin, February 12,
1897, pp.6-9.

No. 2. February 15, 1897, pp.23z26.

No. 3. February 16, 1897, pp.33-36.

No. 4. February 16, 1897, pp.43-46.

No. 5. February 17, 1897, pp.56-58.

No. 6. February 18, 1897, pp.67n72.

No. 7. February 19, 1897, pp.84n89.

No. 8. February 22, 1897, pp.99-105.

No. 9. February 23, 1897, pp.155-159.

No. 10. February 26, 1897, pp.208-212.

No. 11. March 3, 1897, pp.232-237.

No. 12. March 4, 1897, pp.247-252.

No. 13. March 4, 1897, pp.253n254.

No. 14. March 5, 1897, pp.264-269.

No. 15. March 5, 1897, pp.269n275.

No. 16. March 8, 1897, pp.297-303.

No. 17. Volume II, No. 1, pp.5-8.

No. 18. Volume II, No. 1, pp.9-14.

"Galatians 1:1-5." The Signs of the Times, November 24, 1898, pp.738-740. For the
remaining 20 articles on Galatians which appeared in the ensuing issues of The Signs of
the Times, see McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, pp.237,238.

"The Gospel of Isaiah: The Great Case at Law." The Present Truth, January 5, 1899, pp.2-
5. For the details on the ensuing series on "The Gospel of Isaiah" which ran in The
Present Truth from January 5, 1899 to June 21, 1900, see McMahon, Ellet Joseph
Waggoner: The Myth and the Man, pp.220-228.

"The Spirit of Prophecy." General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 2. February 17, 1899,
pp.13,14.

"True Education." General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 7, February 23, 1899,
pp.70n72.

"The Water of Life." General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 8, No. 8. February 24, 1899,
pp.79,80.

"The Wondrous Name." The Present Truth, Vol. 15, No. 18, May 4, 1899, pp.273,274.

"The Miraculous Birth." The Present Truth, December 20, 1900, pp.801,802.

"Suffering in the Flesh." The Present Truth, Vol. 17, No. 7. February 17, 1901, pp.98,99.

"Bible Study." General Conference Bulletin, Vol. IV, Extra No. 3, April 5, 1901, pp.78-
83.

"Sermon." General Conference Bulletin, Vol. IV, Extra No. 6, April 9, 1901, pp.145-150.

"Bible Study." General Conference Bulletin. Vol. IV, Extra No. 10, April 14, 1901,
pp.220-224.

"Sermon." General Conference Bulletin, Vol. IV, Extra No. 17, April 22, 1901, pp.403-
408.

"The Gospel of the Kingdom." European Conference Bulletin, May 22, 1902, pp.62-64.

"The Manger and the Cross." Review and Herald, January 6, 1903, p.9.

"The Gospel of the Kingdom." General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 5, April 3, 1903,
pp.68-72.

"Co-workers with God." Medical Missionary, April 1903, pp.89-94.

"Study of Education." General Conference Bulletin, Vol. 5, No. 11, April 1903,
pp.175,176; 189-192; 198,199.

"Present Truth." Medical Missionary, August 1903, pp.196-198; September 1903,

pp.221-224.

"The Common Life." Medical Missionary, October 1903, pp.252-254.

"Healing through Faith, or Divine Healing." Medical Missionary, November 1903,
pp.274-277; December 1903, pp.300-302; January 1904, pp. 11-13.

"Daily Bread for Christian Workers." Medical Missionary, April 1904, pp.123z127.

"Daily 8read for Christian Workers." Medical Missionary, May 1904, pp.160-164.

"Daily Bread for Christian Workers." Medical Missionary, June 1904, pp.194-199.

"Daily Bread for Christian Workers." Medical Missionary, September 1904, pp.283-287.

"Daily Bread for Christian Workers." Medical Missionary, November 1904, pp.347-352.

"Daily Bread for Christian Workers." Medical Missionary, December 1904, pp.379-385.

"Saving, Not Stoning, Sinners." Medical Missionary, January 1905, pp.2,3.

"He Bore our Sicknesses." Medical Missionary, Vol. 14, No. 4, April 1905, pp.97-100.

"New Light and New Sight." Medical Missionary, May 1905, pp.130,131.

For a fairly complete listing of all the journal articles written by E. J. Waggoner between
1884 and 1905, consult McMahon, Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and Man, pp.207-
238.

B. Secondary Sources consisting of Books, Dissertations, Documents and Letters,

arranged alphabetically

It should be noted that some of the works listed under the General Bibliography would be
of help in the study of E. J. Waggoner. Special mention should be made of: Daniells,
Christ Our Righteousness; Froom, Movement of Destiny; Olson, Through Crisis to
Victory; Spear, "The Personality of Christ"; Wieland and Short, 1888 Re-examined.

Butler, George I., The Law in the Book of Galatians: Is it the Moral Law, or Does It
Refer to that System of Laws Peculiarly Jewish? Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and
Herald Publishing House, 1886.

Coetzee, A. O. Letter to E. C. Webster. July 27, 1982.

Haddock, Robert. "A History of the Doctrine of the Sanctuary in the Advent Movement:
1800-1905." 8.D. thesis, Andrews University, 1970.
Haloviak, Bert. "Ellen White and A. T. Jones at Ottawa 1889: Diverging Paths from
Minneapolis." Archives of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists,
Washington, D.C., 1981.

Haloviak, Bert. Letter to E. C. Webster. August 3, 1982.

Howard, Pearl Waggoner. "Dr. E. J. Waggoner: Bibliographical Sketch and Background."

E. G. White S.D.A. Research Center, Newbold College, England. [n.d] .

McCurdy, Jr. Robert A. "A Lesson From the Apostasy of E. J. Waggoner and A. T. Jones."
A class paper presented at Andrews University. James White Library. Heritage Room,
1975.

McMahon, David P. Ellet Joseph Waggoner: The Myth and the Man. Fallbrook,
California: Verdict Publications, 1979.

Schwarz, Richard W. Letter to E. C. Webster. June 23, 1982.

Rendalen, Age. "The Nature and Extent of Ellen White's Endorsement of Waggoner and
Jones." Research Paper, School of Graduate Studies. Andrews University, December
1978.

Smith, Uriah. "First Day's Proceedings." General Conference Daily Bulletin 2. No. 1,
October 19, 1888, p.2.

Smith, Uriah. "Second Day's Proceedings." General Conference Daily Bulletin 2. No. 1,
October 19, 1888, p.2.

Smith, Uriah. "Third Day's Proceedings." General Conference Daily Bulletin 2. No. 2,
October 21, 1888, pp.1-3.

Smith, Uriah. "Eighth Day's Proceedings." General Conference Daily Bulletin 2. No. 7,
October 26, 1888, p.3.

White, Arthur L. "What Became of A. T. Jones and E. J. Waggoner?" Statement prepared

by A. L. White, secretary of the Ellen G. White Estate, Washington, D.C. August 1967.

Wieland, R. J. The 1888 Message: An Introduction. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern

Publishing Association, 1980.

Wieland, Robert J, and Short, Donald K. "An Explicit Confession Due to the Church."
[n.p.] published by the authors. Heritage Room, Loma Linda University Library,
California, 1972.

IV. Selected Bibliography - Edward Heppenstall

A. Primary Sources, arranged chronologically.

1. Books, Pamphlets and Syllabi.

2. Journal Articles.

B. Secondary sources arranged alphabetically.

A. Primary Sources

1. Books, Pamphlets and Syllabi

Syllabus for the Epistles of Paul. Theology Department. La Sierra College, Arlington,
California. August 1946. Typescript.

Syllabus for the Revelation. Theology Department. La Sierra College, Arlington,

California. 1947. Typescript.

"The Covenants and the Law." Our Firm Foundation. Vol. 1. Washington, D.C.: Review
and Herald Publishing Association, 1953, pp.437n492.

Syllabus for Bible Doctrines. Vol. 1. Theology Department. La Sierra College, Arlington,
California. [n.d.] .Typescript.

Syllabus for Bible Doctrines. Vol. 11. Theology Department. La Sierra College,
Arlington, California. 1955. Typescript.

Syllabus for Grace and Law. Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary. July 1957;
January 1958; July 1961. (All three are identical in content). Typescript.

Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary. Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

Washington, D.C. January 1958.

Syllabus for Righteousness by Faith. Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

August 1959. Typescript.

"Theological Answer to Perfectionist Doctrine." Typescript document. In possession of

author of this dissertation.

"The Law in Adventist Theology and Christian Experience." Doctrinal Discussions.

Prepared by the Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, [1962?], pp.11-26.

"The Hour of God's Judgment is Come." Doctrinal Discussions. Washington, D.C.:

Review and Herald Publishing Association. [1962?], pp.
158-186.

Is Perfection Possible? Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association.

[1964?]

"The Nature of Revelation." Unpublished manuscript. [n.d.]

"Some Theological Considerations of Perfection." Supplement to The Ministry.

Washington, D.C.: General Conference Ministerial Association. [n.d] , pp.17-23.

Syllabus for Doctrine of the Atonement. Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary.

Andrews University, 1966. The same content as Syllabus for Doctrine of the Sanctuary.

Our High Priest. Jesus Christ in the Heavenly Sanctuary. Washington, D.C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1972.

Existentialism: a Survey and Assessment. (By Edward Heppenstall...et a.). Supplement to

The Ministry. Washington, D.C.: General Conference Ministerial Association. [n. d] .

Access to God: Through Special or Natural Revelation. Loma Linda, California: Loma
Linda University, Division of Religion, 1974.

Salvation Unlimited. Perspectives in Righteousness by Faith. Washington, D.C.: Review

and Herald Publishing Association, 1974.

In Touch with God. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1975.

"Let Us Go on to Perfection," Perfection, the Impossible Possibility. Nashville,

Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1975, pp.57-88.

The Man Who is God. A Study of the Person and Nature of Jesus, Son of God and Son of
Man. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1977.

"Subjective and Objective Aspects of the Atonement." The Sanctuary and the Atonement.
Editors A. V. Wallenkampf and W. Richard Lesher. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1981, pp.667-693.

2. Journal Articles

"The Foundation of the Adventist Faith." The Ministry, August 1956, pp.29-32. Reprinted
in The Ministry, August 1965, pp.3n6,13.

"Daniel 8:14 in Perspective." The Ministry, October 1956.

"Constructing a Sound Theology." The Ministry, April 1957, pp.18-22.

"Theological Seminary Extension School in Australia." Review and Herald, March 13,
1958, p.23.

"The Love Your Heart is Needing." The Signs of the Times, April 1958, pp.21-23.

"With the World Field in a World Task." The Ministry, June 1958, pp.13-15.

"Creative Preaching and Teaching." The Ministry, September 1958, pp.4-7.

"The Law in Adventist Theology and Christian Experience." The Ministry, June 1960,
pp.4n11.

"The Hour of God's Judgment is Come." The Ministry, June 1961, pp.8-13,30,31.

"The Hour of God's Judgment is Come." The Ministry, July 1961, pp.6-13,38.

"On the Frontiers with Seminary Training." Review and Herald, September 27, 1962,
pp.16,17.

"Should Christians Keep the Ten Commandments?" Part 1. The Signs of the Times,
September 1962, pp. 21n23.

"Should Christians Keep the Ten Commandments?" Part 2. The Signs of the Times,
October 1962, pp.20,21.

"SDA Seminary Western Extension School." Review and Herald, April 11, 1963, p.20.

"Is Perfection Possible?" The Signs of the Times, December 1963, pp.10,11,30.

"I Believe in Life after Death." The Signs of the Times, April 1964, pp.13,14.

"Seminary Extension School in England." Review and Herald, September 3, 1964.

"Law and Covenant at Sinai." Andrews University Seminary Studies. Vol. 11, 1964,
pp.18n26.

"Getting Rid of Sin." The Signs of the Times, August 1965, pp.12,13

"Why Don't We Delight in God's Law?" These Times, September 1965, pp.24-26.

"Achored to Christ." The Signs of the Times, June 1966.

"Dissension in the Church." Review and Herald, August 18, 1966, pp.2,3.

"In Spirit or In Letter." Review and Herald, August 25, 1966, pp.8,9.
"The Gospel of Reconciliation." Review and Herald, September 1, 1966, pp.2,3,5.

"How Rich are You?" Review and Herald, September 8, 1966, pp.8,9.

"Can Man be Really Free?" These Times, February 1967, pp.10,11,23.

"The Final Authority." These Times, June 1967, pp.4-7.

"Does Gospel Nullify Law?" The Signs of the Times, August 1967, pp.12-14.

"Can You Stand Persecution?" These Times, July 1968, pp.4-6.

"Dangers of Existentialism." Part 1. The Ministry, October 1968, pp.13,14,42.

"Dangers of Existentialism." Part 11. The Ministry, November 1968, pp.28-30.

"What is Man Worth?" These Times, January 1969, pp.4-7.

"Should Christians Obey the Law of God?" These Times, March 1969, pp.10-13; reprint
April 1974, pp.16-19.

"Why you Need the Bible Now." The Signs of the Times, March 1970, pp.6,7.

"The Doctrine of Revelation and Inspiration." Parts 1 & 11. The Ministry, July 1970,
pp.16-19; August 1970, pp.28-31.

"The Holy Spirit and You." These Times, November 1970, pp.17-20.

"Joel, the Prophet Who Announced the Day of the Lord." Review and Herald, April 8,
1971.

"Things Which Cannot be Shaken." These Times, January 1972, pp.3-5.

"How God Works to Save Us." These Times, February 1973, pp.12-15.

"The Invitation." These Times, March 1973, pp.4,5.

"Tongues in the Corinthian Church." The Ministry, March 1974, pp.9-11.

"Who Will Plead my Case?" These Times. May 1975, pp.11-13.

"God Will Win." The Signs of the Times. November 1975, pp.14-16.

"Let the Bible be Studied." These Times. December 1975, pp.24n26.

"Christ Our High Priest: Sin, Salvation, and the Sanctuary." The Ministry. March 1977,
pp.13-16.

"Your Turn in Court." These Times. September 1977, pp.14-16.

"Creed, Authority and Freedom." The Ministry. April 1979, pp.12-14.

"The Year-day Principle in Prophecy." The Ministry. October 1981, pp.16-19.

"The Pre-Advent Judgment." The Ministry December 1981, pp.12-15.

B. Secondary Sources

Carner, Vern, compiler. The Stature of Christ, Essays in Honor of Edward Heppenstall.
Collected and published by Vern Carner and Gary Stanhiser. Loma Linda, California:
privately printed and published, 1970.

Coetzee, A. O. Letter to E. C. Webster. July 27, 1982. In possession of E. C. Webster.

Heppenstall, Margit S. To W. G. C. Murdoch. March 15, 1970. Ellen G. White Research

Center. Andrews University.

Larson, Ralph. "In Sorrow, Not in Anger: A Consideration of the Recent Theological
Emphases of Dr. Edward G. Heppenstall." Typescript. In possession of E. C. Webster. [n.
d] .

Pangman, George W. "A Comparison of Views on the Doctrine of Atonement as held by

M. L. Andreasen, L. E. Froom, and Edward Heppenstall." A term paper. Theological
Seminary. Andrews University, 1976. E G White Research Center, Andrews University.

V. Selected Bibliography - Herbert E. Douglass

A. Primary Sources, arranged chronologically.

1. Books, Dissertations, Documents and Pamphlets.

2. Journal Articles.

3. Unpublished Material.

B. Secondary sources.
A. Primary Sources

1. Books, Dissertations, Documents and Pamphlets.

Encounter with Brunner. An Analysis of Emil Brunner's Proposed Transcendence of the

Subjectivism-Objectivism Dichotomy in its Relation to Christian Proclamation. May
1964. Microfilm-xerography. University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.A., 1974.

If I Had One Sermon to Preach. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1972.

Why I Joined. Editor Thomas A Davis. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1972.

What Ellen White Has Meant to Me. Edited by Herbert E. Douglass. Washington, D.C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1973.

We Found This Faith. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association,
1974.

"The Unique Contribution of Adventist Eschatology." North American Bible Conference,

1974. Washington: General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1974.

"Men of Faith - The Showcase of God's Grace." Perfection, The Impossible Possibility.
Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1975, pp.13-56.

Why Jesus Waits. Edited by Thomas A Davis. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1976.

"Jesus, the Model Man." Adult Sabbath School Lesson. Mountain View, California:
Pacific Press Publishing Association, April-June 1977.

Jesus n The Benchmark of Humanity. Co-author Van Dolson, Leo. Nashville, Tennessee:
Southern Publishing Association, 1977.

Faith, Saying yes to God. Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1978.

The End. Unique Voice of Adventists About the Return of Jesus. Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1979.

Parable of the Hurricane. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing

Association, 1980.
How to Survive the Eighties. Co-author Walton, Lewis R. Mountain View, California:
Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1982.

2. Journal Articles.

"Hastening the Advent." Parts 1 - 4. Gleaner, Official organ of the Atlantic Union
Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Volume LX,

No. 31, August 7, 1961, pp.1,2;

No. 32, August 14, 1961, pp.1,2;

No. 33, August 21, 1961, pp.1,2;

No. 34, August 28, 1961, pp.1,2.

"Beyond Excellence." Review and Herald, January 29, 1970, pp.12,13.

"The Modern Cry for Relevance." Parts 1 - 7. Review and Herald,

Part 1. February 19, 1970, p.15;

Part 2. "Self-Authenticating Truth." February 26, 1970, p.12;

Part 3. "Separating the Head from the Heart." March 5, 1970, pp.15,16;

Part 4. "The Search for Relevancy." March 12, 1970, pp.14,15;

Part 5. "The Collapse of Certainty in Modern Times." March 19, 1970, pp. 15,16;

Part 6. "Faith, the Free Response of a Convinced Man." March 26, 1970, pp.11,12;

Part 7. "The Rock of Christian Faith." April 2,1970, pp.13,14.

"Is Ecology a Legitimate Concern for Adventists?" Parts 1 - 3. Review and Herald,

Part 1, April 16, 1970, p.13;

Part 2. "Quality of Present Life Determines Fitness to Live Forever." April 23, 1970,
p.12;

Part 3. "Adventist Contribution in Environmental Control." April 30, 1970, pp.12,13.

"The Age of Aquarius n for Real." Review and Herald, June 4, 1970, p.8.
"Advent Waits for God's Exhibit A." Review and Herald, August 13, 1970, p.7.

"Truth with Urgency." Review and Herald, August 20, 1970, pp.5-7.

"Regard for Purpose on the Adventist Campus." Parts 1 & 2. Review and Herald.

Part 1. September 3, 1970, pp.16,17.

Part 2. "No Cut-Rate Purpose." September 10, 1970, pp.15,16.

"How Far is a Year?" Review and Herald, January 7, 1971, pp.14,15.

"The 'Clean Life' Pays Off." Review and Herald, February 25, 1971, p.11.

"Lessons from the Apostles." Parts 1 - 7. Review and Herald.

Part 1. July 15, 1971, p.12.

Part 2. "How Diverse Church Members Find Unity." July 22, 1971, p.13.

Part 3. "Thinkers and Mavericks." July 29, 1971, p.12.

Part 4. "How to Become a Tenfold Child of the Devil." August 5, 1971, p.14.

Part 5. "How to be Deceived by Reason." August 26, 1971, pp.14,15.

Part 6. "How Greed Warps a Man's World." September 2, 1971, pp.15,16.

Part 7. "The Peculiar Temptation of Successful People." September 16, 1971, p.12.

"Gallup Poll Highlights Adventists." Review and Herald, August 6, 1970, pp.14,15.

"Noise, One of Life's Cruelest Enemies." Review and Herald, December 9, 1971,
pp.14,15.

"Cancer and a Meat Diet." Review and Herald, December 2, 1971, p.14.

"The Humanity of the Son of God is Everything to Us." Parts 1 - 3. Review and Herald.
Part 1. December 23, 1971, pp.12,13.

Part 2. "Jesus Showed Us the Possible." December 30, 1971, pp.16,17.

Part 3. "The Demonstration that Settles Everything." January 6, 1972, pp. 13,14.

"A Nonsmoking Society Makes Sense." February 10, 1972, p.14. Review and Herald,
"Why Jesus is Exalted." Review and Herald, 24, 1972, pp.13,14.

"Why the World Needs Mission '72." Review and Herald, March 16, 1972, pp.4-6.

"U.S. Population Growth Rate Declines." Review and Herald, April 6, 1972, pp.16,17.

"Unhappy People Outnumbered Four to One." Review and Herald, April 27, 1972,
pp.10,11.

"Adventist Leadership in Ecology." Review and Herald, May 4, 1972, p.14.

"Concepts of Jesus Affect Personality." Review and Herald, August 31, 1972, p.12.

"The Essence of New Testament Preaching." Parts 1 & 2. The Ministry.

Part 1. October 1972, pp. 24-27.

Part 2. November 1972, pp.33-36.

Why the Angels Sang." Review and Herald, December 21, 1972, p.11.

"Where is Your Faith?" Review and Herald, January 4, 1973, pp.10,11.

What Does the Return of Pentecostal Power Mean?" Parts 1 - 3. Review and Herald.

Part 1. March 15, 1973, pp.11.12.

Part 2. "Why Gifts were Given to the Church." March 22, 1973, p.11.

Part 3. "God Waits for the Fruit of the Spirit. "April 5, 1973, pp.14,15.

"The Kind of Person Who Will Finish the Work." Parts 1 - 4. Review and Herald.

Part 1. August 2, 1973, p.13.

Part 2. "How Not to Let the Past Warp the Future." August 9, 1973, p.10.

Part 3. "The Holy Spirit Refreshes as Well as Empowers." August 16, 1973, p.12.

Part 4. "No Anxiety in the Man of Faith." August 30, 1973, p.11.

"Why Jesus Waits." Review and Herald, October 4, 1973, pp.5,6.

"Contrasting Voices Proclaim the Advent." Parts 1 - 8. Review and Herald.

Part 1. September 20, 1973, pp.12,13.

Part 2. "Four Main Groups in Conflict Over Doctrine of the Advent." September 27,
1973, p.9.

Part 3. "A Look at a 'Secret-Rapture' 8estnseller." October 18, 1973, p.10.

Part 4. "Why the 'Secret Rapture' Doctrine is Wrong." October 25, 1973, pp.11,12.

Part 5. "Overlooking Conditional Prophecy Creates Havoc." November 8, 1 973,

pp.11,12.

Part 6. "No Prophetic Destiny for Modern Israel." November 22, 1973, p.9.

Part 7. "Transition from Israel to the Church." November 29, 1973, pp.11,12.

Part 8. "Jesus Waits for a Quality People." December 6, 1973, pp.9.10.

"Emmanuel - God With Us." Review and Herald, December 20, 1973, pp.11,12.

"Why God is Urgent - and Yet Waits." Review and Herald. May 16, 1974, pp.21-23.

"Christ's Object Lessons - Ellen White's Eschatological Principle." Parts 1 - 8. Review

and Herald.

Part 1. May 23, 1974, p.12.

Part 2. "A Special Truth and a Special Work." June 6, 1974, p.14.

Part 3. "Truth Understood Only by Men of Faith." June 20, 1974, p.11.

Part 4. "God Stakes His Honor on a Victorious " People." July 4, 1974, pp.15,16.

Part 5. "Fitness for Heaven, Now." July 18, 1974, p.11.

Part 6. "Not Entrapped by Cheap Grace." August 1, 1974, pp.17,18.

Part 7. "Sanctification Not Imputed." August 15, 1974, pp.13,14.

Part 8. "Heaven Waits for Human Channels." August 29, 1974, pp.13,14.

No Prophetic Significance for Modern Israel." These Times, August 1974, pp.3-5.

"God Does Not Play Word Games." The Ministry, October 1974, pp.36,37.

"Does Jesus Wait for More Evil Before He can Return?" Review and Herald, November
7, 1974, pp.20,21.
"The Mystery of the Manger." Review and Herald, December 19, 1974, p.15.

"How to Cut Health Care by 40 Per Cent." Review and Herald, January 16, 1975, p.16.

"What is the 'Gospel of the Kingdom'?" Parts 1 - 6. Review and Herald,

Part 1. February 6, 1975, pp.15,16.

Part 2. "Finishing the Gospel Commission. Salvation's Gift is Not Free." February 20,
1975, pp.13,14.

Part 3. "Finishing the Gospel Commission. Faith is More than Belief."

March 6, 1975, pp.15,16.

Part 4. "Finishing the Gospel Commission. Faith the Opposite of Rebellion." March 20,
1975, pp.13,14.

Part 5. "Finishing the Gospel Commission. Faith Condemns Sin in the Flesh." April 3,

1975, p.13.

Part 6. "Finishing the Gospel Commission. Faith, the Key to the 'Last Generation'." April
17, 1975, pp.13,14.

"How the Church Becomes Convincing." Parts 1 - 5. Review and Herald.

Part 1. May 15, 1975, p.12.

Part 2. "The Church is God's Idea, Not Man's." May 29, 1975, p.12.

Part 3. "Personal Faith, the Door and Window of the Church." June 5,1975, pp.14,15.

Part 4. "Organizational Concepts Overshadow Fellowship." June 19, 1975, pp.11,12.

Part 5. "The Sermon Reveals the Church's Health." August 21, 1975, pp.14,15.

"Why God Waits." These Times, July 1975, pp.8-11.

"Importance of the Sanctuary Truth." Parts 1 - 8. Review and Herald.

Part 1. September 4, 1975, p.13.

Part 2. "What Satan Fears Most." September 18, 1975, pp.13,14.

Part 3. "The Vindication of God." October 2, 1975, pp.12,13.

Part 4. "The Historical Anchor." October 23, 1975, pp.10,11.

Part 5. "The Mediator's Two-fold Role." October 30, 1975, pp.12,13.

Part 6. "God's Purpose Through a Symbol." November 6, 1975, pp.10,11.

Part 7. "The Christian Church in Type." November 27, 1975, pp.9,10.

Part 8. "Why Time Lingers." December 4, 1975, pp.10,11.

"Meet the Man Who Makes Us Human." Review and Herald, Special Anniversary Issue.
Vol. 152, No. 51. December 1975, pp.36-38.

"Health Ministry, a Means or an End?" Parts 1 - 3. Review and Herald.

Part 1. January 15, 1976, pp.15,16.

Part 2. "The Humanitarian Impulse or the Soteriological Principle?" January 29, 1976,
pp.11,12.

Part 3. "The Means for Perfecting a People." February 5, 1976, pp.14,15.

"Christ Our High Priest: Pardon and Power." The Ministry, March 1977, pp.9-13.

"To Earth With Love." These Times, December 1977, p.28.

"Paxton's Misunderstanding of Adventism." Spectrum. Vol. 9, No. 3. July 1978, pp.31-37.

"They Refused 'To Know'." These Times, July 1978, p.26.

"God's Long-Awaited Harvest." The Signs of the Times, July 1979, pp.13,14.

"How Near is Near?" Parts 1 & 11. Insight.

Part 1. October 7, 1980, pp.5-8.

Part 2. October 14, 1980, pp.7-10.

"God on Trial." The Ministry, May 1982, pp.7-9.

3. Unpublished Material

Douglass, Herbert E. Letter to E. C. Webster. October 20, 1972. In personal possession of

author of this dissertation.
Webster, E C. Letter to Herbert E. Douglass. November 17, 1972.

Douglass, Herbert E. Letter to E. C. Webster. January 18, 1973. In personal possession of

author of this dissertation.

"Compilations by Herbert Douglass." Mimeographed Document. Handed to M. R.

Thurber during the Righteousness by Faith Task Force Meeting in January 1975. 12
pages. Obtainable from Biblical Research Institute, Washington, D.C.

"A Condensed Summary of the Historic SDA Positions on the Humanity of Jesus."
Mimeographed Document. Being a collection of statements and articles by Seventh-day
Adventists on the humanity of Jesus. [1975?]. Obtainable from the Biblical' Research
Institute, Washington, D.C.

"An Historical Footnote." Mimeographed Document regarding Questions on Doctrine.

[1975?], 6 pages. Obtainable from the Biblical Research Institute, Washington, D.C.

"An Historical Note on the 1895 Baker Letter." Mimeographed Document. April 2, 1975.
12 pages. Obtainable from the Biblical Research Institute, Washington, D.C.

"An Unidentified Paper dealing with Christology and Soteriology, with no Title."
Mimeographed Document. [1975?] . 22 pages. Obtainable from Biblical Research
Institute, Washington, D.C.

"The Humanity of Jesus." Mimeographed Document. [n.d]. 20 pages. Obtainable from

the Biblical Research Institute, Washington, D.C.

"What is the Gospel?" Mimeographed Document. [n.d]. 19 pages. Obtainable from the
8iblical Research Institute, Washington, D.C.

Douglass, Herbert E. Letter to E. C. Webster. December 28, 1981. In personal possession

of author of this dissertation.

B. Secondary Sources

Willruth, William B. "A Critical Examination of the Theology of Herbert E Douglass."

Research paper. Andrews University, 1979. Typescript. James White Library, Heritage
Room.

ORIGINS OF THE E. G. WHITE BOOKS

Ellen G White's first writings were published in the form of (1) two letters in the Day-
Star, 1846; (2) three broadsides (single sheets printed on one side), 1846, 1847, 1849; (3)
articles in James White's pamphlet A Word to the "Little Flock," 1847; and (4) articles in
the Present Truth, 1849-50.

Claiming to be the recipient of divine revelation through visions and dreams, Ellen White
made known her views to the early Adventist believers in written as well as oral form.
One of her earliest works was entitled, A Sketch of the Christian Experience and Views of
Ellen G. White (1851), which embodied a brief autobiographical sketch as well as some
of her initial writings which had appeared earlier. In 1854 there appeared a Supplement to
the Experience and Views of Ellen G. White which presents an explanation of some
misunderstood phrases in Experience and Views, together with certain further counsels.

From this small beginning, Ellen White blossomed into a prolific writer. Her Spiritual
Gifts (4 vols.) appearing from 1858 to 1864, became the seed-bed for her Spirit of
Prophecy (also 4 vols.), 1870n1884, and subsequently for her comprehensive Conflict of
the Ages series (5 vols.), 1888-1917.

In the early days of her writing career, Ellen White concentrated on pamphlets and letters,
the latter written in the form of 'testimonies' to individuals and churches. These writings
were also destined to form the basis of a number of published books which appeared
later.

Another important origin of the works of Ellen White is found in her periodical articles
which appeared in the Review and Herald, in the Youth's Instructor and later in the Signs
of the Times. Some of these articles were also used subsequently in the formation of
larger books. Altogether some 4,600 articles from her pen appeared in the journals of the
church during her life-time.

With very little formal education, Ellen White did not find writing to be always easy.
Often her husband, James White, would assist her by checking her grammar and spelling
and general lay-out of material. With the passage of time and with growing experience
Ellen White's writing style improved. Aside from her husband, Ellen White soon found it
necessary to employ literary assistants who spent time in checking her work, in making
necessary corrections, in organizing material and in gathering thoughts from her many
articles and pamphlets for the formation of new books.

It has now been verified that through the years Ellen White built up a considerable library
which she put to good use. Many times she would find facts and expressions in these
historical and theological works which aptly pictured what she believed the Lord would
have her present and she would incorporate these sentiments into her writings.

At Issue Index Webster Index Previous