Opinions of Ellen G. White in "time" and "context" [photography]

In this article I wish to help other Adventist Christians and Christians from other denominations to understand certain statements made by Ellen G. White in "time" and "context". As Seventh Day Adventist Christians we certainly believe that sister White was blessed with the "gift of prophecy". She wrote many books and was used of God in helping direct the fulfillment and understanding of the 2300 "day" [year] prophecy.

When looking at her writings we must understand the times in which they were written. We must also understand that when she addressed a specific topic she was addressing the understanding of that topic at the time in question.

Let us look at one of these topics, Photography. When Ellen White wrote her statements on the subject of photography the art of taking pictures was a new fad. Kinda like if we were to look at the home video game, PlayStation. As parents we can see that some have made an "idol" out of this new science for entertainment . Many could write dangers of how this game which includes "shooting up everything" could produce bad effects on our children. How this very game included airplanes crashing into buildings before Sept.911.

We could write of it's dangers! And would we be wrong in doing so? No. In "righteous anger" we could say; "I do not believe that any child should own a home video game!" This is an example of a "righteous opinion". I bring this up to help us understand some of the opinions of Ellen G. White.

During her time people were spending lot's of money on photography to the point of ridiculousness so she was given vissions such as;

"During the night I was sorely distressed. A great burden rested upon me. I had been pleading with God to work in behalf of his people. My attention was called to the money which they had invested in photographs. I was taken from house to house, through the homes of our people, and as I went from room to room, my Instructor said, 'Behold the idols which have accumulated!'" [Ellen White, Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, Sep. 10, 1901.]

Notice that her attention was called "to the money" which had been invested in photography. This means that photography had become an "idol". Ellen G. White herself allowed for private and family pictures. She was not against all picture taking or even "pictures" themselves. Her books contained pictures which helped illustrate the Bible.

Here is another statement; "These photographs cost money. Is it consistent for us, knowing the work that is to be done at this time, to spend God's money in producing pictures of our own faces and the faces of our friends? Should not every dollar that we can spare be used in the upbuilding of the cause of God? These pictures take money that should be sacredly devoted to God's service; and they divert the mind from the truths of God's word." [Ellen White, Review, Sep. 9, 1901.]

Again, her focus was on those who were spending too much money on photographs. They had pictures all over their houses and on every wall due to their making photography into an idol.

So we clearly see that "idolatry" was the issue and not necessarily photography or pictures. This is important to understand because many have called Ellen G. White a hypocrite for having pictures herself or for her allowence of having her family take pictures.

The same could be said for some of her statements regarding wearing jewelry. She saw that many women were wearing jewelry to draw attention to themselves. They had made their personal appearance and idol. From the following statement we see that sister White's concern was with idolatry and the question; "whom are we drawing our attention to?". Look at this comment regarding Christian dress reform;

“‘No occasion should be given to unbelievers to reproach our faith. We are considered odd and singular, and should not take a course to lead unbelievers to think us more so than our faith requires us to be. Some who believe the truth may think that it would be more healthful for the sisters to adopt the American costume, yet if that mode of dress would cripple our influence among unbelievers so that we could not so readily gain access to them, we should by no means adopt it, though we suffered much in consequence. But some are deceived in thinking there is so much benefit to be received from this costume. While it may prove a benefit to some, it is an injury to others.’”—Testimonies, vol. 1, pp. 456, 457. (Italics supplied.)

So what was Ellen's concern? She did not want the women in church to get too caught up in the fassions of the world, plain and simple. She herself had worn jewelry on some occasions. Her point was, be careful. And if you can, do not wear anything that will distract.

It is so important that when reading the writings of Ellen G. White we consider the "time" and "context" of them. In my personal office where I write many of these articles for "The Adventist Way of Life" I have pictures of the early Adventist reformers and even a few pictures of Ellen G. White sitting on my book shelves.

If you have any questions regarding anything that Ellen G. White has written please send me an email so that we can look at it together, in "time" and "context".

Written by, Eric W. King [December 26,2007]

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