Dr. Steve Daily's Book that systematically discredits Ellen White with her own words

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Seeker of truth

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As a strong Adventist for 50 years, a teacher in our Adventist schools, and an elder in my local church, I just read Dr. Steve Daily's books: Ellen White A Psychobiography and his other book, The White Estate Fraud. I am wondering what the official Adventist position is to his books? And, are there any credible rebuttals?

As backgound, he was my professor and chaplain at La Sierra University when I was a student, and was on the faculty of both La Sierra and Loma Linda University for 24 years. He also wrote 10 other books on Ellen White that were sold in the ABC, or used as College textbooks. Furthermore, he holds 2 PhD, one in Psychology and one in Religion as well as a masters in History. He seems very credible to me, and someone that I would trust to write a book on this subject. In his book, he has over 300 references to where Ellen Whites quotes can be found that he has referenced. Mrs White's own qoutes and visions completely discredits her as a prophet, and Dr. Daily carefully details them, as well as sharing how so many other Adventist theologians have shared similar things in the past and each one has been disfellowshiped and their reputation tarnished.

So what does the Adventist church say about this new carefully written and researched book? Am I to believe it? Is there any books as carefully written that rebuttles them? I am not interested in character assination of the author, because that has been what is normally done. I want to know how this book, and the information inside is not credible. Thank you so much for your insight on this subject!
 
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I am only hearing about Dr. Daily and his works for the first time. I have not read his book (though I was able to follow his interview series on YouTube to get to know about him). I have also found this response to his works by the White Estate (also attached). You might have probably read it already (I presume). You can also follow this submission by his M.A supervisor. I could not find any book that rebuttal his submission.

Seeker of truth said:
As backgound, he was my professor and chaplain at La Sierra University when I was a student, and was on the faculty of both La Sierra and Loma Linda University for 24 years. He also wrote 10 other books on Ellen White that were sold in the ABC, or used as College textbooks. Furthermore, he holds 2 PhD, one in Psychology and one in Religion as well as a masters in History. He seems very credible to me, and someone that I would trust to write a book on this subject. In his book, he has over 300 references to where Ellen Whites quotes can be found that he has referenced. Mrs White's own qoutes and visions completely discredits her as a prophet, and Dr. Daily carefully details them, as well as sharing how so many other Adventist theologians have shared similar things in the past and each one has been disfellowshiped and their reputation tarnished.
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I read a snippet from the response by the White Estate; works by Ellen White are subservient to the bible. In case of any conflict, the scripture takes precedence (even White advised this). E. G. White is not infallible.

Seeker of truth said:
So what does the Adventist church say about this new carefully written and researched book? Am I to believe it? Is there any books as carefully written that rebuttles them? I am not interested in character assination of the author, because that has been what is normally done. I want to know how this book, and the information inside is not credible. Thank you so much for your insight on this subject!
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I do not speak for the church, neither does this platform. The position of the church on any matter can only be sought through the official channels. You can try to reach out to them to respond, which if they do, I can only imagine will be limited to their communication channels. You could also try reaching out to the estate directly through the provided contacts.
 

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Seeker of truth said:
As a strong Adventist for 50 years, a teacher in our Adventist schools, and an elder in my local church, I just read Dr. Steve Daily's books: Ellen White A Psychobiography and his other book, The White Estate Fraud. I am wondering what the official Adventist position is to his books? And, are there any credible rebuttals?

As backgound, he was my professor and chaplain at La Sierra University when I was a student, and was on the faculty of both La Sierra and Loma Linda University for 24 years. He also wrote 10 other books on Ellen White that were sold in the ABC, or used as College textbooks. Furthermore, he holds 2 PhD, one in Psychology and one in Religion as well as a masters in History. He seems very credible to me, and someone that I would trust to write a book on this subject. In his book, he has over 300 references to where Ellen Whites quotes can be found that he has referenced. Mrs White's own qoutes and visions completely discredits her as a prophet, and Dr. Daily carefully details them, as well as sharing how so many other Adventist theologians have shared similar things in the past and each one has been disfellowshiped and their reputation tarnished.

So what does the Adventist church say about this new carefully written and researched book? Am I to believe it? Is there any books as carefully written that rebuttles them? I am not interested in character assination of the author, because that has been what is normally done. I want to know how this book, and the information inside is not credible. Thank you so much for your insight on this subject!
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I think the answer to your question may be found in the historical Des Ford saga. Des was convinced that he was being asked to present doctrines to facilitate a foundational change in the SDA belief in the heavenly sanctuary and 1844 doctrine.
Despite Des's well known and proven academic credentials, he was clueless in realising that his endeavour there was an impossible task. One cannot take the entire foundation out from underneath a house without the building suffering significant structural damage. The church cannot throw out the very reason it moved away fom the Millerite movement in the first place.

Your question here is to suggest that one of our most significant founding members is a liar and her writings not credible...i can assure you that is unlikely to ever happen.

From memory (and this is 25 years ago for me), E G White provided 3 main areas of guidance:
1. Health
2. Education
3. Spiritual

I would strongly suggest that instead of focusing on what are mostly "grammatical errors" (metaphor), consider her health message and her education guidance...given you are a schoolie (as was I) surely you agree that these parts of her writings are well worth keeping close to your heart?

I would challenge that if you do not believe that 1 and 2 above have any validity, then you have seriously not conscientiously read any of her writings and instead have leaned on wives tales. I make the assumption that given you were trained by this professor, you studied EG White health and education books at university as part of the mandatory SDA University "Christian faith subjects" as did i?

You should stop worrying about what others believe and do your own research on her writings as you were trained to do. Look at the writings and then look at the world around you. Are they consistent? (I would argue, yes they are) Given that, who cares about plagerism. If she managed to read widely enough to bring in ideas from outside, so be it...we do that in academia all the flaming time. Hers wasnt a college paper waiting to receive a grade from a professor...so the bibliography is missing...honestly, if thats how you determine whether or not its safe to wear a seatbelt in a car...???

Does her plagerism issue bother me? Yes it does, however, there are lots of modern authors who do not quote their sources in published material...its not limited to just her.

My single biggest argument against using EG White is that the conservatives in our church decades ago, did almost nothing else other than preach her from the pulpit. It was EG White said this, EG White said that, EG White...sister White...it was like being forced to stare at white painted building in direct sunlight burning/blinding my eyes! I got so sick of what was going on there it was doing my head in.

After having studied her writings at Avondale, i began to realise that the issue isnt EG White...its us, the way we were hyperfocusing on her prophetic gift and guidance. In recent years (specifically during and after covid), where due to staying at home restrictions i had to opportunity to spend a great deal of time thinking and researching and debgating online the historicity of the Christian church, i came to realise that our church using her in the way we do is a stumbling block to others outside of its walls. It is for that reason i do not use her writings in forums any more. Do i believe that she had the gift of prophecy and recived divine revelation through visions? My answer to that question lies in answering another question...

do i believe that a donkey spoke to its rider after being beaten mercelessly for refusing to move forward into the path of an unseen angel ready to strike them both down? (Numbers Chapter 22)

I believe it because there are enough evidences to support my belief in something i did not witness personally and because her writings are generally consistent with good health, education and spirituality.

oh by the way... in considering my answer above, may i present a significant biblical issue to you...

are you aware that it has been comprehensively proven that no deadly poisonus snakes have ever existed on the Isle of Malta?

Google AI
AI Overview

There is no evidence that a venomous snake native to Malta has ever existed. However, there are several species of snakes that live in Malta, including the Western Whip Snake, Algerian Whip Snake, Leopard Snake, and Cat Snake:
  • Western Whip Snake
    The largest and most common snake in Malta, it can grow up to 1.5 meters long.




I hope you immediately make the connection with Acts 28 and the significant issue of biblical authenticity on that one. Christians have far bigger issues to defend than the authenticity of EG White. You learned professor has lost tourch with the direction we have to preach the gospel. His writging all those books attacking EG White does not bring people to Christ...it turns them away using the argument its the fault of EG Whites plagerism. That is just nonsense and im going to be very brutal here...your professor is an idiot because it is the witness of others to her visions that must be considered...not whether or not she plagerised!
 
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Seeker of truth said:
As a strong Adventist for 50 years, a teacher in our Adventist schools, and an elder in my local church, I just read Dr. Steve Daily's books: Ellen White A Psychobiography and his other book, The White Estate Fraud. I am wondering what the official Adventist position is to his books? And, are there any credible rebuttals?

As backgound, he was my professor and chaplain at La Sierra University when I was a student, and was on the faculty of both La Sierra and Loma Linda University for 24 years. He also wrote 10 other books on Ellen White that were sold in the ABC, or used as College textbooks. Furthermore, he holds 2 PhD, one in Psychology and one in Religion as well as a masters in History. He seems very credible to me, and someone that I would trust to write a book on this subject. In his book, he has over 300 references to where Ellen Whites quotes can be found that he has referenced. Mrs White's own qoutes and visions completely discredits her as a prophet, and Dr. Daily carefully details them, as well as sharing how so many other Adventist theologians have shared similar things in the past and each one has been disfellowshiped and their reputation tarnished.

So what does the Adventist church say about this new carefully written and researched book? Am I to believe it? Is there any books as carefully written that rebuttles them? I am not interested in character assination of the author, because that has been what is normally done. I want to know how this book, and the information inside is not credible. Thank you so much for your insight on this subject!
Click to expand...
I remember Steve Daily, although I never had a class with him. I would go into his office constantly, looking for a mission trip I could sign up for. I remember him baptizing on the beach during a field trip. I had heard even back then that he leaned to a progressive position, but I felt I was too young at the time to challenge his ideas.
I can tell you that one time I was sharing the gospel with an elderly woman in La Sierra, when her son came in. He began to try to "school me" on how Ellen White was a plagiarist. I had never heard these things before, and I suppose he thought he was going to turn me against Ellen White. It never happened.
This is what I can tell you for sure. When I was a teenager, I was not religious. My mother took me on a trip to visit my sister who was in college. On the trip we visited Ellen White's former home. Even though I was not religious, I felt a STRONG presence of angels or the Holy Spirit in her house. I could not explain it and I knew it was really from God.
Another thing I can tell you is that my mother used to go door to door, and she entered a home. The people inside asked her immediately what church she attended. My mother found that she could not speak, and beckoned for a pen and paper. She was given these items and proceeded to write down the address of the church. The reason behind this interaction is as follows. The people inside the home had been praying that God would lead them to the right church. They told the pastor that when my mother had come to their door, her face had been shining! She had become overcome by the power of God, and the reason was to show those people which was the right church.
You can probably see that these are evidences of the Adventist church being the correct church. I would not advise you to read Steve Daily's books. Pray for God to enlighten your mind while you read Ellen White, and He will personally show you through the power of the Holy Spirit if her writings are true or not. She was human and was growing in her understanding of truth throughout her entire life. But does that negate her gift? God was speaking through a human vessel. I think if I had been placed in the position Ellen White was blessed to be in, I would make even more mistakes than she ever did.
Don't let anyone steal your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ or in His truth.
May God have mercy on all of us.
 
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It has taken me many years of dealing with mockers myself, the latest view from Jesus I recently learned is
Mt 15:14 Let them alone:

Wish I had heard of this verse before, like 40 years ago. Dealing with mockers is a waste of time, they do not want your discussion, they are merely mocking for mocking sake.

Shalom
 
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I have read some of Dr Steve Daily's books and have some investigation into the claim she was a so called plagiarist?

What specifically do you wish to discuss?

Here are some links to my discussions:


https://spiritualsprings.proboards.com/thread/82/inspiration-work-plagiarism
A study into some aspects of plagiarism





https://spiritualsprings.proboards.com/thread/77/words-scriptures-inspired
A study that Bible words are inspired





https://ponderingconfusion.proboards.com/thread/654/ellen-white
Hundreds of posts with a Gnostic Christian, mocking Mrs White as a plagiarist.


The studies go through the White Lie, and look at his mocking.

Finally a study proving 100% the accuracy of Mrs White as a Hebrew English translator


We go through at least 30 Hebrew words (many hard ones) showing that Mrs White messages show the correct Ancient Hebrew understanding of these words.

Shalom
 
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rob said:
I have read some of Dr Steve Daily's books and have some investigation into the claim she was a so called plagiarist?

What specifically do you wish to discuss?

Here are some links to my discussions:


https://spiritualsprings.proboards.com/thread/82/inspiration-work-plagiarism
A study into some aspects of plagiarism





https://spiritualsprings.proboards.com/thread/77/words-scriptures-inspired
A study that Bible words are inspired





https://ponderingconfusion.proboards.com/thread/654/ellen-white
Hundreds of posts with a Gnostic Christian, mocking Mrs White as a plagiarist.


The studies go through the White Lie, and look at his mocking.

Finally a study proving 100% the accuracy of Mrs White as a Hebrew English translator


We go through at least 30 Hebrew words (many hard ones) showing that Mrs White messages show the correct Ancient Hebrew understanding of these words.

Shalom
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whilst i havent yet gone through all of your references there Rob, i did read the first one and i agree with you.

A thought that comes to mind for me on this topic (not sure if you have raised it or not in your references), Mrs White was not well educated...given that she supposedly plagerised so often, has any of the critics of her writings considered how it is that she managed to find those writings she plagerised in the first place? A poorly educated individual may not necessarily have the skills to find and steel others works on such a wide variety of largely unknown topics to the general population (such as the health message for example).

Secondly, it could be that God inspired more than one individual to write those things...has anyone considered that she was not the only individual on the planet whom the Holy Spirit has led? I mean lets face it, scientists regularly stumble across similar scientific findings without any outside influence...we don't seem to worry too much about that occurrence. Rather than calling them plagiarists or thieves, we quite happily cite that as concurring evidence from extant sources that just so happens to be the same!

In any case, at the end of the day, whether or not Mrs White plagerised or did not is irrelevant to my beliefs. None of my adventist doctrines even come from her writings...not a single one of them. Even the heavenly sanctuary doctrine... that is not an EG White inspired doctrine...it came from 2 men walking through a field shortly after Oct 22 1844.


Google AI references who those men most likely were:

On the day after the Great Disappointment, October 23, 1844, the two men walking through a field were Hiram Edson and his companion, either Dr. Franklin B. Hahn or O.R.L. Crosier, according to Wikipedia. They were seeking to avoid the ridicule of neighbors who had not believed the Advent message, according to Wikipedia. This walk led to a revelation for Edson, where he understood that the focus of the prophecy was not the second coming of Christ, but rather a cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary.
 
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Greetings Adam

This is perhaps the best summary of plagiarism about Mrs White


Question: Does inspiration require always something to be original in it's presentation?
I would answer yes. It was the way she took the sentences borrowed and used them is a brand new light, that made her work inspired. So the overall affect is inspired. Hope this helps. Watch the video please.

Shalom
 
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