A person can read inspired materials in at least two ways. One is to look
for the central themes of an author; the other is to search for those things
that are new and different. The first way leads to what can be thought of as a
theology of the center, while the second produces a theology of the edges. Doing
a theology of the edges may help a person arrive at "new light," but
such light in the end may look more like darkness when examined in the context
of the central and consistent teachings of the Bible.
What makes the teachings of many apostles of "new light" so
impressive is their obvious sincerity and the fact that much of what they have
to say may be needed truth. How can we tell when we are on center or chasing
stray geese near the edges of what is really important? In her book Education,
Ellen White wrote, "The Bible is its own expositor. Scripture is to be
compared with scripture. The student should learn to view the Word as a whole,
and to see the relation of its parts. He should gain a knowledge of its grand
central theme, of God's original purpose for the world, of the rise of the
great controversy, and of the work of redemption. He should understand the
nature of the two principles that are contending for supremacy, and should learn
to trace their working through the records of history and prophecy, to the great
consummation. He should see how this controversy enters into every phase of
human experience; how in every act of life he himself reveals the one or the
other of the two antagonistic motives; and how, whether he will or not, he is
even now deciding upon which side of the controversy he will be found" (p.
190; italics supplied).
A similar passage on the "grand central theme" of the
Bible defines the central theme of Scripture even more precisely. "The
central theme of the Bible," we read, "the theme about which
every other in the whole book clusters, is the redemption plan, the
restoration in the human soul of the image of God." "Viewed in the
light" of the grand central theme of the Bible, "every topic has a new
significance" (ibid., p. 125; italics supplied).
In such passages we find our marching orders for the reading of both the
Bible and the writings of Ellen White. Read for the big picture; read for
the grand central themes. The purpose of God's revelation to humanity is
salvation. That salvation focuses on the cross of Christ and our relationship to
God. All our reading takes place within that context, and those issues closest
to the grand central theme are obviously of more importance than those near its
edges.
It is our task as Christians to focus on the central issues of the Bible and
Ellen White's writings rather than on marginal ones. If we do so, the marginal
issues will fit into place in their proper perspective within the context of the
"grand central theme" of God's revelation to His people.