4. The "Counselor" Model of Inspiration

In the "counselor" model the prophet acts as an adviser to God's people. For example, Paul dealt with family matters in his first letter to the Corinthians. In some instances, he had a "command" from the Lord (1 Cor. 7:10). In other instances he did not have a special revelation (verse 25), but that did not prevent him from giving inspired counsel--counsel coming from a mind filled with the Spirit of God (verse 40).

A large part of Ellen White's writings comes under the counselor model of inspiration. Many times she used the term "I saw" when giving counsel to parents and teachers, when advising children and young people, or when bringing warnings to ministers and administrators; but many times she did not. We should not give lesser value to advice for which a special revelation was not stated. That would limit the Lord to a single method of communication. God inspired the prophet to use her own judgment[6] in giving advice--advice coming from a mind illuminated by the same Spirit who gives visions and dreams.

[6] Ellen G. White suggests both ideas: (1) that her own judgment was "under the training of God" (Selected Messages, book 3, p. 60); and (2) that her mind and judgment were controlled by "the mind and judgment of the great I AM" (Spalding and Magan Collection, p. 87).