Exposing Adventism - Biblical Tests of a True Prophet #1

There are seven Biblical tests of a true prophet:

1. Prophecies Must be Fulfilled
2. Cannot have falsehoods in their visions
3. Cannot steal their writings from others
4. Cannot contradict the Word of God
5. Must bear good fruit
6. Prophets Must Encourage and Build Up Others
7. Prophets Must Acknowledge Paul's Writings as Commandments
   

• Dirk Anderson, Does Mrs. White pass the Biblical Tests of a Prophet?

ric_b - Posted on Thursday, June 26, 2008:

Casting aside the tests of a prophet

In order to defend their prophet, SDAs have set aside the Biblical tests of a prophet.

A prophet can not contradict Scripture (Isa 8:20)
But SDAs tell us that this can not possibly apply because we would have to reject all authors who added anything new after Moses. So this God-breathed test of a prophet does not apply when evaluation Ellen White.

The prophecies made must come true (Deut 18:20-22)
SDAs insist that this prophetic test can not be applied because we would have to reject many Biblical prophets. So this God-breathed test of a prophet does not apply when evaluation Ellen White.

The visions and dream can not contain falsehoods (Jer 23:32)
SDAs insist that this prophetic test can not be applied because people grow in their understanding. So even if the eraly visions contained falsehoods, that is no reason to reject the prophet, they were simply still undergoing growth in their understanding. When Ellen White presented a health idea (none of the ideas were new to only her) if it turned out to be correct, SDAs proclaim this as proof of her prophetic ability since she was years ahead of science. But when these ideas turned out to be falsehoods, they are quietly swept under the rug. A true prophet of God isn't right just some of the time. So this God-breathed test of a prophet does not apply when evaluation Ellen White.

A prophet can not use the words of others and claim them as their prophecy (Jer 23:30)
SDAs insist that
a) there wasn't that much copying in Ellen White's writings;
b) copying was culturally approved of during her time;
c) she was unaware that it was wrong because she only had a 3rd grade education;
d) God directed her to copy only the good stuff; and
e) that we would have to throw out most of the Bible authors if we applied this criteria to Scripture.
So this God-breathed test of a prophet does not apply when evaluation Ellen White.

There are other tests of a prophet in Scripture that Ellen White can pass, and SDAs focus on these:
Acknowledge the Jesus came in the flesh (I John 4:1-3)
But this test wouldn't eliminate most of the false prophets in the church. Even Joseph Smith wouldn't be eliminated.

A prophet is judged by their fruits (Matt 7:15-16)
We could certainly debate the fruits of Ellen White's visions. And I suspect that the debate would go straight down party lines. But let's be realistic, the followers of any prophet, true or false will point to the good things done by the prophet and their followers as proving the good fruit. Again, this test wouldn't eliminate most of the false prophets in the church. SDAs point to the growth of SDAism and all of the good deeds done by SDAs around the world. But let's stack that up against Mormonism. By the very same measures used by SDAs to proclaim that Ellen White is a prophet, they would have to conclude that Joseph Smith is one as well.

SDA will also point to non-Biblical tests, like:
Supernatural strength or manifestations.
SDAs will use Dan 10:8-10, 17-18 as a support for this prophetic test. But notice 1st that it is not given as a prophetic test and then look a little further into the passage itself. I don't believe that the lack of strength and breath are being presented as prophetic manifestations that prove a person is a prophet.

Her writings are inspirational.
There is no Biblical evidence for calling this a prophetic test. This becomes simply a subjective test that will vary from one person to the next and could be used to declare anyone a true prophet. SDAs complain that formers utilize unBiblical prophetic tests, but turn a blind eye to blatant false tests used to support Ellen White.