It would be well to read the chapter, “Attitude to New Light,” in the above mentioned book, where the author responded to an oft repeated question: Will there be any more light for the people of God? Ellen answered:
New light will ever be revealed on the word of God to Him who is in living connection with the Sun of Righteousness. Let no one come to the conclusion that there is no more truth to be revealed… Many gems are yet scattered that are to be gathered together to become the property of the remnant people of God. Ibid. p. 34
Some fearing that new ideas may uproot established truth, ignore or object to any claims to new light, which has not come through established channels. Ellen dealt with these attitudes after the Minneapolis campmeeting. May our brethren not repeat that error:
In Minneapolis God gave precious gems of truth to His people in new settings. This light from heaven by some was rejected with all the stubbornness the Jews manifested in rejecting Christ, and there was much talk about standing by the old landmarks. But there was evidence they knew not what the old landmarks were. There was evidence and there was reasoning from the word that commended itself to the conscience; but the minds of men were fixed, sealed against the entrance of light, because they had decided it was a dangerous error removing the ‘old landmarks’ when it was not moving a peg of the old landmarks. Ibid., p. 30
Precious gems of truth found in the statutes, newly discovered by some Bible students, are being shared within these pages. Not one peg of the old landmarks will be jostled. But, may important truth, covered in dust, come forth polished and beautiful to the honest, humble seeker in the Word of God.
This collection of statutes, often paraphrased to clearly reveal each intent, is not an exhaustive collection or commentary. It is simply one student's efforts to make clear to herself, her family, and others who are growing in understanding and commitment to the Everlasting Covenant, those oracles of God so long ignored.
As the reader approaches this study, another issue must be recognized: That is the literal or philosophical approach to the Word of God. Dr. Alden Thompson, Professor of Biblical Studies at Walla Walla College, College Place, Washington, and author of Inspiration, and Who’s Afraid of the Old Testament God? Pinpoints the problem among Adventist Christians. He identifies two fundamental viewpoints embraced by Seventh-day Adventists governing their approach to the Old Testament. According to Dr. Thompson, we all look at the Old Testament, and the whole Bible, basically, as being either a codebook or a casebook.
In this construct, those viewing the Bible as a codebook will focus upon the commands of God and attempt to obey them in order to please God and avoid sin. They see the Plan of Salvation as a series of laws, judgments, and precepts to be obeyed in order to live in the presence of a Holy God. While we may agree that there are laws and codes of ethics and conduct in the Scriptures that will be obeyed by God’s people, we must also recognize that there is not a direct cause/effect system herein implied.
Those viewing the Bible as a casebook will see within its pages the examples of how God dealt with people in each circumstance and situation. From these ensamples, the Christian must glean the principle appropriate to present-day challenges. Thus, the codes for living described in the Old Testament find their application in principles lived out in the lives of Christ’s followers as they square themselves with God’s revealed design for His own, interpreted by modern cultural, political, and physical limitations.
For example, Paul reminded Timothy (1 Tim. 2:11-15) that women should be quiet in church and learn at home from their husbands. The ministry of Ellen White would have been forbidden, and indeed was challenged, on the basis of this text, had not some wise Bible students recognized the cultural and inspirational influence altering the application.
Similarly, do we find anything wrong with slavery today? The thought is abhorrent to us today, yet Israel was allowed slaves, as recorded in Exodus 21:1-6. How do we regard polygamy in the light of the codes of Scripture? Yet many of the patriarchs had more than one wife. What about blood vengeance? Should we heap revenge upon the murderer? Numbers 35:9-28 outlines the code for the allowance, but we would be harangued before the court if we tried it today.
Dr. Thompson explains that, “typically a codebook demands application more than interpretation, obedient compliance more than thoughtful reflection.” (p. 99, Inspiration, by Alden Thompson) Although some aspects of the Bible injunctions are that concise, many are not. We do not stone members who break the Sabbath, for example. Therefore, we must come to grips with the issues of interpretation without destroying the code aspects of the inspired writings. We must filter principles through their cultural settings. Stoning rebellious youth and Sabbath-breakers, allowing polygamy, or tolerating slavery, are inappropriate in the 21st Century, but the central principles within these statutes are timeless. We must pray for discerning minds and willing hearts as we approach the study of laws and ordinances, precepts and judgments, given by God to His people. If we don’t, we will likely throw out precious truths that End-Time believers must understand in order to rightly represent the character of God, and vindicate the Father’s reputation before the universe.
There are numerous examples throughout Scripture that reveal the need to look at the Bible as a casebook of examples, from which to apply the principles of God’s judgment to a given situation: Daniel openly displayed his practice of prayer in the face of death, while Esther kept quiet, hiding her true identity until the life of her people was in jeopardy; Ezra declined protection from heathen neighbors as the exiles returned from Babylon to rebuild Jerusalem, while a few years later Nehemiah encouraged Israel to gather support and protection from the heathen around them. These examples, and many others, reveal the need to interpret as well as apply the edicts of Scripture.
Finally, we have the appeal to the Adventist people today to revisit and apply the great themes of the Old Testament to our lives today:
In these last days there is a call from Heaven inviting you to keep the statutes and ordinances of the Lord. The world has set at naught the law of Jehovah; but God will not be left without a witness to His righteousness, or without a people in the earth to proclaim His truth (Signs of the Times, Feb. 3, 1888).
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