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The Arian or Anti-Trinitarian
Views Presented in Seventh-day Adventist Literature and the Ellen G.
White Answer

by Erwin Roy
Gane

B I B L I O G R A P H Y

A. GENERAL BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS

Bates, Joseph. The Autobiography of Elder Joseph
Bates. Battle Creek, Michigan: Steam Press of the Seventh-day
Adventist Publishing Association, 1868.  A work containing a
clear statement of Bates anti-Trinitarianism.

Froom, L. E. The Prophetic Faith of Our Fathers. 4
vols. Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald, 1950-1954.
Contains helpful sketches of the lives and beliefs of the early
S.D.A. pioneers.

Jones, A. T. The Consecrated Way to Christian
Perfection. Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing
Company, 1905.  Emphasizes that Christ�s human nature was
identical to our sinful human nature.

Seventh-day Adventists Answer Questions On
Doctrine. Washington, D. C.: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1957.   This work makes a clear distinction
between the Arianism of the early Adventists and the extreme
positions taken by Socinians.

Smith, Uriah. Daniel and the Revelation.
Nashville, Tenn.: Southern Publishing Association, l941.  Part
of the Arianism excluded and part retained.

_____. Daniel and the Revelation. Washington, D.
C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1944.  All Arian
teachings excluded.

_____. Looking Unto Jesus. Battle Creek, Michigan:
Review and Herald Publishing Company, 1898.   Distinctly
Arian in its view of Christ.

_____. Thoughts Critical and Practical on the Book of
Revelation. Batt1e Creek, Michigan: Steam Press of the
Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1865.  A
commentary on the book of Revelation which presents Christ as a
created being.

_____. Thoughts on the Book of Daniel and the
Revelation. Battle Creek, Michigan: Review and Herald Publishing
Association, 1882.   Modifies the 1865 statement so that
Christ is regarded as brought into existence, but not created.

The Holy Bible. Containing the Old and New
Testaments. Authorized King James Version. London and New York:
Collin�s Clear-Type Press, 1945.

Waggoner, E. J. Christ and His Righteousness.
Oakland, California: Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1890.
Regards Christ as having been brought into existence back in the
eternal ages.

_____. The Glad Tidings. Oakland, California:
Pacific Press Publishing Company, 1900.  Sees Christ and the
Father as equals, sharing the one throne.

_____. Confession of Faith. [n. p.], 1916.
Presents Waggoner�s conception of Christ as eternal and the �image�
of God.

Waggoner, J. H. The Atonement. Oakland,
California: Pacific Press, 1884.  Strongly Arian because
Trinitarianism is seen as subversive of the Atonement.

White, James. Christ in the Old Testament.
Oakland, California: Pacific Press, 1877.  Presents Christ as
the leader of the Old Testament Church.

_____. Sketches of the Christian Life and Public
Labors of William Miller. Battle Creek, Michigan: Steam Press of
the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association, 1875.  A
useful work in that it indicates Miller�s theological views.

White, J. E. The Coming King. Battle Creek,
Michigan: The Review and Herald Publishing Company, 1898.
Presents Christ as equal with the Father.

B. GENERAL PERIODICAL ARTICLES

Bollman, C. P. "The Spirit of God," The Signs of the
Times, XV (November 4, 1889), 663.  The Spirit is presented
as the "power" of God.

Bordeau, D. T. "We May Partake of the Fullness of the
Father and the Son," The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald,
LXVII (November 18, 1890), 707.  Regrets diversity of belief
among Seventh-day Adventists on the nature of God.

Canright, D. M. "Jesus Christ the Son of God," The
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, III (June 18, 1867), 1.
Presents the Arian view of Christ.

_____. "The Holy Spirit Not a Person but an Influence
Proceeding from God," The Signs of the Times, IV (July 25,
1878), 218.  Describes the Holy Spirit as an influence and
opposes Trinitarianism.

_____. "The Personality of God," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LII (August 29-September 19, 1878), 73, 81,
97.  Presents strong opposition to the Trinitarian
position.

Cole, J. M. "The Everlasting Father," The Advent
Review and Sabbath Herald, CVI (January 31, 1929), 19.
Speaks of Christ as the �eternal Father.�

Dennis, A. J. "One God," The Signs of the Times, V
(May 22, 1879), 162.  Regards Trinitarianism as an
impossibility.

Frisbie, J. B. "The Seventh Day-Sabbath Not Abolished,"
The Advent Review and Sabbath Hera1d, V (March 7, 1854),
50.  An identification of the Sabbath God and the Sunday
God.

Goodrich, E. "No Spirit," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, XIX (January 28, 1862), 66.  Emphasizes the
existence and importance of the Spirit.

Haskell, S. N. "Christ in Holy flesh Or A Holy Christ in
Sinful flesh," The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, LXXVII
(October 2, 1900), 634.  Recognizes Christ as equal with the
Father.

_____. "The Personality of God," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald LXXX (October 8, 1903), 9.  Emphasizes that
God has distinct Personality and form.

Hopkins, J. M. "Grieve Not the Spirit," The Advent
Review and Sabbath Herald, LX (July 3, 1883), 417.  The
Holy Spirit spoken of as an influence.

Hull, D. W. "Bible Doctrine of Divinity," The Advent
Review and Sabbath Herald, XIV (November 10-17, 1859), pp. 193,
201.  A full presentation of the anti-Trinitarian position.

Jones, A. T. "Holy Spirit the Presence of Christ," The
General Conference Bulletin, I (February 25, 1895), 329.
The Holy Spirit is portrayed as the presence of Christ.

_____. "The Faith of Jesus," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXXVII (December 18-25, 1900), 608, 824.
Christ is seen as of the same substance as the Father.

Loughborough, J. N. "Questions for Bro. Loughborough,"
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, XVIII (November 5,
1861), 184.  Presents reasons against Trinitarianism.

_____. "The Spirit of God," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXXV (September 20, 1898), 600.  Speaks of
the Spirit as �the creative energy of God.�

Morse, G. W. "How Many Eternal Thrones," The Advent
Review and Sabbath Herald, LXIII (October 12, 1886), 634.
Says Christ�s throne is on earth and the Father�s throne is in
heaven, at the end of time.

_____. "The Great God," The Advent Review and Sabbath
Herald, LXIII (May 11, 1886), 299.  Expresses a distinction
between Christ and the Great God.

Robinson, A. T. "One God and One Mediator," The Advent
Review and Sabbath Herald, CVI (October 31, 1929), 6.
Presents the Father as the Supreme Ruler. This article seems to
subordinate Christ to the Father.

Smith, Uriah. "In the Question Chair," The Advent
Review and Sabbath Herald, LXVII (October 28, 1890), 664.
Reveals Smith�s view that the Spirit is not a person.

_____. "The Spirit of Prophecy in Relation to It," The
General Conference Bulletin, IV (March 18, 1891), 146.
Depicts the Holy Spirit as an �emanation.�

_____. "In the Question Chair," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXVIII (November 10, 1891), 697.  Explains
the personification of the Spirit as a figure of speech.

_____. "In the Question Chair," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXIX (September 6, 1892), 568.  Declares
the Holy Spirit not a Person.

_____. "In the Question Chair," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXXIII (October 27, 1896), 685.  Explains
that the Holy Spirit is not to be worshipped.

_____. "In the Question Chair," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXXIV (March 23, 1897), 188.  The Spirit is
said to be not a person.

_____. "The Spirit of God," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, XIII (February 17, 1859), 100.  Emphasizes
the importance of the Holy Spirit.

Spear, Samuel T. "The Bible Doctrine of the Trinity,"
The Bible Student�s Library, No. 90 (March, 1892), 3-14. (A
reprint from the New York Independent, November 14, 1889).
Ostensibly Trinitarian, but it subjects Christ to the Father.

Stephenson, J. M. "The Atonement," The Advent Review
and Sabbath Herald, VI (November 14, 1854), l28.  Reveals
Stephenson�s conception of the relation between the nature of God
and the nature of the Atonement.

Swift, J. E. "Our Companion," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LX (July 3, 1883), 421.  Dwells on the work
of the Holy Spirit.

Tenny, G. C. "The Comforter," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LX (October 30, 1883), 673.  Leaves the
question open as to the personality of the Holy Spirit.

_____. "To Correspondents," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald. LXXIII (June 9, 1896), 362.  Opposes
Trinity doctrine but views the Holy Spirit as more than an
emanation.

The King�s Messenger. "Blended Personalities," The
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, LXXVII (April 3, 1900),
210.  Clearly Trinitarian in teaching.

_____. "The God-Man " The Advent Review and Sabbath
Herald, LXXV September 20, 1898, 598.  The Holy Spirit is
presented as a Person.

_____. "The Third Person " The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald. (January 16, 1900), 35.  Deprecates the
neglect by the Church of the Holy Spirit.

Underwood, R. A. "The Holy Spirit A Person," The
Advent Review and Sabbath Herald LXXV (May 17, 1898), 310.
The author acknowledges that he has changed his view, now regarding
the Holy Spirit as a Person of the Godhead.

White, James. "Life Incidents," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, XXXI (February 18, 1868), 147.  An
interesting outline of White�s early life and theological
convictions.

Whitney, S. B. "Both Sides," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, XIX (March 4, 1862), 109.  Presents a
letter by Congregationalists and his answer, revealing his
anti-Trinitarianism.

Wilcox, F. M. "Christ Is Very God," The Advent Review
and Sabbath Herald, CVIII (October 29, 1931), 3.  Strongly
Trinitarian in teaching.

Wilcox, M. C. "The Spirit--Impersonal and Personal,"
The Signs of the Times, XXIV (August 18, 1898), 518.
The Holy Spirit brings the presence of Christ, but it is not
credited with separate personality and Deity.

_____. "The Divine Unity," The Signs of the Times,
XXIV (December 22, 1898), 816.   The one God is said to be the
Father, and Christ is subordinate to mm.

Williamson, T. R. "The Holy Spirit-Is It A Person?"
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, LXVIII (October 13,
l891), 627. Views the Holy Spirit as an
influence.

C. ELLEN G. WHITE BOOKS

White, E. G. Counsels to Writers and Editors.
Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1946.
Urges that the Church should not try to explain the personality of
God in its published works.

_____. Education. Mountain View, California:
Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1903.  Contains certain
references to the Deity.

_____. Evangelism. Washington, D. C.: Review and
Herald Publishing Association, 1946.  A collection of E. G.
White statements some of which have reference to the nature of
God.

_____. Fundamentals of Christian Education.
Nashville, Tennessee: Southern Publishing Association, 1923.  A
collection of E. G. White statements with reference to Christian
education.

_____. Patriarchs and Prophets. Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1890.
Contains valuable references to the God of the Old Testament.

_____. Selected Messages. 2 books, Washington, D.
C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1958.  A
collection of previously unpublished materials including much on the
nature of Christ.

_____. Testimonies for the Church. 9 vols.
Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association,
1855 - 1909.  Contains invaluable instruction for the Church
including declarations on many doctrinal matters.

_____. The Acts of the Apostles. Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911.  The
record of the spread of Christianity from Jerusalem to Rome.
Contains certain statements on the nature of God.

_____. The Desire of Ages. Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1898.  A
masterpiece as a depiction of Christ during the incarnation.

_____. The Great Controversy. Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1888.  A
comprehensive presentation of the Seventh-day Adventist view of
history.

_____. The Ministry of Healing. Mountain View,
California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1905.
Contains a number of enlightening statements on the nature of
God.

_____. The Spirit of Prophecy. 4 vols. Battle
Creek, Michigan: Steam Press of the Seventh-day Adventist Publishing
Association, 1870-l884.  An invaluable indication of official
S.D.A. opinion on the nature of God and the atonement.

D. ELLEN G WHITE PERIODICAL ARTICLES

White, E. G. "After the Crucifixion," The Youth�s
Instructor, XLIX (April 25, 1901), 130.  Christ overcame
temptation by relying upon the Father.

_____. "Beware of Imitations," The Youth�s
Instructor, XLIII (February 7, 1895), 144.  Declares that
it was the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead.

_____. "Child Life of Jesus," The Signs of the
Times, XXII (July 30, 1896), 5.  The babe in the manger was
the mighty God.

_____. "Christ Glorified," The Signs of the Times,
XXV (May 10, 1899), 2.  Christ did not cease to be the Deity
when He became man.

_____. "Christ Revealed the Father," The Advent Review
and Sabbath Herald, LXVII (January 7, 1890), 1.  The
authority by which Christ wrought miracles was His own.

_____. "God Manifest in the Flesh," The Signs of the
Times, XXXI (April 26, 1905), 8.  Speaks of the child
Christ as the mighty God.

_____. "Imperative Necessity of Searching for Truth,"
The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, LXIX (November 8,
1892), 690.  Regards Christ as equal with the Father.

_____. "Tempted in All Points Like As We Are," The
Signs of the Times, XXIV (June 9, 1898), 2.  In becoming
man Christ did not lose His dignity and glory.

_____. "The Revelation of God," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXXV (November 8, 1898), 709.  Presents the
Father and Christ as personal Beings.

_____. "The True Sheep Respond to the Voice of the
Shepherd," The Signs of the Times, XX (November 27, 1893),
54.  Speaks of the Father and Son as of one substance.

"The Word Made Flesh," The Signs of the Times, XXV
(May 3, 1899), 2.  Identifies Jehovah with Christ.

_____. "The Word Made Flesh," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXXXIII (April 5, 1906), 8.  Presents the
unity between the Father and Christ as an infinite mystery.

_____. "The Work in Washington," The Advent Review and
Sabbath Herald, LXXXII (June 1, 1905), 13.  Presents Christ
and the Father as one, but distinct
personages.

E. ENCYCLOPEDIA ARTICLES

Himes, Joshua V. "Christian Connection," Encyclopedia
of Religious Knowledge, ed. T. Newton Brown, 362. Boston:
Shattuck and Co., 1835.

F. YEARBOOKS

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Battle Creek,
Michigan: Review and Herald Publishing Company, 1889.  Contains
an ambiguous statement of belief on the nature of God.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Washington, D. C.:
Review and Herald. Publishing Association, 1931.  Contains the
first Trinitarian statement of faith in an Adventist Yearbook.

Seventh-day Adventist Yearbook. Washington, D. C.:
Review and Herald Publishing Association, 1962.  Contains a
Trinitarian statement practically identical to the 1931
statement.

G. COMMENTARIES

Nichol, Francis D. (ed.). The Seventh-day Adventist
Bible Commentary. 7 vols. Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald
Publishing Association, 1953-1957.  An invaluable work
containing helpful, previously unpublished, E. G. White
material.

H. UNPUBLISHED MATERIALS

"J. H. Waggoner�s Position on the Atonement." Paper
supplied by L. E. Froom, General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists, [n.p., n.d.] (Mimeographed.)  Regards the Arianism
of Waggoner and Smith as being that of a minority group of early
Adventists.

Taylor, C. M. "The Personality of the Holy Spirit."
Unpublished Master�s dissertation, James White Memorial Library,
Andrews University, 1953.  A partial outline of the changing
conception among Seventh-day Adventists of the nature of the Holy
Spirit.

"Uriah Smith�s Restricted View of the Atonement." Paper
supplied by L. E. Froom, General Conference of Seventh-day
Adventists, [n.p., n.d.] (Mimeographed.)  Speaks of the Arians
among Adventists as a minority group after 1844.

Washburn, J. S. "The Trinity." Paper filed in Office of
the Dean, Andrews University, Theological Seminary, [n.p., n.d.]
(Mimeographed.)   An answer to a Trinitarian sermon by W.
W. Prescott, written in polemical
style.

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