Ellen G. White and the Atonement

The previous chapter documented the understanding our pioneers had concerning a dual atonement. The believers referred to the work of Christ upon the cross as an atonement, while the high priestly ministry in heaven was considered the atonement. References were given to demonstrate that Sister White also referred to the death of Jesus as an atonement. For example:

Following right principle means the faithful doing of the first four and the last six commandments. In obedience to these divine commands, we eat the flesh and drink the blood of Christ, appropriating all that is embraced in the atonement made on Calvary. Christ will stand by the side of all who receive Him as their Saviour. (Upward Look, p. 196 - Manuscript 161, July 1, 1903)

“White-isms” and the Atonement

The previous chapter noted the late M. L. Andreasen’s concern that one reading Sister White’s writings on the atonement could become confused if he or she did not “recognize the two divisions of the atonement.” (Letters to the Churches, Series A, No. 6) While the lack of understanding of the “two divisions” has led some to misunderstand Sister White’s writings on the atonement, some have further failed to understand her usage of terms or expressions. Dr. Ralph Larson, writing about Sister White’s usage of words, states:

It is a well established principle of research that a writer’s use of terms and/or expressions (groups of words) is to be understood in the light of the writer’s other uses of the same terms or expressions. If an author’s writings are not very extensive, comparisons may be difficult to make and word meanings difficult to establish.

This is emphatically not the case with Ellen White. She wrote twenty-five million words, and used terms and expressions with a remarkable uniformity of meaning. The student will note, however, that her usages, though clear, uniform and consistent in her own writings, are sometimes different from ours. In such cases we must let Ellen White speak to us in her own way, and take care that we do not force an alien interpretation, or our own interpretation, on to her words. (The Word Was Made Flesh, p. 15)

Dr. Larson documents the way Sister White was consistent in her usage of different terms and phrases in relationship to the humanity of Christ. It can also be well documented that she was consistent in her word choice while writing on the atonement. We have used the power of the Ellen G. White compact disc to search for all the references to the word “atonement” in her published writings. After reading and studying over 1,000 statements on the atonement, we have used the computer to narrow down the references to a select group of exact phrases which will give the reader a clearer understanding of Sister White’s perspective.

“Perfect atonement”

The first phrase we shall examine is “perfect atonement.” The Published Ellen G. White Writings on Compact Disc, version 2.0, reveals that this phrase is found ten times in her published writings. Once it is used by the publishers as a supplied title. Of the nine remaining references we find that all come from two original sources. For this phrase, as well as the other phrases, we will give the original references and with each reference document if and where it was later reprinted. Some of the extras were reprinted during Ellen White’s lifetime, and some, of course, after her death. The first statement is from Manuscript 128, 1897, first published in the Bible Echo and Signs of the Times:

Type met antitype in the death of Christ, the Lamb slain for the sins of the world. Our great High Priest has made the only sacrifice that is of any value in our salvation. When he offered Himself on the cross, a perfect atonement was made for the sins of the people. (Bible Echo and Signs of the Times,  May 1, 1899. Also published in The Signs of the Times, June 28, 1899; S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 7, p. 913 - 1957; Vol. 7A, p. 459 - 1957; That I May Know Him, p. 73 - 1964; Lift Him Up, p. 319 - 1988)

Christ as the great high priest, making a perfect atonement for sin, stands alone in divine majesty and glory. Other high priests were only types, and when he appeared, the need of their services vanished. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.” (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, March 17, 1903. Also published in That I May Know Him, p. 74.)

The first statement clearly describes the work of Christ on the cross as “a perfect atonement.” The second statement is not as clear without further context. The article’s title is, “The Worth of Souls.” It begins, “God’s servants need a realization of the value of souls. Christ died for human beings. His sacrifice on the cross is the measure of their value in God’s sight.” Reading through the article both the work of the cross and the high priestly ministry of Christ are noted. Neither liberal nor conservative need argue the fact that both the sacrifice of Christ and His high priestly ministry in heaven are “perfect” works for man. The death of Christ was perfect. The ministry of Christ in heaven is perfect also. Thus, of the ten references to the phrase “perfect atonement,” there are only two original sources.

“Complete ... atonement”

It became Him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in the redemption of the world to save sinners by the blood of the Lamb. The great sacrifice of the Son of God was neither too great nor too small to accomplish the work. In the wisdom of God it was complete; and the atonement made testifies to every son and daughter of Adam the immutability of God’s law. The value of the law of Jehovah is to be estimated by the immense price that was paid in the death of the Son of God to maintain its sacredness. (The Signs of the Times, December 30, 1889)

“Complete atonement”

After Adam fell, Jesus entered upon the work of redeeming man. In every part his sacrifice was perfect; for he could make a complete atonement for sin. Though he was one with God, yet he made himself of no reputation. He took upon him our nature. “Lo, I come,” was his cheerful announcement of the clothing of his divinity with humanity, “to do thy will, O God!” He loved his church, and gave himself for it. “Therefore doth my Father love me,” he said to the Pharisees, “because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.” (The Youth’s Instructor, June 14, 1900)

Do you realize your sinfulness? Do you despise sin? Then remember that the righteousness of Christ is yours if you will grasp it. Can you not see what a strong foundation is placed beneath your feet when you accept Christ? God has accepted the offering of his Son as a complete atonement for the sins of the world. (The Youth’s Instructor, September 20, 1900. Also published in The Faith I Live By, p. 91 - 1958)

All the statements in the last two sections refer to Christ’s death on the cross. Of interest is the statement from the June 14, 1900 Youth’s Instructor. It helps to shed light upon references to a “perfect atonement.” In this statement she equates Christ’s sacrifice as being “perfect” and “a complete atonement for sin.”

“Atonement was complete”

Let us study God’s law in connection with the work of Christ. Man broke the law. Christ came to this earth to make an atonement for transgression. His atonement was complete in every part. As He hung on the cross, He could say, “It is finished.” The demands of justice were satisfied. The way to the throne of grace was opened for every sinner. (The Signs of the Times, July 31, 1901)

This reference clearly speaks of Christ’s death on the cross and not His high priestly ministry. This atonement, she says, was “complete in every part.”

“Atonement is complete”

We are not merely to see a way by which to cross the gulf of sin, but we are to appreciate the value of the ransom paid for our souls; we are to realize something of what has been suffered that we might be forgiven, and rescued from destruction. We are to rejoice that the atonement is complete; and believing in Christ as our complete Saviour, we may know that the Father loves us, even as he loves his Son. (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, November 11, 1890)

Christ came as a man, that He might meet men where they are. Had He come in all His glory, human beings could not have endured the sight. “Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich.” He planted the cross between heaven and earth, and when the Father beheld the sacrifice of His Son, He bowed before it in recognition of its perfection. “It is enough,” He said. “The atonement is complete.” (Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, September 24, 1901. Also published in S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 7A, p. 459 - 1957)

The September 24, 1901 statement is of special significance because of the direct quotation of God Himself being used. Both these statements refer to the death of Christ as bringing about a completion to the atonement.

“Completion of the atonement”

The time had come for the universe of heaven to accept their King. Angels, cherubim and seraphim, would now stand in view of the cross. The Father bows His head in recognition of the One of whom the priests and rulers had said, “He trusted in God let Him deliver Him now, if He will have Him.” The Father accepts His Son. No words could convey the rejoicing of heaven or God’s expression of satisfaction and delight in His only begotten Son, as He saw the completion of the atonement. (Bible Echo and Signs of the Times, May 22, 1899. The article this reference was taken from was also published in The Signs of the Times, August 16, 1899 with an expansion of two paragraphs. A portion of the above reference was also printed in the S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 7A, p. 460 and referenced to The Signs of the Times article.)

This reference, like those that state the “atonement is complete,” refers to the death of Jesus on the cross.

“Atonement ...truths cluster”

A search on the compact disc gives eight references for the phrase “atonement for sin ... truths cluster.” Of these eight references, there are only two original sources. The first was from the diary entry of July 30, 1901. This later became know as Manuscript 70, 1901. It was not published until the year of Sister White’s death, 1915, in the expanded version of Gospel Workers.

The sacrifice of Christ as an atonement for sin is the great truth around which all other truths cluster. In order to be rightly understood and appreciated, every truth in the word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, must be studied in the light that streams from the cross of Calvary. (Diary entry for July 30, 1901 published first in Gospel Workers, 1915 Ed., p. 315. Later published in Evangelism, p. 190 - 1946; Sons and Daughters of God, p. 221 - 1955;  S.D.A. Bible Commentary, Vol. 5, p. 1137, 1956; and twice in Vol. 7A , p. 457 - 1957; Manuscript Releases, Vol. 20, p. 336 - 1993)

Christ is the foundation of every true church. All who are brought to a new faith are to be established on Him. The plain, simple truths of the gospel are to be kept before minds. Christ crucified as the atonement for sin is the great central truth of the gospel, round which all truths cluster. To this great truth all other truths are tributary. (Upward Look, p. 85 - 1982 — Letter of March 12, 1902 to Elder E. F. Franke, an evangelist.)¹

“Final atonement”

These last statements from the pen of Sister White speak clearly of an atonement finished in heaven. They show that she did not define “atonement” as meaning a finishing of the plan of salvation or she could not have written: “The sanctuary in heaven is the very center of Christ’s work in behalf of men. It concerns every soul living upon the earth. ... The intercession of Christ in man’s behalf in the sanctuary above is as essential to the plan of salvation as was His death upon the cross. By His death He began that work which after His resurrection He ascended to complete in heaven.” (The Great Controversy, pp. 488-489) Thus when we read before of a “perfect” or “complete” atonement, she was referring to the death of Christ as being a complete and perfect sacrifice. That complete and perfect sacrifice made an atonement between God and the sinner so that there could be an at-one-ment between a holy God and sinful man!

At the crucifixion, as Jesus died on Calvary, he cried, It is finished, and the vail of the temple was rent in twain, from the top to the bottom. This was to show that the services of the earthly Sanctuary were forever finished, and that God would no more meet with them in their earthly temple, to accept their sacrifices. The blood of Jesus was then shed, which was to be ministered by himself in the heavenly Sanctuary. As the priests in the earthly Sanctuary entered the Most Holy once a year to cleanse the Sanctuary, Jesus entered the Most Holy of the heavenly, at the end of the 2300 days of Dan, viii, in 1844, to make a final atonement for all who could be benefited by his mediation, and to cleanse the Sanctuary. (Spiritual Gifts, Vol. 1, pp. 161, 162, 1858 - This statement was reprinted in Early Writings, p. 253 - 1882, with minor editing.)

In the typical service, only those who had come before God with confession and repentance, and whose sins, through the blood of the sin-offering, were transferred to the sanctuary, had a part in the service of the day of atonement. So in the great day of final atonement and investigative Judgment, the only cases considered are those of the professed people of God. (The Great Controversy, 1888 ed., p. 480 — Also published in The Great Controversy,  1911 Ed.,  p. 480, and the last sentence in The Faith I Live By, p. 210 - 1958.)

The blood of Christ, while it was to release the repentant sinner from the condemnation of the law, was not to cancel the sin; it would stand on record in the sanctuary until the final atonement; so in the type the blood of the sin offering removed the sin from the penitent, but it rested in the sanctuary until the Day of Atonement. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 357 - 1890)

As in the final atonement the sins of the truly penitent are to be blotted from the records of heaven, no more to be remembered or come into mind, so in the type they were borne away into the wilderness, forever separated from the congregation. (Ibid., p. 358)

When Christ, the Mediator, burst the bands of the tomb, and ascended on high to minister for man, He first entered the holy place, where, by virtue of His own sacrifice, He made an offering for the sins of men. With intercession and pleadings He presented before God the prayers and repentance and faith of His people, purified by the incense of His own merits. He next entered the Most Holy Place, to make an atonement for the sins of the people, and cleanse the sanctuary. His work as high priest completes the divine plan of redemption by making the final atonement for sin. (Manuscript 69, 1912, p. 13. “The Sin and Death of Moses,” copied Sept. 10, 1912. Published in Manuscript Releases, Vol. 10, p. 157 and Vol. 11, p. 54 - 1990)

All five original statements for the phrase “final atonement” refer to Christ’s ministry in the heavenly sanctuary. Of significance is the last reference where she specifically states that “His work as high priest completes the divine plan of redemption by making the final atonement for sin.” Thus, while the atonement of the cross was complete of itself, it is the sanctuary ministry of Christ in the final atonement that completes the plan of salvation.

Of the eight sets of exact phrases we have printed for the reader, we found 38 references on the computer of which only 16 were original statements. In other words, 22 of the 38 (58%) were reprints of original statements. These statistics help us to understand that while Sister White might have given minimal emphasis to a concept such as calling Christ’s work at Calvary a “perfect work,” (two original statements with one reprint in her lifetime) some of  the publishers of her writings have given it greater emphasis, reprinting it seven additional times, all printed after the S.D.A. - Evangelical Conferences of the mid 1950’s!