1

by Stephen Bohr

A s is well known, the Seventh-

day Adventist Church is
presently involved in an in-depth
women today should be ordained as
elders and gospel ministers along
with men. But is such logic sound?
study to ascertain if there is any bib- More importantly, does it square
lical support for the ordination of with the biblical evidence?
women as elders and pastors. Vari-
ous arguments have been proposed Moses, Joshua
by those who favor the practice and and the Elders
in this article I would like to evalu- First of all, it is important to real-
ate two of those arguments, the cas- ize that the period of the judges is
es of Deborah and Huldah. not the ideal pattern for what James
It is customary for the women’s and Ellen White called ‘gospel
ordination advocates to take excep- order’. The period of the judges was
tional, out-of-the-ordinary cases a somewhat unruly stage of Israel’s
and make them the norm to be fol- history between the death of the
lowed in all situations. For example, elders who succeeded Joshua (ca.
as I documented in my recent book, 1300 BC) and the Hebrew monar-
Reflections on Women’s Ordination, chy (ca. 1050 BC).
they regularly bring up the unusual Inspiration tells us that while
case of China where women, due Moses was alive he set up an orga-
to irregular political circumstanc- nizational system in Israel which
es and a lack of a denominational Ellen White referred to as a ‘perfect
organizational structure, have been organization’. It is clear from Scrip-
forced to assume leadership posi- ture that this perfect organizational
tions in the church. structure was passed along to Josh-
Another out-of-the-ordinary ua when Moses laid hands on him
instance is that of Deborah, the shortly before he died: “Now Joshua
judge and prophetess of Israel. The the son of Nun was full of the spirit
women’s ordination advocates argue of wisdom, for Moses had laid his
that if such an influential woman hands on him; so the children of
as Deborah could be a judge and a Israel heeded him, and did as the
prophetess in Israel, then women Lord had commanded Moses” Deu-
should be allowed to serve as elders teronomy 34:9.
and pastors in the church. They Apparently this ideal organiza-
also argue that Huldah the proph- tional system continued not only
etess occupied a prominent leader- under the leadership of Joshua but
ship position in Israel and therefore also during the period of the elders

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 The crucial question at this point is Daughters of God, p. 37. What do we know for certain about
this: Should the period of the judges be Ellen White’s remark is clearly cor- Deborah? We know that before she was
the ideal model for church organization roborated by examining the list of sev- a judge she was a prophetess (Judges
today? Would it not be better for us to enteen judges in Israel (including the 4:4). That is to say, her predominant
focus on the organizational system that two sons of Samuel): Othniel, Ehud, calling was that of a prophet. We also
was established in the days of Moses Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, Abim- know that because she was respected
which Ellen White described as a ‘per- elech, Tola, Jair, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, as a prophet, her services were retained
fect order’? The Lord’s servant explicitly Abdon, Samson, Eli, Samuel, Joel and by the people as a judge (Judges 4:4).
affirmed that we should learn lessons Abijah. What stands out in this list of The Scripture record states that Debo-
from the organizational order that was seventeen judges is that only one of rah judged private and most likely
established under divine guidance by them was a woman! Further, all the civil cases of individuals who came
who outlived him: “Israel Moses: “Has God changed from a God judges from Othniel to Samuel served to her under a palm tree (Judges 4:4)
served the Lord all the days of order?—No; he is the same in the pres- as military leaders, Deborah being the which is definitely a strange place for a
of Joshua, and all the days of ent dispensation as in the former. Paul lone exception! courtroom!! Deborah did not serve as a
the elders who outlived Joshua, says, “God is not the author of confu- priest, a Levite, an elder, or a king.
who had known all the works of sion, but of peace.” [1 Corinthians 14:33.] Deborah’s Role Furthermore, Deborah is called a
the Lord which He had done for He is as particular now as then. And he The question is, were there no men in mother in Israel who was chosen to
Israel.” Joshua 24:31; Judges 1:6-9 designs that we should learn lessons of Israel that it was necessary for Debo- deliver messages of encouragement
Ellen White is in full harmony order and organization from the per- rah to do what a man should have been from God to the military commander,
with Scripture on this matter: “Until fect order instituted in the days of Moses, doing? Of course there were! What the Barak. The expression ‘mother in Isra-
the generation that had received instruc- for the benefit of the children of Israel” story of Deborah in Judges 4 and 5 el’ undoubtedly refers to the fact that
tion from Joshua became extinct, idola- Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 647. teaches us, is that if a male will not step Deborah was a perceptive woman who
try made little headway” Patriarchs forward as God intended, then God will provided wise prophetic counsel to the
and Prophets, p. 544. Deborah’s Role use a woman prophet to encourage the military commander, Barak. That this is
Unusual male to step up to the plate and fulfill the case can be seen in the only other
Period of the Judges When the elders who succeeded Joshua his leadership role. reference to this title in 2 Samuel 20:19.
But then came the period of the Judges passed away, the organizational sys- As I have read the egalitarian (those There, an unnamed woman provided
when the organizational system under tem of Israel entered a somewhat cha- who believe that men and women in wise counsel to another military com-
Moses, Joshua, and the elders seemed otic period. During this time, a series the home and in the church share equal mander, Joab, thus sparing an entire
to a great degree to fall apart. Scripture of magistrates arose to ‘judge’ Israel and interchangeable roles) literature on city from destruction.
tells us that “another generation arose among which was Deborah. It must be Deborah, I have found that it stretches
after them [the elders who succeeded underlined that during this period it was the evidence to the breaking point by Who Led the Battle?
Joshua] who did not know the Lord or highly unusual for a woman to serve as referring to Deborah as one having Contrary to what pro-ordination advo-
the work which He had done for Israel” a civil magistrate. Ellen White explains authority over men, as being the high- cates claim, Deborah did not summon
Judges 2:10. The Bible record makes it that Deborah’s service was outside the est leader in Israel, and as one who exer- and lead Israel to battle but rather
clear that during this transitional peri- norm: “She [Deborah] was known as cised political and judicial power over advised Barak to do so (Judges 4:6, 7,
od there was no centralized authority in a prophetess, and in the absence of the the entire nation, including men. But 14). Ellen White explicitly affirms that
Israel and everyone did what was right usual magistrates, the people had sought is this the picture that Scripture really God had chosen Barak to go to battle,
in their own eyes (Judges 17:6; 21:25). to her for counsel and justice” Sons and portrays? not Deborah. He was to be the leader,

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 woman who killed the commander of Zerubbabel (the civil leader) and Josh- wisely lead God’s people. The prophet
the enemy hosts was not Deborah but ua (the religious leader) spearheaded does not usurp the leadership position
rather the woman Jael who drove a stake the reconstruction of the temple while but encourages the leaders to fulfill
through Sisera’s head (Judges 4:21). the prophets Haggai and Zechariah their God-given duty to lead!
helped them by providing guidance
Barak’s Hesitation and encouragement. Here is the record: THE
Jehoshaphat Example
Why did Barak hesitate to go to battle “Then the prophet Haggai and Zechari- Another example of this advisory role
without Deborah’s support? Contrary to ah the son of Iddo, prophets, prophesied of a prophet is found in the story of 2
what one may think, it was not because to the Jews who were in Judah and Jeru- Chronicles 20. As the chapter begins,
Barak was a coward. Rather, he had salem, in the name of the God of Israel, we see Jehoshaphat fearful because a
little confidence that Israel would pay who was over them. So Zerubbabel the triple alliance with a massive army was
him heed and rally for battle. As we son of Shealtiel and Jeshua the son of on the march against Judah. In this time
have shown before, there was no central Jozadak rose up and began to build the of crisis, the people prayed earnestly to
not her: “Although he had been
government that required the men of house of God which is in Jerusalem; and God for deliverance and the King him-
designated by the Lord Himself
Israel to respond to Barak’s call. Inspi- the prophets of God were with them, self then uttered a beautiful prayer.
as the one chosen to deliver Isra-
ration tells us: “He accepted the message helping them” Ezra 2:1, 2. In the midst of the crisis, the pro-
el, and had received the assurance
from Deborah as the word of God, but At the time, Zerubbabel was the civil phetic gift fell upon one Jahaziel who
that God would go with him and
he had little confidence in Israel, and leader in Jerusalem, and Joshua, as the encouraged the King to lead the bat-
subdue their enemies, yet he was
feared that they would not obey his call. high priest, was the spiritual leader. tle not with weapons but by singing
timid and distrustful” Sons and
He refused to engage in such a doubt- Did the prophets Zechariah and Hag- the praises of the Lord. Jehoshaphat
Daughters of God, p. 37.
ful undertaking unless Deborah would gai usurp the leadership positions of accepted the counsel and went before
By prophetic instruction from God,
accompany him, and thus support his Zerubbabel and Joshua? No. The text the armies along with the Levites and
Deborah told Barak to assemble the
efforts by her influence and counsel” clearly states that the prophets helped commanded Israel to sing. To rally the
men of Israel to lead them to battle
Sons and Daughters of God, p. 37. them in their task of rebuilding the troops Jehoshaphat uttered the famous
(Judges 4:6). When Barak vacillated
It was because Deborah was a proph- temple by encouraging them to go for- words: “Hear me, O Judah and you
and insisted that Deborah accompany
et and the people respected her judg- ward with the project. Haggai 1:12-15 inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the
him (Judges 4:8), she rebuked him
ment that the military leader Barak felt clearly reveals the role that was played Lord your God and you shall be estab-
and promised that he would lose honor
that her presence would encourage Isra- by God’s prophets. God called Haggai lished; believe His prophets and you shall
because God would deliver Israel from
el to go to battle. It will be noticed that and Zechariah to encourage the leaders prosper” 2 Chronicles 20:20.
their enemies by the hand of a woman
Deborah provided support for Barak’s to build, and Zerubbabel and Joshua in Thus the king and the people were
(4:8, 9). This strongly suggests that
efforts and not he hers. Further, Debo- turn answered the challenge by encour- encouraged by the prophet to go out
Barak had failed to exercise his manly
rah did not help Barak by taking over aging the people to build. The result was to battle with the assurance of victory.
duty as Israel’s leader.
military leadership but rather by her that the temple was finished in just five The prophet did not lead the battle. The
Contrary to what the women’s ordi-
influence and counsel. years. Thus the prophets inspired the prophet simply encouraged leader-
nation lobby claims, Deborah was not
leaders but did not usurp their legiti- ship to pay heed to the counsel given
the woman who delivered Israel from
Prophets as Helpers mate authority. by God and go to battle. The result of
the hand of Sisera. Judges 4:14-16
This is the role of a prophet. A proph- Jehoshaphat and Israel paying heed
unambiguously indicates that Sisera A similar example of the role of a proph-
et is a wise counselor that encourages to the prophet was a signal victory for
was delivered into the hand of Israel et can be seen when Israel returned to
leadership to go forward in faith and God’s people over their enemies. Now
under the leadership of Barak, and the Israel from Babylon after the captivity.

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 back to the story of Deborah and Barak. man Barak was remiss to do so? No! She the time would fail me to tell of Gideon evidence as well as illogical thinking.
actually encouraged Barak to do it, and and Barak and Samson and Jephthah,
Barak the she provided moral support! also of David and Samuel and the proph- Female Prophets
Central Figure When the victory was gained, Deb- ets” Hebrews 11:32. It is an undeniable fact that the Bible
As a prophet, Deborah encouraged the orah and Barak both sang a song of Does this mean that Deborah’s role mentions a good number of women
leader to do his duty just as Ellen White praise to the Lord who had given Israel was not important? Of course not! Her who served in the role of a prophet.
later encouraged and counseled the the victory (5:12). It is a significant fact role as a prophet was indispensable to Among these are Miriam (Exodus
male leaders of the Seventh-day Adven- that when Samuel later reminisced encourage Barak and the troops, but she 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah
tist Church. Notably, God called two about this experience, he named Barak did not usurp Barak’s leadership role to (2 Kings 22:14), Noadiah (Nehemiah
males to be His prophets before Ellen as the main protagonist of the story and lead Israel into battle as is often argued 6:14), Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3), Anna
White, and neither of them accepted did not even mention Deborah: “And by the women’s ordination lobby. (Luke 2:36), and Philip’s four daugh-
the call so God chose the weakest of the the Lord sent Jerubbaal and Barak and ters (Acts 21:9). The apostle Paul even
weak as His prophet. He chose the most Jephthah and Samuel and delivered you Illogical Conclusion said that it was legitimate for women
unlikely of candidates—a poor, sickly, out of the hand of your enemies on every To use the story of Deborah the judge prophets to speak in the congregation
young, unstudied woman! side, and you lived in safety” 1 Samuel and prophetess of Israel to justify the as long as they followed the cultural
The story of Judges 4 is absolutely 12:11, ESV. ordination of women as elders and custom of covering their heads as a sign
clear: It was Barak who summoned Did Samuel leave out a reference to pastors in the church denotes a lack of of their submission to male authority
Israel to battle (verse 10). It was Barak Deborah because he lived in a male sound reasoning. If Deborah had been (1 Corinthians 11:5). We are also told
who led them dominated a priestess the parallel might be justifi- that in the last days, not only sons but
into battle society? Pro- able, but she was not. Does the follow- also daughters will prophesy (Joel 2:28;
(verse 14). It ordination ing syllogism make logical sense? Acts 2:17). And who could ever forget
was Barak lobbyists may the role of Ellen White as the prophet-
suggest that • Major premise: In the Old
who routed Testament, women served as ess of the remnant, albeit God’s third
the army of this was the choice because two men first turned
reason, but prophets and judges
Sisera and down His call?
defeated it they are sim- • Minor premise: Deborah was a It is frequently argued by the wom-
(verse 15). It ply reading woman en’s ordination lobby that if God chose
was Barak into the text • Conclusion: Therefore Deborah women to be prophets then we should
who pursued what is not could serve as a priest allow women to be ordained as elders
the armies of there. and gospel ministers. In fact, I have
The facts speak for themselves. The
Sisera until most that can be argued from the story found that Joel 2:28, along with Gala-
there was no one left (verse 16), and The Testimony of Deborah is that God today might call tians 3:28, is one of the most frequently
when Sisera fled on foot it was Barak of Hebrews quoted texts in favor of women’s ordi-
women to be prophets and judges but
who pursued him (verse 22) It bears noting that when the book of there is no evidence whatsoever in this nation.
Nowhere in the story are we told Hebrews describes the Old Testament story that God calls women today to be
that Deborah led the armies into battle heroes and heroines of faith, mention senior pastors, elders, or Conference, An Iron-Clad
and that she gained the victory over is made of Barak as the protagonist of Union, Division, or General Conference Argument?
the enemy. Did Deborah take over the the story and Deborah is not even men- presidents. To argue in this manner Sometime ago, I was speaking with a
reins of military leadership when the tioned: “And what more shall I say? For denotes a careless misuse of the biblical conference president about women’s

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 What did Ellen White mean by ‘min- • Major Premise: The Bible affirms The Case of Huldah
istry in its various lines’? The succeed- that there were women who were Yet many egalitarian scholars still insist
ing context indicates that she was not called to the prophetic office that a woman’s call to the prophetic
writing about ministry in general nor • Minor Premise: Ellen White was a office proves that they can also serve as
was she gender inclusive. She was refer- woman pastors and elders. The fact that Ellen
ring to young men entering the minis- White was God’s prophet to the Rem-
try. • Conclusion: Therefore Ellen White
was called to be a pastor or elder nant Church has led one pro-ordination
“Let not our young men be deterred scholar to affirm: “And if there has ever
from entering the ministry. There is dan- The question is: Does the conclusion been anyone in our midst who was a
ger that through glowing representations logically follow the major and minor leader and a person of authority, it has
some will be drawn away from the path premises? Of course not! In order to been Ellen White. In the context of
where God bids them walk. Some have be logical, the syllogism would have to Ephesians 4:11-14, it becomes difficult
ordination, and he boldly been encouraged to take a course of study look like this:
stated: “I settled this issue to imagine ‘ordaining’ those exercising
in medical lines who ought to be prepar- • Major Premise: The Bible affirms other gifts/offices in the church—apos-
in my mind long ago. If God ing themselves to enter the ministry. The
called Ellen White to be a wom- that there were women who were tles, evangelists, pastor-teachers—with-
Lord calls for more ministers to labor in called by God to the prophetic office out also being willing to ‘ordain’ those
an prophet, then He can also His vineyard. The words were spoken:
call them to serve as pastors and • Minor Premise: Ellen White was a deemed to be ‘prophets’.”
“Strengthen the outposts; have faith-
elders.” He seemed to suggest that ful sentinels in every part of the world.” woman
the office of ‘prophet’ was a higher God calls for you, young men. He calls • Conclusion: Therefore God called
Questions and
calling than that of an elder or minister for whole armies of young men who are Ellen White to the prophetic office
More Questions
and therefore women prophets should large-hearted and large-minded, and Several questions need to be asked about
be allowed to serve in the ‘lesser’ office The most that can be argued on the this statement: Was Ellen White actual-
who have a deep love for Christ and the basis of women prophets is that women
of pastor or elder. In other words, if a truth.” Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 411 ly a leader and a person of authority in
prophet can be a woman then certainly today can be called by God to be proph- the sense of being an elder, a pastor, or a
So we come back to our original ets. The gift of prophecy is a spiritual
she can also be an elder or gospel min- questions: Is the office of prophet higher Conference, Union, or General Confer-
ister, right? But is the call of a prophet gift that is given by God without regard ence president? Is the role of a ‘prophet’
in rank than the office of the gospel to gender, but this gift must not be min-
really higher than that of a gospel min- minister? Does the fact that God calls interchangeable with that of an elder or
ister? Ellen White answers this ques- gled with the leadership roles of elder, bishop? Were prophets called by God to
women to the so-called ‘higher office’ of bishop, or pastor. The Bible allows for
tion: “There must be no belittling of the prophet mean that they can also serve be leaders in Israel?
gospel ministry. No enterprise should be gender inclusiveness when it comes to
in the supposed ‘lesser office’ of pas- prophets, but it does not allow for this
so conducted as to cause the ministry of tors and elders? Many in the women’s in the case of elders or pastors. In fact,
Huldah
the Word to be looked upon as an inferi- ordination lobby would answer in the The role of the prophet in Scripture as
or matter. It is not so. Those who belittle there is not a single instance in Scrip-
affirmative. ture of a woman prophet who was one it relates to leadership can be clearly
the ministry are belittling Christ. The It is amazing to me how those who discerned in the story of the discovery
highest of all work is ministry in its vari- of the twelve founders of Israel, a mem-
argue in this manner are not able to dis- ber of the council of the seventy, a Lev- of the book of the Law in the days of
ous lines, and it should be kept before the cern the fallacy in their reasoning! Let’s King Josiah (2 Kings 22, 23). As is well
youth that there is no work more blessed ite, a priest, a king, an apostle, a deacon,
analyze the argument from a logical an elder, a bishop, a pastor, or a husband known, in the eighteenth year of his
of God than that of the gospel minister.” perspective in the form of a syllogism: reign, Josiah ordered the temple of the
Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 411 of one wife!

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 leadership in Judah. She did not take prophets served as inspired advisors of leadership in the church. She was
over the throne. She did not take over and counselors to rulers, and yet the never a Conference, Union, or General
the priesthood to clean up the apostasy. rulers had the governing authority to Conference president. She was never
She was merely the messenger that God accept or reject the counsel. That the a pastor, a bishop, or an elder. She was
used to encourage Josiah to lead out rulers had executive power over the never referred to as Elder White or Pas-
in the needed reformation. Huldah did prophets is made clear by what the tor Ellen. She was always Sister White
not clean up the mess! It was Josiah, the rulers frequently did to prophets who or Mother White. Not only did she
elders, and the priests as the leaders of delivered politically incorrect mes- deny that she was a leader, but when
Judah who took her message to heart sages. Among others, Isaiah was sawn she spoke of the Seventh-day Adventist
and led out in the initiative to make asunder, Elijah had to flee, Jeremiah organizational system, she underlined
the necessary changes. It was the king was committed to the dungeon (2 that at each level competent men should
who ordered the elders of Judah and Chronicles 36:11-15), John the Baptist be elected as officers: “No one has ever
Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and was beheaded, Stephen was stoned, and heard me claim the position of leader
Lord to be repaired. In the pro-
all the people to come to the temple of Ellen White was shipped off to the Land of the denomination… He has not pro-
cess, Hilkiah, the high priest,
the Lord to renew the covenant with Down Under. vided that the burden of leadership shall
found the book of the Law which
Him (2 Kings 23:1-3). It was the king We are told concerning the leader- rest upon a few men. Responsibilities
somehow had been lost. When
who then commanded Hilkiah to clean ship of Josiah and the reformation that are distributed among a large number of
Shaphan informed the king that
up the temple and the land from all the took place in Judah: “And he made all competent men… Every member of the
the high priest Hilkiah had found
paraphernalia that had been used in the who were present in Jerusalem and Ben- church has a voice in choosing officers of
the book of the Law that contained
pagan cultus, and it was the king who jamin take a stand. So the inhabitants of the church. The church chooses the offi-
the covenant blessings and curses, the
commanded that the unfaithful priests Jerusalem did according to the covenant cers of the state conferences. Delegates
king rent his robes because he knew
be slain. And it was the king who was of God, the God of their fathers. Thus chosen by the state conferences choose
that Judah deserved to suffer the curses
extolled by the Lord for being a faith- Josiah removed all the abominations the officers of the union conferences, and
because of her unfaithfulness.
ful leader: “Now before him there was from all the country that belonged to the delegates chosen by the union conferenc-
The king then commanded that the
no king like him, who turned to the Lord children of Israel, and [Josiah] made all es choose the officers of the General Con-
Lord be consulted about this matter
with all his heart, with all his soul, and who were present in Israel diligently serve ference. By this arrangement every con-
and messengers were sent to Huldah
with all his might, according to all the the Lord their God. All his days they did ference, every institution, every church,
who was known in town as a proph-
Law of Moses; nor after him did any not depart from following the Lord God and every individual, either directly or
etess. Huldah received the messen-
arise like him” 2 Kings 23:25. of their fathers” 2 Chronicles 34:32, 33. through representatives, has a voice in
gers and with them, sent a message to
Once again it must be underlined the election of the men who bear the
Josiah prefaced with the words: “this is
what the Lord God says.” She informed
that Huldah did not take the reins of The Adventist chief responsibilities in the General Con-
Josiah that the predicted disaster would
the government or the priesthood to Advantage ference … neither then [when the work
have all of this done. Huldah imparted Seventh-day Adventists have a distinct was just starting] nor since the work has
come upon Judah but that it would not
to the king the message that God gave advantage when it comes to under- grown to large proportions, during which
transpire while he was alive.
her, but the designated leader chose to standing the role of a prophet as it time responsibilities have been widely
implement her counsel. Josiah could distributed, has anyone heard me
Was Huldah have ignored what the prophet said and
relates to leadership because we have
claiming the leadership of this people.”
the Leader? had one in our midst. As one looks at
the doom upon Judah would have come the life and ministry of Ellen White, Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 236, 237
The important point to remember here during his lifetime. Make no mistake, God did give her
we never find her occupying a position
is that Huldah did not take the reins of There is clear Biblical evidence that

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 counsel for the leaders of the church, other means. An examination of the
but she did not usurp their authority to extant records indicates that she was the
implement or not implement the coun- only person, male or female, during her
sel she gave. She unambiguously stated: lifetime who received a ministerial cre-
“This is my work—to give to the people dential in spite of never being ordained.
the light that the Lord gives me. I am Other women did receive a ministerial
commissioned to receive and communi- license but none received a credential.
cate His messages. I am not to appear Some women’s ordination lobbyists
before the people as holding any other have affirmed that Ellen White was
position than that of a messenger with ordained. But this is simply an unfound-
a message.” Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 237 ed fable. The Ellen G. White Estate has
This is why she repeatedly referred to in its possession six of Ellen White’s
herself as the ‘messenger of the Lord’. paper ministerial credentials: 1883,
When her counsel was followed, the 1885, 1887, 1899, 1909, and 1913. On the
church was blessed, but when her coun- 1883 credential (issued by the Michigan
sel was ignored or rejected, the church Conference) the word ‘ordained’ is not
suffered spiritual loss. crossed off but on the 1885 credential
By her own witness, Ellen White took (issued by the General Conference)
orders from church leadership when she the word ‘ordained’ is neatly crossed
did not have any direct light from God off. On the 1887 credential the word
to the contrary. The leadership extend- ‘ordained’ is not crossed off. This has
ed a call for her to go to Australia, and led some women’s ordination advocates
even though she would have preferred to say that she was ordained sometime
to stay in California, she responded to between 1885 and 1887. However, this
the call and spent nine years with great presents serious problems. Does this
physical pain in the Land Down Under mean that she was ordained in 1883
and while there wrote some of her most when the Michigan Conference issued
deeply spiritual books. It is a sobering her a ministerial credential, she was
thought that Ellen White, the Messen- then unordained in 1885 because the
ger of the Lord, would follow the leader- word ‘ordained’ is crossed off, and then
ship of the brethren! she was re-ordained in 1887? The simple
fact is that she was never set apart as an
Ellen White and ordained minister. She was ordained by
Credentials God to be a prophet, not a pastor, an
For many years, Ellen White did receive elder, or a bishop!
an ‘honorary’ ministerial credential,
but she was never set apart or ordained Biographical
for a leadership position in the church Information Sheet
by the laying on of human hands or any Further evidence that Ellen White
www.whiteestate.org/issues/egw_credentials/egw_credentials.htm

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on March 5, 1909, as requested by the In Conclusion Women’s Ordination
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for question 26, to be a prophet! The
‘If remarried, give
date, and to whom.’
conclusion simply
does not follow the
premise!
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W. C. White So, the evidence is crystal clear con-
Confirmation cerning Deborah and Huldah. In nei- Be sure to watch every Sabbath morn-
ing from 11:00am to 12:45pm Pacific
The final line of evidence that Ellen ther case is there a shred of evidence time. Click “On Air” at SecretsUnsealed.
White was never set apart by the lay- that would justify the ordination of org to tune in weekly.
ing on of human hands is found in a women as elders or pastors. To use these
letter written by Dores E. Robinson in stories in this manner denotes either
response to a question that had been careless scholarship or a preconceived
asked of W. C. White regarding Ellen agenda in favor of women’s ordination.
White’s ordination status. The letter God has called women to very impor-
is dated November 17, 1935: “[W. C. tant roles in the church, but the apostle
White] tells me that Sister White was Paul leaves no
never ordained, that she never baptized, doubt that the
nor did she ever give the ordination elders, pas-
charge to others.” tors/bishops
W. C. White was Ellen White’s son. of the church
Certainly he knew Ellen White’s ordi- must be the
nation status better than those who are ‘husbands of
attempting to rewrite history. In spite of one wife.’
all this evidence, the Ellen White ordi- Pastor Stephen Bohr Cracking the Genesis Code Descubriendo Los Misterios De Génesis
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