Hermeneutics, or Interpreting the Writings of Ellen G. White
Divine communication originates with God, as the term itself indicates. It
is intended, however, for human beings who, since the entrance of sin, have
perceptions of the great issues of life that are limited, and often completely
contrary. The Bible tells us that the divine message can be misunderstood and
misused (2 Peter 3:16). At the same time, the Holy Spirit offers help to those
who honestly want to know the truth (Ephesians 1:17-19).
The way we perceive, interpret, and ultimately handle the message of God
will determine whether the message accomplishes the divine objectives in
communicating it. If the human receptor is not willing to receive the
communication, or perceives it incorrectly, or rejects it because it does not
meet his or her expectations or because it confronts the individual with changes
in the traditional way of living, then God's purpose is not fulfilled, and this
person is left to his or her own fate.
Hermeneutics is the word scholars use to refer to the procedures for
interpreting writings of the past. In "Some Principles for Correctly Interpreting the Writings of Ellen G. White" is a set of hermeneutical principles that can help the reader better to
understand the writings of Ellen G. White. Finally, in the Reference Library, one can find a fuller treatment of these principles in "Basic Rules of Interpretation--Internal and External."