Throughout history, fanaticism has been a blight upon the name of Christ and His people. As God gives revelations through nature, His prophets, and His word, Satan stands ready to pervert these truths and lead people to take extreme positions. It was so in the days of Ellen White. James White wrote: “[Ellen] works to this disadvantage, namely: she makes strong appeals to the people which a few feel deeply, and take strong positions, and go to ex-tremes. Then to save the cause from ruin in conse-quence of these extremes, she is obliged to come out with reproofs for extremists in a public manner. This is better than to have things go to pieces; but the in-fluence of both the extremes and the reproofs are terrible on the cause, and brings upon Mrs. White a three-fold burden. Here is the difficulty: What she may say to urge the tardy, is taken by the prompt to urge them over the mark. And what she may say to caution the prompt, zealous, incautious ones, is taken by the tardy as an excuse to re-main too far behind.” (James White, “The Spirit of Prophecy and the Cause of Reform”, RH, 17-3-1868) From the time of Moses to Luther to today, we see workings of this fanaticism. One pioneer of the Ad-vent movement put it like this: “I will give a definition to the word fanaticism, which is not found in books, and may prove a benefit to some future lexicogra-pher: Fanaticism is a mixture of bigotry, ignorance, conceit, self-exaltation, and spiritual pride. "We are not ignorant of Satan's devices." 2 Cor. ii, 11.” (Joseph Clark, “Fanaticism”, RH, 27-10-1863) And so, as we approach the statements Ellen White makes regarding psychology, we must keep in mind that from early times there have been those who, led by Satan (for “an enemy hath done this” see Matt. 13:28), have wrested the words of the prophets out of their context. We should bear in mind the following counsel: “Regarding the testimonies, nothing is ignored; nothing is cast aside; but time and place must be considered.” (1SM, p. 57)

“To deal with minds is the nicest work in which men ever engaged.” (3T, p. 269) “To deal with minds is the greatest work ever com-mitted to men. The time of parents is too valuable to be spent in the gratification of appetite or the pursuit of wealth or fashion. God has placed in their hands the precious youth, not only to be fitted for a place of usefulness in this life but to be prepared for the heav-enly courts.” (HS, p. 209) “To know oneself is a great knowledge. The teacher who rightly estimates himself will let God mold and discipline his mind. And he will acknowl-edge the source of his power. . . . Self-knowledge leads to humility and to trust in God, but it does not take the place of efforts for self-improvement. He who realizes his own deficiencies will spare no pains to reach the highest possible standard of physical, men-tal, and moral excellence. No one should have a part in the training of youth who is satisfied with a lower standard.” (SpTEd, p. 50) “Great wisdom is needed in dealing with diseases caused through the mind. A sore, sick heart, a dis-couraged mind, needs mild treatment. . . . Sympathy and tact will often prove a greater benefit to the sick than will the most skillful treatment given in a cold, indifferent way.” (MH, p. 244) “Mechanics, lawyers, merchants, men of all trades and professions, educate themselves that they may become masters of their business. Should the follow-ers of Christ be less intelligent, and while professedly engaged in His service be ignorant of the ways and means to be employed? The enterprise of gaining everlasting life is above every earthly consideration. In order to lead souls to Jesus there must be a knowledge of human nature and a study of the hu-man mind. Much careful thought and fervent prayer are required to know how to approach men and women upon the great subject of truth.” (4T, p. 67) These quotes are from the first two chapters of Mind, Character and Personality, Volume 1. For further in-sights into this sanctified field of study, it is recommended that one read the entirety of her counsels in these volumes. To those who look with suspicion and distrust upon anything that remotely

resembles psychology, I would make this appeal—learn from the Bereans: “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11) We often think of the Bereans as ‘the studious ones’. However, their receptive attitude was also a part of what made these people “more noble”. We must not allow ourselves to be so fearful of being deceived that we fail to be open to the teaching of the Lord, however and through whomever He chooses to re-veal truth. On a final note, it should be noted that when it comes to Psychology, Christ is our example as the greatest Psychologist ever to live. Looking to Him, and His Word, as is enjoined upon us by Ellen White in MS 121, 1902, is our safety in this, as in all fields. “[Christ] needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what was in man.” (John 2:25)

Endnote 1. On a personal note, I have been guilty of this very thing myself. I was a new Christian when I went to Avondale College to study, and I spoke out against the study of Psychology at that time, based on this very statement. I am just as guilty of having gone to ex-tremes and just as in danger of it today, if I walk apart from the guiding influence of Christ’s Holy Spirit. None of us are exempt from taking extremes, except as we look to God and Christ, in Whom are hid all the treas-ures of wisdom and knowledge.

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Did Ellen White Condemn or Endorse Psychology?

By Brendan Knudson

There are two places in Ellen White’s published writ-ings where the word psychology appears. One of these appearances is in a negative light and the other is in a positive light. The first of these appears to be the most well known. This quote first appeared in 1862. “The sciences of phrenology, psychology, and mes-merism, have been the channel through which Satan has come more directly to this generation, and wrought with that power which was to characterize his work near the close of probation.” (RH, 18-2-1862) This statement reappeared in Signs of the Times; November 6, 1884; and appeared in such books as Testimonies, Volume 1; Spiritual Gifts, Volume 4; Messages to Young People; Mind, Character, and Pesonality (both volumes); Selected Messages, Vol-ume 2. This statement is used today by many against any form of psychology.1. However, those who use this statement in this way, appear unfamiliar with the fol-lowing statement, penned in 1902: “The true principles of psychology are found in the Holy Scriptures. Man knows not his own value. He acts according to his unconverted temperament of character because he does not look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of his faith. He who comes to Je-sus, he who believes on Him and makes Him his Ex-ample, realizes the meaning of the words, "To them gave He power to become the sons of God" (John 1:12).” (Ms. 121, “The Results of Genuine Conver-sion”, 1902) It appears then that Ellen White did not give a blanket denunciation against psychology. We must look at the context of these statements and find out what is meant. Psychology is a term coming from two Greek words, psyche (soul/spirit/mind) and logia (study of). Today it has the general meaning of “study of the mind”. However, in the past, or as she says “this gen-eration”, it was used for a branch of pseudo-science, which was the reason for Ellen White’s condemnation. Here is what the compilers of Mind Character and Per-sonality wrote concerning the first statement: “THE REFERENCE TO PHRENOLOGY, PSYCHOL-

Magnetism (this has been used out of context as argument against any potential healing properties of magnets) which was called Charming. These fields of study were all forms of spiritualism, and it is in this context that her use of Psychology must be seen. Other pioneers of her day also wrote against these things. “Mesmerism, Satan's mildest bait, was but little known in this country prior to 1844; since then the church has been bewitched with its damning influ-ence. Psychology was not mentioned; and no one so much as dreamed of all this clattering of ten thousand demons from the infernal regions, rap-ping, moving chairs, stands, tables, &c. That Baby-lon's cup is full, we do not believe. But the present movements of Spiritualism show the text fast fulfill-ing. When accomplished, the wrath of God, un-mixed with mercy will be poured out.” (James White, RH, 10-3-1859) “I might mention the wonders of Psychology, Biol-ogy, and Mesmerism in all its forms which have attracted the gaze of astonished beholders. But these all bid fair to be eclipsed by the astounding wonders of Spirit Manifestations. Free converse is held with what purport to be the spirits of the de-parted.” (J. N. Lougborough, “The Two-Horned Beast” RH, 28-3-1854) We see from these statements that Psychology is a term that was applied to the spiritualist manifesta-tions which began in the United States with the “rappings” which were associated with the Fox fam-ily in 1848. It was also called Electro-Psychology (P. Miller, Jr, “The Sabbath”, RH, 28-4-1853). Let us be thankful that Ellen White did not include “biology” in her list, as seen above, or there would be those who would entreat us not to study this valuable field. Turning now to the true principles of Psychology, let us look a little more at what she said in regard to the study of the mind:

“He who created the mind and ordained its laws, provided for its development in accordance with them.” (Ed., p. 41)

OGY, AND MESMERISM, AS HERE COMBINED, DESCRIBING THE MANNER IN WHICH SATAN TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE HUMAN MIND, MAY SEEM A BIT OBSCURE TO ONE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE LITERATURE OF THE TIME AND ITS EMPHASIS. SCIENTIFIC WORKS DEVOTED TO PHYSIOLOGY AND THE CARE OF THE SICK CARRIED ADVERTISING LISTS AT THE BACK INFORMING THE PUBLIC OF LITERATURE AVAILABLE. ONE SUCH WORK, THE WATER CURE MANUAL (284 PAGES), PUBLISHED IN 1850 BY FOWLERS AND WELLS, CARRIES A LIST OF SIXTY-FIVE DIFFERENT WORKS ON PHYSI-CAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND OF THESE, TWENTY-THREE ARE DEVOTED TO PHRENOL-OGY, PSYCHOLOGY, MESMERISM, AND CLAIR-VOYANCE. WE REPRODUCE HERE A FEW ITEMS: “ELEMENTS OF ANIMAL MAGNETISM; OR, PROCESS AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION FOR RELIEVING HUMAN SUFFERING. $.12 1/2 “FAMILIAR LESSONS ON PHRENOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY. MUSLIN, IN ONE VOLUME. BEAU-TIFULLY ILLUSTRATED. $2.00 “FASCINATION; OR THE PHILOSOPHY OF CHARMING (MAGNETISM). ILLUSTRATING THE PRINCIPLES OF LIFE. ILLUSTRATED. $.40 “LECTURES ON THE PHILOSOPHY OF MESMER-ISM AND CLAIRVOYANCE. WITH INSTRUCTION IN ITS PROCESS AND PRACTICAL APPLICATION. $.25 “PSYCHOLOGY, OR THE SCIENCE OF THE SOUL. WITH ENGRAVINGS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. BY JOSEPH HADDOCK, MD. $.25. . . PHILOSOPHY OF ELECTRICAL PSYCHOLOGY. BY JOHN BOVEE DODS. $.50” (Compilers note, 1MCP, p. 19) Phrenology was the (now defunct) study of the shape of the scull as indicative of the strengths of different faculties. Mesmerism is what we now call hypnosis. Other terms she used with these was Animal Magnetism, sometimes referred to as just