Walter Rea. White Lie. Chapters 11–12

Translation from English by Dmitry A. Belyakov

Abstract

This publication presents the first translation into Russian from English of chapters 11 and 12 of the book by a former follower of Seventh-day Adventism Walter Rea (1932–2014) «The White Lie», exposing the activities of the Adventist Ellen White as a prophetess, allegedly receiving revelations from God. The translation is based on the publication Rea W. The White Lie. Turlock: M & R Publications, 1982 and is preceded by an introductory article by the translator, published in the previous, 25th issue of «Diakrisis». Chapter 11 «The Question of Ethics», examines the ethical problem in Seventh-day Adventism, generated by the position of the Adventist leadership, which, on the one hand, was aware of Ellen White’s plagiarism, which she deliberately passed off as a revelation from God, and, on the other hand, it kept silent about this fact, making efforts to keep ordinary Adventists in error regarding the origin and status of White’s texts. Chapter 12, «Life Is Not Without Incidents», is shorter than the previous chapter and critically examines four techniques used by Adventists to promote Ellen White’s ideas as inspired.