Walter Rea. White Lie. Chapters 13-14

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 13 «Can This Marriage Be Saved?» examines the situation in Adventism in the 1970s after critical publications that substantiated the claim that Ellen White’s prophecies were actually false and that her writings were plagiarized. It also provides a brief overview and critique of new Adventist apologetic arguments to justify Ellen White’s plagiarism and to pass off her false ideas as biblical teachings accepted in Adventism. Chapter 14 «God, Gold, or Glory» examines problems in Adventism, contemporary for W. Rea. The first is the lack of real control over the management of funds by the Adventist leadership, which were used to enrich it. The second problem concerns the limitation of academic freedom of Adventist theologians when trying to discuss key issues related to the understanding of Daniel 8, 14. The third problem is that the Adventist leadership continues to impose on believers ideas invented by E. White that have no Biblical basis. The fourth is the discrepancy between E. White’s eschatological views and the real historical situation in the world.