Charismatic megachurches and their worship teams, who have had great influence over the direction of church music, justify their use of emotional and rock- and pop-style worship with reference to passages such as Psalm 150. However, the expressions of joyful praise in Psalms are seasoned with much metaphor.  The rivers are exhorted to clap their hands in praise to God and the mountains to sing together for joy (Ps 98:8). The sun, moon and stars are to praise God. The great sea creatures; the hail, the storms and clouds; fruitful trees and cedars; creeping things and flying fowl (Ps 148:3,7-10); everything that has breath is to praise the Lord (Ps 150:6). Therefore, the exhortation to praise God with stringed instruments and flutes and clashing cymbals is not so much a literal instruction manual on how to praise God but rather an attitude of the heart after meditating upon God’s Word. It’s a metaphor of what true praise from the heart should feel like. This joy and praise can be expressed in joyous music, but it flows from the heart. The Psalmist said, “My heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God (Ps 84:2 ESV).”

His heart and flesh are not literally but figuratively singing. The moon and stars and the flying fowl cannot literally praise the Lord, but after meditating on the law of the Lord and contemplating His power and goodness, the stony heart comes alive and springs forth with joyful praise for the creator. This joy can be expressed in many ways, including in song, in sharing our faith with others and in living a life that gives glory to our creator and saviour. If we are bursting at the seams with joy for what God has done for us, music is only one way to express this joy. When we express this joy in church, we edify ourselves. An even better way is to let the joy overflow in the sharing of our faith to fellow human beings. A literal orchestra with literal trees, every breathing thing and sea creatures is not required to sing our praises to God. Metaphorically, we can sing our praises to God by being faithful to Jesus’ commission to make disciples of all the nations, teaching them everything that He commanded us (Matt 28:19-20).

Not everything the Psalmist said and did agrees with Jesus or applies to us today. David hated his enemies with ‘perfect hatred’ (Ps 139:22) and asked God to punish them. David even asks God to raise him up so that he can repay his enemies (Ps 41:10). Jesus said, “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you (Matt 5:44).” The Lord said, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay (Rom 12:19).” David was a polygamist but Jesus accepted only monogamy. The Psalms are filled with human expressions and frailties. What was appropriate or acceptable for David as King of Israel may not be appropriate for us. God has been gradually revealing more light to his people over time and, consequently, has different expectations for His followers today.

We often see Old Testament practices used as metaphors to illustrate a spiritual principle, even if the practice itself may not be encouraged in the New Testament. For example, costly jewellery and gold ornaments are commonly used for adornment by God’s people in the Old Testament (Gen 24:53; Song of Sol 1:10). To illustrate the spiritual blessings of His people, God metaphorically dresses the nation of Israel in fine linen and silk and adorns her with ornaments of gold and silver and other precious jewellery (Ez 16:10-13). However, in the New Testament, Paul discourages women from adorning themselves with costly jewellery and clothing, but rather to dress modestly and to focus on good deeds and inner beauty (1 Tim 2:9-10; 1 Pet 3:3-4). Without Paul’s comments, one might get the impression that extravagant dress is acceptable for the Christian. Likewise, though we see occasional examples of ecstatic praise in the Old Testament, the ministry of Jesus and the early church excluded extravagant worship. On the other hand, the principle of self-control and restraint is a common theme throughout the Bible, especially in the New Testament.

Jesus is our ultimate example. He held no worldly attraction: no beauty or majesty to attract us to him and nothing in his appearance that we should desire Him (Is 53:2). He worked with calmness, soberness and self-restraint. Likewise, there is no record of highly emotional worship amongst his disciples. That is not to say there is never a time to praise God with great excitement. On what occasions, in what manner and how often should we do this though? There is no doubt we will be jumping and dancing with great joy at Jesus’ second coming. But the New Testament appears to put the brakes on emotionalism.

In Jesus’ ministry and in the early church there is no use of tambourines, cymbals, trumpets or dancing expressly recorded. That does not mean that instruments were not used, but it does set a precedent. There is a pattern of ministry to be recognised – a blueprint for us to follow. People were reached primarily by plainly preaching the Word of God. Music and singing was not used as a prominent means for reaching the lost or for connecting with those who are not responding to the message.

When Jesus sent out the disciples to evangelise, He instructed them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Lk 9:2). Though music was a very significant part of Jewish culture at the time, He did not ask them to make use of it. Instead, “He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff – no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts – but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics (Mk 6:8).” They were to be totally dependent on the Holy Spirit. If the people did not receive their message, He did not tell them to figure out how to better get their attention, but they were to move on. They were not advised to take a lyre or a flute along. There is no injunction to entice people by manipulating them emotionally or to make it easier to accept the message by watering it down.

The success of our work is not based on the response of the recipient of the message but on our faithfulness in delivering the message God has called us to deliver. The majority of the Jews rejected their Messiah. Did Jesus get it wrong? Should He have united His message more with the popular culture? Should He have used more excitement to rally people to His cause?

From the time of Jesus’ ascension until and including the Day of Pentecost, Luke records that Jesus’ followers were gathering together for prayer and sharing from Scripture. There is no indication that there was shouting, incessant clapping, ecstatic praise or sensational preaching. God pours out His Spirit on people when He is ready. We prepare our hearts in readiness for His Spirit by calmly meditating on His Word (including in song). We cannot gain the Spirit by forceful and excited activity.

After believers received the Spirit at Pentecost, there is still no mention of rapturous praise, dancing, loud music, shouting or jumping up and down. The Holy Spirit enabled them to teach and preach to all present by the gift of languages (Acts 2:4-13). Peter preaches a long sermon, followed by an appeal to repent (v14-39). Then Peter continued “with many other words he testified and exhorted them… (Acts 2:40-42)”

Even in the Old Testament, there are few examples of godly people dancing and singing rapturously. Though there are moments of joyous praise expressed, the majority of the Psalms, for example, in language and by the instruments mentioned, appear solemn, mellow, meditative, prayerful and melodic, rather than noisy and exuberant. The book of Psalms opens with the focus of our attention:

 “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked… but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” (Ps 1:1-2)

Prayer and meditation on God’s Word is essential for a healthy spiritual life. Constant noise and business crowds out time for contemplating God. General Booth frequently found himself burning the candle at both ends – running from one event to another. George Railton, the man second in command of the Salvation Army, in defence of the General, argued that it is not necessary to separate ourselves from others to spend time with God. As long as we are ‘busy doing his bidding,’ we can experience the fulness of fellowship with God. But this was the exact same mistake David made. He was eagerly doing God’s bidding – running the kingdom, fighting battles, setting up the new capital, moving the ark to the new city – but he failed to spend time in Scripture, in God’s law, hence his failure to carry the ark correctly. If mighty men like General Booth and King David can make such a big mistake, how much more should we be on guard to ensure we are meditating on God’s law day and night as advised by the psalmist.

George Railton argued that the notion that it is essential that we always set apart private time with God is just a superstition that should be buried. He claimed it was only supported by one or two quotations from the gospels. So convinced was he that the General was safe in neglecting devotion that he said:

“Of what value could a Saviour be who drew back from helping His own messengers upon the ridiculous pretence that they were too busy doing His bidding, and did not spend enough time seeking Him for themselves?”^{57 (p114)}

However, Jesus must always be our example. Even He had to come aside to spend much time in meditation with His father. We are blessed when we meditate on the law of the Lord day and night (Ps 1:2). Mrs White counselled:

“…every teacher should strive to have an increased knowledge of spiritual truth, but he cannot gain this knowledge while divorcing himself from the Word of God. If he would have his powers and capabilities daily improved he must study; he must eat and digest the Word, and work in Christ’s lines. The soul that is nourished by the bread of life will have every faculty vitalized by the Spirit of God. This is the meat which endureth unto everlasting life.”^{16 (p153)}

There are serious consequences from neglecting God’s Word, as David discovered. We start trusting in our own wisdom, which leads to error. Mrs White placed much emphasis on the study of Scriptures:

“Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who have received the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusion that takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect the deceiver in his disguise. To all, the testing time will come. By the sifting of temptation, the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of God now so firmly established upon His Word that they would not yield to the evidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible and the Bible only? Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining a preparation to stand in that day.”^{159 (p625)}

That is why Christianity has fragmented into so many denominations. When are we ever going to learn not to trust in human wisdom? It must continually be of the highest priority to daily seek God’s will in prayer and study of His Scripture, to wrestle with His Word until we can be certain of truth. The Psalms is a deep and thoughtful meditation upon God and His Word and it ends with the outcome of meditating on His Word day and night – great joy! Singing alone is not what brings on the Spirit. In Selected Messages, Volume 2, we read: “God’s Spirit and life are in His Word… tame and expressionless are all efforts to get something new to create a sensation.”^{12 (p39)} In other words, real joy is an outflow of meditating on God’s Word, but sensational experiences are boring in comparison! John said:

“…that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” (1 Jn 1:3-4)

Our joy comes from fellowship with Christ – which can be extended to us through the written Word.

General Booth emphasised singing at evangelistic programs. Preachers were encouraged to keep the speaking short and to have several breaks with lively singing in between.² Though singing is encouraged in the New Testament, it takes a back seat compared to other forms of ministry. Much more often the early church was reminded of the importance of prayer and of prophesying. Paul says to pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17). He also said that the most important spiritual gift is prophesying (1 Cor 14:1). The context suggests that prophesying here means to preach a message under divine inspiration. For example, in verse 3 he says, “he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” In the Benson Commentary on the word ‘prophesy’ as found in 1 Corinthians 14, it is suggested that “The word here does not appear to mean foretelling things to come, but rather opening and applying the Scriptures, and discoursing on divine things in an edifying manner.”^{225 (p210)} Therefore, teaching and preaching under the influence of the Holy Spirit is the supreme spiritual gift.

Clearly, though music is important, other things take priority over singing. In line with Scripture, in Testimonies for the Church, volume 1, the youth are admonished to pray more than they sing.^{193 (p513)} Luther said, “when God’s Word is not preached, one had better neither sing nor read, or even come together.”^{7 (p11)} Even the music itself, Luther believed, was to teach theology.⁸

A heart that has been soaked in prayer and in God’s Word throughout the week is like dry kindling soaked in kerosene. A tiny spark, a simple soft melody, ignites the heart into joyous praise. It is a joy that wells up from the inside by the Holy Spirit, rather than an artificial joy that is stimulated from the outside. The heart that is separated from its creator requires external stimulus made by humans – lights, sounds, smells – to feel joy. It might need loud sounds and fast tempo, for example, to build excitement and happiness. This joy is temporary, lasting only while ever the external stimulus lasts. However, our joy is made full by abiding in Jesus’ love and by keeping His commandments (Jn 15:9-11). This type of joy is everlasting (Is 61:7) and never runs dry. Just like God wants obedience to come from His law written on our hearts, it is not merely songs of praise that God wants but sincere praise demonstrated in justice and righteousness (Amos 5:23-24).

While in the synagogue on Sabbath in Nazareth, Jesus stood up and read of the suffering servant in Isaiah. Then he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant, sat down and declared, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing (Lk 4:21).” Though he was making a momentous announcement, He did not use instruments or music to excite people. He just spoke and sat down. At the sermon on the mount, Jesus preached (Matt 5-7). During the feeding of the five thousand he taught the people many things (Mk 6:34) and healed their sick because He had compassion on them (Matt 14:14). There is no mention of the use of music. On only one occasion during Jesus’ whole ministry is singing mentioned: “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives (Matt 26:30; Mk 14:26).” No doubt Jesus would have sung with His disciples often, but He never exhorts us to use music as a means of evangelism. This is despite the fact that, according to Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity, music was an important part of the culture in 1^st century Palestine across Jewish and secular communities:

“…music and especially singing were important features in the world of early Christianity. During the late Second Temple period, Psalms sung by the Levites with instrumental accompaniment still were part of the sacrificial cult at the Temple at Jerusalem… Philo of Alexandria describes liturgical singing of the Jewish sectarian group of the Therapeutai. This is not explicitly the case for the Qumran community but there are strong hints to musical activity in its own literature. In the Roman Empire, vocal and instrumental music was present in pagan cults, in the theatre, at symposia, and in diverse other areas of public and social life.”²²⁶

The emphasis throughout the gospels is on teaching and preaching truth – the gospel message. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We can only know Jesus by knowing the truth which is found in Scripture. Though Paul exhorted believers to sing and make melody in their hearts to the Lord, it was almost as if it were an afterthought. It was something believers did, but it wasn’t ever emphasised as a means of evangelism. It is not even mentioned as a spiritual gift, even though many examples are listed, such as: prophesying, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leadership, mercy, words of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miraculous powers, distinguishing between spirits and speaking in tongues (Rom 12:6–8; 1 Cor 12:4–11). As we have seen by the science, music has great power to stir up emotions. But God is looking for genuine conviction and true faithfulness rather than emotions. Conviction comes through the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:8) and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph 6:17).

The founders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church were constantly struggling to keep members balanced. Some were leaning toward sensationalism while other members were focused on head knowledge or dry formalism and legalism devoid of the Spirit. John Wesley also struggled to keep church members balanced between a personal emotional experience with God and adherence to church structure and doctrine. He tried to balance feelings and scriptural theology. While Wesley encouraged revival as well as adherence to established church doctrine, his successors discouraged revival. This led to cold formalism. Consequently, splinter groups, such as the Primitive Methodists, branched off in the opposite extreme. In the excitement of the emotional moment, conformity to doctrine was exchanged for personal experience – including instantaneous new birth and sanctification.¹³¹ The Salvation Army was part of this movement which elevated the importance of personal experience.

The apostle Paul also struggled to keep the early church balanced. Some members were too focused on the Spirit, as with the tongue speakers in Corinth, while others were too focused on formalism, as with many of the Jewish converts. Thus, Paul’s counsel to sing in spirit and in understanding (1 Cor 14:15). Jesus also said that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him (Jn 4:23-24).” The problem is, people who want to over emphasise the spirit take Paul’s passages addressing formalism and legalism to support their stance, while those who over emphasise formalism and legalism take Paul’s passages addressing emotionalism to support their stance. We have to find harmony between spirit and truth.

What did Exuberant Hebrew Music Look and Sound Like?

David and the Israelites sang and danced with great enthusiasm as they attempted to transport the ark to Jerusalem. The Israeli musicologist, Joachim Braun, notes that among the instruments they played was the rattle, a widely used instrument among Canaanites for cultic religious ritual.²²⁷ It was common practice amongst the pagans to use singing and dancing to express devotion to and appease the gods. Despite his enthusiasm, David was soon to discover with the death of Uzzah, that singing and dancing did nothing to appease the God of Israel. Excitement is not what impresses God, but complete devotion, including obedience.

Though the harp (lyre) is the primary instrument of the musical culture of ancient Israel,²²⁸ which lends itself to soft melodic music, there are scattered examples of energetic and noisy music in the Bible. When the psalmist commends the reader to praise God with trumpet, lute, harp, tambourine, stringed instruments, loud clashing cymbals and dance (Ps 150:3-6), what did this look and sound like to the Israelites? We often imagine it in terms of our own experience. However, the sound and musical notation of ancient Israel has been lost and the experience of their music was likely different to our own.^{227 (pp.ix-xii),228 (p347)} For one thing, it may have been quite a shrill sound for our ears today!³³ The Psalms are ancient folk songs of faith.²²⁹ In his book on ancient Judaism, John Arthur Smith states: “To make value judgements about the performance of ancient Israelite and Jewish music on the basis of modern Western musical tradition is unhelpful.”^{34 (p59)}

The music and dance of ancient cultures often (but not always) had an innocence about them. This reflected the conservative rules of those communities – including dress, courtship and roles. The rhythm of the music often communicated the toil and discipline of everyday life. Unlike modern music which is free from constraints and is often at the forefront of social change and rejection of traditional rules and social norms, ancient folk music, on the contrary, was often bound by social constraints and utilised as a means of solidifying societal rules and discouraging social deviancy. It was a way of preserving knowledge and obligations and warning of the consequences of immoral behaviour.²³⁰ Therefore, especially given that the Hebrews were more conservative compared with their surrounding neighbours, what an ancient Hebrew might describe as exuberant praise might seem constrained and conservative to a modern-day person who is used to a very unrestricted style of music and dance.

What Should Our Worship Sound Like?

Mrs White’s emphasis is on sharing solemn truths clearly and in calm contemplation:

We should “sing in a way that all can understand. It is not loud singing that is needed, but clear intonation, correct pronunciation and distinct utterance.”^{196 (pp143-4)}

“Good singing is like the music of the birds – subdued and melodious.”^{168 (p510)}

“All the service should be conducted with solemnity and awe, as if in the visible presence of the Master of assemblies.”^{197 (p493)}

“And let the singing be accompanied with musical instruments skillfully handled. We are not to oppose the use of instrumental music in our work. This part of the service is to be carefully conducted; for it is the praise of God in song. The singing is not always to be done by a few. As often as possible, let the entire congregation join.”^{196 (p144)}

“All present should be encouraged to join in the song service.”^{168 (p507)}

 “Those who make singing a part of divine worship should select hymns with music appropriate to the occasion, not funeral notes, but cheerful, yet solemn melodies. The voice can and should be modulated, softened, and subdued.”^{168 (p507-8)}

Of the school of the prophets she spoke: “The art of sacred melody was diligently cultivated. No frivolous waltz was heard, nor flippant song that should extol man and divert the attention from God; but sacred, solemn psalms of praise to the Creator, exalting His name and recounting His wondrous works.”^{231 (p97)}

In these statements, Mrs White is recommending a particular type of sound and style of music which she indicates recommends itself to worship. Prophets are often taken in vision to witness scenes in heaven. Though she never claimed to be a prophet, Mrs White describes visions of heaven, including heavenly music:

“I have seen companies of angels, who stood in a hollow square, everyone having a harp of gold. At the end of the harp was an instrument to turn to set the harp or change the tunes. Their fingers did not sweep over the strings carelessly, but they touched different strings to produce different sounds. There is one angel who always leads, who first touches the harp and strikes the note, then all join in the rich, perfect music of heaven. It cannot be described. It is melody, heavenly, divine, while from every countenance beams the image of Jesus, shining with glory unspeakable.”

Though she was a prolific writer, Mrs White struggles here to put into words what she claims to have seen. She also describes the sound of earthly music as “very harsh and discordant” in comparison^{193 (p146)} and that many professed Christians “know not the language of heaven.”^{188 (p265)}

Joel Beckerman, expert in sonic branding, emphasises the importance of companies and organisations having their own unique sound or sonic identity:

“Strategic sound does more than just amplify an intangible feel-good idea. It gets results.”^{165 (p119)}

What sets our music apart from the world? If we are copying the sound, styles and fashions of the secular world, what makes our music stand out as different and special? Do lyrics alone make music sacred? According to Beckerman, the sound or music alone is a powerful and essential force for creating a unique identity. Since this concept conflicts with General Booth’s view of music, it has to be challenged. Later in the book, we will look at research studies that put Beckerman’s claim to the test.

Who Should We Believe?

General Booth and Mrs White are clearly in disagreement as to what is appropriate worship. So, who do we believe? How can we have unity if one person believes a certain style of music is appropriate for worship, while another thinks it is of the devil? There can be no doubt that both of them were sincere Christians. Their deep appreciation and love for their saviour and for humanity and the need to warn the world of judgment came through in their teachings. But, as we learned from the story of Uzzah, sincerity alone is not enough. We have to diligently seek God’s will and live in harmony with Him, otherwise we may cause harm to ourselves and others. We can only understand God’s will when we search Scripture thoroughly, without the distortion of human wisdom or tradition. This is facilitated by the Spirit of Truth which guides us into all truth (Jn 16:13).

Why then are there so many versions of truth amongst Christianity? As Alberto R. Timm, rector of the Latin-American Adventist Theological Seminary put it:

“…the fact of the matter is that Christianity has become more divided today in its interpretation of the Bible than ever before… Christianity is divided today into many conflicting schools of biblical interpretation, each of them claiming hermeneutical faithfulness to the Scriptures.”⁸⁴

The Roman Catholic Church argues that this division is evidence of the failure of Protestantism. However, there can be no other explanation for the disunity amongst Christians other than a failure to be guided by the Spirit of Truth.

One of the fundamental beliefs of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is that the gift of prophecy has been manifested in the ministry of Ellen G. White. It is believed that her message is a testimony from Jesus Christ himself. It is part of who Seventh-day Adventists are – the belief that she was given a message to help prepare the world for Jesus’ second coming, no less than John the Baptist was a prophet who prepared the way for Jesus’ first coming. It is believed that her writings provide comfort, guidance, instruction and correction in harmony with Scripture.²⁸ Repeating Timm’s words:

“Those writings are a divine prophetic filter that helps us to remove all the human rubble that tradition has artificially imposed on the Bible, so that the divine message of the Scriptures can flow pure and clean into our hearts.”⁸⁴

It is a bold claim that most Christians have a hard time accepting, although very few have read very much of her writings. At most, they have read or listened to comments from critics, of which there are many. However, few would accept the Bible if they only ever heard what the critics said about it rather than reading the Bible for themselves. Likewise, it is not possible for someone to determine the authenticity of Mrs White for themselves without reading a significant portion of her writings.

According to devout Adventists, if Mrs White is a true prophet and her testimonies are ignored, it will ultimately lead to rejection of Biblical truth because they are of the same Spirit.^{197 (p235,683)} Being people of ‘The Book’ means listening to prophets who are sent by the author of ‘The Book.’ One of the great sins of the Israelite people that brought upon them God’s wrath was rejection of His prophets (Dan 9:6; Lk 11:47-51). At the same time, God’s harsh judgement came down on Israelites who followed the advice of false prophets. The Israelite’s became divided when they failed to recognise the voice of God’s prophets but instead listened to false prophets and teachers. Apparently, we are to distinguish between true and false prophets. As with King David and the Israelites, it is important that we carefully observe the counsel given in God’s Word and by his prophets, for “It is hardly possible for men to offer a greater insult to God than to despise and reject the instrumentalities that he has appointed to lead them.”^{197 (p680)}

Just as in the time of Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah, false believers are identified by their rejection of true prophets and acceptance of false prophets. Believing Jesus means believing his prophets. As Mrs White put it, “Unbelief in the testimonies of warning, encouragement, and reproof is shutting away the light from God’s people.”^{197 (p674)} Rejecting what His prophets say means rejecting Him because they are sent by Him. True believers will diligently “listen to the voice of God and seek to catch every ray of light from heaven,” growing “in wisdom and in favor with God.”^{197 (p549)}

Does that mean, even if she is a true prophet, that every Christian and every Seventh-day Adventist member must fully embrace the writings of Mrs White? Not necessarily. In all reality, her writings are vast and there is much to contemplate and compare with Scripture and it takes time for some to be convinced one way or the other. But, for the Seventh-day Adventist Church to be unified, its leaders, pastors, elders and administrators must embrace its own fundamental beliefs. King David praised God that, though other nations did not know the will of God, the Israelites were blessed to know His rules (Ps 147:20). Likewise, any people group that receives light from God is blessed. General Booth, speaking of the Bible, said “who would ever have dreamed of many of the things we know about God if they had not been there revealed.”^{232 (p19)} We should cling to every word of light God has graciously bestowed upon us, for without it, we live in darkness.

Who we listen to concerning music depends on who we think is in harmony with Scripture and with God’s Spirit. Mrs White, along with many other Christians in her time, found fault with the Salvation Army’s use of the bass drum.^{146 (p115)} Were they simply influenced by the popular conservative view of their time? Some have argued that Mrs White was simply a product of her time – the Victorian era – and fell in line with other reformers based on her personal preference. However, most Seventh-day Adventists recognise something unique and special in Mrs White’s message. They would argue that, though she was conservative in some areas, such as in her view on drums, in other areas she was moderate, such as her encouragement of musical instruments in worship which was widely opposed by many Christians until the mid-19^th century. Quite often, she was even very radical in her ideas.

When it came to doctrines, such as the Sabbath, hell and the work of Jesus in the Most Holy place, she was very radical and departed from mainstream Christianity altogether. The 19^th century was a period of rapidly changing ideologies, social norms, religious revival and technological discoveries. The three predominant reform movements were abolition, temperance and women’s rights. According to George Railton, in the Salvation Army, no distinctions of race, country or colour existed.⁵⁷ They were ahead of their time in race relations. Likewise, with Mrs White, Professor Kenley D. Hall of Andrews University describes how, when it came to slavery, unlike most conservative Christians:

“Ellen White identified with the most radical-abolitionist who called for an immediate end to slavery and the integration of African-Americans into the United States as free citizens. She spoke out strongly against the sin of slavery, supported John Brown’s actions at Harpers Ferry, called for civil disobedience against the fugitive slave law, and during the Civil War, decried not only the South’s propagation of slavery, but also the North’s refusal to do something about it.”^{233 (p100)}

Despite her extreme anti-slavery stance, some critics of Mrs White make the claim that she was racist toward African Americans. They base this claim mainly on her ‘amalgamation’ statements found in Spiritual Gifts chapters 6 & 7. The statement in chapter 6 reads as follows:

“But if there was one sin above another which called for the destruction of the race by the flood, it was the base crime of amalgamation of man and beast which defaced the image of God, and caused confusion everywhere. God purposed to destroy by a flood that powerful, long-lived race that had corrupted their ways before him.”^{234 (p64)}

Francis D. Nichol makes a case for Ellen White’s statement ‘amalgamation of man and beast’ to mean the amalgamation of different races of mankind and the amalgamation of different races of animals rather than the union of humans with animals. First, he argues that in the mid-19^th century, the word ‘amalgamation’ is never used to describe cohabitation of man with beast but was commonly used to refer to the blending of races, such as the intermarriage of the white and black races. Second, he argues that the context of the statements is the depravity of humankind that came about by the intermingling of the sons of God (the descendants of Seth) with the sons of man (the descendants of Cain) which led to the destruction of the world by the flood.²³⁵ The statement in chapter 7 reads as follows:

“Every species of animal which God had created were preserved in the ark. The confused species which God did not create, which were the result of amalgamation, were destroyed by the Flood. Since the Flood there has been amalgamation of man and beast, as may be seen in the almost endless varieties of species of animals, and in certain races of men.”^{234 (p75)}

Based on this, the Ellen G. White Estate concludes: “Mrs White speaks of two clearly distinguished groups that testify to this amalgamation. There are (1) ‘species of animals’ and (2) ‘races of men’”²³⁵ There is no suggestion that there were species part man and part animal.

Clearly, it is argued, Mrs White’s statements on the ‘amalgamation of man and beast’ is in the context of the corruption of the human race by intermingling of the worldly race of men with the godly race of men. However, it wasn’t just the amalgamation of races of men that led to judgement by the flood but also the amalgamation of various species of animals. The animals had also become corrupted. The Ellen G. White Estate maintains that this is wholly consistent with Scripture:

“And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.” (Gen 6:7 KJV)

Why should the Lord repent that He had ‘made them,’ the beasts and birds and creeping things, as well as man? In a few verses farther on is found the answer:

“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” (Gen 6:12 KJV)

“And all flesh died that moved upon the earth, both of fowl, and of cattle, and of beast, and of every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth, and every man.” (Gen 7:21 KJV)

In all of her writings, there is no suggestion that Mrs White considered any particular race as subhuman. In fact, her support for the abolition of slavery helps to affirm her belief in the equality of races. This was radical for her time. Considering the vast extent of her writings, it is unrealistic to expect there to be no difficult passages or apparent contradictions in Mrs White’s writings, because language is not perfect at conveying meaning and meaning changes with time. This could be said for the Scriptures also, that we consider the whole and not just isolated statements.

Mrs White was also ahead of her time when it came to health reform. Contemporary reformers promoted health reform ideas that were dangerous. For example, Sylvester Graham, author of Lectures on the Science of Human Life, died at the relatively young age of 57, likely due to following his own recommendations.^{119 (p50)} Though Mrs White grew up enjoying a traditional diet with plenty of meat, she promoted, not what she personally preferred or what her contemporaries were promoting, but she blazed her own path based on what she believed was divinely revealed to her. Adherents of Mrs White’s health claims do not die prematurely. In fact, according to the National Geographic, Seventh-day Adventists of the Loma Linda region who adhere to her health teachings live significantly longer than the general population.²³⁶

Another example is Mrs White’s attitude to sex. She encouraged pleasurable sex within marriage, contrary to the more conservative Christian view that held that sex should only be engaged in for the practical purpose of bearing children. In fact, when an Adventist man in California approached her for endorsement of his conservative view on this matter, she told him to “Go home and be a man”, which is quite amusing.^{237 (p23)}

When it came to dress reform, Mrs White agreed wholeheartedly that it was needed, but instead of embracing the women’s rights movement and their ideas for dress reform she outright rejected it. So forthright was she against the women’s rights movement that she warned:

“Those who feel called out to join the movement in favor of women’s rights and the so-called dress reform might as well sever all connection with the third angel’s message.”^{193 (p457)}

She opposed their dress reform because of its resemblance with men’s clothing. This is supported by Scripture: “A woman shall not wear anything that pertains to a man, nor shall a man put on a woman’s garment, for all who do so are an abomination to the Lord your God (Deut 22:5).” She warned that “confusion will be the result.”^{193 (p459)} Today, there is great confusion in gender identity just as she predicted would happen. How was she able to navigate her way through all the noise and change – sometimes supporting a conservative stance, other times a very liberal one – while in hindsight getting it right every time? Few would disagree today on her extreme abolitionist stance. Science and the World Health Organisation (WHO) have validated a significant proportion of her health claims.^{119 (p32,43,89)} Regarding women’s rights, few in the church would deny the evils of this movement. It went on to become very anti-Christian and the gender identity turmoil we see today is closely linked to the feminist movement. The World Economic Forum website states: “The feminist movement has been dismantling the belief that our sex and gender should define our roles in society.”²³⁸ This is contrary to the Bible which clearly states that men and women, though equal, have distinct roles in society. How did this poorly educated woman know that she needed to be an extreme anti-slavery supporter while an extreme opponent of the women’s rights movement?

None of this yet proves Mrs White was right in her opposition to the Salvation Army method and emotionalism in worship. But what it does do is force us to dig deeper. What do the Bible and science tell us about music? As already discussed, science has shown that excitement can impair judgement and, especially when combined with a superficial knowledge of Scripture, can make us prone to deception. Churches that did adopt the Salvation Army method, including Holiness doctrine and the use of music as a primary means of attracting converts, provide the majority of the music material for churches around the world today. These Charismatic megachurches often adhere to suspect theology, such as the prosperity gospel, and some have even adopted clearly heretical teachings, such as the New Age, which will be discussed later in the book.

Scripture is our ultimate source of truth. So far, we have found that the Bible encourages sober mindedness. There is no reference to ecstatic worship in the early church – music was not given great prominence in the record of Jesus’ or the apostle’s ministry. The emphasis, rather, is on proclaiming truth. The song book of the Bible, Psalms, does encourage boisterous praise on occasions but, by far, the emphasis is on quiet meditation upon God’s glory, love and law as well as reflection upon our wretchedness and solemn contemplation of God’s judgement and wrath. This meditation leads to genuine praise from the heart.