Ellen White's Perspective on Apocryphal Writings and Fictitious Tales

Ellen White spoke clearly about the distinction between the Word of God and various extra-biblical writings, including those found in the Apocrypha. Regarding the New Testament apocrypha, she identified such writings as a "fancy sketch" of Christ's life, containing "fictitious tales" and "frivolous miracles" that actually falsify His true characterYI April 1, 1872, par. 1. She was particularly concerned that reading fictitious or idle stories would pervert the imagination and cause a neglect of the daily study of the Bible, which is the only guide to a holier lifeCSW 24.1. For the church and its institutions, she warned that printing such "soul-destroying theories" or "mysteries of iniquity" could lead to spiritual decline and death21MR 346.5+2.

...miracles, which characterized his childhood, and distinguished him from other children. They relate fictitious tales, and frivolous miracles, which they say he wrought, attributing to Christ the senseless and needless display of his divine power, and falsifying his character by attributing to him acts of revenge, and deeds of mischief, which were cruel and ridiculous— YI April 1, 1872, par. 1 (1852)

...r, holier life. The youth would pronounce it the most interesting book they ever read had not their imagination been perverted by the reading of fictitious stories.—Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 139— CSW 24.1 (1938)

...hs a tissue of lies. This fanciful mixture of food that is being prepared for the flock will cause spiritual consumption, decline, and death. When those who profess to believe present truth come to their senses, when they accept the Word of...— 21MR 346.5 (1993)

...ss our publishing house has come. The presses in the Lord's institution have been printing the soul-destroying theories of Romanism and other mysteries of iniquity. The office must be purged of this objectionable matter. I have a t...— PM 164.5 (1983)

• The New Testament apocrypha attempts to fill the silence of the Scriptures regarding Christ’s youth with needless displays of power and acts of revenge that are cruel and ridiculousYI April 1, 1872, par. 1.

• The mind must be kept clean from rubbish and trash, as neglecting the Bible for idle stories is a common guilt that perverts the imaginationCSW 24.1+1.

• Accepting fanciful mixtures of food or fictitious stories instead of the Word of the living God just as it reads causes spiritual consumption and death21MR 346.5.

• Institutions must be purged of objectionable matter, as presenting the fruit of the forbidden tree of knowledge to the youth makes one accountable before GodPM 164.5.

• While the 1850 vision mentioned the Apocrypha as the "hidden book" that the wise should understand, it was the Bible that was emphasized as the "standard book" that will judge all at the last day15MR 66.1+2.

• True Christianity receives the Word of God as the only treasure-house of inspired truth and the test of all inspiration, rejecting the vagaries of the imagination4SP 152.3+1.

• Those who search the Scriptures with humble hearts should not mutilate the Word or cut out parts of it as some have done, but must search the Bible as a whole13LtMs, Ms 132, 1898, par. 4.

• Whatever your hand finds to do, it should be done with might, for there is no wisdom or device in the grave where all must eventually go Ecclesiastes 9:10.

• God has commanded that man should not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for in the day he eats thereof he shall surely die Genesis 2:17.

• The living know that they shall die, but the dead know not anything, nor do their thoughts continue after their breath goes forth Psalms 146:4+1.