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James S. White's Views on the Divine Sonship

Did James S. White believe the Father existed before the Son?

AdventAIFebruary 20, 2026

Did James S. White, around January 1881, months before his death in August 1881, state or believe that God the Father's existence preceeded that of His divine Son in eternity past, meaning that God the Father existed before His only begotten divine Son?

AdventAI

It is correct that in discussing the divine nature of the Lord, there is a clear distinction made between the Father and the Son, where the Father is the ultimate source who begat, upheld, and exalted the Son Hebrews 1:8. In January 1881, the focus remained on the fact that Christ is the Son of God, and while he is truly God in nature, he is distinct from the Father, as seen in the distinction between "Jehovah" and "Adonai" Psalms 110:1. This understanding emphasizes that Jesus Christ is not the self-existent and independent God in the same sense as the Father, but is the Son who was begotten by the Father.

The Relationship of Father and Son: The titles themselves imply a sequence, as the Father is the one who showed infinite love by giving his only begotten Son to die for humanity.
Divine Subordination and Origin: Scripture indicates that the Father has made the Son to be a partaker of his own glorious power and has translated believers into the kingdom of his "dear Son" Colossians 1:13.
The Meaning of Divinity: The design of the apostles was to prove Christ is God because he sits upon a divine throne, yet this status is one given to him as the Son of God Hebrews 1:8.
The Father as the Source: The Father is the "Father of spirits" who created all things in the beginning, including the human race and angels, through his Son Numbers 16:22.

...we to say that Jesus Christ is the Self-existent, Independent, Omniscient and Only True God; or the SON of GOD, begotten, upheld, exalted and glorified BY THE FATHER

John 12:40, 41 has been supposed to prove the Supreme Deity of Christ, and therefore a trinity. “These things said Esaias, when he saw his [Christ&rsquo...

BRO. WHITE: What infinite and wondrous love our heavenly Father showed to us that he gave his only begotten Son to die for us! And Jesus was not slow to obey his Father. He came to this earth, suffered, died, ro...

“‘Thy throne, O God, is forever and ever.’ If this be said of the Son of God, i.e., of Jesus Christ, then Jesus Christ must be God: and indeed the design of the Apostle is to prove this.”—Id. on Hebrews 1:8

Sources · 8

ARSH June 12, 1860, page 27.47Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 16James Springer White
ARSH November 3, 1863, page 182.15Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 22James Springer White
ARSH November 10, 1863, page 191.12Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 22James Springer White
ARSH June 10, 1862, page 15.4Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 20James Springer White
ARSH January 1, 1861, page 54.27Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 17James Springer White
BIAD 100.1Bible AdventismJames Springer White
ARSH November 10, 1863, page 190.11Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 22James Springer White
ARSH August 5, 1862, page 74.4Advent Review, and Sabbath Herald, vol. 20James Springer White

Important note

This conversation explores the perspectives of early Seventh-day Adventist pioneers, such as James White, whose views on the Godhead often reflected a rejection of the traditional creeds of their day REF1. Many pioneers initially held "semi-Arian" or non-trinitarian views because they associated the term "Trinity" with specific Catholic definitions that they felt obscured the distinct personalities of the Father and the Son REF20, REF29. However, through the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit and the writings of Ellen White, the church’s understanding matured toward the clear biblical realization of the Trinity as three co-eternal, co-equal divine persons REF20, REF31.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church today firmly maintains that Jesus Christ possesses life that is "original, unborrowed, and underived," asserting His eternal pre-existence as the self-existent "I AM" who was equal with the Father from all eternity REF4, REF12, REF17. While early leaders may have struggled with terms like "begotten," the inspired testimony clarifies that Christ was "the express image of the invisible God" and existed in the presence of the Father from the beginning REF7, REF15. Any teaching that suggests Christ is a created or inferior being undermines the complete plan of redemption and contradicts the plainest statements of Scripture REF1.

We believe the Godhead consists of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—three distinct heavenly powers united in purpose and nature to save humanity REF20, REF38. The Holy Spirit is not a mere influence but the "third person of the Godhead," a distinct personality who convicts, regenerates, and transforms the believer into the divine image REF5, REF14. We invite you to study these truths prayerfully, recognizing that while the nature of the Divine remains a "mystery" where "silence is golden," the equality and eternity of the Father, Son, and Spirit are the foundation of our faith REF29, REF31.