Dale Ratzlaff

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Dale Ratzlaff is a evangelical Christian theologian known for his departure from the Seventh-day Adventist Church and subsequent criticism of the validity of the prophetic gift of church co-founder Ellen G. White. He has been described as the leading critic of the church.[1]

Contents

[edit] The Ellen White Research Project

In December 2006, Ratzlaff became the editor for The Ellen White Research Project website (ellenwhite.org), which has been described as the most comprehensive site critical of Ellen White and her writings on the internet.[2] All past contributors to this site are former Seventh-day Adventists. The site was founded in 1996 by Dirk Anderson, and Jeff Barron is currently assistant editor.

[edit] Beliefs

Ratzlaff writes that since leaving the Seventh-day Adventist Church he has drawn "two profound conclusions":

  1. "One cannot understand the Bible correctly when continuing to read the writings of Ellen White."
  2. "Where the Bible is clear we can and should be certain. Where the Bible is unclear or honestly open to several interpretations we must be tentative."

He believes there are good and bad things in the writings of Ellen White:

"...[I] can testify that there are many good things in the writings of Ellen White. However, having said that, there are also many places where there is subtle error or in her early writings, blatant error."[3]

[edit] Publications

Ratzlaff is the author of the following books:

He also appeared in the 1998 video Seventh-day Adventism: The Spirit Behind the Church[4] which was released by Jeremiah Films and J. Mark Martin of Grace Upon Grace Productions, a former Adventist pastor and now senior pastor of Calvary Community Church. The video is critical of both Ellen White and the Seventh-day Adventist Church. See also the combined response by the Ellen G. White Estate and the Biblical Research Institute,[5] and a personal response by Alden Thompson and Dave Thomas.[6]

Adventist scholar Clifford Goldstein wrote:

"In my earliest days as a new Adventist, I held what I now deem an erroneous and potentially dangerous view of Ellen White's ministry and inspiration, a view prevalent in the church and one that has caused many, such as Dale Ratzlaff, to leave."[7]

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Jud Lake, professor of preaching and Adventist studies at Southern Adventist University described him as the "fountain head" of all critics at the 2005 Ellen White Summit.[citation needed]
  2. ^ Barron, Jeff (2006-12-13). Exciting Editor Changes!. The Ellen White Research Project. Retrieved on February 21, 2007.
  3. ^ Ratzlaff, Dale. Your Questions Answered. The Ellen White Research Project. Retrieved on February 21, 2007.
  4. ^  Seventh-day Adventism: The Spirit Behind the Church [DVD]. Phoenix, Arizona: Grace Upon Grace Productions. Also VHS version:  Seventh-day Adventism: The Spirit Behind the Church [VHS]. Phoenix, Arizona: Grace Upon Grace Productions. ISBN 1-57618-003-4 OCLC 40963187
  5. ^ Suggested Sources to Respond to Representations Made in the Video 'Seventh-day Adventism, the Spirit Behind the Church'. See also alternate url.
  6. ^ "Seventh-day Adventism: The Spirit Behind the Church: A Personal Response," by Alden Thompson and Dave Thomas[disambiguation needed] (March, 2001), a one-hour video produced for and shown by Blue Mountain Television. Available @ $17.00 from Blue Mt. TV, PO Box 205, College Place, WA 99324; 509-529-9149; email: manager (at) bluemttv (dot) com
  7. ^ http://www.adventistreview.org/2004-1538/story5.html
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