Two new books have recently been published by Pacific Press in connection with the centennial celebration of Ellen G. White’s life and ministry. The first one, Understanding Ellen White, edited by Merlin D. Burt, explores such fundamental issues as her understanding of revelation and inspiration, the authority of her writings, their relation to Scripture, and her role in the establishment of the doctrines of the Church. Other chapters examine criticisms by D. M. Canright, her handling of the “shut door,” charges of plagiarism, some of her scientific claims, her teaching on vegetarianism, etc. This 253-page volume, with its seventeen chapters plus an introduction constitute, is an important contribution to the subject.

The second book, Divinely Inspired: The Gift of Prophecy in Scripture and History, edited by Alberto R. Timm and Dwain Esmond, has a wider scope and has been prepared in connection with symposia on the gift of prophecy being held this year at a number of Adventist universities worldwide. The first half of the book is comprised of chapters on how the prophetic voice is manifested in the Old and New Testaments, how Bible writers use Scripture, and references to the gift of prophecy in 1 Corinthians 14 and the book of Revelation, among other topics. The second half contains contributions dealing with the various understandings of the gift of prophecy in Christian and early Adventist history, as well as chapters dealing with how Ellen G. White used Scripture, her use of extra-biblical sources, her relation to Adventist mission, and her relevance to third millenials. There are also several appendices that contain statements and affirmations published through the years by the Seventh-day Adventist Church relative to the gift of prophecy. That help make this volume a standard reference for many years to come.