The Theological Motifs Undergirding the Book Steps to Christ: a Study of the Leading Motif in Ellen White's Approach

The Theological Motifs Undergirding the Book Steps to Christ: A Study of the Leading Motif in Ellen White’s Approach

Bela Djulai

Submitted to Dr. Gunnar Pedersen and Jan Barna In partial fulfilment of the requirements for the module Principles and Methods of Theology

23 June 2009

Newbold College in Partnership with the University of Wales, Lampeter

INTRODUCTION Stating the Problem of the Paper It is well known that Ellen White1 is coming from a Wesleyan background.2 In recent years some Adventist theologians suggest that there is an influence of Wesleyanism on Ellen White’s theology.3 Therefore, this paper investigates the question of the nature and degree of this influence, particularly in the book Steps to Christ. I will try also to access Ellen White’s theological motifs and her leading motif with some of Wesleyan background and compare it. Stating the Purpose of the Paper The purpose of this paper is to investigate Ellen White’s leading motif and to uncover possible influences behind the structure and content of Steps to Christ from Wesleyanism. Therefore the main research question is to what degree has been the structure, the content and the leading motif of the Steps to Christ influenced by Wesleyan soterology. Methodology of the Paper In this paper I will analyze the structure and the content of the Ellen White’s Book Steps to Christ in the light of a proposed leading motif. Then, I will research for possible Wesleyan influences behind the book. Finally, in the light of discovered similarities I will provide a critical comparison in order to point out Ellen White’s leading motif. Limitations and Delimitations of the Paper I will limit myself to the Ellen White’s book Steps to Christ and only in a limited way go beyond the message of the book to illustrate some of the points. In terms of Wesleyan theology I will not cover in detail the Wesleyan theology, but only its soteriological aspect.
1

Ellen White (1827-1915) the most prominent

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