Ellen White’s writings emphasize that the blending of humanity with divinity is at the heart of the plan of salvation. She teaches that Christ took on human nature to reach and save humanity, uniting divinity with humanity so that people could become partakers of the divine nature. This union is essential for restoring the image of God in humans and enabling them to cooperate effectively with God in doing good.
Key points from her writings include:
1. Christ took upon Himself humanity to reach humanity. "Divinity needed humanity; for it required both the divine and the human to bring salvation to the world. Divinity needed humanity, that humanity might afford a channel of communication between God and man... Humanity lays hold upon divine power, Christ dwells in the heart by faith; and through co-operation with the divine, the power of man becomes efficient for good." (
DA 296.4)
2. The humanity of Christ embraces fallen humanity, while His divinity lays hold upon the throne of God. "We are saved by climbing round after round of the ladder, looking to Christ, clinging to Christ, mounting step by step to the height of Christ..." (
6T 147.2)
3. The union of the divine and the human, manifest in Christ, exists also in the Bible. "In the work of God for man's redemption, divinity and humanity are combined." (
5T 747.1)
4. Christ’s incarnation shows that every person can become a partaker of the divine nature: "I, your substitute and surety, have taken your nature upon me, showing you that every son and daughter of Adam is privileged to become a partaker of the divine nature, and through Christ Jesus lay hold upon immortality." (
SpTEd 220.1)
5. In Christ were united the human and the divine. "His mission was to reconcile God and man, to unite the finite with the infinite. This was the only way in which fallen men could be exalted through the merits of the blood of Christ to be partakers of the divine nature." (
2T 201.1)
6. "Sin has marred the divine image in man. Through Christ this may be restored, but it is only through earnest prayer and the conquest of self that we can become partakers of the divine nature." (
GW 80.1)
In summary, Ellen White teaches that Christ’s union of humanity and divinity makes it possible for believers to be transformed, restored, and elevated to become partakers of the divine nature. This concept is central to her understanding of salvation and the Christian life.
References:
- White, E. G. (1898). The Desire of Ages, p. 296.4.
- White, E. G. (1901). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 6, p. 147.2.
- White, E. G. (1889). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 5, p. 747.1.
- White, E. G. (1897). Special Testimonies on Education, p. 220.1.
- White, E. G. (1868). Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 2, p. 201.1.
- White, E. G. (1915). Gospel Workers, p. 80.1.