The Great Controversy [Paperback]

Ellen Gould Harmon White (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

Few people today realize that this earth is the primary battle zone of a cosmic war that erupted years ago. But after reading this book you will know why it is being fought, how and when it will end. The Great Controversy begins at the dawning of the Christian era, traces the rise and fall of nations and religious powers down to our day, then plunges ahead to preview the future. And what this book sees coming is not based on guesswork. It is based on a source of predictions that has never yet missed in its prophecies.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Ellen White was a woman of remarkable spiritual gifts who lived most of her life during the nineteenth century (1827-1915), yet through her writings she is still making a revolutionary impact on millions of people around the world. During her lifetime she wrote more than 5,000 periodical articles and 40 books; but today, including compilations from her 50,000 pages of manuscript, more than 100 titles are available in English. She is the most translated woman writer in the entire history of literature, and the most translated American author of either gender. Her writings cover a broad range of subjects, including religion, education, social relationships, evangelism, prophecy, publishing, nutrition, and management. Her life-changing masterpiece on successful Christian living, Steps to Christ, has been published in more than 140 languages.

Product Details

• Paperback: 437 pages
• Publisher: Remnant Publications (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883012546
• ISBN-13: 978-1883012540
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,614,796 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional information written in beautiful, lyrical prose, February 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Controversy: Between Christ and Satan (Hardcover)

This book is obviously a mainstay of the 7th day adventist religion. Though I personally do not subscribe to the doctrine at this time, Ms. White makes a compelling case for "... the infallible authority of the Holy Scriptures as a rule of faith and practice."

Modern day Roman Catholics would likely be surprised and alarmed in reading the book; she reveals in some detail the past corruptions of the Roman church and of the papacy and traditions in particular. While today the pope speaks to eliminate the death penalty, in the history of Rome, the popes used not only death, but terrible tortures to promote and protect his power. Her ultimate conclusion is that the Pope of Rome is the beast of Revelations (so Henry Kissinger can relax a bit). The mark of the beast is in setting aside the precepts laid down in scripture for the traditions invented by man (Sunday vs. Saturday worship, infant baptism, indulgences, worship of saints and Mary, ad infinitem).

I recommend this book to any fundamentalist, evangelical, or liberal Christian thinker whether Protestant or Catholic, because it raises our awareness how church leaders can loose sight of the path set down by Jesus and instead promote superstitions set out by men who would use them to achieve and retain worldly power.

110 of 128 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Impossible to get a "real" feedback rating here, March 29, 2000

By 

Madelyn (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Great Controversy: Between Christ and Satan (Hardcover)

I just want to say that it's not possible to get a "real" sense for this book by reading any of the feedback ratings here. Of course most of the positives are written by Seventh-day Adventists, and guess what, the negatives are written by ex-Adventists or Adventist haters. The bottom line is that if you're reading this review it's because:

1. You're an Adventist and you want to promote the book for purposes of sharing "the truth" with others. Or are curious about how the book is percieved by others "outside" the faith.
2. Your an ex-Adventist (or Adventist hater) and you want to expose the book for the purposes of sharing "the truth" with others. Or you wonder how the battle is going to keep people out of the huge "conspiracy of Adventism."
3. Someone has suggested you read this book, or you're actually someone who is seeking for God.

My suggestion is this - read this book and figure it out for yourself. It doesn't have any hocus-pocus in it that will seduce you into the SDA church. Use your mind and evaluate and test the book, most importantly give your seek FOR God, TO God and stop being afraid to investigate what you believe (or don't believe.) This book is not a one-stop solution to make you a religious person, but it might be valid PART of your investigative process of figuring out what you believe (or don't.) Yes the book contains plagerism (widespread and rampant in the days it was written,) and yes, it includes religious slurs and features the author's frank interpretations of the issues of her time (oh suprise suprise - so do other religous books of the period if you've read any. Oh - so does the Bible, maybe we should throw that out!) Get real - just use your head please.

The bottom line is that you're not going to get a fair feel for the book in this feedback forum because everyone here is trying to convert you in one way or another. Pick up a copy at your local library, or buy it here. Use your mind, and decide for yourself - maybe the book will mean something to you, maybe you'll find a dead end - but at least you'll have turned over another stone in your search, instead of joining those in this forum who are picking up stones and fighting with them.

Is the book a waste of your time? Only you'll know. Honestly I think the Bible is a better read. But don't be afraid to pick up this book (or ANY other book either) in your sincere search for God - if he's there; and if he's as awesome as Christians make him out to be - he'll find a way get through to you (I've experienced this) - despite the smoke and mirrors religious fanatics may throw in your path in the middle of their struggle for power, money, and control.

31 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What really goes on in the world?, April 19, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Great Controversy: Between Christ and Satan (Hardcover)

As a History major in a non-SDA school, I have read many books regarding the dark ages and world history. Read American Freedom and Catholic Power by Paul Blanshard. You will see a close parallel. The Great Controversy does show you what is happenning in the religious and the secular world. Just look what happened a few days ago! The pope asked the world for forgiveness of their past sins!

Now this is a man who is supposed be God on earth, INFALLIBLE. And he is asking the world for forgiveness?

Page 571-- "The Roman Church now presents a fair front to the world, covering with apologies her record of horrible cruelties. She has clothed herself in Christlike garments; but she is unchanged. Every principle of the papacy that existed in past ages exists today. The doctrines devised in the darkest ages are still held. Let none deceive themselves. The papacy that Protestants are now so ready to honor is the same that ruled the world in the days of the Reformation, when men of God stood up, at the peril of their lives, to expose her iniquity."

What are the churches of today doing? They are stumbling over themselves to become associated with the Roman Church.

A few years back Harry Truman tried to appoint an ambassador to The Vatican, and was almost run out of office. But, Ron Reagan did it and there was very little outcry from the Protestant churches.

The World Lutheran Church just signed a concordat with the Vatican that says that Luther was wrong! The Angelicans have done a similar agreement!

One review says that she plagerized. If that is true than someone else said that these things would happen; where do they say exactly what she has said?

She said there would be a rise in spiritualism, that the churches would be teaching that the dead go to heaven or hell at their death. This book, based on these two facts alone shows that this writer to be a prophetess! I am amazed at the information she has presented in this book and when I read a newspaper and compare, it is almost as if she wrote the bylines.

The newspapers are reading like this book and people are missing it!