Customer Reviews

The Great Controversy

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

I first read this book at 13 years of age. I am now 30. I am amazed by the amazing presience of this author. She outlines in one book what many authors are pointing to at the present--the danger of the religious right, the call to Christian Unity by the Pope, the alarming rise in natural disasters, fires, etc., the sad decline of morality in the world, the money-grab by a few super-rich men who own vast chunks of industry, the plight of the poor in America. Read this book, and prepare to see things in a new way. There's a few reviews that seek to quash this book as more 'Adventist Propaganda.' Read for yourself and see what powerful groups don't want us to see. The books Catholic Power, The Thunder of Justice, and The Keys of This Blood only echo what this book foretold many years ago.

This could be a little daunting to read if you are a Catholic, (I am not, but my spouse and children are and many of my friends as well) as there are some negative points made against the Catholic Church. Never the less, she made some very interesting points that should be looked at and ruminated over. She has a great gift at writing so that everyone can understand her meaning, which is something I have found more difficult with some of the other writers on religion.

She was considered a prophet and had written this book almost a century ago and it is amazing how closely and accurately the events that she has prophesised about have fallen into place. It is almost like reading today's paper or watching current events on TV.

As I have just finished reading the Bible, I found that her book went right along with it. A couple of things that I found of interest is her claim of the heresy of the church changing the day of the Sabbath to Sunday, which actually I have always wondered about myself, and of churches using Idols-like Mary, etc. both of which when I read the bible, I found was a big no-no. Jesus said that none of his Father's laws were to be changed and then there was mentioned in other places in the Bible that "the times and laws they will be a changing" (or something like that). So it did make me wonder, are we celebrating the wrong day for the Sabbath?

Also, it was interesting to note that years ago, the scriptures themselves, were kept from the public and only the priests had access to them. It did indeed sound like, through Satan's influence (the best way that he messes with people's beliefs is when he can do it through a false religious front) that good, God-fearing Christians could have been led astray and not even have realized it. This is where everyone should read the Bible for themselves, and that way, they know exactly what it says and what to look our for.

She is very good at describing the ways and means that Satan implements is evil ways. From inside the church, to friends, bribery, etc. nothing is missed by Satan when he looks for ways to mislead the people.

If you want a good look at the end of times and the way it could very possibly end, this is an excellent book to read. She is very good at explaining everything. She stresses the Word of the Bible as the definitive answer. Enjoy!

Many of the reviews lapse into predictably derisive language including "if you read this book you've got way to much time on your hands." I beg to differ. . . Men and women the world over are searching for truth. Many times, as also seen in some of the reviews, truth is mistaken for or deliberatley compared to fanaticism (Heaven's Gate, Davidians, etc). However, what cannot be disputed - or refuted - is the accuracy of this woman's predictions so far.

One reviewer stated that there are "lies on every page." Ouch!. . . (Something in the book really struck a raw nerve.)

All religions that are predicting end of the world scenarios that seem to converge on this century. Heck, even the Discovery Channel has "Super Tsunami" and Earthquake programs that predict coming global devastation on a scale that mankind has not seen. To disparage this woman simply because she ties all of this in with the urgency of getting oneself right with God - not some man - seems entirely plausible, totally rational, and downright prudent considering what is at stake.

This is an excellent work, written approximately a century ago, revealing the love, justice, logic, exactness, and pain of our God. Through this book, God shows His work progressing from Eden, through the Old Testament, Jesus and the Apostles, throughout the middle ages, to today, through trials, wars, and oppression. She gives a clarification of the logic and perfection of God as He fulfills His prophecies in Daniel and Revelation at the exact time appointed.

This book also reveals Satan's devices, which are at work today, in main stream churches around the world. Baptist, Catholic, Jew, Hindu, Muslim, Methodist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Seventh-day Adventist, Jehovah Witness, Mormon/Latter day Saints, Holiness, Christ of Christ, Pentecostal, Non-Denominational, and ALL other persons will be judged by the same rules. "By their fruits" Matthew 7:15-20.

In this book, the author clearly explains that good Works do not save us. Faith is revealed by good Works. Good Works are the result of Faith, and "the Holy Scriptures, ... are able to make thee wise unto salvation THROUGH FAITH which is in Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 3:15 (See James 2:14-26).

The author shows how, by allowing scripture to explain scripture, the prophecy of Daniel 7:25, "think to change times and laws", has been fulfilled and how Revelation 14:9, "the mark" of the beast, is being fulfilled. She puts in plain words, how this should be an alarm to the whole world to return to the Bible and the Bible only as the only rule of faith, allowing scripture to interpret scripture, just as Jesus did while on this earth. She shows how men, by traditions and "political correctness", have watered down and changed God's Laws, and interpreted them in a way to make them more acceptable to the masses, preventing men, in the end and to their end, from changing their hearts.

The book ends with summary and eye-opening descriptions of the final conflict of this world and hope for the next.

The seriousness, clearness, intelligence, magnificence and simplicity of God's Word is revealed, throughout the book, as God tries to lead each believer to repent and "Go and sin no more" John 8:11. "For by grace are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." James 2:17

Jesus plus faith equals salvation. Ephesians 2:8,9

Faith only equals Faith plus Works. Faith without Works equals No faith. . James 2: 14-26

If you believe that you are saved by grace only or traditions, or that the blood of Jesus gives us salvation without accountability to God's Law, or that the requirement of obedience for salvation ended at the cross, or that salvation is a gift, even without repentance, please read your bible, and then read this book again. "But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?" "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Matthew 15:1-20

She helps us understand that we are not just to believe, but to obey. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17

In other writings, by this author, she states that her books are NOT a replacement for the Bible or serious Bible study. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to understand why their Christian church believes what they believe, and how God's steadfast requirements do not contradict His unconditional love for us. "For God so loved THE WORLD, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

I read this book when I was younger and I didn't like it. I am not sure of my reason. Then I became curious as to whether the church we have today differed and how it differed from the church in the aposlotic age. After going back over the book and reading it more in depth, I find the history to be very accurate. I find the theology to be well-supported by the Bible. I can say I am willing to believe what the Bible says, and to doubt anything that does not completely harmonize with God's Word, whether it is popular or not. My own faith is encouraged that God's Word will never contradict itself and gives me a sense of confidence in the accuracy of His Word.

The first twenty chapters of this book are a comprehehsive and moving history of Christianity and the struggle of the early Reformers to break free from the persecution and tyranny of the Roman Catholic Church. The lives of Huss, Luther, Calvin, Wycliff and other martyrs are related in loving detail, and one cannot help but be touched and uplifted by the courageous integrity of these great men of God who represent our spritual forefathers. I really consider this one of the greatest books I have ever read and recommend it to anyone who wants a better understanding of the origins of Christian persecution and the enormous blood sacrifices that were required of men so that you and I could simply open a Bible in freedom.

This is a book you will not be able to put down. I really enjoyed the historical background and quickly became attatched to the book. There is a sense of purpose for mankind. The understanding of prophecy is open as one reads this account of past, present and future events. So many questions are answered about world events, people in history, and different ages. Most appealing about this book is that it falls in line with scripture or the Holy Bible. I would recomend this awesome book to mankind.