Question: Looking at 1 Timothy 4:3, does it clash with Ellen G. White’s teachings on health reform?
Answer: “And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food’” (Genesis 1:29, NKJV).
This verse in Genesis indicates that God’s originally plan for our food was a vegetarian diet. 1 Timothy 4 when studied carefully is actually encouraging us to get back to God’s original diet:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith [God’s Word, Romans 10:17], giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (verse 1);
“Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (verse 2);
Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain [hold oneself off, refrain] from meat [foods], which God hath created [fabricated, founded, (formed originally)] to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth (verse 3).
“For every creature {original formation, product (created thing)} of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving” (verse 4):
“For it is sanctified {consecrated} by the word of God and prayer” (verse 5).
Each of the bolded words are taken from the Greek New Testament translation of the original words. The food that God original created for us to be received with thanksgiving and prayer, the food that is consecrated by God’s Word is found in Genesis 1:29. After the flood God permitted mankind to eat flesh food, but it was not part of God’s original diet and we will not be eating animals in heaven because there will be no more death (see Revelation 22:4). Everything God originally created for food (the Genesis diet) is good and nothing to be refused so don’t hold yourself from it, especially in these last days when disease in animals is so prevalent.
Therefore, since Ellen G. White’s writing are a lesser light pointing toward the greater light of the Word of God, her teachings on health reform would be in harmony with these Scriptures. (For a more detailed study on this you may go to our free downloads on our web site (lbm.org) and look for the Bible Study 101 outlines).
