The Nature of Christ -revisited - The Baker Letter (updated)

ISSUES ARISING ON THE
NATURE OF CHRIST

There has been much debate on Ellen Whites writing
as to her usage of certain terms regarding the human
nature of Christ. Questions have arisen as to what
she meant when she used these terms as she often
used the same word or phrase to either establish or
deny opposing points.
As a result some persons come to the conclusion that
these statements are contradictory, bring doubt to
the validity of her writings. While others accept the
writings which support their views. I believe we must
be balanced in our understanding examining all the
evidence before we come to any conclusion.
We will examine some of these issues and try to
come to a balanced and rational understanding of
what these statements truly mean using a bible
principle of studying. We will also look at several
other issues relating to the human nature of Christ as
it relates to the effect this subject has had on the
Seventh Day Adventist Church and how it became an
issue.

What terms did Ellen
White’s use to
describe the Human
Nature of Christ and
what do they mean?

Ellen White uses the
following words
interchangeably to
describe the nature
Christ received;
Human Nature
Sinful Flesh
Sinful Nature
Fallen nature
Fallen humanity
Man’s Nature

God sent forth His Son in the likeness of sinful
flesh that He might condemn sin in the flesh
14MR 82.3}
When Christ bowed His head and died, He
bore the pillars of Satan’s kingdom with Him to
the earth. He vanquished Satan in our human
nature……… He [mankind] must overcome in
human nature, relying upon God for His power.
This is the privilege of all who accept Jesus
Christ. In proportion to their faith will be their
victory. {MR 410.3}
Christ assumed human nature, to demonstrate
to the fallen world, to Satan and his synagogue,
to the universe of heaven, and to the worlds
unfallen, that human nature, united to his
divine nature, could become entirely obedient
to the law of God. {ST, November 5, 1896 par.
16}
The human nature of Christ was like unto ours.
And suffering was really more keenly felt by
Him; for His spiritual nature was free from
every taint of sin. Ms 42, 1897, pp. 9, 10. (“In
Gethsemane,” May 16, 1897

“OUR FALLEN NATURE”
“MAN’S NATURE”
“MAN’S FALLEN
NATURE”
“FALLEN HUMANITY”

What love! What amazing condescension! The King
of glory proposed to humble himself to fallen
humanity! He would place his feet in Adam’s steps.
He would take man’s fallen nature and engage to
cope with the strong foe who triumphed over Adam.
{RH, February 24, 1874 par. 25}
Jesus took upon himself man’s nature, that he
might leave a pattern for humanity, complete,
perfect…………. Our fallen nature must be purified,
ennobled, consecrated by obedience to the truth.
Ellen G. White. {PH001 20.2}
Christ assumed our fallen nature, and was subject
to every temptation to which man is subject. Even
in His childhood He was often tempted. Through
life He remained unyielding to every inducement to
commit sin. When in His youth His associates
would try to lead Him to do wrong, He would begin
to sing some sweet melody, and the first thing they
knew they were uniting with Him in singing the
song. They caught His spirit, and the enemy was
defeated.—Miscellaneous Collections Sermons and
Talks Volume Two Manuscript 80, 1903, p. 12.
{17MR 29.4}

Daily the Saviour’s compassion
must be revealed. The example
He has left must be followed.
He took upon His sinless
nature our sinful nature, that
He might know how to succor
those that are tempted.
{Medical Missionary 181.3}
Clad in the vestments of
humanity, the Son of God came
down to the level of those he
wished to save. In him was no
guile or sinfulness; he was ever
pure and undefiled; yet he took
upon him our sinful nature.
{RH, December 15, 1896 par. 7}

Based on the revelation
given to Sis White by
God, as far as the
nature Christ assumed
is concerned, all these
terms mean the same
thing, just as Paul uses
the terms “likeness of
sinful flesh” in Roman
8:3 and “likeness of
men” in Philippians
2:5-8.

How can Christ assume
man’s fallen nature, our
sinful nature and yet
not have it’s sinfulness?
Is there a difference
between sinful nature
and sinfulness?

What does Ellen
White understand
SINFULNESS to
be? Is it the fallen
or Sinful nature or
is it participation
in sin?

In the fullness of time He
was to be revealed in
human form. He was to
take His position at the
head of humanity by taking
the nature but not the
sinfulness of man. In
heaven was heard the voice,
“The Redeemer shall come
to Zion, and unto them that
turn from transgression in
Jacob, saith the Lord.”—
The Signs of the Times,
May 29, 1901. {7ABC 447.1}

The true follower of
Christ will make no
boastful claims to
holiness. It is by the law
of God that the sinner is
convicted. He sees his
own sinfulness in
contrast with the perfect
righteousness which it
enjoins, and this leads
him to humility and
repentance.
{RH, October 5, 1886
par. 24}

If sinfulness in this statement represents the fallen nature
or sinful nature and having this nature makes us guilty
before God, this would mean that we must confess and
repent for the way we were born, because our nature is our
sinfulness.
Since “True confession is always of a specific character,
and acknowledges particular sins”…... “All confession
should be definite and to the point, acknowledging the very
sins of which you are guilty”.—(Testimonies for the
Church, vol. 5, 639.) {Pr 240.3}
“He sees his own sinfulness in contrast with
the perfect righteousness which it enjoins,
and this leads him to humility and
repentance”.
{RH, October 5, 1886 par. 24}

The true follower of Christ will make no boastful claims to holiness. It
is by the law of God that the sinner is convicted. He sees his own
sinfulness in contrast with the perfect righteousness which it enjoins,
and this leads him to humility and repentance. {RH, October 5, 1886
par. 24}
This statement speaks to our participation in sin or (sinfulness),
transgression of the law and not our inherited weaknesses.
It is our consent, our free choice with knowledge to disobey and be
disloyal to God that condemns us. And the contrast is the
righteousness of Christ which leads to humility and repentance

FURTHER EVIDENCE
ON
SINFULNESS

How difficult it is for them to see the sinfulness of
sin, and to realize that God has made an infinite
sacrifice in giving his Son to come into our world,
that man might have another trial,
notwithstanding his transgression of the law.
{RH, December 18, 1888 par. 4}
We should search the Scriptures as Christ has
enjoined upon us to do, that we may know those
things that are testified of him. By searching we
may find the virtues of obedience in contrast with
the sinfulness of disobedience. {ST, April 17, 1893
par. 9}
Those who make a profession while failing to
obey, cannot stand the storm of temptation. One
act of disobedience weakens the power to see the
sinfulness of the second act. One little disregard
of a “Thus saith the Lord” is sufficient to stop the
promised blessing of the Holy Spirit. By
disobedience the light once so precious becomes
obscure. Satan takes charge of mind and soul, and
God is greatly dishonored. {SW, December 5, 1899
par. 12}

Parents have not been
half aroused to realize
their responsibility in
becoming parents. They
are remiss in their duty.
They do not teach their
children the sinfulness
of these dangerous,
virtue-destroying habits.
Until parents arouse,
there is no hope for their
children. {PH085 24.2}

It is impossible for us to be Christlike
while we are worldly-minded. We cannot
separate ourselves from the world itself;
we must remain in the world; but we
should separate from its evil practices,
its wrong ideas, its sinfulness. We
should practice self-denial in everything,
in order to have power by living faith in
Christ to claim the richest promises
given us in His Word. {MISC
COLLECTION 2SAT 198.5}
I had thought to remain silent, and let
you go on until you should see and
abhor the sinfulness of your course; but
backsliding from God produces
hardness of heart and blindness of mind,
and there is less and less perception of
their true condition, until the grace of
God is finally withdrawn, as from the
Jewish nation.{PH117 25.4}

Sinfulness has to do with the act of
sin, participation in sin, exercise of
the will to sin, and not the nature you
are born with.
Clad in the vestments of humanity, the
Son of God came down to the level of
those he wished to save. In him was no
guile or sinfulness; he was ever pure and
undefiled; yet he took upon him our
sinful nature. {RH, December 15, 1896
par. 7}
Formula for Chris
Jesus Christ = Human Nature -
Sinfulness
(Sinfulness ≠ Sinful Nature, fallen
nature, Sinful flesh)
(Sinfulness = Sinful acts & habits)

“Be careful, exceedingly careful as to
how you dwell upon the human nature
of Christ. Do not set Him before the
people as a man with the propensities
of sin. He is the second Adam. The
first Adam was created a pure, sinless
being, without a taint of sin upon him;
he was in the image of God. He could
fall, and he did fall through
transgressing. Because of sin, his
posterity was born with inherent
propensities of disobedience.
The Baker Letter
Letter 8, 1895 To W. L. H. Baker and wife

“But Jesus Christ was the only
begotten Son of God. He took upon
Himself human nature, and was
tempted in all points as human nature
is tempted. He could have sinned; He
could have fallen, but not for one
moment was there in Him an evil
propensity. He was assailed with
temptations in the wilderness, as Adam
was assailed with temptations in Eden.
Bro. Baker, avoid every question in
relation to the humanity of Christ
which is liable to be misunderstood.
The Baker Letter

Truth lies close to the track of presumption. In treating
upon the humanity of Christ, you need to guard
strenuously every assertion, lest your words be taken to
mean more than they imply, and thus you lose or dim the
clear perceptions of His humanity as combined with
divinity. His birth was a miracle of God; for, said the
angel, “Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring
fort a son, and shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great
and shall be called the son of the Highest; and the Lord
God shall give unto him the throne of his Father David”.
The Baker Letter

“Then said Mary unto the angel, How
shall this be, seeing that I know not a
man? And the angel answered and
said unto her, Thy Holy Ghost shall
come upon thee, and the power of the
Highest shall overshadow thee;
therefore also that holy thing which
shall be born of thee shall be called
the Son of God.” These words are
not addressed to any human
being, except to the Son of the
Infinite God.

Never, in any way, leave the slightest impression
upon human minds, that a taint of, or inclination
to corruption rested upon Christ, or that He in
any way yielded to corruption. He was tempted in
all points like as man is tempted, yet He is called
that holy thing.

The incarnation of Christ has ever been, and will ever remain a
mystery. That which is revealed, is for us and for our children, but
let every human being be warned from the ground of making
Christ altogether human, such an one as ourselves; for it cannot be.
The exact time when humanity blended with divinity, it is not
necessary for us to know. We are to keep our feet on the rock, Christ
Jesus, as God revealed in humanity. I perceive that there is danger
in approaching subjects which dwell on the humanity of the Son of
the infinite God. He did humble Himself when He saw He was
fashioned as a man, that He might understand the force of all
temptations wherewith man is beset”.

1.Some have interpreted this statement to mean that Christ to
an unfallen nature
2.Some have said that Christ had a uquie nature both the
unfallen nature and the fallen nature of Adam.
3.Other teach that Christ only had innocent infirmities and was
not tempted like we are, in other words he was tempted from
without and not within.

In Ministry , December, 1989, Tim Poirier studied Melvill's sermon, "The
Humiliation of the Man Christ Jesus." "Poirier commented: 'Ellen White drew
extensively from this sermon...,for her article entitled, "Christ Man's
Example," in the Review and Herald of July 5, 1887.' In this sermon,
Melvill digresses 'to consider the question of Christ's humanity.' It is
from this digression that the theology on the nature of Christ was drawn in
Seventh-day Adventists Believe... (pp. 47, 57), and which Dr. George Knight
goes to great lengths to explain in his annotations in the republished
Questions on Doctrine (pp. 522-524).”

“But whilst he [Christ] took humanitywith the innocent infirmities,he did not take it
with the sinful propensities.Here Deity interposed.The Holy Ghost overshadowed
the Virgin, and, allowingweakness to be derived from her, forbade wickedness; and
so caused that there should be generated a sorrowing and a sufferinghumanity,but
nevertheless an undefiledand spotless; a humanity with tears, but not with stains;
accessible to anguish, but not prone to offend; alliedmost closelywith the produced
miserybut infinitelyremovedfrom the producing cause”
(Melvill’s Sermons,p. 47 quoted in Webster, p. 128)

“So that we hold – and give it you as what we believe the orthodox
doctrine –
It was not the
Adamic, because it had the innocent infirmities of the fallen. It was not
the fallen, because it never descended into moral impurity. It was,
therefore, most literally our humanity, but without sin.”
(Melvill’s Sermons, p. 47 quoted in Webster, p. 128)

“Webster concludes that “in his summary of the discussion,
Melvill makes it clear that, in his view, Adam had neither
‘innocent infirmities’ nor ‘sinful propensities;’ we are born
with both, and Christ took the first but not the second.” . . .
Hence it is possible
(p. 129).

Temporal penalties of Adam; Sorrow,
bodily infirmities,pain and death.
Weakened Body Fall , all depraved
emotions, passions, and debilities,
essentially pertaining.
Jesus Christ
Was Exempted

But it is enormously significant that "Ellen White did not borrow a single
concept from the digression. Even Poirier admits this....'We have not
found that Ellen White directly borrowed any material from this
digression.'...Since there was extensive borrowing from the sermon, the
failure to find a single reference where anything from the digression
was borrowed, would indicate that Melvill's conclusions in the
digression were rejected by Ellen White! BUT these rejected
conclusions were accepted by the author...of Seventh-day Adventists
Believe... as well as by Knight."

For Melvill, the Fall brought two primary
consequences: (1) "innocent infirmities," and (2)
"sinful propensities." "From both was Adam's
humanity free before, and with both was it
endowed after, transgression." 1
By "innocent infirmities" Melvill means such
things as hunger, pain, weakness, sorrow, and
death. "There are consequences [of] guilt which are
perfectly guiltless. Sin introduced pain, but pain
itself is not sin." 2 By "sinful propensities," on the
other hand, Melvill refers to the proneness or
"tendency" to sin.

In his summary of the discussion, Melvill argues that
before the Fall Adam had neither "innocent infirmities"
nor "sinful propensities," that we are born with both, and
that Christ took the first but not the second: "But whilst
He took humanity with the innocent infirmities, He did
not take it with the sinful propensities. Here Deity
interposed. The Holy Ghost overshadowed the virgin,
and, allowing weakness to be derived from her, forbade
wickedness; and so caused that there should be generated
a sorrowing and a suffering humanity, but nevertheless an
undefiled and a spotless; a humanity with tears, but not
with stains; accessible to anguish, but not prone to offend;
allied most closely with the produced misery, but
infinitely removed from the producing cause.

"So that we hold—and we give it you as what we
believe the orthodox doctrine—that Christ's humanity
was not the Adamic humanity, that is, the humanity of
Adam before the Fall; nor fallen humanity, that is, in
every respect the humanity of Adam after the Fall. It
was not the Adamic, because it had the innocent
infirmities of the fallen. It was not the fallen, because
it had never descended into moral impurity. It was,
therefore, most literally our humanity, but without
sin.”3

The Melvill Explanation
Certain Adventists who defend the pre-Fall view of Christ’s
humanity have tried to use one of the authors from which she
seems to have borrowed some language, as the true
explanation of what she taught on this subject (69). In the
words of one contemporary Adventist author:
While Ellen White did not quote the words (of Melvill, such
as “innocent infirmities,” “sinful propensities,” and “prone to
offend”) the sentiments of Melvill could very well reflect
Ellen White’s own convictions (70).

This method of explaining inspired materials can only be
described as speculative and dangerous. While it is true that
Ellen White, like many Bible writers, made occasional use of
uninspired sources, to allow such sources to interpret the
inspired writings themselves is perilous in the extreme. For
example, it has been demonstrated that the apostle Paul used
language from the apocryphal book The Wisdom of Solomon in
writing some of his epistles (71). Should we therefore go to this
uninspired book to find what Paul really meant?
Other evidence indicates that Christ may have borrowed the
words of the Golden Rule from the famed Rabbi Hillel (72).
Should we then go to Rabbi Hillel’s writings to learn the true
meaning of what Christ taught, on this or any subject?

Whenever an inspired writer uses the words of an
uninspired writer, the words used cannot be understood
except in the setting where the inspired writer places
them. Such language then assumes whatever meaning
the inspired consensus imposes upon it. No hint can be
found, either in Scripture or Ellen White, that
uninspired sources ever provide the key to
understanding inspired passages. Again, from her own
words:
The testimonies themselves will be the key that will
explain the messages given, as scripture is explained
by scripture (73).

As we trace the course pursued by the scribes and
Pharisees, and see the light and privileges granted
them, we are led to inquire, HOW COULD THOSE
TEACHERS READ THE WORD OF GOD
WITHOUT PERCEIVING THE TRUTHS WHICH IT
TEACHES?
{RH, August 29, 1899 par. 5}

Upon these men was placed the responsibility of
explaining the law in the synagogue; but Christ declared,
"Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of
God." Ye teach for doctrine THE COMMANDMENTS
OF MEN. THE SAYINGS OF MEN, COMING DOWN
THROUGH THE RABBIS FROM AGE TO AGE, had
molded their religious worship.
{RH, August 29, 1899 par. 5}

Traditions were constantly increasing, which kept the mind in a
state of questioning and controversy over the most trivial
matters. NEW LAWS WERE CONSTANTLYBEING ENACTED,
and the people were taught to regard them as the requirements
of God, until a mechanical service became the sum of their
religion and their worship.
{RH, August 29, 1899 par. 5}

Many of these laws were not committed to writing, and exaction after
exaction was added UNTIL A MOST UNREASONABLE MASS OF
MAXIMS AND FABLES WASBROUGHT TOGETHER. HE WHO
ATTEMPTED TO BRING FORWARD SCRIPTURES that conflicted with
these laws and traditions, WASCONDEMNED as if he had refused to
accept a "Thus saith the Lord." THIS EDUCATION OF THE RABBIS WAS
WELL-PLEASING TO SATAN; for through them he was preparing
the way so that when Christ should come to the world, he would
be rejected by his own nation.
{RH, August 29, 1899 par. 5}

“Be careful, exceedingly careful as to how you dwell upon the human
nature of Christ. Do not set Him before the people as a man
with the propensities of sin. He is the second Adam.
But Jesus Christ was the only
begotten Son of God. He took upon Himself human nature, and was
tempted in all points as human nature is tempted. He could have
sinned; He could have fallen, but not for one moment was
there in Him an evil propensity.

NO propensities of sin
NO inherent propensities
of disobedience
NO evil propensity.
NO taint of, or inclination
to corruption

PASSIONS AND PROPENSITIES EXPLAINED
Passions--Control
In some passages, Ellen White uses the word passions to describe
something that must be controlled:
His [Adam's] appetites and passions were under the control of reason. Patriarchs and
Prophets p. 45 (Note that the unfallen Adam was not without passions.)
[Paul's] words, his practices, his passions, all were brought under the control of the
Spirit of God. Acts of the Apostles 315
A man of like passion as ourselves, the pen of inspiration describes him [Daniel] as
without fault. Prophets and Kings 546
All circumstances, all appetites and passions should be restricted and under the control
of an enlightened conscience. Testimonies Vol. 3 p. 491
Every true Christian will have control of his appetite and passions. Testimonies Vol. 3 p
569-570
Our youth want mothers who will teach them from their very cradles to control passion.
. . . Testimonies Vol. 3 p 564-565

Propensities--Control
Likewise, in some passages Ellen White uses the word propensities to describe
something that must be controlled. In the first of these passages, notice the
equation of passions with propensities, and the indication that Christ overcame
by controlling both:
That your passions and appetites may be subject to the control of reason. . . . Our
natural propensities must be controlled, or we can never overcome as Christ overcame.
4T 235
... Enabling men to bring all their propensities under the control of the higher powers . .
. 3T 491
He brought his own family to his rigid rules, but he failed to control his animal
propensities. 2T 378 (Note: Ellen White uses animal in the sense of biological.)
All animal propensities are to be subjected to the higher powers of the soul. Adventist
Home 128
If enlightened intellect holds the reins, controlling the animal propensities, keeping
them in subjection to the moral powers, Satan well knows that his power to overcome
with his temptations is very small. MYP 237

We will now notice a very different use of
the words passions and propensities.

It would therefore be this type of passions and/or
propensities that Ellen White had in mind when she
wrote of Christ,
Though He had all the strength of passion of humanity, never did
He yield to do one single act which was not pure and elevating
and enobling. IHP 155
Our natural propensities must be controlled, or we can never
overcome as Christ overcame. 4T 235
So He had these passions and propensities but He controlled them, and
so lived without sinning. This is the experience that is recommended to
us:

Passions--Eliminate
In some passages, Ellen White uses the word passions
to describe something that must be eliminated:
When [the grace of Christ] is implanted in the heart, it will cast out the
evil passions that cause strife and dissension. Desire of Ages 305
Unholy passions must be crucified. Gospel Worker Chapter 23
Propriety of Deportment pg 128
The unsanctified will and passions must be crucified. Testimonies Vol.
3 pg 84
Our . . . evil passions . . . must all be overcome. Testimonies vol. 3 pg
115
Whatever may be the evil practice, the master passion, which through
long indulgence binds both soul and body, Christ is able and longs to
deliver. Desire of Ages 203

Fretfulness, self exaltation, pride, passion . . . must be
overcome. Testimonies vol. 4 527
And just as in the previous list we found an equation of passion
with propensity, we find the same equation here:
[The wife] is made an instrument to minister to the gratification
of low, lustful propensities and very many women submit to
become slaves of lustful passion . . . . Testimonies Vol. 2 474

Although the following usages are only descriptive,it is apparent that
simply controlling them would not be an adequate solution to the problem.
Depraved passions; base passions, base, low passion; hellish passions. 2T
474
Corrupt passions. 2T 410
Bitter or baleful passions. 2BC 1017
Gross passions. 3T 475
Murderous passion. PP658
Perverted passions. CD 238
Vicious passions. 2T 468
The Christian would accomplish little by simply limiting the indulgence of
this type of passion, as would be indicated by the word control in the
previous listing. This type of passion must be eliminated

Propensities--Eliminate
Likewise, in some passages Ellen White uses the word propensities
to describe something that must be eliminated:
But although their evil propensities may seem to them as precious as the right hand or the
right eye, they must be separated from the worker, or he cannot be acceptable to God. TM
171-172
Nonsense and amusement-loving propensities should be discarded. MYP 42
Although the following usages are only decriptive, it is apparent that simply controlling
them would not be an adequate solution to the problem:
Money-loving propensities. 3T 545
Scandal-loving propensities. 5T 57
Selfish propensities. 7T 204
Scheming propensity. 4T 351
Lustful propensity. CD 389
Of these, it is encouraging to read:
We need not retain one sinful propensity. RH 4-24-1900)

It would therefore be this kind of passions and/or
propensities that Ellen White had in mind when she wrote of
Christ:
He was a mighty petitioner, not possessing the passions of
our human, fallen nature, but compassed with infirmities,
tempted in all points like as we are. 2T 509
He is a brother in our infirmities, but not in possessing like
passions. 2T 202
Not for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity. 5
SDABC 1128

Passions
Though He had all the strength of passion of humanity, never did He
yield to do one act which was not pure and elevating and noble. IHP 155
He was a mighty petitoner, not possessing the passions of our human
fallen nature, but compassed with infirmities, tempted in all points like as
we are. 2T 509*
Propensities
Our natural propensities must be controlled, or we can never overcome as
Christ overcame. 4T 235
Not for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity. 5 SDABC 1128
Note the distinction between natural propensities and evil propensities.
These to her are separate categories.

We should not force Ellen White to contradict herself by ignoring the fact
that she clearly used both words in two different ways.
Neither should we concentrate our attention on one usage and ignore the
other.
We should recognize the undeniable evidence that she saw Christ as having
certain natural passions and propensities, and that He avoided sin by
controlling them.
The other type of evil passions and propensities, which are already sinning
or the result of sinning, and which Christians must eliminate from their
experience, Christ did not have at all.
“Those who overcome will follow the example of Christ by bringing bodily
appetites and passion under the control of enlightened conscience and
reason.” -Review and Herald, March 4, 1875

So to take her statement, "Not for one moment was there in Him an evil
propensity," (As in The Baker Letter) and read it as if she had written
natural propensity, and draw from that the conclusion that she believed
Christ took to unfallen nature of Adam, (or an exempted human nature) is
unwarranted.
It should rather be seen as an emphatic affirmation that He did not sin,
which is also indicated by the construction of her sentence in its use of the
conjunction but. This word is used, following a statement, to indicate that
the opposite of that statement is true.
Therefore the Baker Letter which is often used, to prove that Ellen White
held the unfallen view or that she spoke contradictory on the matter must
be understood in its proper context.
(Exerts Found in SDA Bible Commentary Vol. 5 pg 1128-1129 and Full letter
found in Manuscript Releases Volume Thirteen 1002 [The Baker Letter]
19.3 letter 8, 1895)

For example:
I could have gone but I didn't.
She could have won, but she didn't
This thought of contradistinction is not lost when other words are used
in the second clause.
I could have gone, but I was busy
No one, reading this, would conclude that I went.
She could have won, but she was tired.
No one, reading this, would conclude that she won. The
contradisinction indicated by the conjunction but precludes such a
conclusion.

So when Ellen White wrote:
He could have sinned, He
could have fallen, but not for
one moment was there in Him
an evil propensity. Manuscripts
releases Volume Thirteen “The
Baker Letter” pg 18
We should understand this to
mean emphatically that:
He could have sinned, but He didn't.
Then we are not using her
statement about propensities in
contradiction of her many
statements that Christ took the
fallen nature of man.

“He was born without a taint of sin, but
came into the world in like manner as the
human family” Signs of the Times,
Aug. 11, 1887.
Many have alleged that this means He was born without the
inheritedsinful nature common to all humans. But at least
two other statements make it clear that His being “born
without a taint of sin” refers to His divine nature,not to the
absence of fleshlydesires in His lower, human nature .
-THE LOWER AND HIGHER NATURES, The Key to Resolving the
Adventist Christology Debate Kevin D. Paulson

Letters have been coming in
to me, affirming that Christ
could not have had the same
nature as man, for if He had,
He would have fallen under
similar temptations. If He did
not have man's nature, He
could not be our example. If
He was not a partaker of our
nature, He could not have
been tempted as man has
been.
(The Review and Herald, February 18,
1890).

If it were not possible for Him
to yield to temptation, He
could not be our helper. It was
a solemn reality that Christ
came to fight the battles as
man, in man's behalf. His
temptation and victory tell us
that humanity must copy the
Pattern; man must become a
partaker of the divine nature.
1890).

“It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the
Son of God to take man’s nature, even when Adam stood in
his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when
the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin.
Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the
working of the great law of heredity. What these results
were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He
came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and
temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.”710

What do parents pass on to their chid
through the laws of Heredity ?
Both parents transmit their own
characteristics, mental and
physical, their dispositions and
appetites, to their child.
{Christian Education 233.1}
Parents may have transmitted to
their children tendencies to
appetite and passion, which will
make more difficult the work of
educating and training these
children to be strictly temperate
and to have pure and virtuous
habits.
(Temperance pg 174 par 4)

“The Son of God in His humanity wrestled with the very same
fierce, apparently overwhelming, temptations that assail us—
temptations to indulgence of appetite, to presumptuous
venturing where God has not led them, and to the worship of
the god of this world, to sacrifice an eternity of bliss for the
fascinating pleasures of this life.” {CTr 195.4}
Is indulgence of appetite a propensity to sin?
Is presumptuous venturing a propensity to sin?
Is the worship of the god of this world a propensity to sin?

Be careful, exceedingly careful
as to how you dwell upon the
human nature of Christ. Do not
set Him before the people as
a man with the propensities
of sin.
habits.

Sister White is using the term “propensities to sin” to mean
cultivated sins in the baker letter, Jesus did not have these
“propensities”. This is what we believe she is stating. For
example, in the same statement where Sister White writes; “do
not set Him before the people as a man with the propensities of
sin” just a few lines later she writes; “not for one moment was
there in Him an evil propensity” from the context it seems clear
Sister White is using the word “propensities” in reference to
committed sins. So to take her statement, "Not for one moment
was there in Him an evil propensity," (As in The Baker Letter) and
read it as if she had written natural propensity, and draw from that
the conclusion that she believed Christ took to unfallen nature of
Adam, (or an exempted human nature) is unwarranted.
Be careful, exceedingly careful as to how you dwell upon the
human nature of Christ. Do not set Him before the people
as a man with the propensities of sin.

What is the difference between a propensity of sin and a propensity to
sin ?
There are two types of propensities/passions in the writings of Ellen G
white.
are a natural tendency to sin from the cultivated sins
we have committed, these Jesus did not have.
are the natural tendencies to sin which we inherit
from birth, (from our sinful fallen nature), these Jesus had like us.
Propensity = tendency, inclination, predisposition,
susceptibility, bent, leaning, preference,
vulnerability.

Like every child of Adam He
accepted the results of the
working of the great law of
heredity.
{Desire of ages ,pg 49}
habits.

Is SETH a child of Adam ?
Seth was a worthy character, and was to take the place of
Abel in right doing. Yet he was a son of Adam like sinful Cain,
and inherited from the nature of Adam no more natural
goodness than did Cain. He was born in sin; but by the
grace of God, in receiving the faithful instructions of his father
Adam, he honored God in doing his will. He separated himself
from the corrupt descendants of Cain, and labored, as Abel
would have done had he lived, to turn the minds of sinful men
to revere and obey God. {1SP 60.2}

Seth was of more noble stature than Cain or Abel, and resembled
Adam more closely than did his other sons. He was a worthy
character, following in the steps of Abel. Yet he inherited no more
natural goodness than did Cain. Concerning the creation of Adam
it is said, "In the likeness of God made He him;" but man, after
the Fall, "begat a son in his own likeness, after his image." While
Adam was created sinless, in the likeness of God, Seth, like Cain,
inherited the fallen nature of his parents. But he received also
the knowledge of the Redeemer and instruction in righteousness.
By divine grace he served and honored God; and he labored, as
Abel would have done, had he lived, to turn the minds of sinful
men to revere and obey their Creator. {PP 80.1}

What a sight was this for
Heaven to look upon?
took our
nature in its deteriorated
condition. SDA Bible
Commentary, vol. 7, p. 925.
, yet He
condescended to connect our
fallen human nature with His
divinity. Selected Messages,
vol. 1, p. 253.

“Christ has redeemed us; our very flesh He has saved
at an infinite cost, giving His own flesh for the life of
the world. The lower passions have their seat in the
body, and work through it. The words flesh or fleshly
or carnal lusts embrace the lower, corrupt nature.”
Spalding and Magan’s Unpublished Manuscript
Testimonies of Ellen G. White, 209.
Ellen G.White comments on the word “FLESH”

STRONGS CONCORDANCE
Strongs Number: G4561
Flesh=Sarx (sarx) in the Greek NewTestament
Word: sarx
Pronounce: sarx
Origin: human nature (with its frailties (physically
or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human
being

“Coming, as He did, as a man, to meet and be
subjected with all the evil tendencies to which
man is heir, working in every conceivable
manner to destroy His faith, He made it
possible for Himself to be buffeted by human
agencies inspired by Satan, the rebel who had
been expelled from heaven.”
Letter K-303, 1903.

“The words of Christ encourage parents to bring their
little ones to Jesus. They may be wayward, and
possess passions like those of humanity, but this
should not deter us from bringing them to Christ. He
blessed children that were possessed of passions like
his own.” {ST 9 April 1896}.

Never, in any way, leave the
slightest impression upon human
minds, that a taint of, or
inclination to corruption rested
upon Christ, or that He in any
way yielded to corruption. He
was tempted in all points like as
man is tempted, yet He is called
that holy thing.

“The human nature of Christ was like
unto ours. And suffering was really more
keenly felt by Him; for His spiritual
nature was free from every taint of sin.”
Manuscript Releases, vol. 11, 345.
“Though He had no taint of sin upon His
character, yet He condescended to
connect our fallen human nature with His
divinity. By thus taking humanity, He
honored humanity. Having taken our
fallen nature, he showed what it might
become, by accepting the ample provision
He has made for it, and by becoming
partaker of the divine nature.” Selected
Messages, bk. 3, 134.

“One unsanctified act on the
part of our Saviour, would
have marred the pattern, and
he could not have been a
perfect example for us; but
although he was tempted in all
points like as we are, he was
yet without one taint of sin.”
The Youth’s Instructor,
October 13, 1892.

“Christ, the second Adam, came in the likeness of
sinful flesh. In man’s behalf, He became subject to
sorrow, to weariness, to hunger, and to thirst. He
was subject to temptation. But he yielded not to sin.
No taint of sin was upon Him. He declared, ‘I have
kept my Father’s commandments [in My earthly
life]’ (John 15:10). He had infinite power only
because He was perfectly obedient to His Father’s
will. The second Adam stood the test of trial and
temptation that He might become the Owner of all
humanity.”Selected Messages, bk. 3, 141, 142.

“Satan exulted when Christ became a human
being, and he compassed His path with every
conceivable temptation.Human weakness and
tears were His portion; but He sought unto
God, praying with His whole soul, with strong
crying and tears; and He was heard in that He
feared. The subtlety of the enemy could not
ensnare Him while He made God His trust, and
was obedient to His words. ‘The prince of this
world cometh,’ He said, ‘and hath nothing in
Me.’ He can find nothing in Me which responds
to his sophistry.Amid impurity, Christ
maintained His purity. Satan could not stain or
corrupt it.” Signs of the Times, May 10, 1899.

The General Conference Bulletin,
October 1, 1899.
“The Lord Jesus Christ, when in human flesh,
successfully resisted every temptation of the
enemy. His efforts of superhuman love, made to
save the race, were successful. From Him men and
women may receive power to overcome, if they
will consent to cease from sin. Christ gave every
son and daughter of Adam unmistakable evidence
that through the provisions God has made they
may overcome. Each one must rely on the merits
of a crucified and risen Saviour. He takes every
repenting soul into covenant relation with
Himself.”

was created a pure,
sinless being
took upon Himself human
nature
was...without a taint of
sin upon him
[no] taint of...corruption
rested upon Him
was assailed with
temptations
was assailed with
temptations
??? [notice what’s
missing here] ????
was tempted in all points
as human nature is
tempted
he could fall He could have fallen
he did fall through
transgression
He held fast to God and
His word
ADAM CHRIST

HOW ARE WE
TEMPTED?
The devil now has free access to tempt
fallen mankind where ever and when
ever he pleases through our mind.
(Our senses)
HOW WERE ADAM AND EVE
TEMPTED?
The devil only had access to tempt
Adam and Eve at the tree
knowledge of good and evil.
ADAM AND EVE WERE NOT TEMPTED AS WE ARE

Never, in any way, leave the
slightest impression upon human
minds, that a taint of, or
inclination to corruption rested
upon Christ, or that He in any
way yielded to corruption.
He was tempted in all points like
as man is tempted, yet He is
called that holy thing.

What does Ellen White understand CORRUPTION
to be? Is it the fallen or Sinful nature or is it
participation in sin?

“The divine nature, combined with the human,
made Him capable of yielding to Satan's
temptations But here we must not become
in our ideas common and earthly, and in
our perverted ideas we must not think that
the liability of Christ to yield to Satan’s
temptations degraded His humanity and
He possessed the same sinful, corrupt
propensities as man. …”

“… Christ took our nature, fallen but not
corrupted, and would not be corrupted
unless He received the words of Satan in
the place of the words of God. To
suppose He was not capable of yielding to
temptation places Him where He cannot be
a perfect example for man, and the force
and the power of this part of Christ’s
humiliation, which is the most eventful, is
no instruction or help to human beings.”

The incarnation of Christ has ever been, and will
ever remain a mystery. That which is revealed, is
for us and for our children, but let every human
being be warned from the ground of making
Christ altogether human, such an one as
ourselves; for it cannot be. The exact time when
humanity blended with divinity, it is not necessary
for us to know. We are to keep our feet on the rock,
Christ Jesus, as God revealed in humanity. I
perceive that there is danger in approaching
subjects which dwell on the humanity of the Son
of the infinite God. He did humble Himself when
He saw He was fashioned as a man, that He
might understand the force of all temptations
wherewith man is beset”.

“let every human being be
warned from the ground of
making Christ altogether
human, such an one as
ourselves; for it cannot be”
Letter 8, 1895 To W. L. H.
Baker and wife
“Had he not been fully
human, Christ could not have
been our substitute”
{Signs of the Time, June 17,
1897 par. 8}
There must be a difference
between altogether human
and fully human or else these
statements would contradict
each other.

“let every human being be warned from the ground of making
Christ altogether human, such an one as ourselves; for it cannot be”
“The Saviour came to the world in lowliness, and lived as a
man among men. On all points except sin, divinity was to
touch humanity. Living on this earth as a man among men,
Christ answered in the affirmative the question, ‘Can man
keep the law of God?’He was tempted in all points as man
is tempted, ‘yet without sin.’ ” Review and Herald, January
7, 1904.

“let every human being be warned from the ground of
making Christ altogether human, such an one as
“He . . became like one of us except in sin, that His
life and character should be a pattern for all to copy,
that they might have the precious gift of eternal
Iife.”—Youth’s Instructor, October 20, 1886.

“let every human being be warned from the ground of
making Christ altogether human, such an one as
"Jesus was sinless and had no dread of the
consequences of sin. With this exception His
condition was as yours. You have not a difficulty
that did not press with equal weight upon Him, not a
sorrow that His heart has not experienced"
(Our High Calling, p. 59).

“let every human being be warned from the ground of making Christ
altogether human, such an one as ourselves; for it cannot be”
The first Adam fell: the second Adam held fast to God and His
word under the most trying circumstances, and His faith in His
Father's goodness, mercy, and love did not waver for one
moment. "It is written" was His weapon of resistance, and it is
the sword of the Spirit which every human being is to use.
"Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this
world cometh, and hath nothing in me"--nothing to respond to
temptation. Not one occasion has been given in response to His
manifold temptations. Not once did Christ step on Satan's
ground, to give him any advantage. Satan found nothing in Him
to encourage his advances.

“let every human being be warned from the ground of making Christ
altogether human, such an one as ourselves; for it cannot be”
"Clad in the vestments of humanity, the Son of God came down
to the level of those He wished to save. In Him was no guilt or
sinfulness; He was ever pure and undefiled; yet He took upon
Him our sinful nature. Clothing His divinity with humanity, that He
might associate with fallen humanity, He sought to regain for
man that which, by disobedience, Adam had lost for himself and
for the world" (Review and Herald, December 15. 1896).

Jesus had
Natural passions
and
propensities
but not
Evil Passions
and
Propensities
(A sinner)
Jesus was fully human
but not
Altogether human
(A sinner)

1) “Do not set Him before the people as a man with the propensities of
sin.” -Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 13-30
[Why? Because Jesus chose not to yield to the propensities of sin that
arose out of His lower human nature, common to all men and women.]
2) “The first Adam was created a pure, sinless being, without a taint of
sin upon him.” -Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 13-30
[Adam had not yet sinned. “Taint”—the defilementof sinning, the result
of sinning].
3) “Because of sin, his [Adam’s] posterity was born with inherent
propensities of disobedience.” -Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 13-30
[Since Adam, all have inherited a weakened body and mind and without
the right action of the will, prompted by the Holy Spirit’s power, those
“inherent propensities” become propensities of disobedience—see The
Desire of Ages, 49.]

1) 4) “He [Jesus] could have sinned; He could have fallen, but not
for one moment was there in Him an evil propensity.”
---Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 13-30
1) [He inherited the lower. fallen nature of His forebears but He
chose not to yield, not for a moment, to Satan’s temptations (as
Adam and all Christ’s forebears had done). Jesus did not let a
propensity of man’s lower nature become an “evil propensity.”]
-Manuscript Releases, vol. 13, 13-30
5) “We must realize that through belief in him it is our privilege tobe
partakers of the divine nature, and so escape the corruption that is in
the world through lust. Then we are cleansed from all sin, all defects
of character. We need not retain one sinful propensity.” -Review
and Herald, April 24, 1900.

THE DIFFERENCE MUST GO—“Self-indulgence,self-pleasing,pride,
and extravagance must be renounced. We cannot be Christians and gratify
these propensities.”—Review,May 16, 1893.
“We need not retain one sinful propensity.”—
7 Bible Commentary, 943.
“Moral perfectionis requiredof all. Never should we lower the standard of
righteousness in order to accommodate inheritedor cultivatedtendencies to
wrongdoing. We need to understand that imperfectionof character is
sin.”— Christ’s Object Lessons, 330.
“As we partake of the divine nature, hereditaryand cultivatedtendencies to
wrong are cut away from the character and we are made a living power
for good.”—Review, April 24, 1900 (1 Peter 2:24; 2 Cor. 9:8; 1 John 2:29; 1
John 3:6-9).

"Jesus came down to our world
that He might give man a living
example, required of all—from
Adam, the first man, down to
the last man who shall live on
the earth. ... He declared that
His mission was not to destroy
the law but to fill it in perfect
and entire obedience. He came
to demonstrate the fact that
humanity, allied by living faith
to divinity, can keep all the
commandments of God.”
Review and Herald, Nov 15, 1898.

"The great teacher came into our world, not only to atone for
sin but to be a teacher both by precept and example.
We see Christ’s obedience. His life was without sin.
His life-long obedience is a reproach to disobedient humanity.
He served as a son with the Father. Just so we
must every one serve with God, not in our own improvised
plans”—Selected Message, bk. 3: 135, 136.

“He was to qualify
Himself for the office of
Redeemer by successfully
resisting every assault of
the enemy. His power of
resistance was to be an
example for all who
would hereafter be placed
in trying positions.”232

“The greatest triumph
given us by the religion
of Christ is control over
ourselves. Our natural
propensities must be
controlled, or we can
never overcome as
Christ overcame.”231

The science of
overcoming as Christ
overcame is the science
of Salvation. If we will
unite with Christ in the
work of developing
Christian character, if we
will maintain unwavering
faith in God and in the
truths of His Word, we
shall be given strength to
overcome every evil thing
in the life. 5RH 545

Those who would overcome must put to the tax
every power of their being. They must agonize on
their knees before God for divine power. Christ
came to be our example, and to make known to us
that we may be partakers of the divine nature.
How?—By having escaped the corruptions that
are in the world through lust.
(The Review and Herald, February 18, 1890).

Satan did not gain the victory
over Christ. He did not put his
foot upon the soul of the
Redeemer. He did not touch the
head though he bruised the heel.
Christ, by His own example,
made it evident that man may
stand in integrity. Men may have
a power to resist evil—a power
that neither earth, nor death, nor
hell can master; a power that
will place them where they may
overcome as Christ overcame.
Divinity and humanity may be
combined in them.
1890).

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