Conventional wisdom is the body of ideas or explanations generally accepted as true by the public or by experts in a field. Such ideas or explanations, though widely held, are unexamined. Unqualified societal discourse preserves the status quo. Or so says Wikipedia.

I’m writing about this concept in contrast to the concept of “present truth” as described in an earlier blog post and which may be better understood, at least theologically, as “progressive truth.” It is truth that comes from new discoveries and new studies which contradict “conventional wisdom.”

Early Adventism was based on present truth! In-depth study of Scripture, especially prophecy, led the young believers to many new understandings which resulted in a new denomination. Now, over a century and a half later, many Adventists believe that the present truth of the early church is still the present truth of the 21st century. I’m not here to argue that; it’s not the purpose of Adventist Vegetarian Diabetics.

What I would like to examine is the “present truth” of nutrition and health of the 21st century, compared to the “conventional wisdom” of the 20th century. Of everything that Ellen G. White wrote on this subject, what is still valid? Are there concepts that were valid in the 19th century that are no longer valid in 2015 based on new studies and new discoveries? Are there principles she expressed that are timeless and applicable to all eras?

At what point does “present truth” become “conventional wisdom”?