"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." (Proverbs 27:17)
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JSM17
Joined: 13 May 2006
Posts: 273
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
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 Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 4:47 pm Post subject: Did you know? |
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Charles Taze Russell:
Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1852, the son of a draper, and attended a Calvinist Congregational Church. He was soon overcome with despair at the prospect of hell and went about proclaiming damnation for unbelievers. When he was 17, in trying to convert an atheist, he himself lost his faith. So, at the age of 20, Russell began declaring the "good news" that there was no hell.
He soon began writing, borrowing heavily from the ideas of J. H. Paton who published his works under the title Day Dawn. Russell merely changed the name of his "new" ideas to "Millenial Dawn", and then later to avoid being recognized, "Studies in the Scriptures".
Russell then went on to claim that his idea's were divinely inspired by God and that the Final Judgement was at hand, much like the Seventh Day Adventists. However, what do we know about the character of this "prophet" of God. First, we know that he was forced by federal authorities to return money to farmers whom he had sold his "miracle wheat". The reason being that the only miraculous thing about the wheat was it's exhorbant price and outlandish claims. Secondly, under oath in a court in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Russell stated that he was an expert Scripture scholar and was fluent in Greek. However, when a Greek New Testament was produced for him to read, he was forced to admit that not only did he not know Greek, he didn't even know the Greek alphabet. Lastly, in 1897 his wife divorced him for having adulterous affairs with two different women. When the judge had ruled against him, Russell immediately transferred his property, worth over $240,000 to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
"Judge" J. F. Rutherford":
Born in 1869, he became a lawyer and went on to represent the Millenial Dawnists. Upon Russell's death in 1916, he assumed the role of president and wished to be know as Judge Rutherford, even though he had never been appointed a judge. He had a forcefull personality that jumpstarted the movement. He focused on creating a seemingly endless collection of books and pamphlets in order to grow the publishing business. He was responsible for coining the name Witnesses of Jehovah, as well as the infamous slogan "Millions now living will never die". Rutherford died in 1942.
I know this is not biblical scripture but sometimes you have to place before people the historical evidences of certain groups that claim certain things, many inside this group do not even know this about these men, they will say it is a lie but it is historical proof!
Out from all this became what you know of as the JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES
_________________
...in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power... |
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RR
Joined: 14 Jan 2007
Posts: 1
Location: New Jersey
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| Posted: Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:51 am Post subject: Re: Did you know? |
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As one who WAS affiliated with the Witnesses for over ten years, serving in various capacities, I find your research lacking. There is enough within the Watchtower movement to criticise, however when one does not do his or her homework, it does more harm than good.
| Quote: | | Born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1852, the son of a draper, and attended a Calvinist Congregational Church. He was soon overcome with despair at the prospect of hell and went about proclaiming damnation for unbelievers. When he was 17, in trying to convert an atheist, he himself lost his faith. So, at the age of 20, Russell began declaring the "good news" that there was no hell. |
You make it sound as if Russell denied hell because he couldn't convert an athiest friend. Not true. Russell still believed in God and the Scriptures, he just couldn't reconcile a God of Love with a God of hellfire. The ministers of his day could not explain it either to his satisfaction.
| Quote: | | He soon began writing, borrowing heavily from the ideas of J. H. Paton who published his works under the title Day Dawn. Russell merely changed the name of his "new" ideas to "Millenial Dawn", and then later to avoid being recognized, "Studies in the Scriptures". |
He borrowed NOTHING from Paton, Patons book was written under Russell's direction, Both Paton and Russell had affiliated themselves with Nelson Barbour who published "The Herald of the Morning" journal. Russell financed it and contributed to it. Paton authored "The Day Dawn", Later Russell disassociated himself from Barbours group and Paton joined him, In 1879, Russell started "Zion's Watch Tower" with Paton on the editorial board. However, when Paton revised "the Day Dawn" it smacked of Gnosticism and New Age, Russell refused to promote it, and they parted company. Paton began his own journal.
| Quote: | | Russell then went on to claim that his idea's were divinely inspired by God and that the Final Judgement was at hand, much like the Seventh Day Adventists. However, what do we know about the character of this "prophet" of God. First, we know that he was forced by federal authorities to return money to farmers whom he had sold his "miracle wheat". The reason being that the only miraculous thing about the wheat was it's exhorbant price and outlandish claims. Secondly, under oath in a court in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Russell stated that he was an expert Scripture scholar and was fluent in Greek. However, when a Greek New Testament was produced for him to read, he was forced to admit that not only did he not know Greek, he didn't even know the Greek alphabet. Lastly, in 1897 his wife divorced him for having adulterous affairs with two different women. When the judge had ruled against him, Russell immediately transferred his property, worth over $240,000 to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. |
First, Russell NEVER claimed to be inspired or to be a prophet. Did he believe he had discovered the Truth? Sure, go to any bookstore and see the myriads of myriads of Christian books and commentaries and self help books by Ministers, pastors and laymen who believe they have it right.
As to perjury, most historians, even the critics of Russell and the Watchtower will tell you, Russell never perjured himself. He was never charged with perjury. He never claimed to be an expert, I would suggest you read the transcript. What he said and what was told he said are apples and oranges.
As to sexual immorality? In the divorce hearings, which I have the transcripts. his wife Maria Russell was asked if she believed Russell was a womenizer, and she said "no." The fact is neither Charles nor Maria had ever consummated their marriage. That was the agreement between the two, a part of their sacrfice to remain celibate and work in the ministry. Apparently, this was common in those days.
| JSM17 wrote: | "Judge" J. F. Rutherford":
Born in 1869, he became a lawyer and went on to represent the Millenial Dawnists. Upon Russell's death in 1916, he assumed the role of president and wished to be know as Judge Rutherford, even though he had never been appointed a judge. He had a forcefull personality that jumpstarted the movement. He focused on creating a seemingly endless collection of books and pamphlets in order to grow the publishing business. He was responsible for coining the name Witnesses of Jehovah, as well as the infamous slogan "Millions now living will never die". Rutherford died in 1942.
I know this is not biblical scripture but sometimes you have to place before people the historical evidences of certain groups that claim certain things, many inside this group do not even know this about these men, they will say it is a lie but it is historical proof! Out from all this became what you know of as the JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES |
As to the "Judge"? he is the true founder of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Having ursurped the authority of the board of directors, he dismissed the majority of the board and began purging out all of Russell's faithful followers. As a result some 75% of the Bible Students left the movement, and the Judge worked with what he had, creating the fastest growing movement in history. He was a drunkard and womenizer, and today the Watchtower and the Witnesses continue his legacy.
The Watchtower has done more good and have fought more cases for religious freedom, not only for themselves but for every religious groups. Were it not for them, fighting the supreme court and winning hundreds of cases, you and I would not be able to exercise what religious freedoms we have. Do some research.
Sometimes, God uses the bad to accomplish the Good.
RR
Last edited by RR on Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:47 am; edited 2 times in total |
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JSM17
Joined: 13 May 2006
Posts: 273
Location: Schaumburg, Illinois
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| Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2007 10:01 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the info!
_________________
...in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power... |
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