He was involved in pyramidology. He had an affair and he was involved in cash scandals.
What he taught bears very little resemblance to JW`s of today.
So how can JW`s say that he was chosen by god to start the modern day religion?
How could CT Russel have holy spirit?
by jambon1 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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onacruse
What is "holy spirit?"
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Who are you?
He ate a lot of "Miracle Wheat" which contained an enormous amount of super natural, super special, vastly superior holy spirit?
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Pahpa
I think Russell was probably a sincere young man who, unfortunately, eventually bought into the idea that he was special, the "faithful and wise servant." When a person gets excessive accolades from followers it is easy to get into the trap of thinking they must be right.
We shouldn't forget that the study of pyramidology became a very popular fad in Russell's era. Interest in Egypt was widespread. And Russell would grasp anything that seemed to confirm his teachings. He found the scripture in Isaiah which foretold that there would be "an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the Lord at its border. It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt." Isaiah 19:19,20 He became convinced that this was the great pyramid of Khufu or Cheops. (By the way, this is the same prophecy that Onias used to justify his building of a Jewish Temple in Egypt.) Russell can be accused of trying to force a fulfillment of prophecy...as he did repeatedly...but I don't think it was a conscious decision to introduce demonology into his teachings.
The charge of "adultery" was never proven. In fact, his own wife who hinted at the possibility at the trial later denied it when she was asked directly about the charge. It was Russell's enemies who widely circulated the rumor with no foundation to it.
I'm no defender of Russell who made enough mistakes of his own. But I think we should be careful not to read too much into some of them. We have to consider the time and context of the events.
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drew sagan
I like how Rutherford eventually came out (in the 30's I think) and said that the holy spirit ceased to operate on the remnant after 1918.
So according to Rutherford who was in charge of the organization in 1918 the spirit was not there but to the writing department decades later it was only the Watchtower that had it! -
onacruse
Pahpa, very balanced post!
drew, unless I'm mistaken, the dichotomy to which you may be referring is between the "holy spirit" as a paraclete, versus the HS as a direct operator on humankind. Thus, the paraclete ceased to exist in 1918 (thereabouts, beginning with Christ's temple presence)...and the HS began thereupon to work directly on the WTS (or selected members thereof!) henceforth.
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Beer Connoisseur
How Could CT Russell Be In Heaven? The Watchtower claims he is one of the "anointed" faithful ones in heaven.
Yet he celebrated birthdays, Christmas, believed false Pyramidology, among other beliefs no longer taught by the Watchtower. I thought a person who practiced these things was not allowed in heaven?
What teachings did Russell believe that did get him into heaven? Can anyone show me the bible verses and doctrine that got him in?
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