Why the name "Governing Body?"

skeeter1

The Krishna also use the term "Governing Body", and that struck me.

The Koreshans, a defunct cult, also used the term "Governing Body" to describe an all woman council that lead their group.

Governing Body makes it sound all so official and unquestionable. Or, is it my upbringing that makes it so?

From Wiki . . .

Governing body

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Governing body may refer to:

Education

The governing body of a school in England, Northern Ireland or Wales, composed of school governors
Board of education, the governing body of a school or higher administrative level
University Court, the governing body of a university in Scotland

Religion

The Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses
Governing Body Commission of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
Governing Bodies of the Conference of European Churches

Others

Sport governing body, a regulating authority for sports
Board of governors, the governing body of a public institution
Board of directors, the governing body of a company

From my research I get the impression the term "Governing Body" first arose purely as a corporate term defining the Board of Directors of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (although since 2000 the two have been distinguished from one another). I don't think it originally carried any special religious significance when it was first used, in much the same way as the term is used in relation to sporting authorities in your OP. It was only in the 40s when attention turned to reorganizing the governance of the Society in the wake of Rutherford's death that the spotlight was turned on the role of the Governing Body and greater powers were granted to them (see page 228 of the Proclaimers book), even though it didn't assume full control as an authoritarian unit until the unrest of the 70s.

It's noteworthy that pre-1944 references to the Governing Body in the Proclaimers book refer to it in lower case (i.e. "Charles Taze Russell, who for the Society's first 32 years was foremost in the governing body..."), but BOOM! Anything past 1944 appears as "Governing Body" with capitals.

Cedars

St George of England

"Charles Taze Russell, who for the Society's first 32 years was foremost in the governing body..."),

Has anyone ever found anything about Russell OR Rutherford and the governing body that was written at the time?

Using the GB reference to these people in retrospect is yet another example of rewriting the history.

I would really like to see a pre-1970 photograph of a bunch of WT guys labelled 'The GB 1956' or whatever year.

George

bigmac

surely "governing body" is well documented in the bible?--right there alongside "kingdom hall"--and disfellowship---------

cantleave

Cedars is right, it was the legal term for the corporate leadership.

Chariklo

So that bears out that what we have here is a publishing company with delusions of grandeur.

blondie

*** w50 1/1 pp. 10-11 par. 2 Reviewing the Past Year’s Work World-wide ***

The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, the governing body of Jehovah’s witnesses, has pointed out through its publications that the kingdom of heaven was established in 1914, and it has shown in its writings how the signs of the present day are fulfilling prophecy in proof of the establishment of that kingdom.

*** w50 8/1 p. 232 par. 4 Servant’s Care of the Master’s Goods ***

Yes, these “goods” have been placed under the jurisdiction of the anointed remnant with its legal governing body operating through the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society.

*** w50 10/1 p. 347 par. 22 The Way of Success ***

The Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society is not the great mother organization of Jehovah’s witnesses who have received the Kingdom truth through it and who cooperate with it world-wide, using it as their legal and business servant and advisory governing body.

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Before 1971 the GB was merely a legal entity; not a religious body. The phrase "governing body" does not even occur in the bible. There was no GB in the first century...it is a construct of the WTS. That is why there is no listing "Governing Body" in the Insight book because of that. In the writeups yes, in the alphabetical listings, no.

breakfast of champions

It amazes me how they just weave themselves into the biblical narrative, even though the term GB doesnt exist in the bible. People don't even bat an eye.

NVR2L8

I agree with Cedars. At one point the "business" side of the WT was separated from the "spiritual" side of the organizations...the Governing Body was now only responsible for providing the spiritual food and directing the preaching work while other capable (read business-savy) brothers and lawyers would take care of corporate matters....

Zordino

The Freemasons also used the Term "Governing Body". Maybe good ol' Chuck Russel lifted that term from them since he liked the Mason's so much. He had friends/associate's who were FreeMasons...