The first article in the study edition is full of lots of little holes and contradictions.
PARGRAPH 4:
4 However, in the 1870’s—about four decades before “the last days” began—a small group of sincere Christians in Pennsylvania, U.S.A., met together to study the Bible diligently and to search for “the true knowledge.” (2 Tim. 3:1) They called themselves Bible Students. These were not “the wise and intellectual ones” from whom Jesus said that knowledge was to be hidden. (Matt. 11: 25) They were humble people who sincerely desired to do God’s will. Carefully and prayerfully, they read, discussed, and meditated on the Scriptures. They also compared Bible passages and examined the writings of others who had made a similar search.
COMPARE:
*** km 9/07 p. 3 Question Box ***
? Does “the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?—Matt. 24:45, 47.
No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature.
---->Pretty blatant contradiction there as has been done numerous times on this single subject. That independent research is precisely what was done in Russell's time. Yet Russell(apparently believed to have been of the so-called "anointed") was uniquely qualified to do that independent research. Yet today that would be considered rebellious and herretical, as discussed in "In Search of Christian Freedom" by Ray Franz. The fact that they were "sincere" and supposedly "humble" has to be pushed immensely, especially considering that the vast majority that was published has since been discarded and changed entirely.
PARAGRAPH 5:
5 Though the Bible Students were excited about the things they were learning, they did not allow their newfound knowledge to puff them up with pride; nor did they take credit for proclaiming something new. (1 Cor. 8:1) Instead, they published a series of tracts called The Old Theology. The objective was to acquaint readers with Scriptural truths that had been recorded in the Bible. The first of such tracts offered “further reading matter to assist in Bible study, with a view to getting rid of all false traditions of men and to the full recovery of the old theology of our Lord and
the apostles.”—The Old Theology, No. 1, April 1889, p. 32.
----->Further proof that Russell did not go to any "faithful slave" class to recieve knowledge. The very next paragraph begins with the sentence..."What marvelous truths have been uncovered since that small beginning over 100 years ago!". It is incredibly apparent that there was no 18 or 1900 year old "slave class" but that they started a new religion, with only connections to other groups, most notably the Second Adventists.
PARAGRAPH 8:
8 It is easy for us to relate to what Jesus told his disciples: “Happy are the eyes that behold the things you are beholding. For I say to you, Many prophets and kings desired to see the things you are beholding but did not see them, and to hear the things you are hearing but did not hear them.” (Luke 10:23, 24)We give credit to Jehovah God for enabling us to see and hear such things. And how grateful we are that “the helper,” God’s holy spirit, has been sent to guide Jesus’ followers “into all the truth”! (Read John 16:7, 13.) May we always treasure “the true knowledge”.
----->Is this the most recent admission of being "prophets"? True uninspired prophets?
----->This has also said, without saying, that they are inspired. What witness today would disagree with the GB when they give credit to God for all of it and place His Holy Spirit behind it all? It's no wonder they are so fearful of voicing a contrary opinion or thought
COMPARE:
*** it-1 p. 1204 Inspiration ***
Here God’s spirit would operate to prevent inaccuracy or error from intruding into the Divine Record and also to guide in the selection of material to be included. Obviously, not everything stated by other persons and thereafter included in the Bible was inspired of God, but the selection of the material to be part of the Holy Scriptures and the accurate recording of it were under the direction of holy spirit.
------>I suppose the Holy Spirit is MUCH weaker these days...
PARAGRAPH 15:
15 This mammoth work is financed by means of voluntary donations. (Read Matthew 10:8.) That alone is staggering to those in the printing industry who understand the cost of presses, paper, ink, and other materials. A brother who is involved in global purchasing said: “Business people who visit our printeries are amazed that such a technologically advanced, high-production facility can be financed by voluntary donations. They are equally impressed that our Bethel workforce is so young and happy.”
------>It should not be so surprising since the illustration of the widow's dropping of two small coins in giving to God is repeated at least every other meeting. Local needs recently(at least at our hall) have been mainly about donations. Is it so surprising that they get such donations?
This whole article was pretty bad. The thrust seemed to be about them alone possessing "accurate knowledge of truth". They went into the history regarding the Bible Students and how God was apparently using them. All while reading, I could not help but keep remembering that most of what they taught is now viewed as false, and that if a person today believed as they did, they would be thought of as "blinded by Satan" and "apostate". SMH