Do Current WT writers review Early Russell Writings? Obviously not.

by objectivetruth 17 Replies latest jw friends

  • objectivetruth
    objectivetruth

    From the Book "The Divine Plan of the Ages" - C.T. Russell 1886

    As a forcible illustration we mention the Sodomites. Surely, if we shall find the restitution of the Sodomites clearly taught, we may feel satisfied of the truth of this glorious doctrine of Restitution for all mankind, spoken by the mouth of all the holy prophets...

    Unto the Jews of Capernaum he said, "If the mighty works which have been done in thee had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." Matt. 11:23 Thus our Lord teaches that the Sodomites did not have a full opportunity; and he guarantees them such opportunity when he adds (verse 24), "But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom, in the day of judgment, than for thee." Some of these suggest that the Lord must, in this prophecy, be speaking ironically to the Jews, implying that he would just as willingly bring back the Sodomites as them, but had no intention of restoring

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    Matthew 11:24 But I say to you, it will be more endurable for the land of Sod′om on Judgment Day than for you.”

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    From - Watchtower 1988 6/1 30-31 Questions from Readers - Do Jesus’ words at Matthew 11:24 mean that those whom Jehovah destroyed by fire in Sodom and Gomorrah will be resurrected?

    "A reexamination of Matthew 11:20-24, though, has brought into question whether Jesus was there discussing eternal judgment and resurrection. His point was how unresponsive the people in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were and how unlikely it was that they would reform even in the Judgment Day. Saying that it would be “more endurable” for Tyre/Sidon and Sodom/Gomorrah “on Judgment Day” was a form of hyperbole (exaggeration to emphasize a point) that Jesus need not have intended to be taken literally, any more than other graphic hyperboles that he used.

    (Notice in Matthew Jesus said "will be" and then the 1988 Watchtower quoted the scripture as "would be" also as Russell pointed out, some would claim that Jesus was speaking Ironically of Sodom, the. 1988 WT states that Jesus was using Hyperbole speaking of Sodom. )

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (According to the 2011 Watchtower, this is a method "Apostates"use when attempting to Deceive an Individual.. "They use counterfeit words or false arguments, they twist the scriptures to fit their own ideas" )

    Watchtower 2011 7/15 pp. 15-19

    Do Not Follow “False Teachers”

    5 How do false teachers operate? Their methods reveal a cunning spirit. Apostates “quietly bring in” corruptive ideas. Like smugglers, they operate in a clandestine manner, subtly introducing apostate views. And just as a clever forger tries to pass phony documents, so apostates use “counterfeit words,” or false arguments, trying to pass their fabricated views as if they were true. They spread “deceptive teachings,” “twisting . . . the Scriptures” to fit their own ideas. (2 Pet. 2:1, 3, 13; 3:16) Clearly, apostates do not have our best interests at heart. Following them would only divert us from the road that leads to eternal life.

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    There is nothing Worse then an apostate that has the Power to take the Place of Jesus in Millions of peoples Lives.

  • Fernando
    Fernando

    "There is nothing Worse then an apostate that has the Power to take the Place of Jesus in Millions of peoples Lives."

    Indeed. Sad too.

  • punkofnice
    punkofnice

    I used to enjoy perusing the older books. I had a few but sold them on ebay. It doesn't matter as I have them all on CD somewhere. Haven't looked at them in years now.

    It was always nice to print some pages out to impress the congregation when I was an elder.

    Now it doesn't matter I guess.

  • Ding
    Ding

    I think the WT writers are thoroughly embarrassed by Russell.

    I have quoted to JWs Russell's comment that new light cannot contradict old light but only add to it.

    They have three reactions, which come in sequence in about 15 seconds.

    Their first reaction is, "Huh?" (deer in the headlights look)

    Their second reaction is, "Why are you reading that old stuff?"

    Their third reaction is to accuse me of reading apostate literature.

    I sometimes ask, "When do WT publications stop being the truth and turn into apostate literature?"

    They never come up with a good answer.

    I once had an elder stalk out of my house after I asked him that question.

  • Make Lemonade
    Make Lemonade

    objectivetruth, Fernando, and Ding

    These quotes build up like a resevoir of knowledge. Very helpful to identify who the writers and leadership really are. In my opinion, these quotes show an intent to mislead the readers. Also, the reactions that are dismissive or even accusatory show a lack of conviction. These opinions are in the form of a broad brush, but the more one sees the pattern, the more one can pick it out. At first I could not believe that a writer of the publications would be intentionally deceptive. With posts of information like this, I now have conviction that there are many examples of intentional deception.

    punkofnice

    Your research and posts helped me. That does matter to me and I will always be grateful for your efforts.

    Keep the faith.

  • cha ching
    cha ching

    I love that Ding!!!!!

    I sometimes ask, "When do WT publications stop being the truth and turn into apostate literature?"

    I will definitely use that one!

    Sodom and Gomorrah was an embarrassing subject for me, and I didn't even live at the beginning of the century!

    I was on a "Bible Study," using a book, read the paragraph about S & G about whether they would be "resurrected," and the student answered "No, they won't." At the time, the answer should have been "Yes, they will, as the scripture says "it will be more endurable for them."

    I, myself, did not think it was right for the Society to change the teaching of S & G from the one I had originally believed... that they would be gone forever.... but, there it was, in black and white... in the 'study' book that I had to use... from the "faithful and discreet slave," "God's channel of communication on earth," yep, they had a chance.... What was I going to do?

    I was so embarrassed.... all I could say was "look at the paragraph, what does it say?"

    Only a month or two later, "new light" was revealed. S & G were no longer in the running for a resurrection... The student had it right from the beginning... so did I..... That was one of my pet peeves for never going with "whatever the Society says," they just might "unsay" it, and that would be embarrassing to Jehovah...

  • cha ching
    cha ching

    Ahhhh.... Dear Punk,

    Don't be discouraged, your posting of info has helped us escape the "dark side of the force!"

  • Finkelstein
    Finkelstein

    F Franz the head bible theologian for the WTS. back in the 60's and 70's obviously did when he reintroduced the

    6000 year calculation of Adam's existence to pretentiously make up (1975) which was previously written and

    introduced by the WTS. back in the late 1800's.

    I know Franz is not current but just to show that it does happen in the WTS..

    Franz was also an acclaimed anointed too by the way ......... an anointed bullshitter and deceiver to be precise.

  • Splash
    Splash

    I think the full list of changing views on this is:

    WILL THE MEN OF SODOM AND GOMORRAH BE RESURRECTED?
    1879 YES WT July, 1879 p.8
    1952 NO WT 6/1/52 p.338
    1965 YES WT 8/1/65 p.479
    1967 NO WT 1/7/67 p.409
    1974 YES Awake! 8/10/74 p.20
    1988 NO WT 6/1/88 p.31
    1988 SOME WILL Insight On The Scriptures, Vol.1, p.616 (released June 17th 1988)
    1988 YES Insight On The Scriptures, Vol.2, p.985
    1988 NO Revelation - Its Grand Climax p.273
    1988 YES You Can Live Forever... p.179 (Old Edition)
    1988 NO You Can Live Forever... p.179 (New Edition)

    Note: Insight vol. 2 p. 985 says it was the cities that underwent everlasting destruction and not the people, as if the houses, roads and buildings committed the sins!

    Splash

  • cha ching
    cha ching

    thx Splash!

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