I feel sorry for Charles Russell

Quotes

Charles *MANION* Russell, that is!

Born:1864 Died:1926

He was an artist of the American Wild West. See: http://www.bbhc.org/wgwa/russell.cfm or http://www.sidrmuseum.org/cmr.html for more info on this man. His artwork was about preserving his (largley idealized) memory of the Old West.

I think there is some irony in the fact that the memory of Charles *TAZE* Russell, who was an accomplished self-promoter, has largely been lost to history, whereas the legacy of this artist is well known, even today, at least in America. "Oh, that's a Russel" people say when they see his artwork. "It's so beautiful, and visceral."

But when the average person sees "Pastor" Russell's legacy (e.g. someone on the street peddling poorly-researched pseudo-religious magazines) they don't thing of Russell, all they think about is how quickly they can cross to the other side of the steet.

Most of all I feel sorry for PRINTS.COM who keep having their Google-paid-adword appear here on JWD. Everytime someone here clicks the google ad, they get billed. But at least some of that goes to Simon to help cover his costs; so click away!

Beans

I feel sorry for Russell because he didn't find his wife attractive and found a bible more enticing!

fran

I was told by a Bible student that Russell died Virgo Intacta??This Bible Student still thinks Russell is the FDS

RR

Yes Fran, he was and IS!

RR

minimus

RR---You believe CTR was and is the FDS??...........W H Y ???

RR

Yes, I do believe C.T. Russell was that Faithful and wise Servat.

Regarding our Lord's Great Prophecy of Matthew 24, it might be debated that the term, "faithful and wise servant" (vs. 45), could be applied to the Lord's people as a whole class. On the other hand, it may be applied to any individual who would serve others the truth, "meat in due season" when Jesus returns. In this passage, as well as the parallel account in Luke 12, it appears clear that "those servants [plural]" (vs. 37) who should be alert and watching refer to all the Lord's faithful people. Another suggestion might be that The Watch Tower organization itself would fill the role as "a faithful and wise servant." However, on close examination, within the same context in Luke 12, is a clear distinction between one who serves and those who are served:

"Blessed are those servants [plural], whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching. . . Who then is that faithful and wise steward [singular] whom the Lord would make ruler over his household to give them [plural] . . .meat in due season." (Vss. 37, 42)

Although all should be watching, one servant would be a steward over the rest of the servants for dispensing the truth due at the end of the age.

This responsibility would not imply lordship, apostolic inspiration or even origination of truths. Although Brother Russell rarely discussed these texts, when pressed to identify himself as fulfilling this role, he did not deny it. (How appropriate this cautious reserve!) As his friends would say, "A servant is known by his service" (R4483:2). If the content of his message and impact of his work are recognized as uniquely significant at the end of this age, then the conclusion that the Lord selected Charles Taze Russell as "that servant" is obvious.

The position carried risks; the office, specific temptations. One temptation described in Matthew 24 was that once having proclaimed the presence of the Lord, the "servant" might with the passage of time be tempted to reconsider and say the Lord after all had not come yet. The other temptation might be to become abusive in his peculiar position and "smite his fellowservants" (Matthew 24:48-51). No legitimate accusation of either of these sins could be laid at Brother Russell's feet. (Ironically, one Bible student offshoot, which postponed Jesus' coming to later dates and have historically oppressively ruled over people, have accused Bible students faithful to the original writings of Pastor Russell as the "evil slave class.")

Still it might be asserted out that Br. Russell "did not originate" all the doctrines he taught and that he "made mistakes." But he disclaimed divine inspiration though he obviously possessed divine guidance in his writings. A "servant" might be allowed to make mistakes whereas the apostles' words in Scripture would allow no room for mistakes. Brother Russell, as a willing candidate for this role, merely organized the assorted beliefs of the "cleansed sanctuary" class of the nineteenth century? which had freed itself from the doctrines of Dark Ages. He was not an originator; he was an organizer and a dispenser. He was not a lord over others; he was a servant?a faithful servant.

RR

gumby

FDS.....are you kiddin me? That's what that means? All this time I thought it was Feminine Deoderant Spray.

Gumby ( boy am I a smartass tonight)