according to wt history, as a youth/young man, ct russell was unsatisfied with a number of explanations he was taught about the bible.
as a result he went on a quest to 'study' the bible himself.
ultimately this led to an organization that now requires its members to read bible aids to help them understand the bible.
Old Goat
interesting points.
my google search led me to a site containing copies of the Bible Examiner from 1843-1880... Your reference unfortunately was excluded. Only June, and August issues were viewable.
Nonetheless, it would appear there were a few key individuals, who obtained some form of notoriety, that influenced Russell. Great input...
-- G. Storrs: Misapprehension Corrected, Bible Examiner, July 1849, page 106.
Maat
according to wt history, as a youth/young man, ct russell was unsatisfied with a number of explanations he was taught about the bible.
as a result he went on a quest to 'study' the bible himself.
ultimately this led to an organization that now requires its members to read bible aids to help them understand the bible.
Doug,
Great information. This is a great start to a long journey.
For the moment, I'm investigating the religious movement that occurred in the late 1800's and early 1900's. I've come across a number of books written at that time which appear to be contributory to the growth of a number of religions. Since I've spent most of my time as a JW, I wanted to dive into the origins of this movement. In my very limited research thus far, it would appear that Russell had a number of influences. Your .pdf file is quite interesting and supportive of that.
The religious movement at that time spurned a number of movements, none being more prevalent than a Zionist movement. I working on confirming that. But it would appear that Russell may have been supporting a Christian Zionist movement. But with Rutherford making changes that ultimately became the organization it is today, perhaps Rutherford had a more of CZ movement in mind than Russell. It's difficult to tell.
However, early on there was (I'm assuming) at least for a short time, agreement between Russell and Rutherford in their doctrinal beliefs.
I'm after the origins of those doctrines...
Maat
according to wt history, as a youth/young man, ct russell was unsatisfied with a number of explanations he was taught about the bible.
as a result he went on a quest to 'study' the bible himself.
ultimately this led to an organization that now requires its members to read bible aids to help them understand the bible.
According to WT history, as a youth/young man, CT Russell was unsatisfied with a number of explanations he was taught about the bible. As a result he went on a quest to 'study' the bible himself. Ultimately this led to an organization that now REQUIRES its members to read bible aids to help them understand the bible. Since most folks on this site don't believe Holy Spirit guided Russell to his beliefs, I'm wondering what books, materials, teachers(other than those mentioned by WT) were available to him at that time.
Does anyone happen to have a compiled list of books,material, literature or propaganda Russell may have or actually read during his day?
Maat
recently there have been several claims made regarding prophecies that came true.
i've not personally seen a prophecy that i would consider as having come true.
i would consider the following as the requirements to say something is a prophecy and evaluate whether or not it came true:.
Bible prophecies that came true:none.
source: the bible, (the book itself contains retold stories within itself) e.g., see WT articles discussing Jesus as the Greater Jospeh, the greater Isaac etc.. Then do your homework...I always hated when lackeys asked for answers to their homework....ain't wasting my time.
more importantly, read in FULL the ecumenical councils, particularly, the council of Trent, council of Chalcedon, council of Constantinople and the infamous council of Nicea. These councils make clear just how made up the bible stories are and how the masses were forced to believe its contents or risk pain of death....
But quite frankly I'd prefer eating some Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo since the 'Christ' IS in me and I represent Arm, Leg, Leg, Arm, Head.... Pun intended
Maat
i'm reading presently charles taze russell's the divine plan of the ages 1889 edition.. a question.
today, would ct russell be allowed to be an acceptable member of the organisation he started?.
what was ct russell's background before he started the watchtower society?
Excellent thread. Great discussion. Interesting opinions.
i believe in god.
i don't believe he punishes or rewards people.
so by the same extention i don't believe any spirit beings can communicate with or influence humans.. many who do not believe in god though, have gone to fortune tellers.
Katewild,
I'll apologize for being abstract...but consider these possibilities...
1.) Conceptually God and Satan are in a symbiotic relationship. One can not 'live' without the other....
2.) Metaphysically speaking, YOU are God.
3.) Spirit beings are conscious thoughts that once existed as physical matter but now eminates it self through vibrations and light.
4.) Demons are spirit beings whose vibratory and light frequencies are constantly resonating at frequecies that destroy conscious thoughts.
5.) Fortune tellers are astrologers who didn't bother to do their research on the stars....
My sentiments.......
Credo quia absurdum is a Latin phrase that means "I believe because it is absurd." It is a paraphrase of a statement inTertullian's work De Carne Christi, "prorsus credibile est, quia ineptum est", which can be translated: "it is by all means to be believed, because it is absurd". [ 1 ] The context is a defence of the tenets of orthodox Christianity against docetism:
But then again I understand that "millionaires play the stock market and billionaires read the stars"......J.P. Morgan (I think)
Oh and perhaps deja vu's and clairvoyance are somewhere between numbers 4 and 5...
Maat
.
focus.
("armageddon" class).
Excellent post.
ok so our dc was last week and we live about an hour and a half away from the meeting site.
so earlier in the year i heard my wife mention something about staying near by in a hotel.
now i'm thinking what the hell in a major city with several people shes going to have to get 2 rooms and the cost is going to be crazy high.
Exactly baltar447... Good point.
sounds like typical marital issues...nothing to do with the Cult...
how many of you have ever observed no votes in kingdom halls?
especially for spending on stuff?.
i've actually seen a few close votes but i is my experience unusual?
I voted No on many occasions. Primarily when it involved raising monthly contributions for improvements or accommodations for a traveling CO..
Maat
i must admit i can at times be a little "egotistical" when it comes to knowledge and the bible.
i have studied the bible for so long and have always had a passion for the bible as a jw and as an ex-jw.
i guess that is all i have left when it comes to religion and as humans we do tend to stroke our egos.
Ditto Jam's comment...
I'm only here because I took the time to read the Bible and STUDY it as a JW...as a result...I'm no longer a JW or a followre of any religious affiliations.
The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. himself said "while it [bible] is filled with Legends and Myth, there are many truths contained within it"
Maat
