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Jehovah's Witnesses World Religions and False Cults World Religions and False Cults Part 7 – Jehovah’s Witnesses Part 7 – Jehovah’s Witnesses The History of Jehovah’s Witnesses The History of Jehovah’s Witnesses In 1870, Charles Taze Russell, at the age of 18, started a Bible In 1870, Charles Taze Russell, at the age of 18, started a Bible club in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Though he was opposed to many club in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Though he was opposed to many teachings of historical Christianity, he gained followers and was teachings of historical Christianity, he gained followers and was elected their “pastor.” They became known as the Zion’s Watch elected their “pastor.” They became known as the Zion’s Watch Tower and Tract Society, eventually establishing headquarters in Tower and Tract Society, eventually establishing headquarters in Brooklyn, New York (1909). Russell was married, but his wife Brooklyn, New York (1909). Russell was married, but his wife divorced him after he was charged with fraud and perjury. He divorced him after he was charged with fraud and perjury. He claimed Christ would return in 1914, though the date was later claimed Christ would return in 1914, though the date was later changed to 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941 and then 1975. After Russell’s changed to 1918, 1920, 1925, 1941 and then 1975. After Russell’s death, Joseph Franklin Rutherford took over (1916). Upset with death, Joseph Franklin Rutherford took over (1916). Upset with his leadership, many groups branched off, leading Rutherford to his leadership, many groups branched off, leading Rutherford to distinguish the primary group with a new name, the “Jehovah’s distinguish the primary group with a new name, the “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Literature distribution and door-to-door promotion Witnesses.” Literature distribution and door-to-door promotion of the group was emphasized, resulting in a worldwide following of the group was emphasized, resulting in a worldwide following today of around 7 million, with well over a million in the US. today of around 7 million, with well over a million in the US. Core Beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses Core Beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses The Bible is their source of authority, but only their translation is The Bible is their source of authority, but only their translation is used (New World Translation). Their leaders and publications used (New World Translation). Their leaders and publications (Watchtower and Awake!) direct their doctrine, which members (Watchtower and Awake!) direct their doctrine, which members discuss when they gather at their Kingdom Halls. They do not discuss when they gather at their Kingdom Halls. They do not celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays, as they are believed to celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays, as they are believed to have pagan origins. Military service and pledging to the flag is have pagan origins. Military service and pledging to the flag is forbidden as their loyalty is only to God’s Kingdom. Key views: forbidden as their loyalty is only to God’s Kingdom. Key views: ➢ God: There is one God (Jehovah). Jesus Christ was His first ➢ God: There is one God (Jehovah). Jesus Christ was His first creation. “The Word was a god” (John 1:1, NWT). The Holy creation. “The Word was a god” (John 1:1, NWT). The Holy Spirit is an active force, not a person. There is no Trinity. Spirit is an active force, not a person. There is no Trinity. ➢ Mankind: Adam’s sin caused the fall of mankind, but Jesus ➢ Mankind: Adam’s sin caused the fall of mankind, but Jesus cancelled the effects out with His human sacrifice. The cancelled the effects out with His human sacrifice. The focus is to earn the right to live in God’s future Kingdom. focus is to earn the right to live in God’s future Kingdom. ➢ Salvation: Calvary makes our resurrection possible (there is ➢ Salvation: Calvary makes our resurrection possible (there is no hell); obedience makes it a reality. Only 144,000 faithful no hell); obedience makes it a reality. Only 144,000 faithful JW’s go to Heaven; the others will live in Paradise on earth. JW’s go to Heaven; the others will live in Paradise on earth. Keys for Evangelism Keys for Evangelism ➢ JW’s are programmed with responses to your questions. ➢ JW’s are programmed with responses to your questions. Control the conversation by focusing on just a few key texts. Control the conversation by focusing on just a few key texts. ➢ The NWT tweaks verses about Christ. Be prepared to de- ➢ The NWT tweaks verses about Christ. Be prepared to de- fend passages such as John 1:1; Col. 1:15-17; John 10:30-34. fend passages such as John 1:1; Col. 1:15-17; John 10:30-34. Elevate Student Ministries Elevate Student Ministries .
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  • Charles Taze Russell and the Jehovah's Witnesses 1879-1916 Edward H
    the pain of the millennium charles taze russell and the Jehovah's witnesses 1879-1916 edward h. abrahams Like surging waves of the sea under a rising wind, sound the concerted mutterings of innumerable voices against the present social system.1 Charles Taze Russell, 1897 In 1879 Charles Taze Russell began publishing lion's Watch Tower and founded a religious movement which came to be known as the Jehovah's Witnesses.2 By 1974 over two million people belonged to the millenarian sect, 81,588 of whom lived in the United States.3 In the 1870's, however, Russell was only one of many premillennialists who believed that Christ would soon return and announce the beginning of the millennium. That his movement should become one of America's major small sects testifies to Russell's ability both to deliver a message that many were eager to hear and to organize his devoted disciples into active missionaries. Since Ira V. Brown published "Watchers For the Second Coming: The Millenarian Tradition in America"4 in 1952, there has been a great deal of interest in millennial thought in the United States. Ernest Lee Tuveson in his outstanding and provocative book, Redeemer Nation? believes that he has discovered a driving force of American history in the idea of America's millennial role. Ernest R. Sandeen, whose Roots of Fundamentalism? studies Protestant apocalyptic literature of the nine­ teenth century, also has found that millenarianism exercised a profound influence on the American imagination. Yet both books neglect to fol­ low David E. Smith's recommendation in "Millennial Scholarship in America,"7 a bibliographical essay he published in 1965, to place Charles Taze Russell and the Jehovah's Witnesses in their political and social setting.
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  • Ebook « Charles Taze Russell // Read
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    This material has been provided by Asbury Theological Seminary in good faith of following ethical procedures in its production and end use. The Copyright law of the united States (title 17, United States code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyright material. Under certain condition specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to finish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law. By using this material, you are consenting to abide by this copyright policy. Any duplication, reproduction, or modification of this material without express written consent from Asbury Theological Seminary and/or the original publisher is prohibited. Contact B.L. Fisher Library Asbury Theological Seminary 204 N. Lexington Ave. Wilmore, KY 40390 B.L. Fisher Library’s Digital Content place.asburyseminary.edu Asbury Theological Seminary 205 North Lexington Avenue 800.2ASBURY Wilmore, Kentucky 40390 asburyseminary.edu A SEARCH FOR THE CHRISTOLOGY OF THE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES AS INTERPRETED THROUGH ITS HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT by Bart Leu Master's Thesis for partial requirement of M.A. in Theological Studies from Asbury Theological Seminary, Fall of 1992 Approved by: Provost (T%ahju U.
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