Post by ResLight on Nov 3, 2014 18:57:14 GMT -5
Russell, Megalomaniac and Cult Leader?
It is being claimed that both Rutherford and Russell were "megalomaniacs convinced that God was directing their process."
Brother Russell did believe that he was being used in a special way by God, and I believe that he indeed was -- having studied his works for more than 50 years, I cannot conclude otherwise. At the same time Brother Russell believed that God was working through any child of God, irrespective of denominational ties. I certainly would not state that Russell was a "megalomaniac", anymore than I would say that Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, the apostle Paul, Martin Luther, John Wesley, etc., were "megalomaniacs". Anyone truly familiar with Brother Russell's writings, and who would be honest concerning the matter, would note Brother Russell's humble demeanor toward himself as expressed in those writings. Some of those who knew Brother Russell in a personal way described him as being like a loving and gentle father.
It is being claimed that Russell stated that "no one could understand the Bible without reading his books," and that "if someone put his books aside and read only the Bible, they would revert back to ignorance." It is futher stated that this is "exactly what a cult leader would say".
1) That is not what exactly what Brother Russell stated. Although I do believe that he overstated the matter, by taking what he said out of context one can make it appear to be something other than what I believe he intended. Indeed, **if** what was presented in the Scriptures Studies is found to be in harmony with the light of the truth as revealed in the Bible, as he proposed with an "if", then to be out of harmony with what is presented would be to out of harmony with the light of the Bible.
See my own research regarding this:
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=861
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=1677
2) A cult leader most often claims to have divine authority; although many associated with the Bible Students have, in effect, attributed divine authority to Brother Russell, Russell himself never claimed such authority and refused such authority.
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=334
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=3075
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=1892
3) Brother Russell never claimed to be the "sole channel" for the truth of God's Word, and certainly never claimed that anyone had to accept his teachings for salvation, as does the JW leadership.
ctr-rlbible.com/?cat=98
It is being claimed that both Rutherford and Russell were "megalomaniacs convinced that God was directing their process."
Brother Russell did believe that he was being used in a special way by God, and I believe that he indeed was -- having studied his works for more than 50 years, I cannot conclude otherwise. At the same time Brother Russell believed that God was working through any child of God, irrespective of denominational ties. I certainly would not state that Russell was a "megalomaniac", anymore than I would say that Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, the apostle Paul, Martin Luther, John Wesley, etc., were "megalomaniacs". Anyone truly familiar with Brother Russell's writings, and who would be honest concerning the matter, would note Brother Russell's humble demeanor toward himself as expressed in those writings. Some of those who knew Brother Russell in a personal way described him as being like a loving and gentle father.
It is being claimed that Russell stated that "no one could understand the Bible without reading his books," and that "if someone put his books aside and read only the Bible, they would revert back to ignorance." It is futher stated that this is "exactly what a cult leader would say".
1) That is not what exactly what Brother Russell stated. Although I do believe that he overstated the matter, by taking what he said out of context one can make it appear to be something other than what I believe he intended. Indeed, **if** what was presented in the Scriptures Studies is found to be in harmony with the light of the truth as revealed in the Bible, as he proposed with an "if", then to be out of harmony with what is presented would be to out of harmony with the light of the Bible.
See my own research regarding this:
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=861
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=1677
2) A cult leader most often claims to have divine authority; although many associated with the Bible Students have, in effect, attributed divine authority to Brother Russell, Russell himself never claimed such authority and refused such authority.
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=334
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=3075
ctr-rlbible.com/?p=1892
3) Brother Russell never claimed to be the "sole channel" for the truth of God's Word, and certainly never claimed that anyone had to accept his teachings for salvation, as does the JW leadership.
ctr-rlbible.com/?cat=98
