Post by ResLight on Feb 19, 2015 21:05:01 GMT -5
One has stated to me that Russell did claim that he was the faithful and wise servant. The following is offered as proof:
"Thousands of the readers of Pastor Russell's writings believe that he filled the office of "that faithful and wise servant," and that his great work was giving to the Household of Faith meat in due season. His modesty and humility precluded him from openly claiming this title, but he admitted as much in private conversation," (Watchtower, Dec. 1, 1919, p. 357).
This, however, was not written by Russell, and I highly doubt that Brother Russell ever actually "admitted" to such in private conversation. Russell, however, may have admitted the possibility that he was, but if did do so, one should remember that he claimed no special authority for the "faithful and wise servant". Russell wrote:
Brother Russell himself never claimed to "the faithful and wise servant". These claims were made by others. The last thing I could find that Russell stated related to this is:
- 1910; ("Convention Report Sermons", pg. 125)
My own view is that whoever is faithful and wise in his service to the Master fulfills the role of the faithful and wise servant being spoken of.
See my study:
Parable of the Four Servants
Nevertheless, Rutherford was one of the foremost in promoting Russell as the faithful and wise servant, and, by his words, he apparently believed him to have a special authority as such. In effect, Rutherford attributed Russell with having authority that Russell himself refused to own, right on up to his death. However, Rutherford was claiming that Brother Russell was still directing work Rutherford and his associates were doing "from beyond the vail". What would such a claim mean? In that Rutherford was attributing to Russell the authority, this would mean that Rutherford himself actually had the authority that he was attributing to Russell, although Russell himself over and over refused such authority. Of course, it appears that Rutherford evidently already had the goal of usurping authority similar to that claimed for the Pope. Once he felt that he had established such authority, he disowned Russell as being the "faithful and wise servant".
See also my resource page related to Russell on Authority and Organization
"Thousands of the readers of Pastor Russell's writings believe that he filled the office of "that faithful and wise servant," and that his great work was giving to the Household of Faith meat in due season. His modesty and humility precluded him from openly claiming this title, but he admitted as much in private conversation," (Watchtower, Dec. 1, 1919, p. 357).
This, however, was not written by Russell, and I highly doubt that Brother Russell ever actually "admitted" to such in private conversation. Russell, however, may have admitted the possibility that he was, but if did do so, one should remember that he claimed no special authority for the "faithful and wise servant". Russell wrote:
The account [of Matthew 24:45-51] contains no suggestion of either the inspiration or infallibility of “that servant.” This distinction belongs only to the Lord, the Apostles and the prophets…. There certainly is no intimation that the “household” is cut off from access to, or feeding on, the Word of God; neither by “that servant” nor by “his fellow servants.” None of the “servants” are to come between the “household” of faith and God’s Word. On the contrary, each one of the “household” is to prove all that he accepts as spiritual food, whether he gets it from the Bible himself or from “that servant” or from “his fellow servants.” None of these servants are “lords over God’s heritage”; their highest privilege will be to serve, and the only difference between “that servant” and “his fellow servants” will be that his service will be more general, a wider service. -- “The Watch Tower”, June, 1893 pg. 168.
Brother Russell himself never claimed to "the faithful and wise servant". These claims were made by others. The last thing I could find that Russell stated related to this is:
Some of the dear brethren seem to find as much about Brother Russell in the Bible as they find about the Lord Jesus, and I think that is a great mistake. I do not find it there. Some of them say that I am blinded on that subject, that they all can see better than I can. Perhaps they can, I do not know, but I think, dear friends, that there is a danger in that direction, and I would like to put you all on guard.
My own view is that whoever is faithful and wise in his service to the Master fulfills the role of the faithful and wise servant being spoken of.
See my study:
Parable of the Four Servants
Nevertheless, Rutherford was one of the foremost in promoting Russell as the faithful and wise servant, and, by his words, he apparently believed him to have a special authority as such. In effect, Rutherford attributed Russell with having authority that Russell himself refused to own, right on up to his death. However, Rutherford was claiming that Brother Russell was still directing work Rutherford and his associates were doing "from beyond the vail". What would such a claim mean? In that Rutherford was attributing to Russell the authority, this would mean that Rutherford himself actually had the authority that he was attributing to Russell, although Russell himself over and over refused such authority. Of course, it appears that Rutherford evidently already had the goal of usurping authority similar to that claimed for the Pope. Once he felt that he had established such authority, he disowned Russell as being the "faithful and wise servant".
See also my resource page related to Russell on Authority and Organization
