How have the WTBTS' teachings changed since Russell's day?
The WT article from March 1916 "The Great Multitude" contains some significant pointers. How would you compare these to modern teaching?
1.) A relatively gracious tone toward 'other' Christians:
It is not ours to read their hearts; but it is ours, as Jesus said, to know them by their fruits. Yet even here we might deceive ourselves. The only safe way for us, therefore, in respect to persons who claim to be Christians and who live an upright and moral life is to take them for what they profess to be.
Many tares
['false' Christians], we understand, are very talented, very honorable, and very wealthy. They really, however, have neither part nor lot with the true Church of ChristThey do not deny the Lord. Indeed, many of them would die rather than directly deny Him. Yet by their works they do deny Him
There is no mention of apostates here. Could a modern WT article on this subject have resisted a denunciation of the 'evil slave'? Not likely.
2.) The 'class view' of salvation:
Class c) (see above)"tares", b) "conquerers", and a) "more than conquerers".
two classes in the Church, all of whom are spirit-begotten, all of whom are called with the same High Calling, all of whom had similar opportunities for attaining the great prize.
The Great Company described in our lesson will be overcomers… those of this class who will be living in the end of the present Age… The Lord will lead them to the waters of life. But they will not be, like the Bride, possessed of immortality
Nevertheless, there is a still higher position that will be attained by some… these will be the Little Flock to inherit the Kingdom-- these will be the Royal Priesthood--these will constitute the Bride, the Lamb's Wife and Joint-heir.
[144,000]The "more than conquerors" are of course Russellites to the fullest extent, the hardest workers, most sacrificing, etc.
The comparison with Mormonism with its 'levels' of heaven is striking, and it probably comes from Adventism. So too with the emphasis on works, the article finishes with a rouser…
3.) Working towards salvation:
Seeing these things set forth so clearly in the Word of God, shall we not be the more earnest hereafter, the more loyal, the more faithful, that we may obtain the highest reward, even that to which the Lord has invited us--to become members of the Body of Christ, members of the Royal Priesthood?
I still haven't found much anti-apostate bile in the earlier Watchtowers, but I've only just got started. Perhaps I'll have to wait for Rutherford's influence to be felt for that. The class system of salvation, and salvation by works, however, appear to be as strong then as they are today.
philo