Most people view the bible either as "a good book" or "God's Word" and some disregard it alltogether.
I think, though, that Russel and others of his time went beyond what most people see the bible as. As I read through various Russel stories, I got the impression that he thought the bible contained some kind of hidden code. Dates and figures carefully interwoven into the texts, which when cross referenced and applied maths supplied dates for the 2nd coming, or the end of the world.
I would suggest that the whole of the modern day society is based on the premise that the bible contains these hidden messages which were "sealed up ... for a later time".
I hope I am not stating the obvious, for certainly the society have set various dates, and subsequently changed their beliefs. (Incidently, I predict that the 1914 date will have to go sooner or later)
But my point here is this: The society are "adding to scripture" and are thus guilty of gross apostacy.
Speculation Society
by ballistic 1 Replies latest jw friends
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ballistic
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joelbear
Look at it this way.
If your were unaware of the history and the agendas associated with the Bible including not knowing that people thought it might be the whole and total word of god, what would you think about it?
I've reread much of the Bible since I left the witnesses and tried to keep myself objective in the process.
My take is:
Genesis through Malachi:
Jewish history, Jewish mythology, Jewish cultural rules.
Matthew through Acts:
Revolutionary appears and challenges the cultural model and is killed.
Mythos develops around him and his message.Letters from Paul
Ambitious and intelligent learned man grabs onto mythos associated with revolutionary and mixes the new ideas with the old in order to proliferate Jewish ideas and customs throughout the Roman empire.
Letters from John, Peter, James, etc.
Personal viewpoints that differ some but not significantly enough from Paul's to cause total schism.