by God_Delusion 6 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
Dear all,
I am currently researching information on the first Bible Students (Charlie T. Russell included) for a new JWB article that I am working on.
I have been told that good old Charlie took a lot from the Seventh Day Adventist faith.
Is this true, or should I say, is this fact? If so, are their any publications or websites that can back this up?
Kind regards,
Carlos
Book Recommendation:
Apocalypse Delayed by Jim Penton
http://www.amazon.com/Apocalypse-Delayed-Story-Jehovahs-Witnesses/dp/0802079733
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...OUTLAW
Yes, there are a number of doctrines the JWs have in common with the SDA. Soul sleeping is the most prominant one, not to mention belief that the Earth is in the final days. The SDA faith has, as a basis of belief, the revelations given to Ellen G. White.
Visiting the SDA website is a somewhat soupy experience. You get a lot of stuff like this: "Because you and God are friends, you will spend time together as friends do. Each morning you'll share a hello and a hug and discuss how you can face the day's events together. Throughout the day you'll talk with Him about how you feel. You'll laugh with Him at funny things and ache with Him over sadness and hurts. It's pleasant being God's friend, able to snuggle comfortably into the safety of your relationship. You can always trust Him to treat you well, because He loves you."
This mystical sap really means little in the way of understanding. And Ellen White's role is largely missing except for one paragraph under the church's beliefs in prophecy: "The gift of prophecy, like the other spiritual gifts, is to bring about unity, equip God's people for the work of ministry, build up the body of Christ, protect it from being deceived by false doctrine, and foster individual and collective spiritual growth (Ephesians 4:11-15). We recognize in Ellen G. White the gift of prophecy, and affirm that as this gift is valued and its instruction heeded, the Church prospers." The WTS, on the other hand, rejects prophecy (except to strongly imply that the slave is chosen by it). Still, the WTS never actually says it.
Ellen White's gift of prophecy is discussed here in relation to the War of 1861. She claimed in 1863 that the North was being punished for its toleration of slavery and that ultimately the South would be punished. Additionally, she apparently predicted that the U.K. would take advantage of the war and declare war on the U.S. She correctly declared the war was to preserve the Union rather than abolish slavery, but everyone knew that at the time, and Lincoln freely admitted it.
You are thinking 'adventists' not SDA.....granted they too are borne of the adventist movement.....
maybe read up on William Miller and the Millerites (Uncle Fred loved them books!)
As previously mentioned by Yknot, there is a difference between the SECOND ADVENTISTS and the SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
JWs trace back to the SECOND ADVENTISTS, and so do the SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS, but JWs took nothing from the SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS.
If they had, they would be a bit more successful today.
If one were to make an character examination of CT Russell's extended religious beliefs, I think you would find that there are two
prominent sides to his religious beliefs, one being the things that he learned from others such as dispensational theology, Pyramidology.
The other of course was his desire to promote and dissipate these religious ideologies out to the public through his own literature publications,
traveling about renting out halls to give public talks and likely selling his books and magazines afterward.
Russell was a professional salesman by trade so its not surprising that he would pursue this personal venture, starting out as a writing
editor for another religious magazine.
Preaching that the lord JC had returned, drew a lot of attention for himself and to his literature, particularly when 90% of the population
at the time were Christian based in origin.
