"Good" teachers that did not make the cut in 1919

by M.J. 3 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  M.J.

  WTS doctrine claims that during Jesus' return (or "invisible presence"), he made an examination of the world's religious teachers, checked out Rutherford's little operation and was so impressed that in 1919 he and Jehovah decided to "put all their money" on it. This was due to the superb quality of the "spiritual food" that Rutherford, and Russell before him, were providing.

  However, most of this "spiritual food" has changed (with darn good reason), so that the "food" that Jesus was examining is not the same "food" that's served up today. Captives of a Concept on page 40 mentions that the relatively few teachings that have not changed since 1919 include: " God?s name is not 'God,' God is not a Trinity, Jesus is not God, the soul is not immortal, hell is not hot, the dead are not conscious, and the earth will not be destroyed."

  The book goes on to mention that " On page 622 of the Proclaimers book it acknowledges that Russell was not the only one who taught these things but it was just that he did a better job of publishing them then anyone else." (p. 40)

  Can anyone identify the some of the various religious groups that the WTS acknowledges were teaching the above mentioned doctrines in 1919, but just didn't make the cut?

  (I can identify one, but probably not one that the WTS had in mind. The "Iglesia ni Cristo" is another Adventism-derived group out of the Philippines which was teaching these very doctrines since 1913 and still does to this day.)

  It would be interesting to see some of the various options that Jesus was supposedly looking at before he settled on Rutherford. Musta been real slim pickins.
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  M.J.

  The Christadelphians were one group that had its origins in the publication of a magazine by Dr. John Thomas called "The Apostolic Advocate" 1834. As a group they had been advocating the following doctrines for many decades prior to 1919: (http://www.christadelphian.org.uk/)

  1. The Bible is God's word and the only message from him. It is without error, except for copying and translation errors.
  2. There is only one God - the Father. The Holy Spirit is God's power.
  3. Jesus is the Son of God, and a human being, through his mother Mary.
  4. Man is mortal, having no existence when dead.
  5. By living a sinless life, ending with his sacrificial death by crucifixion, Jesus has opened the way of salvation from death.
  6. Belief and baptism are essential steps to salvation.
  7. God raised Jesus from death. Jesus is currently in Heaven, on God's right hand. He will one day return.
  8. When Jesus returns, he will raise his "sleeping" followers from death and grant immortality to the faithful who have tried to live by God's precepts.
  9. His followers will help him to rule, bringing justice, righteousness and peace to the whole world - the Kingdom of God.

  Furthermore, they were always opposed to going to war, unlike the Bible Students. They did not set up false dates and speculations, did not dabble in pyramidology, spiritism, etc., etc...
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  Preston

  WTS doctrine claims that during Jesus' return (or "invisible presence"), he made an examination of the world's religious teachers, checked out Rutherford's little operation and was so impressed that in 1919 he and Jehovah decided to "put all their money" on it. This was due to the superb quality of the "spiritual food" that Rutherford, and Russell before him, were providing.

  Ha...its like Big Boss Jehovah entering the office of Jesus "the bookie" and telling them that the odds on Vegas favor the "little guys".... I could just see it now, large white chalkboard depicting how all the world's religions stack up with X's next to the core beliefs....

  "God?s name is not 'God,' God is not a Trinity, Jesus is not God, the soul is not immortal, hell is not hot, the dead are not conscious, and the earth will not be destroyed."

  I just find that statement hilarious...."Hell is not hot"....for some odd reason....

  - Preston
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  Nosferatu

  WTS doctrine claims that during Jesus' return (or "invisible presence"), he made an examination of the world's religious teachers, checked out Rutherford's little operation and was so impressed that in 1919 he and Jehovah decided to "put all their money" on it.

  I can't tell you how much I love this story. It's so full of bullshit and self-promotion, it's funny!