I am offended by much of what Rutherford wrote in many of his books, including the negative things he said about the theory of evolution regarding whether it is true or not, as stated in the following quote from pages 49 - 60 of his book called Reconciliation (see http://www.strictlygenteel.co.uk/reconciliation/recon3.html which is the source of the quote below; note that the transcription from that source might have some minor typographical errors).
'A man advances a theory that the moon is made of green cheese. He
appears before an intelligent audience and asks that audience to listen
to his evidence and argument in support of his theory. The intelligent
men and women of the audience look at each other with a smile and say:
'That poor man is probably earnest and sincere in his belief that the
moon is made of green cheese, but it is apparent to every reasonable
person and from the evidence within the reach of all that the moon is
not made of green cheese.
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We will therefore not make ourselves foolish by
listening to this man. He is a fool, but why should we permit him to
make fools of us?'
Another man appears before an intelligent audience. He has the
reputation of being a wise man. He looks wise and is wise in his own
conceits and speaks with profound gravity. He is a theological
professor, a clergyman of renown, and is called a scientist and savant.
He requests that audience to hear him present his argument in support
of a new theory concerning the origin of man. He briefly outlines his
theory as follows: 'That man is a product of the force of evolution;
that millions of years ago particles or atoms formed themselves into
protoplasm; that by the operation of the forces of nature life began to
manifest itself in the lowest form; that after millions of years more
this evolution process developed a monkey; that the process continued
until there resulted an animal which we call man.' He then offers to
produce the proof and argument in support of his evolution theory. The
intelligent audience hears him state briefly his theory and then says:
'That man probably is sincere in his belief, and by his method of
reasoning he may be able to convince himself that man is the product of
evolution; but he could not possibly have any competent evidence in
support of his astounding theory. If he so desires he may believe that
his ancestors were monkeys, but we will not permit him to make monkeys
of us. We will not stultify ourselves nor dignify his foolishness by
listening to him. We believe the Bible, and his theory is diametrically
opposed to the Bible.'
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Why should any one who believes God and believes that the Bible is
his Word of Truth waste time listening to or entering into a discussion
of a theory of evolution of man? To enter into a discussion as to
whether or not the moon made itself from green cheese or is green cheese
is foolishness. To engage in an argument as to whether man was created
by Jehovah or made himself by evolution or evolved from protoplasm is
worse than foolishness. It is an insult to Jehovah God. Would any
Christian stultify himself by entering into a discussion as to whether
or not every good and perfect thing proceeded from Satan the Devil or
from Jehovah God? No one can be a Christian unless he believes that
Jehovah is God and that Jesus Christ is God's beloved Son, the Savior of
mankind. The very life of a Christian is faith in God and his Word, the
Bible. Why then should a Christian enter into an argument of a
proposition the very statement of which makes God a liar? The Word of
God is plain as to the origin of man. It is in no wise ambiguous. The
Word of God is the end of all controversy.
The writer believes that Jehovah is the only true God, the Creator of
heaven and earth, and believes that his Word is the truth; he believes
that Jesus Christ is God's great Executive Officer in the creation of
all things, and that he is the Redeemer of man: he therefore refuses to
consider so-called evidence that is offered in support of the theory
that man is a creature of evolution.
The theory of evolution of man proceeds from the Devil, regardless of
who holds or advocates that theory. The Devil is that wicked one who
betrayed the
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sacred trust committed to him, rebelled against his
Maker, seduced the angels of heaven and brought degradation upon the
human race. To seriously enter into a discussion of the question as to
whether God made the first man or whether man is the result of the
process of evolution would be giving countenance to the Devil and would
therefore be displeasing to Jehovah God. Some who are consecrated to the
Lord have thought it wise to join issue with the advocates of evolution
and seriously discuss the origin of man. They have thought it well to
enter into the evidence relating to the lower animals and compare this
with other evidence offered by evolutionists and then discuss seriously
which is correct, the so-called scientific evidence or the Bible. In
this they have erred, according to the Scriptures.
Some who claim to be Christians and to preach the Word of God openly
champion the theory of the evolution of man. By so doing such have
become the instruments of Satan the Devil. They are being used by Satan
to turn the minds of the people away from Jehovah. These dupes of Satan
have pushed their evolution theory to the fore in the colleges and
universities and even into the public schools. By thus doing they have
largely succeeded in destroying the faith of the rising generation in
God and his Word. This is another wily move of the Devil to turn the
minds of the people away from the great Creator. Satan is that great
wicked one who blinds the minds of men lest the truth should shine into
their hearts. For a Christian to indulge in a serious discussion of the
truth or falsity of such a theory means to give countenance and
consideration to the Devil and his
53
wicked course. A man who has consecrated himself to God
and learns of the precious truths disclosed in his Word, and who then
turns to evolution and advocates it as an explanation of man's origin,
thereby becomes the child of Satan. To encourage such an one in a debate
as to whether or not man is a creature of evolution is to commit sin.
The prophet of God, who spoke as the representative of Christians,
stated: "I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before
me." — Ps. 39:1.
The duty of the Christian is to teach the truth and not even listen
to lies against Jehovah, much less to engage in a discussion as to
whether or not they are true. God has appointed and anointed the
Christian to proclaim the good news of his plan of redemption to those
who are teachable and will hear. He has commissioned such to bind up the
broken-hearted and comfort all that mourn and who desire to be
comforted. (Isa. 61:1, 2) It would therefore be impossible for the
Christian to fulfil that commission unless he believes that God created
man perfect and that sorrow, sickness, and death resulted from sin; that
God in his loving-kindness has provided redemption for man by the death
and resurrection of his beloved Son; and that in God's due time he will
restore the obedient ones of mankind to the state of perfection enjoyed
by the man whom God created. The Christian is called upon to be a
faithful and true witness for God and not to aid, either directly or
indirectly, in the promulgation of that which is a repudiation of
Jehovah. The theory of the evolution of man not only is evil but is
unworthy to have a place in the mind of the child of God even for a
moment and should be
54
repulsed by all who are loyal to God. The proper course
of a Christian in matters pertaining to such evil philosophy as
evolution is plainly pointed out by the apostle: "Beware lest any man
spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of
men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." — Col.
2:8.
Upon this same point the Christian is instructed: "Receive as a
friend a man whose faith is weak, but not for the purpose of deciding
mere matters of opinion." (Rom. 14:1, Weymouth)
Another translator renders this text thus: "Now receive to yourselves
the weak in the faith; not, however, for doubtful reasonings." (Rom.
14:1, Diaglott) To the same effect the
prophet of God wrote the words that apply to the Christian at this time:
"For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes; and I have walked in thy
truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with
dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not
sit with the wicked." — Ps. 26:3-5.
No one can enter into a discussion with an evolutionist concerning
the origin of man without violating this scripture. Such disputer
against the Word of God is a vain person. He is an evil doer;
particularly if he has once been enlightened or professes to be a
preacher of God's Word and then advocates evolution, he is wicked. Then
the psalmist adds: "I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I
compass thine altar, 0 Lord: that I may publish with the voice of
thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works." — Ps. 26: 6, 7.
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To the same effect the prophet wrote: "I hate vain thoughts: but thy
law do I love." (Ps. 119:113) And then the same prophet states that
which is proper for the meditation and consideration of the Christian:
"I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways." — Ps.
119:15.
But it will be asked, Do not most of the clergymen endorse the
evolution theory as to man? Are not these clergymen learned men, and for
this reason is not the theory they advocate entitled to full
consideration? To their shame they do endorse and advocate evolution. If
they are learned they are learned in vain philosophy and not in the
Word of God. If they were once learned in the Word of God and have since
adopted the theory of evolution that of itself is proof that they have
become wicked within the meaning of the Scriptures and are therefore
instruments of the Devil and the enemies of God. Because of their
supposed learning and high reputation amongst men as having wisdom the
clergymen have done more than any other class of men to destroy faith in
the Bible as the Word of God.
From Eden till now Satan's policy has been to turn the people away
from Jehovah. To accomplish his purposes he has resorted to all kinds of
vain philosophy and foolish reasoning. In this he has induced men to
believe themselves wise. They are ambitious to appear wise before their
fellow creatures. God could have prevented Satan from thus influencing
men or he could have destroyed him and his false theory. The fact that
he has not done so is proof that it is not God's due time to do so. He
does state that in due time all the wicked he will destroy. The fact
56
that God has not prevented the promulgation of this
wicked doctrine is a sufficient reason why it is not now the duty of a
Christian to enter into the discussion thereof with men about its truth
or falsity with the hope or expectation of destroying that wicked
doctrine.
Evolution of man is one of the evils the Devil has taught to men; and
God has not prevented it, in order that men might have an opportunity
to learn by experience the effects of evil. Now is the day for the
Christian to declare the message of God's kingdom and to tell the people
that in his own due time God will clear the earth of all evil theories
and practices. Let no Christian now waste his time and effort by being
drawn into a controversy with some of the Devil's agents as to whether
or not God is a liar. A Christian is now to sound forth the message of
truth to the praise of Jehovah's name. Let the Christian be content with
telling the people that the evolution theory concerning man is one of
the Devil's lies and to show it as destructive to faith in God and in
his Word. The Christian must let it be known that he stands firmly upon
the Word of God and that he refuses to enter into a controversy or
discussion with any one who denies Jehovah and denies his Word of truth.
Before such he is to keep his mouth with a bridle or remain silent.
It was in the days of Enos, who was only one generation removed from
Adam, that the Devil organized men into bodies or societies calling
themselves by the name of the Lord. (Gen. 4:26, margin) That was the
beginning of hypocrisy, because these men called themselves by the name
of the Lord in derision of the
57
great Jehovah. Satan has seen to it that hypocrisy has
grown amongst mankind. Doubtless there never was a time when there was
so much hypocrisy in the world as at the present day. By far the
majority of the clergymen posing as the representatives of Jehovah call
themselves preachers of the Word of God, and represent themselves as the
only teachers of true religion, and at the same time openly advocate
the doctrine of the Devil. The clergyman who stands in his pulpit and
represents himself to the people as the servant of God and of Jesus
Christ and at the same time advocates the theory of evolution as related
to man, is openly teaching Satan's lie and practising that falsehood.
Such men have itching ears and a desire to have it said of and
concerning them that they are great and wise. Their selfishness, pride
and ambition have led them into Satan's trap.
Be it noted that the theory that man is a creature of evolution is a
modern theory and advanced by modern clergymen who even call themselves
by the name "modernists". Foreknowing that this blight would fall upon
Christians God caused his inspired witness to write to Christians thus:
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having
itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and
shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy
ministry." — 2 Tim. 4:3-5.
Nor was there any doubt left as to what is the proper course of the true
Christian in this time and what is his proper attitude toward such
instruments of evil.
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It is plainly written concerning them: "From such turn
away." A Christian who obeys this command can not indulge in discussion
of the theory of evolution concerning man. Bearing upon the same point
the inspired apostle further wrote: "This know also, that in the last
days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own
selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents,
unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers, false
accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of
God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away." — 2 Tim. 3:1-5.
These modern savants are drunken with the desire for the approval of
men and for power amongst men. Their pride and ambition have caused them
to go blind. If they ever had any vision of God's plan they have lost
it. They now put forward their own wisdom in opposition to the wisdom of
God. Among themselves they say: 'God did not make man but man made
himself. We are wiser than the ignorant men who wrote the Bible. We now
express our wisdom. Neither man nor God can call in question our
wisdom.' The foolishness of these self-conceited wise men has turned
millions of minds away from the true God.
Could not God have prevented such evil influence of the Devil and
have restrained these men from teaching such falsehoods? To be sure he
could; but he has permitted the evil in this, that he has not prevented
it, that the human race may learn the proper lessons and in due time
learn to appreciate him. God foreknew and foretold the very course these
modernists
59
or evolutionists would take, and therefore he caused his
prophet to write these words, which apply at the present time: "Stay
yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not
with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the Lord hath
poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes:
the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision
of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which
men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and
he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed. And the book is delivered to him
that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am
not learned. Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near
me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed
their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the
precept of men: therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous
work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the
wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their
prudent men shall be hid. Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their
counsel from the Lord, and their works are in the dark, and they say,
Who seeth us? and who knoweth us? Surely your turning of things upside
down shall be esteemed as the potter's clay: for shall the work say of
him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him
that framed it, He hath no understanding?" — Isa. 29: 9-16.
In this prophecy the Lord has foretold that the wisdom of these
modernists is of but short duration. The time has come for the name of
the Lord Jehovah
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to be exalted in the earth. These professed Christians,
who in fact are hypocrites, have no vision or understanding of the
divine plan. They give honor to the Lord with their lips but their
hearts are far removed from him. By their false teachings they cause men
to fear in a morbid manner what shall occur and therefore to rush into
their organizations. The people, however, are starving for want of true
food. Therefore says the Lord, "I will proceed to do a marvellous work
among this people." The wisdom of these wise men shall perish and their
understanding shall be hid. Jehovah therefore is, through his beloved
Son Christ Jesus, beginning a wonderful work. He is spreading amongst
the people a knowledge of his goodness and his gracious provision for
men.
One means of carrying on this wonderful work is this, that the Lord
God has brought the radio into operation. Foolish men, wise in their own
conceit, do not hesitate to say that the radio is the result of the
sagacity and ingenuity of men. That statement is not true. More than
thirty centuries ago God foretold the time would come when he would send
forth the message as the lightning and that nothing would obstruct it.
Those on the earth whom God is making his witnesses to do his wonderful
work are not amongst the earthly wise, rich or great, but they are meek
and teachable and appreciate the great privilege of doing something in
the name of Jehovah. The spreading of the truth is not the result of
man's efforts, but the Lord God himself is doing it through his
constituted agencies. He is thereby serving notice upon the people in
advance of his purpose to establish his great kingdom and completely
destroy the Devil's organiza-
61
tion. This is the day which the Lord hath made, and his
people are now rejoicing that the truth is being made known. Since it is
the privilege and duty of these to make known the truth, then they
would be displeasing to the Lord, violating his Word and thereby
committing great wrong to indulge in a comparison of the truth with a
detailed statement of the theories of evolution.
But some may say, Do not Christians with propriety discuss the
questions of inherent immortality and eternal torment, and are not these
devilish doctrines? Would it not be just as unreasonable to discuss
them as it is the theory of evolution? The answer is, No; for the reason
that the men who advocate these doctrines claim that they are supported
by the Bible and therefore concede the Bible as authority. To enter
into a discussion of these questions is to determine whether or not the
Bible does support them. The Christian tries to prove that the Bible
does not support these devilish doctrines. But the modernists who
advocate evolution as a theory of the origin of man deny the Bible as
authority and base their conclusion upon the wisdom of man. Therefore
the very statement of their proposition is an insult to Jehovah and it
becomes the duty of the Christian to refuse to consider the man-made
evidence offered by so-called scientists.'
The above quote reminds me of the attitude and ideas of the words at 1 Corinthians 1:19 - 20 regarding the apostle Paul's view of worldly wisdom, especially as translated in the 1950 and 1951 editions of the NWT. In that translation the scripture verses say the following.
'For it is written: "I will make the wisdom of the wise men perish, and I will shove the intelligence of the intellectual aside." Where the debater of this system of things? Did not God make the wisdom of the world foolish?" '
