One dictionary defines "Russellite" as meaning a member of a "member of the Jehovah's Witnesses." Many often speak of the Jehovah's Witnesses as being "Russellites" or that they believe in Russellism, despite the fact that Rutherford created the Jehovah's Witnesses organization by rejecting the core teachings of Russell.
Another defines Russellite as: "A follower of the teachings of Charles Taze Russell, founder of a millenarian fundamentalist sect of which the Jehovah's Witnesses were an offshoot."
From Russell's standpoint, however, he was not a founder of any "sect," although many associated with him have, in effect, created a "sect" or sects out of what he taught.
Another defines Russellite as: "A follower of the teachings of Charles Taze Russell, founder of a millenarian fundamentalist sect of which the Jehovah's Witnesses were an offshoot."
From Russell's standpoint, however, he was not a founder of any "sect," although many associated with him have, in effect, created a "sect" or sects out of what he taught.
We are not, however, here to defend the Jehovah's Witnesses nor their organization. Our concern is related to Brother Russell himself, who was never a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses organization, and who preached against sectarianism.
The word "Russellite", however, appears to often be used with idea of being devoted to the teachings of Brother Russell, with the idea that a Russellite would place Brother Russell's teachings above that of the Bible.
The word "Russellism" would mean "belief in Russell." Often this term is used in a sense similar to Russellite. Some appear to use it to mean one who believes in Russell as means of salvation, etc. Others use it in reference to the Jehovah's Witnesses. Again, the concept in many minds would be that one accepts what Russell said, regardless of what the Bible might say. Russell, himself, however, preached against such.
Generally, Bible Students do not and have never referred to themselves as "Russellites". It is usually others outside the Bible Students movement who use that term of them. We do believe that there are good reasons that a Bible Student should not refer to himself as being a Russellite.
The word "Russellite", however, appears to often be used with idea of being devoted to the teachings of Brother Russell, with the idea that a Russellite would place Brother Russell's teachings above that of the Bible.
The word "Russellism" would mean "belief in Russell." Often this term is used in a sense similar to Russellite. Some appear to use it to mean one who believes in Russell as means of salvation, etc. Others use it in reference to the Jehovah's Witnesses. Again, the concept in many minds would be that one accepts what Russell said, regardless of what the Bible might say. Russell, himself, however, preached against such.
Generally, Bible Students do not and have never referred to themselves as "Russellites". It is usually others outside the Bible Students movement who use that term of them. We do believe that there are good reasons that a Bible Student should not refer to himself as being a Russellite.
Some have claimed that Russell himself promoted Russellism, supposedly by claiming that he was the sole voice of God and demanding that all had to accept his teachings in order to be a Christian, and/or to be saved. This appears to be a form of attributing later claims of the Jehovah's Witnesses' leadership to Russell himself.
Some seem to equate Russellism with belief in the Jehovah's Witnesses' leadership and belief in their central authority dogma. We should note, however, that Russell did not believe in any authoritarian organization, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses. In many core doctrines, such as the atonement, as well as Christian freedom, what Russell was taught was almost the opposite of what is taught by the Jehovah's Witnesses. Russell did not speak on behalf of such an organization, and he never assumed a position of being a "central authority".
Some seem to equate Russellism with belief in the Jehovah's Witnesses' leadership and belief in their central authority dogma. We should note, however, that Russell did not believe in any authoritarian organization, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses. In many core doctrines, such as the atonement, as well as Christian freedom, what Russell was taught was almost the opposite of what is taught by the Jehovah's Witnesses. Russell did not speak on behalf of such an organization, and he never assumed a position of being a "central authority".
It has been claimed, however, that "Russell clearly elevated his own teachings above the authority of the Bible." Often an article that appeared in the Watch Tower of 1910 is cited as being proof of this. However, in that same article of 1910, Russell stated concerning the study of his books:As for Russellites and Russellism, we know nothing of them and never shall.... I seek not to add to the number of Christian sects, but on the contrary, I seek to present that one harmonious view of God's word upon which all true Christians might harmonize differences and unite in one Church as at the first -- "the Church of the Living God"-- whose "names are written in heaven."
It is for each one to think for himself, however, and to guide his conduct in every way accordingly.... We should say, "I will not take it because these studies say so; I wish to see what the Bible says." And so we would study the Scriptures in the light of these SCRIPTURE STUDIES; we would prove every point, or disprove it, as the case might be. We would be satisfied with nothing less than a thorough investigation of the Bible from this standpoint... because the Scriptures are the standard. -- Watch Tower, September 15, 1910, page 298.
Thus, Russell presented, not his writings as being the standard for determining the truth, but rather the Bible. In doing so, in effect, he was preaching against being a Russellite, of simply accepting what he said because he said it.
Some have insinuated that Russell was a dictator, controlling what others believed and covering up things from his followers, etc. This, however, appears to be attributing the later leadership of the Jehovah's Witnesses to Russell. Russell himself consistently refused to accept any authority over fellow believers. In 1909, Russell stated concerning the true church:
So far as the true Church is concerned, the only authority in it is the Lord, the Head of the Church, and his Word, and the words of those whom he specially chose to be his mouth-pieces, the apostles. -- Watch Tower, July 1, 1900, page 195.
Regardless, however, many of the Bible Students had begun to believe that Brother Russell was especially identified in various scriptures, and, in effect, had begun to preach Brother Russell. Such often did often attribute Brother Russell with authority that Russell himself disclaimed for himself. Brother Russell's writings were (and still are by some) often considered as being messages from God Himself. In this sense, one could say that the groundwork for Rutherford's "organization" dogma was being laid before Russell died, but not by Russell himself. Indeed, in 1910 Russell stated concerning this:
Another thing: Some of the dear brethren seem to find as much about Brother Russell in the Bible as they find about the Lord Jesus, and I think that is a great mistake. I do not find it there.
Brother Russell went on to say:
I think there is a danger of some dear friends preaching Brother Russell. Brother Russell would like for you not to do so.
He thinks it would not be to the glory of God.
Nor did Russell claim any authority for the legal entity, The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Concerning the Watch Tower Society of Russell's day, just before his death, Russell stated:
Let it be borne in mind that the Society exercises no authority, makes no criticism, but merely gives advice; and that in the interest of the Lord's Cause and the Lord's people. -- The Watch Tower, August 15, 1916, page 248.
Russell's emphasis was to preach about Jesus and God's Kingdom through Christ. He did not preach himself, nor the Watch Tower Society, but openly promoted becoming followers, not of himself, but of Jesus. Brother Russell stated:
If you are thoroughly the Lord's you will belong to him, as we sing, "I Belong to Christ, My Lord." So I would give up any thought of special indebtedness, or of belonging to anybody. I do not think we want to belong to anybody except the Lord. -- What Pastor Russell Said, page 684.
The term "Russellite" also carries the thought of belonging to a sect. Russell himself preached against sectarianism, but as with the first century Christians, it appears that sectarianism still persists. As far as Russell is concerned, however, he stated:
(1913) The one true Church, dear friends, is the church of the Bible. There never has been but that one true Church. All others are false, and if I built up another church I would be building up another false one. That is not our proposition at all. The I.B.S.A. holds out the proposition which the Bible stands for, namely, that all people who are trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ, and consecrated to follow in his steps, are of the church of the living God whose names are written in heaven. The I.B.S.A. recognizes no other church. It does not say that only those in the I.B.S.A. constitute the church. -- What Pastor Russell Said, page 348.
Thus, despite how others may have viewed the matter, Charles Taze Russell himself, in effect, preached against the idea of "Russellism" and being a "Russellite." Likewise, we believe that a true Bible Student would not think of himself as being a "Russellite." Many Bible Students have developed of tradition in which they do appear to think of the Bible Students movement in terms of a sect or even a denomination, although they may actually avoid the use of either word as applied to the Bible Students movement. Some have indeed set up forms of sectarianism by setting up requirements of belief and/or practice beyond what is found in the Bible by which to bind fellow believers to their own applications of various scriptures. We do not believe that this should be so. Brother Russell himself many times pointed out that sectarianism is the tendency of the fallen flesh. -- Ronald R. Day, Sr.
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