Welcome to fedrix.com on July 9 2009.
This is an internet experiment running to monitor browsing habbits of individuals through wikipedia contents.

Bible Student movement

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

  (Redirected from Bible Student Movement)
Jump to: navigation, search
Part of a series onBible Students
General information
Bible Students
Bible Student movement
Communities
Associated Bible Students
Free Bible Students
Layman's Home Missionary Movement
IBSA · Jehovah's Witnesses
Publishing houses
Christian Millennial Fellowship
Dawn Bible Students Association
Pastoral Bible Institute
Watch Tower· IBSA
Publications
The Dawn · The Herald
The New Creation
Frank and Ernest (broadcast)
Studies in the Scriptures
The Photo-Drama of Creation
The Watchtower· Awake!
Biographies
Charles Taze Russell
Jonas Wendell · William Henry Conley
Nelson H. Barbour · Paul S. L. Johnson
Beliefs
Jehovah · Nontrinitarianism · Ransom
Dispensationalism · Sheol and Hades
Resurrection · Annihilationism
This box: view • talk • edit

The Bible Student movement is the name adopted by a Christian Restorationist movement that emerged from the teachings and ministry of Charles Taze Russell, also known as "Pastor" Russell. Members of the movement generally referred to themselves as Bible Students or Independent Bible Students.

A number of schisms developed within the congregations of Bible Students associated with the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania between 1909 and 1932.[1][2] The most significant split began in January, 1917 after the controversial election of Joseph Franklin Rutherford as the president of the Society about two months after Russell's death, and Rutherford's subsequent dismissal of four directors of the Watch Tower Society.[3]

Thousands left in the years following 1925, prompted in part by failed predictions for 1925 and disillusionment with Rutherford's doctrinal changes and his campaign for centralized control of the Bible Student movement.[1] Author William Schnell has claimed that three-quarters of the Bible Students who had been associating in 1921 had left by 1931[4] and Rutherford himself wrote in 1934 that "of the great multitude that left the world to follow Jesus Christ only a few are now in God's organization".[5]

Several factions formed their own independent religious fellowships, such as the Dawn Bible Students Association (which continues to print and advertise the first six volumes of Russell's Studies in the Scriptures series and others of his writings), the Standfast Movement, Paul Johnson Movement (later called the Layman's Home Missionary Movement), Elijah Voice Movement, Eagle Society, and Pastoral Bible Institute of Brooklyn. These groups range from those who are more conservative, claiming to be Russell's true followers, to those who are more liberal and claim that Russell's role is not as important as once believed.[6] Rutherford's faction of the movement retained control of the Watch Tower Society[6] and adopted the name Jehovah's Witnesses in 1931.

The current total membership amongst the various Bible Students fellowships is unknown; worldwide membership among Jehovah's Witnesses numbers in the millions.[citation needed]

Contents

[edit] Formative influences

In addition to Russell, early figures and influences included:

[edit] International Bible Students Association

Main article: Jehovah's Witnesses
See also: International Bible Students Association and Corporations of Jehovah's Witnesses

Bible Students associated with the Watch Tower Society were known as the "International Bible Students Association"; the name was also applied to corporations in Britain, Canada, and elsewhere. Globally, the religion continued to identify itself as the International Bible Students Association until 1931, when the name Jehovah's witnesses was adopted.

As a result of the schism surrounding Rutherford's presidency of the Watch Tower Society, Bible Students who refused to recognize the Watch Tower Society's new claim to be God's sole mouthpiece on earth were condemned as apostates or servants of "the evil slave" of Matthew 24:48.[7] Modern publications of Jehovah's Witnesses typically define "Bible Students" as "Jehovah’s Witnesses from the time of C. T. Russell until 1931",[8] and Jehovah's Witnesses do not acknowledge or maintain fellowship or affiliation with other Bible Student groups.

[edit] Associated Bible Students

Main article: Associated Bible Students

In 1917, Joseph Franklin Rutherford was elected president of the Watch Tower Society and subsequently dismissed four of its directors, claiming they had never been confirmed as directors at an annual corporation meeting, though the same legal technicality would also have applied to himself.[9] The four expelled directors, and those in sympathy with them, consulted the opinion of an attorney; however, it was decided that it was not proper Christian behavior to "take your brother to court".

The four deposed directors published their own tracts entitled "Light After Darkness" and "Facts for Shareholders of the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society" that contained, among other things, legal opinions arguing the Board members' dismissal to be illegal. Rutherford published his own rebuttal in "Harvest Siftings", and later with "Harvest Siftings II". The directors took issue with Rutherford's actions, citing Russell's Last Will & Testament, which indicated that no new publications were to be published.[10] Many Bible Students were disturbed by Rutherford's use of printing presses under contract to the Society and its mailing list to publish his personal views. As a result, about 4000 followers broke affiliation with the Society – about one-fifth of the total membership at that time.[3]

Bible Students congregations that hold to the writings and views of Pastor Russell casually refer to themselves under the generic title "Associated Bible Students". All congregations are autonomous, and may not necessarily have contact with other congregations. The Associated Bible Students collectively form the largest segment of the Bible Student movement that separated from the Watch Tower Society.[citation needed]

Each congregation, referred to as an "ecclesia", is independent and under no central leadership, though most of the well established Bible Student congregations and members are well connected.[citation needed] Each ecclesia elects its own elders and deacons.[citation needed] Many ecclesias sponsor yearly conventions[citation needed] which consist of Bible discourses, panel discussions, vesper services, and testimony meetings.[citation needed] These services are each led by one of usually three to six elders who travel from their hometown (mainly in the United States or Canada) after accepting an invitation to serve that ecclesias' convention for that year.[citation needed] The general public is invited, but the majority in attendance are Bible Students from surrounding areas, or those who have traveled from abroad;[citation needed] attendance is usually around one hundred.[citation needed] The yearly Indiana-Ohio convention (known as I-O), the Dawn General Convention (held in July), both of the Chicago Bible Student's New Year's and Memorial Day conventions, and The International Convention (held biennially in Europe in August) see the largest overall attendance.[citation needed]

[edit] Pastoral Bible Institute

 This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2009)

In 1918 the former directors sponsored and held the first Bible Student Convention independent of the Watch Tower Society. At the second convention a few months later, the informal Pastoral Bible Institute was founded. They began publishing The Herald of Christ’s Kingdom, edited by R. E. Streeter. Although publication of the magazine continues [1], the Pastoral Bible Institute is essentially defunct, with only an editorial committee publishing the magazine.[citation needed]

[edit] Berean Bible Institute

 This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2009)

The Australian Berean Bible Institute (BBI) formally separated from the Watchtower Society in 1918. They published The Voice and the People's Paper magazine. Offshoot congregations of the BBI still exist, but the number of all Bible Students in Australia is estimated at less than 100.[citation needed]

[edit] StandFast Bible Students Association

In December 1918, Charles E. Heard, and some others, considered Rutherford's endorsement of the purchase of war bonds a perversion of Russell's pacifist teachings,[11] and contrary to scripture.[12] As a result, they founded the StandFast Bible Students Association in Portland, Oregon. The name originated from their decision to “stand fast" on principles involving war that Pastor Russell had espoused. Opposed to public witnessing, they eventually dwindled in numbers, and then completely dissolved. A splinter group known as the Elijah Voice Society, was founded by John A. Herdersen and C. D. McCray in 1923. They were especially noted for their witnessing and pacifist activity.[citation needed]

[edit] Dawn Bible Students Association

 This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (May 2009)
Main article: Dawn Bible Students Association
See also: Frank and Ernest (broadcast)
Charles Russell in 1911

In 1928 Norman Woodworth, cousin of C.J. Woodworth, left the Watch Tower Society after having been involved with their radio ministry, to create an independent Bible Student radio program Frank and Ernest. Funding was provided with the help of the Brooklyn Bible Students Ecclesia (congregation). In 1929 they sponsored and held the First Annual Reunion Convention of Bible Students at the old Bible House used by Pastor Russell in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

In 1931 Woodworth (and others) founded the Dawn Bible Students Association for the sole purpose of resuming publication of the Studies in the Scriptures series that the Watch Tower Society had officially ceased publishing in 1927. The Dawn began publication of a leaflet called The Bible Students Radio Echo as a method of following up the immense interest in the radio program. This publication was soon made into a 16-page magazine and renamed The Dawn—A Herald of Christ’s Presence, which they continue to publish, along with radio, television, and internet radio programs.

[edit] Layman's Home Missionary Movement

Main article: Layman's Home Missionary Movement

Paul S. L. Johnson, a close friend and confidant of Pastor Russell, founded the Layman's Home Missionary Movement in 1919 as a result of Rutherford's condemnations[clarification needed] of his actions, views, and beliefs. Johnson's death in 1950 lead to internal disagreements, and resulted in the formation of splinter group of their own, such as the Epiphany Bible Students Association, and the Laodicean Home Missionary Movement. Johnson eventually came to believe that he was the last member of the 144,000 of Revelation 7, and that with his death all chance for a heavenly reward of immortality offered to the Christian faithful had ceased. His associate and successor, Raymond Jolly, taught that he was himself the last member of the "great multitude", also of Revelation 7. After his death, remaining members of the fellowship believed they would live upon a perfected earth in God's Kingdom as a group referred to as the "modern worthies", associates of the "ancient worthies" – the ancient Jewish prophets whom God will resurrect in Israel to guide and instruct the world in his Kingdom.[citation needed] In 2006, Layman's Home Missionary Movement have an average of 16,000[Need quotation on talk to verify][13] members.

[edit] Free Bible Students

[edit] New Covenant Believers

In 1909, M.L. McPhail, a traveling elder (known as a "Pilgrim") and member of the Chicago Bible Students, disassociated from Russell's movement when controversy arose over Russell's expanded view of the application and timing of the "New Covenant" mentioned by Jeremiah, and led the New Covenant Bible Students in the United States, founding the New Covenant Believers in that year. The group, which informally referred to members as Free Bible Students, published The Kingdom Scribe magazine until 1975. The group still exists under the name Berean Bible Students Church.[14]

[edit] Christian Millennial Fellowship

Main article: Christian Millennial Fellowship

In 1928 the Italian Bible Students Association[clarification needed] in Hartford, Connecticut withdrew its support from the Watch Tower Society and changed its name to the Millennial Bible Students Church, then eventually to Christian Millennial Fellowship, Inc. In time they came to reject many of Russell's writings as erroneous. This Christian community is now located in New Jersey and call themselves "Free Bible Students". The group have published The New Creation magazine since 1940.[14]

[edit] Independent Bible Students

 This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2009)

Over the past thirty years controversy has surrounded the Dawn as their publishing and editorial committee began to espouse more liberal points of view, pulling away from some of Pastor Russell's viewpoints, and alienating many Bible Students as a result.[citation needed] In 1974 a group of Bible Students meeting at a Convention in Fort Collins, Colorado formally decided to cease their spiritual fellowship with, and financial support of, the Dawn Bible Students Association for this reason. They refer to themselves as "Independent Bible Students". The split was not intended to eliminate or restrict personal fellowship, but rather was viewed as a 'stand for the truth' by ceasing sponsorship of elders associated with the Dawn, and avoiding attendance at conventions held by congregations that supported the Dawn. Attempts have been made to reintegrate the groups. The Independent Bible Students began publishing a monthly non-doctrinal Bible Student news and information magazine, called The Bible Students Newsletter, which has become the most widely distributed publication among all Bible Students worldwide.[citation needed]

[edit] Other groups

 This section does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (June 2009)
See also: Friends of Man

In 1917 Alexandre F. L. Freytag, manager of the branch office of the Watch Tower Society in Switzerland since 1898, founded the Angel of Jehovah Bible and Tract Society (also known as the Philanthropic Assembly of the Friends of Man and The Church of the Kingdom of God). When he started publishing his own personal views he was ousted from the Watch Tower Society by Rutherford in 1919. He published two journals, the monthly The Monitor of the Reign of Justice and the weekly Paper for All.

Jesse Hemery was a prominent member of the Bible Students in England, and was appointed overseer of the Watchtower Society's British Isles branch office by Pastor Russell in 1901,[15] holding that post until 1946.[citation needed] In 1951 he was disfellowshipped by N.H. Knorr[citation needed] and then founded the Goshen Fellowship. He died in 1955, and the group is currently led by Frank Lewis Brown.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Penton, M. James (1997, 2nd ed.). Apocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses. University of Toronto Press. pp. 43–62. ISBN 0-8020-7973-3. 
  2. ^ Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. pp. 52. ISBN 09-455940-6. 
  3. ^ a b Jehovah's Witnesses in the Divine Purpose, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1959, page 73.
  4. ^ Thirty Years a Watchtower Slave, William J. Schnell, Baker, Grand Rapids, 1956, as cited by Rogerson, page 52. Rogerson notes that it is not clear exactly how many Bible Students left.
  5. ^ Jehovah, J.F.Rutherford, Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, 1934, page 277.
  6. ^ a b Rogerson, Alan (1969). Millions Now Living Will Never Die: A Study of Jehovah's Witnesses. Constable & Co, London. pp. 39. ISBN 09-455940-6. 
  7. ^ The Golden Age, A Journal of Fact Hope and Courage, Vol. 12, No. 308, pages 655-657; The Golden Age, A Journal of Fact Hope and Courage, Vol. 13, No. 315, pages 21-27; both (1931) published by the "Watchtower Bible & Tract Society", Brooklyn, NY
  8. ^ "How to Use This Index", Watch Tower Publications Index 1986—2008, ©2008 Watch Tower, page 4
  9. ^ Α. H. MacMillan, Faith on the March, Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall, Inc, 1957, p. 80.
  10. ^ Marley Cole, "Jehovah’s Witnesses – The New World Society" (New York: Vantage Press, 1955) pp. 86-89
  11. ^ 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 119
  12. ^ Watch Tower, March 1, 1919:"'The International Bible Students’ Association is not against the Liberty Loan.; in Watch Tower, June 1, 1919 Rutherford indicated regret about making any comment on the matter.
  13. ^ Present Truth LHM Publication, February, 2006, p. 9-13.
  14. ^ a b Who are the Free Bible Students and what is their history?
  15. ^ 1973 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 92, "The British Isles"

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bible_Student_movement"
Personal tools
Visit joltnews for the latest headlines
Visit bloit.com for company information
Geed Media does computer consulting on long island.
This page viewed times. See Logs