Focus on Charles Taze Russell

Below we provide some Google search links to the ctrussell.us site of the writings of Charles Taze Russell in which the words given below appear. The searches may not fully perfect as to desired results, but between the various searches one should be able to find most, if not all, that Russell wrote or said concerning the Freemasons. It is only by taking his words out of context, or by use of imagination and insinuations, that there could be idea assumed that Russell was a member of the Freemasons organization. Please note, however, that just because Russell said something, does not man that we agree with what he said.

It is being reported that Charles Taze Russell taught that the Christian God was the devil, not Jehovah. The alleged evidence for this is presented with reference to Studies in the Scriptures, Volume 7, The Finished Mystery, page 410. These statements appear to stem from some false statements made by Dr. John Ankerberg and  Dr. John Weldon  in a book entitled: “Why Is The Doctrine Of The Trinity A Vital Belief For Christians To Understand?”  In that book, it is stated:

This is in further reply to:
http://www.freewebs.com/wwwsoundnessofmindcom/charlestazerussell.htm

Under the subheading of “Some Strange Teachings of C. T. Russell” is listed the teaching of “pyramidology.” The statement is made that certain calculations based on the Great Pyramid were “integrated into the prophecies of Russell.”

Although Russell never used the word “pyramidology,” Russell did believe that the Great Pyramid corroborated the Bible. It has been said that truth is stranger than fiction; this, however, is because of limited perceptions of truth. Thus, unless one actually studies pyramidology, the idea of pyramidology may seem “strange,” just as many non-Christians believe that the idea of God sending a son to die for our sins is “strange,” if their minds have not been conditioned to accept this. Yet, the very fact that Jesus died for our sins is confirmed by the Great Pyramid.

On the website:

http://www.freewebs.com/wwwsoundnessofmindcom/charlestazerussell.htm

The following is stated concerning Charles Taze Russell

Truth: “A truth presented by Satan himself is just as true as a truth stated by God. . . . Accept truth wherever you find it, no matter what it contradicts” (WT 7/1879, pp. 8-9).

This quotation is from Russell, and it does state a truth. However, taking the quote out of context is evidently designed to lead one to believe that Russell was in some way in agreement with, in service of, the devil. Let us look at the quote in context:

On the website:

http://www.freewebs.com/wwwsoundnessofmindcom/charlestazerussell.htm

Brother Russell is being misrepresented as teaching that lying to people you consider to be God’s enemies is justifiable as theocratic “war strategy“. The reference given as proof of such is the Watchtower, June 1, 1960, page 352.

Immediately, most Bible Students realize that whatever was written in 1960 could not have been written by Russell, since Russell died in 1916. Russell never wrote anything to the effect that lying to ones considered to be God’s enemies was something that a consecrated child of God should do. What the writer has done to quote something as being taught by Russell when in actuality Russell never taught such a thing.

The following appeared in the Watch Tower, July 1, 1913:

A CURE FOR SURFACE CANCER

Cancer troubles are becoming more numerous. We know of no remedy for internal cancers except surgery. Even then a cure is doubtful. We have recently learned of a very effective and simple remedy for cancers which show themselves on the surface of the body. We are informed that a physician, after testing this remedy, paid $1,000 for the information, and that he has established a Cancer Hospital which is doing good work. The recipe has come to us free and we are willing to communicate the formula, but to those only who are troubled with surface cancers and who will write to us directly, stating particulars. No fee will be charged, but in order to protect the sufferers, we require a promise that they will not sell the formula to others, nor receive pay for the use of it, nor communicate the formula to anybody. Any one known to be a sufferer can be informed of the terms on which the prescription is obtainable through us.

The Internet is filled with misinformation, misquotes, quotes out of context, false accusations, insinuations, and outright falsehoods about Charles Taze Russell. One website that quotes various religious leaders under the heading: ALL OR NOTHING STATEMENTS (from those that have “the truth”). Some other sites have the same material: [1][2][3][4][5] It becomes clear from many of the quotes given that by saying “all or nothing” the editor of the page means that the one being quoted is supposedly claiming that he or she is to be considered the only channel being used by God to communicate with men. Russell never made such a claim.

CLICK HERE to search the writings of Russell for the phrase “only channel.” Many claim that Russell taught that he was God’s only channel for truth. This presents a Google search of Russell’s writings for the phrase “only channel.” The claim of “only channel” came from Rutherford of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, not from Charles Taze Russell.

CLICK HERE for another related search on “only authority”. One should note how many times Russell pointed to Jesus, the apostles and the Bible as the “only authority.” He never pointed to himself or his writings as such.

ZION’S
WATCH TOWER
AND
HERALD OF CHRIST’S PRESENCE

Vol. I********** JULY, 1879 ********** No. 1

page 1
SUPPLEMENT TO
Zion’s Watch Tower,

And “Herald of Christ’s Presence.”

==========

PITTSBURGH, PA., JULY 1, 1879.

==========

To the readers of the “HERALD OF THE MORNING,”

DEAR FRIENDS: My connection with the “Herald” having been terminated rather suddenly, and under circumstances which must seem rather remarkable and peculiar to you, I feel it to be a duty both to you and to myself to offer an explanation of the manner of withdrawal and my reasons for so doing. Quite a number who were personally acquainted with me thought there must be more of the story to tell, and I have received a number of letters asking an explanation. To these inquiries and to many unexpressed of similar character, let me offer the following statement:

CLICK HERE to search Russell’s writings for the phrase “only authority.” The claim is often made that Russell claimed to be the “only authority” to interpret the Bible, often relating the present-day claims of the Jehovah’s Witnesses “central authority” and “Jehovah’s organization” teachings back to Russell. This search shows that Russell considered Jesus and his apostles (through the Bible) as the “only authority” for the church.