Studies In The Scriptures, Volume 1

Studies in the Scriptures (Or, Millennial Dawn) #1

by Charles Taze Russell

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Genres: Christian

392 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1886

About the author

See also: books about Charles Taze Russell

Charles Taze Russell, also known as Pastor Russell, was a Protestant evangelist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania & founder of the Bible Student movement. He started the Watchtower Magazine, which is today published to disseminate the views of Jehovah's Witnesses, & also formed the Watch Tower Bible & Tract Society, which is also today the main legal entity of that religious group.
After having published several articles in various religious journals as early as 1876 he formed his own religious journal Zion's Watch Tower & Herald of Christ's Presence in 1879, as well as establishing Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society in 1881. In 1884 Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society published the first in a series of seven books (six of which Russell wrote himself) entitled Studies in the Scriptures with the first six originally entitled The Millennial Dawn.
In 1908 Russell transferred the headquarters of the Society to its current location in Brooklyn, New York.
Following Russell's death controversy arose over the practices of the new president of the Society, J.F. Rutherford. A widespread schism erupted which divided the movement. The majority of the membership broke away, eventually resulting in the formation of several smaller groups known as Bible Students, while those who remained in fellowship with the Watch Tower Society took on the name Jehovah's Witnesses. Several denominations later formed around, or adopted some style of, Russell's views, among them the Worldwide Church of God, the Concordant Publishing Concern & the Assemblies of Yahweh. The numerous Bible Student offshoot groups include the Pastoral Bible Institute & the Layman's Home Missionary Movement.
Russell was a charismatic figure, but claimed no special revelation or vision to authenticate his teachings & professed no special authority on his own behalf. He wrote that the "clear unfolding of truth" within his teachings was due to "the simple fact that God's due time has come; & if I did not speak, & no other agent could be found, the very stones would cry out." He viewed himself–& all other Christians anointed with the Holy Spirit–as "God's mouthpiece" & an ambassador of Christ. Later in his career he accepted without protest that many Bible Students viewed him as "the faithful & wise servant" of Matthew 24:45, & was described by the Watch Tower after his death as having been made "ruler of all the Lord's goods".

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic Christian treatise (1886) that is worth the read just for the author’s expostion on the age old question - why does God permit evil? The discussion on the permission of Evil is still is unsurpassed after more than a century. Millennial Dawn is very highly recommended and I have re-read it numerous times. (Kudos to Nabu Press for their service, but several small non-commercial publishers have reset the type and reprinted this work to make this work available).

[Paul Fadoju · Rating 5 out of 5]

What light!!!! What Joy!!!!!. I was shouting from the rooftop. It puts all the bit and pieces of the Bible together and made the stories and law synchronised.

Though the writer is vilified in the Christian World. Charles T Russell, I salute you. I thank God for the grace and insight you received in your dispensation.

[Jonathan Brown]

Jehovah's Witnesses

[Heather Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and it revealed some parts of the Bible I wasn't familiar with. Russell's interpretation of Revelation and the Bible gives promise to many people. While Russel is affiliated with the present day Jehovah's Witness organization, it was originally the International Bible Students group that the studies, including this book, were written for. The original group is also still around, though not as prominent as the JWs. I better understand some of the beliefs of these groups once you read this text along with the Biblical scriptures that give credibility to such beliefs.

Russell is big on encouraging believers to set themselves apart from the world, which is why the JW are considered a cult to some. But if one reads this book and takes heart to what it's message is, that is, in giving oneself to God completely, there is promise of becoming a Divine spiritual being that is perfect (the little flock). For those who aren't quite able to shun the world entirely, there are perfect humans in the Millennial world, and this still is special achievement to attain. I read Russell's message in a neutral manner, as I am a student of world religions. But, I have much respect for those who follow Russell's teachings as renunciation of much of the world, and the goal these adherents aspire for is admirable. It is similar in the Buddhist, Hindu, and monastic traditions.

This book was truly a delight to read and although it talks of the evil world and impending hardships and the end of the present Gospel age, Russell's writing style and how he presents the info truly gives one a sense of peace and hope in life and for the future. Russell presents God as extremely merciful, and for those who may be unsure of a God existing, the 2nd chapter presents strong evidence towards this belief. Russell also ends most of the chapters (studies) with poetry. I endeavor to read the rest of the spiritual studies at a later time.