While there are a number of different branches of the Christian faith and organized religion, a number of started with a somewhat unknown movement. The founder of the movement Charles Taze Russell lived from 1852 to 1916 and had a great impact on organized religion. For, Jehovah Witnesses and other independent groups were formed based on the early teachings of RUSSELLISM and the BIBLE STUDENT MOVEMENT.
Charles Russell was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, the son of a shopkeeper and housewife. While the couple gave birth to five children, only two would survive to become adults. After which, Ms. Russell became very ill and passed away when Charles was only nine years of age.
Once relocated in Pittsburgh, the Russell family became members of the local Presbyterian church. Sometime later, Charles then left the Presbyterian church at age 13 to join the more open-minded Congregational church. In order to spread the news about Christianity, Charles could often be found writing scriptures on fence posts or using chalk to share the word of God as a method of converting agnostics and atheists to the Christian church and faith.
At the age of 18, Charles had a discussion with a close friend. The friend provided information suggesting there were major faults with Bible stories and the Christian faith. At which time, Charles began to question the faith. Then, after hearing a sermon by an Adventist Minister, Russell went through a renewal of faith in God and in the belief that the Bible was in fact the inspired word of God.
Russell then became involved in the Bible Student Movement and became the original publisher of the Zion's Watch Tower, now known as the Watch Tower and a publication called the Herald of Christ's presence. After which, Charles co-founded the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society with William Henry Conley.
Russell continued to create a number of books, pamphlets, tracts, sermons and study materials throughout life. In fact, the series Millennial Dawn, now known as Studies in the Scriptures was a popular six chapter Biblical study series at the time. Later, there was an additional chapter provided by Rutherford, the man whom succeeded Charles as leader of the group after death.
A pastor by the name of Rutherford took over the movement when Russell passed on. Still, even with a new leader, the organization faced a crisis. For, Russell was a beloved leader whom many found hard to replace. As a result, a number of other individuals left the group and began starting small individual religious organizations in which different policies and procedures were implemented.
While there were a number of reasons provided as to why those whom departed from the group did so, there have no official reasons provided to date. While there were several individual groups, two which were most popular and well known were that of the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement and the Pastoral Bible Institute. While different in organizational procedure, both groups provided members with a very similar structure to that of the Bible Study Movement.
Charles Russell was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, the son of a shopkeeper and housewife. While the couple gave birth to five children, only two would survive to become adults. After which, Ms. Russell became very ill and passed away when Charles was only nine years of age.
Once relocated in Pittsburgh, the Russell family became members of the local Presbyterian church. Sometime later, Charles then left the Presbyterian church at age 13 to join the more open-minded Congregational church. In order to spread the news about Christianity, Charles could often be found writing scriptures on fence posts or using chalk to share the word of God as a method of converting agnostics and atheists to the Christian church and faith.
At the age of 18, Charles had a discussion with a close friend. The friend provided information suggesting there were major faults with Bible stories and the Christian faith. At which time, Charles began to question the faith. Then, after hearing a sermon by an Adventist Minister, Russell went through a renewal of faith in God and in the belief that the Bible was in fact the inspired word of God.
Russell then became involved in the Bible Student Movement and became the original publisher of the Zion's Watch Tower, now known as the Watch Tower and a publication called the Herald of Christ's presence. After which, Charles co-founded the Zion's Watch Tower Tract Society with William Henry Conley.
Russell continued to create a number of books, pamphlets, tracts, sermons and study materials throughout life. In fact, the series Millennial Dawn, now known as Studies in the Scriptures was a popular six chapter Biblical study series at the time. Later, there was an additional chapter provided by Rutherford, the man whom succeeded Charles as leader of the group after death.
A pastor by the name of Rutherford took over the movement when Russell passed on. Still, even with a new leader, the organization faced a crisis. For, Russell was a beloved leader whom many found hard to replace. As a result, a number of other individuals left the group and began starting small individual religious organizations in which different policies and procedures were implemented.
While there were a number of reasons provided as to why those whom departed from the group did so, there have no official reasons provided to date. While there were several individual groups, two which were most popular and well known were that of the Laymen's Home Missionary Movement and the Pastoral Bible Institute. While different in organizational procedure, both groups provided members with a very similar structure to that of the Bible Study Movement.
About the Author:
RUSSELLISM and THE BIBLE STUDENT MOVEMENT is finally here to make a difference. To learn more, visit this website at http://www.nowthink.com/russellism.
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