Studies in the Scriptures
Encyclopedia
Studies in the Scriptures is a series of publications, intended as a Bible
study aid, containing seven volumes of great importance to the history of the Bible Students
, and the early history of the Jehovah's Witnesses
.
, reported that he did not write them "through visions and dreams, nor by God's audible voice", but by gathering the fragments of the truth scattered for a long time. In 1886 the first volume of the series was written. Today known as The Divine Plan of the Ages, it was originally titled The Plan of the Ages under its former series name of Millennial Dawn. The name of the series was changed to Studies in the Scriptures in 1904 in order to clarify their nature as biblical textbooks.
The series was criticized by a few early 20th century ministers as an attempt to replace the Bible. Russell's view was quite different: he believed that while the Bible had been studied through different methods, topical study was the best approach. The six volumes are in some ways written as a commentary with suggestions given to Biblical events and utterances. Pastor Russell did not claim infallibility, but declared that God's plan of salvation could not be understood independent of his writings. He is quoted in saying, "if he then lays [the Studies in the Scriptures] aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness."
Studies in the Scriptures claimed to represent that humankind had reached the end of the current era, which Jesus said would be a harvest time, during which there would be a separation between the wheat and the impure imitations.
, but also included interpretations of Ezekiel
and the Song of Solomon. An advertisement for the book in The Watch Tower
called it: "the true interpretation." (1917, p.334) The book was allegedly: "of the Lord—prepared under his guidance." (p. 126)
Immediate controversy surrounded both its publishing and contents. In a short time it was established that it was largely written and compiled by two of Russell's associates, Clayton J. Woodworth and George H. Fisher, and edited by Russell's successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford
.
Most Jehovah's Witnesses are aware of the existence of Russell's books, as they are cited in that group's other works, such as Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (their official history) and Revelation---Its Grand Climax at Hand (one of their study books). The books may also be found in the libraries maintained by the individual congregations at many of their Kingdom Hall
s.
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
study aid, containing seven volumes of great importance to the history of the Bible Students
Bible Student movement
The Bible Student movement is the name adopted by a Millennialist Restorationist Christian movement that emerged from the teachings and ministry of Charles Taze Russell, also known as Pastor Russell...
, and the early history of the Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses
Jehovah's Witnesses is a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The religion reports worldwide membership of over 7 million adherents involved in evangelism, convention attendance of over 12 million, and annual...
.
Origin and author
The author of Studies in the Scriptures, Charles Taze RussellCharles Taze Russell
Charles Taze Russell , or Pastor Russell, was a prominent early 20th century Christian restorationist minister from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, and founder of what is now known as the Bible Student movement, from which Jehovah's Witnesses and numerous independent Bible Student groups emerged...
, reported that he did not write them "through visions and dreams, nor by God's audible voice", but by gathering the fragments of the truth scattered for a long time. In 1886 the first volume of the series was written. Today known as The Divine Plan of the Ages, it was originally titled The Plan of the Ages under its former series name of Millennial Dawn. The name of the series was changed to Studies in the Scriptures in 1904 in order to clarify their nature as biblical textbooks.
Purpose
The series was written as a Bible study aid. The intention was that by studying the Bible topically, rather than verse by verse, details of God's plan might become clearer. The series progresses from elementary topics, such as the existence of God and establishing that the Bible is God's word, to deeper subject matter throughout the series.Contents
- Volume 1 — The Divine Plan of the Ages — 1886
- Elementary topics and attempts to show God has a clear plan for mankind.
- Volume 2 — The Time is at Hand — 1889
- Offers a complete Bible chronology, keys to time prophecies, the second advent of Christ, and the identification of the AntichristAntichristThe term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
.- Volume 3 — Thy Kingdom Come — 1891
- Describes the prophecies of the Bible in further detail, along with the fate of Israel and information on the Great Pyramid of GizaGreat Pyramid of GizaThe Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza Necropolis bordering what is now El Giza, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact...
as being built under God's direction. The section on PyramidologyPyramidologyPyramidology is a term used, sometimes disparagingly, to refer to various pseudoscientific speculations regarding pyramids, most often the Giza Necropolis and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt...
was influenced by the theories of Charles Piazzi SmythCharles Piazzi SmythCharles Piazzi Smyth , was Astronomer Royal for Scotland from 1846 to 1888, well-known for many innovations in astronomy and his pyramidological and metrological studies of the Great Pyramid of Giza....
, who also helped review it.- Volume 4 — The Day of Vengeance — 1897
- Originally titled The Battle of Armageddon, shows the causes of the dissolution of the present order, and reveals the Biblical remedy as God's kingdom.
- Volume 5 — The At-one-ment Between God and Men — 1899
- Discusses man's nature, the work of redemption, and the Holy Spirit.
- Volume 6 — The New Creation — 1904
- Covers the seven days of Creation found in Genesis, and discussion of the duties and responsibilities of a Christian, in both family and personal life.
Viewpoint and theology
Studies in the Scriptures claimed to represent that humankind had reached the end of the current era, which Jesus said would be a harvest time, during which there would be a separation between the wheat and the impure imitations.
The Finished Mystery
Following Russell's death in 1916, a seventh volume - entitled The Finished Mystery - was published in 1917 and advertised as his "posthumous work". This seventh volume was a detailed interpretation of the book of RevelationBook of Revelation
The Book of Revelation is the final book of the New Testament. The title came into usage from the first word of the book in Koine Greek: apokalupsis, meaning "unveiling" or "revelation"...
, but also included interpretations of Ezekiel
Book of Ezekiel
The Book of Ezekiel is the third of the Latter Prophets in the Hebrew Bible, following the books of Isaiah and Jeremiah and preceding the Book of the Twelve....
and the Song of Solomon. An advertisement for the book in The Watch Tower
The Watchtower
The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom is an illustrated religious magazine, published semi-monthly in 194 languages by Jehovah's Witnesses via the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania and printed in various branch offices around the world...
called it: "the true interpretation." (1917, p.334) The book was allegedly: "of the Lord—prepared under his guidance." (p. 126)
Immediate controversy surrounded both its publishing and contents. In a short time it was established that it was largely written and compiled by two of Russell's associates, Clayton J. Woodworth and George H. Fisher, and edited by Russell's successor, Joseph Franklin Rutherford
Joseph Franklin Rutherford
Joseph Franklin Rutherford , also known as "Judge" Rutherford, was the second president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, and played a primary role in the organization and doctrinal development of Jehovah's Witnesses, which emerged from the Bible Student movement established...
.
Withdrawal
As elements of its theology changed over the years, the Watch Tower Society revealed a series of prophecies concerning the date of Christ's return. Jehovah's Witnesses decided to withdraw from circulation all seven volumes of Studies in the Scriptures.Most Jehovah's Witnesses are aware of the existence of Russell's books, as they are cited in that group's other works, such as Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom (their official history) and Revelation---Its Grand Climax at Hand (one of their study books). The books may also be found in the libraries maintained by the individual congregations at many of their Kingdom Hall
Kingdom Hall
A Kingdom Hall is a place of worship used by Jehovah's Witnesses. The term was first suggested in 1935 by Joseph Franklin Rutherford, then president of the Watch Tower Society, for a building in Hawaii...
s.
External links
- http://www.bible411.com/sits/sitsindex.htm Studies in the Scriptures Online
- http://www.biblestudents.com/HTDB.cfm Studies in the Scriptures and other materials from Biblestudents.com
- Searchable database of all Pastor Russell's writings
- On-line copy of Volume 7, The Finished Mystery