THE HISTORY OF THE FORMATION OF THE RELIGIOUS BELIEFS OF THE FOUNDER OF THE WATCHTOWER SOCIETY, CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL

Abstract

This study is a continuation of scientific research that was done previously on the period of childhood and youth of Charles Taze Russell, founder of the Watchtower Society. The purpose of this scientific research is a detailed analysis of the spiritual development of Charles Taze Russell. The future religious figure passed this important stage of his life in the period from 1869 to 1875. The work describes Russell’s encounter with Adventist views through Jonas Vednal and presents postulates with which Russell agreed and disagreed. Representatives of Adventists (descendants of the movement of William Miller) with whom Russell communicated and actively collaborated were identified. The methodology of studying the Holy Scriptures, which was used by Russell’s supporters, is presented. Separate passages from the historical book of Alexander Macmillan, who was a comrade, like-minded and accomplice of Charles Russell in the context of religious activity, are analyzed. The degree of assistance that Russell’s supporters received through George Storrs and George Stetson was assessed. The correspondence that was between Storrs, Chalse Russell and his father was analyzed. The issues of religious identification of George Storrs and George Stetson, who were Adventists by religious affiliation, are considered. The reasons why Russell denied the fact that Storrs and Stetson belonged to the Adventist movement are analyzed. The contribution of Wendell, Storrs and Stetson to the development of Russell’s doctrinal system is studied. Attention is drawn to Russell’s personal properties, which influenced his acceptance of certain doctrines. The findings indicate that the attempts of Alexander Macmillan, Russell’s friend and collaborator, to highlight his unique religious identity in isolation from those with whom he grew up spiritually are unfounded. Therefore, it is argued that Russell was a man of his time, influenced by the eschatological expectations of the Millerite schism, and had close ties with certain Adventists who did not believe in eternal torment and the Trinity, particularly in the Divine. the nature of Christ. All these ideas can be traced in the doctrinal system of modern representatives of the Watchtower Society.