From Zion’s Day Star for January 1884
In fact, we were
never so thoroughly convinced as now, that the Four Gospels of the New Testament
have comparatively no inspiration about them! Very many of the New Testament
teachings do not correspond with those of the Old, but do, on the other hand,
flatly contradict them! Peter draws a clear-cut line between Jesus as the man
and his after exalted state as Lord and Christ. Note this well, for it is a
death blow to the Miraculous Conception theory!
We question the
inspiration of the Four Gospels, and we challenge those who teach such a theory
to harmonize it with Daniel’s prophecy! To claim that Peter, James and John
were inspired, is simply child’s talk! Let us look well to what we pin our
faith; or upon what we build an argument; and especially when using statements
found in either of the four Gospels or Acts of the Apostles!
You ask, then,
what is our opinion of him? (Jesus). We answer, it is that he was a man.
By January 1884 there was a doctrinal gulf between CTR
and Barbour and CTR and Paton. But in comparison the theological chasm between
CTR and Jones had now reached Grand Canyon proportions.
Addenda
I have been asked if I have a copy of the January 1884 Zion’s Day Star which is quoted above. Alas, no. The only two copies of this paper that I know to be in circulation are December 25, 1884 (by which time it was simply the Day Star) and August 19, 1886. There is a bound volume covering most if not all of 1886 in the Library of Congress, Washington, DC. But it is fragile and oversize, and the library has resolutely decided it can only be copied through one process – and that in about 3-4 years time. Perhaps.
So where does the January 1884 quote come from? It comes from an
article in the Church of God/Age to Come weekly paper called The Restititution
for July 27, 1887, page 3.
A lengthy sermon by Dr L C Thomas is reprinted as given at
Wyoming, Delaware, and Thomas quotes as above from the January 1884 Day Star. The
quote is probably a series of extracts that Thomas had put together as one to
give the flavour of Jones’ theology. Thomas was NOT impressed, and specifically
attacked the editor of the Day Star for being a Josephite. A Josephite is someone
who denies the concept of miraculous conception for Jesus, and who therefore
believes Joseph to be his natural father. Many Age to Come readers of The
Restitution were Socinian in outlook (i.e. they disbelieved in a literal
pre-existance for Jesus). Josephites would argue that they were simply taking
the concept one step further.
CTR of course had a great deal to say about how he viewed Jones’
changing theology in both early ZWTs, as well as a summary in Harvest Siftings.
3 comments:
Woo-wee! Jones really deviated from Russell and his initial beliefs.
Jones was influenced by Josephitism, a movement among some age to come believers. They suggested that Jesus was the "natural son" of Joseph. Jones' behavior was at issue here too. If the New Testament was not inspired, its moral teachings mattered less. He was alreday having an affair with a young woman, keeping her in a seperate establishment. Jones was a rake and ner-do-well.
Very interesting...
Post a Comment