I hope you are all well. For those interested, two post surgery doctor appointments next week. Still on pain meds and such.
Now to the point of this post: Though it is past the era covered in Separate Identity three, I need material showing non Watch Tower interest in Gentile Times and prophetic interest in World War 1 and its aftermath. This will probably turn into a minor point in my introductory essay, but it is worth pursuing.
18 comments:
One such reference that comes to mind is the book "Heralds of the Morning" by Asa Oscar Tait, as a possibility. Mine is dated 1905
Dear Bruce,
Best wishes for your treatment Bruce. Keeping one’s health is quite a challenge in these times.
Various millenarian ‘sects’ held similar views on WW1 as the Bible Students. Their pacifist stand on war and the end of the gentile times was not unique at the time. What did mark the Bible Students out was their outspokenness and the fact that they retained and strengthened their stand on nationalism and war after the conflict, whereas other sects sought societal acceptance and embraced patriotism and war.
Several prominent Pentecostalist leaders shared similar views on the gentile times and war. Jay Beaman’s Pentecostal Pacifism gives some examples. If you need them I can get you a few quotes Bruce. Let me know.
All good wishes,
Gary
Thanks Gary for wishing Bruce the best. Should have thought about it myself. I'm a bit younger than Bruce although I reckon he's a sprightly chicken for his age. Like yourself and no doubt many others, we hope that Bruce does well, bit more grit and tenacity in him still I think.
Would like to see a quote ot two myself if at all possible. From memory, didn't the Church of Christ at one time acknowledge the end of the Gentile times. Seem to think I read it somewhere but cannot recall where at moment. Tait of course was SDA.
Anyway Bruce, we all cherish the work and effort you've put in and I'm sure some of us will come up with some good results. All the best and we'll keep hunting
Regards Ray
Dear Bruce,
Above anything else, I would like to add my voice to those of all your friends in wishing you all the best for the success of your doctors in the improvement of your health, in the hope that you keep good courage in this hard time you endure, as the veritable force of nature you appear to be, and interceding for the help of “ the peace of God that surpasses all understanding ”.
As for the interest about World War I and prophecy, I would mention a short allusion by Pope Benedictus XV in his encyclical Ad beatissimi apostolorum (to [the chair] of the most blessed [Prince] of the Apostles) of November, 1st, 1914, article 3 :
3. But as soon as we were able from the height of Apostolic dignity to survey at a glance the course of human affairs, our eyes were met by the sad conditions of human society […]. Certainly those days would seem to have come upon us of which Christ Our Lord foretold: “You shall hear of wars and rumours of wars - for nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matt. xxiv, 6, 7). On every side the dread phantom of war holds sway: there is scarce room for another thought in the minds of men. The combatants are the greatest and wealthiest nations of the earth […].
https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xv/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xv_enc_01111914_ad-beatissimi-apostolorum.html
Not a lot, but interesting ?
Stéphane
PS I am a bit embarrassed by, but at the same time thankful for, your extensive mention of my review of your book…
Hello Bruce,
I am pleasantly surprised to see this post concerning WWI. Early yesterday morning, I searched your blog for information on pro-war theologian who had an obsessive disdain for folk who embraced premillennialism. His name is Shirley Jackson Case; he was a professor of Early Church History and New Testament Interpretation at the University of Chicago School of Divinity. I have been researching this gent since coming across his name a couple of days ago during my rereading of the WTBS history in the United States section contained in the 1975 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses. On page 95 of that book, a partial quote from an interview with ‘Dr. Case’ by the Chicago Daily News was provided. Since then, I have been trying to find a copy of the full interview, but have only found other partial quotes. So, yesterday afternoon, I put up a new post that contains some of my recent research into Dr. Case. Hope you and/or your readers are aware of a source that has the entire interview.
As for the Gentile Times, I have some resources that I am plan to check out later today when I have some ‘free’ time (probably not till this evening), which should provide information on Gentile Times and WWI.
Grace and peace,
David
My thanks to those who have commented on this interesting discussion. Shirley Jackson Case was continuing the post millennialist attack on premillennialism started by his compatriot at the Chicago School of Divinity, Shailer Matthews. Whether their target was specifically the Bible Students or their cross town opponents at the Moody School is debatable. It was probably both.
The Churches of Christ held divided thoughts on millennialism with both Pre and Post millennialist adherents. Their willingness to engage the IBSA in the Russell - White debate perhaps illustrates their concern to counter his influence. Post-war they jettisoned premillennialism almost entirely.
For the most part the various premillennial ‘sects’ at the time seem to have been in agreement that WW1 heralded Armageddon. Stephane’s comments illustrate that the idea even crossed the mind of some members of mainstream religions also.
I’ll chase up the Pentecostal quotes and post these later.
Chase wrote Millennial Hopes: A Phase of Wartime Thinking. It was published in 1918. He broadly attacks pre-millennialism but does mention Russell. It's worth a read if you're researching these issues. It sometimes shows up on ebay. If you go to ebay now, you will find modern reprints. if you do not 'need' an original, these will do.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265129774294?hash=item3dbaf74cd6:g:nLkAAOSwnDRgfaVB
A review of his book is found at https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/476121
The review is very favorable because it is written by an associate and published by the company that published Chase's book.
I couldn't find the Case article cited in the Yearbook. [Yes, I know it's Case and not Chase] Contact by regular mail the Watchtower Society Office of Public Information at 1 King Dr. Tuxedo Park, NY 10987. Explain what you want and why you want it. Be patient. Even if they know you answers come slowly. They have to get permission for a committee to release even the most innocuous material. Best I can offer at the moment.
Charles Fox Parham, one of the earliest Pentecostal leaders commented when Rolland Romack, the office editor and manager of his paper, Apostolic Faith, was denied exemption from combatant service:
“For over twenty years we have seen these present wars coming … all this time we have taught Christians must not fight for ‘he that take this the sword shall perish with the sword …’ It is hard for those who sincerely believe that we are nearing the end of this age and the shedding of blood to be of no avail, to fight for these nations, which we know will fall as the Gentile age will close and the millennium will come, when the nations of the world will become the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.”
Parham saw World War One as the transition to a new age:
“The opening of the war, in 1914, marked the descent of the Devil from the Heavens … it is now the opening of the midnight hour, when Jesus says to his servants (real consecrated Christians), ‘Go ye into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in’.”
On 21 January 1918 Shirley Jackson Case, was quoted in the Chicago Daily News as saying, "Two thousand dollars a week is being spent to spread their doctrine. Where the money comes from is unknown, but there is a strong suspicion that it emanates from German sources. In my belief, the fund would be a profitable field for Government investigation."
This appears to be the origin of the quote given in the 1975 Yearbook, page 95. The quote was used to promote Case’s book that Bruce mentioned, but is described as an expression of outright “wartime paranoia” by George Marsden. It is worth reiterating that while the Bible Students believed it was a direct attack upon them, Chicago's Moody Bible Institute thought this was a swipe directed their way. The Biblical World and The King’s Business, papers for the rival Chicago religious groups, traded continual blows at each other during this period. For context, George Marsden’s Fundamentalism and American Culture chapter 16 is worth a read.
In "The Bulletin" Volume 36 No 1862 of October 21,1915 is an article Official War News 'THE RED PAGE' and it is reviewing a book by Marr Murray entitled "Bible Prophecies and the Plain Man" [1915] and said article paragraph two states: "First it is obvious that we are living in the closing years of the Times of the Gentiles. the signs of the times are all around us."
In 1913 T.Troward [Thomas Troward] wrote "The Years 1914 to 1923 in Bible Prophecy- Scripture Prediction Of Present War"
I'll email you all 3 pdf's.
Another work was "Prophecy The War And The Middle East" by G. H. Lancaster [1916]
I haven't found a copy of this, as yet. Maybe some one has this.
Regards Raymond
Bruce,
Have located a copy of "Prophecy, The War and the Neat East" by G. H. Lancaster [1916]
on page 170 it states: "...among all the other important and prophetic dates, we must point out that the year 1914-5 was exactly 2,520 sol;ar years from 606 B.C., the time when Nebuchadnezzar first came up to attack the kingdom of Judah, which shows us that the outbreak of the great World War came, as has been anticipated, at the very time when some great revolutionary disturbance was due to take place, which should have some bearing upon the liberation of Jerusalem, and her People, from Gentile oppression."
I'll email the pdf to you.
Regards Raymond
Bruce,
The Assemblies of God in their official publication "The Weekly Evangel" April 10, 1917 issue on page 3 had this to say: "We are not yet in the Armageddon struggle proper, but at its commencement, and it may be,if students of prophecy read the signs aright, that Christ will come before the present war closes, and before Armageddon. The war preliminary to Armageddon, it seems has commenced."
I'll email you a copy of that weekly.
Regards Raymond
Hello again Bruce,
Thanks much for the address. If I am unable to tract down the entire Case interview over the next few days, I will compose and send a letter.
As for the Case book you mentioned, it is in public domain now, and is available in a number of digital formats. I included a couple of excerpts from the book in my July 15th blog post, and inserted the following link to online digital options:
https://archive.org/details/millennialhopeph00caserich
In the same post, I quoted from Case’s polemical diatribe, “The Premillennial Menace", which mentions the "Russellites". The following is a link to the PDF of the entire journal article:
https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/476079
Grace and peace,
David
Hi Gerry,
Thanks for your comments on Case. In my July 15th post I included a couple of quotes from the ‘New Edition’ of Marsden’s book, Fundamentalism and American Culture . The footnotes of the book led me to B.I.O.L.A.’s April 1918 “The King’s Business” which provided the lengthiest extract from the Case interview that I be able to locate to date. The following is the entire extract:
“Two thousand dollars a week is being spent to spread their doctrine (i.e. pre-millennialism). Where the money comes from is unknown, but there is a strong suspicion that it emanates from German sources. In my belief, the fund would be a profitable field for government investigation. My object in writing the book was to enlighten the American people, for if the belief spreads many would not be able to see the need of fighting for democracy. That the doctrine of the premillenarians has many supporters is certain, as the divinity school gets many communications each week from pastors all over the country asking how to combat the idea.” (The King’s Business, April, 1918, pp. 276, 277 - https://online.flippingbook.com/view/412006/6/)
Grace and peace,
David
Bruce,
Found a thesis presented to a SDA Seminary dealing with those who predicted Christs' Second Coming. Pages 66-68 tells of a Blanton Duncan, former printer for the Confederacy who wrote a work called: "The Near Approach of Christ's Second Advent" [1887] and on p14 of that article is reported to have written it was expected 1913-14.
I'll send the pdf.
Regards Raymond
Bruce,
Have a copy of a booklet from 1915 entitled "The Wat and the Prophets" by F.D.
Very much a British-Israel prophetical booklet but points out war was leading to armageddon.
Another "The World-War In the Light of Ptophecy" by Rev, D.W. Langelett [1915] Looks at Ezekiel 38 and 39. Once again very British-Israellite theology but the postscript is mentions a bit about Russellism and an article that was published in "Der Lutheraner" ect. may be of interest.
"The European War in the Light of Bible Prophecy" by G.H. Gudebrod [1914] looks at Daniel's prophecies and then mentions on 2nd last page, "This present war is a literal fulfilment of this prophecy." [Booklet doesn't have page numbers]
"The Weekly Evangel" dated 1916 May 13, pp6-8 has an article by W.E. Blackstone entitled "THe Times of the Gentiles" and came up with the years, 1915, 1926, 1934.
Will send all pdfs to you.
All the best, Bruce kindest regards Raymond
I'm pleased that this post awakened some considerable [for this blog] interest and even more pleased at the help coming from our readers. My thanks to you all.
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