ABSTRACT
Russell was what I call, following Ellwood and Partin, a ‘dynamic leader’.3 In other words, he was a fully human leader, who staked no claim to divinity or to prophethood. is is important to note, since prophecy is frequently associated with the Watch Tower organisation. Although the phenomenon is important, the Watch Tower Society issues no new prophecies, but rather seeks to interpret those that are already in the Bible. In theory, anyone who reads the Bible aright ought to come to the same conclusion as the Watch Tower organisation. e last sentence in Russell’s statement above underscores the point that other agents could have accomplished Russell’s work equally well. Russell was not specially chosen by God, but he lived in the place and time to oer the biblical interpretation that was needed.
