Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME B
January 1936
NUMBER 1, PAGE 23

The Bible Versus Russell And Boll

A Parallel of the Writings of Russell and Boll Reveals the Actual Source of the Boll Theory. Their Theories Run Parallel and the Language Is Too Similar to be Accidental, One Borrowed from the Other and Russell Wrote First. The Recent Statement of R. H. Boll in Word and Work Assuming to "Denounce the Theories of Adventism and Russellism" Falls Flat Under the Weight of this Fatal Parallel.

B. L Douthitt

R. H. Boll in his publications of his premillennial theories often goes out of the way to tell his readers that he denounces the theories of Charles T. Russell. Brother Boll speaks of Russell's "whole false theory". In his "A Statement" in the Word and Work. Brother Boll says: "I denounce the theories of Adventism and Russellism". A careful reading of their literature on the kingdom question reveals the fact that Brother Boll does not oppose Russell's "whole false theory". I have itemized a few essential elements of the premillennial theory of Russell and Boll and present it in this article by comparison. Does R. H. Boll oppose Russellism? The reader's attention is called to the "law and testimony" of the case.

I. The Chance After The Second Coming.

Russell

"Christ comes before the conversion of the world, and reigns for the purpose of converting the world; that the Church is now being tried, and that the reward promised the overcomes is that after being glorified they shall share with the Lord Jesus in that reign, which is God's appointed means of blessing the world and causing the knowledge of God to come to every creature." (Divine Plan of the Ages, Page 91)

Boll

"It (the millennium) will be a time of world-conversion. Government, the maintenance of law and order, is not salvation or conversion. The hearts of men are not reached by outward rule. That must come through the Word, which will then go out from restored Israel into all the world.... To the light of the Truth, then shining unobstructedly, men shall come by multitudes in glad surrender". (R. H. Boll, The Revelation. Page 69)

"And while they went away to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage feast: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying. Lord. Lord, open to us. But he answered and said. Verily I say unto you. I know you not". (Matt. 25:10-12)

Both Russell and Boll provide for a chance (world conversion) after the second coming of Christ. In the lesson of the Ten Virgins Jesus teaches that after his coming the door was shut. Russell and Boll open the door for salvation to the world after the Lord has shut it. The theories of both Russell and Boll are opposed to the plain teaching of the Word of God.

II. The Future Kingdom Theory.

Russell

"A similar mistake, a very common one is to suppose that God's kingdom is now established and ruling over the earth, and that his will is now being done among the nations". (Divine Plan of the Ages. p. 75)

Boll

"Thus again the coming of the kingdom is made contingent upon the return of the lord Jesus Christ". (R. H. Boll. Kingdom of God. p. 75)

The Scriptures teach that the kingdom of God came on Pentecost. (Mk. 9:1; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4) In the time of the apostles people were said to he in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. (Rev. 1:9) The kingdom was here in the time of Paul and men were translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son (Col. 1:13) The above references refute the future kingdom theory of Russell and Boll. R. H. Boll does not "denounce the theory of Russellism". Both teach that the establishment of the kingdom is after the second coming of Christ. Brother Boll says, "the coming of the kingdom is made contingent upon the return of the Lord Jesus Christ". the Lord Jesus Christ".

III. The Future Reign Of Christ.

Russell

"From this it is evident that the kings who reign with him will not be crowned nor reign in this life". (Divine Plan of the Ages, p. 284)

Boll

"So, whatever the doctors may say, we shall not reign with Christ till after his coming. But then we shall, if we are found to be faithful to the end". (R. H. Boll, Boles-Boll Debate p. 201)

Peter says: "But ye are an elect race, a royal priest-food, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light". (1 Pet. 2:9)

What is a royal priesthood? A royal priesthood is a priesthood of kings. Peter addressed Christians in his time as kings. Paul says, "they that receive the abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jesus Christ". (Rom. 5:17) Both Peter and Paul teach that Christians are now reigning with Christ. Both Russell and Boll clash with the plain teaching of the word of God in I Pet. 2:9 and Rom. 5:17. In the Boles-Boll debate. Brother H. Leo Boles quoted 1 Pet. 2:9 and Rom. 5:17 and made strong arguments from both passages and throughout the entire discussion Brother Boll disregarded the arguments. It is evident why Brother 'Boll failed to make any reply to these passages of Scripture in his debate with Brother Boles. These two simple passages of Scripture at face value- clearly teach that the Lord's people are now reigning with Christ. To deny that we are now reigning with Christ is to deny the "plain declaration of the word of God". "Choose you this day whom ye will serve but as for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah".

Since the day of Pentecost Christ has been a ruling King, Priest on his throne, and an Advocate. Premillennialism denies the Kingship. Priesthood, and Mediatorship of Christ. Let us denounce the theories of men and stand on the Bible and the Bible alone.