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Ricchezza
This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1936
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About the author
J.F. Rutherford
72 books11 followersJoseph Franklin Rutherford, also known as Judge Rutherford, was the second president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) from 1917 until his death in 1942. His appointment was disputed by the Society's board of directors, 4 of which accused him of an autocratic leadership style. This controversy lead to a schism in the Bible Students movement. In 1918 Rutherford and seven other Watch Tower executives were imprisoned briefly on charges of sedition. Following his release from prison, Rutherford began a major reorganization of Bible Student activities.
At a May, 1919 convention in Ohio he announced the publication of a new magazine, The Golden Age (later renamed Awake!). In 1920, Rutherford published a booklet, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, and a year later published his first hardcover book, The Harp of God. This was followed by a further nineteen hardcover books, each with one-word titles, such as Creation (1927), Jehovah (1934) and Children (1941). His publications reached a total printing of 36 million copies.
In 1925 he gained full control over what doctrines would be taught in Watch Tower Society publications, overruling the refusal by the five-man Editorial Committee to publish his article, "Birth of the Nation", which contained significant doctrinal changes. At a 1931 Bible Student assembly in Columbus, Ohio Rutherford proposed a new name for the organization, Jehovah's witnesses, to differentiate them from the proliferation of other groups that followed Russell's teachings.
Rutherford died at Beth Sarim on January 8, 1942 at the age of 72. Cause of death was "uraemia due to carcinoma of the rectum due to pelvic metastasis."
At a May, 1919 convention in Ohio he announced the publication of a new magazine, The Golden Age (later renamed Awake!). In 1920, Rutherford published a booklet, Millions Now Living Will Never Die, and a year later published his first hardcover book, The Harp of God. This was followed by a further nineteen hardcover books, each with one-word titles, such as Creation (1927), Jehovah (1934) and Children (1941). His publications reached a total printing of 36 million copies.
In 1925 he gained full control over what doctrines would be taught in Watch Tower Society publications, overruling the refusal by the five-man Editorial Committee to publish his article, "Birth of the Nation", which contained significant doctrinal changes. At a 1931 Bible Student assembly in Columbus, Ohio Rutherford proposed a new name for the organization, Jehovah's witnesses, to differentiate them from the proliferation of other groups that followed Russell's teachings.
Rutherford died at Beth Sarim on January 8, 1942 at the age of 72. Cause of death was "uraemia due to carcinoma of the rectum due to pelvic metastasis."
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July 20, 2016
It took me a long while to finish reading this book, because sometimes I simply couldn't stomach Rutherford's writing.
Why did I read this book, then? I read this book because I wanted to be fair to Rutherford. In 2014, I was able to purchase 30 Years a Watchtower Slave from a book sale. It was written by an ex-JW member, and he described the harrowing experiences of a lowly member during that time. I knew I only had one aspect of the problem, and so I sought to read the work of his opponent, who was J. F. Rutherford.
Riches was published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which is the publishing arm of the Jehovah's Witnesses. It was the first book of his that I was able to obtain, and so I read it. I'm not the person who lambastes a work simply because I disagree with it. Although sometimes it's a waste of time, reading books from start to finish have been more rewarding than not.
Riches is a poor example of JW literature. That's probably the reason why most, if not all, of Rutherford's works have become merely historical curios: his controversial stances have failed to withstand the test of time, and have been debunked by more recent research into Biblical exegesis. His invectives against the Catholic Church were also written in poor taste: he is even unable to defend his answer to the question of theodicy.
Nevertheless, Rutherford still makes some sense in regard to a few of his attacks on the Catholic Church. There are a lot of hypocrites among ourselves, but that's really not limited to only our Church. There are hypocrites in every religion, even atheism. Compared to a more modern work such as Mankind's Search for God, however, Riches is simply a passable book.
I applaud the transition of the JW toward the direction of love and tolerance. It is indeed more Christ-like, and I'm happy to say that Pope Francis is embracing this direction toward love as well.
Why did I read this book, then? I read this book because I wanted to be fair to Rutherford. In 2014, I was able to purchase 30 Years a Watchtower Slave from a book sale. It was written by an ex-JW member, and he described the harrowing experiences of a lowly member during that time. I knew I only had one aspect of the problem, and so I sought to read the work of his opponent, who was J. F. Rutherford.
Riches was published by the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which is the publishing arm of the Jehovah's Witnesses. It was the first book of his that I was able to obtain, and so I read it. I'm not the person who lambastes a work simply because I disagree with it. Although sometimes it's a waste of time, reading books from start to finish have been more rewarding than not.
Riches is a poor example of JW literature. That's probably the reason why most, if not all, of Rutherford's works have become merely historical curios: his controversial stances have failed to withstand the test of time, and have been debunked by more recent research into Biblical exegesis. His invectives against the Catholic Church were also written in poor taste: he is even unable to defend his answer to the question of theodicy.
Nevertheless, Rutherford still makes some sense in regard to a few of his attacks on the Catholic Church. There are a lot of hypocrites among ourselves, but that's really not limited to only our Church. There are hypocrites in every religion, even atheism. Compared to a more modern work such as Mankind's Search for God, however, Riches is simply a passable book.
I applaud the transition of the JW toward the direction of love and tolerance. It is indeed more Christ-like, and I'm happy to say that Pope Francis is embracing this direction toward love as well.
Displaying 1 of 1 review