Joseph Franklin Rutherford, commonly known as “Judge” Rutherford, was the second president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, which is the main legal entity used to direct the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He served as president from 1917 until his death in 1942.
Rutherford was born on November 8, 1869 in Missouri. He was raised as a Baptist and became a trial lawyer. He was appointed as a special judge in Boonville, Missouri, which is how he earned the nickname “Judge” Rutherford. In 1894, he married Mary Malcolm Fetzer, who died in 1904. In 1907, he married Maria Frances Ackley.
Rutherford first learned of Charles Taze Russell’s Bible Student movement in 1894. He was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1906 and appointed legal counsel for the Watch Tower Society in 1907. When Russell died in 1916, Rutherford was elected president of the Watch Tower Society against Russell’s wishes. This led to a schism, with Rutherford retaining control over the Watch Tower Society and the headquarters in Brooklyn, while his opponents formed a new headquarters in Pittsburgh.
As president, Rutherford oversaw significant growth in the operations and global presence of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some key developments under his leadership include:
- Launching the magazine The Golden Age (now Awake!) in 1919
- Moving operations to Brooklyn Bethel headquarters in 1919
- The society was renamed Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1931
- Opening the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead in 1943 to train missionaries
- Growing from about 44,000 members in 1917 to 115,000 at the time of his death
Rutherford was known for his charismatic speaking style and bold proclamations. He gave talks at conventions that drew tens of thousands of listeners. He also made predictions about biblical prophecy that did not come true, like that the Old Testament patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be resurrected in 1925.
Some of Rutherford’s most significant teachings and writings include:
- Millions Now Living Will Never Die – This 90-minute talk predicting the resurrection of Old Testament patriarchs in 1925 was released as a book and phonograph record in 1920.
- Jehovah – A 1934 book proclaiming the name Jehovah as God’s name.
- Enemies – A 1937 book attacking totalitarianism and communism as satanic.
- Face the Facts – A 1938 book urging readers not to be misled by religious leaders not adhering to the Bible.
Rutherford expanded the global presence of Jehovah’s Witnesses by championing public evangelism. He emphasized door-to-door preaching and the distribution of Watchtower literature. This was aided by legal victories in the Supreme Court affirming the First Amendment right of Jehovah’s Witnesses to evangelize.
However, Rutherford also faced criticism for consolidating his own power and allowing no room for dissent within the organization. In 1917, he dismissed the Watch Tower Society’s board of directors and amended the bylaws to position himself as the sole decision-maker. He discouraged independent thinking and emphasized obedience to the organization’s leadership.
Rutherford died on January 8, 1942 in San Diego at age 72. Leadership of Jehovah’s Witnesses passed to Nathan Homer Knorr. While a polarizing figure, Rutherford left a lasting impact through his forceful preaching, prolific writings, legal victories, and expansion of Jehovah’s Witnesses into a global evangelistic movement.
Looking at Rutherford’s life from a biblical perspective, a few key points emerge:
- His evident enthusiasm and dedication to preaching helped spread the message of the Bible around the world, consistent with Jesus’ command at Matthew 28:19 to “make disciples of all the nations.”
- However, his failed predictions and harsh condemnation of other religions did not reflect the spirit of Christian love encouraged at 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
- His consolidation of organizational power conflicts with Jesus’ warning that “the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you” (Matthew 20:25-26).
- Overall, Rutherford was zealous but imperfect, reflecting Paul’s description at Romans 7:21-23 of desiring to do good but sometimes falling short.
In assessing Rutherford’s legacy as a leader of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Bible encourages Christians to “test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). Christians can therefore appreciation the sincere faith and evangelistic fervor of Rutherford and other Witnesses without accepting all aspects of their doctrine and methods.
The Bible advises Christians that “there is one body and one Spirit . . . one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). Sincere believers can have differences in understanding and practice. Only God can fully judge any individual’s heart and motives (1 Corinthians 4:5).
The example of Joseph Franklin Rutherford illustrates how even imperfect servants can be used by God to advance His purposes. But it is wise to “believe not every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God” (1 John 4:1). Christians do well to emulate the spirit of the Beroeans, who “received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily” to confirm the things they were taught (Acts 17:11).
In summary, Joseph Franklin Rutherford was an influential but controversial figure who served as president of Jehovah’s Witnesses from 1917 until 1942. He displayed sincere faith and helped expand the global preaching work Witnesses are known for. However, his failed predictions, autocratic leadership style, harsh rhetoric against other religions, and elevation of organizational loyalty over conscience have rightfully been called into question. Examining his life in light of Scripture can help Christians gain a balanced perspective and learn important lessons.
The Bible encourages personal study, independent thinking, and adherence to conscience based on Scripture (Romans 14:5; 1 Timothy 4:16). Christians do well to focus on cultivating the love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and other fruits of God’s spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). By God’s grace, imperfect servants can be used to advance His purposes, but must be subject to scriptural evaluation and correction.