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{{Short description|Third president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1905–1977)}}
{{primary sources|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox person
⚫ | name = Nathan Homer Knorr
| image = Nathan Knorr, Jehovas vitne - (cropped).jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Knorr in September 1955
| birth_date = {{birth-date|April 23, 1905}}
| birth_place = ], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1977|6|8|1905|4|23|mf=y}}
| death_place = ], U.S.
| occupation = President of the ]
⚫ | movement = ]
| spouse = {{Marriage|Audrey Mock|1953}}
| signature = Signature of Nathan Homer Knorr.png
}}

{{Jehovah's Witnesses}} {{Jehovah's Witnesses}}
'''Nathan Homer Knorr''' (], ] - ], ]) was the third president of the ], becoming so on ], ], replacing ], who had served in the position since ]. '''Nathan Homer Knorr''' (April 23, 1905 – June 8, 1977) was the third president of the incorporated ] (called Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania since 1955). He was appointed president in January 1942,<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|pages=90–91|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref> replacing ], who had served in the position since 1917. Knorr was also a member of the ] since 1971.


==Early life and education==
⚫ ==Life==
]Born April 23, 1905, in ], he began to show interest in the ] at age 16. He left the ] in ] and in ] he was baptized as a ]. Ironically, the person who gave the talk that day was ], who, though he was some years older, outlived Knorr and succeeded him as the president of the ]. The two men became close friends and companions, and they served several years together as members of the ]. Knorr died from a cerebral tumor ], ]. Nathan Knorr was born in ]. At age 16, he began to show interest in the ] at age 16. He left the ] in 1922. He was baptized on July 4, 1923, as a Bible Student following a baptism talk by ], with whom Knorr became close friends.


==Career==
⚫ ==Contribution to Jehovah's Witnesses==
Knorr became a volunteer at the Watch Tower headquarters in ] on September 6, 1923. He became its factory manager in September 1932.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|page=91|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref>
⚫ Knorr's most striking contribution to Jehovah's Witnesses was an intense educational focus. Within a month of his taking office, arrangements were made for an ''Advanced Course in Theocratic Ministry'', a school that featured Bible research and public speaking. On ], ], Knorr suggested that the Society establish another school to train missionaries for service in foreign countries where there was a great need for Kingdom proclaimers. The suggestion was unanimously approved by the ]. In upstate New York, the first class of ] -- the name given to this missionary school -- commenced on Monday, ], ]. The doctrine of ] also came under Knorr's leadership.


In January 1934, at age 28, Knorr was elected director of the Peoples Pulpit Association, now the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. He was made its vice president in 1935. In January 1942, Knorr became president of the International Bible Students Association and the corporations now known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|page=91|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref> Knorr married Audrey Mock in 1953.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=The Watchtower|date=July 15, 1977|page=441|title="Firm to the End"|publisher=Watch Tower Society}}</ref>
]Knorr was an excellent organizer who understood that good ] was needed to keep pace with the forward movement of the preaching work. In 1942, when he became president, there were 25 branch offices. By ], despite the ] of World War II, there were branches in 57 lands. Over the next 30 years, the number of branches increased to 97.


⚫ ===Jehovah's Witnesses===
⚫ ==Publications==
⚫ Knorr contributed significantly to ], with an intense focus on education. Within a month of his taking office, arrangements were made for an Advanced Course in Theocratic Ministry, a school that featured ] research and public speaking.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|page=94|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref> In September 1942, Knorr suggested that the Society establish another school to train missionaries for service in foreign countries. The suggestion was unanimously approved by the board of directors. The first class of the ], the name given to this missionary school, commenced February 1, 1943.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|pages=94–95|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref>
Some of the publications used by ] which were released during Knorr's stewardship were: ''Equipped For Every Good Work'', ''Let God Be True'', ''Make Sure Of All Things'', ''From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained'', '']'' magazine, which replaced ''Consolation'' (formerly ''The Golden Age''), '']'', and the '']''.


Knorr arranged for the creation of new ] in many countries. In 1942, when he became president, there were 25 branch offices worldwide. By 1946, despite ], the number of branch offices increased to 57. Over the next 30 years, the number of branch offices increased to 97.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|pages=96–97|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref>
⚫ ==Organizational adjustments==


Knorr began a campaign of real estate acquisition in ] to expand the organisation's world headquarters, expanded printing production throughout the world, and organized a series of international assemblies that dwarfed those of Rutherford in the 1920s. In 1958, more than 253,000 Witnesses gathered at two ] venues, ], and the ], for an eight-day convention where more than 7000 were baptized.<ref>{{cite book|author=M. James Penton|title=Apocalypse Delayed|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=1997|page=86}}</ref> Other large conventions were held in the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
⚫ Beginning ], ], adjustments began in the oversight of the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. The writing of '']'' led to a new understanding of the Bible's mention of elders and "older men" and seems to have been the catalyst for the religion to adjust its ]. (Franz 21-22) A revision to the ]'s ] in 1972 explains this adjustment as, "it is noteworthy that the Bible does not say that there was only one 'older man', one overseer, in each congregation. Rather, it indicates that there were a number of such." (''Organization'' 53) There would no longer be one congregation servant, or overseer, but a body of elders and ministerial servants. One elder would be designated chairman, but all the elders would have equal authority and share the responsibility for making decisions.


The doctrine of ] was also introduced during Knorr's leadership.
⚫ Later, the chairmanship of the Governing Body would also be affected, rotating according to alphabetical order. And finally, in December of 1975, leadership of Jehovah's Witnesses passed from the president of the Watch Tower Society to the ]. Beginning ], ] the Governing Body formed several committees to oversee publishing, writing, teaching, service and personnel. Knorr worked with the new arrangement until illness forced his move to Watchtower Farms in Wallkill, New York shortly before his death.


⚫ ====Organizational adjustments====
Knorr was succeeded as president by ].
⚫ From October 1, 1972, there were adjustments in the oversight of the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. The writing of '']'' led to a new understanding of the Bible's references to elders and "older men" and seems to have been the catalyst for the denomination to adjust its ].<ref>{{cite book|title=Crisis of Conscience|author=Raymond Franz|pages=24–27|publisher=Commentary Press|year=2004|edition=4th}}</ref> A revision to the Watch Tower Society's organizational manual in 1972 explained, "it is noteworthy that the Bible does not say that there was only one 'older man', one overseer, in each congregation. Rather, it indicates that there were a number of such."<ref>{{cite book|title=Organization for Kingdom-Preaching and Disciple-Making|publisher=Watch Tower Society|page=53|year=1972}}</ref>


There would no longer be one congregation servant, or overseer, but a body of elders and ministerial servants. One elder would be designated chairman, but all the elders would have equal authority and share the responsibility for making decisions.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|page=106|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref>
⚫ ==References==

* jv 96, 98, 101, 592
⚫ The chairmanship of the Governing Body was also impacted. In December 1975, authority over Jehovah's Witnesses passed from the president of the Watch Tower Society to the ]. Beginning January 1976, the Governing Body formed several committees to oversee publishing, writing, teaching, service and personnel.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|pages=106–107|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref> Knorr worked with the new arrangement, until illness shortly before his death forced his move from the world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. Following Knorr's death in June 1977, ] succeeded him as corporation president.<ref>{{cite book|title=Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom|page=109|publisher=Watch Tower Society|year=1993}}</ref>
* Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania. ''Organization for Kingdom-Preaching and Disciple-Making''. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc.: New York, 1972.

⚫ ==Death==
Knorr died on June 8, 1977, from a ] while under ] at Watchtower Farms in ].<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Awake!|title=Watching the World|date=August 22, 1977|page=29|publisher=Watch Tower Society}}</ref>

⚫ ==Publications==
Publications used by ] that were released during Knorr's tenure include:
*''"All Scripture Is Inspired Of God And Beneficial"''
*'']'' magazine, which replaced ''Consolation''
*''"Equipped For Every Good Work"''
*''From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained''
*''"Let God Be True"''
*''"Make Sure Of All Things"''
*'']''


==See also== ==See also==
* ] * ]
* ] * ]

⚫ * ]
⚫ == References ==
*
{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

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⚫ {{succession box|title= President of ]|President of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania|before=]|after=]|years=January 13, 1942 – June 8, 1977}}
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Latest revision as of 19:37, 10 December 2024

Third president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (1905–1977)
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Nathan Homer Knorr
Knorr in September 1955
BornApril 23, 1905 (1905-04-23)
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJune 8, 1977(1977-06-08) (aged 72)
Wallkill, New York, U.S.
OccupationPresident of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society
MovementJehovah's Witnesses
Spouse Audrey Mock ​(m. 1953)​
Signature
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Nathan Homer Knorr (April 23, 1905 – June 8, 1977) was the third president of the incorporated Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society (called Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania since 1955). He was appointed president in January 1942, replacing Joseph Franklin Rutherford, who had served in the position since 1917. Knorr was also a member of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses since 1971.

Early life and education

Nathan Knorr was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. At age 16, he began to show interest in the International Bible Students at age 16. He left the Reformed Church in 1922. He was baptized on July 4, 1923, as a Bible Student following a baptism talk by Frederick W. Franz, with whom Knorr became close friends.

Career

Knorr became a volunteer at the Watch Tower headquarters in Brooklyn on September 6, 1923. He became its factory manager in September 1932.

In January 1934, at age 28, Knorr was elected director of the Peoples Pulpit Association, now the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc. He was made its vice president in 1935. In January 1942, Knorr became president of the International Bible Students Association and the corporations now known as the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, and Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York. Knorr married Audrey Mock in 1953.

Jehovah's Witnesses

Knorr contributed significantly to Jehovah's Witnesses, with an intense focus on education. Within a month of his taking office, arrangements were made for an Advanced Course in Theocratic Ministry, a school that featured Bible research and public speaking. In September 1942, Knorr suggested that the Society establish another school to train missionaries for service in foreign countries. The suggestion was unanimously approved by the board of directors. The first class of the Gilead School, the name given to this missionary school, commenced February 1, 1943.

Knorr arranged for the creation of new branch offices in many countries. In 1942, when he became president, there were 25 branch offices worldwide. By 1946, despite World War II, the number of branch offices increased to 57. Over the next 30 years, the number of branch offices increased to 97.

Knorr began a campaign of real estate acquisition in Brooklyn to expand the organisation's world headquarters, expanded printing production throughout the world, and organized a series of international assemblies that dwarfed those of Rutherford in the 1920s. In 1958, more than 253,000 Witnesses gathered at two New York City venues, Yankee Stadium, and the Polo Grounds, for an eight-day convention where more than 7000 were baptized. Other large conventions were held in the U.S., Canada, and Germany.

The doctrine of not accepting blood transfusions was also introduced during Knorr's leadership.

Organizational adjustments

From October 1, 1972, there were adjustments in the oversight of the congregations of Jehovah's Witnesses. The writing of Aid to Bible Understanding led to a new understanding of the Bible's references to elders and "older men" and seems to have been the catalyst for the denomination to adjust its organizational structure. A revision to the Watch Tower Society's organizational manual in 1972 explained, "it is noteworthy that the Bible does not say that there was only one 'older man', one overseer, in each congregation. Rather, it indicates that there were a number of such."

There would no longer be one congregation servant, or overseer, but a body of elders and ministerial servants. One elder would be designated chairman, but all the elders would have equal authority and share the responsibility for making decisions.

The chairmanship of the Governing Body was also impacted. In December 1975, authority over Jehovah's Witnesses passed from the president of the Watch Tower Society to the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses. Beginning January 1976, the Governing Body formed several committees to oversee publishing, writing, teaching, service and personnel. Knorr worked with the new arrangement, until illness shortly before his death forced his move from the world headquarters in Brooklyn, New York. Following Knorr's death in June 1977, Frederick William Franz succeeded him as corporation president.

Death

Knorr died on June 8, 1977, from a cerebral tumor while under hospice care at Watchtower Farms in Wallkill, New York.

Publications

Publications used by Jehovah's Witnesses that were released during Knorr's tenure include:

  • "All Scripture Is Inspired Of God And Beneficial"
  • Awake! magazine, which replaced Consolation
  • "Equipped For Every Good Work"
  • From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained
  • "Let God Be True"
  • "Make Sure Of All Things"
  • New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures

See also

References

  1. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. pp. 90–91.
  2. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. p. 91.
  3. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. p. 91.
  4. ""Firm to the End"". The Watchtower. Watch Tower Society. July 15, 1977. p. 441.
  5. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. p. 94.
  6. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. pp. 94–95.
  7. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. pp. 96–97.
  8. M. James Penton (1997). Apocalypse Delayed. University of Toronto Press. p. 86.
  9. Raymond Franz (2004). Crisis of Conscience (4th ed.). Commentary Press. pp. 24–27.
  10. Organization for Kingdom-Preaching and Disciple-Making. Watch Tower Society. 1972. p. 53.
  11. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. p. 106.
  12. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. pp. 106–107.
  13. Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom. Watch Tower Society. 1993. p. 109.
  14. "Watching the World". Awake!. Watch Tower Society. August 22, 1977. p. 29.
Preceded byJoseph F. Rutherford President of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania
January 13, 1942 – June 8, 1977 		Succeeded byFrederick W. Franz
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