Jehovah's Witnesses often pride themselves as being a group who refer to the Bible, and this is true. Even a cursory glance at any Watchtower literature soon reveals many scriptural quotations.
This appeal to the Bible is indeed commendable. However, are Jehovah's Witnesses really faithful to God's Word alone or is it, rather, the interpretation of the Bible through the literature of the Watchtower Society that the Jehovah's Witness is really under the authority of? Numerous quotations could be put fourth to show that it is the latter, some of which are presented below:
"All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that the "greatly diversified wisdom of God" can become known only through Jehovah's channel of communication, the faithful and discreet slave." (The Watchtower; Oct. 1, 1994; p. 8).
"We have the opportunity to show love for our brothers who take the lead in the congregation or in connection with Jehovah's visible organization worldwide. This includes being loyal to "the faithful and discreet slave." (Matthew 24:45-47) Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own." (The Watchtower, December 1, 1990, p. 19).
"No matter where we may live on earth, God's Word continues to serve as a light to our path and a lamp to our roadway as to our conduct and beliefs. (Ps. 119:105) But Jehovah God has also provided his visible organization, his "faithful and discreet slave," made up of spirit anointed ones, to help Christians in all nations to understand and apply properly the Bible in their lives. Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that God is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible reading we do." (The Watchtower; December 1, 1981, p. 27).
"They say that it is sufficient to read the Bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such 'Bible reading,' they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom's clergy were teaching 100 years ago,..." (Watchtower; Aug. 15, 1981; p. 29).
Of course, what is especially revealing about this last quote (aside from the erroneous belief that it is only through Watchtower material that the Bible can be understood) is that it is saying that if you read the Bible, and the Bible alone, without any Watchtower study aids or literature, then you will believe as other Christian churches have done for centuries! - i.e. Reading the Bible alone will lead you to believe that Christ is God, the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, the dead are conscious, being born again is for all people, etc., etc.
Many millions throughout the centuries have become Christians by reading the Bible alone. Is it really possible to become one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and believe as they do, by reading the Bible alone without exposure to any Watchtower literature or influence beforehand? I think that the above quotes reveal a lot in relation to this question. Unless anyone feels otherwise?
14 comments:
No one became a Christian just by reading the Bible. someone helped them to become a Christian. I encourage you to read the account of the Ethiopian eunich. He understood the need to be guided by someone who understood the words he was reading. God has always used a group or just one man if there were only one (Noah) to represent Him and organize worship of Him. (See Leviticus. Talk about organized!) You have an organization do you not? how else cold you offer to have someone come to my door? Why should I rely on you to teach me correct interpretation of scripture? Your logic cuts both ways.
""No one became a Christian just by reading the Bible.""
Many people have become Christians just by reading the Bible.
But what you mean is that no one has become a JW just by reading the Bible.
So you drag the old one about the Ethiopian eunuch up. Did the eunuch and Phillip use a book published by someone? Did the eunuch then have to be approved as a publisher before baptism? Did the eunuch have to answer 100+ questions before being approved to be baptised? Did the eunuch have to do so many hours preaching and put a report in?
What organised religion did Noah belong to? Yet he found favour with God.
God dealt with Abraham. Yest God also dealt with Abrahams nephew Lot.
Then we have Melchizedek appear, a priest of the Most High God. So who is Jehoavh dealing with?
So at one point we have God dealing with Abraham and his family, Lot and his family, and the city of Salem and whatever religion (for we are never told) they practice. Three organizations
Not one, but three, including an organized religion with a priest apparently approved of by God long before Moses was even born! Isn’t that interesting? Right here and now it’s quite plain that God does not limit himself to dealing with a single organization.
Then we have Job.
Job was never an Israelite and never belonged to Abraham’s camp and yet, like Melchizedek, he served the Most High God and found great favor in God’s eyes.
Israel
There was trouble at its very inception. While Moses was receiving the laws up in the mountain, Aaron was busy making the people a golden calf for them to worship.
It got worst later on and what we find is God continually sending INDIVIDUALS appointed by him NOT BY HIS ‘ORGANIZATION’ to try to correct their willful, disobedient ways. Think about that for a few moments.
Think about some of those anointed kings that sat on the throne at the head of this organization that mocked, persecuted, and even killed the individuals that Jehovah sent to them to correct their wicked ways. Think of the pride of those kings and priests, the pride that prevented them from recognizing the truth about what they had become.
When Jesus arrives he finds this ‘organization’ with one overall religious system (organization) that has several sects (smaller organizations), none of which are pleasing to either him or his father
God is not bound to accept organizations (even those he formed himself) just because of their labels anymore than he is bound to accept or reject individuals based on their membership to an organization.
No person or organization today is able to demonstrate in any conclusive manner that they alone represent the Almighty, Jehovah God.
So true what aniron says Matt.
There are many who have become Christians by reading the Word alone, without the aid of any literature or anyone to advise them.
Yes, Bible teachers are important (as long as they are correctly handling the Word of God) but God's Word does the work not mere men.
As well as aniron's excellent points re. the Ethiopian eunich I wouls also add that we notice that after the apostle left him the eunich was left to go on his way alone, not given literature or instructed to have a regular weekly book study set up.
Jesus tells us that the Spirit guides us into all truth. I would challenge you to read the Bible and the Bible alone without WT study aids. As the quotes in the article I posted clearly show, the WT sets itself up 'above' Scripture. Throw off the shackles of unregenerate men and their misguided opinions and trust in God's Word alone.
Even back in the early days of the Watchtower, Charles Russel, the founder, elevated his own writings above that of the Bible. This has surely laid a precedent for the way the Watchtower wants its literature to be viewed today:
"If the 6 volumes of 'Scripture Studies' are practically the Bible topically arranged, with Bible proof-texts given, we might not improperly name the volumes- 'The Bible' in an arranged form. That is to say, they are not merely comments on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself...Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see the divine plan in studying the Bible itself, but we see also that if anyone lays the 'Scripture Studies' ... after he has read them for 10 years-if he then lays them aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone...out experience shows that within 2 years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he has merely read the 'S.S.' with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years." (Watchtower, Sept 15, 1910, p. 298).
I had a few problems with posting comments.
Hi Vince! How about the publicity for the book "What Does the Bible REALLY Teach?" in their literature.
Recent Watchtower articles gushed about the book and how it has all the answers for mankind. It was also prominently featured instead of that other book...the "Holy Scriptures", I remember that one!
So true!
I just started reading "Crisis of Conscience" by Raymond Franz and the opening part starts with some examples of what the Watchtower used to teach, interestingly almost all of what the Watchtower used to teach is now considered "apostate". Yet JWs believe the Watchtower to be Jehovah's 'mouthpiece' if it were not so sad this would almost be humorous.
Vince-
Thanks for the insightful post. I have recently written a review od a portion of chapter 5 of the WT book, "What Does the Bible Really Teach?" I am dropping a line to Witnesses and non-Witnesses seeking feedback. Below is a brief outline and excerpt of my posting. Could you read the posting and offer me a critique? (http://theistichedonist.blogspot.com/) Article is called "Witnessing to the Witnesses"
1. What – according to the Watchtower – was lost at the Fall? (Transcript of pg. 48-50)
a. Adam’s “perfect human life with all it’s blessings.”
2. What ransom can be repaid to recover what Adam lost?
a. A perfect human life – namely Jesus Christ
3. Survey of the passage and a response.
a. Who is God?
b. Why does God exist?
c. What did God lose when Adam fell?
4. Closing remarks.
5. Final questions.
Brief excerpt: "It will be the contention of my review that correctly understanding “the ransom” must be preceded by an accurate understanding of what Adam and God lost at the Fall.
One of the fascinating things that the reader will notice upon reading pages 48-50 of WDTBRT, is how consistently the WT focuses on what Adam lost when he sinned....One of the pressing questions for the WT is this: Is Adam’s perfect life the primary thing that was lost in the Fall? This question is raised because it appears that although Adam’s loss was profoundly devastating, it was peanuts compared to what God lost in the Fall." Thank-you!
Matt- I would like your feedback as well!
oops! typo! "of a portion" not "od a portion" :)
Hello brothers,
I was born and raised a Jehovah's Witness yet didn't wake up until the year 2000. ( LOL!)
(Psalm 119:148)
"My eyes are awake through the night watches,That I may meditate on Your word."
It is one thing to come to religion to learn about Christ, but it is entirely another to Come to God through Christ! Christ is the door to our heavenly father.
I am free from Watchtower control, For I don't belong to the Jehovah's Witness religion, because I now only belong to Christ.
Check out my blogs>
http://x-jwsafehaven.blogspot.com/
http://leavingthewatchtower.blogspot.com/
Matt, my dear Jehovah's Witness,
The gospels were recorded for you as well other truth seekers (hope that is what you become) I was once where you are now, trusting men and not all the words of God. God speaks through his Son you know.
John 10:9
Christ said,"I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved"
How many years did the Watchtower teach it's members 'the heavenly door is shut.?" Jesus said 'the blind would lead the blind and they would both fall into the pit."
Christ said,"
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned."(John 15:6)
He didn't say abide 'in the Watchtower'.(unless you believe the Watchtower is Christ)
My friend, take Christ's advice:
(Revelation 3:11)
Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown."
Compare:
1 Peter 5:4
"when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."
(2 Timothy 4:8)
"Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."
How many Jehovah's Witnesses say they 'love his appearing?'
God bless!
A question for Matt,
What was it the early Christians had that Christ said to 'hold fast to?'
Evidently they'd already received it.
Can you research this for me?
I recommend you using a good Bible concordance to the scriptures. The Watchtower Bible & tract published one, do you own it? I used theirs to help me 'come to 'the truth.'
While you are at it, why not look up the word, "Truth" and make him your own. (John 14:6) (wink)
I wish you would continue you blog, it is very important.
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