If you would like to see a practical example of an “informal false analogy fallacy”, please refer to this week’s Watchtower study.
(w13 8/15 p. 13 par. 15) “When the Israelites questioned Aaron’s appointment and position, Jehovah viewed that action as murmuring against Him. (Num. 17:10) Similarly, if we were to start grumbling and murmuring about those whom Jehovah is using to direct the early part of this organization, we could by inference be complaining about Jehovah.”
We are using the historical account involving Aaron’s appointment by Jehovah as an analogy to show that murmuring against the appointed elders, traveling overseers, branch committee members and even the Governing Body would be murmuring against Jehovah.
Why would this be a false analogy? Because the comparison between Aaron’s appointment and that of any elder all the way up to the Governing Body has no true correlation. Aaron was appointed by Jehovah. The Israelites could have no doubt about that because they had supernatural manifestations showing Jehovah’s presence. What proof do we have that the elders are appointed by Jehovah—or for that matter, that the Governing Body is?
The argument in paragraph 15 depends on our acceptance of that premise as fact. But if a Catholic were to say that he cannot murmur against the Pope because God has appointed him just like he did Aaron, and so to do so would be to murmur against God, how would we explain to him that he is using a false analogy, that even though Aaron was appointed by God, the Pope is not? Would you say that the fact the Pope teaches things that are contrary to the Bible proves he has not been appointed by God? If so, does not the same apply to us? We teach some things that are not Scriptural? Really, what is the basis that can be used to prove that Jehovah is using these men to direct his organization? Where is the proof that Jehovah even has an organization?
This is a serious question and I would welcome input. What proof is there that the Governing Body is God’s appointed channel of communication? You see, if we cannot prove that Jehovah has appointed them, then the whole argument falls flat on its face.
If you disagree with me, please comment. I really would love to have someone offer Scriptural proof that Jehovah is using the Governing Body as his channel of communication.
Interestingly enough, the people Knew that Aaron had been chosen by Jehovah to act as High Priest, no one had ANY cause whatsoever to doubt. It was a known fact. It appears to me that the Governing Body is attempting to put itself in the same category as Aaron who was High Priest of Israel. The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ is High Priest and that he alone is the ONLY mediator between God and man.
Nicely stated blessednubian. The November Study Edition of The Watchtower states on page 20, paragraph 17, “When “the Assyrian” attacks…the life-saving direction that we receive from Jehovah’s organization may not appear practical from a human standpoint. All of us must be ready to obey any instructions we may receive, whether these appear sound from a strategic or human standpoint or not.” The implication here is that some brother or group of brothers will be given secret instructions or special information not presently known. This suggests that what we presently have from God’s Word through His Son is insufficient for survival.… Read more »
I think you have articulated the point very well SW. For my part, I still remember the feeling of unease when reading an Awake article on famine in Africa ( I wasn’t in Africa you understand 🙂 ) and while it was correctly proclaiming God’s kingdom as the solution to world hunger, it failed to mention that unless these poor afflicted people became JW before Armageddon their suffering would not end, unless they died first to enable a resurrection after Armageddon. As we have all come to realize the WTS preach themselves, not Christ. Its not “come to Jesus for… Read more »
For many years I conducted the Watchtower. And while I always viewed it a privilege, I also felt from the very beginning (and I’m talking over 35 years ago) there was something strangely contradictory in its content. I could never quite put my finger on it. It seemed as though the writer (in some cases, writers) were using a theme to carry another message, a contradiction. As many a brother used to say, nothing ever remained the as the writing committee intended by the time the service committee was finished editing it. I recall when I finally relinquished the assignment… Read more »
Totaly agree meleti there is no proof its yet another fabrication by the governing body. I was a brother for over 20 years. An elder for 10. I love the bible always have. I was always known in the congregation. For my knowledge of the bible which i read nearly every day. I have been reading your posts for some time now and i must say that for the most part.on many scriptural points i have arrived at the same conclusions as you have. Unfortunately i got sick of hearing the bible being twisted at nearly every meeting. When i… Read more »
Hi Kev C, I have thought about discussing some of these issues with one or two of the local elders. The problem is what if they can’t prove me wrong. I have no fear talking with them if they can prove me wrong. Because then I can simply accept their reasoning and all will be well. They will consider it a victory and having snatched their brother from the fire, they will be all “open arms.” However, if they cannot prove me wrong, that is a very worrisome scenario. While there exists the possibility that I may win them over… Read more »
“I have spoken these things to you that you may not be stumbled. Men will expel you from the synagogue. In fact, the hour is coming when everyone that kills you will imagine he has rendered a sacred service to God. 3 But they will do these things because they have not come to know either the Father or me. 4 Nevertheless, I have spoken these things to you that, when the hour for them arrives, you may remember I told them to you .” (John 16:1-4)
Therefore the very one having insight will in that time keep silent, for it will be a calamitous time. (Amos 5:13)
By the way, was Jesus ever mentioned in this article? I couldn’t find him – not even in the last subheading “TREASURE YOUR PRECIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH JEHOVAH”. Once again, we’ve cut out the divinely appointed middle-man.
I feel more and more that we are living a form of modern Judaism. I don’t know whether it’s because Jesus is being cut out of the picture by small degrees, or whether I am coming to a greater appreciation of who Jesus really is and why he must occupy a central role in our worship, or most likely an ongoing combination of the two, but it just feels wrong. I think I should change my username from Apollos to Nicodemus right now, because that’s the way I’m feeling. You are right. The study article was a prime example. The… Read more »
Dear apollos. Ive enjoyed your comments on this site as much as anyones. I also came to the conclusion a few years ago that the modern day congregation seems more like 1st century judaism than the religion jesus started. We could go on and on about scriptural evidence here but its negative. Its not easy for you brothers on this forum while still being in the congregation. Take heart. It doesnt suprise me. Think of the dragnet the wheat and the weeds. I think of 2 timothy 2 v 14 to 26. About the workman approved by god. The lord… Read more »
Thanks kev c. I’m sorry about the way you were treated. It’s a sad situation to be sure. The system that has been created means that just as some claim that we cannot prove that anybody has lost their lives over the no-blood policy, we also cannot prove that anybody has been expelled from the congregation due to an honest pursuit of truth. The private nature of the tribunals means that the assumption by the faithful must always be that the elders had divine grounds to expel a person. If the issue at stake is scriptural truth then the only… Read more »
What I found disturbing was that paragraph 11 was an example of what is condemned in paragraph 10, but to have made that comment would have been perceived as evidence of the syndrome described in paragraph 7.
“Do as I say, not as I do…and you better not even point out that I’m not doing as I say or there will be consequences.” Certainly not the spirit of freedom that should typify the Christian congregation.
I don’t get enraged against Jehovah but I do against brothers that claim to be God’s channel of communication who flip-flop on doctrinal matters that involve the lives of millions of people. If these men do not claim divine inspiration then what they tell us are opinions and speculations open to scrutiny.
Another thing, Meleti, There was comment in onre of the paragrphs about brothers asking, “Where was Jehovah when I neede him?”. Why wouldn’t someone ask that after listening to all those “encouraging” interviews at our Circuit and District Conventions. Pioneers who usually tell of near miraculous answers to their prayers. Is it any wonder that someone would ask, “Where is Jehovah when I need him?”
I really got enraged – though not against Jehovah – when I read in paragraph 18 that “humility and modesty should help us to admit that we are limited in our understanding. (Rom. 9:20)”. Talk about ‘do as I say, not as I do’!
Seems to me that when there was some doubt about whether Aaron was, indeed, chosen by Jehovah, He dealt with it very simply: (Numbers 17:6-11) 6 So Moses spoke to the sons of Israel, and all their chieftains went giving him a rod for each chieftain, a rod for each chieftain, by the house of their fathers, twelve rods; and Aaron’s rod was in among their rods. 7 Then Moses deposited the rods before Jehovah in the tent of the Testimony. 8 And it came about the next day that when Moses went into the tent of the Testimony, look! Aaron’s rod for… Read more »
What followed the supposed 1919 appointment? The continued distribution and the study of the Finished Mystery book, apparently received from Jesus, which contained a significant number of what turned out to be false predictions and ludicrous scriptural interpretations. Following this was the Millions Now Living Will Never Die campaign 1920-1925 during which it was stated definitely that God’s Kingdom on earth would be established in 1925 This of course failed to materialise and, as initially after the 1975 failure, the brothers were scolded for their imaginations leading to unrealistic expectations. Does this provable history demonstrate divine approval of a 1919… Read more »
Hi Meleti, This “Enraged Against Jehovah” theme is to me another call to unity, strength and safety in numbers, or “united-we-stand” doctrine. Using Moses and Aaron as parallel characterizations of the present scheme is actually robbery against Christ. Christ is the only mediator of the New Covenant just as Moses was the only mediator of the Old Covenant, Both receiving much evidence of their respective appointments. The Governing Body has presumed its appointment to feed the domestics of Christ but as yet has by its own admission not been appointed over all of Christ’s belongings (as already established from our… Read more »
One of the best analyses of the WTS claim of divine appointment is the book “Captives of a Concept” by Don Cameron. While he tends to labour certain points, his core argument is resolutely sound. Put simply the WTS, FDS, call them what you will, can only make the claim to have been appointed by Jesus, per their interpretation of Matt.24:45-47, on the basis of what they were teaching up to the claimed appointment date of 1918/1919. All other arguments around their heightened awareness Christ’s Advent etc are superfluous, because on the basis of what the society was proclaiming as… Read more »
Sorry, I really should quadruple check my ‘Grandma’ before I click Post Comment, triple checking just doesn’t seem to cut it 😐
Meleti Vivlon:
We Have been reading some of your views on your site and obviously you do not want
to be one of Jehovah”s Witnesses.
You are thereby disfellowshipped from the Christian Congregation. You have 7 days to appeal.
Thank You