[Watchtower study for the week of August 11, 2014 – w14 6/15 p. 17]
This is the follow-up article to last week’s study on the need to love our God, Jehovah.
It begins with a review of the illustration Jesus gave of the injured Samaritan to show who really is our neighbor. To show that we, as Jehovah’s Witnesses, are like the Samaritan, paragraph 5 uses the example of the relief aid we provided to “our brothers and others” who suffered loss from Hurricane Sandy in New York in 2012. There is genuine Christian love at work in many of our brothers who willingly give of their time and resources to help others in such times. However, is that due to our Organization or to the love of the Christ? No mention is made in the article of any other relief efforts made by other Christians who are not Jehovah’s Witnesses as this might tend to negate the underlying teaching that only Jehovah’s Witnesses are true Christians. If love of neighbor is to be a criteria, then it is only of us to widen our search.
A simple google search reveals that many other Christian denominations engaged in relief efforts. [i] This is relevant in light of the illustration we are using to make our point, because for the Jews, a Samaritan was a despised individual. They were apostates who didn’t recognize the temple as the center of worship. Jews wouldn’t even talk to them. They were the ancient equivalent of a disfellowshipped person. (John 4:7-9)
The Simplified Edition states, “Jehovah’s Witnesses were different. They organized help for their brothers and others in the area because true Christians love their neighbor.” A witness child reading this will be led to believe that we were the only ones showing love of neighbor then, when in fact our relief efforts for those poor and suffering have long lagged behind those of other Christian denominations—ones which we view in the same way as the Jews did the Samaritans.
How We Can Show Neighbor Love
Paragraphs 6 thru 10 show us ways in which Christians can show love of neighbor. These are all valid, scriptural methods. However, they are not limited to the activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses. There are Christians in virtually every denomination who display these qualities. There are also those who call themselves Christians in every denomination (including ours) who do not display these qualities.
A Special Way to Show Neighbor Love
It seems we can rarely have an article which does not in some way promote the door-to-door preaching activity. Paragraphs 11 thru 13 do this. Paragraph 12 opens with: “Like Jesus, we help people to become conscious of their spiritual need. (Matt. 5:3)” Our translation offers an interpretive translation. What Jesus actually says is “Blessed are the poor in spirit”. The word he uses is ptóchos which is derived from ptōssō meaning “to crouch or cower like a beggar”. (Helps Word-studies) A beggar is already aware of his need. He doesn’t need anyone to tell him about it.
The Simplified Edition puts this differently. “Jesus helped many people to understand that they needed Jehovah.” Here we are giving Jesus’ message a subtle twist. Jesus preached only to Jews. The Jews knew they needed Jehovah. What they didn’t know was how to get reconciled to him. Some thought themselves rich, and so were not begging for the spirit. Others were intensely aware of their spiritual poverty. To these, Jesus preached the way to fill that need. (John 14:4)
Paragraph 12 (Simplified Edition) goes on to state, “We imitate Jesus when we tell people about “God’s good news. (Romans 1:1) We teach them that Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible for them to have Jehovah’s approval and friendship. (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19) Preaching the good news is truly an important way to show love for our neighbor.”
The first sentence can only be considered true of us if we are really telling people about “God’s good news”. We have good news for people to be sure: Eternal life in health and youth on a paradise Earth. But is that the good news God gave us to declare? We cite Romans 1:1, but what of the following verses? Paul describes this good news in verses 2 to 5, then continues in 6 and 7 to show that the Romans were called to belong to Jesus Christ as God’s beloved ones, called to be holy ones. The beloved ones are also holy ones. Paul speaks of holy ones again in Romans 8:27, after showing in verse 21 that such ones are children of God. He makes no mention of friendship with God. So the good news we declare is not God’s good news. Jesus never preached a good news about become reconciled with God as his friends. A familial relationship with God as a child with a father is what he was preaching.
We cite 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19 as proof that we are correctly teaching that Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible for our neighbors to gain God’s approval and friendship. It makes no mention of friendship. What Paul refers to in the preceding verse is “a new creation”.
“Therefore, if anyone is in union with Christ, he is a new creation;. . .” (2Co 5:17)
Paul tells the Galatians:
“For neither is circumcision anything nor is uncircumcision, but a new creation is. 16 As for all those who walk orderly by this rule of conduct, peace and mercy be upon them, yes, upon the Israel of God.” (Ga 6:14-16)
This new creation is the Israel of God. These are not God’s friends, but his children.
If we preach a good news other than that which God gave Jesus to preach, we are misleading people away from the Christ and from God. How can we consider that to be a loving thing to do? The Samaritan’s love for the injured Jew was manifest by his providing the needed care. A nice bowl of chicken soup would not have done the trick. It would have been an ineffectual display of love.
We excuse our lack of social services for the needy and poor, even among our own ranks, rationalizing that our preaching work is of greater importance. (w60 8/15 Social Reform or the Good News; James 1:27) But if our preaching work amounts to teaching another good news, then our love for neighbor—as sincere as it may be—is of little value. In fact, we may be working against God. (Ga 1:8)
An Inspired Description of Love
Paragraph 14 thru 18 offer good scriptural counsel on the application of Paul’s definition of love found at 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Unfortunately, the application from our Organization given in paragraph 17 comes across as hypocritical. “Genuine love…”does not keep account of the injury,” as though we were making entries in a ledger when others do something unloving.” The Simplified Edition has a sidebar that states: “We should not keep a record of all the times that a person hurts us.”
The congregation and branch service desk filing cabinets are full of “ledger entries” recording the wrongs done by brothers and sisters. If a brother is disfellowshipped, those records are preserved even long after he has been reinstated (forgiven). We most definitely do keep a written and filed record of all the times a person has hurt us as an Organization. If a brother or sister sins, the files are consulted to see if he or she has done this before. Any past sins, though “forgiven” are not “forgotten” and may be used against them as a means to determine how genuine their repentance may be. We can all be so very happy that Jehovah does not keep an account of all our past sins. (Isaiah 1:18; Acts 3:19)
There is no scriptural basis for this policy of ours which has much in common with the criminal record- keeping practices of Satan’s world.
Keep on Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself
Jesus chose a Samaritan to make his point, because this was a man the Jews would consider as an apostate; one they would not even approach. What if the shoe were on the other foot? What if it were the Samaritan lying unconscious and injured on the road and the average Jew walking by?
Applying this to our day, how can we show love for our JW-equivalent of the Samaritan, a disfellowshipped one?
Back in 1974, we had this to say:
But consider a less extreme situation. What if a woman who had been disfellowshiped were to attend a congregational meeting and upon leaving the hall found that her car, parked nearby, had developed a flat tire? Should the male members of the congregation, seeing her plight, refuse to aid her, perhaps leaving it up to some worldly person to come along and do so? This too would be needlessly unkind and inhumane. Yet situations just like this have developed, perhaps in all good conscience, yet due to a lack of balance in viewpoint.
(w74 8/1 p. 467 par. 6 Maintaining a Balanced Viewpoint Toward Disfellowshiped Ones)
That such situations developed back then wasn’t really due to “good conscience”, but to a conscience that had been trained by article and discourse to hold an unloving attitude. Many acted this way out of fear for themselves; fear of the possible repercussions if they were seen talking with or assisting an disfellowshipped one. I recall this article as a breath of fresh air, yet, that was 40 years ago! There has been nothing similar since. We get “reminders” upon “reminders” of what we should and should not be doing, yet we get few if any reminders on how to lovingly deal with disfellowshipped “neighbors”. I’ve personally seen too many instances where the love the Samaritan showed has been sadly lacking in our dealings with disfellowshipped ones and their families.
[i] While not endorsing any institution or church, here are the top three I found with my google search:
http://www.christianpost.com/news/superstorm-sandy-christian-relief-organizations-ready-for-massive-deployment-84141/
http://www.samaritanspurse.org/our-ministry/samaritans-purse-disaster-relief-teams-working-in-new-jersey-to-help-victims-of-hurricane-sandy-press-release/
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/pda/hurricane-sandy/
First off, it’s me SilverTop, I have a WordPress blog which I’d forgotten about. Anyway. Just wanted to let everyone know that blessednubian and Silvertop are one and the same. Agape!
Like the Father and the Son are one :):):):):)
Chris, you said to me: “If a doctor says ( hypothetically) that we can cure AIDS then why say “No you can’t because you said in the 1981 Medical Journal you can’t.” My point for saying that is when I stated that the GB says that not only JWs will be saved you go on to say “Well the 1980 WT blah blah blah”. If they say it now then that’s the current understanding. Why quote old understanding. Religion is like medicine. It changes with time and understanding.” Chris, I don’t think you read my comment, or Menrov’s either, since… Read more »
That was absurd! Yet another example of the Governing Pharisees at work
What about the nonsense involving hugging your spouse or embracing someone you love during a prayer. Some spiritual policeman must have been watching these shenanigans and decided it was not “Theocratic”. These are the kinds of things that indicate how much control these people have over the lives of the brotherhood.
Heres some more things that ive encountered my son wasnt allowed to share a bible with his girl at the meeting going to the meeting on the same car no good using another bible other than nwt on the ministry and at meetings .my other son gave a great talk in the school but his tie was crooked i got it in the neck for that one A rocket for sitting at the back of the hall . sideboards banned never mind beards .one young pioneer couple counselled about living in a caravan .that was no good ..complaints about my… Read more »
The sad reality about Luke 10 : 29 – 37 is that the ‘exemplary jw’ is only trained @ best 2 be the 1st 2 in the scenario. The term ‘good samaritan’ is universally used by people ranging from the most devout, 2 atheist who dont even know the story’s origin. We are no exception. We often miss the whole point of the parable.Jesus used the example of an outcast 2 show up the flaws of so called exemplary ones. Fact is @ least 80 % of jw’s wouldnt know what 2 do if a disfellowshiped person started choking in… Read more »
Haha don’t take it too far 😉 You can’t believe what you wrote here yourself. For all the mind control the society has, it only goes so far. I record an experience of a GB member announcing in a Texas stadium that football was bad. Do you really think they took that advice? haha.
¿Wheresenoch? you actually make a good point when you say: “We often miss the whole point of the parable.Jesus used the example of an outcast 2 show up the flaws of so called exemplary ones. Fact is @ least 80 % of jw’s wouldnt know what 2 do if a disfellowshiped person started choking in the kh! Their non-Biblicaly trained conscience would tell them 2 take the course of least resistance & remove themselves from the situation.” Your %ages might be a little off since I know what people agree to openly often do secretly. Even the disfellowshipped fear to… Read more »
The sad reality about Luke 10: 29 – 37 is that the ‘ exemplary jw’ is only trained @ best 2 be the 1st 2 in the scenario. The term ‘good samaritan’ is universally used by people ranging from the most devout, 2 atheist who dont even know the story’s origin. We are no exception. We often miss the whole point of the parable. Jesus used the example of an outcast 2 show up the flaws of so called exemplary ones. Fact is @ least 80% of jw’s wouldnt know what 2 do if a disfellowshiped person started choking in… Read more »
Just read this statement:
it is getting very serious this Ebola issue. i am very scared.
i pray Jehovah looks after us (the brothers and sisters).
The whole message is here: http://www.jw-archive.org/post/94580338858/please-read-all-the-way-down-this-email-is-from#sthash.u1cYnvng.dpbs
So much for loving your neighbor, if we pray for Jehovah to look after us only…..
Does this advice apply to the internet? Because I have seen some pretty pushy, obnoxious, rude, JWs online, even pushing the jw.org in CNN comments and insulting anyone who disagrees with them. How can that possibly be a ‘good witness’? No one sees that and says “wow, I want to be like them, they are so like Jesus!” It’s really embarrassing and even borders on creepy. “Loving” isn’t exactly the first word that comes to mind.
The Chicken Little Organization strikes again!
More motivation through FEAR !!
“A sense of urgency must be cultivated, and it is necessary to have it to survive the end of this system of things.” – (October 2014, Our Kingdom Ministry, Pg. 3, How to Cultivate a Sense of Urgency About Preaching)
So if you don’t have “a sense of urgency” … Then you are not going to survive the end of this system of things!! You are going to DIE!!
Can you please show me the scriptural backing for this?
How many times do your hear brothers and sisters quoting John 12:8 as a reason why they do the preaching work and not give to the poor and needy! To be fair though, in order to understand the scriptures you need to read them for yourself and not rely on others to interpret them – Jesus did not say that for everything he said you would need someone to explain what he meant; if we really listen to Jesus, we will understand what he is saying quite well. When I used to attend the KH, I used to think how… Read more »
What’s the difference between reading the bible and having a preacher say what it means vs already having it written down. At least in the KH we get a chance to say what we think vs having a preacher tell us with no input.
JW’s are being presented with a pre-defined article with pre-defined questions of which the answer is pre-defined in the article as well as selected bible verses. There is hardly any input from an individual. If one answers that is not in line with the article contents, that answer is dismissed. I do agree however that simply listening to a preacher telling his audience what the interpretation is, is nothing better. It is absolutely the same as with JW’s, only methodology is different. It is therefore recommended to read the bible on your own and review the bible (and bible only)… Read more »
I can see where you’re going with that but wouldn’t people not be in unity?
I think its incredible when a person puts aside all the opinions of organised religion and just reads the bible as it is on face value with no interference from outside sources how many people come to the same conclusion about its message .Of course im convinced that while we live in this world there always will be differences of opinion . We have different backgrounds and outlooks different experiences in life . We are also at different stages of learning are these not the thoughts of romans 14 The brothers harp on about the importance of speaking in agreement… Read more »
“At least in the KH we get a chance to say what we think” – Are you serious ?
Unity is motivated by love of truth.
I think people confuse unity with conformity. JW are conform. True unity like Jannai said is found in love, which is from above. We have a hard time loving those who are not exactly thinking and looking like we do.
I have to agree with KevC and anonymous on this. We are provided written material that we study, underline, and answer the questions posed. No one in my KH ever disagrees with anything, or gives a totally different opinion than what the paragraphs express. This is no free speech nor unity. It is truly conformity.
*** g03 5/8 pp. 26-27 Does Christian Unity Require Uniformity? *** Unity, Not Uniformity In another of his letters, Paul urged Christians to serve God with their “power of reason.” (Romans 12:1) Certainly, then, he would not have been trying to turn members of the Corinthian congregation into unthinking automatons. But why did he tell them to be “fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought”? Paul gave this counsel because the congregation in Corinth was experiencing a serious problem. Factions had developed, so that some viewed Apollos as their leader while others favored Paul… Read more »
I don’t think other Christians are expressly discouraged from studying the Bible “alone or in small groups”, are they? Are Witnesses? Why?
It bothers me how the focus is on the preaching to the “neighbor” and not the actions of love shown. This is one of the differences with the wt vs other Christian groups. They focus on actually helping people ie the salvos, Joyce Meyer foundation to name a few they set up support groups to actually help the poor, needy, homeless, depressed etc. I’m sure they have made many disciples in this way because they share Christs message along with their Good Samaritan approach. Actions speak louder than words
Joyce Meyer is a fraud. She may give money but she lives high off the hog. She’s being investigated for violating the non profit laws. Take free give free. Millions of dollars in salary doesn’t say free, humble , or truthful.
Thanks billy for your comments i agree with you about other charities seem to do better at christian giving Dont know about the joyce meyer foundation . And the investigation . I do know this though even if the organisers are living the good life .they still are at least in some way practically helping disadvantaged ones . So to me they still seem to be beating the witnesses in this field .By the way i was looking at the chrarity commission website in UK the other day and guess whos also being investigated . Kev
I know non witness Christians personally who have dedicated their time and money that they work for themselves to help poor destitute people and share the message of the bible with it – I have very high regard for them – they have acted like the Good Samaritan, in my opinion – You mention Joyce Meyer is a fraud – It maybe true or not I don’t know – but when I see her helping people ads on the television it stirs my conscience that we should all be helping and supporting everyone – if some is discovered as a… Read more »
Like most of those TV preachers Joyce Meyer loves the sound of her own voice and the worship of the masses. I say worship, because it is exactly that! While they make overtures of devotion to Christ it really is all about their own egos. It is the stuff of ages. The early Christian were repeatedly warned about this attitude. If we take up the mantle of a teacher of God’s Word then we will suffer a greater judgment if we misuse or abuse that trust. Jesus illustrations about the gathering of his sheep (Wheat & weeds, Dragnet) makes it… Read more »
Joyce Meyer will have to answer to God not you or I – I don’t go to her church
I think cruel personal attacks on her looks are uncalled for and rude
Obviously ‘vanity’ got the better of her because she looked fine before she felt the need to mess with her God given face. Perhaps she hasn’t read 1 Peter 3:3 or all of 1 Timothy 2 The woman has an ego problem and too much money. I’m not judging her, it’s a psychological fact! Rude, maybe, but I would say it to her face. I have no time for these pedestal craving charlatans who want us all to know just how wonderful they think they are. There are many who do fine deeds who do so modestly without focusing on… Read more »
In view of the fact that this term comes up from time to time, I would like to say that if there is one thing that makes me angry about the Society it is there name calling, to call a person mentally diseased is wicked, cruel and can be very damaging to an individual. It’s bad enough to call anyone that, but what if a person actually did have mental health problems and someone called you mentally diseased.
Where in the Scriptures can we find a verse that says or implies that Christians with questions and different opinion on matters of their conscience are to be called mentally diseased? The Governing Body (GB) is protecting WT doctrines with Jerusalem-like walls, as if they are so sacred, that nobody should come out in the open and question for fear that this will cause divisions and sects, thereby threatening the unity of the organization. While this may sound logical on a leadership perspective, on a long-term perspective, it would not be healthy as suppressed problems would just linger and remain… Read more »
Yes … If the truth is the truth … and there is nothing to hide … then the GB should not fear scrutiny. In fact they should invite scrutiny!
They like to say that the information control that they employ is to protect the congregation. But in reality it is to protect their (the GB’s) ecclesiastical power. They don’t want you talking to those “Christians with questions and different opinions on matters of their conscience” because you might just find out that what they are saying in solidly based on the scriptures.
A few of my observations: Par. 4: says that Jesus’ illustration surely teaches us to show compassion and love for our neighbor. No, it teaches us who are neighbor, as this illustration was a response to the question Who is my neighbor? Par 6 starts with the question How is our preaching work related to being neighborly? To me, playing with words as Jesus said we must love our neighbor as yourself,and not how to be a good neighbor.But such a question is required to introduce the activities a JW is involved in and to make a JW feel he… Read more »
“why would a baptized JW not know what to do…..??? peculiar…” It certainly is peculiar, but lack of spiritual depth is not uncommon. Take, for example, the “Questions from Readers” article on cremation in this same magazine. Notice why this article needed to be written: “Whether a dead person is cremated or not, Jehovah is not limited in his ability to restore the person to life with a new body.” “Jehovah does not have to reassemble a person’s former body in order to resurrect him.” “Our hope in the resurrection rests, not on what might be done with the physical… Read more »
The reason why is because pagans cremated to ensure that the spirit would not inhabit the dead persons body. The peoples wanted to know this to see if they should do it because it was a pagan custom.
I don’t think so. That pagan custom is never mentioned in the article. Rather, the phrases I quoted indicate that some fear that cremation will obstruct resurrection. However, even if it were as you say, a mature Christian shouldn’t need Big Brother to render a verdict on it to know what to do.
Hi anderestimate, good morning. You mentioned why there’s lack of spiritual depth among JWs in general. Well, I think it’s because of voluminous publications that literally surround them, making them complacent. There was a time when I unwittingly became overly dependent on Society’s publications. Now think of an average JW. If he is showered by numerous WT literature, is he going to have the time to research outside of the Organization? He might even justify: “If I cannot even read all of our publications, then why spend time researching using other sources, other versions of the Bible included?” 🙂
One brother told me not too long ago that if it wasn’t published by the WTBTS, he hadn’t read it. That would explain a few things.
And they can talk about the preaching work as a proof all they want but isnt it true that at the end of the day its just words .We can talk about how lovely its going to be in a paradise earth where everyone loves one another and gets on great. The real truth is though unless we are living that type of life now they are just empty words . Christianity is a religion of action not words . 1 JOHN 3 v 18 dear children we should not love in word nor in tongue but in work and… Read more »
Hello Kev I so agree with you about the nightmare of the wt paradise to look forward to I say to Jehovah – I’m so depressed being in this religion – people outside of the wt act more like Good Samaritans – no freedom of speech, very little support, no social life, made to feel guilty if I have interests outside of meetings and preaching, self righteousness, hypocrisy etc. sister billy
I wonder if the good samaritan did all those good works and then went on to ask if was insured to reimburse the costs .???? Ive no doubt though that there among the brothers those who have geniune love for others but does that prove en bloc that the organisation is the only true religion .No it just shows that those individuals have love for others . Thanks for sharing with us more of the full picture .meleti .
The 1974 quote was written by Ray Franz,which explains the more balanced tone used. This was, as most on this forum know, overturned by the hardline Sept 15,1981 WT articles. As for the jw.org website quote, this is the WT presenting its ‘public face’.
I also wonder how many would consider it to be a privilege to show their “LOVE “if a request similar to the first century came into effect. Namely that all brothers and sisters cash in their assets so that it could be divided equally amongst their brothers and sisters ?
“Love your enemies” heads up Par 8 quoting Matt. 5:43-45, “However, I say to you: Continue to love your enemies and to pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves sons of your Father who is in the heavens.” Harking back to “Who Is My Neighbor?” in paragraphs 3 & 4, weren’t the Pharisees and Samaritans such enemies? Had the Samaritan’s compassion been witnessed by another Samaritan or had Jesus been illustrating a “Good Pharisee” helping a Samaritan, neither would have remained popular among their peers. And to say such kindness was in any way predicated… Read more »
Fully agree with this:
And to say such kindness was in any way predicated by the desire to convert either one to the other’s religion is insulting to Jesus to say the least, since he was talking about unconditional love, i.e., “Not contingent; not determined or influenced by someone, something else,” or someone else’s religion.
That is so true Yobec
They are more concerned with their real estate empire than the rank & file.
It was the same during Rutherfords tenure during the Great Depression.
The brothers and sisters, and especially the pioneers, slaved away with pennies while Rutherford lived an opulent privileged lifestyle while making overtures of his own humility and sacrifice.
Yet astonishingly with the exception of a few forthright brothers he went unopposed.
Like the WTS today they use God as their weapon and wield his word as their personal dictionary.
I have nothing but contempt for these hypocrites and false apostles!!
The Watchtower reported that some of our brothers can only afford 1 meal per day. If genuine love of neighbor is truly that importsant amongst the Watchtower Clergy Class then why don’t they do like the apostles did in the first century and sell off all their corporate assets and distribute it throughout the brotherhood so that there can be an “equalization “? If they w’ere asked that question, they would probably say that they must use their funds to fulfill their preaching commission. Isn’t that similar to the reasonings of the Pharisees when it came to the use of… Read more »
I fully agree. I noticed that one of the links Meleti included (samaritan purse) published a financial report. I do not believe the GB would ever do that.
“It does say that “many now living may yet begin to serve God, and they too will gain salvation. In any case, it’s not our job to judge who will or won’t be saved. That assignment rests squarely in Jesus’ hands.” I see this to mean that many who are not Jehovah’s servants will gain salavstio a me this it’s up to jesus toto decide who they are. Our elder mentioned this at the platform. That we will also have many non witnesses make it through Armageddon. With us. Those whom Jesus determines” Chris, At first glance, it seems to… Read more »
If a doctor says ( hypothetically) that we can cure AIDS then why say “No you can’t because you said in the 1981 Medical Journal you can’t.”
My point for saying that is when I stated that the GB says that not only JWs will be saved you go on to say “Well the 1980 WT blah blah blah”. If they say it now then that’s the current understanding. Why quote old understanding. Religion is like medicine. It changes with time and understanding.
There is a big difference between dealing with a difficult disease and Scriptural truth. They could say that “it appears to mean” or “as we understand it” That is reasonable and modest before God, because they don’t know for certain. And if you apply that rule then you must also allow others to hold a differing view unless that view goes directly against what is Scripturally apparent. The WTS allows no dissent, no matter how polite or respectfully it is presented to them because they see themselves alone as dispensers of Bible truth. If I say I am “God’s Appointed… Read more »
So of every denomination that has ever said anything false must disband?
And no there is no difference. Biblical interpretation changes. Medical discovery changes. You think that because you’re on the outside looking in that you have all this wisdom. NO ONE HAS 100% Truth. Just because someone has a belief that isn’t said in Gods name is not any better. They used the bible to back their claims up. That’s why they said it was Gods words. It’s not like the LDS religion who says things that are not in the bible and they fail. At least the WT had the bible to back if up. Also when you get on… Read more »
If one claims to be or hold the truth then there is no room for failure. If still failure occurs that means the claim is false. This is valid for everyone and every organisation who made or make the claim to be or hold the truth.
I can accept failure unless one makes the claim to be or hold the truth.
Discussion around biblical views are healthy as it sharpens and will avoid that I am telling people incorrect biblical views.
If one claims to be or hold the truth then there is no room for failure. If still failure occurs that means the claim is false. This is valid for everyone and every organisation who made or make the claim to be or hold the truth.
I can accept failure unless one makes the claim to be or hold the truth.
Discussion around biblical views are healthy as it sharpens and will avoid that I am telling people incorrect biblical views.
There is a very BIG difference. While you claim JWs use the Bible to back-up what they are saying in contrast to other religions this is simply not true. Sure, like other denominations we can point to a line of scriptural reasoning on some subjects and some of these hold validity but the WTS is equally guilty of making things up by trying to link unrelated scriptures together to support a distinct belief. 1914 is a classic example of a carefully woven belief that does not hold up under scrutiny. Sure you can make it work as a doctrine by… Read more »
That’s your opinion in what you think is a stipulation on ” those who’ve yet to serve Jehovah” means. I see that as those who are predisposed for everlasting life. ( Acts 13:28). But that said that only Jesus can judge.
I don’t think we think that only JWs will be saved thus question was posed once and the WT answered. Here is the WT answer. “No. Many millions who lived in centuries past and who weren’t Jehovah’s Witnesses will have an opportunity for salvation. The Bible explains that in God’s promised new world, “there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Acts 24:15) Additionally, many now living may yet begin to serve God, and they too will gain salvation. In any case, it’s not our job to judge who will or won’t be saved.… Read more »
If that attitude pervaded the publications Chris then that would be noble. But if we dig into the publications, even a little, you will find an extreme and self righteous tone. It is somewhat disingenuous to claim that this assignment falls squarely in “Jesus’ hands” yet actively promote the governing body and the organization as the key to salvation. I sometimes wonder if there is a rogue element in the writing committee because the society seems to suffer from a personality disorder when it comes to this subject. At one point making soothing comments as you quoted above and yet… Read more »
Remember that must of what you quote is Old literature. We used to teach that homosexuals were mentally diseased. We don’t anymore. So quoting me old literature doesn’t change what I stated which was only a few years ago.
So “God’s Channel of Communication” got it wrong? They still say that so called ‘apostates’ are mentally diseased. Will they at some point turn around and adopt a Biblical understandings that these ones have been placing in front of them for years? In some respects they have been adjusting small things gradually, such as their perverse interpretation of the misuse of blood. But they never candidly, humbly admit they were ever wrong in the first place, because that would be to lose face and the prestige they crave. They make a mockery of all the humble servants of God who… Read more »
Here are some recent quotes that are strongly implying that only Jehovah’s Witnesses will survive Armageddon: “For the security and survival of true worshipers, an arklike spiritual paradise exists. (2 Corinthians 12:3, 4) To be preserved through the great tribulation, we must remain in that paradise.“ – (Watchtower 2003, 12/15, p. 19, par. 22, Our Watchfulness Takes On Greater Urgency) “Soon, Jehovah’s day will come. Now is the time to return to our heavenly Father’s loving arms and to the congregation—the only safe haven in these last days.—Deut. 33:27; Heb. 10:24, 25.” – (Watchtower 2013, 11/15, p. 14, par. 17,… Read more »
Remember that many times the apostles had incorrect thinking. They correct their thinking and move on. Christendom continues to believe in their traditions even when proven wrong will still believe them. Like baptists with once saved always saved. Totally unbiblical. But they still believe. At least JWs will be humble admit they are wrong and move on. The Catholics killed many that challenged that the earth is in the center and the sun revolves around it. Even though it’s proven false today. Did they apologize. No. JWs are imperfect.
No, deleted, they do NOT “humbly admit they are wrong.” When has the GB ever humbly admitted they were wrong? At best they blame the brothers and sisters (1975) and at worst, they say “wait on Jehovah” which to my thinking is a most unbelievably blasphemous statement. “We screwed up, but really, it’s Jehovah’s fault for not giving us the right info”. Seriously? And no, no scripture in the Bible justifies this, but there is a scripture in Deuteronomy that condemns it… Also, it is a misconception that the Catholic church suppressed all scientific thought. Throughout most of the middle… Read more »
The Apostles had incorrect thinking at one time it another they correct their thinking and move on.
If the apostles had a wrong concept or idea, it was Jesus who corrected them. But once they started to write letters to the various congregations, their understanding was correct. Otherwise their letters are not to be used anymore. Stating JW are imperfect is correct and so it is true for everyone else. Nothing special. Stating that the organisation is humble is not correct. If you claim to be the only organisation through which Jehovah speaks and educates and that te WBTS holds the truth (and by consequence, all others are bad and false) (humble??), one must expect that whatever… Read more »
If a doctor says ( hypothetically) that we can cure AIDS then why say “No you can’t because you said in the 1981 Medical Journal you can’t.”
My point for saying that is when I stated that the GB says that not only JWs will be saved you go on to say “Well the 1980 WT blah blah blah”. If they say it now then that’s the current understanding. Why quote old understanding. Religion is like medicine. It changes with time and understanding.
Daily text for Tuesday, July 29, 2014
“…If a person clings to false doctrines, such as the Trinity and the immortality of the soul, he cannot benefit from the ransom.
But we can. We know the truth…”
WT 13 2/15 2:15,16
And I totally believe that. If I worship a trinity then it is not the correct god of the Bible. It would be a false God.
Every devotion to a pagan god is wrong. However, not giving the right devotion to by God appointed people is also wrong…..in other words, where some denominations have adopted a Trinity God, the WBTS has downgraded the Son to merely an angel.that hardly deserves any honour. John 5:23 says The one who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. IN addition, John 14:6 says I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Just remember that anyone who want to come to the father,… Read more »
I can’t say that I know of any christian denominations that worship “false Gods” . It may be more correct that mainstream christianity worships Jesus….who is not a “false” God. Is.9:6 Titus 2:13 John 20:28
just a question out there. Is Jesus a false God? Is Jesus an Idol? Can he be?
Just rationally think about what you are saying about your Lord and Savior.
It’s easy to get into these easy stabs at trinitarians for professing what they feel is biblically accurate, even though it’s very hard to understand.
If you read Matt 28:17 (And when they saw him, they worshipped him…), what do you think? The 11 Apostles were mislead into false worshipping? Did Jesus correct them at that moment?: 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember,… Read more »
1 Chron 29:20 says King David was worshiped so is he God? No. So worship to Jesus is not the same as worship to God
My brother it is amazing to see how we are able to teach two things at the same time, they may say one thing there and another here, you and i know that what they wants us to believe is that we are the only one that will be save base on the fact that we are apart of the Org., that is the point i have always seen promoted and even i myself have told others that from the plat form.
Thank you for your comment.
Mailman, I appreciate your heartfelt comment.
How kind and compassionate Jesus is to teach us how to show love and who our neighbor really is.
Hello imacountrygirl2, good Asian morning. Hope you had a great weekend. Thanks for the kind appreciation. 🙂
It’s our pleasure to contribute. It’s like the Master’s clever reply in Luke 19:40: “He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.” In a similar vein, I could not help myself but let this thing out and break the silence in me. Let Jehovah and Christ’s words lead us to wisdom and discernment, independent of the dictates of an authoritative body.
Hi Meleti, good morning! I was surprised to see W74 presenting a balanced viewpoint about disfellowshipped Christians. Sorry to the WT writers but I just felt loving thy neighbor, as Jesus taught us, is the opposite of shunning disfellowshipped (DF’d) JWs. While these people have sinned and were removed from the Congregation, I think they remain to be our “neighbor”, or within the meaning of neighbor in a sensible perspective. Hence, there is lack of basis for not speaking to them at all, totally ignoring them like mentally diseased patients or despising them like people suffering from leprosy. Imagine seeing… Read more »