A Brief look at the "question box" September 2007 KM

by AK - Jeff 33 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Sarah Smiles
    Sarah Smiles

    Once again the WTBTS has taken scriptures out of contexts. 1 Timothy does not fit into the KM paragraph.

    1 Timothy 1:3-7

    3 not a drunken brawler, not a smiter, but reasonable, not belligerent, not a lover of money, 4 a man presiding over his own household in a fine manner, having children in subjection with all seriousness; 5 (if indeed any man does not know how to preside over his own household, how will he take care of God’s congregation?) 6 not a newly converted man, for fear that he might get puffed up [with pride] and fall into the judgment passed upon the Devil. 7 Moreover, he should also have a fine testimony from people on the outside, in order that he might not fall into reproach and a snare of the Devil.

    Internet groups are people on the outside!

    How about applying 1 Timothy 8 which Paul desire people to make firm assertions constantly.

    8 Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire you to make firm assertionsconstantly, in order that those who have believed God may keep their minds on maintaining fine works. These things are fine and beneficial to men.

    A foolish questionings regarding Law, not independent groups who are debating or researching scripture. This scripture does not apply to modern day Christians researching (making sure of all things), and studying the God's word in groups!

    9 But shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.

    A foolish questioning over the law? Can one murder?

    10 As for a man that promotes a sect, (WTBTS) reject him after a first and a second admonition; 11 knowing that such a man has been turned out of the way and is sinning, he being self-condemned.

    This is could apply to an individual Jehovah's Witness who promotes WTBTS publication because it is a sect!

    They forgot to add and apply of Titus 3 and what Paul was stating:

    Titus 3:1 Continue reminding them to be in subjection and be obedient to governments and authorities as rulers, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak injuriously of no one, not to be belligerent, to be reasonable, exhibiting all mildness toward all men.

    There is no reasoning with the WTBTS! they speak injuriously everyone else but their own sect!

  • Ténébreux
    Ténébreux

    I love it. "Does the faithful and discreet slave endorse ... ? No, it does not. AND YET..." In other words, unless we first approve something it should not happen. It's bad by default until we say otherwise.

  • Lucretius
    Lucretius

    Yes it is. In french KM we find the same ideas and the same words. It becomes an universal policy.

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff
    No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature.

    Let me rewrite that first paragraph without the 'Watchtower scare words and phrases'. I only removed the red highlighted words.

    And yet, a few have formed groups to do research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for this purpose. They have held conferences and produced publications to present their findings.

    Without the 'what the hell do you think you are doing by usurping our authority' phraseology, there is little that would disturb anyone, not discourage anyone from free thinking. It is the inclusion of terminology that makes innocent activity appear criminal in the mindless readers that has all the impact. This is another example of the WTS using verbal abuse to create concurrance.

    Jeff

  • M.Bibleres
    M.Bibleres

    Hello folks, thank you for the original version of the KM exerpt. First I got that to read in the german KM but nothing is better than the original version. Well, what are they (the WTS authorities) afraid of? They have good reasons to be because there is something wrong with the NWT bible. I think it is the first time in history of the wts that they have spoken out a radical ban directly. And it is the very issue of a free gathering together for the purpose of the examination of the bible independently from the "spiritual" leaders of the "faithful and descreed slave" and the ban on approaching the text of the bible scientifically. They (the witnesses) are only allowed to refere to the non scientific literature of the wts when it comes to "study" the bible. The question box reveals the wicknesses of the wts' teachings based on helpless lies. M. Bibleres (Germany)

  • SusanHere
    SusanHere

    9 But shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile.

    This is typical JW scripture twisting. The Bible only warns about VAIN geneologies, which is the desire of some to link themselves to high-ranking or important family lines. Then as now there were social climbers and those needing to feel superior to others. That's their problem. Most geneology hobbiests have no such ambitions.

    The Bible itself lists pages of geneology and begats. Lineage was important. The keeping of records was so detailed that today anybody who can establish legitimate connection to a Jewish line can reliably use that record to trace their own line many generations further back. Even the lineage of Christ was given in the Bible. It was important.

    Today millions of people enjoy geneological research, reconnecting with their family roots, etc. It's a huge hobby, and one with few if any negative side effects. It doesn't even cost anything to do it.

    So why this JW ban on something harmless? Perhaps because another religion, the Latter-day Saints, sponsor geneology libraries (the largest in the world and free to all), classes, and have local centers all over everywhere that anyone can walk into and get the assistance they need to access all the information needed to do the research.

    If another religion thinks something is important, and makes it attractive and easy for JWs to participate in, then it must be a really BAAAAAD thing. People who participate in it must be really BAAAAAD people. So goes the JW logic. Plus I suppose there could be the standard "taking time away from more profitable study/meetings/service" warnings.

    In reality, many JWs are involved in geneology, because they know there is no harm in it. My JW sister sought my help in finding her father, whom she hadn't seen since she was a baby. She asked for my help in researching the line, and locating him using the few clues available to her. When the family was found and a reunion arranged with surviving family members (not a totally happy ending) my sister freely gave the credit to the LDS Church, which is exactly where it belongs.

    The JWs are off the mark on this one, as with so many things they ban. This one really makes no sense at all.

    SusanHere

  • Lady Liberty
    Lady Liberty

    Dear AK Jeff,

    Yes, it is true. Funny how when listing all the publications to use when doing personal research they found no where to list the BIBLE!

    Sincerely,

    Lady Liberty

  • AK - Jeff
    AK - Jeff

    In view of the upcoming 'consideration' of this matter in the SM, I decided to send the following letter to a few Jw's by email. Also to some others who are not Jw. It may get sent to the delete box before it is read - but one never knows.

    Kingdom Ministry - September 2007 QUESTION BOX * Does "the faithful and discreet slave" endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?–Matt. 24:45, 47.
    No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the New World Translation. Others explore scientific subjects related to the Bible. They have created Web sites and chat rooms for the purpose of exchanging and debating their views. They have also held conferences and produced publications to present their findings and to supplement what is provided at our Christian meetings and through our literature.
    Throughout the earth, Jehovah's people are receiving ample spiritual instruction and encouragement at congregation meetings, assemblies, and conventions, as well as through the publications of Jehovah's organization. Under the guidance of his holy spirit and on the basis of his Word of truth, Jehovah provides what is needed so that all of God's people may be "fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought" and remain "stabilized in the faith." (1 Cor. 1:10; Col. 2:6, 7) Surely we are grateful for Jehovah's spiritual provisions in these last days. Thus, "the faithful and discreet slave" does not endorse any literature, meetings, or Web sites that are not produced or organized under its oversight.–Matt. 24:45-47.
    It is commendable for individuals to want to use their thinking ability in support of the good news. However, no personal pursuit should detract from what Jesus Christ is accomplishing through his congregation on earth today. In the first century, the apostle Paul warned about getting involved in exhausting, time-consuming subjects, such as "genealogies, which end up in nothing, but which furnish questions for research rather than a dispensing of anything by God in connection with faith." (1 Tim. 1:3-7) All Christians should strive to "shun foolish questionings and genealogies and strife and fights over the Law, for they are unprofitable and futile."–Titus 3:9.
    For those who wish to do extra Bible study and research, we recommend that they explore Insight on the Scriptures, "All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial," and our other publications, such as those that discuss the prophecies found in the Bible books of Daniel, Isaiah, and Revelation. These provide abundant material for Bible study and meditation, whereby we can be "filled with the accurate knowledge of [God's] will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension, in order to walk worthily of Jehovah to the end of fully pleasing him as [we] go on bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the accurate knowledge of God."–Col. 1:9, 10. [Emphasis mine.] To Jw's - Not much commentary needed but this; In this context the Boreans would have been 'chastised' and not commended for their eagerness to 'make sure these things were so', and the Catholics should be commended in our day for accepting on face value whatever the Pope tells them to believe. For what diff is there between a one man Pope and a manifold one? I hope you dare think about how cloistered this would appear to anyone looking in. Wow. A new era in islolationism. It seems as if 'the Truth' has a lot to fear by those willing to think and 'test the truth'. I would honestly love to hear how this can be correctly [from a scriptural point of view] defended. The Jw apologist all over the web are having a difficult time doing so now. Do not read the statements below - if you do, do not make me the bad guy. Intended for others not Jw. Jeff To Non-Jw's - I would be happy to elaborate on this extensively if you wish. This is the strongest suggestion of this type in print [though many times such has been intimated or actually stated in speech or lectures in the Kingdom Halls]. The Organization is definately becoming more and more cultish over time, feeling the pressure of continued failed prophetic interps and a soon approach of 2014, a date that would put Jesus on a throne of inactivity now for 100 years. And what they are forbidding is not 'geneologies', but God's word and a careful examination of the teachings it contains. Employed here is an age-old method of distraction, called 'straw man' argumentation. Also employed is a method of argumentation called 'ad hominem attack'. In this case, those wishing to exercise free will and intelligent debate are attacked, drawing attention away from the illegitimacy of the argument. Next major change? In my humble opinion; the dissolution of 1914. Just as they had to dissolve the '1914 Generation' before the turn of the century [many of course predicted that change years in advance], this too they must clear from the 'books' before they become a laughingstock. Of course it will be labeled 'new light' as always. Jeff

  • breakfast of champions
    breakfast of champions

    Just revisiting this 2007 km question box. A classic worth bumping.

  • slimboyfat

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