Comments You Will Not Hear at the 5-25-08 WT Study (March 15, 2008, pages 25-29)(VIEW)Review comments will be in redWT material from today's WT will be in black
Quotes from other sources will be in quotes boxes
w = Watchtower
g = Awake
jv = Proclaimers book
Bible translations www.biblegateway.com/cgi-bin/bible
WT publications www.strictlygenteel.co.uk
WT child abuse www.silentlambs.org
Blood issue www.ajwrb.org
United Nations http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
DO YOU VIEW OTHERS AS JEHOVAH DOES? "There should be no division in the body' ... Its members should have the same care for one another. "-1 COR. 12:25.
OPENING COMMENTS
Do we view others as Jesus does? Why does the WTS apply a description of the anointed Christian congregation to the almost 7 million non-anointed jws? Is the 'body' spoken here mean more than the 144,000 according to the WTS?
(1 Corinthians 12:12-13) 12 For just as the body is one but has many members, and all the members of that body, although being many, are one body, so also is the Christ. 13 For truly by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink one spirit.... 27 Now YOU are Christ’s body, and members individually.
Are the great crowd/other sheep part of Christ's body?
*** w95 7/1 p. 11 par. 9 Christian Witnesses With Heavenly Citizenship ***
The worldwide body of anointed Christians is “the congregation of the firstborn who have been enrolled in the heavens.” (Hebrews 12:23) They are the first to benefit from Jesus’ ransom sacrifice. They are also “Christ’s body,” which shows their intimate relationship with one another and with Jesus. (1 Corinthians 12:27) Paul wrote: “Just as the body is one but has many members, and all the members of that body, although being many, are one body, so also is the Christ. For truly by one spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink one spirit.”—1 Corinthians 12:12, 13; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 1:22, 23; 3:6.
*** w51 6/1 p. 345 “Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church” ***
Note that this church or congregation is termed by Jesus “my church”. It is not the church or congregation of Paul, Apollos or Peter, for, as Paul well states, none of these died for the Christians. (1 Cor. 1:12, 13) It is Christ’s body, his bride, and consists of 144,000 members. Following in his footsteps faithfully to death, these will share in his resurrection and glory.—1 Cor. 12:12-28; Eph. 1:22, 23; Col. 1:17, 18, 24; 2 Tim. 2:11, 12; Rev. 14:1, 3.
START OF ARTICLE
Q 1. How did you feel when you first entered the spiritual paradise?
WHEN we first came out of the wicked world and began associating with Jehovah's people, we were likely delighted to experience the warm love and care that exist among them. What a contrast to the coarse, hateful, and contentious people under Satan's control! We came into the spiritual paradise, which is filled with peace and unity. -Isa. 48:17, 18; 60:18; 65:25 .
wicked world--all non-jws
Jehovah's people--only jws
warm love and care--only jws
coarse, hateful, and contentious people under Satan's control--all non-jws
Are non-jws who think they are worshipping God, really doing so per the WTS or worshipping the "god of this system" Satan, unknowingly?
*** w90 12/1 p. 6 Which God Should You Worship? ***
Satan has enormous influence. The apostle John said that “the whole world” is lying in his power, and Paul called him “the god of this system of things.” (1 John 5:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4) Hence, worship of any god apart from Jehovah is really worship of Satan.
*** w84 7/15 p. 9 Which God Will You Serve? ***
The god of this system of things, Satan the Devil, is worshiped today, but not so much by means of service to some local agricultural god, as Baal was in ancient times. Instead Satan receives worship when people put material things first, serving their own interests rather than doing the will of their Creator, Jehovah God.
*** w75 4/15 p. 232 par. 21 “Who Is Jehovah,” So That All Should Worship Him? ***
Today mankind in general is caught between the forces of nationalism and materialism. Many are falling to the worship of both nationalism and materialism. The others, although having no special personal interest in national politics, are yielding to the worship of materialism. What individual on earth today can say that he worships nothing? He may think that, because he boasts of believing in no intelligent personal God, he is not worshiping a god or gods. But if he honestly examines himself, he will find that he is making nationalism, materialism, sports, sex, his own belly, and other selfish things, his gods and is slaving for them. Furthermore, in worshiping these selfish things of the world, he is unwittingly worshiping the personification of selfishness, Satan the Devil, “the god of this system of things.”
Is this how God views people: coarse, hateful, contentious? How can jws speak to them about God with an attitude of hopefulness they will respond?
Considering the points in the last week's article, how can the WTS say that they alone have peace and unity?
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/6/158539/1.ashx
Q 2. (a) What may affect our view of others? (b) What may we need to do?
2. As time passes, however, we might begin to look at our brothers through the distorted lens of imperfection. Our imperfection could cause us to magnify the faults of our brothers instead of looking at their overall spiritual qualities. Simply put, we forget to view them as Jehovah views them. If this happens to us, it is time to give attention to our view and bring it into line with Jehovah's clear view.-Ex. 33: 13.
look at our brothers through the distorted lens of imperfection: gossipers, pedophiles, adulterers, wife and/or child beaters, liars.....
How could such faults be "magnified"? How would God view them?
*** w89 10/15 pp. 13-14 pars. 19-20 Guard Against Harmful Gossip! ***
Still another reason not to spread harmful gossip is that it can be murderous. Yes, it can be deadly, destroying an innocent person’s good reputation. Some tongues are ‘sharp swords,’ and bitter words are like arrows shot at the blameless from ambush. David prayed: “May you [Jehovah] conceal me from the confidential talk of evildoers, from the tumult of practicers of hurtfulness, who have sharpened their tongue just like a sword, who have aimed their arrow, bitter speech, to shoot from concealed places at someone blameless.” (Psalm 64:2-4) Would you want to be responsible for saying such evil things about a fellow human to the point that he felt compelled to pray to God for relief, as did the psalmist? Do you want to be guilty of what amounts to murder? Slander can lead to expulsion from God’s organization; a slanderer may be disfellowshipped, perhaps as an unrepentant liar.
pedophiles: www.silentlambs.org
Do the elders lie to the rank and file? Why does the WTS send a different version of their letters to the elders and another to be read to the congregation? WTS reasoning?
*** w07 2/1 p. 6 Why Be Truthful? ***
Every lie is an untruth, but not every untruth is a lie.
How Jehovah Sees Our Brothers
Q. 3. To what does the Bible compare the Christian congregation?
3. As recorded at 1 Corinthians 12:2-26, the apostle Paul compared the congregation of anointed Christians to a body with "many members." Just as body organs vary from one to the other, members of the congregation vary considerably as to their characteristics and abilities. Yet, Jehovah accepts this variety. He loves and appreciates each member. So, too, Paul advises us that the congregation's members "should have the same care for one another." This may be difficult because others' personalities can differ from our own.
our brothers: what about the sisters?
Why is the WTS applying a scripture that pertains only to anointed Christians to non-anointed jws?
jws judge each other mercilessly, is that the what God does? Does he label people "spiritually weak"?
*** w07 10/15 p. 14 Move Toward the Light ***
On occasion, some who have crept into the Christian congregation have tried to corrupt those who are spiritually weak and who are not walking confidently in divine light
Q. 4. Why might we need to adjust our view of our brothers?
4. We may even be inclined to focus on our brothers' weaknesses. In doing so, we are, in effect, using a camera with a lens that focuses on only a small area. Jehovah's view, however, is through a wide-angle lens, which can take in a subject as well as its surroundings. We may tend to zoom in on something we do not like, whereas Jehovah sees the whole person, including all of an individual's good qualities. The more we strive to become like Jehovah, the more we can contribute to the spirit of love and unity in the congregation. -Eph. 4:1-3; 5:1, 2.
brothers--what about sisters?
Does the elder body see the whole person or do they "zoom" in on small things such as not making the national average of hours and then when these men are selected, do nothing when their hours dip to five or less?
Are Christians to be like God or Jesus?
(1 Peter 2:21) 21 In fact, to this [course] YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU, leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely.
Q. 5. Why is it inappropriate to judge others?
5. Jesus was keenly aware that imperfect humans often have a tendency to be judgmental. He counseled: "Stop judging that you may not be judged." (Matt. 7: 1) Notice that Jesus did not say: "Do not judge"; he said: "Stop judging." He knew that many of his listeners were already in the habit of being critical of others. Could it be that we have developed such a habit? If we have that tendency, we ought to work hard to change, so that we are not adversely judged. Really, who are we to judge someone whom Jehovah is using in an appointed position or to say that he should not be part of the congregation? A brother may have some shortcomings, but if Jehovah continues to accept him, would it be proper for us to reject him? (John 6:44) Do we really believe that Jehovah is leading his congregated people and that if adjustments need to be made, he will take action in his due time?-Read Romans 14:1-4.
Although knowing what the Bible says, what was your experience in the congregation? Do the elders only judge during judicial committees, or are they measuring people daily?
Is the real problem that the rank and file are being critical of the elders? Does the WTS allow that or are they supposed to wait for God to correct it? Did Paul wait for God to correct Peter? Did Paul do it privately? Hadn't Peter been used to establish the Christian congregation, had been trained by Jesus for 3 years, had been one of the 3 that Jesus singled out for more training. Who was Paul but an ex-Pharisee who persecuted and approved of the execution of Christians. Per the WTS Peter was on the GB but not Paul. Who had more authority?
(Galatians 2:11-14) However, when Cephas came to Antioch, I resisted him face to face, because he stood condemned. 12 For before the arrival of certain men from James, he used to eat with people of the nations; but when they arrived, he went withdrawing and separating himself, in fear of those of the circumcised class. 13 The rest of the Jews also joined him in putting on this pretense, so that even Barnabas was led along with them in their pretense. 14 But when I saw they were not walking straight according to the truth of the good news, I said to Cephas before them all: “If you, though you are a Jew, live as the nations do, and not as Jews do, how is it that you are compelling people of the nations to live according to Jewish practice?”
What if this elder is a pedophile, an adulterer, a business fraud, a drunk driver and the elder body has not taken corrective action, does that mean that [God] "continues to accept him"?
Q. 6. How does Jehovah view his servants?
6. A marvelous thing about Jehovah is that he can see in individual Christians what they have the potential to be once they reach perfection in the new world. He also knows what spiritual progress they have already made. Therefore, he has no reason to focus on each fleshly weakness. We read at Psalm 103: 12: "As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions." How thankful we can personally be for that!-Ps. 130:3.
his servants--only jws
individual Christians--only jws
So elders can focus on "each fleshly weakness" of the rank and file but the rank and file cannot look at the dangerous fleshly weaknesses of the elders? Can elders forgive sins?
Q. 7. What do we learn from Jehovah's view of David?
7. We see evidence in the Scriptures that Jehovah has the outstanding ability to focus on the good in a person. God described David as "my servant David, who kept my commandments and who walked after me with all his heart by doing only what was right in my eyes." (1 Kings 14:8) Of course, we know that David did some things that were wrong. Still, Jehovah chose to focus on the good because he knew that David's heart was upright. -1 Chron. 29:17.
OT example--David
Once again the WTS goes to this example, a man who committed adultery, murder, hid his sin until he had to admit it to Nathan, and who conducted a census and selected a punishment that killed 70,000 people and left himself still alive, and his adultery resulted in the raping of his wives who had not committed adultery or murder.
"did some things that were wrong" is an understatement. While Joseph supposedly knew that adultery was wrong without a law code, evidently David didn't know that God intended man to have only one wife.
See Your Brothers as Jehovah Does
Q. 8, 9. (a) In what way can we be like Jehovah? (b) How might this be illustrated, and with what lesson for us?
8. Jehovah can read hearts, while we cannot. This in itself is a good reason for us' not to be judgmental. We do not know all of another person's motives. We should try to imitate Jehovah by not fixing our attention on human imperfections, which will eventually disappear. Would it not be a fine goal to be like him in this regard? Our doing so will contribute much toward peaceful relationships with our brothers and sisters.-Eph. 4: 23,24.
So if only God can read hearts, then elders can't and how are they able to judge anyone? Disfellowshipping is compared to capital execution under the Law code to illustrate how df'd should not or could not be talked to since they would be dead. What about other adulterers in David's time; did God wave the execution clause for them?
9. To illustrate, think of a house that is rundown-the gutters are falling off, windows are broken, and ceiling panels are water damaged. Most people might look at that house and conclude that it should be torn down; it is an eyesore. But someone who has a completely different view might come along. He may be able to look beyond the surface problems and see that the structure is sound and that the house can be restored. He buys the house and with some work fixes the surface defects and improves its appearance. Thereafter, passersby comment on what a delightful home it is. Can we be like this person who worked to fix up or restore the house? Rather than focusing on our brothers' surface defects, can we discern their good qualities and their potential for further spiritual growth? If we do so, we will come to love our brothers for their spiritual beauty, as Jehovah does. -Read Hebrews 6:10.
But are the defects only surface?
Is lying and lacking love surface?
Where's Jesus in this article?
Q. 10. How can the ad\ice found at Philippians 2:3, 4 help us?
10. The apostle Paul gave some advice that can help us in our relationships with all in the congregation. He urged Christians: "[Do] nothing out of contentiousness or out of egotism, but with lowliness of mind considering that the others are superior to you, keeping an eye, not in personal interest upon just your own matters, but also in personal interest upon those of the others." (Phil. 2: 3,4) Humility will help us to have the proper view of others. Displaying personal interest in others and looking for the good in them will also help us to view them as Jehovah does.
Christians--only jws
Where is there a lack of humility? Who call themselves "mighty men" and claim to have more holy spirit than the rank and file?
Who fail to make shepherding calls, not "displaying personal interest in others"?
Q. 11. What changes have affected some congregations?
11. In recent times, global developments have resulted in vast movements of people. Some cities are now inhabited by people from many different lands. Some of the people new to our area have become interested in Bible truth, and they have joined us in worshipping Jehovah. These are "out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues." (Rev. 7:9) As a result, many of our congregations have in a sense become more international.
So jws can't be loving toward people from other countries? I know that in this area, there has been a constant chafing between the English and Spanish speaking congregations, saying that the Spanish congregation are not donating their fair share.
Q. 12. What view of one another do we need to maintain, and why might this be a challenge at times?
12. In our congregation, we may need to pay more attention to maintaining a proper view of one another. That calls for bearing in mind the apostle Peter's counsel to manifest "unhypocritical brotherly affection" and to "love one another intensely from the heart." (1 Pet. 1 :22) Cultivating genuine love and affection can be a challenge in a multinational setting. Our fellow worshippers' culture may vary considerably from our own, as may their educational, economic, and ethnic background. Do you find it a challenge to understand the thinking or reactions of some? They may feel the same way about you. Nonetheless, all of us are instructed: "Have love for the whole association of brothers." -1 Pet. 2:17.
Is the problem that many jws cannot deal with people who are different, speak a different language, from a lower economic group, lack of education?
Notice that no examples are given of "the thinking or reactions of some."
Q. 13. What adjustments in our thinking may we need to make?
13. It may be necessary to make some adjustments in our thinking so as to widen out in our love for all our brothers. (Read 2 Corinthians 6: 12, 13.) Do we ever catch ourselves saying something like "I am not prejudiced, but ... " and then recounting some negative characteristics that we consider to be common among members of a certain ethnic group? Such feelings may reveal the need for us to rid ourselves of prejudice that we still harbor deep down. We might ask ourselves, 'Do I make a regular effort to get to know people of a culture different from my own?' Such self-examination may help us make improvements in accepting and appreciating our international brotherhood.
So what adjustments are being suggested? "Recounting some negative characteristics" in regard to black and white people have been common in my area? Is it really a new problem with ethnic groups or just a continuation?
Don't jws just hang out with the people like themselves? Do they really "widen out"?
Why is the WTS having this article unless there is a serious problem in the congregations? And not for the first time.
*** w07 1/1 p. 10 Can You Widen Out in Love? ***
It is heartwarming to see how true worshippers of God today put forth great effort to widen out in love for one another. Admittedly, widening out takes effort. It is not simply an intellectual exercise. Widening out demands that we behave differently from people who do not live according to Bible standards. Such people often have little appreciation for others. They can be careless, flippant, and sarcastic. Let us, therefore, never allow ourselves to be influenced by these attitudes. How sad it would be if our love, like that of the Corinthians, was stunted by feelings of mistrust! This could happen if we are quick to see a Christian brother’s faults but slow to acknowledge his strengths. It could also happen if we are cramped for room in our affections because someone comes from another culture.
Q. 14, 15. (a) Give examples of those who adjusted their view of others. (b) How can we imitate them?
14. The Bible gives us fine examples of those who did adjust, one of whom was the apostle Peter. As a Jew, Peter would have avoided entering a Gentile's home. Just imagine how he felt when he was asked to visit the home of the uncircumcised Gentile Cornelius! Peter made adjustments, perceiving that it was God's will that people of all nations become part of the Christian congregation. (Acts 10: 9-35) Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, also had to make changes and rid himself of prejudice. He admitted that he had so hated the Christians that "to the point of excess [he] kept on persecuting the congregation of God and devastating it." Still, when the Lord Jesus corrected Paul, he made big changes and even began to accept direction from those whom he formerly persecuted. -Gal. 1:13-20.
15. There is no doubt that we can make adjustments in our attitude with the help of Jehovah's spirit. lf we find that there are hidden traces of prejudice in us, let us work to root them out and to "observe the oneness of the spirit in the uniting bond of peace." (Eph. 4:3-6) The Bible encourages us to "clothe [ourselves] with love, for it is a perfect bond of union." -Col. 3: 14.
Who do the elders socialize with? When was the last you saw the inside of an elder's home? Aren't there policies not to socialize with people
who are "marked" as spiritually weak?
*** w99 7/15 p. 30 Questions From Readers ***
a situation in which a Christian personally chooses to limit association with another whose ways or attitudes are not good—for example, one who seems excessively focused on recreation or on material things.Or a parent may limit his child’s association with youngsters who disregard parental authority, play in a rough or dangerous way, or do not take Christianity seriously. Such are simply personal decisions in line with what we read at Proverbs 13:20: “He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly.”—Compare 1 Corinthians 15:33.
Imitating Jehovah in Our Ministry
Q. 16. What is God's will regarding people?
16. "There is no partiality with God," wrote the apostle Paul. (Rom. 2:11) It is Jehovah's purpose to include people of all nations in his arrangement for worship. (Read 1 Timothy 2:3, 4.) To that end, he has arranged for "everlasting good news" to be declared to every nation and tribe and tongue and peopIe." (Rev. 14:6) Jesus said: "The field is the world." (Matt. 13:38) What significance does that have for you and your immediate family?
In this area, some jws deliberately avoided going door to door in areas with black people; even leaving the group if the conductor had such a territory. How is that including all people?
Q. 17. How can we help all sorts of people?
17. Not all are able to go to distant parts of the world to take the Kingdom message to others. Nevertheless, we may well be in a position to take this message to people from all parts of the earth who live in our territory. Are we alert to opportunities to witness to all sorts of people, not just those to whom we have preached for years? Why not make it your determination to reach out to others who have not yet received a thorough witness?-Rom. 15:20, 21.
"witness to all sorts of people" indicates that many jws are not doing so. In this area there is a large community of gay people that many jws refuse to set foot in.
Q. 18. Jesus manifested what concern for people?
18. Jesus keenly felt the need to help all. He did not preach in just one area. One Bible account tells us that he "set out on a tour of all the cities and villages." And then, "on seeing the crowds he felt pity for them" and expressed the need to help them.-Matt. 9: 35-37.
I can remember some jws going only in 2 or 3 territories. Does the WTS see that in no way are their members reaching all the people? Why should they though considering this statement:
*** w00 1/15 p. 13 par. 17 “Keep on the Watch” ***
said would take place just before the end of this system. Jesus stated: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Today, that prophecy is in the course of fulfillment on an unprecedented scale. True, untouched territories still exist, and it may be that in Jehovah’s due time, a large door leading to greater activity will open. (1 Corinthians 16:9) Nevertheless, the Bible does not state that Jehovah will wait until every individual on earth has received a personal witness. Rather, the good news must be preached to Jehovah’s satisfaction. Then the end will come.—Compare Matthew 10:23.
Q. 19, 20. What are some ways in which we can reflect the concern that Jehovah and Jesus have for all sorts of people?
19. What are some ways in which you can display a similar attitude? Some have made it a point to witness in parts of their territory that have not been covered frequently. This may include business districts, parks, transportation terminals, or in front of residential buildings that are not easily accessible. Others have made the effort to learn a new language so as to preach to certain ethnic groups that now live in their area or to groups that have not frequently been witnessed to in the past. Learning how to greet those people in their native tongue may go a long way toward showing how interested you are in their welfare. If we are not in a position to learn another language, can we encourage those who are doing that? Certainly we would not want to be negative or question why others are making such an effort to preach to people from another country. All lives are precious in God's eyes, and we want to view things in the same way.-Col. 3:10, 11.
20. Having God's view of people also means preaching to all, regardless of their circumstances. Some may be homeless, unkempt, or obviously living an immoral life. If certain individuals treat us unkindly, that should not cause us to form negative opinions about their nationality or ethnic group as a whole. Paul was treated badly by some, but he did not allow that to cause him to give up preaching to people of that background. (Acts 14: 5-7, 19-22) He trusted that some individuals would respond appreciatively.
How many jws did you know that broke out of the sterile mode of door to door at times when no one was home?
How many jws have been successful in learning a new language; how many just switched and are struggling to understand the WT study; the book study, to give a talk in the school, let alone talk to someone at the door?
"not want to be negative or question why others are making such an effort"--Translation: many jws are doing this.
How many jws preach to the homeless and unkempt? I was told at Bethel to just step over the homeless and not to make eye contact.
So what nationalities and ethnic groups are being bad mouthed by the rank and file? Notice they left out those details.
Q. 21. How will having Jehovah's view of others help you?
21. It is now clearer than ever that having a proper view-Jehovah's view-is needed in our dealings with our local brothers, our international brotherhood, and people in the field. The closer we can come to reflecting Jehovah's view, the more we will be a force for peace and unity. And we will be in a better position to help others appreciate Jehovah, the God who "has not shown partiality" but who displays loving interest in all, "for all of them are the work of his hands."-Job 34:19.
God's or Jesus' view?
local brothers--and sisters?
Is the problem in the field or in the congregation?
Can You Answer?
What view of our brothers should we strive to avoid?
How can we imitate Jehovah in how we view our brothers?
What lessons did you learn about our view of our international brotherhood?
How can we imitate Jehovah's view of people when we are in the ministry?
CONCLUDING COMMENTS
The rank and file are not being obedient to the elders. They are judging their actions as hypocritical. Can the WTS whip them into blind obedience, obey even when they are "imperfect" or have "surface" flaws? Will the rank and file judge the elders in the same unloving way they judge the rank and file?
(James 2:10-17) . . .For whoever observes all the Law but makes a false step in one point, he has become an offender against them all. 11 For he who said: “You must not commit adultery,” said also: “You must not murder.” If, now, you do not commit adultery but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of law. 12 Keep on speaking in such a way and keep on doing in such a way as those do who are going to be judged by the law of a free people. 13 For the one that does not practice mercy will have [his] judgment without mercy. Mercy exults triumphantly over judgment. 14 Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if a certain one says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? 15 If a brother or a sister is in a naked state and lacking the food sufficient for the day, 16 yet a certain one of YOU says to them: “Go in peace, keep warm and well fed,” but YOU do not give them the necessities for [their] body, of what benefit is it? 17 Thus, too, faith, if it does not have works, is dead in itself.
Love, Blondie