What the hell is "new light"?

undercover

Where did the term "new light" come from? Was this ever in print anywhere or just a phrase that was created by followers when trying to describe changes to official doctrine or policy?

I know that the Society has long used the scripture about "light getting brighter" and that phrase can actually make sense. If the light is getting brighter it can mean that understanding to a teaching has increased.

But too many times over the years I've heard the term "new light" whenever someone was trying to describe a change in teaching.

If you really think about it, the term "new light" condemns their very changes in doctrine, practice or policy. "Truth" is truth. It does not change. "Truth" as "light" cannot change. It can grow brighter, maybe even dimmer, but it can't change. You can't turn off a light that was "truth" and turn on a "new light". It just doesn't work that way.

So when a dub says that they've received "new light" remind him that the scripture doesn't support "new light"; only the current light getting brighter.

leavingwt

If you really think about it, the term "new light" condemns their very changes in doctrine, practice or policy.

You sound like an Apostate!

Silly, those were not untruths or lies, they were simply mistakes. Even Jesus' disciples made mistakes and ran ahead.

The Faithful & Discreet slave proved itself to be HUMBLE, by changing their doctrines. They submitted to Christ's leadership.

(I just threw up a little in my mouth.)

-LWT

sir82

It's based on Proverbs 4:18:

Proverbs 4:18 (New International Version)

18 The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

Of course if you read it in context, you see it has nothing to do with "let's make (another) 180 degree turn in doctrine."

undercover

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.

That's the scripture...thanks...and it further proves my point. This is a first light that continues to get brighter and brighter until full light. There's no mention of "new light".

cameo-d

New Light simply means that Lucifer is going through some changes as he transforms.

Leolaia

The proverb uses "increasing light" as a metaphor for how a young person gains wisdom from his elders and grows up with disciplined behavior; a boy may stumble in making foolish mistakes but as he grows older he learns how to conduct himself wisely. Check out the context, that's what it's about. It has nothing to do with how an "organization" recieves doctrinal clarification from God.

dinah

I think it's kinda like then admitting they were blowing smoke up our collective asses.

bennyk

WT February 1881 r188: page 3 “CAST NOT AWAY THEREFORE YOUR CONFIDENCE” para 1:

If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now: But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth. "New light" never extinguishes older "light," but adds to it. If you were lighting up a building containing seven gas jets you would not extinguish one every time you lighted another, but would add one light to another and they would be in harmony and thus give increase of light: So is it with the light of truth; the true increase is by adding to, not by substituting one for another.

Mary

Where did the term "new light" come from? Was this ever in print anywhere or just a phrase that was created by followers when trying to describe changes to official doctrine or policy?

I believe the Asleep! magazine should answer your question:

White Dove

What ever happened to Butt-Light? She had some pretty good posts.

What the hell is "new light"?

Proverbs 4:18 (New International Version)

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