2009-The Bible-What Is Its Message-brochure--PDF!

by Atlantis 32 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • drew sagan
    drew sagan

    Since I don't have your background in WT theology and tactics I cannot debate your points (not that I disagree with you), but as a Evangelical I see WT theology in just about every sentence in the picture scan.

    I never said Watchtower theology wasn't present in the brochure (although I see how you could have gathered that). Regardless, my point is that it is the method the brochure uses to put information forward that is the noticable change.

    I find this brochure most interesting because its title claimes that the contents provide insight into the "message" of the Bible. Traditionally, the Watchtower has always asserted that it itself participates in the "message", through prophecy especially. They are the fortold "channel" apointed by God. They are the "ark" that all must flock to for saftey during Armageddeon. To prove that they are this channel, the Watchtower typcially utilized a specific pattern of arguments, arranged in a certain way.

    First a book or brochure would offer somebody the hope of life on paradise earth. Next it would introduce Jehovah, as well as a history of the 'divine name'. Next would be a short discussion of Jesus, which may or may not include a condemnation of the Trinity. Everything afterword would be a constant push towards showing individuals that the Witnesses alone had certain 'Bible Truths" which are backed up by proof texts. Emphasis is put on proving that all of the worlds Christian religions are "corrupt", by focusing on issues such as the cross, trinity, hellfire, immortal soul, and so on.

    For many years this was the Watchtowers message. It was certainly this way the entire time I was a witness (1997-2005). The "truth" was always presented this way. Some on this board have called it "topical" in nature, and I tend to agree. Rather than presenting a cohesive narrative, focus instead was put on certain doctranal points (as a point of referance, Watchtower publications in pre 80's era had a good bit of narrative).

    The new brochure departs from this method. It is true that the Watchtower has made other brochures that don't follow this pattern, but none of those brochures carried a title that claimed the entire Bibles "message" was contained within. This is what I find interesting. Without question the Watchtower is going about creating a "public" image that is not entirely consistant with the "private" image members have of the organization. While this is no major surprise, I'm simply struck at how major parts of the Watchtowers message (1914, Faithful Slave,blood transfusions, immortal soul) are completely absent from a brochure that claims to teach the Bibles message.

    For example, did Adam and Eve question God's right to rule or did they just disobey his instructions? One has to do with compliance, the other with faith or lack of. In my opinion, to back up the claims of the scan points #1 and #2 based on a reading of the first three chapters of Genesis would require a lot of reading between the line and then some

    Being that I view the Genesis account as myth, Christian interpretations of the account mean very little to me. To address this point specifically, yes it is theology the Watchtower has traditionally used, but not the sort that has been put front and center (such as what I have discussed above).

  • drew sagan
    drew sagan

    deleted, dual post

  • civicsi00
    civicsi00

    I agree with Thomas15 above. The points that the Watchtower brings out still require hopscotching across the Bible and reading into the texts something that is not there to prove those points. Just look at Point #7, and think of all the scriptures required to make that point (and I bet you don't even stay within the same book). It's the same game, the same house, with re-arranged rooms and walls.

    I also seriously doubt they [the GB] would EVER try to not place the organization first in JW's lives. The organization is EVERYTHING. Without it, every JW is lost. But because they believe it is God's Organization, it is EVERYTHING.

    If anything, the brochure is there to raise questions for the householder (or at least that is what the GB would like). For example, look at Point #6. The householder may ask, "When did Jehovah enthrone his Son as King, and how do we know we are in the last days?" This would then prompt the JW to show that householder some proof-texts.

  • Mastodon
    Mastodon

    I was going to downoad it... but then I remembered my disdain for projectile vomiting... thanks, but no thanks...

  • lrkr
    lrkr

    The bible's message- the nice version (in which we don't go into the genocide, baby killing, intolerance, racism, mysogony, etc, etc, etc)

  • thomas15
    thomas15

    Thanks Drew,

    As a Bible believer, I would much rather face a JW with the newer Bible message tract because it tries to go right to the Bible. To those who know the Bible it would be a lot easier to discuss (the errors that is) than to try to debate the ever changing WT doctrine.

    But, at the end of the day, (for me) it all comes down to this, "what must I do to be saved?" or "what works are the works that God requires?" Both questions are asked in the Bible and the answer is not join a church or some other organization.

    Great thread.

    Tom

  • insearchoftruth
    insearchoftruth
    But, at the end of the day, (for me) it all comes down to this, "what must I do to be saved?" or "what works are the works that God requires?" Both questions are asked in the Bible and the answer is not join a church or some other organization.

    That is the root of it all......and I agree, my salvation is between my God and myself, a church or an organization may help me with this relationship, but it is not necessary......

  • booby
    booby

    thanks for the opportunity to see what drivel they are producing these days.

  • AnnOMaly
    AnnOMaly

    A brief scan of this brochure shows no mention of 1914!!!

    The dates were the first things I looked for. Yes, no 1914 date mentioned!!! Weird or what? But there were still 607, 537, 455.

  • drew sagan
    drew sagan

    But there were still 607, 537, 455.

    Yes, but without context stating these dates means nothing. In fact, the only reason the Watchtower maintains 607 is in order to hold to 1914. Simply stating it as if it is a "historical fact" dosen't amount to much imo.

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