Crisis of Conscience page 23

by Butterflyleia85 24 Replies latest watchtower bible

  • Butterflyleia85
    Butterflyleia85

    "The Society's vice president, Fred Franz, was acknowledged as the organization's principal Bible scholar. On a number of occasions I went to his office to inquire about points. To my surprise he frequently directed me to Bible commentaries, saying, "Why don't you see what Adam Clarke says, or what Cooke says," or, if the subject primarily related to the Hebrew Scriptures, "what the Socino commentaries say."

    If you notice as you read on it was by their research and study in "commentaries" and he says they were products of scholars of other religions. To his suprise he found the facts were written in the eighteenth century, worthwhile and very accurate and compared to their own publications which became out of date.

  • PSacramento
    PSacramento

    Even to this day, I don't think the Wt has anyone qualified in terms of biblical studies.

    Their own literature sure, but not qualified to write a biblical commentary on anything like that.

    Even Fred Franz was more of a WT specialist" than a true biblical scholar.

    The WT schools ( Gilead) seem to tailor their teachings to confirming their own doctrines, even if it means revising their own bible.

  • Butterflyleia85
    Butterflyleia85

    p 24 He also claims that the Governing Body didn't supervise their research done in the Aid to Bible Understanding. So basicly again this conforms that really they setup this superficial commendation toward the Governing Body as this matter of our spiritual guidance and in reality it was just helpers (not even part of the anointed) in verious departments at Bethel that truely constructed the aids the supervision really was Adam from the writing department!

    And the funny part is either they have a lack of communication where they thought the Governing Body supervised it or they just wanted to make it seem that it was more directed by holy spirit... but how they represented it to the people was really a lie.

    It did go on to explain Nathan Knorr & Fred Franz did read some of the finished articles that Adams choose to present to them.

  • PSacramento
    PSacramento

    How could/can the GB supervise anything the writing dept did or does? they aren't qualififed.

    The only thing they do is to make sure what is written is not outside the standard approved doctrine of the time.

  • Butterflyleia85
    Butterflyleia85

    page 29 were frighting words that I was thinking of already.

    "The reality reveals instead how heavily control was vested in a few individuals, and how one man's rather idiosyncratic decision (that of Fred Franz) could affect the direction of worldwide organization could take."

    (side note: I love his tact and consern throughout his book, he points out his consern and confusion, but yet he shares it with much tact and hope but then his disappointment and realization.)

  • Butterflyleia85
    Butterflyleia85

    And yes I agree with you PSacramento, that does appear to be true! But what the people are lead to believe is that they would of coarse be qualified, that they have the direct channel of truth brought by God... to understand scriptures and the docturines.

  • PSacramento
    PSacramento
    "The reality reveals instead how heavily control was vested in a few individuals, and how one man's rather idiosyncratic decision (that of Fred Franz) could affect the direction of worldwide organization could take."

    That is true of any organized religion.

  • Butterflyleia85
    Butterflyleia85

    I wonder if really the annointed or the ones that are at Bethal get more descouraged when finding that the efforts really come from themselves as a whole rather then just the direction of Governing Body (Spiritaully Annointed)? It's almost like the idea of "spiritaully annointed" present gives them a motivation or inspiriation, such as a lucky charm... The work they do is commendable but the reality is each one of us has that power to reason on the scriptures. It shouldn't be through pressure or guilt but the motivation to do research and study. That's what I think anyways... I have come here (JWN) and found more understanding and incouragement then I did before any JW elder did.

    It was like when I was young, obedant and things were simple, yes they were intellegent ones to me and gave me the foundation of reading the Scriptures but when we get older things get more complicated and one source doesn't answer all the questions... we need each other I believe as a whole to figure out the answers and give us guidance that benifit ourselves (family friends etc) in our life.

  • Slayerbard
    Slayerbard

    I honestly think that is why they only let people stay in Bethel so long now. After so many years they kick them out. So they aren't there long enough to find out what is really going on. There are still some lifers there but all the new groups I know of go after a few years. we had one in the family that after 4 years his groups term was up for dismissal.

    I questioned right away the societys reasons for this that they kick them out after so many years and at the same time whine they don't have enough bethel vollenteers.... its the only reason I can come up with.

  • Butterflyleia85
    Butterflyleia85

    Ahh that does makes sence Slayerbard. Thanks for your comment.

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