Misapplication of Philippians 3:7-8?

by dontplaceliterature 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  dontplaceliterature

  Philippians 3:7-8 is often quoted from the platform, and in Watchtower literature as applied to material possessions and "worldly" gain. I distinctly remember it being quoted in the Young People Ask Video where the young boy's grandmother was trying to discourage him from being a track star.

  However, when reading the Scripture last night, I got the impression that Paul wasn't talking about those things at all. He was of course talking to Jew's here. In the context of the rest of the chapter, it seems there was an issue with the Jews in that congregation feeling like they were better than one another because of their works in the Mosaic Law. However, when correcting them, Paul said, "If any other man thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I the more so: circumcised on the eight day, out of the family stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew [born] from Hebrews; as respects the law, a Pharisee; as respects zeal, persecuting the congregation; as respects righteousness that is by means of law, one who proved himself blameless." (Philippians 3:4-6)

  It seems very clear here that Paul is telling the Philippian congregation that if anyone has room for bragging because of what a "good Jew they were," it was him. Then he goes on to say in 7-8: "Yet what things were gains to me, these I have considered loss on account of the Christ. Why, for that matter, I do indeed also consider all things to be loss on account of the excelling value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. On account of him I have taken the loss of all things and I consider them as a lot of refuse, that I may gain Christ."

  Is he not just saying that his being "foremost among the Jews" means nothing? Isn't it that his strict adherance to the Law of Moses was a waste for him? In harmony with the writings in his previous books/letters, it seems this is along with the Spirit that salvation is a free gift, and that no amount of strict obedience to rules could earn one the right to salvation.

  Thoughts?
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  designs
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  designs
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  Ding

  Don'tplace,

  I think you've captured the essence of Paul's point.
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  inbetween

  very good point, yes reading the context often disproves the special WTS interpretation of scriptures...

  kind of wierd, since the society always encourages to read the context.....
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  miseryloveselders

  Good thread, DPL. I've always looked at these verses, and really this entire chapter as Paul admonishing the Philippians to have a balanced approach towards their physical needs, physical wants or desires, and their spiritual necessities. I'm under the impression that materially speaking they weren't doing too bad for themselves in Phillipi. Considering our current climate of materialism and showboating in this country, we're all familiar with "keeping up with the Joneses." I believe Paul was emphasizing to those Christians then that as followers of Christ, they shouldn't place too much emphasis on material possesions or prominence due to whatever their circumstances. Whether that be material prosperity, social standing, family ties, or a host of other reasons that people take too much pride in. So Paul used his own background which prior to his conversion to Christianity, his background carried some signficant weight. But he considered his so-called prestigious background as nothing compared to his new found life in Christ. In verse 8 he stated that he, "considered everything a loss", even at one point calling them "garbage." The reason being was that he considered "knowing Christ" as "surpassing wealth" in comparison to his previous so called accomplishments and background.

  I've always liked the latter part of that chapter, especially considering how materialism is promoted in this country. Verses 18-21 should move Christians to shame if they have materialistic ambitions. Paul called them "enemies of the Christ" in verse 18. Verse 19 he explains why, "their god is their stomach, their glory is in their shame, and they have their minds set upon earthly things." Those people he was referring to were influencing the early church/congregation in forsaking their following Christ. These people had a heavenly hope, to be with Christ, but were willing to waste that oppurtunity for the temporary pleasures found on the earth. We see the same thing today, so called Christians who claim to love the Lord, but their pursuits in life prove themselves contrary to that claim.

  I agree with you on that DVD being unbalanced. The problem I have with the WT's application of these verses, is they view anything that doesn't involve them as being for worldy gain. The question of how much is too much is an individual question that each one of us has to ask ourselves. Its not to be dictated by another individual or a group of old white men with a token black in New York and the lackies that brown-nose them in the Writing and Teaching departments. Let the WT tell it, everybody who goes to college is looking to be wealthy or have prominence. Those boys in Bethel really need to step out from behind their glass structures and come out in the real world and see how life really is. That DVD was proposterous, and irresponsible considering that they were promoting that to young people. I'm glad to see that older JWs are subtly encouraging youth not to make the same mistakes they made forgoing education or neglecting the need to plan for their future in consideration that its a real possibility that they will die in "this system of things."
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  Leolaia

  I distinctly remember it being quoted in the Young People Ask Video where the young boy's grandmother was trying to discourage him from being a track star.

  The video is supremely stupid. The reasoning and attitude towards education displayed in that video would make NO SENSE to anyone on the outside. I showed it once to my boyfriend so he could see what a crazy religion it is for born-ins and raised-ins.
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  Honesty

  I showed it once to my boyfriend so he could see what a crazy religion it is for born-ins and raised-ins.

  Crazy is not the word for the religion, it is like watchting a LooneyTunes cartoon once you leave the madness of the JW's.
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  miseryloveselders

  The video is supremely stupid. The reasoning and attitude towards education displayed in that video would make NO SENSE to anyone on the outside. I showed it once to my boyfriend so he could see what a crazy religion it is for born-ins and raised-ins.

  I live in a city with a few major universities, and every year our congregation ends up with one or sometimes a few young JWs away from home attending one of the universities. It's the most awkward thing I imagine for them to be in attendance at one of our meetings when the subject being reviewed is education. One WT Study I remember in particular, I was so embarrassed by the comments of some of the more pious in the audience, because of the young students in attendance. I'm positive that if those young students eventually have nothing to do with this religion, the comments during that WT study played a role, I'm sure. It was sickening. It played a role into my questioning the so called love within this organization.
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  dontplaceliterature

  When I showed up at the Kingdom Hall of the local congregation where I attended a University, I felt like a total dirtbag. Everyone was nice to me, but no one took me seriously. The conversations were always superficial. They expected me to stop coming shortly after I began my courses. No effort whatsoever was made to "shepherd" me.