The JW's dependence on WT literature.
by Knowsnothing 93 Replies latest watchtower bible
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Knowsnothing
Oops, hit enter too fast. Not going to say much, but think about it.
- A "Bible study" to a possible convert is done with "What does the Bible really teach" book.
- The 5 meetings consist of heavy use of literature such as the:
- 1.) Congregation Book study, which uses any of the books publised by WT
- 2.) Theocratic Ministry School's use of "Benefit" book (although this section does use the Bible the most, as it includes the home Bible reading, yet many people comment from a WT comment anyways),
- 3.) Service meeting using "Our Kingdom Ministry" which in turn usually directs us to the "Yearbook", "Benefit", and "Organized to do God's will"
- 4.) The Public talk that, while not based on publications per se, uses an outline given by the Society
- 5.) The Watchtower study, which I need not even elaborate on.
- Preaching is done through literature as well. Magazines, tracts, books, etc.
- WT encourages "research" with their publications, such as Insight for the Scriptures, among other resources.
It cannot be denied that the Bible isn't used, but think about the heavy use of literature, and how that influences what you think what the Bible says.
Also think how the use of this literature binds you to their organisation. The Bible isn't enough, sufficient on its own. It needs interpretation through them.
Just something to think about.
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Mad Sweeney
It is part of the cult mind control, specifically Information Control.
If you are going to restrict information on so many levels, you also need to supply information in like measure to fill that void. If you want your members to think, feel, and act in a certain way, you need to supply information that molds that way of thinking, feeling, and acting and use Emotion Control to scare and guilt members into avoiding counter-info.
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the-illuminator81
Listen pal, if you read the bible on your own, after 2 years you will go into darkness, i've seen it and it ain't pretty!
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DesirousOfChange
yet many people comment from a WT comment anyways),
And no one dares to make a comment that would question JW "truths"!
Consider this week's Cong BookBiblestudy saying those appointed and be consider to be "appointed by Holy Spirit".
Can you imagine anyone asking why So-and-So was appointed by the Holy Spirit when it later became known that he was: carrying on an adulterous affair for many years..........or..........molesting children for years.............or..........embezzling from elderly investors..........etc
THAT would get you an invitation right into the "backroom" after the meeting!
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Band on the Run
It is the essence of the Roman Catholic Church. Everything they squawk about Catholics doing, they do more so. The Enligthenment flowered in Europe. Martin Luther's condemnation of indulgences was not a big deal but the very act of criticizing the church was explosive. The Pope had such politcal power that many thought should reside with nation states, local to home. I proclaim that my brain is at least as good for interpreting scripture as the Governing Body. Public school did me in for the Witnesses.
The Church has noted its excesses, esp. after Vatican II. The Roman Catholic Church does not accure the Witnesses of hypocrisy in return. Rather, nonacknowledgment is an insult.
Recently, I sat in a legal course in Philadelphia. All these Philadelphia practicioners were obsessed with Manhattan lawyers' power in immense financial transactions. Little content was discussed b/c everyone was venting how crazy NYers were. Well, I've sat much longer in NY courses. No one even mentions Philadelphia lawyers. Why bother with inconsequence?
It is so sad that people who are quite capable of reading the Bible in consecutive verses are so overwhelmed and defer to authorities. College opened my eyes to NT scholarship. When I want to know about the Bible, I read the text myself and ask if it makes sense to me. Only after I am clear what I believe or do not comprehend, do I call reputable seminaries and ask for academic reference material. It floors me even in the Anglican church. The most literate, articulate people are afraid of Bible reading. I think of I believe it was William Tyndale who first translated the Bible into English. Reading the history accounts, people paid extraordinary suffering to grant people the simple right to read the text.
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AwareBeing
It's been said that with all the studying for the meetings that JW's do,
there's little room for actual reading of the Bible. Of course from all of this,
their understanding is directed to wards WT theology!
Also, we've had some one in the family addicted to their magazines.
Why with all the candy coated photos, I too have read then for years.
They carefully blend historical facts with well contrived beliefs.
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Anony Mous
@DesirousOfChange
During my book study I commented: The apostles left the decision making over to the whole congregation. Obviously they did not want to assume the right to appoint anyone. As a matter of fact, the context clearly shows that they did not appoint anyone but merely blessed and ordained them or made it official but the appointment was made by the whole congregation.
Next paragraph: "The apostles appointed" - NO, that's not what it says, read any bible commentator, they say blessed (prayed) and ordained (laid their hands upon or decreed, confer holy orders upon), never appointed. I am making so much annotations in that book.
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LostGeneration
In the end, it is the literature that sets the actual beliefs of a JW. A classic example from JWfacts
"... one mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, who gave himself a corresponding ransom for all."
1 Timothy 2:5,6- "Likewise, the Greater Moses, Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members." Worldwide Security Under the "Prince of Peace" pp. 10-11
- "Is Jesus the "mediator" only for anointed Christians? ? So in this strict Biblical sense Jesus is the "mediator" only for anointed Christians. ?The "great crowd" of "other sheep" that is forming today is not in that new covenant. However, by their associating with the "little flock" of those yet in that covenant they come under benefits that flow from that new covenant." Watchtower 1979 April 1 p.31