Cedars' "Makeweight" Scenario

What Now?

Cedars' "makeweight" scenario posed as a question:

Can you show me one scripture that supports the idea that the Holy Spirit would deliberately feed God's servants untrue information or a flawed understanding of scripture as a "makeweight" until actual truth would be revealed at a later date? Is there a biblical principle that justifies Jehovah dealing with his servants in such a way?

I love this illustration. I think it makes the point perfectly, so much so that I plan to use it in the future when speaking to Jehovah's Witness friends and family.

Witnesses, as they always do, will have some type of rebuttal to this kind of thing, and I want to be prepared.

What do you think they could say to this? Can anyone think of any scriptural examples, or bible principles that a witness would use in their defence?

Nambo

They would just say the Org never claims to be infallible, that Jehovah reveals things as and when they are neccesary, "new light" they will say, they might even quote from Daniel 12 about the words being made secret and sealed up until the time of the end.

In their own minds this will be quite satisfactory to them.

You might therefore ask them, how do they know the differance then between what God has actually "revealed" to them, and what they have guessed God had revealed to them.

They might then say, "when it comes true", in which case you can ask, "what has come true so far then?

cedars

Thanks What Now? - I'm glad you find this reasoning helpful.

I explain it in a little more depth towards the end of the following blog article...

http://jwsurvey.org/cedars-blog/under-the-microscope-the-watch-tower-societys-claims-to-divine-direction-part-4

I've so far personally asked that question of three elders who were each trying to "assist" me, and none of them even tried to volunteer a scripture.

Cedars

cedars

Nambo - the purpose of the "makeweight scenario" is to highlight that the entire "new light" doctrine isn't based on scripture. First you describe "new light" as it actually is, and then ask them to back it up with a scripture. None of the three scriptures commonly used to support the concept of increasing light describe the idea as we all know and understand it. Proverbs 4:18 doesn't even mention "God's word" at all.

People can use whatever excuses they want, but the whole point is to highlight that the bible doesn't support their excuses. The "makeweight scenario" question puts the onus on them to prove their assertions.

Cedars

OUTLAW

The JW response to Questions they Can`t Answer..

La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!..

I`m busy I have to go now..

....................... ...OUTLAW

cedars

lol OUTLAW!

So very true....

Cedars

OUTLAW

Good Morning Cedars!..

It`s happened to me on more than 1 occasion..

I give them information & questions they would rather not think about..

They abruptly tell me they`re busy and have to leave..

Knock Knock..

Good Morning!

We`re in your Neighbourhood to Tell You..

We`re Too Busy to Talk to You..

....................... ...OUTLAW

sseveninches

I asked my parents this question. My dad said that it's something he never thought about before, and my mom came with the rebuttal, saying that the society probably just misunderstood the information. Misunderstanding information falls right on its face, because the society always claims that anything they say is from Jehovah/the Holy Sprit.

She used that argument against the 1975 fiasco...saying that the society probably never saw the verse that says 'no one will know the time or day' (Matthew 24:36). Since I hadn't determined that for myself, I could not say anything to that (but still thought it to be highly unlikely). But later I went to the watchtower library, and looked up the verse to see how far back it's used in the literature...and sure enough, I found it in one of the pre-1975 watchtowers, and literally right after they cite the verse, they go one to ramble about 1975 - such glaring contradiction!

cedars

sseveninches - I find it amusing when JWs try to wriggle out of the fallacy of the "increased light" teaching by explaining away errors with such reasoning as: "But they're only imperfect men! They never claimed to be perfect!" or, in your Mum's case, chalking it down to a simple "misunderstanding".

Obviously the Governing Body is imperfect, that much is obvious. However, they claim to be far more than just any other human organization - they claim to be God's spirit-directed organization and sole channel of communication with mankind! There is therefore no excuse for "misunderstandings" if the "Slave Class" are truly beneficiaries of God's direction.

Basically, the Governing Body wants the best of both worlds. They want the authority and respect that comes with being God's organization, but none of the responsibility for getting things wrong. You simply can't have it both ways, but sadly (as OUTLAW points out) many JWs simply refuse to look at it so simply.

As I mentioned to Nambo, the "makeweight" scenario is simply a device for trying to get loved ones to approach the increasing light doctrine from a scriptural standpoint. When I was doubting and dared to do this for the first time, it was the thing that had the most impact on me. I realised that, without scriptural support for the increased light doctrine, there was no longer any excuse for all the many doctrinal mistakes. This gave me the boldness to start investigating things further.

Unfortunately, not everyone will dare to scrutinze their beliefs in this way, so it's important to be patient - especially with family members.

Cedars

life is to short

I think it just really scares them. I have told my husband things that he cannot answer. He just gets mad but sort of afraid also. It kind of reminds me of a dog or a cat that is backed into a corner and they snap at you in fear. My husband will then throw at me "it is still the only religion that is teaching the "truth."

It is truly just head banging against the wall.

LITS

Cedars' "Makeweight" Scenario

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