So, I have been pondering things in my head about the new understanding of the Faithful and Discreet Slave ... and I believe I have it figured out.
Of course this is just speculation ... hear me out.
- From the Annual Meeting ...
The individual members of the Governing Body are not the Faithful and Discreet Slave. They only act as the Faithful and Discreet Slave when they are working as a collective body in making decisions regarding the dispensing of spiritual food.
- In another thread, somebody asked whether or not the new member of the Governing Body was announced at the annual meeting ... I am assuming that it was not. Yet, it seems to be offered by reliable sources that there is indeed a new member named Sanderson.
- Think back to the court case brought against "The Organization" in Australia by Unthank ... the attorneys for Watch Tower said that "The Faithful and Discreet Slave" is a "theological arrangement".
- Leolia suggested that they can drop the term Governing Body and just say Faithful and Discreet Slave.
What does this all mean?
I think they will drop the term Governing Body because the Governing Body "represented" the Faithful and Discreet Slave class ... that class no longer exists, therefore it does not need a representative. Nobody can say "the term Governing Body isn't in the Bible" because with progressive truth, it no longer matters.
They will stop naming members of The Faithful and Discreet Slave, as it is nothing but a "theological arrangement", whoever is sitting in the F&DS conference room on Wednesday and making decisions concerning spiritual food is the composite slave, no individual is. Sanderson may be in those meetings, but no need to identify him or any of them because the arrangement is the Slave.
They will stop naming them and claim it is out of humility, just as the names of the translation committee was anonymous, and the Biblical example of the supposed first century Governing Body, they were apostles and older men, no names, whoever was in the meeting at the time was the "slave" and it wouldn't necessarily be the same each time.
They will have to continue biting the bullet for past mistakes that are catching up to them such as the Conti case, but going forward, multiple corporations have been put into place for each facet of the Organization, those that currently control policy and send letters to congregations have no assets. Conti case could go after assets because the abuse occurred before the changes happened with the corporations. (The recent letter on handling abuse is signed by "The Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses".)
The "Faithful and Discreet Slave" as a "theological arrangement" will not have legal liability as individuals since none of them are considered members of the "Slave".
"Captives of a Concept" becomes even more mysterious and JW's will give full allegiance to an impersonal entity or arrangement.
While many questions have been opened up concerning this new understanding, it really doesn't matter, you either trust the faithful slave or you don't. Without being able to actually name members, question their authority, or bring up the thousands of other anointed as not having a say ... God is the only one you are questioning as His spirit is the force behind this arrangement.
Some will wake up and leave, but for the majority, the control becomes even stronger.