How will the NOOLITE on the Faithful and Discreet Slave affect the court case in Australia?

by hamsterbait 13 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse

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  hamsterbait

  Last year, in the ongoing Victoria, Australia case, the Watchtower lawyers stated in court that the "Faithful and Discreet Slave" does not exist. It is merely a "theological arrangement". This was obviously an attempt to get those responsible at the top of the corporation "off the hook".

  Now the WTBTS says explicitly that the FDS are the SAME as the Governing Body of eight men in Brooklyn.

  Does this mean that the Australian Courts can attempt to subpoena these eight men, as the charges are against (among others) the FDS and the GB?

  HB
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  Pterist

  Do the GB actually say that they are NOW the FDS ? or do they say the FDS will become apparent in their understanding of the great tribulation ? I'm not too sure what subliminal messages they are putting out !
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  Eustace

  When Did Jesus Appoint “the Faithful and Discreet Slave” Over His Domestics?

  Consider the context of Jesus’ words in Matthew chapter 24. All the verses listed here were to be fulfilled during Christ’s presence, “the conclusion of the system of things.”—Verse 3.

  • “The tribulation of those days.”—Verse 29.
  • “This generation.”—Verse 34.
  • “That day and hour.”—Verse 36.
  • The “day your Lord is coming.”—Verse 42.
  • “At an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.”—Verse 44.

  Logically, then, “the faithful and discreet slave” must have appeared after Christ’s presence began in 1914.

  Moreover, Jesus indicated that this “slave” would appear during a time when a legitimate question would be: “Who really is the faithful and discreet slave?” Jesus’ apostles had miraculous gifts of holy spirit, so there was scant reason to raise that question in the first century C.E. (1 Corinthians 14:12, 24, 25) Although they were anointed by holy spirit, the apostles and other first-century Christians were not “the faithful and discreet slave” prophesied by Jesus.

  It is reasonable to conclude, then, that Jesus appointed “the faithful and discreet slave” over “his domestics” during his presence, “the conclusion of the system of things.”

  “Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?”

  Jesus was referring, not to an individual, but to a composite “slave”—a group working together as one body. Jesus said that the slave (1) is appointed to a supervisory role “over [the master’s] domestics” and (2) gives the domestics spiritual “food at the proper time.”

  From 1919 on, there has always been a small group of anointed Christians at the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They have supervised our worldwide preaching work and have been directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food. In recent years, that group has been closely identified with the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

  The evidence points to the following conclusion: “The faithful and discreet slave” was appointed over Jesus’ domestics in 1919. That slave is the small, composite group of anointed brothers serving at world headquarters during Christ’s presence who are directly involved in preparing and dispensing spiritual food. When this group work together as the Governing Body, they act as “the faithful and discreet slave.”

  http://www.jw.org/en/news/events-activities/annual-meeting-report-2012/
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  Pterist

  THey also contrast "domestic" and "all belongings" and say "Jesus’ appointment of the “slave” over his “belongings,” then, must also be a future event. He will make that appointment during the great tribulation. , same link as above by Eustace
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  Pterist

  I think this current statement as " noolite " is still consistant with their smoke screen as merely a "theological arrangement"? They are saying BOTH and avoiding any litigation. They are experts of speaking out of both sides of their orifice !
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  hamsterbait

  ANYWAY- how do you think this new understanding will affect the court case, as it contradicts what the WTBTS lawyers claimed - to gasps from the JWs who came to listen.

  HB
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  Tater-T

  That's what I was saying when it first came out... but reality.. when you can talk out of both sides of your mouth, it won't matter..
• 

  Fernando

  I have been wondering if the NOOLITE is somehow directly related to the Unthank initiative (and similar "pressures").

  However I am not (legally and otherwise) informed enough to comment at this point.
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  james_woods

  It probably means nothing legally - in the legal sense, any court would obviously see who is ruling the Watchtower World regardless of what silly names they give themselves.
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  Pterist

  They have very carefully covered their derriere, It will not effect the court case IMHO.