Opposing salvation factions in the (Schizophrenic and Apostate) Watchtower

by Fernando 11 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • Fernando
    Fernando

    Just wondering if questioned, which faction Watchtower followers would favour, and which they would deem apostate:


    Faction A - Works, merits or organisation based salvation

    *** w93 9/15 p. 22 They Compassionately Shepherd the Little Sheep ***
    But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy.

    *** km 4/93 p. 3 par. 7 “To the House of Jehovah Let Us Go” ***
    The weekly Bible study should include instruction that will help students appreciate the organization and take advantage of provisions for their salvation.

    *** km 11/90 p. 1 par. 1 Directing Bible Students to Jehovah’s Organization ***
    They must appreciate that identifying themselves with Jehovah’s organization is essential to their salvation.

    *** w81 11/15 p. 21 par. 18 ‘Stay Awake and Keep Your Senses’ ***
    And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation, the time no doubt will come when the message takes on a harder tone, like a “great war cry.”

    *** w68 11/1 p. 650 par. 24 The “Good News” of a World Without False Religion ***
    Only the one organization of religious truth and of pure, undefiled religion can successfully make an assault on false religion with benefit to the people, with promise of their everlasting salvation.

    *** w53 6/1 p. 352 Announcements ***
    In sharp contrast with this condition, the organization of Jehovah God abounds in the prosperity that really counts, rich spiritual prosperity that brings salvation.

    *** w52 10/1 p. 603 par. 22 A Strong Refuge Today ***
    Those desiring salvation must make for God’s organization, and find entrance into it and remain there permanently.

    *** w52 6/1 p. 350 par. 27 Fixing Destinies in This Judgment Period ***
    Know that all living at Armageddon will be baptized, either with fire for destruction with the wicked or with salvation for life with the theocratic organization.

    *** w50 6/1 p. 176 Letter ***
    The ark of salvation that we enter is not a literal ark but is God’s organization


    Faction B - Salvation as a free gift by unmerited favour

    *** it-2 p. 1117 Torture Stake ***
    For confessing Jesus’ death on the torture stake as the sole basis for gaining salvation, Paul was persecuted by the Jews.

    *** w90 11/1 p. 26 par. 16 Our Relative Subjection to the Superior Authorities ***
    We cannot take part in any modern version of idolatry—be it worshipful gestures toward an image or symbol or the imputing of salvation to a person or an organization.

    *** w67 8/15 pp. 493-494 par. 4 The Need for Security ***
    Men in general have not learned that humans and human organizations can never provide true security. They ignore the clear advice of the Bible: “Do not put your trust in nobles, nor in the son of earthling man, to whom no salvation belongs.” (Ps. 146:3) No man, regardless of how prominent he may be and with what power he may be invested, religious or political, no nation of this world and no international organization can provide true security and salvation for mankind.

    *** w96 2/1 p. 7 What Must We Do to Be Saved? ***
    Salvation is a free gift from God. It cannot be earned.

    *** w80 5/1 p. 8 Learning from an Experiment That Failed ***
    It set the stage for Jesus before his death to give the powerful message concerning human sinfulness and the need to seek salvation, not through works but as a free gift on the basis of repentance and faith in the sin-atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. (Isa. 53:5, 10-12; Matt. 20:28; Rom. 10:5-9)

    *** w65 12/1 p. 720 par. 44 Slaves of Men or Slaves of Your Repurchaser—Which? ***
    Unlike this, Jesus Christ maintained perfect obedience to God under trial and plays a vital part in connection with God’s free gift of unearned righteousness to us who are sinners.

    *** w08 10/15 p. 26 par. 5 What Will You Give to Keep Living? ***
    Of course, Jesus was not saying that everlasting life can be earned. Life—even our relatively brief life in this system of things—is a gift. We cannot purchase it or do anything to deserve it. The only way we can receive the gift of everlasting life is to “put our faith in Christ Jesus” and in Jehovah, “the rewarder of those earnestly seeking him.”

  • designs
    designs

    'Are you doing all you can for Jehovah'- that was the does of guilt most frequently heard at assemblies. The bifurcation of the salvation issue always left me sad.

  • Fernando
    Fernando

    Sadly I was in such a dense fog that I did not notice this bifurcation (love learning new words) for more than 4 decades.

    It only became easier to spot after rejecting their authority and walking out...

  • designs
    designs

    We never got into proper Theological terms for the various views on 'salvation' so we were fumbling in the dark. A JW friend who went to a formal Seminary for a degree in Theology was of immeasurable help. Suddenly everything fell into place and I could trace the development of the Bible Students views on into the JW era.

  • DATA-DOG
    DATA-DOG

    I have always wondered if there are really opposing forces within the writing department and the GB, or if the above quotes are simply a case of the truth coming through despite efforts to conceal it. It seems there is no end to works-based articles, yet to find salvation through grace takes careful searching through decades of literature. It just appears to be scattered about, hidden perhaps? It reminds me of the few balanced articles that seemed to have Ray Franz's signature on them. You know, the one's that most JW's have never read, or noticed..

    It makes me wonder if there is a psychological pre-disposition for persons that willingly choose to become dubs. Is there a self-esteem issue? Some type of guilt factor from trauma, or just a personality type that thrives off a works-based system? I wonder what the percentage of " born-ins " who awaken verses those who made a conscious choice to become a JW and then awaken might be? I know that my daughter takes after me in many ways. She is a very similar personality type. I believe that because of her thinking pattern being similar, she could understand TTATT. My wife is a completely different type, she seems to need the Organization. She will be very hard to convince. It may not be possible.

    From experience ( extremely frustrating experience ) I have learned that no amount of reason sinks through, or seems to. Then for no apparent reason she will change, but never once will she admit to being wrong. She actually convinces herself that she came up with the idea and will argue to the death if I say " Remember when I said this or showed you that..." It has to be her idea. It's like her mind cannot accept being wrong, so as a protection everything must be her idea. She was really guilt-tripped as a child. I think guilt-driven people will have a very difficult time seeing TTATT. It may take the total destruction of the WTBTS happening before their eyes to cause an awakening. In the meantime they are living " the real life."

  • designs
    designs

    Mentally healthy well rounded individuals rarely convert to the JW religion, there is no need or reason to buy into its many schemes. The anti-establisment/religions are corrupt themes attracted quite a few in the 30s -70s.

  • Fernando
    Fernando

    It was brought to my attention that a key aspect of the "full Good News" or "unabridged gospel" is that all my sin/s past, present and future are forgiven.

    At that instant I sensed the bonds of fear and guilt snap inside me. The taste of freedom was awesome and I was hungry for more.

    I am very grateful to the persons who brought this to my attention as I would not have known to look out for it or how to find it amidst the noise and clutter of the Watchtower library.


    *** w53 2/1 p. 71 Does Common Sense Demand a Purgatory? ***
    Nor does such forgiveness apply only to our past sins, for John goes on to say: “If anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the just; and he is a propitiation for our sins,

    *** w01 11/15 p. 6 Jesus Saves—How? ***
    And the value of Jesus’ sacrifice does not stop at paying for our past sins. If it did, we would have no future. Being conceived in sin, we are bound to err again. (Psalm 51:5)

    *** w01 11/15 p. 6 Jesus Saves—How? ***
    Adam can be likened to a father who died and left us in such deep financial debt (sin) that there is no possible way for us to get out of debt. On the other hand, Jesus is like a good father who died and left us a rich inheritance that not only frees us from the enormous debt that Adam burdened us with but also provides enough for us to live on eternally. Jesus’ death is not simply a cancellation of past sins; it is also a wonderful provision for our future.


    (Why does the "true religion" secretly blind its followers to the "Good News" according to Paul, Moses, Isaiah and Psalms?)
  • designs
    designs

    I don't recall the Wt. ever going into the various Jewish ideas on salvation and life in Gan Eden.

  • alecholmesthedetective
    alecholmesthedetective

    I also wonder if any conscious member of the Writing Department slips in on or two of their thoughts in the publications which go against GB doctrine.

    Perhaps ex-Bethelites might help us on this one.

  • Fernando
    Fernando

    Designs, I'd like to know more about these Jewish ideas if possible.

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