Hi folks, good morning. July 2013 WT Study Edition has been discussed and commented on at length here in JW.net and in Cedar's blog (Jwsurvey.org). Won't go to technicalities as significant amount of stellar arguments have cast doubt on the new light, let alone break WT's claims anew.
One of our elders who shared a lunch meal during our latest CO visit even asked me if I already read about the July 2013 Study Edition. I just smiled and told him it was kind of meat w/out elaborating any further. But at the back of my mind, I am quite stressed, knowing how much detail I have already covered. That senior elder advised us (dining on the lunch table) to prepare not only our minds but more importantly our hearts (here we go again). Let me start by quoting this popular JW verse:
Prov. 4:18 (ESV) states: "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, w hich shines brighter and brighter until full day."
I tried time and again with all humility to see how the verse would fit the new light. But time and again I just could not just fathom why it serves as the last and only scriptural basis to defend a new light. Here are a few questions for both our discerning JW friends, Non-JW critics, and concerned brothers in Christ:
1) Either during Solomon's time or any of the Prophets, was there a situation in the Bible when there was an old light replaced by a new light which God has approved? Did any of God's prophet's prophesied something, or understood something, then after several years, explained or apologized he had to adjust his own understanding about a message from God?
2) Where in the New Testament, in Jesus Christ's time and during early Christian era, did a new light occurred to supersede an old light?
3) Once an understanding becomes old (or old light), does it mean it has no purpose at all or it has already served its purpose? (Take note this old light has guided millions of believing Witnesses for several decades. They have become an integral part of their core beliefs.)
4) What happens to the old light now? What is its use in the past? For purposes of discussion, I would like to ask further: “Does this mean, since I got baptized I was preaching and teaching beliefs that are NOT Accurate? For if they are accurate, why should they be replaced by something new – an interpretation that is far different from the original explanation? If an elder would answer: `No, they were also accurate.` then how come there is something new that is far off the original understanding?” Any minor adjustment in understanding may seem bearable, not much of a big deal. But to replace an apple now with an orange because it should have been orange in the first place, well that is kind of bizarre and unimaginable. Simply put, if the earth is really round, then the belief it was flat before is nothing but a myth. Nothing to sugarcoat it. Either the assumption is correct or incorrect.
I can still vividly recall sharing these texts: Romans 10: 2 “ For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to (accurate) knowledge. ” As Witnesses, we are so proud and honored to share biblical truths that are accurate as we were always taught. We have used this scripture to separate us, JWs, from other religions in the Christendom. Now tell me, where is the accurate knowledge there? Where is the source of pride that would make us stand out among the crowd?
1 Cor. 4:6 clearly states: "I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, [ a ] that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another."
I cannot understand if the WT leadership has found a way to digest the verse above. Instead of having the reputation or habit of changing its understanding, coming up with a batch of new lights, and then gaining flak, why not just stick to what 1 Cor. 4: 6 has to offer.
Please, WT GB, kindly call a SPADE a SPADE and let not sincere believing members second guess.