Does the GB claim the sole power of scriptural interpretation?

DATA-DOG

What are the best quotes, old and new about this mystical power? I just had a " come to Jesus " talk with my wife.

leaving_quietly

I don't believe they've ever claimed that directly. Indirectly, however...

*** w88 8/15 p. 14 pars. 19-20 Build Trust in Jehovah—By Diligently Studying His Word ***
Study is hard work. We can therefore be grateful that Jehovah’s organization grants us much assistance. In recent years some have claimed that individuals should be allowed to interpret the Bible themselves. The Ethiopian eunuch, however, openly acknowledged his need for spiritual guidance. As a circumcised proselyte, he no doubt already had a considerable knowledge of the Bible. The very fact that he would attempt to study something as deep as the prophecy of Isaiah 53 indicates this. Yet, when asked if he understood what he was reading, he admitted: “Really, how could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?”—Acts 8:26-33.
20 Jehovah’s people today similarly need spiritual guidance. Desiring to “speak in agreement” when it comes to spiritual matters, they welcome the help offered by Jehovah’s organization—and what a grand help that is! (1 Corinthians 1:10) We have a constant flow of information through the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. We have numerous books and brochures covering a wide range of Bible topics. English-speaking readers are particularly blessed to have the Watch Tower Publications Index 1930-1985, a tool that can help a person ‘keep seeking for wisdom as for silver and as for hid treasure.’—Proverbs 2:2-4.

*** w67 10/1 p. 587 par. 9 Finding Freedom with Jehovah’s Visible Organization ***
As the canon of books of God’s Word was expanded and the Christian Greek Scriptures were added to complete the Bible, each book was written directly to the Christian congregation or to a member of the Christian congregation in its behalf. Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization in mind.

Finkelstein

Yes just like every other Christian based religion.

Of course interpretations vary in multiply directions, all stating to be guided by god's holy spirit nevertheless, including the WTS.

villagegirl

Their mystical powers started with Charles Taze Russell who made up

charts and math based on the Great Pyramid at Giza, (his favorite

Pyramid) which he called "Jehovah's Witness in Stone", ( a name Rutherford later

applied to the WT Cult ) Mystical powers enabled Rutherford to know

for a fact, that the Prophets of Old would be resurrected back to earth

in 1925, exactly on that date, and so millions were spent to build Beth Sarim,

where he spent the entire Depression in luxury accomodations.

Mystical powers have been amplified and now the Governing Body and "slave class"

( slave to their own delusions ) are now neatly embodied in an unelected group

of white men with one token black man who claim to be the "sole channel"

and mediator and God's mouthpiece on earth, a sort; of Priesthood, Pope,

Ayatollah Komeini and Buddah and Dali Lama, all rolled into one.

All who want to understand the Bible should appreciate that

the “greatly diversified wisdom of God” can become known

only through Jehovah’s channel of communication,

the faithful and discreet slave. (The Watchtower; 10/1/1994; pp. 8 )

Read more at http://www.jwstruggle.com/2011/12/the-watchtower-gods-sole-channel-of-communication-on-earth/

BackseatDevil

I agree with leaving_quietly that the answer is "yes" with 'yes' being in quotations. It is one of those assumed rules, like donating for the magazines you take or not raising your hand to ask a question in the middle of the meeting. They are established social rules everyone silently agrees to that make the entire religion more of a closed-in community rather than a religion.

With 2nd and 3rd John they can then apply this closed community to exclusiveness as well. So not only do they have the only path to sole interpretation, but they can also view those who do not believe such as "antichrists" or, in their vernacular, apostate.

fiddler

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible."

Really? That is so presumptuous of them to assume such a thing. What a leap in logic!

AndDontCallMeShirley

September 15th, 2010 Watchtower, p. 13 (par. 8):

"Similarly today, a Governing Body composed of spirit-anointed Christians contributes to the unity of the worldwide congregation. The Governing Body publishes spiritually encouraging literature in many languages. This spiritual food is based on God’s Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah.—Isa. 54:13."

.

"Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?" Watchtower 2009 Feb 15 p.27

.

"It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the "slave" as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision." Watchtower 1957 Jun 15 p.370

.

By definition, if a person or group claims to be directed by holy spirit, then they are inspired. The GB claim inspiration (by inference) when all is going well; when things go off the rails, then, and only then, do they become fallible men who make mistakes (and they don't directly admit to making mistakes either...it is alway by inference).

.

w86 1/1 p.30 Jehovah—SimplyGrand!

"If we fully recognize him as being a Grand Instructor, we will not doubt or criticize the methods of instruction Jehovah’s “faithful and discreet slave” class is using today. Rather, we will support disciplinary actions that are sometimes necessary in instructing, and at the same time attempt to derive as much benefit as possible from the fine teaching aids God’s visible organization provides."

Since god is the instructor of the FDS, as WT claims, then he is also to blame for errors. WT is off the hook, since they were only doing or saying what god told them to do or say.

HOW WOULD YOU ANSWER?

What details about the future has Jehovah revealed to us?

W 8-15-12 Study Edition

jwfacts

"However, we cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of “the faithful and discreet slave,” we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it." Examining the Scriptures Daily 2012 Mar 4

"Let us face the fact that no matter how much Bible reading we have done, we would never have learned the truth on our own. We would not have discovered the truth regarding Jehovah, his purposes and attributes, the meaning and importance of his name, the Kingdom, Jesus' ransom, the difference between God's organization and Satan's, nor why God has permitted wickedness." Watchtower 1990 Dec 1 p.19

"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible. For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah's visible organization in mind." Watchtower 1967 Oct 1 p.587

"We must serve Jehovah in truth, as revealed in his Word and made clear in the publications of "the faithful and discreet slave." Watchtower 1996 May 15 p.18

"Thus, the one who doubts to the point of becoming an apostate sets himself up as a judge. He thinks he knows better than his fellow Christians, better also than the 'faithful and discreet slave,' through whom he has learned the best part, if not all that he knows about Jehovah God and his purposes."Watchtower 1980 Aug 1 p.19

"The abundance of spiritual food and the amazing details of Jehovah's purposes that have been revealed to Jehovah's anointed witnesses are clear evidence that they are the ones mentioned by Jesus when he foretold a "faithful and discreet slave" class" Watchtower 1964 Jun 15 p.365

When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of “the faithful and discreet slave” at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. (Matt. 24:45; 1 Cor. 2:13) The Governing Body as a whole considers adjusted explanations. (Acts 15:6) What they learn, they publish for the benefit of all." Watchtower 2010 Jul 15 pp.22,23

stuckinarut2

Great references JWFacts!

Thanks for your research!

designs

Its not much different than any other Church. Try standing up in a Catholic church or Eastern Orthodox or Baptist Church etc etc. and say 'I think we should change ....' you'll get tossed out on your ear.

Does the GB claim the sole power of scriptural interpretation?

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