ISP's post about illustrations reminded me of something else ...
I always thought it was strange that the WTS taught 2 different things about why Jesus used illustrations:
First, they said it made his teachings clearer so people could understand them. Hence the 'using illustations' on the Theocratic Ministry School (not as bad a 'gestures' eh?!)
Second, they explained the fact that even the disciples didn't understand what he was on about sometimes by claiming that he used them to draw out people who were searching to make them ask questions later (the one I think I have in mind is something to do with eating of his body).
Curious. Doublethink and so obvious but I accepted it (at the time)
The Watchtower masterfully uses illustrations to create false analogies. They do it so often, that dubs just accept them without ever thinking about the false analogies that are created. Anyone can make black look white or wrong look right with clever false analogies.
If i remember right, in addition to those reasons, the wt said that jesus used illustrations becuase he didn't want his opposers to understand, to hide the meanings. I guess that would be triple think.
Jesus said things in illustrations that they would LATER understand. He didn't want them to know it at the time , but the illusration would remind them of it later. It was a clear illusration.....but not clear until later. Jesus would not be used to compare to a student on the school in dubland.
I live by a book called, "Managing by Storying Around". Stories and illustrations are a great way to get a message across. They are memorable and engage the audience emotionally. I use stories all the time to make my point.
I am SURE in the last couple of years that the congregations were warned about making up their own illustrations. Using approved WTS ones are safer. Perhaps because an illustration can turn on you if you haven't thought it completely through? If I find the reference I will pass it on.
