Hello everyone,
Usually important claims demand extraordinary evidence.
Man can make no greater claim then to speak for God.
Notice, however, how his faith in the Watchtower's divine
authority is divorced from any historical evidence.
His vague argument, if applied to other historical inquiries,
would destroy our knowledge of all of ancient history -
especially that of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Watchtower "faithful and discrete slave" claim
cannot furnish one visible body of individuals over
the last 2000 years as an historical link to it's
alleged modern-day counterpart.
Let's read some " firm " statements:
*** w81 3/1 24 Do You Appreciate the "Faithful and Discreet Slave"? ***
“WHO REALLY IS THE FAITHFUL AND DISCREET SLAVE?”
Some state that the “slave” refers to Christian ministers, or their office of oversight, with responsibility to care for the spiritual needs of the congregation. The ‘master’s’ arrival is said to be either the second coming of Christ or the death of the individual minister.
Thus it is held that the parable should motivate Christian ministers to care well for what is entrusted to them.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that this parable pertains to the one true congregation of Jesus Christ’s anointed followers. Beginning with Pentecost, 33 C.E., and continuing through the 19 centuries since then, this slavelike congregation has been feeding its members spiritually, doing so faithfully and discreetly. Especially has the identity of this “slave” become clear at the time of Christ’s return or presence. The “slave” is identifiable by its watchfulness and by the fact that it is faithfully and discreetly providing spiritual food as needed by all in the Christian congregation. "
This kind of assertion raises some serious questions:
***Who was the faithful slave when Russell was 19 years old?
***Where was "God's organization?"
***Why did Russell strike out on his own independent of the 1900 year-old slave class?
In hopes of not appearing as just a twentieth century sect, the120-year-old organization - the WTBS - claims that the "faithful slave" has existed for 2000 years. It thus paints itself as an established institution of antiquity. This causes a problem, however, in that the WTBS cannot link itself with any specific group of the past-for virtually all of them embraced doctrines the Watchtower considers apostate.
All biblical research done by Jehovah's Witnesses is accomplished by referring solely to past Watchtower literature. The average JW bases his biblical research - only - on scholarly works within the framework of the society's "theocratic library." This self-validating methodology ensures conformity of thought and ultimately shields the rank and file witness from any evidence that could undermine the organization's unique teachings. This unilateral approach to research, however, is wholly circular.
Many questions are answered with :"…wait until Jehovah reveals the answers " Yet it it evident a logical fallacy. One would not have to wait for Jehovah to reveal something if the society already teaches it? The fact that they teach it would necessitate that it has already been "revealed." Furthermore, if the Watchtower is categorically unable and unwilling to specify a composite body of believers over the last two-thousand years who fits its unique description of the "faithful slave," then how can they rightly claim it ever existed - or better yet, how can they assert that the nature of its teaching was "progressive" or qualify the recipients of such "spiritual food" as "close knit?" Based on what data can one make such qualifications if it's impossible to identify even one individual from "the slave" at any point in history prior to 1879?
Any suggestions ??
Agape J.C.MacHislopp