"Clear light broke forth"

by ozziepost 7 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  ozziepost

  At my mother’s knee, I was taught “the Troof”. In my young days she studied the book “The Truth Shall Make you Free” with me. Yes, even the children studied this turgid tome and in those impressionable years I learned much about the special role that the WTS played in knowing all truth. Notice, for example, this passage which reveals the WTS’ version of its history:

  “After the Lord’s coming to the temple and freeing the faithful remnant of spiritual Israelites from captivity to modern day Babylon he began to open their eyes gradually to the truth. In 1929 the clear light broke forth. That year The Watchtower published the Scriptural exposition of Romans chapter 13. It showed that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, rather than worldly rulers and governors, are “The Higher Powers” and that the Christian souls must “obey God rather than men”; and that “every ordinance of man” to which they must submit is every Scriptural ordinance of men who are servants within God’s organisation under the King Christ Jesus”. This revelation of vital truth freed the spirit of God’s consecrated people as never before.”

  Note firstly the expression “clear light broke forth”. Remarkably, they would have their readers (including a young Ozziepost) believe that God “kept his servants” in the dark until 1929 when, instead of a heavenly sign, He used a little-known magazine to “flash light” on His word and will for His people. My mother believed it then, and still does, and so do many of the “old-timers” amongst the R&F.

  This now-discarded teaching was heralded as “clear light” just 50 or so years ago. What happened? Did God get it wrong? Never may that be the case! But if this was indeed “clear light” from heaven, that’s the only conclusion that we can make.

  One can only be amazed at the gall of people who would treat this as a “Scriptural exposition of Romans chapter 13”. The WTS have generally shied away from the expositional style of writing. One exception noted by Ray Franz was the “Commentary on James” prepared by Ed Dunlap.

  So, why did they do it? Why the change? A clue is found in the sentence “This revelation of vital truth freed the spirits of God’s consecrated people as never before”. What was it that they were to be “freed” from? Could it be that this teaching made it easier for the R&F to disobey the governments when it suited them? Perhaps over neutrality? It certainly was a very convenient ‘back flip’ in teaching at the time.

  The question must be asked, Why were the churches of Christendom able to arrive at the correct, and now accepted by the WTS, understanding of the superior authorities? Did they have the “clear light” after all?!!

  I find it fascinating that the Borg denies that the star that guided the Magi to Jesus’ birth was heaven-sent. Rather, according to them, it was from the Devil. One can only wonder if this ‘supposed’ “flash of light” about the superior authorities in 1929 did not originate from the same source!

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  Cheers, Ozzie
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  logical

  I find it fascinating that the Borg denies that the star that guided the Magi to Jesus’ birth was heaven-sent. Rather, according to them, it was from the Devil. One can only wonder if this ‘supposed’ “flash of light” about the superior authorities in 1929 did not originate from the same source!

  Exactly. Genesis 1:14-19 says it all really. The sun, moon and stars were created as luminaries, but also for signs and to mark seasons.
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  rocketman

  I just finished a book called The Four Major Cults, by Anthony Hoekema, and in it the author mentions that exact scripture and jw explanation back in 1929. Interestingly, the book was written in 1962, which was just before the jws changed the teaching (again).
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  blondie

  That is one of the premiere flip-flop doctrines.

  w96

  5/1 pp. 13-14 God and Caesar

  In 1929, at a time when laws of various governments were beginning to forbid things that God commands or demand things that God’s laws forbid, it was felt (why the passive voice; who felt?) that the higher powers must be Jehovah God and Jesus Christ. This was the understanding Jehovah’s servants (Rutherford's view) had during the crucial period before and during World War II and on into the Cold War, with its balance of terror and its military preparedness. Looking back, it must be said that this view of things, exalting as it did the supremacy of Jehovah and his Christ, helped God’s people to maintain an uncompromisingly neutral stand throughout this difficult period.

  w96 5/1 p. 14 God and Caesar

  In 1961 the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures was completed. Its preparation had required an in-depth study of the textual language of the Scriptures. The precise translation of the words used not only in Romans chapter 13 but also in such passages as Titus 3:1, 2 and 1 Peter 2:13, 17 made it evident that the term "superior authorities" referred, not to the Supreme Authority, Jehovah, and to his Son, Jesus, but to human governmental authorities. In late 1962, articles were published in The Watchtower that gave an accurate explanation of Romans chapter 13 and also provided a clearer view than that held at the time of C. T. Russell (yet look at what CTR believed below).

  w96 5/1 p. 13 God and Caesar

  As early as 1886, Charles Taze Russell wrote in the book The Plan of the Ages: "Neither Jesus nor the Apostles interfered with earthly rulers in any way. . . . They taught the Church to obey the laws, and to respect those in authority because of their office, . . . to pay their appointed taxes, and except where they conflict with God’s laws (Acts 4:19; 5:29) to offer no resistance to any established law. (Rom. 13:1-7; Matt. 22:21) Jesus and the Apostles and the early church were all law-abiding, though they were separate from, and took no share in the governments of this world." This book correctly identified "the higher powers," or "the superior authorities," mentioned by the apostle Paul, as human governmental authorities.

  BUT

  w50

  11/15 p. 442 Subjection to the Higher Powers

  The fact stands unassailable that Jehovah God is the Chief of the Superior Authorities. Every soul should be subject to him.

  Blondie
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  Maverick

  What do you expect from a bunch of old men running around wearing tin foil hats and acting like Mel Brooks, (Gov) in the movie Blazing Saddles? Maverick
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  Prisca

  I'm still trying to visualise Ozziepost as a youngster sitting on/at his mother's knee.
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  ozziepost

  That was before I knew shiraz, Pris!
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  NeonMadman

  But don't you guys get it? It was good that the organization had that understanding of Romans 13 at that time, because it enabled the brothers and sisters to better maintain their neutrality (another Biblical concept ) under the pressures that arose during World War II. Can't you see that the error in understanding was a provision from Jehovah?