by stuckinarut2 32 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
We were always told that as witnesses we were "sincere bible students".... Carefully examining the scriptures.
Yes, we were indeed taught much about the content of the bible, it's history, prophecies etc....
But it was always from one perspective....that of the society.
When the society changed its interpretations, we had to do the same....
So were we really "bible students", or "society students"?
Just a thought....
If they are really Bible Students, why are Lots of leaps and jumps in interpreting the Bible
Though many examples can be given, here are some sample misapplications:
1)
They arbitrarily choose
certain verses and ignore others which they feel is of no use to them. For
example, they profusely quote Ezekiel 18:4 (“soul that sins will itself die”)
to show that man does not have an immortal soul. However, if we read the whole
chapter, Ezekiel has never seen such a possibility that someone would use 18:4
to reach such conclusion. His subject is very simple: if father commits sin,
father should suffer its consequence, not his son and vice versa. Then in Ezekiel
18:9 he contrasts: “soul that follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws
is righteous; he will surely live.” However, if this righteous man has a son
who turns out to be violent and sheds blood of others, “he should be put to
death.” (Ezekiel 18:10-13) Thus Ezekiel is simply making a contrast between a sinner
and a righteous one, and making it clear that who should be put to death (not
talking about whether man has an immortal soul or not, as JWs wrongly conclude)
2)
They quote Luke 17:21
(“The Kingdom of God Is Within You”) and say it means Jesus, as the future King of the Kingdom was
amidst of people, hence Kingdom of God is external, to be established on earth
in the future. If that is what Jesus wanted to convey, he would have definitely
worded it differently. He simply used the same Greek word for “within” to mean
what is “inside” when he spoke Mathew 23:26 “First clean the inside of the cup
and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”
Interestingly, this is something people can experiment in their own lives, and find
out whether “Kingdom of God is within” or not. There are at least some who lead
a simple life-style. They don’t have any expectation from others because they
feel that others have freedom to act the way they like, and it is their lives)
and also they don’t try to correct others (but leave that work to the authorised
persons/agency). Whatever they do, they do it creatively (and make it supportive
of others if at all possible). In such a simple life-style, there is always a
space around them, nothing would affect them, and they would feel that they are
living in Kingdom of God. Yet they also have the freedom to rust out bringing
in “leaven” into their lives, as Jesus himself illustrated it in Mathew 13:33.
(Leaven symbolizes sin - Luke 12:1; 1Corinthians 5:6-8; Galatians 5:9) On the
contrary, people who lead just opposite life-style feel that they are living as
though in hell. If wasteful and negative inner qualities can make hell (Mark
7:21; James 1:14), that would mean, productive, positive inner qualities would make one feel
that he is in Kingdom of God. Apostle Paul himself had this understanding: “Kingdom
of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace
and joy in the Holy Spirit.”—Romans 14:17
Km 9/07p.3 QuestionBox
Does“the faithful and discreet slave” endorse independent groups of Witnesses who meet together to engage in Scriptural research or debate?—Matt.24:45,
No, it does not. And yet, in various parts of the world, a few associates of our organization have formed groups to do independent research on Bible-related subjects. Some have pursued an independent group study of Biblical Hebrew and Greek so as to analyze the accuracy of the NewWorldTranslation
“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.”—The Watchtower, October 1, 1967, p. 587
“They say that it is sufficient to read the bible exclusively, either alone or in small groups at home. But, strangely, through such ‘Bible reading,’ they have reverted right back to the apostate doctrines that commentaries by Christendom’s clergy were teaching 100 years ago…”—The Watchtower, August 15, 1981, pp. 28-29
Nice quote Punk. Always loved that one.
A bible student studies the bible, not magazines and books.
No. Witnesses play bait and switch with adjectival form of the word bible. They bait the word bible but the actual practical meaning is switched with Watchtower.
Thus, "Bible study" is, in practice, a study of Watchtower literature. What they call "Bible teachings" is, in practice, the fallible interpretations - and sometimes speculations - found in Watchtower literature.
They don't actually use Watchtower literature as an aid in studying the bible. They use - or abuse - the bible as an aid in studying Watchtower literature. Watchtower literature is always the focus of their study, not the bible.
As far as the leadership ( ie the GB ) is concerned , I think that was pretty much made clear in the GB member's testimony to the Australian Royal Commission where he seemed flummoxed & confused by bible questions and interpretations and had to be "clarified" by a written statement afterward. Ray Franz made it clear in his books that most of the GB had little bible knowledge when important issues were discussed and simply nodded through whatever the traditional Society view was ( which in most cases had been determined by Fred Franz who was probably the closest the Society have had to a bible scholar ).
As far as the average JW is concerned , I think most of us would now admit that we were quite limited , even though we were JWs for many years , even decades. Other than a few key Society scriptures and accounts ( such as Matt 24:14 and Matthew 24:45-47 ) , the average JW has pretty limited overall knowledge. Don't forget - they are even discouraged from learning Hebrew & Greek.
I recall going with another elder ( rather reluctantly ) on a RV he had on one of "Christendoms" trainee students who was in his early 20's and attending a theological college. Sad to say he knew vastly more than either of us about the bible , especially the New Testament , & tore us apart on the Trinity. We left somewhat embarrassed , with our tails between our legs. Between us , we had been JWs for nearly 80 years. In reality - most JWs are just spoon fed by the Society so they only really need to know the basics and the focus is always far more on the Societies literature than the bible.
Obedient JWs are Watchtower literature students, not Bible students.
The GB creates the doctrines, and then WT literature cherry picks verses and parts of verses to "prove" its conclusions.
Randy Watters has written that when he was at Bethel, a group he was in decided to study the Bible itself but kept WTs visible so that if someone came in the room it would look as if they were having a WT study.
What does that tell you?
JWs are a 'community' of religious folks who try to live life according to the latest biblical understanding as interpreted by these NY men in-charge (GB).
Imperfect system, just like the imperfect humans who designed it and run it. However, very, very, very nice individuals in an idealistic way of life.
'Hating' of JWs as a whole not justified by the doings of a crummy few.
DY
They are "students" of the 200 or 300 verses that are used to "prove" JW doctrine.
The other 99% of the Bible is mostly ignored.
How long have you been a Witness DY?
Surely you must realise by now that the vast majority of mentally in Witnesses will always revert to type when push comes to shove.
Very, very, very nice individuals that will unilaterally shun you for simply trying to agree to disagree.
Very, very, very nice elders that say all the right things in the hall but will stab another elder in the back quick as a flash rather than stick their neck out for what is reasonable.
