Comments You Will Not Hear at the 3-27-05 WT Study (February 15, 2005 issue)
Review comments will be in black and parentheses ()
WT quotes from today?s WT
will be in red and quotes ""Quotes from other sources
will be in blue CHRISTIANS (BUZZWORD?ONLY JWs ARE "TRUE" CHRISTIANS, ALL ELSE ARE "SO-CALLED" OR "PROFESSED)-- BE PROUD OF WHO YOU ARE!"He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah."-1 CORINTHIANS 1:31. (NWT)As the Scriptures say, "The person who wishes to boast should boast only of what the Lord has done."
?1 CORINTHIANS 1:31 (New Living Translation) http://www.biblegateway.com/Opening Comments
Considering that on Thursday, March 24, 2005, Jehovah?s Witnesses gathered at their various Kingdom Halls to observe the Lord?s Evening Meal, it should be fitting that they focus on their "Christian" identity. But where is Christ in this article?
Note that while the title of this article talks about being proud to be a Christian, the theme scripture refers to an OT scripture though that is concealed by the fact that it is a "snippet."
that it may be just as it is written: "He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah."
1 CORINTHIANS 1:31 (NWT)
The NWT refers the reader back to:
"But let the one bragging about himself brag about himself because of this very thing, the having of insight and the having of knowledge of me, that I am Jehovah, the One exercising loving-kindness, justice and righteousness in the earth; for in these things I do take delight," is the utterance of Jehovah
. JEREMIAH 9:24 (NWT)Do you see that this is not even close to an exact quote? How does the WTS justify putting in Jehovah? (see the addendum from the NWT at the end of this review)
So this article while purporting to be about Christians has so far used a theme scripture that focuses on an OT scripture and focuses on boasting in "Jehovah" not Jesus.
And to show the reader how to be to be proud of their Christian identity, the following people are presented as examples.
Moses
Joshua
Asaph
Joseph (son of Jacob)
Israelite slave girl of Naaman
Josiah
Daniel
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego
Abel
None of who were Christians.
Terms used to identify ?Christians?
Genuine Christians
Servants of Jehovah
Disciples of Christ
True Christians (3)
True worshipers of Jehovah
Jesus? followers
Faithful witnesses of God
Privileged servant of Jehovah
Loyal worshipers
Servant of God
Worshiper of Jehovah (3)
Servants of Jehovah (2)
Jehovah?s name people
Witnesses of Jehovah
God?s fellow workers
And who are Christians to cultivate a relationship with?
Paragraph 5
Our clear view of our identity and our relationship with the Sovereign Ruler of the universe motivates us to "boast in Jehovah." Paragraph 7 However, if misdirected, self-examination that prompts us to look for our "identity" or to search for answers outside our relationship with Jehovah or the Christian congregation will prove to be pointless and can be spiritually fatal* Paragraph 12 One way to strengthen our sense of Christian identity is to examine and imitate the faith of loyal worshipers, who despite adversity took real pride in their relationship with God. Paragraph 15 Clearly, Jehovah loves us. In return, our relationship with him should be based on deep love for him. Paragraph 16 (2 times)
Young people who have been raised as Jehovah's Witnesses do well to examine whether their Christian identity is becoming stronger based on a personal relationship with God.Obviously, a halfhearted continuation of family tradition cannot sustain an intimate, long-term relationship with Jehovah. But no mention of a long-term relationship with Jesus Christ despite this being an article about being proud of being a Christian.
START OF ARTICLE"APATHEISM." A commentator on religious affairs recently used that word to describe the stance many people maintain toward their faith. He explained: "The greatest development in modern religion is not a religion at all?it's an attitude best described as 'apatheism.'" Elaborating, he defined apatheism as "a disinclination to care all that much about one's own religion." Many people, he observed, "believe in God ...; they just don't care much about him." Once again the WTS quotes a source and neither names this person or the source of the quote which is easily found using Google. Now why would they not want us to know the name of the "commentator"? Let it be, Jonathan Rauch. The Atlantic Monthly. Boston: May 2003.Vol. 291, Iss. 4; pg. 34, 1 pgs
http://www.mlc-wels.edu/schone/Rauch%20Apatheism.doc .
http://www.jonathanrauch.com/about.html
2 This slide toward apathy is not surprising to students of the Bible. (Luke 18:8) And when it comes to religion in general, such disinterest is to be expected. False religion has misled and disappointed mankind for so long. (Revelation 17:15, 16) A slam against all other religions. For genuine Christians, however, the pervasive spirit of halfheartedness and lack of zeal presents a danger. We cannot afford to become nonchalant about our faith and lose our zeal for serving God and for Bible truth. Jesus warned against such lukewarmness when he cautioned first-century Christians living in Laodicea: "You are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or else hot. . . . You are lukewarm."?Revelation 3:15-18. Genuine Christians = Jehovah?s Witnesses onlyHalfheartedness, lack of zeal, nonchalant about our faith, lose our zeal, lukewarmness?inactive ?ones?
Seeing Who We Are
3 To fight spiritual apathy, Christians need to have a clear view of who they are, and they must take reasonable pride in their distinct identity. Christians?only JWs
Spiritual apathy?inactive ?ones?
Distinct identity?as JWs or as Christians? As servants of Jehovah and disciples of Christ, we can find in the Bible descriptions of who we are. We are "witnesses" of Jehovah, "God's fellow workers," as we actively share the "good news" with others. (Isaiah 43:10; 1 Corinthians 3:9; Matthew 24:14) Servants of Jehovah
Disciples of Christ?do JWs learn through Christ or w94 10/1 p. 8 The Bible?A Book Meant to Be Understood ***
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.?John 6:68."Witnesses" of Jehovah (OT reference)
"God?s fellow workers"?not Christ?s fellow workers?
Give my greetings to Pris´ca and Aq´ui·la my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,/ ROMANS 16:3Greet Ur·ba´nus our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Sta´chys./ ROMANS 16:9
We are people who "love one another." (John 13: 34) Yes, when your house burns down and you need a place to stay, your children need clothes or food, and you are not a JW, don?t put your hand out. If you do, you will probably get the latest copies of the Watchtower and Awake. True Christians are individuals who "through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong." (Hebrews 5:14) w94 10/1 p. 8 The Bible?A Book Meant to Be Understood ***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.?John 6:68.We are "illuminators in the world." (Philippians 2:15) Yes, and it is light that keeps changing and then changing back.
- Superior Authorities of Romans 13:1?secular authorities
Superior Authorities of Romans 13:1?God and Jesus
Superior Authorities of Romans 13:1?secular authorities
Resurrection/No Resurrection of people of Sodom and Gomorrah
1879?will be
1952?will not
1965?will be
1982?will be (Live Forever book)
1988?will not (WT?6-1-88)
1989?will not (Live Forever book)(and holding so far)
We strive to "maintain [our] conduct fine among the nations."-! Peter 2:12; 2 Peter 3:11,14. And how does the WTS handle sexual abuse cases in their midst?
Did you know that elders are only required to report cases to the authorities in states that require it? That the WTS says they clergy-penitent privilege under the law although the WTS strongly maintains they don?t have a clergy? w95 5/15 p. 18 Flashes of Light?Great and Small (Part 10
The Bible Students (after 1931 JWs)? came to see that there is no Scriptural basis for a clergy-laity distinction. (Matthew 23:8-10)
w94 2/15 p. 7 Are Jehovah?s Witnesses a Cult? ***It is precisely because of this close adherence to Bible teachings that the veneration and idolization of human leaders so characteristic of cults today is not to be found among Jehovah?s Witnesses. They reject the concept of a clergy-laity distinction. The Encyclopedia of Religion aptly states about Jehovah?s Witnesses: "A clergy class and distinctive titles are prohibited."Did you know that if there are not 2 eyewitnesses to the abuse, that the congregation elders will not discipline the abuser? http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=mn&vol=apppub%5C0403%5Copa031142-0309&invol=1
www.silentlambs.org
4 True worshipers of Jehovah also know what they are not. "They are no part of the world," just as their Leader, Jesus Christ, was no part of the world. (John 17:16) They remain separate from "the nations," which "are in darkness mentally, and alienated from the life that belongs to God." (Ephesians 4:17, 18) And was being associated with the UN from 1991 to 2001 as a non-governmental organization, remaining separate? http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,565005,00.html
http://www.un.org/dpi/ngosection/watchtower.pdf
http://www.randytv.com/secret/unitednations.htm
As a result, Jesus' followers "repudiate ungodliness and worldly desires and . . . live with soundness of mind and righteousness and godly devotion amid this present system of things.-"?Titus 2:12.5 Our clear view of our identity and our relationship with the Sovereign Ruler of the universe motivates us to "boast in Jehovah." (1 Corinthians 1:31) But no relationship with Jesus Christ?where is the pride in being Christians then? What kind of boasting is that? As true Christians, we are proud to have Jehovah as our God. True Christians=only JWs=no mention of Jesus We follow the admonition: "Let the one bragging about himself brag about himself because of this very thing, the having of insight and the having of knowledge of me, that I am Jehovah, the One exercising loving-kindness, justice and righteousness in the earth." (Jeremiah 9:24) We "boast" in the privilege of knowing God and of being used by him to assist others. And the WTS teaches that only JWs are being used to assist others. That the works of others are in vain. Remember that the next time the Red Cross assists a JW family after a family disaster?
The Challenge
6 Admittedly, maintaining a sharp perception of our distinct identity as Christians is not always easy. Especially when the WTS emphasizes "Jehovah" and calls their members, Jehovah?s Witnesses, a term from the OT, rather than Christians. Ask a JW what religion they are, the answer will most likely be "one of Jehovah?s Witnesses." A young man who was raised as a Christian recalled that he for a while had experienced a state of spiritual weakness: Raised as a Christian=raised as a Jehovah?s Witness only "At times, I felt I didn't know why I was one of Jehovah's Witnesses. I had been around the truth since infancy. Sometimes I felt that this was just another mainstream, accepted religion." Around the truth=no one but JWs have "the truth" Others may have let their identity be shaped by the entertainment world, mass media, and the current ungodly outlook on life. (Ephesians 2:2, 3) Entertainment, mass media, the world=evil
Ask someone if they can name the 12 apostles compared to knowing the names of the teams in the Sweet Sixteen this year. Some Christians may occasionally go through periods of self-doubt and of a reassessment of their values and goals. Doubting themselves or the WTS? 7 Is a degree of careful self-examination entirely inappropriate? No. You may recall that the apostle Paul encouraged Christians to keep examining themselves: "Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are." (2 Corinthians 13:5) Examining ourselves or what we are being taught? Immediately by night the brothers sent both Paul and Silas out to Be·roe´a, and these, upon arriving, went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 Now the latter were more noble-minded than those in Thes·sa·lo·ni´ca, for they received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so../ ACTS 17:10-11 Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see whether they originate with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world/ 1 JOHN 4:1 The apostle was here promoting a wholesome endeavor to spot any spiritual weaknesses that may have developed, with the objective of taking the necessary steps to rectify them. Be sure that any weaknesses you spot are your own and not that of the elders or others in the congregation. If you plan on taking the necessary steps to rectify them, be prepared to be told to "wait on Jehovah."
Waiting on Godot http://www.jeffgoode.com/scripts/shgod.htm
A Christian (only a JW), in testing whether he (or she) is in the faith, must determine whether his (her) words and deeds harmonize with his (her) profession of faith. Are the elders or the individual testing the brothers and sisters at the KH determining if their faith is acceptable? However, if misdirected, self-examination that prompts us to look for our "identity" or to search for answers outside our relationship with Jehovah or the Christian congregation (only JW congregatons) will prove to be pointless and can be spiritually fatal* (* Here reference is made solely to our spiritual identity. For a few, mental-health issues may necessitate professional treatment.) Never would we want to 'experience shipwreck concerning our faith'!?1 Timothy 1:19. Now why would they have to bring in mental illness when discussing seeking answers outside the WTS?
We Are Not Immune to Challenges
8 Should Christians who occasionally experience self-doubt feel that they have failed? Of course not! Indeed, they can find comfort in knowing that such feelings are not new. Faithful witnesses of God in times past experienced them. Take, for example, Moses, who displayed extraordinary faith, loyalty, and devotion. When assigned a seemingly overwhelming task, Moses diffidently asked: "Who am I?" (Exodus 3:11) Apparently, the answer he had in mind was, 'I am a nobody!' or 'I am incapable!' Several aspects of Moses' background might have caused him to feel inadequate: He belonged to a nation of slaves. He had been rejected by the Israelites. He was not a fluent speaker. (Exodus 1:13, 14; 2:11-14; 4:10) He was a shepherd, an occupation abhorred by the Egyptians. (Genesis 46:34) No wonder he felt unfit to become the liberator of God's enslaved people !
If there is a problem, it is you, the publisher, that has failed, not the WTS.
First OT example of how to be a Christian?Moses
Apparently?might have?Expansion of the Bible account by the WTS
Shame Game?felt unfit, failed, adequate, rejected, abhorred 9 Jehovah reassured Moses by giving him two powerful promises: "I shall prove to be with you, and this is the sign for you that it is I who have sent you: After you have brought the people out of Egypt, you people will serve the true God on this mountain." (Exodus 3:12) God was telling his hesitant servant that He would constantly be with him. In addition, Jehovah was indicating that he would without fail deliver his people. Down through the centuries, God has provided similar promises of support. For instance, through Moses he said to the nation of Israel as they were about to enter the Promised Land: "Be courageous and strong. . . . Jehovah your God is the one marching with you. He will neither desert you nor leave you entirely." (Deuteronomy 31:6) Jehovah also assured Joshua: "Nobody will take a firm stand before you all the days of your life.... I shall prove to be with you. I shall neither desert you nor leave you entirely." (Joshua 1:5) And he promises Christians: "I will by no means leave you nor by any means forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5) Having such strong support should make us feel proud to be Christians! Translation: Having such strong support should (shaming word) make us feel proud to be Jehovah?s Witnesses (the only true Christians).
Joshua?second OT example of how to be a Christian Proclaimers Book chap. 11 p. 156 How We Came to Be Known as Jehovah?s Witnesses ***
They were proud to let others know that they were Jehovah?s Witnesses10 About five centuries after Moses, a faithful Levite named Asaph wrote candidly regarding his doubts about the value of pursuing an upright course. While he struggled with serving God despite trials and temptations, Asaph saw some who scoffed at God grow more powerful and prosperous. How was Asaph affected? "As for me, my feet had almost turned aside," he admitted. "My steps had nearly been made to slip. For I became envious of the boasters, when I would see the very peace of wicked people." He began to doubt the value of being a worshiper of Jehovah. "Surely it is in vain that I have cleansed my heart and that I wash my hands in innocence itself," Asaph thought. "And I came to be plagued all day long."?Psalm 73: 2, 3,13,14. Asaph?3 rd OT example of how to be a Christian
And what of those at the KH who say they are prospering because God is blessing them?not thinking that others are not and that implies that God is not blessing them. BLURB page 14: For a time, Moses had feelings of self-doubt11 How did Asaph deal with these unsettling emotions? Did he deny them? No. He expressed them in prayer to God, as we see in the 73rd Psalm. The turning point for Asaph was a visit to the temple sanctuary. While there, he came to the realization that devotion to God is still the best course. With his spiritual appreciation renewed, he understood that Jehovah hated badness and that in due time the wicked would be punished. (Psalm 73:17-19) In the process, Asaph strengthened his sense of identity as a privileged servant of Jehovah. He said to God: "I am constantly with you; you have taken hold of my right hand. With your counsel you will lead me, and afterward you will take me even to glory." (Psalm 73:23, 24) Asaph came to take pride in his God again.? Psalm 34:2. Devotion to God but not devotion to the WTS.
In due time?soon, very soon now?yes, soon for the last 126 years.
Soon the wicked will be punished, all 6 ½ billion including babes in arms. w03 11/15 p. 6 You Can Believe in a Paradise Earth ***
Jehovah created the earth to be the Paradise home of the human family. Very soon now, God will have that original purpose fulfilled.w02 2/15 p. 7 Godly Principles Can Benefit You ***
The Bible gives us reason to expect very soon an earth-wide new system in which "righteousness is to dwell.Isaiah Prophecy-2 (2001) chap. 3 p. 37 "My Chosen One, Whom My Soul Has Approved!"
Very soon the enthroned King, the resurrected Christ Jesus, will ?bring vengeance upon those who do not know God.?w00 2/1 p. 8 How Much Longer for the Wicked? ***
Surely, then, we have every reason to be confident that the third of these divine judgments will be carried out. In fact, we can expect the fulfillment of it very soon. For the sake of the upright ones in these last days, God will bring destruction upon all wicked humans. The last of them will draw his final breath in the rapidly approaching "war of the great day of God the Almighty."Privileged?so what privileges do you have?
They Had a Strong Sense of Identity
12 One way to strengthen our sense of Christian (JW) identity is to examine and imitate the faith of loyal worshipers, who despite adversity took real pride in their relationship with God.
Consider Joseph, the son of Jacob. At a tender age, he was treacherously sold as a slave and taken to Egypt, hundreds of miles away from his God-fearing father and a world away from the warm supporting atmosphere of his home. While in Egypt, Joseph had no human to turn to for godly advice, and he had to face challenging situations that tested his morals and reliance on God. However, he clearly made a conscious effort to retain a strong sense of identity as a servant of God, and he remained faithful to what he knew was right. He was proud to be a worshiper of Jehovah even in a hostile environment, and he did not shy away from expressing how he felt.?Genesis 39:7-10. Joseph?4 th OT example of how to be a Christian
Too bad Joseph didn?t have that human around for godly advice; he wouldn?t have married the daughter of an Egyptian priest of On. I wondered how that affected his "strong sense of identity as a servant of God"? After that Phar´aoh called Joseph?s name Zaph´e·nath-pa·ne´ah and gave him As´e·nath the daughter of Pot·i´phe·ra the priest of On as a wife. And Joseph began to go out over the land of Egypt. GENESIS 41:45 A wife is bound during all the time her husband is alive. But if her husband should fall asleep [in death], she is free to be married to whom she wants, only in [the] Lord./ 1 CORINTHIANS 7:39 BLURB page 15: Many ancient servants of Jehovah took pride in their distinct identity13 Eight centuries later, a captive Israelite girl who became a slave of the Syrian general Naaman did not forget her identity as a worshiper of Jehovah. When the opportunity arose, she boldly gave a fine witness for Jehovah when she identified Elisha as a prophet of the true God. (2 Kings 5:1-19) Years after that, young King Josiah, despite being in a corrupt environment, enacted long-term religious reforms, repaired God's temple, and led the nation back to Jehovah. He took pride in his faith and worship. (2 Chronicles, chapters 34, 35) Daniel and his three Hebrew companions in Babylon never forgot their identity as servants of Jehovah, and even under pressure and temptation, they kept their integrity. Clearly, they were proud to be servants of Jehovah.?Daniel 1:8-20. 5 th OT example as to how to be a Christian?captive Israelite girl
6 th OT example as to how to be a Christian?Josiah
7 th OT example as to how to be a Christian?Daniel
8 th OT example as to how to be a Christian--Shadrach
9 th OT example as to how to be a Christian--Meshach
10 th OT example as to how to be a Christian--Abednego
She could point to a true prophet not the WTS whose prophecies have proved unreliable
Josiah was able to enact religious reforms; today a JW would be cast out as an apostate
Just like the WTS Daniel and his 3 companions had close relations with the "beast" of that time
Be Proud of Who You Are
14 These servants of God were successful because they nurtured a wholesome sense of pride in their standing before God. What about us today? What is involved in boasting in our Christian identity? 10 examples from the OT as to how to be proud to be a Christian. 15 Primarily, this includes a deep appreciation for being one of Jehovah's name people, having his blessing and approval. God has no doubts about who belong to him. The apostle Paul, who lived in an era of considerable religious confusion, wrote: "Jehovah knows those who belong to him." (2 Timothy 2:19; Numbers 16:5) Jehovah takes pride in those "who belong to him." He declares: "He that is touching you is touching my eyeball." (Zechariah 2:8) Clearly, Jehovah loves us. In return, our relationship with him should be based on deep love for him. Paul noted: "If anyone loves God, this one is known by him."?1 Corinthians 8:3. Actually Isaiah 43:10-12 applies only to the Israelites and in the WTS application, only to spiritual Israelites today...the anointed, the remnant?which make up less than 9,000 of the over 6 million JWs.
And based on what does the WTS say that God only loves them.
Who did Jesus die for, only JWs? 16 Young people who have been raised as Jehovah's Witnesses do well to examine whether their Christian identity is becoming stronger based on a personal relationship with God. They cannot depend merely on the faith of their parents. Regarding each servant of God, Paul wrote: "To his own master he stands or falls." Thus, Paul continues: "Each of us will render an account for himself to God." (Romans 14:4,12) Obviously, a halfhearted continuation of family tradition cannot sustain an intimate, long-term relationship with Jehovah. Yes, the young ones are dropping away like flies. As soon as they hit 18 or 19, out the door they go. Is it because they have been trained to have a JW identity rather than a Christian one? Is it because they don?t have a personal relationship with Jesus that they don?t have a Christian identity? Is it because they don?t see a Christian identity modeled by older people at the KH? 17 Throughout history, there has been a succession of witnesses of Jehovah. It extends from the faithful man Abel?about 60 centuries ago?to the "great crowd" of modern Witnesses and on to throngs of worshipers of Jehovah who will enjoy an endless future. (Revelation 7:9; Hebrews 11:4) We are the latest of this long line of faithful worshipers. What a rich spiritual heritage we have! 11 th OT example as to how to be a Christian?Abel
Witnesses of Jehovah or Christians
Worshipers of Jehovah or Christians
No wonder JWs have a hard time having a "Christian" identity.
CARROT: WHO WILL ENJOY AN ENDLESS FUTURE 18 Our Christian identity also includes the set of values, qualities, standards, and characteristics that identify us as Christians. Or rather identify as Jehovah?s Witnesses. It is "The Way," the only successful way of life and of pleasing God. (Acts 9:2; Ephesians 4: 22-24) Pleasing God or pleasing the WTS? Christians (JWs) "make sure of all things" and "hold fast to what is fine"! (1 Thessalonians 5:21) But don?t question the WTS even when they are wrong??wait on Jehovah.? We have a clear understanding of the vast difference between Christianity and the world that is alienated from God. Jehovah leaves no room for any ambiguity between true worship and false. (see earlier flipflops in the article)
1914, 1925, 1975 (dates that will live in infamy)
Organ transplants (forbidden between 1967 and 1980)
UN association as an NGO Through his prophet Malachi, he declared: "You people will again certainly see the distinction between a righteous one and a wicked one, between one serving God and one who has not served him."?Malachi 3:18. 19 Only JWs are righteous and some of them are suspect according to the WTS. Since boasting in Jehovah is so important in this confused and disoriented world, what can assist us to maintain a wholesome pride in our God and a strong sense of Christian identity? Helpful suggestions are found in the next article. While considering these, you can be certain of this: True Christians will never become victims of "apatheism." Concluding Comments
Do Jehovah?s Witnesses have a Christian identity? What do you read in their publications? What would you hear in their public talks? Is Jesus highlighted? Why are 11 examples from the OT used to illustrate how to be a Christian? Are there no appropriate examples in the NT? After reading this article, do you have a better picture of Jesus so that you could walk closely in his footsteps?
QUESTIONS
1. What trend is evident in the attitude of people toward religion?
2. (a) Why is it not surprising that people have become spiritually apathetic? (b) What danger does indifference pose to true Christians?
3. In what aspects of their identity can Christians take pride?
4. How can a worshiper of Jehovah determine what he is not?
5. What is implied by the admonition to "boast in Jehovah"?
6. Why do some find it challenging to maintain a clear perception of their identity as Christians?
7. (a) What kind of self-examination is fitting for servants of God? (b) Where does danger lurk?
8. 9. (a) How did Moses express his feelings of self-doubt? (b) How did Jehovah respond to Moses' reservations? (c) How are you affected by Jehovah's
reassurances?
10, 11. How was the Levite Asaph helped to maintain the correct attitude toward the value of his service to Jehovah?
12, 13. Give examples of Bible characters who took pride in their relationship with God.
14, 15. What is involved in boasting in our Christian identity?
16, 17. Why can Christians, young and old, take pride in their spiritual heritage?
18. How do our values and standards set us apart from the world?
19. What will true Christians never become?
DO YOU RECALL?
How can Christians "boast in Jehovah"?
What have you learned from the examples of Moses and Asaph?
What Bible characters took pride in their service to God?
What is involved in boasting in our Christian identity?1D The Divine Name in the Christian Greek Scriptures
"Jehovah." Heb., יהוה (YHWH or JHVH)
From App 1A and 1C it is evident that the Tetragrammaton in Hebrew characters (יהוה) was used in both the Hebrew text and the Greek Septuagint. Therefore, whether Jesus and his disciples read the Scriptures in either Hebrew or Greek, they would come across the divine name. In the synagogue at Nazareth, when Jesus rose and accepted the book of Isaiah and read 61:1, 2 where the Tetragrammaton occurs twice, he pronounced the divine name. This was in accordance with his determination to make Jehovah?s name known as can be seen from his prayer to his Father: "I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world. . . . I have made your name known to them and will make it known."?Joh 17:6, 26.
There is evidence that Jesus? disciples used the Tetragrammaton in their writings. In his work De viris inlustribus [Concerning Illustrious Men], chapter III, Jerome, in the fourth century, wrote the following: "Matthew, who is also Levi, and who from a publican came to be an apostle, first of all composed a Gospel of Christ in Judaea in the Hebrew language and characters for the benefit of those of the circumcision who had believed. Who translated it after that in Greek is not sufficiently ascertained. Moreover, the Hebrew itself is preserved to this day in the library at Caesarea, which the martyr Pamphilus so diligently collected. I also was allowed by the Nazarenes who use this volume in the Syrian city of Beroea to copy it." (Translation from the Latin text edited by E. C. Richardson and published in the series "Texte und Untersuchungen zur Geschichte der altchristlichen Literatur," Vol. 14, Leipzig, 1896, pp. 8, 9.)
Matthew made more than a hundred quotations from the inspired Hebrew Scriptures. Where these quotations included the divine name he would have been obliged faithfully to include the Tetragrammaton in his Hebrew Gospel account. When the Gospel of Matthew was translated into Greek, the Tetragrammaton was left untranslated within the Greek text according to the practice of that time.
Not only Matthew but all the writers of the Christian Greek Scriptures quoted verses from the Hebrew text or from the Septuagint where the divine name appears. For example, in Peter?s speech in Ac 3:22 a quotation is made from De 18:15 where the Tetragrammaton appears in a papyrus fragment of the Septuagint dated to the first century B.C.E. (See App 1C §1.) As a follower of Christ, Peter used God?s name, Jehovah. When Peter?s speech was put on record the Tetragrammaton was here used according to the practice during the first century B.C.E. and the first century C.E.
Sometime during the second or third century C.E. the scribes removed the Tetragrammaton from both the Septuagint and the Christian Greek Scriptures and replaced it with Ky´ri·os, "Lord" or The·os´, "God."
Concerning the use of the Tetragrammaton in the Christian Greek Scriptures, George Howard of the University of Georgia wrote in Journal of Biblical Literature, Vol. 96, 1977, p. 63: "Recent discoveries in Egypt and the Judean Desert allow us to see first hand the use of God?s name in pre-Christian times. These discoveries are significant for N[ew] T[estament] studies in that they form a literary analogy with the earliest Christian documents and may explain how NT authors used the divine name. In the following pages we will set forth a theory that the divine name, יהוה (and possibly abbreviations of it), was originally written in the NT quotations of and allusions to the O[ld] T[estament] and that in the course of time it was replaced mainly with the surrogate ? [abbreviation for Ky´ri·os, "Lord"]. This removal of the Tetragram[maton], in our view, created a confusion in the minds of early Gentile Christians about the relationship between the ?Lord God? and the ?Lord Christ? which is reflected in the MS tradition of the NT text itself."
We concur with the above, with this exception: We do not consider this view a "theory," rather, a presentation of the facts of history as to the transmission of Bible manuscripts.
RESTORING THE DIVINE NAMEThroughout the centuries many translations of parts or of all the Christian Greek Scriptures have been made into Hebrew. Such translations, designated in this work by "J" with a superior number, have restored the divine name to the inspired Christian Greek Scriptures in various places. They have restored the divine name not only when coming upon quotations from the Hebrew Scriptures but also in other places where the texts called for such restoration.
To know where the divine name wa s replaced by the Greek words Κ ύ ριος and Θε ό ς, we have determined where the inspired Christian writers have quoted verses, passages and expressions from the Hebrew Scriptures and then we have referred back to the Hebrew text to ascertain whether the divine name appears there. In this way we determined the identity to give Ky´ri·os and The·os´ and the personality with which to clothe them.
To avoid overstepping the bounds of a translator into the field of exegesis, we have been most cautious about rendering the divine name in the Christian Greek Scriptures, always carefully considering the Hebrew Scriptures as a background. We have looked for agreement from the Hebrew versions to confirm our rendering. Thus, out of the 237 times that we have rendered the divine name in the body of our translation, there is only one instance where we have no agreement from the Hebrew versions. But in this one instance, namely, 1Co 7:17, the context and related texts strongly support rendering the divine name.?See 1Co 7:17 ftn, "Jehovah."
Following is a list of the 237 places where the name "Jehovah" occurs in the main text of the New World Translation of the Christian Greek Scriptures. Supporting the rendering are various sources listed by their respective symbols. For an explanation of the symbols ("J" references), see the Introduction under "Textual Symbols."
The following list also indicates the Greek word to be found at these locations in the Westcott and Hort Greek text. Ky´ri·os, "Lord," and its various forms are designated by Ky. Similarly, The´os, "God," and its various forms are designated by Th. An asterisk (*) preceding either of these symbols indicates that the Greek word is accompanied by the definite article in the Greek text. A plus sign (+) following the verse citation indicates that there is additional information to be found in a footnote on that verse.
1 CORINTHIANS
1:31 Ky; J 7,8,10-14,16-18,22-24