Posts by FWFranz

30

Governing Body

by Daym123 in

hello,.

i am currently in a discussion with a jw about the governing body.. i have read alot of articles regarding it, however whenever i bring up what i have read, i am refuted with scripture, such as acts 15, where they say there was a governing body, who sent out elders and men etc.. does anyone have a website that i may not know of, that has answers to what they refute with?

or any help here or good thought provoking questions to respond with would be much appreciated.. thank you kindly.

FWFranz

Hi

You may have some difficulty trying to convince a JW that the parable about a "wise and faithful servant" is not a prophecy as the WTS insists. So I would approach it from this angle.

Ask the JW these two questions.

Why has the WTS been uncertain of who the "slave" actually is, requiring that they redefine the identity of the "slave" numerous times since first adopting this doctrine. There is no biblical example of a servant/prophet of God who was unsure of his own identity over a 100 year period. That notion is utterly ludicrous. The WTS has continually reinvented the identity of the slave since day one. God is not the author of such confusion.

Next would be to examine the fruitage of this supposed "chosen servant of God". Virtually every time prophecy/prediction that this "slave" has made has failed. Can they site a similar scenario in the bible with true prophets of God who had a 100 year track record of failed predictions. I think not.

If your friend does not respond to this information, he may never see the light, but at least it is worth trying.

FWFranz

27

One month researching my doubts: my crucial issues with WTBTS - what are yours?

by Tornintwo in

jw
friends

so after 20 years a convert, about a month ago i decided to start listening to my doubts and to do independent research about the wtbts teachings (naughty me).

as a result i have consolidated my position on various points and these are my major issues with the wtbts teachings, i am posting these to help myself figure things out (with your assistance) and hopefully to hear from others at their stage of drawing away from the gb - newbies' especially.

in the form of notes so hope you dont mind...child abuse.

FWFranz

Hi Tornintwo

For such a short time, I think you've made a very good list. All of those things are quite disturbing for sure, but I would say that the number of mishandled child abuse cases is the most shocking information, and it does prove that you will "know them by their fruits".

I realised many years ago that there were several questionable doctrines that are still taught by the WTS. The "invisible parousia" can easily be dismantled by a closer look at scripture. The teaching that the first resurrection has already begun is another one that doesn't take much to disprove. There are many others that fall upon careful investigation. I am sure you will find these with some homework. I am happy to hear that this great disappointment hasn't shattered your faith in God and his Son. There are other non trinitarian fellowships out there that one can explore. As others have advised I would suggest that you do additional research and take everything very slowly and prayerfully.

FWFranz

15

Ray Franz repeat?

by zound in

if one of the current governing body members pulled a ray franz and stepped down/got disfellowshipped then either wrote an expose or something else to go against the watchtower society - would they be forgiven and accepted by the ex-jw community?.

considering they have ray's example behind them i find it more deplorable that they continue in their paths, and personally would find it hard, though not impossible to forgive them - but am interested in everyones opinion....

FWFranz

Hi Nathan Natas

I also left a few years before Ray did and for different reasons. Reading Ray's books filled in the blanks for me and helped to confirm many things. I kept in contact with Ray through letters and periodic phone calls. I would agree, that he simply felt compelled to tell his story in hopes that it might bring some clarity in the constant fog that surrounds the WT world. He certainly wasn't looking for a following as some might have suggested.

Villagegirl. Excellent post. Right on the money.

FWFranz

16

In Practice, the GB Substitutes "The Organization" for Jesus

by Ding in

recently, i have had some pm discussions with a couple of jwn members regarding the extent to which the gb injects itself and the wt organization into the bible message.

one of them encouraged me to post my comments as a topic, so i am doing so here.. .

in the wt religion, everything is about "god's organization.

FWFranz

Hi Ding I absolutely agree that the FDS's "self appointment" has been their greatest stumbling block to receiving genuine divine favor and guidance. They have indeed attempted to usurp the position that Jesus Christ has in leading the Christian congregation. They have inserted themselves in where they where never invited, in much the same way that other large Christian denominations have done, with the same distastrous results. In Matthew 24-45 they have taken a simple parable and twisted it into a prophecy when it was never intended to be such. Their "self appointment" shows little faith in Christ's ability to lead his true followers by the scriptures and the leading of God's spirit. Instead they have provided us with numerous failed predictions that have done nothing but destroy people's faith in the bible and endless doctrinal changes that make them look confused and definitely not directed by the holy spirit of God. Their fanatical insistance on allegiance to every word that comes out of their mouths is tantamount to idolatry. Their insistance that one must come to them for salvation is blasphemy.

FWFranz

24

Under the New Light, Where is the Continuity?

by Ding in

under the old light, from 33 ce onward, there was always an anointed remnant on earth, and these constituted the faithful and discreet slave class whom jesus had appointed over his domestics to give them spiritual meat in due season.. but the new light is that the "anointed" were not the faithful and discreet slave after all.. in fact, according to the new light, jesus did not appoint anyone as faithful and discreet slave over his domestics until 1919 (not even the apostles or russell).. so according to the new light, who or what was jehovah's visible organization from the death of the apostles until 1919?.

who was authorized to provide spiritual food in due season?.

where is the continuity?.

FWFranz

Hi Ding

This line of thinking is quite close to that of Herbert W. Armstrong and the "World Wide Church of God". Armstrong believed that Christ's church had fallen into apostacy by adopting many pagan traditions and beliefs and wasn't liberated from their spiritual darkness until he came on the scene as God's chosen vessel to restore the truth to Christianity. This is more or less what the WTS is now teaching. Especially as they now think that there was no one in particular who was appointed to feed the flock from the death of the apostles right up until CT.Russell came on the scene.

FWFranz

8

Do you really think Jesus is in this room? No----I KNOW Jesus is in this room"

by Terry in

jw
friends

cormac mccarthy wrote no country for old men, the road, the border trilogy (all the pretty horses...etc.).

and he wrote this play: sunset ltd.. .

it is a 2 man play.. the 2 men are samuel l. jackson and tommy lee jones.

FWFranz

Hi Terry

Thanks for posting that. I watched the entire movie. Very powerful indeed. Made me think of Samuel Beckett. Not sure why.

FWFranz

15

What is the role of the rest of the Anointed,please ?

by Phizzy in

i am a little confused, i have to admit it is laziness/nausea, i cannot make myself read the latest rag that spews out the new shite, but my question is, what is the future role of the rest of the anointed ?.

if the fds, which now consists of a handful of men, is going to be "appointed over all jesus' belongings" are the rest of the anointed not only redundant now, but into eternity too ?.

FWFranz

Hi Dismissing Servant

How many overcomers there will be in the end is unknown to us at this time, but they will rule over all who will return in the ressurection. I firmly believe that there will be many who never heard the gospel message who will be ressurected to earth to learn of God's plan for mankind. Both those who are made spirits to rule with Christ and those who return in the ressurection could number in the millions/billions.

FWFranz

15

What is the role of the rest of the Anointed,please ?

by Phizzy in

i am a little confused, i have to admit it is laziness/nausea, i cannot make myself read the latest rag that spews out the new shite, but my question is, what is the future role of the rest of the anointed ?.

if the fds, which now consists of a handful of men, is going to be "appointed over all jesus' belongings" are the rest of the anointed not only redundant now, but into eternity too ?.

FWFranz

Hi Phizzy

The bible is clear that all who are "overcomers" will rule as kings and priests with Jesus. The bible teaches no alterate scenario or detailed hierarchy. JW's need only ask themselves one question. Did first century Christians believe and teach that a handful of men at the end of the age would be appointed over ALL of Christ's belonging. Of course they didn't!

For the millionth time, the parable about the faithful and wise servant is merely a parable, not a prophecy. The WTS chooses not to wake up to this simple fact because it would srtip away their unique power structure and hold over the lives of millions of JW's Its that simple.

FWFranz

40

Your own mortality, how do you cope with it?

by CookieMonster in

jw
friends

i've been a lurker here and an inactive jw for a number of years.

i've always had some annoying doubts but brushed it aside but over the last few years i've had time to "think" away from the wt.

perhaps there is no paradise, maybe no god and this life is all there is.

FWFranz

Hi CookieMonster

I sympathize with your present awakening to realities of life and death. Even the bible tells us plainly in Hebrews 9:27, "And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment," If JW's just read the scriptures they would realize that all men, including themselves, will die one day. This is why Paul stressed the resurrection as the only hope that a Christian had to live again. Somehow the WTS has exempted themselves from the plain words of scripture. Unfortunately the wages of sin are death. The WTS has made a promise that they can not keep.

FWFranz

Romans 6:23 provides some comfort in my opinion.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

27

The totally BOGUS idea of CERTAINTY inside the Watchtower religion

by Terry in

i'm going to ask a question and it is a very simple question.

think about it before you answer.

are you ready?.

FWFranz

Hi Terry

That was well said. The complete absence of humility on the part of virtually every phase of leadership in the WTS, from the days of Russell to the present day is truly mind blowing. It is incomprehensible that a God who demands humility from his servants would put up with the WTS for a week, let alone a 100 plus years. To my knowledge they have never published a heart felt apology about anything. Even when their errors have led to the death of fellow believers.

FWFranz