In this discussion, we will be
examining three precepts on the part of the GBoJW which they use to claim that
we should be obedient to them and their BoE.
These precepts are...
- the Bible instructs
to be so
- BoE are appointed
by Holy Spirit
- the GBoJW is FDS
and require such
In the Insight on the Scriptures Vol II, under the heading “SCRIPTURES”,
the following is stated:
Essential
for Christians. Since Jesus Christ constantly appealed
to the Hebrew Scriptures to support his teaching, it is important for his
followers not to deviate from them. The apostle Paul emphasizes their value and
essential nature when he says: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial
for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in
righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped
for every good work.”—2Ti 3:16, 17.
Additionally, in the Watchtower magazine of June 1st
2000, in an article headed “”The
Changing Face of ‘Christianity’ – Acceptable to God?”, the writing
committee of the GBoJW would have us note the following...
“The disfiguring of God
and Christianity continues today. A professor of religion recently described
the struggle in his Protestant church as one “over the authority of Scripture
and creed versus the authority of alien and humanistic ideologies, between the
church’s faithfulness to the lordship of Christ versus an accommodation and
reformulation of Christianity to the spirit of the age. The issue at stake is
this: Who sets the agenda for the church . . . Holy Scripture or the
dominant ideology of the day?”
I
would agree with the above whole heartedly.
It is important for Jesus’ followers not to deviate from the
scriptures. However, I am concerned that
the “disfiguring of God and Christianity” is not solely a phenomenon peculiar
to organisations other than the organisation of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In recent years, the frequency of demands for
obedience and loyalty to the JW organisation, it’s BoE’s and the GBoJW is quite
perturbing. Currently, there seems to be
a veritable onslaught of demands for this obedience and loyalty; but the focus
is actually on deference to BoE and the GBoJW.
Were the demands for such obedience and loyalty focussed on Jesus
Christ, then I would not be perturbed in the slightest but would be welcoming
and applauding such.
Both
I and my friends have had very bad experiences at the hands of our local
BoE. The experience of my friends is
much worse than what I have experienced, and I am in awe at their restraint and
poise in the face of egregious BoE deportment.
Thus, I have embarked on an exploration of whether or not obedience to
JW BoE and their GBoJW is actually a Christian requirement.
At a simple level, I know in my heart of hearts that
something is very very wrong. If what
the GBoJW contends is actually correct then I wouldn’t be experiencing all
these negative emotions. No, if what
they assert is actually true, then I would be having experiences of being
spiritually fortified, encouraged, refreshed, up built. If only that were
really so! But relying on emotional
mal-experience is not sufficient. Thus,
another reason to explore scripturally, if the aforementioned demands have
legitimacy.
1st precept
- the Bible instructs us to be obedient
to JW BoE / GBoJW.
The
WT of April 1st 1988 page
30, in an article headed “Is Obedience Always Proper?” the
GBoJW relates the following...
Obedience to our
Creator, Jehovah God, is always proper. As our Maker and the Source of life, he
has the first claim to the obedience of his creatures. (Psalm 95:6, 7) As
the Supreme Sovereign, Jehovah also delegates his authority to others who meet
his standards, and this makes our obedience to them appropriate. Foremost among
such persons is Jesus Christ. Since 1914 he has become the God-appointed King
of the heavenly Kingdom “that the peoples, national groups and languages should
all serve even him.” (Daniel 7:13, 14) Furthermore, as Head of the
Christian congregation, Jesus has imparted authority to others therein, making
our obedience to such undershepherds appropriate.—Hebrews 13:17.
The
assertion based on Hebrews 13:17 has been repeated multitudinous times since
1988. However, when one explores the
meaning of the Greek word translated as “obedient” in a Biblical lexicon, it
becomes clear that what is actually meant is “to persuade, to win over” Peitho/
Πειθεσθε (Greek from Kingdom Interlinear) in the Passive and Middle Voices, “to
be persuaded, to listen to, to obey,” is so used with this meaning, in the
Middle Voice, e.g., in Acts 5:36-37 (in Acts 5:40, Passive Voice, “they
agreed”); Rom. 2:8; Jas. 3:3; Gal 5:7; Heb.
13:17:...
Well
that is interesting. I continued reading
the lexicon and it went on to add that “The ‘obedience’ suggested is not by
submission to authority, but resulting from persuasion. However, the way the GBoJW portrays the
translation of this word (Peitho/ Πειθεσθε) is more like that mentioned
elsewhere in the Bible – Peitharcheo
which means “to obey one in authority” (arche “rule”) and is translated as “obey” in Acts
5:29,32; “to be obedient”, Titus 3:1.
Thus,
the GBoJW demands the obedience of publishers to themselves and their BoEs on
the basis of a poorly translated verb and portraying the meaning of that verb
(Peitho/ Πειθεσθε) erroneously as just outlined. Therefore, if a member of the BoE came to me
and demanded that I wear a white shirt and a suit when undertaking “privileges”
in the congregation, I could accept such on the basis of being persuaded by the
proper use of scripture. If he were to
demand that I be attired in such a way without being persuaded by the proper
use of scripture, then I’m afraid he will just have to be humble and accept
that that the limit of his expectation is that my apparel be modest and well
arranged (1 Tim. 2:9) and that beyond that the BoE too are subject to
scriptural authority such as minding their own business (1 Thess 4:11) and not
be a busybody in my affairs (1 Pet 4:15).
However, I would also say here that even if I were approached by an
individual who is not from the BoE, perhaps an individual in “filthy clothing”
/ “vile raiment” (James 2:2-4) approached me and gave me counsel on the basis
of proper use of scripture, I would feel obliged to defer to such.
In
view of the rather wide ranging focus on the authority of the BoE / GBoJW and
the vigour with which they are increasingly eisegetical in their publications
etc., it is likely that I would continue
to view what they demand in the way of obedience, loyalty, and deference with
considerable circumspection.
However,
the same article from 1988 is
somewhat more convergent with the Bible’s teaching than much of what is taught
today. That same article had this to
say....
Is it always proper,
however, to listen to those who have been entrusted with positions of
authority? Not if they attempt to use their authority in an ungodly way..... But what if such ones order us to do
something in conflict with the laws of the almighty God? What Paul said next
indicates the proper course: “Not by way of eye-service as men pleasers, but as
Christ’s slaves, doing the will of God whole-souled.” (Ephesians 6:5, 6)
On another occasion, Peter and the other apostles said: “We must obey God as
ruler rather than men.”—Acts 5:29.
Test the Inspired
Expressions
What about the authority in the Christian congregation?..... But it does not mean that we obey such
authority without giving due consideration to what is being said. Why?
The apostle John offered this counsel: “Do
not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expressions to see
whether they originate with God.” (1 John 4:1) This does not mean that we
should be suspicious of everything others tell us. Rather, we bear in mind Paul’s
words at Galatians 1:8: “Even if we or an angel out of heaven were to declare
to you as good news something beyond what we declared to you as good news, let
him be accursed.”
Is the person spreading that message
speaking to honor the name of Jehovah, or is he trying to exalt himself? Is the
information in harmony with the overall teachings of the Bible? These are
questions that will help us in ‘testing’ anything that may sound questionable.
We are admonished to “make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” - 1 Thessalonians
5:21.
We
don’t get thoughts like that anymore in the Watchtower magazine. Rather, it tends to be replete with references
to the Faithful & Discrete Slave and thus seeks to have readers honour and
elevate the GBoJW in their minds! To do
this, one has to enter into a state of denial, a state of rejecting the
authority of scripture which the GBoJW now seems to pay lip service to!
2nd Precept
- BoE
are appointed by Holy Spirit.
“Bearing Thorough Witness” (Chap 5) – We Must Obey God As
Ruler
20 Jehovah’s people today follow the apostolic pattern. Men
recommended for congregational responsibility must manifest godly wisdom and
give evidence that the holy spirit is operating on them. Under the direction of
the Governing Body, men who meet the Scriptural requirements are appointed to
serve as elders or ministerial servants in the congregations. (1 Tim.
3:1-9, 12, 13) Those who meet the qualifications can be said to have been
appointed by holy spirit.
“Keep Yourselves In
God’s Love” (Chap 4) – Why Respect
Authority (Respect in the Congregation)
16 Elders and ministerial servants are not perfect. They have
failings, as we do. Yet, the elders are “gifts in men,” provided to help the
congregation remain spiritually strong. (Ephesians 4:8) Elders are appointed by
holy spirit. (Acts 20:28) How so? In that such men must first meet the
qualifications recorded in God’s spirit-inspired Word. (1 Timothy 3:1-7,
12; Titus 1:5-9) Further, the elders who evaluate a brother’s qualifications
pray earnestly for the guidance of Jehovah’s holy spirit.
Both
of these publications avoid claiming that the decision to appoint individuals
to BoE is “inspired” by Holy Spirit in any way.
Rather, they strongly allude to candidates giving evidence of their
lives being convergent to a reasonable degree with the qualifications outlined
in the Bible. For my actual experiences
with a BoE in determining whether or not an individual is to be appointed as an
elder, see my blog on .....
http://discussthetruth.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=1868 (Part 2 – Watchtower qualifications for those
“reaching out” – a paradox!”
I have no experience of individuals being
compared with the scriptural qualifications to discern if they are appointed by
Holy Spirit. Sole criteria was their
ministry hours, meeting attendance and participation, and a ready deference to
the BoE of course! Hardly
scriptural! The behaviour of the BoE,
the GBoJW e.g. – the UN NGO affiliation debacle, the inimical positioning to
the Australian Royal Commission into child abuse, and the GBoJW iron rigidity
in contesting/denying/appealing all cases of child abuse/molestation, and the UK branch of JW’s pertinacious
attempts to obstruct the Charity Commissions investigation of them re child
safeguarding policies; all of these give very strong empirical evidence of
another spirit being in operation with these individuals! Were they (BoE and GBoJW) truly appointed by
God’s Holy Spirit, their behaviour would be radically different and not a
profile which exemplifies turpitude, self-absorption, and unkindness. The profile which they have exhibited is
remote from anything I can find in 1 Cor. 13.
3rd Precept - the GBoJW is FDS and legitimately require obedience
The
reverence being shown to the “Faithful & Discreet Slave” (GBoJW) by
Jehovah’s Witnesses is truly remarkable.
There is very little scrutiny of GBoJW
conduct, which is now more readily discernible following their commencement of
broadcasting, and also via the increasing use of digital media – for example
one of their number’s evasion of appearance at the Supreme Court of California
despite he and his colleagues’ readiness to portray to publishers, the need to
defer to Luke 12:12 – rather two faced to put it mildly. How is that GB member’s behaviour faithful
and discreet? Indeed, in what way is the
GBoJW’s engagement in broadcasting themselves faithful and discreet? Why do they assume that because they are
members of the GBoJW that such qualifies them as proficient public speakers and
able to handle God’s Word with competence.
If the GBoJW is really the FDS then why are they not faithful to God’s
Word? I’m referring to the 1975
teaching, the “generation” teaching and their subsequent sophistry in arriving
at tortuous revisions which have nothing to do with God’s Word. I’m referring to their steadfast retention of
the 1914 teaching. Part of such is that
several years later Jesus inspected them and approved them. Yet they were smokers, wearers of crucifixes,
celebrators of birthdays and Christmas.
Yet if Jesus really did inspect them and approve of them with such
practices at that time, then why are individuals who would dare to smoke, have
a crucifix, celebrate a birthday or Christmas be disfellowshipped on the
grounds of apostasy today? Why don’t they
exercise the mercy which Jesus must have exercised towards them if he really
did approve them in such circumstances?
Maybe their 1914 / 1919 teaching is simply erroneous? I think so!
In
the scriptures which the GBoJW utilize to portray themselves as the FDS, the
context is that of parables – illustrations.
That they then take such out of context to be prophetic is rather poor
to put it mildly. It’s much easier to
read in the NIV where good use is made of subheadings, and one is visually
confronted more readily with the fact that Jesus was using parables for
teaching purposes.
Personally,
I feel dreadfully uncomfortable in being obedient to the FDS and their
BoE’s. I feel that I would be following
men. A very strong scriptural reason for
this position is detailed by the apostle Paul at Hebrews 1:1,2...
“God, who long ago
spoke on many occasions and in many ways to our forefathers by means of the
prophets, 2 has at the end of these days spoken to us by
means of a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made
the systems of things.”
Despite
the GBoJW repeatedly trying to convince people of God having used an
organisation to communicate his will and that he uses the modern day organisation
of JW similarly, this scripture says that he has hitherto communicated in “many
ways” but only through the prophets. In
the first century, thereafter, and now, he has “spoken to us by means of a Son
whom he appointed heir of all things”.
This scripture does not leave any space for an intermediary such as a
GBoJW or their self proclaimed status of FDS (like a de facto scredotalism). No, it’s just Jesus. This understanding is compatible with 1 Cor
11:3 “... the head of every man is the Christ...” and thus again, no room for
an intermediary such as a GBoJW or FDS.
Again, Romans 14:9 says that Jesus is “Lord over both the dead and the living”; Eph 4:15 affirms “..him who is the head,
Christ”. That Jesus is the head and no
intermediary is in turn compatible with what Jesus himself taught in Matt 23:8
“... whereas all you are brothers” – no concept of a hierarchy in Jesus’
statement. Further, the scriptures state
that “... the Christ also is head of the congregation...” (Eph 5:23) and “...
he is the head of the body, the congregation..” (Col 1:18). So this too, rules out any GBoJW/FDS intermediary
as being a legitimate teaching. I note
that in the 2013 revision of the NWT, the GBoJW seeks to convince readers that
there was a GB in the first century.
This is a mere projection of the GBoJW’s need to augment what in reality
is a scripturally enervated position and teaching regarding their status. The Bible then and now portrays a brotherhood
with Christ as the head. This is far
removed from a stratified institution with a GB as the head and which prides
itself in its many legalisms, and elevates its publications as having a similar
merit to scripture.
Conclusion
The
GBoJW is condemned by its own words. In
the earlier quoted WT magazine of June 1st
2000, in an article headed “”The Changing Face of ‘Christianity’ it
was stated that “The
disfiguring of God and Christianity continues today. A professor of religion
recently described the struggle in his Protestant church as one “over the
authority of Scripture and creed versus the authority of alien and humanistic
ideologies, between the church’s faithfulness to the lordship of Christ versus
an accommodation and reformulation of Christianity to the spirit of the age...?”
The
GBoJW has disfigured God and Christianity.
The organisation is a highly stratified hierarchy where much importance
is attached to one’s position in the organisation (ministerial servant, elder,
pioneer, circuit overseer). Obedience to
their teachings and precepts takes priority over love. Yet “God is Love” teaches the apostle John (1
John 4:8, 4:16). Examples of such love
being lacking are multitudinous, including the dismissal of many circuit
overseers due to their age (betraying the GBoJW’s lip service to “silver hair”)
and the dismissal of many “Bethelites” without any supportive package
placement(s) – what was that golden rule stated by Jesus?! The GBoJW for its part esteems ministry hours
and barely mentions the first commandment thus, in its literature...
“One
of the scribes who had come up and heard them disputing, knowing that he had
answered them in a fine way, asked him: “Which commandment is first of all?” 29 Jesus
answered: “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel, Jehovah our God is one Jehovah, 30 and
you must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul
and with your whole mind and with your whole strength.’ 31 The
second is this, ‘You must love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other
commandment greater than these.”
Truly
simple, beautiful and refreshing teaching on the part of Jesus, but one which
is not significantly featured by the GBoJW in its literature or digital
media. No! The “humanistic ideology”
here is one of 21st century corporate productivity - ministry hours,
meeting attendance, enrolment as a “Pioneer”, and elevating the lordship of the GBoJW rather
than “faithfulness to the lordship of Christ”.
So
obedience to the GBoJW and its BoE is not a requirement for Christians that I
can discern. However, obedience to the
Christ is essential! There is a
difference!
How
can JW’s today give a rebuttal to the accusation that they are followers of men
and/or men pleasers?
