Monday 9 March 2009

The Watchtower view of the Bible

How do the modern concepts and teachings of the wts differ from the old ones of 100 years ago?

Here are some examples from the past of their views on understanding scripture relative to the wts organisation.

"Bible classes and and Bible studies are all to no purpose until the Lord, in due time , sent them the 'Bible keys' through the society" wt10/01/1909 p4482

"If the six volumes of SCRIPTURE STUDIES are practically the bible topically arranged, with Bible proof texts given we might not improperly name the volumes- the Bible in an arranged form. That is to say ,they are not merely comments on the Bible , but they are practically the Bible itself...." wt9/15/1910p4685.

"A person would go into darkness after two years of reading the Bible alone; would be in the light reading the studies in the scriptures alone" wt9/15/1910.p4685


Now some more recent statements.

"Heavy research is not necessary.The Watchtower has done it for you.The most beneficial study you can do is to read the Watchtower or Awake! or a new book by the organisation." wt6/01/67 p338

"The Bible is a sealed book except to the organisation"Wt7/01/73p402

"Jehovah caused the Bible to be written in such a way that you need his human channel to understand it"WT 2/15/1981p.17

"Unless we are in touch with this channel of communication that god is using, we will not progress along the road to life, no matter how much Bible study we do."WT 12/01/81p 27.

"An individual must have The Watchtower to understand the Bible" 1983 yearbook p.21

"Our coming to know "the truth"- the entire body of Christian teachings that HAS BECOME PART OF THE BIBLE - and adhering to it are essential for our salvation." 15/12/2009 p.28,study edition.

And this is link is on the official web page of JW's right now.
(click on the link below)

Mennonites Search for Bible Truth

Johann told his wife and children: “You must always read The Watchtower. It will help you to understand the Bible.”



These statements are not merely the views of the wts , but are rather enforced doctrine that if any JW was to disagree with would mean his removal from the congregation.

The import of these quotes is that the Bible is basically a book for the organisation's Governing Body to interpret. No individual can operate outside of these parameters.

A fair question to ask would be; how did God-fearing Christians manage to please God and attain salvation before the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society appeared in the late 19th century?

Is it really likely that no one was able to understand the Bible properly until C.T. Russell explained it to them through his books? As all of his books are now spiritually defunct,how could his views be the only way to salvation?If you believed his teachings nowadays you would be disfellowshipped.
What about the two billion professed Christians around the world today? Can all of these people who have 'just' the Bible be living in a spiritual vacuum, without any hope for salvation?

I think the most pertinent scriptures that come to mind are John 14;26 "But the helper, the Holy Spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach you all things and bring back to your minds all the things I told you."
and John 15;26 "When the helper arrives that I will send you from the Father, the spirit of the truth, which proceeds from the Father, that one will bear witness about me"

Far from a publishing corporation or even an individual or group, Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit , a helper and teacher would instruct people and witness about him.

5 comments:

  1. Good post. It's a valid question; how was salvation achieved before CT Russell stumbled onto the world scene?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Something I point out from time to time. True the Governing Body is made up of anointed members. However they represent only a very small portion of the remnant here on earth. With a little over 9,000 partakers worldwide, the Steward in Bethel is in the minority. What if the majority of the remnant (who are not in Bethel) disagree with what's being published as Bible Truth. Who's correct? Who should be listened to? Actually the WTS says in the front page of the Watchtower that "it adheres to The Bible as it's authority". So, if anything comes from Bethel that cannot be readily backed up by scripture, it should be treated as so much refuse.
    An Elder once said to me that no one who was disfellowshipped could have a relationship with God. My reply is that Jeremiah, Habakkuk, Joel, Isaiah, etc,.. were all considered apostates by their own religious leaders and yet they had wonderful relationships with God. So it's plausible that even though we might be physically removed from an organization run by imperfect men, we should alway recall the words of the Apostle Paul found at Romans 8:38,39.

    ReplyDelete
  3. "disfellowshipped for such things as saying the Bible teaches the worship of Jesus and not believing JW doctrine"

    I don't believe that for a second. It is your attitude that disfellowshipped you, not your sayings and not believing. That is just what you chose to hold on to.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Once again your ignorance of the ACTUAL FACTS in this case are clear in your comments. Perhaps you will be convinced when you hear the chairman of my judicial committee say exactly what I stated.

    Do you think that I'm just making up random statement which are baseless accusations and viewpoints?

    What purpose would that serve?

    I have been careful not to say anything that is not supported by evidence in the Wts publications or what was ACTUALLY SAID by the representatives who enforce The poloicies of the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses.

    The fact that you don't believe shows your arrogance or fear that what you see here couldn't possibly be true, could it?

    As for "my attitude" getting me disfellowshipped, you are wrong again. I had ceased contact with the JW's , and stopped attending their meetings until they turned up at my door to tell me that in three days I was to appear before a judicial committee.

    So how could they be aware of my "attitude" when they didn't even see me?

    "what I hold onto" is not why I am no longer a Jehovah's Witness, but rather my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

    I wish you all the best in coming into a relationship with him in the future.

    Matt.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Considering the Watchtowers view of the Bible, in the light of the above quotations from Watchtower publications.

    Is Russell's Studies in the Scriptures. Studied today at Watchtower meetings. If not, why not?
    The Bible has not changed. An example of the Bible's advice, do not put your trust in nobles, the sons of earthling man in whom there is no salvation. To say you would be better off reading studies in the scriptures than reading the Bible is showing outrageous disrespect towards the Author of the Bible. As time has shown regarding the studies in the scriptures.
    Not studied at Watchtower meetings today.

    There are many, many books printed by the Watchtower that are not studied today. Why?

    Some say because they are out of date. When has the TRUTH been out of date? Never! The BIBLE is GOD's WORD and has proved yesterday to be TRUTHFUL, today to be TRUTHFUL, and tomorrow will be TRUTHFUL. Can we have the same confidence in man's writings explaining scripture? No. To say you would be better off reading studies in the scriptures rather than reading GOD's Word is so disrespectful to our Heavenly Father. Not an example to follow.

    ReplyDelete