Commenting on The Watchtower July 15, 2008 “House‐to‐House Ministry” (all articles)
Questions for Jehovah’s Witnesses, Part 2 “God’s Channel?”
See video at www.watchtowercomments.com
In context (page 3): 1) It is a familiar sight in almost every nation on earth. Two neatly dressed individuals approach a house and endeavor to share with the householder a brief message from the Bible concerning God’s kingdom. If he shows interest in the message, they may present Bible‐based literature and offer a free home Bible Study. Then they proceed to the next house. If you participate in this work, you likely find that people often recognize you as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses even before you begin to speak. Indeed, the house‐to‐house ministry has become our trademark. 2) We use a variety of methods to carry out the commission Jesus gave us to preach and make disciples. (Matt. 28:19, 20) We witness in marketplaces, on street corners, and in other public areas. (Acts 17:17) We contact many by telephone and by letter. We share Bible truths with those we meet during our daily activities. We even have an official Web site, which provides access to Bible‐based information in more than 300 languages.* All these methods yield good results. Yet, in most places, our principle way of spreading the good news is by preaching from house to house. What is the basis for this method of preaching? How did it come to be used so extensively by God’s people in modern times? And why is it important now? *The Web‐site address is www.watchtower.org.
All study articles in this Watchtower deal directly with the house‐to‐house ministry or other methods Jehovah’s Witnesses use to recruit members. You have likely met the Witnesses in these ways: We witness in marketplaces, on street corners, and in other public areas. We contact many by telephone and by letter. … Our principal way of spreading the good news is by preaching from house to house. –Study, page 3, paragraph 2 This material is part of a series that gives you direct questions for Jehovah’s Witnesses that will reveal dangerous inconsistencies, mind‐control practices and questionable beliefs. Questions that Witnesses rarely ask themselves. And, if you just don’t want to be bothered, the little‐known ways to keep Witnesses away from your door, completely. Witnesses are instructed to avoid arguments at the door, so make sure to remain respectful and interested in them. Just use the same tactics Witnesses have been using on you: If a person sees the truth about God’s purposes, he can then begin to cast off false religious ideas and cleanse himself of unclean practices. To the extent possible, therefore, it is good to emphasize things that will appeal to our listeners, starting with things we hold in common with them. It would be counterproductive to antagonize a person who, if approached tactfully, might listen to our message. –The Watchtower September 1, 2001 page 11
Question 2: God’s Channel?
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs are controlled by a small group of men, the Governing Body (also called “the Faithful and Discreet Slave”). Direction from the Governing Body is accepted without question as Jesus appoints them directly. The Governing Body is not appointed by any man but is appointed by Jesus Christ. –The Watchtower April 15, 2001 page 29 Under that premise the Governing Body serves as God’s mouthpiece for all Jehovah’s Witnesses. Through this zealous spokesman [the Governing Body], Jehovah has brought correction and admonition to his witnesses on earth … –The Watchtower August 15, 1961 page 491 So the question is simply:
The Governing Body
From top left:
Geoffrey Jackson Anthony Morris Samuel F. Herd David H. Splane M. Stephen Lett Gerrit Lösch John E. Barr Theodore Jaracz Guy H. Pierce
(Current 2008)
Does the Governing Body channel God?
The correct is answer is “yes” according to the Watchtower. God’s Appointed Channel: Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of communication, “the faithful and discreet slave.”–Our Kingdom Ministry September 2002 page 8 [T]he one channel that the Lord is using during the last days. –Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom page 626 The “slave” class has served as God’s sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth. –The Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 439 Then ask:
Has the Governing Body ever been wrong about Bible truth?
Prepare for a spattering of excuses … The visible theocratic organization has never claimed infallibility, that it knows the message will be continually purified by the elimination of erroneous ideas, that it expects new truths to become manifest as more prophecies are fulfilled, that gradually the light will shine more and more. –The Watchtower February 1, 1952 page 81 So you may have to clarify:
What I mean is, has the Watchtower ever returned to an old obsolete teaching?
Tune into God’s Channel and see for yourself. What did the Governing Body channel about the meaning of Matthew 24:34, “the generation” that would not pass before Armageddon? 1897 – 1927 A literal generation [T]he signs mentioned will occur within a generation‐ epoch in the close of the age. … it would be consistent to reckon the “generation” from 1878 to 1914—36 1/2 years—about the average of human life today. — Studies in the Scriptures—The Battle of Armageddon (1897) pages 603‐605 1927 – 1941 Those chosen for heaven This then would be a strong indication that some members of the new creation [anointed] will be on earth at the time of Armageddon. —The Watchtower February 15, 1927 page 62 1941 – 1995 A literal generation (back to 1897) The Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new order before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away. Awake! masthead 1982—October 1995 (and similar statements since 1964) 1995 – 2008 Wicked people today “[T]his generation” apparently refers to the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ’s presence but fail to mend their ways. —The Watchtower November 1, 1995 page 19 2008 – ? Those chosen for heaven (back to 1927)
[A]nointed ones make up the modern‐day "generation" —The Watchtower February 15, 2008 page 24 This begs the questions:
So how could the Governing Body be God’s channel? Would God mislead Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Watchtower programming on this subject is intense. Be prepared for reactions that reveal this. Remain focused on facts and common sense. Don’t try to argue doctrine or scriptural interpretation. Simply
encourage Witnesses to investigate their beliefs as the Watchtower states. What will you do? Will you investigate? The time must come in each one’s life for him to make a decision, especially after reading and studying the Holy Scriptures. —The Watchtower January 1, 1967 page 28 Want to ask a Jehovah’s Witnesses these questions? They are happy to come to your door. Visit the official Web‐site of Jehovah’s Witnesses :
www.watchtower.org
Or phone your local congregation. Look up listings under “Jehovah’s Witnesses” or “Kingdom Hall.”
The following page contains only quotes from Watchtower publications. It is formatted to mimic a print from official Watchtower Library software. Use the page to show documentation to Jehovah’s Witnesses. They will reject any commentary as “apostate.”
*** Watchtower 2008 2/15 p. 24 *** anointed ones make up the modernday "generation" *** Watchtower 1995 11/1 p. 19 *** “this generation” apparently refers to the peoples of earth who see the sign of Christ’s presence but fail to mend their ways. *** Awake! 1/1982—10/1995 p. 2 *** [Masthead] The Creator’s promise of a peaceful and secure new order before the generation that saw the events of 1914 passes away. [Similar statements since 1964]
*** Watchtower 1927 2/15 p. 62 *** This then would be a strong indication that some members of the new creation [anointed] will be on earth at the time of Armageddon.
*** Studies in the Scriptures—The Battle of Armageddon (1897) pp. 603605 *** the signs mentioned will occur within a generationepoch in the close of the age. … it would be consistent to reckon the “generation” from 1878 to 1914—36 1/2 years—about the average of human life today.
*** Watchtower 2001 4/15 p. 29 *** The Governing Body is not appointed by any man but is appointed by Jesus Christ. *** Our Kingdom Ministry 9/2002 p. 8 *** God’s Appointed Channel: Bear in mind that our heavenly Father has an appointed channel of communication, “the faithful and discreet slave.” *** Jehovah's Witnesses—Proclaimers of God's Kingdom p. 626 *** the one channel that the Lord is using during the last days. *** The Watchtower 1960 7/15 p. 439 *** The “slave” class has served as God’s sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth.