Shunning supported by 2 Jo 9-10

by Splash 23 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

• 

  Splash

  (2 John 9,10) 9 Everyone that pushes ahead and does not remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God. He that does remain in this teaching is the one that has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to YOU and does not bring this teaching, never receive him into YOUR homes or say a greeting to him.

  In context this is saying that if anyone does not remain (continue) believing in Christ, then don't receive him or say a greeting.

  Does this therefore support shunning? How could I answer someone who says it does?

  Splash.
• 

  cofty

  Difficult to argue with that.

  The early christian church would have looked a lot like a cult.
• 

  bennyk

  You need to consider the context.

  Verse seven indicates that the writer has in mind persons "not confessing Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is the deceiver and the anti-christ."

  The verse emphatically does not require the shunning of individuals who reject the unscriptural teachings of the Watch Tower Society. Indeed, it may be necessary to reject the Society's doctrines in order to "remain in the teaching of the Christ."
• 

  Leolaia

  This pertains to a very specific social situation in the first century. Wandering teachers depended on the hospitality of their hosts for their livelihood. "Receive into your homes" means giving material support to someone the author regarded an antichrist (usually such itinerants stayed for a few days and moved on). Now read 3 John. The same author is complaining that someone is doing exactly what 2 John recommends, but to his own teachers. If you read the two epistles side by side, you can see that there was some sort of controversy at the time, with different factions shunning each other.
• 

  Splash

  I can see the application to early travelling preachers who come denying the Christ, but how is that different from modern day persons turning their backs on what they first learned, to become non-believers.

  The principle described in 2 John and 3 John still applies - if they turn away from Christ then do not say a greeting to them.

  Splash.
• 

  Christ Alone

  Keep in mind that Christians did not meet in churches, but met in their own homes. John was speaking about not letting those that were denying that Jesus was the Messiah teach in the church. It would be like saying, "if someone comes to the church, do not let him teach before the congregation."

  it was not saying that if someone denies Jesus after already believing that you were to shun them. But they would not be received into the home church in order to teach.
• 

  Christ Alone

  If the wt teaching was correct then:

  1. Christians should not let jws in their homes to debate the scriptures with them

  2. Jws should not invite anyone into their own home to discuss the scriptures

  3. They would not be able to go door to door and talk with those that deny christ. In fact as soon as a person said, "I do not believe in Jesus" the jw woukd have to terminate the conversation.
• 

  Splash

  If someone doesnt "remain" in the teaching do not say a greeting to them.

  If someone "leaves" the teaching do not say a greeting to them.

  Its very simple and clear: those that leave are to be shunned.

  Splash.
• 

  Christ Alone

  Not contextually or hermeneutically. You can't isolate the verse without understanding the history, language, and context, Spalsh. Otherwise you will interpret the bible like the wt does.
• 

  DATA-DOG

  The bible is written in such a way that anyone can twist the scriptures. Do you want a certain scripture to support your doctrine? Go ahead, but you will be accountable. Christ knew men would always twist the scriptures to their own ends, that is why he taught with parables that exposed their heart conditions, and that is why they hated him. Sadly you cannot reason with any JW's about this scriptural interpretation. They believe the GB above Christ. The GB wants to use this verse to oust any who may dare to disagree with them. You cannot change their hearts, so you cannot reason with their slaves. Only those who have been awakened by whatever events trigger awareness can be reasoned with. Some people simply will not see truth until they are personally affected. Some never will. If you know a dub who is already awakening, discuss away. Otherwise do not get too discouraged when they won't listen to reason. They search the scriptures hoping to gain life, but they will not come to Christ to receive it. They are focused on the Golden calf.