Another interesting discussion this week. Thanks guys and gals. Some specific comments:
Englishman and Thirdson: Further to your comment about the individual members ofg the F&DS being 'in the dark' over 'new light', we could also look at the situation from the other side, i.e. from the point of view of those "who take hold of the skirt of a Jew"(Zec 8:23) i,e, the great crowd. I have found for many years that new members of the congregations cannot explain the difference between the F&DS and the GB. Invariable when going through the baptism questions with a baptism candidate, I have resorted to a piece of paper and a pen to draw a diagram to illustrate the teaching that the GB is a small part of the F&DS. Then try explaining how the individual members of the F&DS are also fed spiritually by the collective F&DS.
Regarding the Insight book 'explanation' I quoted above, I don't think any of us have addressed the reasoning that the borg has for not following the orthodox Christian view that the faithful slave represents the individual Christian. Notice that the Insight book states that it cannot be the case that it refers to the individual because "the impossibility of each and every one of these individuals being placed over “all” his master’s belongings at the same time, the time of the master’s arrival, is obvious"[end of quote]
It may be obvious to some, but clearly it is not clearly understood that way to millions of others! The article links Matt 24 with Matt 25:14-30. This is the parable of the talents. It clearly deals with the faithfulness of the individual Christian. Verse 15 shows that there were at least 3 slaves "to each one according to his own ability". This is qualities, not people of an organisation. Further verse 21 describes master saying to the slave who had five talents "Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things." Notice though the Master's praise of the slave with the two talents: "Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few thibgs. I will appoint you over many things". So, then, there are two F&DS's! Clearly not one class.
A little footnote: isn't this the only parable that (in Watchtower parlance) is prophetic? Strange, don't you think?
Ozzie (trying to be a F&DS)