WT Study for the Week of September 30 to October 6, 2002
"FOLLOW ME CONTINUALLY"
In fact, to this [course]YOU were called, because even Christ suffered for YOU , leaving YOU a model for YOU to follow his steps closely.--1 Peter 2:21
Introduction
As I said last week, my favorite WTS book is the Greatest Man book. The real focus of any true Christian should be the life of Jesus Christ. That would require reading the Gospel accounts often because if you are like me your memory is like a sieve.
The problem with articles like this is that every JW I know reads the article with this thought, "Im already just like Jesus, at least the best any imperfect person can be. It is those in Christendom that are so far off the mark." So instead of comparing themselves with Jesus Christ, they are mentally comparing themselves with the caricature of non-witnesses that the WTS paints in its publications.
"The foundation of Jesus teaching was love" the WTS points out. "Gods Word often urges us to grow and improve in our love for others."
The WTS characterizes Jesus love in two ways, "first for the truths he taught, then for the people he taught." But whose truths, Gods or mens? Are the truths Jesus taught the same that the WTS teach?
BUILDING LOVE FOR TRUTHS WE LEARN
The WTS says "to love the truths that we teach others, we must love learning such truths ourselves." But what does the WTS blame this lack of love of learning: "deficient schooling and bad habits developed in youth." So it seems that the school system/teachers and non-witness parents are to blame.
The WTS asks, "What, though, is to motivate us to do all this?" "Our viewpoint. We need to view the very knowledge of God as silver."
The real motivation is revealed in the next paragraph, "that Jehovah purposes that faithful mankind live forever in Paradise on earththat truthviewed it as a genuine treasure."
So once again the real motivation for almost all JWs is their personal salvation, their own everlasting life on a Paradise earth. Hardly an article is printed where this doesnt appear, at least I havent found it yet. I actually believe that the brothers who put these articles together make sure it is there on purpose, editing and proofreading to make sure.
SHOWING LOVE FOR TRUTHS WE TEACH
"How can we show that we love the truths we have learned from Gods Word?"
By relying "heavily on the Bible in our preaching and teaching. In recent times, Gods people around the world have been encouraged to make greater use of the Bible in their public ministry."
If you have been associated with the JWs as long as I have, you realize that this is just another swing of the pendulum in the other direction. I can remember one circuit overseer said we should avoid using the Bible right away or taking it out too soon because it would turn people off and that was just a few years ago (thats right up there with not identifying yourself as JWs in your introduction; like who do they think we are. . . the Avon lady). Just using a scripture once a month in a presentation would be making "greater use of the Bible in their public ministry" for the majority of JWs.
I personally still believe that the Bible trumps any of the WTS publications. Too many JWs do not; especially elders put more emphasis on the letters to the body of elders and the Pay Attention to the Flock book all elders receive as a guide.
In view of this, the following statement seems ludicrous, "we love Gods Word. Following Jesus example, we do not simply base our answers on our own ideas. Rather, we make use of the Bible in replying."
Well, Im sure that all of you can think of one or two WTS ideas that have changed drastically in the distant and not so distant past because of basing it on their own ideas. How many times have the Sodomites been in and out of Gehenna? Think of transplants, superior authorities, generation, alternative service, judging of the sheep and goats, to name a few.
How many times has some JW been interviewed by the media and said something like this, "Its against my religion." Thats why the WTS prefers "trained" PR personnel, not even trusting a random elder to answer questions.
Why does this concern the WTS?
"Such an answer may suggest that you let others make your decisions for you and that you must therefore be a member of a cult."Wow, what a statement! Of course, the WTS does make the JWs decision for him or her. But they dont want to public and/or governments to know that. So they say, "It might be better to say, "Gods Word, the Bible, forbids it" or "It would displease my God."
Ha! I have never seen any JW say that except a trained PR brother. But where is the trainingstudy the Bible? No, "why not spend some time studying the book Reasoning from the Scriptures" calling it "a research tool that you like to use to help find the Bibles answer to questions." So who needs the Bible? Of course the WTS says to have both the Reasoning book and Bible, but we know that the scriptures will be read from the Reasoning book not the Bible.
LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE WE TEACHAnother point that is almost always in a WT study article, is the nearness of, how close or near, fast-approaching, on the threshold, very near or very close, the end is. We are not disappointed here.
"Never should be develop a callous attitude toward the people around us. Granted, "the war of the great day of God the Almighty" is looming ever nearer, and many among mankinds billions will be destroyed. Yet we do not know who will live and who will die. That judgment lies in the future and belongs to the one Jehovah has appointed, Jesus Christ. Until the judgment is passed, we view each individual as having the potential to become a servant of Jehovah."
Even the WTS can see that the fruit of their propaganda. No preaching, no publications or magazines placed, and their financial house of cards is falling down around their ears.
So they try to appeal to the average publisher to get out there more.
"Do I feel for people who have been deceived. . .do I seek to understand why they feel the way they do. . . or do I dismiss these people as beyond hope?"
What do you think? When you were a JW were you encouraged to do the former and was it often the latter? (That ones a goat)
And for those who know no practical help is offered to those already JWs, "if they have some pressing need at the moment, we may be in a position to offer some practical help" to those JWs are calling on.
HUMILITY ESSENTIAL IN SHOWING LOVESo what does the WTS say in way of counsel, "avoid an argumentative tone or an air of superiority." Well, after weeks of being told they are the salt of the earth and that everyone else is doomed to being birdfood, how can the JW in the ministry not feel superior. After all, their Bible knowledge is so much superior to anyone they might meet. I have seen JW publishers who barely crack their Bible at the WT study, try to argue with a minister who does know his way around the scriptures.
Then for those who know something the WTS says, "There is no need to impress people with our knowledge or education. If some in your territory refuse to listen to anyone who does not have a certain university degrees or titles, to not let their attitude discourage you." I have never seen that ever and I have lived in 3 university towns. More likely what I see is a JW who thinks because he/she has read a couple articles on astronomy and the wonders of creation that they can argue science with a full professor and head of the department.
Finally, the WTS lets us know that we can study the Bible but we neednt waste our time on some things. "We do not need to learn ancient Biblical languages in order to become teachers of Gods Word." And what is that? ""Jehovah inspired the Bible to be written in such clear, concrete terms that virtually everyone can grasp its precious truths (another buzz word). Those truths remain intact even when translated (by imperfect men, not inspired by God) into hundreds upon hundreds of languages. So knowledge of ancient languages, while occasionally useful (especially when trying to figure out where the WTS or Fred got his idea from), is not essential.
Then the WTS addresses the problem of apathy and lack of results (or effort) in the ministry by many JWs. "If we had to preach to a thousand indifferent or opposed people in order to reach a single sheeplike individual, would it not be worth the effort?"
How long would it take the average JW in the US to do that. Currently, the monthly hour average is around 10 hours and with the current rate of not-at-homes and wasting time in the field service, well be generous and say 2 persons per hour. That means 240 people a year, 480, 2 years, 720, 3 years, 960 in 4 years. So it would take over 4 years to preach to "a thousand indifferent or opposed people" to find one that would listen. Of course, that doesnt mean they would study long enough to become a JW.
VOMIT ALERT!!!!!
The WTS now brings in the vision of the loving congregation. "We teach Bible students that the Christian congregation is an oasis of love in a cold, fierce world. Can our students readily see that we love all in the congregation and work hard at preserving peace with one another?" (Ill wait for you if you need to go to the bathroom--------------------) Feel better now?
One ex-brother told me that as soon as he stepped out of the baptismal pool, the love ended. No one had the time of day for him. They moved onto other people they could "count time" talking to. What protects us from the cold, fierce atmosphere at the KH? Where we are either too poor, too ugly, too fat, too loud, from a divided household, or just not spiritual enough in their opinion to associate with. Where you hear of parties but are never invited? Where you try to invite people over who are always too busy or say yes and cancel out at the last moment, or dont even bother showing up?
There is probably nothing new that you the reader havent heard, seen, or experienced. But just remember, just because someone calls a piece of manure on your plate a brownie, doesnt make it so. If it looks and smells funny, dont eat it.
So just because Jesus is named in this article, be assured it is not representative of Jesus example or teaching.
PICTURES IN THE ARTICLE (If someone has a scanner and the WT, feel free to post them)
1 st page
Jesus in a small boat just out from the shore talking to the people. He is sitting down holding out his hand palm up speaking to a crowd on the bank some sitting some standing.
2 nd and 3 rd pages (a little vignette of preparing to preach at work.
A young (mid to late 20s) white sister with dark shoulder length hair is looking at her KM, Reasoning book and Bible. There is a white medical jacket hanging up behind her.
Small shot of her putting Bible in the white jacket and a brochure/tract in her purse.
Then we see her with a big smile sharing a Bible verse with a co-worker. (the sister has on small gold hoops, pierced, and no colored nail polish)
Next we see the sister sitting on the porch hugging her Bible to her chest gazing blissfully off into space (thinking about that cute single brother that moved in).
Next page
This is the first I have ever seen a brother or a sister preaching to a homeless person. This is obviously staged, because I have never seen such a "clean" homeless person. It is too hard to stay clean sleeping outside. The brother does not have a suit on but rather a suitcoat and unmatching pants. I wonder if the brother is going to offer the magazines for a donation to the worldwide work?