Studying the new "Keep on the Watch!" brochure - Who Is Sovereign? (p15)

by ozziepost 7 Replies latest watchtower bible

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  ozziepost

  From the new brochure ?Keep on the Watch!? page 15 ?The Issue of Sovereignty?

  ?Satan the Devil claimed that Jehovah was unduly restrictive, that He had lied to our first parents about what would happen if they ignored God?s law and did things their own way, and that it really would be better if they governed themselves apart from God.? (The brochure refers us to Genesis chapters 2 and 3)

  ?If God had destroyed the rebels right away, that would have demonstrated his power, but it would not have settled the issues raised.?

  At first this may seem reasonable but there are some difficulties with this teaching. It puts Satan on a footing, if not equal to God, certainly on a level where God is concerned what the angels think of him. This is confirmed by what is stated in the last paragraph:

  ?The settling of the issue of divine sovereignty, along with the related issue of human integrity, is vital in order for there to be proper respect for law in the universe. Without that, true peace would never be possible.? (Emphasis added)

  This, then, is a god who is subject to popular opinion i.e. his power is dependent on the creation ? much like President Bush or any other political leader is in power subject to ?the will of the people?.

  But just as President Bush?s sovereignty is limited, so must be this god that the Witnesses describe.

  Yet strangely, the brochure also states:

  ?If God had destroyed the rebels right away, that would have demonstrated his power, but it would not have settled the issues raised.? (Emphasis added)

  Yet isn?t that what they are teaching when they present God as one who is subject to public opinion but will override all due to His superior power?

  The reality is, then, that the WTS worships a weakened God. With their determination to differentiate their God from the Christian god of the churches they have reduced Him to a god who holds court in the heavens and feels compelled to satisfy it.
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  blondie

  How long do you think the angels lived together under God's rule?

  Millions of years?

  Wouldn't God have already demonstrated his "right to rule"?

  Why when humans came along did it become another issue?

  Since it is consider a "universal" issue by the WTS, wouldn't the angels have decided the fact already?

  Well, just ranting a little.

  Blondie
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  kwintestal

  How long do you think the angels lived together under God's rule?

  Millions of years?

  Wouldn't God have already demonstrated his "right to rule"?

  Why when humans came along did it become another issue?

  That's a very interesting point Blondie, one I hadn't previously thought of. God only really had to demonstrate his "right to rule" to the angels, who had previously, over the past millions of years, lived and followed God's rule. There were only 2 humans on the earth at this time, not millions as there were now, and they wouldn't have seen most of the "behind the scenes" action that the other angels would have seen. God, had he wanted to quash the whole rebellion and make everything better right away, could have said that Eve ate some magic mushrooms (the other forbidden food) and saw a snake talking to her. Would have saved us from the past "6000 years" that humankind has had to trudge through. This "demonstrating the right to rule" is more for the spirit creatures then it is for humans.

  Kwin
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  Happy Guy :)

  Geez who is writing the material now the WT lawyers? Divine Sovereingty? God supposedly created the Universe and represents the ultimate in power and love why would there ever be a question of Sovereignty?

  You're right Ozzie they love to weaken him and make him imperfect. It's probably deliberate as it justifies some of their other BS.
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  ozziepost

  But isn't it curious that the brochure should state:

  ?The settling of the issue of divine sovereignty, along with the related issue of human integrity, is vital in order for there to be proper respect for law in the universe. Without that, true peace would never be possible.

  So true peace would have been impossible? God is portrayed as weak, not as sovereign.
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  Happy Guy :)

  Not just that Ozzie but by that statement there is an inference that (as you said in your comment about a court in heaven) God had to prove himself to the angels in some kind of a evidentiary hearing or tribunal of some kind.

  As well this comment is ridiculous:

  The settling of the issue of divine sovereignty, along with the related issue of human integrity, is vital in order for there to be proper respect for law in the universe. Without that, true peace would never be possible.

  This says that man's integrity is a necessary facet and is vital in order for there to be proper respect for law in the universe. it also says that without humans God's universe could never exist with true peace - it would never be possible. That is a real weakening of God in fact it puts him in a position where he is dependant on us. If it does not imply that he is inferior to us, it certainly implies that he is in a partnership of equals.
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  ozziepost

  Exactly!
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  Will Power

  In other words - God Needs The Watchtower Bible & Tract Society just like the R & F does.

  This is actually a real bone of contention with me. How can witnesses think that God needs them ?

  God doesnt need them - they need God! or "A god" which their bible says is the only way to God while their literature shows a secret back way in.

  Do witnesses actually picture an old man sitting up in the clouds on a throne with sceptres, trumpets, angels, etc? A god in a box is just something to sell.

  will