Of Tacking and New Light

Gozz

The subject of 'New Light' holds some fascination for me. And I have sought a wide spectrum of views to really understand the concept. Proverbs (4:18, I think) says the path of the righteous on gets lighter and lighter; Pastor Russel (or some very old literature)reaffirmed this inspired thought by stating that 'New Light' never contradicts 'Old Light', only that it makes things clearer. However, in view of the various total reversals in JW teaching, the 'Tacking' explanation was invented to explain the changes. In tacking, it is said, a sailor manipulates the sails and goes back and forth, right and left, while all the while making progress towards the shore or destination. I have heard others use this to explain the changes that have been made, but it doen't sound sound. Isn't it just easier to accept that mistakes have been made because humans were overzealous or jumped ahead in reading Jehovah's mind?

*Don't know if this has been discussed before; if so, kindly refer.

thinkers wife

Gozz,
I am in total agreement with you. It is not sound. You cannot discard completely huge doctrines or what you based them on and completely change your tack and still claim to be correct.
Just doesn't make good sense.
TW

Frenchy

: The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.--Prov 4:18 NWT

To me this denotes a progressive, continual enlightment that occurs as time progresses and knowledge increases. It is clearly dealing with individuals (righteous ones), contrasting their course of action with the wicked:

The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.--Prov 4:19 NWT

As a person increases in knowledge concerning God's will, his path (course of action) becomes clearer and clearer to him. A reading of the surrounding material will soon show that it's not talking about divine revelations but rather of a 'path' or course of action that is likened to the sun which illuminates our literal paths. The emphasis here is on the 'path' and not the light.

-Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of it-

JAVA

The subject of 'New Light' holds some fascination for me. And I have sought a wide spectrum of views to really understand the concept.

The Society loves pointing to mistakes made by other religions, thereby proving they are not prophets of God. Throwing rocks in a glass house gets them in trouble when their mistakes become evident, and the implications implied.

While judging others harshly, they dismiss their errors by the convoluted way they use Prov 4:18. Indeed, if the Society's understanding of this scripture is correct, it must be used to forgive the errors of other religions as their light gets brighter, too. Of course, hell will freeze over before that happens.

JAVA, counting time at the Coffee Shop

Edited by - JAVA on 15 January 2001 10:14:59

Gozz

Frenchy,
but I've never read Prov. 4:19(?!). And I've checked my copy of the bible and it's as you quoted. I've always wondered at that scripture and it's application. I think it'll be just right to do a reading of Proverbs Chapter 4. The empahsis does however seem to be on 'path' rather than 'light'. Hmn.

trevor

Tacking is required in order to cope with changing winds. Truth is not affected by wind, it goes straight and true and never changes.

I think a more accurate description of the WT is - lost at sea.

trevor

amicus

Gozz,
It's just another example of the WTBTS using "proof texts" to illustrate a point. When one uses scripture this way the context becomes irrelevant. They get away with this because rarely do any of the faithful have "time" to consider the surrounding text. The society innundates them with scripture in each study article. Most look up a few of the scriptures and think, "Yep, that's what the Bible says". The last time I was assosciated, I took the time to read all of the scritptures listed as proof for every study article (book study, WT study, Service Meeting, etc.) I read these scriptures in context though, usually reading surrounding chapters as well. It took a LOT of time. I was single and gave up my former life to make a "new" life (in retrospect this new life was no life). So I had the time available. It troubled me though, because I often wondered why they were using scripture that was irrelevant to the topic being discussed. It was one of the reasons I left, never to return. I think they intentionally misrepresent scripture.

JAVA

trevor:

I think a more accurate description of the WT is - lost at sea.

GREAT ONE, trevor!!! We now have a theme text for the new year:

"Lost at Sea while Tacking in the Watchtower's Wind."

JAVA, counting time at the Coffee Shop

Xandit

Actually tacking doesn't have much to do with "changing" winds. It has to do with a wind that is not blowing in a favorable direction.

JT

trevor stated:

I think a more accurate description of the WT is - lost at sea.
*************

you are one sick dude

BUT I LOVE IT SMILE

great post

JT

Of Tacking and New Light

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