I am thinking of sending the following letter to an elder who was once a friend of mine:
Dear XXXX:
I hope you will read this, as it contains important questions that I would like to understand about your upcoming ‘Special talk’ in April, 2008.
As I reviewed my copy of the outline, I found several anomalies which I hope you would be willing to address. I will include in my questions both a positive slant and a more pessimistic stance. I hope you will take a moment to consider my questions and forward an answer.
The outline, as you can see, contains over 20 references to Jesus specifically, and only one of ‘Jehovah’ by name. Is this a reflection of a legitimate move toward more mainstream Christian doctrine?
Or rather?;An attempt to convince visiting onlookers of that, without the doctrine actually changing much
in reality? I particularly ask the question, due to the fact that the study article for the same week displays an opposite polarity - Though it is entitled; “Jesus Christ - The Greatest Missionary”, paragraph one immediately urges “people to draw close to Jehovah God and enjoy a precious relationship with him”. The balance of the article does the same. There is little in that article to entice one to draw to Jesus, instead to draw upon Jesus’ example as a means to this end. In this context, Jesus becomes little more than a ‘motivational speaker’, which is significantly polar to the supposed acclamation paid him in the public address.
Back to the talk; Under the Sub-Heading “What Rule By Christ Jesus Will Accomplish”, I noted a very disturbing trend of thought. Scriptural support for a strong economy, good health care, protection, and the earth’s ecology, were all supported by scriptures that are recognized to have been fulfilled by the nation of Israel, not by surviving apocalyptic Christians on earth. If indeed this was the belief of Jesus, why cannot such support be found in the more modern New Testament references, even Jesus‘ own words?
One final point: In the final Sub-Heading these two statements are made to round the conclusion;
“Evidence that he has taken power and begun ruling in heaven is abundant. We urge you to grow in your understanding of these facts.”
Yet no evidence is presented, nor can it be that Jesus is ruling in heaven, just assertion. How can anyone be urged to ’grow in understanding of assertion’? Could you please present such evidence to me? If you could, I might be found back among your organization. I also noted the clear elimination of the date 1914 in this discussion, and find it very interesting. The society has eliminated 1935 as the sealing date, changed ‘the generation’ understanding, all since the introduction of the ’private Watchtower’ this year. I suspect that the elimination of 1914 will follow, but I could be wrong.
I look forward to your answers. Please keep my copy of the talk outline for personal reference.
In Christ;
Thoughts?
Jeff
Of course I understand that he will toss it - but perhaps a seed could be planted. My sending a copy of the outline might enrage him. That's good - for emotion often seeds thought.