Salvation by "works" comes from pagan doctrines--by request! Request from researcher: Can you tell me where the information is at about salvation by works coming from pagan teachings? The Pastor at our church mentioned that when Jehovah's Witnesses go out in their preaching work because they are under Watchtower "obligation," and don't preach out of a sincere desire or heart condition, then they are being deceived to "work" out their salvation which comes from pagan doctrines. Thanks. ************************************************************ My comments: Thank you for your request! The Watchtower Society defend many of their beliefs by referring JW members to the book called, "The Two Babylons." Jehovah's Witnesses have always been expected to accept this book as "fact" especially concerning holidays, celebrations, the trinity, the cross, pagan practices, pagan gods, and so forth. If the word "pagan" comes up in JW conversation, sooner or later, that book will be used as a reference. The little "detail" the Watchtower hoped JW's would not notice, was the fact that this very same book describes the doctrine of "justification-by-works," (such as "working-out-my-salvation" by the works I do for the Watchtower Society to make God happy), as also having a pagan origin. Watchtower-1982-August-1-p.22 " Help meek ones to make their minds over, to become rich in fine works, and to remain forever on a paradise earth. (Psalm 37:11, 29) Help them to work out their salvation as you keep working out your own." Chaldean doctrine was, that it was by works and merits of men themselves, that they must be justified and accepted of God." "In the 'Metamorphoses' of Apuleius, who was himself initiated in the Mysteries of Isis, we find this same doctrine of human merits distinctly set forth." Chaldean doctrine? Awake-2005-August-8-p.18 A Long History of Failure The Bible highlights the connection between Babylon and astrology, and several times it makes reference to Babylonian astrologers. (Daniel 4:7; 5:7, 11) In the days of the prophet Daniel, astrology was so widespread in Chaldea (Babylonia) that using the term “Chaldeans” was practically the same as referring to astrologers. How can anyone claim to be serving God if they are following doctrines of astrologers? If you need a copy of "The Two Babylons" click here: http://books.google.com/books?id=GooEAAAAQAAJ&dq=Mr.+Ouvaroff&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1 Your Pastor might also want this document for office records. I will scan you a better copy and send you another [ pm ]. A simple and kind way to assist a JW to investigate on his/her own, instead of them just blindly taking the Watchtower Society's word, is to ask the JW one simple question. That question is: Do you believe the "governing body" of the Watchtower have always told the truth to the best of their ability? In almost every case the JW is going to answer that question with a definite, Yes! Then say: Then you believe that they were telling the truth in court under "oath" when they testified to being false prophets! Can anyone "work-out-their-salvation" by following a false prophet? Back to the point now. A false prophesy was promulgated?
A.I agree that.
Q.It had to be accepted by Jehovah's Witnesses?
A.That is correct.
Q. If a member of Jehovah's Witnesses took the view himself that that prophesy was wrong and said so he would be disfellowshipped?
A.Yes, if he said so and kept persisting in creating trouble, because if the whole organization believes one thing, even though it be erroneous and somebody else starts on his own trying to put his ideas across then there is disunity and trouble, there cannot be harmony, there cannot be marching. When a change comes it should come from the proper source, the head of the organization, the governing body, not from the bottom upwards, because everybody would have ideas, and the organization would disintegrate and go in a thousand different directions. Our purpose is to have unity.
Douglas Walsh Trial-p.-347-Covington-Cross
I hope this helps some in your research!
N.