Superior Authorities of Romans 13

by Mad Sweeney 15 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  Mad Sweeney

  Romans 13:1,2 (NWT): "Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2 Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves."

  Originally the borg taught that the superior authorities were gentile governments.

  Later, in 1929, they taught that the superior authorities were Jehovah God and his son, Jesus Christ.

  Later once again, in 1962, they taught that the superior authorities were the governments of the world.

  A change is due. What's up next? The superior authorities are going to be the FDS and GB. How can they spin it? Simple. Look at the verse again with key points bolded and imagine a couple paragraphs in a WT article defining the meaning of this phrase:

  "Let every soul be in subjection to the superior authorities, for there is no authority except by God; the existing authorities stand placed in their relative positions by God. 2 Therefore he who opposes the authority has taken a stand against the arrangement of God; those who have taken a stand against it will receive judgment to themselves."

  Frankly, I'm surprised it has taken this long for them to come up with this.
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  Olin Moyles Ghost

  I don't think so. This is a pretty embarrassing flip-flop for the WTS. I don't see them going back to the Rutherford interpretation. And how did they explain verse 6 (about paying taxes), anyway? It seems like that makes it crystal-clear that he's referring to secular governments.
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  EndofMysteries

  Yes, it's secular governments. When Nebuchadnezzar had the dream, Daniel interpreted, and in Dan 2:37-38 shows how God gave Nebuchadnezzar full authority of the earth, as a world power. THATS why he went and made the image of gold of himself in Dan 3:1, because he let that get to his head.

  AND also when he goes crazy for 7 years, (still don't see how that fits in with the WT 1914 or how used), but he took credit for HIMSELF for babylon becoming great, Dan 4:5 he is told he will go crazy until he knows that the Most High is ruler in the kingdom of mankind. so in Dan 4:30 he takes credit, then in Dan 4:32 is his punishment.

  That's all in harmony with Romans 13:1,2
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  Mad Sweeney

  I know it refers to secular governments. I'm talking about WT spin, not reality.

  They could include themselves as a "real" earthly government easily, and include the stuff about taxes to push Dubs' obligation to donate more money. This would be simple to pull off in comparison to a lot of the other BS the rank and file swallow. This isn't a change back to Rutherford but a tweak to their current understanding. A simple paragraph in a Kool Aid WT:

  "(Read Romans 13:1,2) In the book of Romans, Paul referred to the 'superior authorities' true Christians would be in subjection to. What 'superior authorities' are worshippers of Jehovah in subjection to today? It is true that in a relative sense Jehovah's Witnesses remain subject to the laws and regulations of the secular governments of the land they live in. Shouldn't those who wish to please Jehovah show subjection to the Faithful and Discreet Slave and its Governing Body who He has appointed as 'superior authorities' over his interests on earth? (Matthew 24:45)"

  Child's play.
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  Farkel

  Ask any husband who's been married longer than two weeks to name the superior authorities (and why they are the superior authorities), and you'll get the correct answer.

  Farkel
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  Terry

  Remember the Make Sure of All Things book?

  I remember a brother using the (Rutherford) interpretation from that book to defend himself with his Draft Board as to why he would not

  accept induction into the Armed Forces.

  One of the Draft Board members was a lay minister who quoted Romans 13 to him to indicate why the brother should accept service to his country.

  The brother's rebuttal detailed why JW's don't accept the corrupt teachings of Christendom on that matter!

  When the brother got back to the Kingdom Hall he was bragging to the congregation how he had handled the objection.

  The Congregation Overseer (they didn't call them elders back then) sighed and took him into the library and explained how that "understanding" no longer was held to be correct.

  The brother's eyes bugged out of his head. He replied, "You mean, OURS was the corrupt understanding and the church minister from Christendom had the accurate knowledge?"

  I quote this incident because I was that brother!

  Very embarassing.
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  Farkel

  :Remember the Make Sure of All Things book?

  :I remember a brother using the (Rutherford) interpretation from that book to defend himself with his Draft Board as to why he would not accept induction into the Armed Forces

  That book was written in 1955. Rutherford died in 1942.

  Farkel
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  Mad Sweeney

  So it was a Fred Franz interpretation. Picky, picky.
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  JWoods

  The idea that "superior authorities" were JC and YHWH - if presented in 1929, would certainly have been made under Rutherford.

  If it was restated to be earthly governments in 1962 it would probably have been done by Franz (under Knorr). Thus, I think what Terry said is correct.

  All the time I was in the JWs from about 1962 to 1979 I never knew anything of the earlier teaching - it was never mentioned.

  And yes, this is a pretty embarrassing flip-flop for a religion claiming to have the only true doctrine on earth - especially on such an obvious subject.
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  Mad Sweeney

  Yeah, I don't see them flipping again on this subject, but I DO see them throwing their lot in with the other "authorities" "placed in their relative positions by God" at some point. They already do in practice, anyway.