The subject of apostates seems to be the topic of the day following the release of the latest WT online. It is quite forceful to say the least i agree. But, i wondered what has been the attitude going back in time? What has been the material fed to the rank and file over the years?
Prior to the sixties, and especially going back into the early days, almost all references to apostacy were directed at the nominal churches. I believe the shift began in the sixties to focus on the congregation from within. Here are some from the WT Lib 2010
WT 8/1 1967 Certainly we do not want to become like those mentioned by Paul at 1 Timothy 6:3-5: “If any man teaches other doctrine and does not assent to healthful words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, nor to the teaching that accords with godly devotion, he is puffed up with pride, not understanding anything, but being mentally diseased over questionings and debates about words. From these things spring envy, strife, abusive speeches, wicked suspicions, violent disputes about trifles on the part of men corrupted in mind and despoiled of the truth.” Many have become apostate because of allowing a complaining spirit to embitter them against Jehovah’s organization. To avoid becoming like them, we must avoid complaining even about small things, “trifles,” but need to be content with revealed truth from Jehovah.
WT 8/1 1980 So to avoid falling away from the faith, the Christian should beware of a lack of faith, “the sin that easily entangles us,” and “run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Heb. 12:1; 3:12, 19) Paul gives us this advice: “Keep testing whether you are in the faith, keep proving what you yourselves are.” (2 Cor. 13:5) Paul is not inviting us to have doubts about “the faith,” but to question ourselves, as to whether we are living up to the faith or not. Such honest self-examination should fill us with modesty and humility, thus protecting us from the independentspirit and presumptuousness of the apostate.
In 1986 the still largest article about apostates was written. It is very long so i have edited out the non essesential for the next post