by zound 14 Replies latest watchtower bible
Sorry to post so many topics lately. Trying to get some info for a project.
I'm after some quotes from Watchtower that brag how the Watchtower society answers any questions JW's have and how Christondom don't (or it doesn't have to have the Christendom part in it)
Any help appreciated
I'm not aware that they do provide any such 'facility', and certainly not better than other Christian denominations. Usually a JW with 'doubts' is expected to 'wait on Jehovah' if answers to their 'questions' are not found in JW literature. Of course, members can write to the Watch Tower Society with questions, but this usually turns into a witch hunt if the 'questions' are too out of line with JW doctrines.
Oh I know they don't answer questions.
But what I'm thinking is the countless examples at Assemblies of people saying they used to be Catholic - then the JW's raised some questions which they asked their church leaders but couldn't get an answer so were disallusioned then became a JW because they could answer all their questions.
Also, I'm sure I've read something like the Watchtower society is not like Christendoms 'untouchable' leadership that will refuse to answer hard questions.
How about this?...
12/15/87 Watchtower
Page 25
Search for the Truth Rewarded
FINDING little satisfaction as a lay preacher in the Presbyterian Church, a gentleman started looking for God’s true church. He drew up ten requirements that he felt the true church should have. He already had an accurate understanding of the unscripturalness of hellfire, immortality of the soul, and so forth. For 30 years he conducted this search. When contacted by one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, he began firing his questions, such as: "Who is the little flock? Who are the 144,000 and the other sheep?" Getting satisfying answers, he agreed to a Bible study. After three months he said to the Witness: "Well, Brother, the true church of God is Jehovah’s Witnesses." He is now 71 years of age and happy that he has found the true church after a 30-year search!
Actually, a QFR in the past couple of years, says they will not answer questions submitted by the R&F. You should study the publications. If it isn't in the publications, there probably isn't an answer (yet).
Doc
W69 3/15: "We need to examine, not only what we personally believe, but also what is taught by any religious organization with which we may be associated. Are its teachings in full harmony with God’s Word, or are they based on the traditions of men? If we are lovers of the truth, there is nothing to fear from such an examination."
"Now what should a person do who has inherited by birth one of Christendom's defiled religions? If he takes the attitude that it is wrong to change and that since he was born in that particular religion he should die in it, how is he any different from the members of Judaism who refused to listen to Christ and change to undefiled worship of God? He can no more take for granted that his religion is the true one, the one approved by God, than could those people. He must prove it for himself by studying the Scriptures."------w59 5/15 p. 307 Is It Wrong to Change Religions?
"...As you examine God's Word, you will learn that your love for God will be put to the test. This test may come from close friends or relatives, perhaps members of your own household, who will not approve of your examining the Scriptures."----w69 3/15 p. 167 Why It Is Wise to Examine Your Religion
"...Using the Scriptures to test doctrines is the course commended in the Bible.
When Paul and Silas went to Beroea, they preached to the Jews. How did these Jews respond to this Christian preaching? They "were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with the greatest readiness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." (Acts 17:11) The Beroeans were not being fanatical or unreasonable. They did not rely on the word of man alone. The Beroeans made sure of all things. How? By "carefully examining the Scriptures." This is the way Christians should test religious beliefs."-----w60 4/15 p. 229 Does the Bible Teach What You Believe?
w58
5/1p.261IsYourReligiontheRightOne?"Your religion should have solid basis, not on religious leaders, not on religious systems, but on God’s Word, the Bible
. You should make sure your religion speaks according to God’s Word before you hold fast to it.If you learn that your religion is teaching what is not right, you should let go of that religion...
How can you tell whether your religion is the right one or not? A simple way of telling is to expose it to a test of God’s Word. If your religion is not in accord with what the Bible teaches, then it is not in harmony with truth. It is not right. "And if they speak not according to this word, they shall not have the morning light," said God. It is important, then, that you "keep testing whether you are in the faith," as Paul declared. Keep checking to see whether the things you believe are in keeping with God’s Word. But the question is, Are you willing to put your religion through such a test? There is nothing to fear, because if you have the right religion you can only be reassured by the examination. And if what you believe is not in keeping with the Bible, then you should welcome the truth, because it leads to light and life.—Isa. 8:20, Dy; 2 Cor. 13:5.
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Is
YourReligiontheTrueOne?
There is a way to tell. Do you know how?
"HOW am I to know for sure that my religion is the true one?"
It is natural that you should desire not to be misled. But how can you avoid it? How can you know for sure that your religion is the true one? It can be done by finding out whether its teachings are supported by God’s Word, which Jesus said is the truth. (John 17:17) ...
So the test is a relatively easy one to make. If a religion is not in accord with what the Bible teaches, then it is not in harmony with truth. It is not the true religion. (Rom. 3:4) You have nothing to fear in examining your beliefs by the standard of God’s Word, for if you have the true religion you can only be reassured. And if what you believe is not in keeping with the Bible, then you should welcome the truth, because it leads to eternal life.—John 17:3.
....ponder what the Bible has to say. If yours is the true religion it will be in harmony with the Bible...
It is important that you make such a test. If you are not certain what your religion teaches, then, by all means, find out. Then examine its teachings in the light of God’s Word. See if these are supported by the Bible. If they are not, reject that religion. Locate the religion whose teachings are in harmony with the Bible. Yes, heed the Bible admonition: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good."—1 Thess. 5:21.
....Are you familiar with the religion that fits this description? Is it your religion? If it is not, then it is vitally important that you search to find the true religion.
This will require some personal study on your part. But it is not difficult. God has provided his Word, the Bible, which outlines what is true religion. Study the Bible. Prove what is false and reject it. Prove what is true and hold it fast. After learning what God’s will is, do it.
…"Be transformed by making your mind over, that you may prove to yourselves the good and acceptable and complete will of God." - w687/1p.389
Note the admonition, "Prove to yourselves." If you can prove to yourself from the Bible the thoughts of God you have adopted, no brainwashing will sweep them from your mind. It is not enough to know what you believe; know why you believe it. -W 6-15-56, p.358-359
The search on here is not too bad if you use the right key words: asking questions, etc.
also this website is searchable
JWs often think they have 'the' answers to 'important' questions that other churches 'can't' answer. (This generally means that the answer given by other religions isn't the JW answer.)
The JW approach is sometimes useful for people who are after an answer - that is any answer - to their questions. It's a deeply ignorant approach to life.
One of the 'examples' touted occasionally in JW literature is the supposedly 'satisfying' 'answer' to Where did Cain get his wife? - He... shagged his sister or niece... ah... what a 'refreshing' answer.
Of course, if someone asks a question JWs can't answer, well that 'must' be something we just 'don't need to know', which is awfully convenient, so they're left 'waiting on Jehovah' (which is entirely meaningless).
Thanks Shirley!
Thanks Blondie. This was a bit of a tricky one for the search function - but I think what's been provided should do the trick. Thanks!
