Geoffrey Jackson, Deuteronomy 18:22

Spoletta

Not sure if this has been commented on, but while reading a discussion, Deuteronomy 18:22 was mentioned. I looked it up, and was struck by its connection to a remark made by Geoffrey Jackson during his ARC testimony. The gist of the scripture is that if a prophet declares something is from God and it doesn't come true, he is speaking presumptuously, and should not be feared. In fact, he should die. I can't help but think this was a planned response to any question about the GB as Jehovah's channel of communication. First of all, he says that it would "seem" to be presumptuous to say that the GB is the channel, not that it "is" presumptuous. Secondly, by not claiming to be prophets, the GB can say that the Scripture doesn't apply to them. In my opinion, he worded his response very cleverly to give the opposite impression of what he actually said. Another case of not taking responsibility for any direction the GB gives to the rank and file.

oppostate

Jackson must have been coached by the wt lawyers on what to say and how

evilApostate

However, they have referred to themselves as prophets on multiple occasions. For example, they referred to the anointed GB who saw the sign of 1914 as the two witnesses/prophets of revelation. http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2014847?q=two+witnesses&p=par#h=14

Half banana

I agree with you Spoletta, and thought the same at the time of the ARC, Jackson was using tricksy talk here.

Indeed he did not deny that the GB were God's channel. He said that the proposition "would seem to be presumptuous," which as you point out, implied denial to the hearing but was not technically true.

His reply was a means of deflecting a direct answer to an acutely revealing question. Which could be worded: Do the GB see themselves as God's channel? Eight million followers do as do the GB themselves... and the ARC knew it as well. This is a primary reason why the GB have unquestioned paternalistic authority over their flock.

Jackson, him speak with fork tongue.

If the governing body of the JW org is not Gods's channel of communication, if they are not prophets or divinely inspired, what on Earth are eight million followers giving their very lives to this duplicitous organisation for?

Institutional masochism?

redpilltwice

Nothing has changed. Watchtower october 1, 1919 p. 297 literally called Russell "one of God's great reformers and prophets." Regarding Deuteronomium 18:22 we know exactly what when wrong with his 1914 predictions... yes, EVERYTHING! The hollow phrase "gentile times" (without any detailed analysis of what actually was predicted) however is still being used over and over and over again by the Watchtower to give the impression as if much of it is still true prophecy. So...

False prophets? Check!

Liars and deceivers? Check check!

stuckinarut2

Semantics really....

While they may not say they are "prophets" , they do say that they are "gods channel" and the only organisation "chosen by God".

So no matter how they spin it, they claim to speak for god.

That is no different to a "Prophet"

NikL

Semantics really....
While they may not say they are "prophets" , they do say that they are "gods channel" and the only organisation "chosen by God".
So no matter how they spin it, they claim to speak for god.
That is no different to a "Prophet"

True, if you can understand the English language.

However, the deliberately under-educated rank and file Jay Dub wont understand what the word "Semantics" means, much less that "gods Channel" and "Prophet" are synonymous..