I heard similar arguments used when I was inside. It was more the exposition JWs do to try to resolve the contradiction of being told things like righteous men in 1879 had the truth but their truth is not the truth that JWs currently believe. It was typically followed by the "and, anyway, where else would we go?" reinforcement. "Perfect organisation but imperfect people", but never the claim "doing imperfect thing perfectly".
Closest to the truth?
by punkofnice 45 Replies latest watchtower bible
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The Rebel
You ask a very good question Punk, and to answer your question if you look up the watchtower April 15th 1955,when the governing body answered members questions, they did claim to be " The nearest to the truth"
Q ) Do you know where babies come from?
Governing body ( A) Not telling.
Then the G.B were asked to answer these questions " The nearest to the truth"
A) Are you nothing more than evil minded little creeps.
B) Are you nothing more than evil minded creeps that protect child molesting little creeps.
Governing body:-
A) Well if we are not under a lie detector the answer is A " we are nothing more than evil minded little creeps, and if we are being totally honest please tell us where do babies come from?
The Rebel.
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punkofnice
Nothing is interpreted but the interpretation comes from God and is then published.
(WT 1943 July 1 pp. 202-203)
Angels deliver what is published.
(PREPARATION 1933 pp. 36-37, 64)
THE WATCHTOWER publishes "no man's opinion".
(WT 1931 November 1 p. 327; 1936 March 15 p. 85)
"To it (this organization) alone...the Bible is not a sealed book." The WTS is "the only organization on earth that understands the 'deep things of God.' "
(WT 1973 July 1 p. 402)
The leaders are "spirit directed" (WT 1988 March 1 p. 10)
and "God's channel."
(WT 1969 January 15 p. 51; 1960 July 15 pp. 439, 442)
"It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the 'slave' as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision."
(WT 1957 June 15 p. 370)
C. T. Russell founder of the WTS, called himself "God's mouthpiece" (WT 1906 July 15 p. 229); claimed that compared to reading his books Bible reading is "a waste of time" (WT 1910 September 15 p. 298)
, and that his books "harmonize...every statement in the Bible."
(DIVINE PLAN OF THE AGES 1886 p. 348)
God uses and directs the WTS.
(VINDICATION Book 1 1931 p. 77)
"The 'slave' class has served as God's sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth. Just as the early Christian congregation collectively served as the channel of communication from heaven to earth, so in our time."
(WT 1960 July 15 p. 439)
"As Jehovah revealed his truths by means of the first-century Christian congregation so he does today by means of the present-day Christian congregation. Through this agency he is having carried out prophesying on an intensified and unparalleled scale. All of this activity is not an accident. Jehovah is the one behind all of it." (WT 1964 June 15 p. 365)
"Therefore, in submitting to Jehovah's theocratic organization, we must be in full and complete agreement with every feature of its apostolic procedure and requirements."
(WT 1967 October 1 p. 593)
"It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the "slave" as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision." (Watchtower 1957 Jun 15 p.370)
Only this organization functions for Jehovah's purpose and to his praise. To it alone God's Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book. Many persons of the world are very intelligent, capable of understanding complex matters. They can read the Holy Scriptures, but they cannot understand their deep meaning.""( Watchtower 1973 Jul 1 p.402)
The point is that Christians have implicit trust in their heavenly Father; they do not question what he tells them through his written Word and organization." (Watchtower 1974 Jul 15 p.441)
"We must serve Jehovah in truth, as revealed in his Word and made clear in the publications of "the faithful and discreet slave." Watchtower 1996 May 15 p.18
w10 7/15 p.23 par.10 “The Spirit Searches Into... the Deep Things of God”
When the time comes to clarify a spiritual matter in our day, holy spirit helps responsible representatives of “the faithful and discreet slave” at world headquarters to discern deep truths that were not previously understood. (Matt. 24:45; 1 Cor. 2:13)
p.17: "Listening to the slave class means giving our full cooperation to its Governing Body."
p.27: "Since Jehovah God and Jesus Christ completely trust the faithful and discreet slave, should we not do the same?" "The slave thus deserves our complete trust"
p.28: "By all means, then, let us listen to the Christ and his trustworthy spirit-anointed brothers."
***w10 9/15 p.8 par.7 Earnestly Seek Jehovah’s Blessing ***
We cannot hope to acquire a good relationship with Jehovah if we ignore those whom Jesus has appointed to care for his belongings. Without the assistance of “the faithful and discreet slave,” we would neither understand the full import of what we read in God’s Word nor know how to apply it.
-- w10 9/15 p. 13 par. 8: "Similarly today, a Governing Body composed of spirit-anointed Christians contributes to the unity of the worldwide congregation. The Governing Body publishes spiritually encouraging literature in many languages. This spiritual food is based on God’s Word. Thus, what is taught is not from men but from Jehovah.—Isa. 54:13."
***w10 9/15 p.23 par.8 “Your Leader Is One, the Christ” ***
The anointed and their other sheep companions recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their Leader, Christ.
***si p.9 par.16 (2011) “All Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial” ***
(1) Jehovah God originates his utterances; (2) then his official Word, or Spokesman—now known as Jesus Christ—often transmits the message; (3) God’s holy spirit, the active force that is used as the medium of communication, carries it earthward; (4) God’s prophet on earth receives the message; and (5) he then publishes it for the benefit of God’s people.
-- w12 9/15 p. 22 par. 16 Learn From the Patience of Jehovah and Jesus
Well, a person who lacks confidence that the end is near might start to make alternate arrangements, so to speak, in case things do not work out as Jehovah said they would.
-- w12 9/15 p. 24 par. 4 "You Know Neither the Day Nor the Hour"
As the end of this system draws ever closer, the work of pointing to Jehovah’s provisions for salvation has never been more important.
-- w12 11/15 p. 17 par. 9 Cultivate the Spirit of a Lesser One
A humble person has heartfelt gratitude for Jehovah’s provisions, including spiritual food. Hence, such an individual is a diligent student of the Bible and an avid reader of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines. Like many other faithful servants of Jehovah, he may make it a practice to read each new publication before putting it away on a bookshelf in his personal library. When we manifest humble appreciation by reading and studying our Bible-based publications, we make spiritual advancement, and Jehovah is able to use us more fully in his service.
-- w13 4/15 p12 par 11 Do not tire out
Jehovah has provided a bounteous supply of written spiritual food to give us strength. No doubt, you can think of a time when after reading a publication, you thought: ‘That is exactly what I needed! It is as if Jehovah had that written just for me!’ That is not a coincidence. Through these provisions, Jehovah does instruct and guide us.
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LisaRose
I don't remember if they used that specific term, but it sounds like reasoning they would use. It's sort of an all purpose thought stopper if a person sees issues or problems in the organization. No matter what happens that may cause them to doubt, they think "people are imperfect but it's still the organization that is the closest thing to the truth".
I remember a Watchtower article in the late nineties that basically said that even though mistakes may have been made by Jehovah's organization, they were the only ones to teach the truth about hell fire and the trinity, so they were still far better than false religion. I know now that about that time growth had slowed down quite a bit, perhaps they noticed an increase in people leaving over their failed date predictions or other issues. This line of reasoning actually worked on me for a short time and kept me stuck for a few years, not really in and not really out.
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TTWSYF
Good thread Punko. Great examples too -
punkofnice
Thanks for your honest replies folks. I agree to say 'nearest' is very desparate. -
Clambake
I have always found it funny that average JW feels this superiority to the average Christian because they believe they have figure out all the prophetic books of the bible but in no way shape or form could they even start to explain the bamboozle.
When you entire faith becomes about trying to find codes and prove the bible was changed, it becomes silly.
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punkofnice
Clam - Agreed. It's a case where the JWs say 'We're righter than you.' -
blondie
The WTS point is that God has aligned himself with the WTS just as he did the nation of Israel. Israel was considered the only way to worship the true God, even when Israel was tossing babies into the fire.
(not supporting it)
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Beth Sarim
That's all you ever hear, is the WBTS is the Truth, blah, blah, blah...