by Rather Be the Hammer 15 Replies latest watchtower bible
Yesterday a letter was read in our congregation. It said that there have been doctrinal changes in many chapters of the book 'God's kingdom rules' so everyone but especially the conductor must be sure to use the latest update of the book.
this book is only ...how old? Two years? And already the paper version is better not to be used any more.
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Any idea what the doctrinal changes were? 'New Light' within two years of printing??
Are they going to issue cut and paste corrections like they did with the Revelation book?
What? Orwell will be happy, his 1984 come to life.
Their books have an amazingly short shelf life!!
I made a table with the chages between the 2 PDFs (printing date on top in the table).
I can do it only in german (I collect the german versions) - but you can see the pages.
Most of the chages are about the change from "Kingdom Ministry" to "Our Christian Life and Ministry-Meeting Workbook".
On page 153 they changed the real russian picture into a painted picture. Also the picture text changed.
Flip flops should become required footwear in kingdom halls everywhere.
You can see why they're really encouraging digital editions of their publications. Changes can be made immediately before anyone even knows.
And yet the scriptures say that "God is the same always, and never changes" (words to that effect)
hebrews 13:8
So did god get things wrong so that stuff requires changing, or could it be that the GB are not speaking on behalf of God afterall?
Hey Rather Be the Hammer!
Yesterday a letter was read in our congregation. It said that there have been doctrinal changes in many chapters of the book 'God's kingdom rules' so everyone but especially the conductor must be sure to use the latest update of the book.
EXPOSED!
A comparision between the 2014 and 2016 printings of the God's Kingdom Rules publication (with thanks to fastJehu)
any other changes???
Page 24, paragraph 36, middle
Old: The same year saw the publication of the first issue of the Bulletin, which is now called Our Kingdom Ministry.
New: The same year saw the publication of the ļ¬rst issue of the Bulletin, which is now the meeting workbook for Our Christian Life and Ministry.
Page 131, Heading: Service Committee
Old: Last sentence deleted: They also oversee the preparation of Our Kingdom Ministry.
Page 131, Heading: Teaching Committee.
Old: It also has oversight of Gilead School, the School for Kingdom Evangelizers, the Pioneer Service School, and the Theocratic Ministry School, as well as other schools. In addition, this committee oversees the development of audio and video programs.
New: It also has oversight of Gilead School, the School for Kingdom Evangelizers, and the Pioneer Service School, as well as otherschools. In addition, this committee oversees the preparation of Our Christian Life and Ministry ā Meeting Workbook and the development of audio and video programs.
Page 138, Footnote [1], end
Old: His widow, Dorothy, at age 90, still faithfully serves as a pioneer.
New: His widow, Dorothy, served faithfully until her death in 2015 at 92 years of age.
Page 153, picture and caption
Old - February 2014: Vahan Bayatyan in the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights
Old - December 2014: (Picture changed) Brothers in Armenia are grateful for the ECHR ruling that protects the rights of those who conscientiously object to military service based on their religious beliefs
New: (Picture changed) Brothers in Armenia are released from prison after the favorable ECHR ruling
Page 153, paragraph 14 (at top of page 153)
Old - February 2014: ruled in favor of Brother Bayatyan
Old - December 2014: ruled in favor of Vahan Bayatyan
New: ruled in favor of Vahan Bayatyan
Page 169, 1st column, middle
Old: He was trained in the Theocratic Ministry School and then in the Pioneer Service School.
New: He made signiļ¬cant progress after attending the Pioneer Service School.
Page 170, paragraph 2, middle
Old: We currently have the opportunity to attend ļ¬ve weekly meetings ā the Public Meeting, the Watchtower Study, the Congregation Bible Study, the Theocratic Ministry School, and the Service Meeting.
New: We currently have the opportunity to attend two instructive weekly meetings ā the Public Meeting and Watchtower Study and our midweek meeting called Our Christian Life and Ministry.
Page 179, paragraph 17, end
Old: Whether you are male or female, have you seized this expanded opportunity to enroll in the Theocratic Ministry School and be taught by Jehovah?
New: Over the years, many brothers and sisters seized the opportunity to enroll in the Theocratic Ministry School and be taught by Jehovah. Today, we continue to receive such training at our midweek meeting.
Page 179, paragraph 18, end
Old: (later called Informant and now, Our Kingdom Ministry)
New: (later called Informant and still later, Our Kingdom Ministry)
Page 179, paragraph 19
Old: The Service Meeting continues to follow the pattern set by Christ, offering practical guidance for us as we engage in the preaching work. (Matt.10:5-13) If you qualify to receive a personal copy of Our Kingdom Ministry, do you study it and apply the suggestions it contains as you engage in the ministry?
New: Today we receive practical guidance for carrying out the ministry at our midweek meeting. (Matt.10:5-13) If you qualify to receive a personal copy of the meeting workbook, do you study it and apply the suggestions it contains as you engage in the ministry?
(note - the 'qualify' bit for receiving the workbook is technically not correct now? - used to be a bit of a biggie in some congregations re:receiving Kingdom Ministry)
Page 179, question 18, 19
Old: (a) What pattern does the Service Meeting continue to follow?
New: (a) How do we now receive practical guidance for carrying out the ministry?
Page 183 (184), paragraph 9, end
Old: Is the objective of this school just to train students to give effective talks at congregation meetings? No. The main purpose of the school has always been the same, that is, to train Godās people to use their gift of speech to praise Jehovah in the ministry. (Ps.150:6) The school equips all the brothers and sisters who are enrolled to be more eļ¬ective Kingdom ministers.
New: Was the objective of this school just to train students to give effective talks at congregation meetings? No. The main purpose of the school was to train Godās people to use their gift of speech to praise Jehovah in the ministry. (Ps.150:6) The school equipped all the brothers and sisters who were enrolled to be more eļ¬ective Kingdom ministers. Now such training is provided by means of the midweek meeting.
Page 183, question 8, 9
Old: (a) What is the main purpose of the Theocratic Ministry School?
Old: (b) How has the Theocratic Ministry School helped you to be more effective in your ministry?
New: (a) What was the main purpose of the Theocratic Ministry School?
New: (b) How has the midweek meeting helped you to be more effective in your ministry?
Page 187, paragraph 20, end
Old: Let us be determined to take full advantage of the training that our King has made available to us - whether at the Theocratic Ministry School, the other congregation meetings, or any of the other schools discussed in this chapter. And let us remember that the main purpose of all this training is to help us keep spiritually strong so that we may fully accomplish our ministry.
New: Let us be determined to take full advantage of the training that our King has made available to us. And let us remember that the main purpose of all this training is to help us keep spiritually strong so that we may fully accomplish our ministry.
Page 188
Old: THEOCRATIC MINISTRY SCHOOL
Old: Enrollment: All may be enrolled who are actively associating with the congregation, who agree with the teachings of the Bible, and whose lives are in harmony with Christian principles. To join, speak to the Theocratic Ministry School overseer.
Old: Beneļ¬ts: Sharon, who is enrolled in the school despite being paralyzed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), says: "The Theocratic Ministry School has taught me to research and present information logically. I have also learned to listen to others and focus on their spiritual needs, not just my own."
New: OUR CHRISTIAN LIFE AND MINISTRY
New: Enrollment: All may been rolled who are actively associating with the congregation, who agree with the teachings of the Bible, and whose lives are in harmony with Christian principles. To join, speak to the Life and Ministry Meeting overseer.
New: Beneļ¬ts: The midweek meeting teaches us to research and present information logically. We also learn to listen to others and focus on their spiritual needs, not just our own.
Page 189, BETHEL ENTRANTSā SCHOOL
Old: Duration: Sixteen weeks for 45 minutes each week.
New: Duration: Four days for four hours each day.
