Author: michaeljfelker

Is there anything wrong with including “Jehovah” in the Christian Scriptures?

November 14, 2012

The Jehovah’s Witnesses Bible, The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, contains the Divine Name “Jehovah” in 237 places in the Christian Scriptures.  The Jehovah’s Witnesses have several reasons for choosing these renderings [1].  But is it justifiable for the Jehovah’s Witnesses to do so?  Does this practice present any problems for our confidence … More Is there anything wrong with including “Jehovah” in the Christian Scriptures?

Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the Kingdom of Heaven

November 14, 2012

The Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in a “two class” theology whereby only 144,000 will reign in heaven for eternity.  The rest of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, or the “great crowd,” will reside on a paradise earth. The focus of this article will deal with the Watchtower’s belief that none of the saints mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures … More Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the Kingdom of Heaven

What was expected to happen in 1914?

November 10, 2012

*** w89 4/15 pp. 6-7 par. 8 The Infamous Harlot—Her Fall *** 8 For some 40 years the Bible Students boldly proclaimed that the year 1914 would mark the end of the Gentile Times. As expected, that year brought world-shaking events, not the least of these being the first world war. One has to wonder how the Watchtower can portray their own history in this light.  But … More What was expected to happen in 1914?

Who does John 6:68 apply to?

November 10, 2012

One JW apologist thinks this applies to a non-profit printing organization located in Brooklyn, NY.  This is consistent with what the Watchtower themselves have stated: *** w92 11/15 p. 21 Serve Jehovah Loyally *** Nowhere Else to Go 12 We will be impelled to serve Jehovah loyally with his organization if we remember that there is nowhere else to go for life eternal. When Jesus’ statements caused ‘many disciples to go off to the things behind,’ he asked his apostles: “You do not want to go also, do you?” Peter replied: “Lord, … More Who does John 6:68 apply to?

Not measurable and numbered, yet measurable and numbered

November 10, 2012

(Revelation 7:4) 4 And I heard the number of those who were sealed, a hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel: According to the Watchtower, the 144,000 are a literal group of “anointed” Christians who will go to heaven to rule and reign with Christ.  They believe that the … More Not measurable and numbered, yet measurable and numbered

To my commenters

November 9, 2012

In light of all of my recent posts to which some have commented, I have yet to respond. Please consider the previous post where I explained my reasons for this. Once I finish editing and posting all the pre-written articles that I plan to post, then I’ll do my best to address some of the … More To my commenters

“Keep on the Watch!”…by proclaiming false dates for the end?

November 9, 2012

In this post, i’d like to offer some commentary on a Watchtower article that explains their self-proclaimed “overeagerness” as it relates to the predicting of “the time of the end.”  But more importantly, i’d like to display a balanced view of how followers of Christ should seek God’s Kingdom as it relates to Christ parousia. *** w84 12/1 p. 17 par. 12 Keep Ready! *** When the … More “Keep on the Watch!”…by proclaiming false dates for the end?

Should we accept everything we hear from the Watchtower?

November 5, 2012

*** g96 2/8 p. 6 To Trust or Not to Trust *** What can you do? The Bible gives some good advice on this matter. “Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word,” says Proverbs 14:15. This is not destructive cynicism. It is a realistic reminder of the need for caution. Only a very naive, inexperienced person … More Should we accept everything we hear from the Watchtower?

Quick update

November 5, 2012

Some of you have already taken notice of a recent flurry of posts within the past couple of days. In fact, a few comments have been posted, which are most welcome! These posts will continue fairly rapidly when I have time. What I’m doing is taking old articles from my old blogger site and re-posting … More Quick update

Where shall we turn if this isn’t the true organization?

November 3, 2012

One of the things I have learned in witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses is the necessity of providing a positive presentation of your beliefs. The reason being, you can spend hours explaining the false predictions of the Watchtower to a JW, but the response will often be, “So what? Where else am I going to go? … More Where shall we turn if this isn’t the true organization?

Did the 70 years end in 539 B.C.E. or 537?

November 3, 2012

According to the Watchtower, correctly understanding the 70 year prophecy, as mentioned in several places in Scripture, is crucial to understand the date for when Jerusalem was destroyed. According to The Watchtower, Jerusalem fell in 607. If Jerusalem didn’t fall in 607, then the chronology falls apart and 1914 is no longer true. Therefore, if … More Did the 70 years end in 539 B.C.E. or 537?

Was Jesus exalted as King in 33 C.E. or 1914?

November 3, 2012

The Watchtower has long argued that Jesus’ kingship began in 1914, almost two thousand years after he had ascended into heaven. *** w08 2/15 p. 21 par. 3 Christ’s Presence—What Does It Mean to You? *** What of the “presence” that the apostles asked about? This is the translation of the Greek word pa·rou·si′a. Christ’s … More Was Jesus exalted as King in 33 C.E. or 1914?

The change of “this generation”…again

November 3, 2012

In the April 15, 2010 Watchtower, there is an article titled, “Holy Spirit’s Role in the Outworking of Jehovah’s Purpose.” In this article, a change was made in a teaching of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. To illustrate the significance of this doctrine, open up your Watchtower library and type in “this generation.” Then, come to your … More The change of “this generation”…again

Is it wrong to expose the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a false religion?

November 3, 2012

NOT ACCORDING TO THE WATCHTOWER: *** w63 11/15 p. 688 par. 3 Execution of Divine Judgment upon False Religion *** Can there be false religion? It is not a form of religious persecution for anyone to say and to show that another religion is false. It is not religious persecution for an informed person to … More Is it wrong to expose the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a false religion?

Did the Watchtower claim that 1975 would be the end?

November 3, 2012

There is no doubt that the Watchtower was a bit confused as to whether or not 1975 would be the end. Nevertheless, they said what they said: *** Awake! October 8 1968 pp. 14-15 *** 6,000 Years Nearing Completion […] The fact that fifty-four years of the period called the ‘last days’ have already gone … More Did the Watchtower claim that 1975 would be the end?

Reading the Bible or Watchtower publications? Offering a small corrective.

August 25, 2012

In the November 15, 2012 Watchtower Study Edition on p. 17 par. 9, 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 … More Reading the Bible or Watchtower publications? Offering a small corrective.

How a faithful JW is to approach their leaders with a disagreement

July 26, 2012

Quoted from p. 15 of the October 15, 2012 Watchtower Study Edition: 12 Differences of viewpoint can become a source of irritation in the congregation—even among the overseers. The Bible’s counsel can help us in this regard: “In showing honor to one another take the lead” and, “Do not become dis- creet in your own … More How a faithful JW is to approach their leaders with a disagreement

Debate is posted! Proposition: “All New Covenant Christians Will Live Forever in Heaven with Christ.”

June 23, 2012

I can’t tell you how excited I am to have been given this opportunity to debate one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in audible format.  To be honest, I don’t think this has ever happened in history whereby such a debate was recorded and made available.  JW’s are usually quite shy to ever give a second thought … More Debate is posted! Proposition: “All New Covenant Christians Will Live Forever in Heaven with Christ.”