Author: michaeljfelker

Some very bold statements found in the April 15, 2013 Watchtower Study Edition.

January 16, 2013

The April 15, 2013 Watchtower Study Edition contains some noteworthy thoughts that i’d like to draw some attention to. 6 How could we use the Bible to a fuller extent in our teaching? If you have the privilege of teaching the congregation from the platform, use specific Bible references. Rather than paraphrasing key scriptures or reading … More Some very bold statements found in the April 15, 2013 Watchtower Study Edition.

Is the Watchtower the “Right Kind of Messenger?”

January 1, 2013

***w97 5/1 p.8 Identifying the Right Kind of Messenger*** Identifying the Right Kind of Messenger “I am . . . the One making the word of his servant come true, and the One that carries out completely the counsel of his own messengers.”—ISAIAH 44:25, 26. JEHOVAH GOD is the Grand Identifier of his true messengers. He identifies them by making the messages he delivers through them come true. Jehovah is … More Is the Watchtower the “Right Kind of Messenger?”

Salvation outside the Watchtower

December 31, 2012

The Watchtower teaches that there is no salvation outside of “Jehovah’s Organization.”  But this statement is somewhat vague, as we can both agree and disagree.  So, let’s start with the agreement. If Jehovah Himself has established something and commanded His followers to be a part of it without qualification, then obviously, we should do so.  To that extent, … More Salvation outside the Watchtower

Final portion of the debate is finally up!

November 28, 2012

Click HERE to listen   From the THEOPOLOGETICS website: Debate topic: “All Christians in the New Covenant will live forever in heaven with Christ.” Fred Torres is a Jehovah’s Witness and affirms. My friend Mike Felker of The Apologetic Front denies. Fred and Mike have been recording a modular debate; they each recorded and sent me their … More Final portion of the debate is finally up!

My preliminary thoughts on the recent “faithful slave” interpretation change

November 24, 2012

Though i’m a little late on this NEWS and many have expressed their thoughts on this new development in Watchtower theology, I was compelled to offer my thoughts too.  While some offered commentary through hearsay accounts before the news became public, I was convicted to not do so.  But now the cat is out of the … More My preliminary thoughts on the recent “faithful slave” interpretation change

Who do the “anointed class” rule over? “the Bible does not say,” says the Watchtower

November 17, 2012

In the January 15, 2012 Watchtower Study Edition, p. 30 par. 18, the following is stated, 18 Thereafter, how will Jehovah use these highly privileged associates of Christ? According to Revelation 22:5, “they will rule as kings forever and ever.” Over whom? The Bible does not say. But the quality of life that they possess and their experience … More Who do the “anointed class” rule over? “the Bible does not say,” says the Watchtower

What is the proper view of the Watchtower and its literature?

November 17, 2012

In the following Watchtower article, two viewpoints are contrasted.  The first is the improper view, *** w64 9/15 p. 574 Experiencing Jehovah’s Love *** APPRECIATION FOR THE TRUTH Not all the persons I have known in the organization have maintained their appreciation for the truth. To illustrate this, I want to mention an experience I had while in the pilgrim service. I was in Philadelphia at the time, and, after … More What is the proper view of the Watchtower and its literature?

Are the Watchtower’s Predictions “Hollow?”

November 17, 2012

Sometimes I wonder if the Governing Body remembers their own history.  But then again, i’ve come to expect them to be less than honest, which is quite unfortunate.  Though there might be some who would love nothing more than to have a “gotcha” moment in pointing out yet another less-than-honest statement by the Governing Body, … More Are the Watchtower’s Predictions “Hollow?”

UPDATE

November 17, 2012

Thank you all for being so patient as i’ve posted all these articles but not yet responded to the comments. My purpose was to re-post and re-edit some of my older articles so that my previous research did not go to waste as I started over in building this site.  As far as I can … More UPDATE

What does the Bible really teach about 1914?

November 17, 2012

The 1914 doctrine very important to the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Consider what the Watchtower has to say,  “Approved association with Jehovah’s Witnesses requires accepting the entire range of the true teachings of the Bible, including those Scriptural beliefs that are unique to Jehovah’s Witnesses. What do such beliefs include?…That 1914 marked the end of the Gentile … More What does the Bible really teach about 1914?

Is “Paradise Earth” a Biblical Teaching?

November 17, 2012

The Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that the earth will be restored to a paradise in the future.  On this “paradise earth,” most faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will experience life as they believe Jehovah originally intended it; free from death, suffering, and sadness.  However, Jehovah’s Witnesses also believe that an “anointed class” of 144,000 will live forever in … More Is “Paradise Earth” a Biblical Teaching?

Does the Watchtower communicate with the dead?

November 16, 2012

“From the time of the apostle John and on into the Lord’s day, anointed Christians were puzzled as to the identity of the great crowd. It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders, representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John’s thinking by raising a pertinent question. “And in response one of … More Does the Watchtower communicate with the dead?

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?