Category: Watchtower

My Thoughts on the Recent JW.org Online Library Updates

April 28, 2018

Until recently, if you wanted to obtain information from Watchtower publications going back to the 1950’s through the 1990’s, you either had to have the printed publications, access to the Watchtower Library CD-ROM, or worse, scans of the publications.  This made the situation quite difficult for non-JW’s and their interactions with JW’s.  Here’s why: A … More My Thoughts on the Recent JW.org Online Library Updates

JW.org Authority Quotes

February 5, 2018

I decided to create a compilation of authority quotes (that is, from the Governing Body) that can be easily linked to JW.org.  Until relatively recently, it was somewhat difficult for the non-JW to track down Watchtower quotes from the original source.  Now, with the online library at our disposal, we can easily link to the source … More JW.org Authority Quotes

Reviewing the November 2016 Watchtower Study Edition

November 6, 2016

It was not necessarily by my choosing that this review centered once again on the Governing Body.  Rather, it is the Governing Body themselves who are regularly promoting every Christian’s absolutely unquestionable obedience to anything they put in print.  I would encourage everyone to read the full context of the November 2016 Watchtower HERE.  In … More Reviewing the November 2016 Watchtower Study Edition

Answering a JW apologist: is the Watchtower Directed by Jehovah?

June 4, 2014

Rotherham’s arguments are more directly related to THIS POST, but COMMENTED ON the article, “Did the Watchtower’s ‘Faithful Slave’ claim the Holy Spirit’s functions ceased?” I would recommended reading Rotherham’s comment before proceeding to read my critique.  I’m posting this here rather than the comment section because it highlights many of the common responses JW apologists … More Answering a JW apologist: is the Watchtower Directed by Jehovah?

Did the Watchtower’s “Faithful Slave” claim the Holy Spirit’s functions ceased?

May 24, 2014

While this issue has a complex history and much can be written, I want to keep this as simple as possible.  Let’s first cover what the Watchtower has stated regarding the work of the Holy Spirit since 1919: *** ip-1 chap. 25 p. 340 par. 20 The King and His Princes *** Happily, since 1919, … More Did the Watchtower’s “Faithful Slave” claim the Holy Spirit’s functions ceased?

Spirit-directed and Spirit-inspired: is there a difference?

May 23, 2014

We all know that the Jehovah’s Witnesses have denied claims of inspiration.  For example: In most ways Jehovah’s Witnesses are like everyone else. They have normal problems—economic, physical, emotional. They make mistakes at times, for they are not perfect, inspired, or infallible. But they try to learn from their experiences and diligently study the Bible to make needed … More Spirit-directed and Spirit-inspired: is there a difference?

What about those with less access to Watchtower Publications?

May 21, 2014

In the August 15, 2014 Watchtower Study Edition, the Watchtower addresses some interesting points as it relates to reading the Bible when someone has less access to the Watchtower publications than others. Since the appointment of the faithful slave in 1919, millions of “domestics” of all languages have been gathered into God’s organization and are … More What about those with less access to Watchtower Publications?

Debate with a JW: “Is the Watchtower’s interpretation of the faithful slave found in Matthew 24 and Luke 12, as articulated in the July 15th, 2013 Watchtower, accurate?”

December 6, 2013

This debate took place on the TRUE THEOLOGY forum, but I will be posting the full debate on a PDF once it is completed.  You can follow the discussion HERE. The debate is with Rotherham, who is a JW I regularly interact with here.  The format is as follows with hyperlinks for each section: (1) Openings Rotherham’s … More Debate with a JW: “Is the Watchtower’s interpretation of the faithful slave found in Matthew 24 and Luke 12, as articulated in the July 15th, 2013 Watchtower, accurate?”

The Governing Body, Ephesians 4:11-16, and “unity”

March 5, 2013

The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses are adamant in saying that all true Christians must believe everything they teach. ***w09 p. 14 par. 5 Treasure Your Place in the Congregation*** We need to guard against developing a spirit of independence. By word or action, may we never challenge the channel of communication that Jehovah is … More The Governing Body, Ephesians 4:11-16, and “unity”

What if the Watchtower went into apostasy?

January 18, 2013

Watchtower apostasy is an important issue that every JW should consider.  Though i’ve thought through it in the past, this discussion provoked me to consider writing about it; in particular, this comment by a JW apologist. But before I address his comment, it is important that we set the stage with some context. The Watchtower has long … More What if the Watchtower went into apostasy?

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

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?”

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?

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?

“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?

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?

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?