Jehovah's Witnesses

by Richard Bunner
The religious groups that we are discussing in our study have been labeled today as cults, but by definition this proves to be too broad a. subject to present to you in the time allotted. A cult, according to the dictionary, is "any system of religious worship or ritual." A more narrow definition is found in the text, “These Also Believe”, by Charles Braden: By the term "cult" I mean nothing derogatory to any group so classified. A cult, as I define it, is any religious group that differs significantly in some one or more respects as to belief or practice from those religious groups that are regarded as the normative expression of religion in our modern culture

Walter Martin adds that a cult might also be defined as, a group of people gathered around a specific person or person's misinterpretation of the Bible. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses are, for the most part, followers of the interpretations of Charles T. Russell and J. F. Rutherford. The Christian Scientists of today are followers of Mary Baker Eddy and her interpretation of Scripture. And the Mormons, by their own admission, adhere to the interpretations found in the writings of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young.

The focus of my topic is the religious group called, "Jehovah's Witnesses." If a person is in religious error, the consequences will he the same. We use different labels to identify folks in error: sectarian, digressive, denomination, cult, etc., but if a person is in any of these situations, he is in a very precarious place. It should be our desire and interest to bring people out of the situationif they are in it.

I have received a great deal of advice and comment on how I should deal with this subject. Someone commented, "I guess you will be bashing the JVV's today." Others have shared with me their method of dealing with the Watchtower Society when they approached their door. For example, one individual said that he always shares with them the plan of salvation, while another said that he merely mentioned the name "church of Christ," which sent them walking in another direction.

Each of us probably have our own way of dealing with folks who come to our house carrying a green Bible or a copy of Awake! or The Watchtower, asking us if we would like to study the Bible, or expressing their concern about the spiritual condition of our society. The normal approach to this situation is a spiritual ping-pong battle in which we will throw an argument at them and they will throw an argument at us, both sides walking away feeling that they have won the battle. This becomes a war of semantics with little real progress.

Members of the Watchtower Society are in a dilemma because of the things that they have been taught. First, they have been taught that what we believe and practice (viz., anyone outside the Watchtower Society) is something that they do not want to have any part of. Second, they have been taught that if it is written by their publishing company (i.e., if it is written in Awake!, or The Watchtower, or similar publications), then they can rely on it. Let me emphasize this from their own writings.

When a fellow human tells us, “Do not read this” or “Do nor listen to that,” we may be tempted to ignore his advice. But remember, in this case Jehovah is the One who tells us in his Word what to do. And what does he say about apostate? Avoid them! (Rom. 16:17-18) (The Watchtower, March 15, 1986).

The article then compares any religious tract that would be given to them to pornogTaphic material that should be discarded in m ed iatelv. Ths, those who think that it is a good idea to distribute tract material to Witnesses when they knock on the door, need to realize that the material will be thrown in the nearest trash can. Witnesses believe that it is spiritual forilication to read material published by any religious organization other than the Watchtower Society.

Further, the Witness organization Promote reading Watchtower material over reading the Bible.

Each treatise [of Judge Rutherford's writings] can be read in just fifteen minutes, and more genuine satisfaction and profitable pleasure derived therefrom in that length of time than can be gotten from studying the Bible by yourself in a whole year (Vindication, III, p. 383).

Again, the Witness organization claims that independent Bible study is not profitable, but that one should focus on reading the Watchtower material.

No very clear understanding of the Bible was reached during all these centuries [before the establishment of the Watchtower Society] . . . If now the Lord has blessed us with clearer views of His Word, it behooves us to remember that we did not get it because of the four hundred years of independent Bible study . . . We should seek for dependent Bible study rather than independent Bible study (The Watchtower, September 15, 1911).

We find that people cannot see the Divine Plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also, that if anyone lays the Scripture Studies [a Watchtower publication] aside and ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has understood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had merely read the Scripture Studies with their references, and had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the light at the end of the two years, because he would have the light of the Scriptures (The Watchtower, September 15/1910).

A Simulated Study With a Witness In my remaining time, I am going to conduct a study that I would have with a Jehovah's Witness who would come to my door. Instead of trying to study with the individual(s) immediately, I say, "I am glad you came to my door. Look, I know that you probably want to get to as many doors as possible today, and besides that, I am busy at the moment. Could you come to my house on Saturday when I will have more time to sit down to listen to what you have to say." Generally, Witnesses will agree to return at a later appointed time.

When the individual returns, I invite him in and assure him repeatedly that I am glad that lie has taken the time to study with me. Further, I assure him that I am interested in what he has to teach me and what the Watchtower Society publishes. "I have been reading some back issues of Witness publications, and I have some questions that I am sure that you would be willing to help me with. In fact, I was impressed with a back issue of the Awake! that reads, 'Any organization should be willing to submit to scrutiny and criticism. All who criticize have the obligation to be truthful in presenting the facts, and fair and objective in assessing such. In both respects we try to live up to that obligation' (August 22, 1984). “I appreciate any organization that is willing to live by this motto. Are you willing to answer my questions and scrutiny as this publication suggests?" (Yes)

"I am interested in an issue of the Watchtower that I was reading recently. It asks the question, 'Does Jehovah have a prophet to help them, to warn them of dangers and to declare things to come?' It then answers the question by saying, 'The prophet was not one man, but was a body of men and women. It was the small group of footstep followers of Jesus Christ, known at that time as International Bible Students. Today they are known as Jehovah's Christ witnesses. Of course, it is easy to say that this group acts as a prophet of God. It is another thing to prove it. The only way this can be done is to review the record. What does it show?' (Watchtower, April 1, 1972, p. 197). Does the Watchtower Society still regard itself as God's prophet?" (Yes).

"Well, in another issue, the Watchtower condemns a certain California preacher who prophesied that Armageddon would come in April 1957. The issue describes the man as a "false prophet" because he prophesied of an event that did not take place (cf. Deut. 18:18-22) (Watchtower, October 15, 1958, p. 613). And in an issue of Awake!, I find this statement: 'True, there have been those in times past who predicted an end to the world, even announcing a specific date. Some have gathered groups of people with them and fled to the hills or withdrawn into their houses waiting for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The end did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them' (October 8, 1968, P. 23). Do you agree that a would-be prophet, who prophesies of events that do not take place, is a false prophet and lacks a connection with the truths of God?" (Yes).

"Good. I am also interested in what the Watchtower Society says about inspiration. In a copy of the Good News I read the following commentary on 1 Peter 1:21: 'It was because they did not write of their own impulse, but were inspired by God. What is here meant by the word "inspired"? It means that God, the Creator of heaven and earth, moved these men by his spirit or invisible empowering force, putting into their minds what they should write down as his word or message for mankind' (1976, p. 14). I agree with this commentary. But then I read that the Watchtower Society claims to be moved by the Spirit to deliver divine messages, just as the prophets of old. The Society says, 'It is announced with confidence that the Lord uses the columns of The Watchtower to transmit to his consecrated people things that he reveals to them and provides for them to know. It is the privilege of The Watchtower to publish explanation of the prophecies, which explanation is based upon the physical facts that exactly fit the prophecy and show that the explanation is correct' (1935 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, p52) Is it true that the Watchtower Society is guided by God's inspiration, and therefore is reliable as a spiritual guide?" (Yes).

"This: brings me to a state of dilemma. The older copies of The Watchtower at my disposal prophecy of the end of the age and the beginning of paradise in the year 1914. For example, one issue reads, 'We see no reason for changing the figures—nor could we change them if we would. They are, we believe, God's dates, not ours. But bear in mind that the end of 1914 is not the date for the beginning, but for the end of the time of trouble' (The Watchtower, July 15, 1894, p. 226). Another issue reads, 'When, some fourteen years ago, we presented the Scriptural declaration that the Millennium of peace and blessing would be introduced by forty years of trouble, beginning slightly in 1874 and increasing until social chaos should prevail in 1914—few believed, some scoffed' (The Watchtower, October 1890, p1). Yet another issue reads, 'The date of the close of that battle is definitely marked in Scripture as October 1914. It is already in progress, its beginning date from October 1874' (The Watchtower, January 15, 1892, p22)."

"(Now, what confuses me is that as I continue to read the writings of inspired Society, I do not read of the end of trouble and the beginning of paradise in 1914 as was prophesied. Rather, I find that the Society changed the date of their prophecy to 1918! cf., The Finished Mystery, 1917, p404). Can you explain this to me?" (No).

"Well, that is o.k. Maybe there was a slight error in calculation. I can understand that, I guess (though it seems unusual that an organization inspired by God would miss the date of a prophecy). So the year is 1918 for the end of the age. I read, "In the year 1918, when God destroys the churches wholesale and the church members by millions, it shall be that any that escape shall come to the works of Pastor Russell to learn the meaning of the downfall of Christianity' (The Finished Mystery, 1917, p485)."

"I am now looking at an issue of The Watchtower dated 1920; the end of the age has still not arrived. This bothers me, in light of the fact that these individuals are supposed to have divine guidance. First the year was 1914. Then the year was 1918. Now this issue reads, 'Surely the words of the Master are now in course of fulfillment; This gospel ["The World Has Ended—Millions Now Living Will Never Die"] shall be preached in all the world for a witness, and then shall the end come. The Master's inspiring words thrill the heart of the Christian and spur him on with greater zeal to give the witness now . . . Suppose we should be wrong in the chronology and that the kingdom will not be fully set up in 1925. Suppose that we were ten years off, and that it would be 1935 before restitution blessings began.. . Whether it be 1925 or 1935, restitution blessings must soon begin, as shown from all the evidence' (The Watchtower, Oct. 15, 1920, p. 310). Am I to understand that the date was changed to 1925, with an understanding that the end might not come until 1935?" (Yes).

"This seems to coincide with the following Watchtower publication, 'That period of time beginning in 1575 before A.D. 1, of necessity would end in the fall of the year 1925, at which time the type ends and the great antitype must begin. What, then, should we expect to take place? In the type there must be a full restoration; therefore the great, antitype must mark the beginning of the restoration Of all things. . .

There will be a resurrection of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and other faithful ones of old, and that these will the first favor, we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death, being resurrected and fully restored to perfect humanity and made the visible, legal representatives of the new order of things on earth, right here in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will become the capital of the world, and out from this nation will flow blessings to all the nations of the earth. Because that time is at hand we can confidently say: Millions now living will never die' (Golden Age, March 16, 1921, p. 350, 381). Again, 'Lo, our King is here, and the year 1925 marks the date when all shall see His mighty power, demonstrated in the resurrection of the ancient worthies, and the time when millions now living will never die' (Golden Age, March 1, 1922, p. 350). What happened? Did the end of the age and the beginning of paradise come in 1925? In 1935? Did the King come for all to see? Did Abraham and other ancients arise from the dead and lead the spiritual revolution?" (No).

"This poses a problem for me. We read earlier an excerpt from The Watchtower that said, 'Of course, it is easy to say this group acts as a prophet of God It is another thing to prove it The only way that this can be done is to review the record What does it show2' (April 1, 1972, p 197). From what I have seen, the record does not look real good. We also noticed from Watchtower publications that false prophets can be identified when they prophesy events that do not come true. In fact, the Watchtower says that such false prophets have no connection with God's truth' (Awake', October 8, 1968) The Watchtower 'itself claims inspiration from God Yet, they have been wrong They were wrong about 1914. They were wrong about 1918. They were wrong about 1925. They were wrong about 1935. In later issues of The Watchtower,, the Society was still looking for the coming kingdom of God (cf., The Watchtower, December 1, 1941, P. 355). How man.y prophecies must fail before one is labeled a false prophet? How can I rely on an organization that prophecie....falsely? Do you have an explanation for these prophetic errors?" (No).

"Now, I am further confused when I begin reading publications from the mid-sixties. During the period, the Watchtower Society began prophesying of the beginning of paradise in the year 1975 (cf., The Watchtower, August 15, 1968, p494). So confident was the Society leadership that they encouraged the Witnesses to quit high school and college in order to pursue full-time ministry! 'Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them brainwash you with the devil's propaganda to get ahead, to make something of yourself in this world. The world has very little time left. . . Make pioneer service, the full-time ministry, with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service your goal' (The Watchtower, March 15, 1969, p171). Again, 'In view of the short time left, a decision to pursue a career in this system of things is not only unwise but extremely dangerous . . . Many young brothers and sisters were offered scholarships or employment that promised fine pay. However, they turned them down and put spiritual interests first' (Kingdom Ministry, June 1969, p. 3). When the kingdom did not come at this time, the Society published an apology for inappropriately arousing the people's expectations (The Watchtower, March 15, 1980, pp17-18).

"Now I have not been reading a book that someone else wrote about what you believe. I am reading your own writings and I am trying to figure out what you really believe. If you want me to believe what you believe, I have to be able to have some confidence in your literature and leaders. But how can I have confidence in leaders who claim to be inspired and yet have consistently offered false prophecies concerning the end of the age? Doesn't this make these men false prophets? (Deut. 18:18-22)

Conclusion When we study with people from the Jehovah's Witness organization, the most effective approach is to use their own literature. It is difficult to discuss passages of Scripture with them, for their training as workers includes many hours of memorizing responses to those Scriptures that seem to refute their beliefs. As a part of their continuing education, they role-play once per week. Hence, they are not open-mindedly considering the Scriptures in a study, but are parroting the things that they have been trained to say in response to objections.

Normally, this would require a large amount of research. But fortunately, there exists an organization, established by a former Jehovah's Witness, whose aim is to provide evidence of inconsistencies in the Witness Society's publications. This simulated "study" contains some information that I received from them. If you are studying, or will be studying with a Jehovah's Witness (and most of us will have the opportunity to do so), I encourage you to write to the following address:

Witness, Inc. P 0 Box 597 Clayton, CA 94517

The former "Witness" who operates this organization provides photo copies of past Witness Society publications and points out the many errors that they have embraced. Rt. 6, Box 313 B, Fairmont, West Virginia 26554.