No. (1 Corinthians 1:10) Were the 1st century Christians known for dissenting from the Apostles, such as Paul? No! Those who dissented and continued in that course even after being corrected were kicked out.-1 Timothy 1:3; Titus 3:10, 11. [source]
Are you saying that the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses are directly inspired by God, per the Apostles?
If so, can we conclude that, per the question in this post, that yes, Jehovah's Witnesses polices are divinely inspired?
You brought up 3 red herrings. 1919, the generation, and organ transplants. None of this has anything to do whether or not the Witnesses say their policies are divinely inspired. [source]
Surely you can see how ridiculous your statement here is.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe whatever it is the Governing Body is saying about these - and thousands of other topics - this week in the Watchtower Study (why isn't it called Bible Study?) because the Governing Body has told them it speaks for God.
I'll try and make it a bit clearer so that you can see how ludicrous your rebuttal is;
- Why did Jehovah's Witnesses believe that organ transplants - even when they could save your God-given life - were detestable to God?
- Because the Governing Body said so.
- And why do Jehovah's Witnesses put so much stock on what the Governing Body says?
- Because the Governing Body says it speaks for God.
- And when did the Governing Body start speaking for God?
- In 1919 when Jesus identified the "faithful and discreet slave" "class".
*Still waiting on that proof, by the way.
Great points, Mark. If the GB wasn't appointed in 1919, then there is no basis for absolute obedience. The interesting thing is, most JW's have probably never thought to themselves, "I must believe that all these words in this Watchtower magazine are from God Himself because Jesus Christ appointed them in 1919." This is why 1919 is only proclaimed by the GB, not defended.
ReplyDeleteBut do you know what's more interesting? Why WT apologists will not defend this claim. If I *knew* that 1919 were an absolute essential biblical doctrine, I would be defending it until the cows come home. But we all know that it is just one of those things that the GB can demand acceptance without question.
This is my point and it's why I continue to press StandFirm for evidence to back up this most fundamental doctrine espoused by the Governing Body.
ReplyDeleteI mean, to say that it's "complicated" as he's done doesn't really work, does it?
Either Jesus selected a "faithful and discreet slave" "class" in 1919 or he didn't.
Proof positive should trip off the tongue of a Jehovah's Witnesses to back this up as it is, after all, the bedrock upon which the concept of the Governing Body of the religious order known as Jehovah's Witnesses is founded on.
It is, according to Jehovah's Witnesses, what sets their religious order apart from "Babylon the Great", "Christendom" in particular.
It is, after all, why Jehovah's Witnesses as a global body switch their beliefs on and off like a light switch.
However, without proof positive of the 1919 selection, why would any Jehovah's Witness fully submit himself to the Governing Body?
Until I see this evidence, all pontificating from JW apologists like StandFirm - whom has been asked directly for said evidence - is the empty clattering of cymbals.
I'd be as to well to believe that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true religion, leave off following Jesus and align myself with Joseph Smith.
I should add, the reason I'm singling StandFirm out on this is, asides from the fact that no local Jehovah's Witnesses will talk to me, practising as they do the unscriptural and unChrist-like policy of "shunning", because he has knows the burden of proof re. 1919 lies with the Governing Body.
ReplyDeleteAs he knows that, and has acknowledged that the issue is "complicated", and it's clear the Governing Body doesn't wish to publicly provide proof positive of their selection, the responsibility has to lie with those who - in an open forum called the internet - choose to defend this elite group of men based in North America.
Interesting points, Mark. I'd also add that unless they GB has been appointed directly by Jesus Christ in 1919, no one has any hope of having a true understanding of the Bible because, according to them, no one can read the Bible on their own and come to an accurate knowledge. One must rely on the FDS.
ReplyDelete