Wrong On What Really Matters – Jehovah’s Witnesses

I received an e-mail today with an excellent topic for a blog post. The questions dealt in part with Jehovah’s Witnesses, asking “Why don’t Jehovah Witnesses celebrate Christmas?”  I think that this is an excellent question, and I hope that within a few days we’ll have a post devoted to that question. But before we get there, I think that it would be wise for us to look at the overall beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

JW’s will tell you that they are true Christians, but are they? Below I’m attaching a brief article that gives an overview of what they believe, but the main point that makes their beliefs false is their view of Jesus. The Bible teaches that God is Trinity (remember the discussion here), and that Jesus has always been and will always be God.

JW’s however, don’t believe this. They believe that Jesus was created by God the Father, and that although he is God’s only Son, he is not equal to God; in other words, Jesus is not God.  Here’s the article from their website that backs this claim up.

So one of the most important doctrine that Christians believe – that Jesus was fully God and fully man – is denied by Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are wrong on what is most important.

I’ve attached an article by Tal Davis that gives a brief overview of Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs and responses from the orthodox Christian position.

Jehovah’s Witnesses

By Tal Davis

Official Names: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, Inc., International Bible Students Association, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania

Founder: Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916)

Present Leader: Don Adams (b. 1925)

World and USA Headquarters: “Bethel”, 25 Columbia Heights, Brooklyn, New York 11201-2483

Active Participants:

2005 Worldwide: 6,613,829 million in 235 countries // New members baptized: 247,631, Increase over 2004: 1.3% // Average weekly home Bible courses taught: 6,061,546 // Congregations (Kingdon Halls): 98,269 // U.S.A.: Active members: 1,051,991; Baptisms: 28,628; Congregations: 12,384

Key Publications:

PERIODICALS: The Watchtower (22 million in 126 languages), Awake! (19 million in 81 languages)

BOOKS: Reasoning from the Scriptures (Reasoning)-1985, Insight on the Scriptures-2 Volumes (Insight)-1988, Mankind’s Search for God-1990, Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life (Knowledge)-1995, Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses-(published annually)

BIBLE TRANSLATIONS: The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures-1964, The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT)-1984
This Belief Bulletin presents basic Jehovah’s Witnesses’ history and doctrines and provides a biblical analysis and response.

History – In 1870, Charles Taze Russell began an independent Bible study, focusing on the second coming of Christ and biblical chronology. He published his views in several books and began lecturing in 1878. In 1879, Russell founded the monthly publication Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence which were used by study groups he established.

Zion’s Watch Tower and Tract Society was incorporated in 1884 with Russell as president. From 1886 until his death in 1916, Russell wrote a series of books called Studies in the Scriptures. Their contents formed the basis of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ unchristian theology.

Russell was succeeded as president in 1917 by his legal assistant, Joseph Franklin Rutherford. Rutherford continued Russell’s authoritarian leadership style. He was imprisoned briefly in 1918 for preaching against military service. He was a charismatic speaker who often railed against Christian churches and biblical scholars. He died in 1942.

Other Jehovah’s Witnesses presidents included Nathan H. Knorr (1942-1977), Fredrick W. Franz (1977-1992), and Milton G. Henschel (1992-2000). The organization expanded worldwide under these men’s leadership, from about 113,000 in 1942 to more than 6 million in 2000. The current president is Don Adams.

Jehovah’s Witnesses Sources of Authority

The Bible – The Bible is considered the divinely inspired and infallible Word of God. It “contains 66 books in two sections, often called the Old Testament and the New Testament. Thirty-nine Bible books were written mainly in Hebrew and 27 in Greek. . . . A proper study of the Scriptures must include the entire Bible” (Knowledge, p. 13). “Though the Bible is not a science textbook, it is scientifically accurate. . . . The Bible contains many prophecies that have been fulfilled in detail” (Knowledge, p. 17). The New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (NWT), is the English Bible Version published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (WBTS). The New World Bible Translation Committee members remain anonymous. It is regarded as the best translation because “the translators held so closely to what is in the original Bible languages” (Reasoning, p. 279).

Biblical Response: The Bible is indeed composed of the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. It is the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God (see 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:20-21). The NWT reflects WBTS theology, especially its bias against the deity of Jesus Christ and the historic doctrine of the Trinity. For example, John 1:1 reads “and the Word was a god” in the NWT. Nearly all other standard English Bible translations say, “and the Word was God.”

The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society – The WBTS’s Governing Body is called “the faithful and discreet slave,” a term derived from the NWT rendering of Matthew 24:45 (The Watchtower, Feb. 1, 1993, p. 16). It is therefore regarded as Jehovah God’s only channel of accurate biblical interpretation in the world today. A requirement for salvation “is that we be associated with God’s channel, his organization” [the WBTS] (The Watchtower, Feb. 15, 1993, p. 12). Thus, there is no salvation apart from the WBTS.

Biblical Response: All people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord are saved by grace through faith and are born again (see John 3:3-16; Rom. 10:9-10; Eph. 2:8-9). No single person, church, or religious organization can claim exclusive possession of the source of salvation or authority to interpret the Bible. All born-again Christians are capable of understanding and interpreting the Scriptures through the illumination of the Holy Spirit (see 2 Tim. 3:16; John 14:26; 15:26; 2 Pet. 1:20-21).

Doctrinal Beliefs

Jehovah Is God – The true God is not a nameless God. His name is Jehovah (Deut. 6:4; Ps. 83:18). His principal attributes are love, wisdom, justice, and power. God is a “spiritbeing,” invisible and eternal, but has a spiritual body and is not omnipresent (Insight, vol. 1, p. 969-970). The historic Christian doctrine of the Trinity is denied. “The dogma of the Trinity is not found in the Bible, nor is it in harmony with what the Bible teaches. It grossly misrepresents the true God” (Reasoning, p. 424).

Biblical Response: The Bible teaches there is only one God. He was called by several names in the Scripture. Christians acknowledge that the term “Trinity” is not found in the Bible. Nonetheless, the doctrine is clearly taught in Scripture. The Bible teaches that the One God exists in the three persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (see Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 8:6; 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 1:21- 22; 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2).

Jesus Christ-Jehovah’s First Created Being – Jesus had three periods of existence. In his pre-human existence he was called “God’s ‘only-begotten Son’ because Jehovah created him directly. As the ‘first-born of all creation’, Jesus was used by God to create all other things (Col. 1:15; Rev. 3:14) . . . After Jehovah brought him into existence, the Word [Jesus] spent ages with God in heaven before becoming a man on earth” (Knowledge, p. 39). “John 1:1 says that ‘the Word’ (Jesus in his prehuman existence) was with God ‘in the beginning’. So the word was with Jehovah when ‘the heavens and earth’ were created” (Knowledge, p. 39). He also had the personal name Michael (the archangel) (Insight, vol. 2, p. 394).

“The Second Stage of Jesus’ life course was here on earth. He willingly submitted as God transferred his life from heaven to the womb of a faithful Jewish virgin named Mary” (Knowledge, p. 40). He became the Messiah at his baptism, who was executed on a torture stake, and rose again spiritually “Though the Bible reports on Jesus’ death, he is now alive! He is a mighty reigning King! And very soon now, he will manifest his rulership over our troubled earth” (Knowledge, p. 41).

Biblical Response: The Bible teaches that Jesus was not created but was deity from all eternity and coequal with the Father. He came to earth in bodily form to reveal God’s nature and character to mankind. He now reigns with the Father in heaven and will return some day to close the age and judge all people. The Jehovah’s Witnesses NWT translation of John 1:1, John 8:58, and Revelation 3:14 are biased against Jesus’ deity. There is no biblical basis for identifying Jesus with Michael the archangel (see John 1:1-14; 5:17-18; 8:56-59; 10:30-33; Col. 1:15-20; 2:9).

The Holy Spirit – God’s Active Force – The personality and deity of the Holy Spirit is denied. Holy Spirit is not capitalized in the NWT. “With this viewpoint, it is logical to conclude that the holy spirit is the active force of God. It is not a person but is a powerful force that God causes to emanate from himself to accomplish his holy will” (Reasoning, p. 381).

Biblical Response: The personality of the Holy Spirit is evidenced in numerous New Testament Scriptures (see Luke 12:12; John 15:26; Acts 5:3-10; 13:2-4; 1 Cor. 12:11; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 3:7). His deity is demonstrated by His divine attributes as revealed in Scripture. The Holy Spirit convicts the lost of sin and He indwells believers at conversion and empowers them to live the Christian life. (See Matt. 12:31-32; 28:19; Mark 3:29; John 14-16; Rom. 8:4,26-27; 1 Cor. 12; Eph. 2:18-19; 5:14-33.)

Mankind’s Sin Brought Death

God created man in His own image, but Adam and Eve willfully and deliberately disobeyed God. “‘In the day that our first parents ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, they were sentenced by God and died from his standpoint. Then they were expelled from Paradise and began their descent into physical death” (Knowledge, p. 58). The spirit, or lifeforce, that God gives us at our birth departs at death. There is no conscious existence at death. “Where do the dead go? To Sheol, the common grave of mankind. Our dead loved ones are not conscious of anything. They are not suffering, and they cannot affect us in any way” (Knowledge, p. 83).

Biblical Response: Adam and Eve’s sin indeed brought evil and death into the world. Thus, we are dead spiritually and separated from God. However, at death, believers in Christ maintain a conscious relationship with Him while awaiting the resurrection. (See Matt. 22:32; Luke 16:22- 23; 23:43; John 11:26; 1 Cor. 5:8; 12:2-4; Phil. 1:23-24; 1 Thess. 4:14-5:10; 2 Pet. 2:9.)

Jesus Paid a Ransom Sacrifice – Due to Adam’s sin, it was necessary that an atonement be made to restore what he had lost. “Only a man with perfect human life could offer up the equivalent of what Adam lost. After Adam, the only perfect man born on earth was Jesus Christ” (Knowledge, p. 65). “The Roman governor Pontius Pilate sentenced him to death on a torture stake. He was nailed to a wooden pole and hung there upright . . . Thus, it was on Nisan 14, 33 C.E. [A.D.], that Jesus gave his life as a ‘ransom in exchange for many’” (Knowledge, p. 66). “He slept in death for parts of three days, and then Jehovah God resurrected him to life as a mighty spirit being” (Knowledge, p. 68).

Biblical Response: Jesus was not just a perfect man, but also God incarnate (see Col. 2:9). Thus, His death on a Roman cross was the self-sacrificial atonement of God Himself for mankind’s sin (see 1 Cor. 1:17-24; 2:2; 15:3- 4). He rose again from the dead physically, not just spiritually (see Luke 24:14-39; John 2:19-21; 20:26-29; 1 Cor. 15:1-8).

Salvation – Faith and Obedience – “Therefore, let us show our gratitude for the love displayed by God and Christ by exercising faith in Jesus’ ransom sacrifice” (Knowledge, p. 69). Requirements for salvation, in addition to faith, include baptism by immersion, active association with the WBTS, righteous conduct, and absolute loyalty to Jehovah. There is no assurance of salvation, only hope for a resurrection. Those who fail to live up to the above requirements or who are disfellowshipped by the WBTS have no hope of salvation.

Biblical Response: Salvation is “by grace through faith” in Jesus Christ alone. No amount of works or membership in any organization guarantees salvation. It is totally through faith in Christ (see Rom. 4:4-5; Eph. 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Good works are the natural response to salvation already received, not its cause (see Eph. 2:10). Salvation is eternally assured for those who have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior (see John 1:12; 5:24; 1 John 5:13).

Two Classes of Saved People – Only 144,000 faithful elect Jehovah’s Witnesses, known as the “Anointed Class” will go to heaven at death to rule with Jesus. Only those born since 33 C.E. (A.D.) can be part of that number (based on Rev. 14:1-3). Most Jehovah’s Witnesses hope to be among the “other sheep” or “great crowd” who will not go to heaven, but, after Armageddon and the millennium, will live forever in Paradise on earth (based on John 10:16; Rev. 7:9).

Biblical Response: The WBTS’ doctrine of a duality of saved people is not supported by a careful study of the Scriptures. The Bible makes no distinction of two classes of saved people (see Matt. 5:12; Phil. 3:20). In Revelation 7 and 14, both the 144,000 and the “great crowd” or “multitude” are “before the throne” in heaven. All born-again Christians will live forever in heaven (see John 3:16; 14:3).

Armageddon Is Coming Soon! – “This name [Armageddon or Har-Magedon] is directly associated with ‘the war of the great day of God the Almighty.’ The term applies specifically to the condition, or situation, to which ‘the kings of the entire inhabited earth’ are gathered in opposition to Jehovah and his Kingdom by Jesus Christ” (Insight, vol. 1, p. 1037.)

Armageddon will mark the destruction by God of this present evil system, including apostate “Christendom,” and the binding of Satan. Afterward, Jehovah’s surviving people will rebuild the world in a perfect environment under his rule for 1,000 years in the millennium. After the millennium, Satan will be released for a short time to test those resurrected, or born during the millennium. (See Knowledge, pp. 182-190.)

Biblical Response: The Bible teaches that Jesus will return physically to judge mankind and usher in the kingdom of God. Christians may respectfully disagree over the details of biblical interpretation about the events of the last days and the millennium. Setting dates, however, is strictly forbidden and Jesus warned of false signs of His return. Nonetheless, believers are to be ready at any time for His coming (see Matt. 16:24-27; 24:14-51; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-16; John 5:28-29; 14:2-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Thess. 5:1- 11).

Final Judgment and Paradise on Earth – After the millennium, Satan and his allies will be destroyed. Faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses will inherit everlasting life on perfect Paradise earth. Those who have disobeyed Jehovah and his law will be annihilated out of existence with Satan and his demons. This is the “second death.” Hell is the grave and not a place of eternal punishment. The doctrine of eternal hell is regarded as unscriptural, unreasonable, contrary to God’s love, and unjust.

Biblical Response: All people will face the final judgment of God. The doctrine of eternal hell is based on a number of biblical texts and the teachings of Jesus Himself. He taught that righteous saved people will have eternal life in heaven but the wicked lost will suffer eternal punishment in hell (see Matt. 18:8-9; 25:41-46; Mark 9:43-48; 2 Thess. 1:9).

Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses

1. Have a clear understanding of your faith and the Bible.
2. Aquire a basic knowledge of Jehovah’s Witnesses beliefs and practices.
3. Make a definite plan for the witnessing encounter and take the initiative.
4. Initially, talk about personal concerns to establish a friendly, courteous, and sincere relationship with the Jehovah’s Witness. Gradually move on to a discussion of theological issues.
5. Be prepared to cite and explain specific biblical passages supporting Christian doctrines.
6. Define your terms clearly and ask the Jehovah’s Witness to do so also.
7. Focus the discussion on the primary issue of the person and work of Christ. Stress the need for a personal relationship with Him.
8. Share your personal testimony of God’s grace and your faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Looking for a good deal on a Bible?

Westminster bookstore online has all of their ESV bibles on sale for 45% off their retail price. And if I’m not mistaken they still have a deal going where shipping is only $5 no matter how big of an order you make.

http://www.wtsbooks.com/category-exec/category_id/21/nm/Bibles

As far as the translation goes, the English Standard Version strikes a great balance of translation accuracy and literary quality. But you don’t just have to take my word for it!

http://www.esv.org/about/endorsements

Essentials of Christian Theology – the Trinity

As Christians, we affirm more than a generic belief in God. We believe that the God of the Bible is Triune; that God has always existed as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Yet we also believe that God is one.

The doctrine of the Trinity is foundational to Christian belief, but it can be a confusing doctrine unless we are careful in our understanding and statements about our Triune God. A while back i found an excellent brief overview of the doctrine of the Trinity on the Desiring God blog.

Trinity 101 By: Justin Taylor

I would encourage everyone to read over this article (it’s fairly short) in order for us to think rightly about our great God! This may be an issue that we may want to discuss here on the blog. If you have any questions or want some further clarification on a point that Taylor makes, hit the comments link and add your $0.02!

Current topics of discussion… Mormonism

Last night presidential candidate Mitt Romney gave a speech on his view of faith and politics. As most of you are aware, Romney is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints – or for short, he’s a Mormon.

 Now I don’t want this blog to be political, so I’m not going to address the question of whether Christians should vote for a Mormon for president. However, I do know that with Romney’s Mormonism being in the news these days, many people may have questions about what exactly it is that Mormons believe.

 That’s why I want to link you to a series of articles by Mike Licona entitled “Is Mormonism Christian?” Mike is the director of apologetics & interfaith evangelism at the North American Mission Board, so he’s a good guy to listen to on this subject.

MORMONISM: Is Mormonism Christian? (Part 1)

Is Mormonism Christian? (part 2)

Is Mormonism Christian? (part 3)

The short answer to Mike’s question is no, Mormonism is not Christian. Mike does a good job of showing why this is the case.

We need to be aware of the false teachings that are out there, and we need to be able to defend why we believe our beliefs are true. Let’s take advantage of the opportunities that we have to speak the truth of Christianity to our culture.

Christmas Conversations (Pastor Steven)

Hey all,

Pastor Steven sent me the notes from his message last night. I was challenged to remember that in every part of my day, I am to be sharing the good news (the gospel) of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Christmas holiday is often an opportunity to share with friends and family who we don’t get to see throughout the rest of the year. Let’s take advantage of all our conversations this Christmas

Christmas Conversations

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

People you may meet during the Christmas season: 

(1) Disgruntled Shopper

 Note – This is the person who will push you out of the way to get into a shorter line at the store!

REMEMBER: You are an ambassador of Christ!

KEY TEXT: Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:12-13  

(2) Difficult Relative

Note – No need of explanation here…

REMEMBER: You are called to love!

KEY TEXT: Jesus instructs us, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  Luke 6:27–28  

(3)Deserted Friend

Note – Christmas can be the most lonely time of year for many of the people around us. 

REMEMBER: You have been called to encourage!

KEY TEXT: And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near..   Hebrews 10:24-25  

(4) Downcast Neighbor

Note – For many, the Christmas season can be the time where the loss of a loved one is experienced most deeply.

REMEMBER: You can share God’s comfort!

KEY TEXT: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  ⁴ who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4  

(5) Disheartened Giver

 Note – For many, we spend beyond our means at Christmas time and are not good stewards of the money that God has entrusted to us.

REMEMBER: You have been called to instruct one another.

KEY TEXT: I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.  I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.   Philippians 4:11-12  
 

Remember the purpose for which you were created – to be transformed into the image of Christ (Romans 8:28–29).

The Golden Compass – What Should Our Response Be?

I’ve received several e-mails from folks at Poplar Spring sending me information about the soon to be released New Line Cinema movie The Golden Compass. Grayson sent me this information today.

This movie is based off the first of a series of children’s books by British author Phillip Pullman. The books have an anti-Christian theme; a theme that Pullman has explicitly stated in interviews.

 So what should we as Christians do in response to this movie? Well, I certainly think that we should think seriously about this issue. One of the sharpest Christian thinkers when it comes to issues of Christians and our interaction with culture is Dr. Al Mohler (president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Lousiville KY). Mohler weighed in on this issue on his blog today.

The Golden Compass — A Briefing for Concerned Christians

In this briefing Mohler addresses these questions….

• Why is this movie such a challenge?
• So, what’s the problem?
• Will viewers of the movie see all this?
• Is Pullman’s attack on Christianity exaggerated by his critics?
• Is there more to the larger story?
• What is it about Pullman and C. S. Lewis?
• So, what should Christians do?

I’d encourage those who are interested in this to read his whole article. Here’s a great line…

This is about the battle of ideas and worldviews. While Christians will not celebrate the release of this film, we should recognize the mixture of challenge and opportunity that comes with millions of persons watching this film and talking about the issues it raises. When the movie is mentioned in the workplace, in school, on the playground, or in the college campus, this is a great opportunity to show that Christians are not afraid of the battle of ideas.

In other words, people are going to be talking about this movie, and may be talking about the “anti-church” aspects of the plot. We need to be ready to point out the errors of Pullman’s message, and to share with others that the gospel message is not one of repression and abuse of authority, but an offer of God’s great love in providing us salvation.

Hear Pastor Steven – SEBTS chapel service

 Good afternoon! This is my first post, and I want to start us off linking to something really good… so I figure we can’t go wrong hearing from our pastor.

Last Tuesday, Pastor Steven preached the chapel service at Southeastern. Although I wasn’t able to be there, I have heard that he delivered a great message that we all should hear and apply to our lives.

 You can listen to his sermon by clicking on this link. You’ll have to scroll to the bottom of the page – his sermon is the last listing for November 27th.