JEHOVAHS WITNESSES: A BRIDGE BACK TO ORTHODOXY

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A Paper Presented to Dr Horrell Dallas Theological Seminary

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In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Course ST401A Theology of Alternative Religious Movements

___________________ by Peter Sample December 2013 Folder 726

JEHOVAHS WITNESSES: A BRIDGE BACK TO ORTHODOXY I remember her lying there. I dont remember the position of the flowers or the color of the casket. But, I do remember her white, wispy hair lying softly on the pillow. Her eyes were closed as in sleep. However, you could tell that this was not my grandmother. The embalming process had done its work: a human made into a mannequin. Her body was here, preserved for viewing, but her soul was elsewhere. Where was it? We dont know, not until we get there too. I turned from the casket and mingled with the rest of the guests. Many people I knew; others knew me. I was looking, searching for some that I hoped would come. Soon, in they walked. They had not been seen by the family for a decade. They were part of us, but they had estranged themselves. I was happy to see them, to shake their hands, and to talk. We expressed sorrow that death would be the event to draw us together, and we hoped that after the death we would not be parted again. We were family, after all! The service started, and they left, not being able to partake of the religious service. They were Jehovahs Witnesses. Due to opposition from the family, my great-uncle and all his descendants had isolated themselves from our family. Sadly, this occurs in many families. When a family member converts to being a Jehovahs Witness, the rest of his family does not fully understand the belief systems of that cult, and they do not know how to bridge the gap between their faith systems. No one wants his loved one to continue in false teaching. However, when a family member reacts wrongly, that loved one has a greater chance of staying in that cult and bringing others with him. The goal of this paper is to provide a groundwork for understanding the cult of the Jehovahs Witnesses and a way to bring show them the Truth. I will give the background of this cult, explain the major beliefs of this cult, discuss a Christian answer to those beliefs, and provide a way to loving build a bridge back to orthodoxy. 1

History On a cold day in Pennsylvania, Charles Russell was born to Joseph and Eliza Russell. On that 16th day of February, Charles parents did not know what their son would be, but they wanted him to be a preacher. His mother told him early on that I gave you to t he Lord as Samuels mother gave him. 1 Growing up, according to Charles, he was an ideal child. He was such a good child, he claims that he was born in a justified condition with Gods favor on him.2 Unfortunately, this sense of justification left him in his teenage years. He used to go about his city, warning people of the wrath to come, so that they might turn to Christ. 3 However, when he was sixteen, he met a man who challenged him on the identity of God. If God was truly loving, how could he condemn his creation to eternal torment? 4 Not being able to find answers from his religious teachers, he became an agnostic. After a couple years, soon before his eighteenth birthday, he met an Adventist who taught him the Adventists view of eternity. Jonas Wendell gave a lecture in 1869, explaining that hell merely means the grave. 5 Charles believed the teachings of the Bible once again, and began to spread these teachings through Bible Studies which he st arted. The members of these studies were merely called Bible Students, and

Timothy White, A People For His Name (New York City: Vantage Press, 1967), 14. Ibid.

Charles Russell, To Hell and Back! Who Are There in http://www.harvestmessenger.com/library/sermons/SM516, accessed November 26, 2013.
4

White, A People for His Name, 15.

Robert Bowman, Jehovahs Witnesses, Zondervan Guide to Cults and Religious Movements (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 9-10.

3 they called him Pastor.6 The organization which would come of these studies remained under this name until 1931. Charless theology was built around the issues of eternal punish ment and the end times. First, he claims that eternal punishment was not part of the curse given to Adam. As Charles states, Life is Gods gift, and death, the opposite of life, is the penalty He prescribes. 7 At the time of death, the soul dies. Charles points out that the Old Testament has no mention of eternal punishment and the New Testament has a smattering of mentions. All of these are in symbolic passages that no one has ever been able to understand, such as Revelation and Jesus parables. 8 Thus, in his mind, eternal punishment in hell is not taught in Scripture. At the end of life, a person dies, and his soul is extinguished. This theory has great implications on the end times, as one might imagine. So, second, Charles claims that Christ will not return to earth physically. Since Christ died, he gave up his body as a ransom for men, and thus, he is a spirit being. 9 He will return to earth a different way than the first time he came, and he will have a different purpose.10 His appearing will be a spiritual presence, for he does not have a physical body in which to appear. From specific interpretations in various prophetic timelines, Charles proves that Christs presence began in 1875 and the year of Armageddon will be 1914.11

Ibid, 10. Charles Russell, The Divine Plan of the Ages (Brooklyn: Dawn Publishers, 1937), 127. Ibid, 127-128.

Charles Russell, The Time is at Hand, vol 2, Studies in the Scriptures (Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1909), 107.
10

Ibid.

Charles Russell, Thy Kingdom Come, vol 3, Studies in the Scriptures (Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Soceity, 1909), 23-24.

11

4 Nothing significant happened in 1914, besides the Great War. Charles died the year after, believing that the Great War was Armageddon, and he was succeeded by Joseph Rutherford, who soon realized that it was not Armageddon. 12 Under Rutherfords leadership, the organization changed the name of its followers to Jehovahs Witnesses. Also, they started teaching that Christs presence actually began in 1914, and Armageddon would come later.13 The Watch Tower Society had a succession of presidents, each changing the organization to be what it is today. Nathan Knorr (1942-1977) commissioned the New World Translation and he instituted a training system for Jehovahs Witness so that they could go door-to-door without having a phonograph record. He also saw the failure of the 1975 end-times prophecy. Frederick Franz (1977-1992) brought the organization through the 1980 Shake-up, when many prominent witnesses left the organization. Milton Henschel (1992-2000) changed the way the word generation was used. According to past interpretation, someone from the 1914 generation would have to be alive when Armageddon occurred. Henschel changed this thinking in 1995, stating that generation refers to wicked mankind in general. 14 Also, in 2000 Henschel resigned from being president of the Watch Tower Society of Pennsylvania. He still remained on the Governing Council. This is the first time that the president of the Watch Tower Society was not a member of the Governing Council. 15 The current president is Don Adams. The position of chairman of the Governing Council rotates.

12

Bowman, Jehovahs Witnesses, 10-11. Ibid. Ron Rhodes, The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001), 83-85.

13

14

Major Shakeup in Jehovahs Witness Organization at http://www.cftf.com/2000octEXTRA.htm accessed November 26, 2013.

15

5 Theology16 Through the leadership of these presidents, and through the effort of their door-to-door evangelists and members, the Jehovahs Witnesses were recognized by the National Council of Churches as the denomination with the largest growth in 2011. 17 Currently, the Jehovahs Witnesses preach in 239 different countries. The New World Translation and Bible-based literature is published in 595 different languages. There are 111,719 different congregations, with 7,538,994 ministers teaching the Bible. 19,000,000 people are at their meetings or conventions. 179,000,000 Bibles have been published in 116 different languages. 20,000,000,000 pieces of literature have been published over the past ten years.18 To counter this wide-spread growth, one must have a thorough understanding of the beliefs of the Jehovahs Witnesses.19

Authority of Scripture and Other Sources The Jehovahs Witnesses believe strongly in the authority of the Bible. However, this authority is applied through the one true religious organization: the Watchtower Society. The Watchtower Society is the authority to which all Christians must submit. The Society points to Acts 15, stating that the apostles and older men of the faith met together to discuss doctrine and make important decision that were binding on the entire Christian community. The Governing Body of the Watchtower Society acts just like t hat Jerusalem Conference. They oversee the

It is my regret that I am forced to spend so little time on the description and rebuttal of each of these 6 areas of theology. For more information, please read the sources in the Bibliography. Dan Harris and Maggy Patrick, Membership of Pentecostal Church, Jehovah's Witnesses Up, Protestant Down at http://abcnews.go.com/US/american-religion-national-council-churches-reports-pentacostalismgains/story?id=12931023; accessed November 26, 2013.
18 17

16

Fast FactsWorldwide at http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/; accessed November 26, 2013. The outline of this section is taken from Bowman, Jehovahs Witnesses.

19

6 preparation of spiritual food, give impetus to the Kingdom-preaching work, and supervise the appointment of brothers to positions of responsibility. 20 These men of the Governing Council are part of the 1914 generation, and have been anointed by God with special ability to understand the mysteries of Scripture. When a Christian reads literature prepared by these men, he is helped to gain an accurate knowledge of the Bible. 21 The Jehovahs Witnesses are in error on this point. Humanity cannot be trusted to speak in the place of God. All authority is judged by the Bible (Gal. 1:8). If the authority does not match the teachings of the Bible, that authority should not be followed. The Governing Council, through the Watchtower magazine and other literature, has proven itself to distort Scripture. 22 The authority for a Christian is in the Bible, as revealed from God, not in a group of fallible humans.

The Trinity The Jehovahs Witnesses do not believe in a Trinity. They believe that Jehovah is the one, true God: Almighty God. Jesus is separate from this God. They do not deny the deity of Jesus, however. The Bible speaks of many entities as gods in a secondary sense. 23 This is seen in Psalm 8:5, where angels are called gods. These angels were the mouthpieces of God, and

Who Are Doing Jehovahs Will Today? (Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2012), 20.
21

20

Draw Close to Jehovah (Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2002), 312-

313. For more information, see Bill Cetnar, and Joan Cetner, ed., Questions for Jehovahs Witnesses (Kunkletown: np, 1983). See also, Robert Bowman, Understanding Jehovahs Witnesses (Grand Rapids: Baker Book, 1991). Greg Stafford, Jehovahs Witnesses Defended: An Answer to Scholars and Critics (Huntingdon Beach: Elihu Books, 2000), 97.
23 22

7 were expected to be obeyed as an agent of God (Ex. 23:20-21). Jesus is such a god.24 So, what is the relationship between the Father and Jesus? Did not Jesus admit that he was one with the Father (John 10:30)? This unity is one of purpose and friendship, not identity. 25 The Bible clearly states in Deut 4:35, and other locations, that there is only one God. The Jehovahs Witnesses believe this. However, their belief in the existence in other gods, such as angels, Jesus, Satan, etc., opens them up to a charge of polytheism. 26 When speaking of deity, the Bible only gives two options: the One, True God, and false gods.27 As to whether Jesus was truly God, Metzger points out several verses, such as John 20:28; Acts 7:59; and Gal. 1:1.28 The Bible is clear that Jesus was one with God. Almighty God is one God, in three persons.

The After-Life: Hell As mentioned in an earlier section, one of the main tenets of Jehovahs Witnesses is the absence of Hell. When Adam and Eve were punished in Gen. 3, they were not told about a state of eternal torment after death. They were merely told that they would die. There was nothing afterwards. Solomon expounds on this idea saying There is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in [the grave] (Ecc 9:10 NWT). The soul/spirit is not eternal, but is

24

Ibid, 125.

In What Way Are Jesus and His Father One? The Watchtower 2009-09-01 at http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20090901/way-jesus-and-father-one/; accessed November 19, 2013. Robert Bowman, Why You Should Believe the Trinity: An Answer to the Jehovahs Witnesses (Grand Rapids: Baker Book, 1989), 50-51.
27 26

25

Ibid.

Bruce Metzger, The Jehovahs Witnesses and Jesus Christ (Princeton: The Theological Book Agency, 1953), 71-72.

28

8 merely other synonyms of ones life. 29 Consequently, there is no after life and no eternal punishment in Hell. The wicked will merely cease to exist. For the righteous, there is a hope of resurrection, as evidenced by Christs resurrection, either in a physical body in the Millennium or in a spiritual body into Heaven. 30 Paul is clear in his epistles that there is consciousness after death. When one is absent from the body, they are with the Lord (1 Cor. 5:6-8). There is a desire of every Christian to be done with this world, so that they could be with Christ (Phil. 1:23). Jesus spoke of the suffering of the wicked (Luke 15:22-23). At the judgment day, Jesus claims that the wicked will be sent to eternal punishment (Matt 25:46). These verses, and many more, show the existence of the soul after death, and the reality of eternal punishment.31 Christs Resurrection Based on the fact that there is no after life, Jesus was not raised physically, but as a spirit creature. This spiritual resurrection is seen in 1 Cor. 15:42-45 and in 1 Peter 3:18. 1 Tim. 6:16 says that Jesus is invisible, further proving that Jesus does not have a body but is a spirit creature. As a spirit creature, Jesus is more powerful than he was as a human. 32 This can be seen in John 20: 19, when he was able to walk through a locked door, and in Luke 24:30-36, when he was able to appear and disappear.

What Does the Bible Really Teach (Brooklyn, Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2005), 210-211.
30

29

Anthony Hoekema, Jehovahs Witnesses (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1963), 86. Rhodes, Challenge of the Cults, 102. What Does the Bible Really Teach?, 74.

31

32

9 Biblically, all the language of resurrection points to a physical resurrection. This was the teaching of the Pharisees, and it was a teaching that was never contradicted by Jesus or by Paul. 33 In fact, all of the resurrections seen in the Bible were physical. Jesus proved his physical body by eating fish and telling the disciples to touch him (Luke 24:39-43). He specifically told them that he was not a spirit. The Jehovahs Witnesses point to 1 Corinthians to prove a spirit resurrection. However, as Bowman points out, Pauls argument in that chapter necessitates a physical resurrection.34 This physical resurrection gives all Christians hope of their own physical resurrection.

Salvation The Jehovahs Witnesses separate humanity into three classes: The wicked which will be annihilated upon death; the Great Crowd which are raised physically to live first in the Millennium and then in eternity on earth; and the Anointed ones which will live in heaven with spirit bodies. This theory is based upon their concept of no after life and their interpretation of Revelation 7. Revelation 7 speaks of the 144,000 Anointed Ones who worship before the throne. These 144,000 include the apostles and select others from the age of the Gentiles, before the time of Christs presence.35 These will be resurrected with spirit bodies to rule with Christ in Heaven. Revelation 7 also speaks of a great crowd in white robes are the rest of humanity who are not annihilated with the wicked. These will be raised in the Millennium to be tested in their faith in Jesus.36 Those who survive will enter eternity on Earth. Those who do not will be annihilated

33

Bowman, Jehovahs Witnesses, 43. Ibid, 46. What Does the Bible Really Teach?, 74. Hoekema, 86.

34

35

36

10 with the wicked. Salvation to all groups is by faith, but only provisionally. These works are prerequisites to salvation. Four good works can be categorized: 1) Studying the Bible with Watchtower literature; 2) Obeying Gods laws; 3) Associating with the Watchtower Society, Gods channel of blessing and knowledge; 4) Witnessing door -to-door.37 The Jehovahs Witnesses will stress salvation by faith, but they do require these works for the completion of their salvation. The Bible clearly teaches that Salvation is by faith alone. This can be seen in Eph. 2:8,9; Rom. 4; Rom 5:6-11, etc. No amount of work can cause God to be pleased with us, only faith can (Heb. 11:6). A Christian will do works out of love for God, but these works are not prerequisites of salvation, but merely outputs of genuine faith (James 2:14-26). Though a Christian might desire to do good out of love for God, he is still human and will sin (1 Thess. 4:1).38 The Bible also teaches equality of a Christian. All Christians are Children of God (Rom. 8:14-16). They all have the same hope of living in eternity with Christ (Rev. 22). They will reign on the new earth (Rev. 21; 5:10). There is no Biblical evidence of a hierarchy between people living in Heaven or on earth. The great crowd in Revelation 7 is all who have died before the 2 nd coming of Christ. They are waiting in Heaven with Him for the revealing of his glory. The 144,000, as seen in the text, are representatives of the twelve tribes of Israel. 39

37

Bowman, Jehovahs Witnesses, 50. Ibid, 58. Ibid, 56-57.

38

39

11 The Second Coming Christ will return as a spiritual presence, not as a human being. As explained under the heading Resurrection of Jesus, Jesus gave up his physical body through the resurrection and was raised as a spiritual being. Thus, he will return as a spiritual presence. As the Watchtower Society teaches, Jesus presence came in 1914.40 Also, at that time, Satan was cast down to earth for a specific amount of time. At the end of this time of preparation, the Battle of Armageddon will be fought between human government and Gods kingdom. This will be the final battle, and Gods kingdom will be triumphant over human government.41 At that time, Jesus sacrifice will be applied to all of the surviving humanity, with the result of no more tears, suffering, disease, etc. Those who are chosen by God (the 144,000) will rule in heaven with Jesus. The rest will live in a paradise on earth. These on earth are those who have proven themselves as obedient. 42 The Watchtower Society has made significant prophecies about when the Battle of Armageddon would be fought, such as 1975. After that failed prophecy, many people left the Jehovahs Witnesses. Now, the Society tries not to set specific dates and they try not to refer to those past failures. However, the Bible clearly states that no one will know when Christ will come again (1 Thess. 5:1). Therefore, one cannot state when Christ comes to this earth or when the Battle of Armageddon will be. In addition, the Bible teaches that Christ will return bodily and physically to this earth (2 Thess. 2:8; 1 Peter 5:4). Both of those passages, and others, use Greek words that

40

What Does the Bible Really Teach?, 85. For reasoning behind this view, see Ibid, 215-218. Ibid, 82. The Bible: What Is Its Message? (Brooklyn: The Watchtower and Bible Society of Pennsylvania, 2009),

41

42

30.

12 must mean a physical and visible return. 43 Due to the fact that Christs resurrection was physical, visible, and bodily, His return will be as well. A Bridge Back to Orthodoxy 44 The Jehovahs Witnesses have trained their evangelists t o show love to all they meet. They desire to draw converts by showing care, and by providing easy opportunities to study the Bible. Jehovahs Witnesses are people who want to be shown care, as well. However, they have also been trained to stay away from all who are opposed to their beliefs. To reach a Jehovahs Witness, you must first show that you care about them as people, separate from their theology. Prove by your actions that their perception of non-Jehovahs Witnesses is false. Once you have proven yourself to be respectable and loving, you can start exploring their beliefs. Ask questions. Do not beat them over the head with your knowledge. If you disagree with them, state your disagreement through a question. You cannot change their mind. You can only get them to start thinking critically about their indoctrination. Focus the questions on inconsistencies in what they have been taught. If you wish to study the Bible, use their translation. They do not trust the translations which you use. The New World Translation still affirms the Deity of Christ and other key doctrines, though it is not a scholarly translation. Finally, be willing to be used. Let them know that you are a friend. This way, if they reach the point when they will leave the Jehovahs Witnesses, they can have a supporter to whom they can turn.

43

Bowman, Jehovahs Witnesses, 67-68. This section is draw from Ibid, 71-76.

44

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Conclusion Through this paper, I have endeavored to lay a groundwork for understanding the cult of the Jehovahs Witnesses and to point a way of showing them the Truth. I gave the background of this cult, explained the major beliefs of this cult, discussed a Christian answer to those beliefs, and provided a way to loving build a bridge back to orthodoxy. We all have friends and family who are opposed to orthodox Christianity. Through understanding their beliefs, showing them love, and knowing firmly what we belief, by Gods grace, we can provide them a bridge from their false faith to the truth found in Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bowman, Robert. Jehovah's Witnesses. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995. . Understanding Jehovah's Witnesses: Why They Read the Bible the Way They Do. Grand Rapids: Baker Book, 1991. . Why You Should Believe the Trinity. Grand Rapids: Baker Book, 1989. Cetnar, Bill, and Joan Cetnar. Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses. Kunkletown, 1983.
Draw Close to Jehovah. Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2002.

Fast Facts--Worldwide. http://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/ (accessed November 26, 2013). Harris, Dan, and Maggy Patrick. Membership of Pentecostalol Church, Jehovah's Witnesses Up, Protestant Down. February 16, 2011. http://abcnews.go.com/US/american-religionnational-council-churches-reports-pentacostalism-gains/story?id=12931023 (accessed November 26, 2013). Hoekema, Anthony. Jehovah's Witnesses. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 1963. In What Way Are Jesus and His Father One? September 1, 2009. http://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/wp20090901/way-jesus-and-father-one/ (accessed November 19, 2013). Major Shakeup in the Jehovah Witness Organization. http://www.cftf.com/2000octEXTRA.htm (accessed November 26, 2013). Metzger, Bruce. The Jehovah's Witnesses and Jesus Christ. Princeton: The Theological Book Society, 1953. Rhodes, Ron. The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001. Russell, Charles. The Divine Plan of the Ages. Brooklyn: Dawn Publishers, 1937. . The Time Is at Hand. Vol. 2. Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1909. . Thy Kingdom Come. Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, 1909. . "To Hell and Back: Who Are There." Pastor Russell's Sermons. 1917. http://www.harvestmessenger.com/library/sermons/SM516 (accessed November 26, 2013). Stafford, Greg. Jehovah's Witnesses Defended: An Answer to Scholars and Critics. Huntingdon Beach: Elihu Books, 2000. 14

15 The Bible: What is It's Message? Brooklyn: Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2009. What Does the Bible Really Teach. Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2005. White, Timothy. A People For His Name. New York City: Vantage Press, 1967. Who Are Doing Jehovahs Will Today? Brooklyn: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, 2012.