Expert: Brenton Hepburn - 9/18/2006

Question
Hello Brenton,

I am currently in month 9 of a bible study with a very nice JW couple.  I've been to their meetings a few times, too.  So far, the knowledge I've gained has been very enlightening and uplifting.  Having been raised Catholic I never learned much about the Bible -- that was only for the priest to read to us, and my family never paid any attention to the bible.  I have come to a place in my life where I really want to know and understand what it is all about.  So far, I haven't had any real problems with the JW doctrine, and a lot of the beliefs jive with what I've felt all along ( that Christiandom doesn't practice what they preach, that war is wrong, and religion in general is the cause of a lot of war)  My main concern right now is that I am skeptical of anyone who claims they only THEY have the "truth" and everyone else has it wrong.   I am really on the fence here... part of me thinks the bible is a fine book about real people, who wrote some stories (some true, some questionable) that got passed on through the generations, BUT..... part of me thinks it is just a complete fabrication -- to be taken with a grain of salt because most of it cannot be PROVEN and is outright impossible.  I mean, take the virgin birth, for example, or the resurrection.  They make great "stories", but there is no way I could ever believe they actually happened.  The other thing that bothers me about the bible is that if God wanted us to understand and learn from it, why is it so @#%&@#!!  hard to read??????   I am a fairly intelligent person (college degree, professional woman) but when I try to read and understand the bible it is SO COMPLETELY CONFUSING !  That is why the bible study has been helpful.  I really appreciate their taking the time to pick things apart and really find out what it is saying.  But still, I'm having doubts about whether it is true.  The JW's say they want me to gain knowledge, so that my belief is not simply based on blind faith.  But it seems that as I am gaining this knowledge, it still comes down to believing that which cannot be proven (faith) and that is where I am stuck.   I would also like to know what the JW critics say, about false doctrine, about the NW translation, about the teachings being of "men" rather than God.  I would like to hear more of a balanced perspective.  Thank you for listening.   Laura

Answer
Hello Laura,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and questions.

It really is a difficult thing to do, make up one mind just where to go, unfortunately it is something we all must do eventually.

I am pleased that you are asking questions about JWs.  It is most important that you have all the facts before you decide what to do.

What do the critics say about JWs?  they say that because JWs do not believe in the Trinity, Hell fire, immortal soul, that we are teaching doctrines of men.  They also say that because we have mentioned some dates in the past, we are false prophets. (However I say JWs never uttered a prophecy.)  By doing an internet search you will find mountains of material that is written by critics nearly all of it is misleading as it tells only part of the story.  My web page has some examples.

Critics will point to the difference in the NWT as opposed to the major protestant Bibles such as the King James, Authorized Version, Revised Standard Version. It is claimed that the NWT has been changed to suit the theology of JWs especially in taking away the “godship” of Jesus.  Where most Bibles seem to support the trinity the NWT does not Some of the differences are

John 1:1
In [the] beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god (NWT)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (RSV)

The NWT says “was a god” compared to “Word was God”

John 8:56
Jesus said to them: “Most truly I say to YOU, Before Abraham came into existence, I have been.” (NWT)

Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am." (RSV)

The NWT says “I have been” compared to “I am”

Colossians 1:16-17
because by means of him all [other] things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities. All [other] things have been created through him and for him. 17 Also, he is before all [other] things and by means of him all [other] things were made to exist (NWT)

The word in [ ] is what is complained about [other]. Most other Bibles say “all things”  not “all [other] things”

For a discussion on the idea of false prophecy and some of the above text see my web page http://homepages.picknowl.com.au/hepburn as well as for extra details on the NWT see  http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/newworldtranslation/home.htm


JWs belive that faith is based on knowledge.  Some times we can have a knowledge of something and find it hard to belive because we have not experienced it ourselves.

Have you ever read the publications on creation published in 1985 “Life – How did it get here, by evolution or creation?” and 1998 book “is there a creator who cares for you?”Also have you read the book “Is the Bible the word of God”. These take you trhough various aspects that we in general have no idea about.  Our faith in what the Bible says can only be strengthened by looking at the evidence.  If  you think the evidence is strong, that that should help

The question of “truth” really is a hard one for us to come to terms with.  Jesus spoke of “truth” to Pilot before his execution and Pilot asked what is truth (John 18 : 37’38  37 Therefore Pilate said to him: “Well, then, are you a king?” Jesus answered: “You yourself are saying that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is on the side of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him: “What is truth?).

I learn 2 things from this. 1) there is a ”truth” and 2) for some it is hard to find.  Therefore it is important to search for it.

What DO JWs mean by truth? Is it everything that they Teach? or is it the main doctrines?

Now this is something I am not in a habit of doing but I will, give my opinion based on the understanding that I have. Your job is to carefully weigh up the matter and compare it with what you know.

The first thing I want to say, is a sort of definition on finding “truth”.  It goes like this…

“Truth never changes, but mans perception of it does”  …In other words the underlying truth is a constant, but as we learn more and more the closer we come to truth until we find it.

Take just as an example mankind’s view of the earth.  Once, with the knowledge they had, it was believed as truth that the earth was flat, and the earth was the center of the universe.  But as their knowledge and ways of investigating matters improved we learnt that the earth is round and hangs on nothing. This truth was written in the Bible many hundreds if years before mankind accepted it (Job 26:7, and Isaiah 40:22)

When it comes to the Bible, there are basic truths that are there, no hell, no immortal soul, Gods purpose for the earth, no trinity etc.  Then there are the deeper things of God that we have to search for the truth and to grow in understanding  (see 1 Corinthians 14:20; Heb 6:1; 1 Peter 1:10; 2:1-4)   Some first century christens had a basic knowledge but needed to dig deeper to grow in understanding.

Now some of the teachings of JWs have changed.  This is because they do not sit on what they know but keep digging as if for gold.  In the early days many of the teachings of the main stream Christian teachings were found to not comply to the Bible and these changed to. Such things as mentioned earlier. These have not changed since then.  Now you have to decide if those basic teachings are what the Bible teaches as truth compared to what other religions teach

But what about the understanding of prophecies?  These have changed considerably over the last century. How they the be considered truth if they change?  Please not this quote from the 1993 “Proclaimers” book chap. 10 p. 121 in the chapter Growing in Accurate Knowledge of the Truth “Did they believe that they had all the answers, the full light of truth? To that question Brother Russell pointedly answered: “Certainly not; nor will we have until the ‘perfect day.’” (Prov. 4:18, KJ) Frequently they referred to their Scriptural beliefs as “present truth”—not with any idea that truth itself changes but rather with the thought that their understanding of it was progressive.”

So there are matters that are not 100% “truth”, but in the light of present knowledge they can be considered true. In Gods due time any thing not correct will be corrected.

Besides doctrinal ideas JWs believe that to have the  “truth” involves what is taught about human relationships – that is the way we are to treat each other, obeying governments, the moral stance of the Bible and if we are striving to live up to it etc.

Bellow are several scriptures from the Catholic Douay Bible talking about “the truth”  Please note how it relates to “the truth” of  the teachings in regard to God and Jesus. That “the truth” is something to be obeyed and is in regard to basic doctrines such as the resurrection and “the truth” can be turned into fables or lies.

Joh 8:32  And you shall know the truth: and the truth shall make you free.

Joh 8:40  But now you seek to kill me, a man who have spoken the truth to you, which I have heard of God..

Joh 8:44  You are of your father the devil: and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning: and he stood not in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.

Joh 14:6  Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.

Joh 18:37  Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Ac 22:3  And he saith: I am a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the truth of the law of the fathers, zealous for the law, as also all you are this day:

Ro 1:18  For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of those men that detain the truth of God in injustice:

Ro 1:25  Who changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Ro 2:8  But to them that are contentious and who obey not the truth but give credit to iniquity, wrath and indignation.

Ro 3:7  For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie, unto his glory, why am I also yet judged as a sinner?

Ro 15:8  For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Ga 2:5  To whom we yielded not by subjection: no, not for an hour: that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

Ga 2:14  But when I saw that they walked not uprightly unto the truth of the gospel,

Ga 3:1  O senseless Galatians, who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth: before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you?

Eph 4:21  If so be that you have heard him and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus:

Col 1:5  For the hope that is laid up for you in heaven, which you have heard in the word of the truth of the gospel,

1Ti 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2Ti 2:18  Who have erred from the truth, saying that the resurrection is past already, and have subverted the faith of some.

2Ti 4:4  And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables.

Tit 1:1  Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of the elect of God and the acknowledging of the truth, which is according to godliness:

Tit 1:14  Not giving heed to Jewish fables and commandments of men who turn themselves away from the truth.

1Jo 2:4  He who saith that he knoweth him and keepeth not his commandments is a liar: and the truth is not in him.

1Jo 2:21  I have not written to you as to them that know not the truth, but as to them that know it: and that no lie is of the truth.

1Jo 3:19  In this we know that we are of the truth and in his sight shall persuade our hearts.

1Jo 5:6  This is he that came by water and blood, Jesus Christ: not by water only but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit which testifieth that Christ is the truth.

3Jo 1:3  I was exceedingly glad when the brethren came and gave testimony to the truth in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

3Jo 1:8  We therefore ought to receive such: that we may be fellow helpers of the truth.

So in the first century, it was not unusual for the Christians to talk about “the truth” and walking in “the truth” as it related to the teachings of God and Jesus.  So when  saying a particular religion has “the truth”, you have to decide if that “truth” relates to God and Jesus, and the “gospel” and way of life. That is something only you can do by examining all the facts.

In considering this also consider Ephesians 4:4-6 “ 4 One body there is, and one spirit, even as YOU were called in the one hope to which YOU were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all [persons], who is over all and through all and in all.”

When Christianity began, the Jews considered themselves to be Gods chosen people, and they were for many centuries, however the teachings of Jesus overshadowed the Jewish teachings, and now there were 2 groups that claimed Gods favor, the Jews and the Christians, both claiming to worship the same God, but he only chose one.  There are many that claim to worship God in truth but as Ephesians 4 shows there can only be one.  

Despite my long  reply, I hope I have been of some help. Please feel free to ask for clarification or for more information