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About Ben Erdman
Expertise
I will attempt to answer any questions that have to do with major Jehovah’s Witness doctrine. I will also try to give an accurate and honest explanation from the "Truth" (the Word of God). I am not a Jehovah’s Witness. I was never baptized. I am a "witness" for Christ. I love talking about God and the piercing Word that He has provided for us. If I don't know the answer to a question I will be more than happy to research it and get an answer. So, let’s talk.

Experience
I have grown up in the religion known as Jehovah’s Witnesses. Nearly all of my family (immediate and extended) are Jehovah’s Witnesses. I have been to probably hundreds of meetings, several assemblies and have had many in-depth bible studies with Witnesses. I love these people and admire their great zeal to do what they believe is truth. I have done extensive research into this area. I have a great passion in Jehovah’s Witness doctrine and beliefs.

Education/Credentials
I do not have any particular educational credentials that affect this field. I believe that I have been very educated in this field of Jehovah’s Witness doctrine by my own experience and extensive studies. I also believe in my heart that the Spirit of God has educated me in this area and will continue to do so.

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Jehovah`s Witness - Truth

Expert: Ben Erdman - 11/2/2009

Question
Mr. Ben Erdman,
This question is not to debate nor question your belief but to clarify some things.
First off you present yourself as a Jehovah's Witness expert based on your upbringing, studies and friends but in reality you are a Seventh Day Adventist. True? Now where do you align your belief most? Towards the teachings and beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses or towards the teachings and belief of the Seventh Day Adventist. If it's the later then how can you claim to be a JW expert? In fact, although your motive is sincere; teach the truth about the Bible as a JW expert, it gets muddied by non-biblical teachings. Just two example I can easily use: Trinity - is it a Bible teaching or not? Cross - does it have it's origins in paganism or not? Like you, I loved Bible truth but if it's sprinkled with unscriptural teachings, just at the bible - a little leaven ferments the whole lump - it looses it's purity and will become tainted.

Thank you,
Jose

Answer
Hello Jose,

I hope that all is well for you. And thank you for the question. I do appreciate your interest.

I do agree with you. I do need to clarify something. I was never a 7th Day Adventist. I was only introduced to them when I met who is now my beautiful wife Sara. I began going to church with her primarily so I could be with her. After I was introduced to some doctrines that I had never heard of before in my JW up-bringing, I prayed and prayed and God began to show me truths that I would never had been able to see on my own. Now I could write a book on everything that I went through with the SDA's but I don't think that is what you are asking. So to clarify...No! I was never a SDA or JW. I have only been around JW's all of my life and all of my wives family are JW's. Therefore, I have a great passion and desire to give to others what God has given to me. I love the people from both of these denominations but believe that they are in great danger. If you would like me to clarify what I mean by that, then let me know. Just for your information, I am a member at a 1st Baptist Church now which is Christ centered and Bible preaching and full of love.

I would also like to clarify something for you. I do not claim to be a JW expert. Clearly, that is a title that is given to volunteers on this board. I don't think that anyone here claims to be an expert. We are just volunteers.

I am going to ask you to give me biblical proof of anything that I say that is not truth. I will only have respect for you by doing so. If you feel that I have said something that is false, then please, do the Christian thing and let me know what it is. You are correct. I am sincere. I only want truth and want to give truth. I am fully convicted that it is my duty to do so. When Christ said to go out and make disciples, I believe that is to false churches also. Therefore, by command, I will continue to reach out and make disciples of wherever God points me to.

I believe that the Bible easily proves the Trinity when you are not wearing anti-Trinity glasses. I am fully convinced, which I haven't always been, that the teaching of the Trinity is clearly taught in scripture. When I understood Christ's natures and understood who He was and is, it all made sense to me. All of the scriptures that I once used to disprove the Trinity were at perfect harmony with the Trinity. I understand how hard it is for a JW to accept this biblical teaching. I once was at that point also. But being misled by the Watchtower does not help things. The Watchtower has misrepresented what Trinitarians believe for decades.

You also bring up the cross. I agree that it had pagan origin. I also know that the cross was the Pagan symbol to Tamuz. The Romans were Pagan. The Romans crucified Jesus. They crucified Him on a cross and the JW's New World Translation proves it. And by the way. The Pagans may have used the cross as a symbol of worship to the Pagan god Tamuz but I do not. And if you think that because the Pagans did something, that we can't, you are terribly confused. Not only is it not found in scripture but any JW observes things in one way or another that have Pagan origin. The days of the week do. The wedding ring does. Even the honeymoon does. Please consider this.

The last statement that you made I agree with. I pray that everything that I say is pure and straight out of the Bible. Again, let me know if it is not. And I do appreciate the fact that you love and cherish Bible truth as I do. God has truly blessed us with His Word.

Thank you for your questions/insights. I do appreciate them. Please feel free to write again with anything else.

God be with you,
Ben

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