AboutBrenton Hepburn Expertise I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I can answer questions on the reliability of the NWT, the so called mind control problems, so called prophecies, and general practices and history of Jehovah’s Witnesses.....
>>>>WARNING<<<<<< ....Please be aware that there are at least ... 3 .... people here who ARE NOT practicing JWs and, (at other times there have been as many as 5.) These ones will, at times, appear to have an agenda against JWs., and will often give answers that are not correct in regard to JW teachings and practices. If you are after a answer from one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, please read some of the answers that the various experts have published before choosing someone. If you want to ask them a question that is fine, but if you want a balancing view after asking one of the NON JWs, ask a JW the same question
Experience I have been a publisher since 1964. When I first went on the internet I found a lot of negative information dealing with Jehovah’s Witnesses covering prophecy, mind control and what many said was a very bad translation of the Bible known as the NWT. It shook my faith. After may hours researching these topics I could see why some felt that way, but, I was also able to explain why there were these misleading views. I can now set matters straight for anyone that has negative information about Jehovah’s Witness to show them that such information is at best misleading and at worst dangerous lies.
Education/Credentials I have been a student of the Bible for many years, am trying to teach myself Biblical Greek.
Was a public tax accountant for many yrars untill SEP 2009 when I gave it up.
Question HI IAM ONE OF J.W. AND I HAVE SEEN MUCH OF THE CRITISM OF THE TRUTH ON THE INTERNET. MOST OF IT I CAN FIGURE WHAT ARE THE FACTS.BUT SOMETIMES I CANT. LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION. I UNDER STAND THAT THE LIGHT GETS BRITHER AND BRIGHTER PROV.4:18. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE SOCIETY DOES NOT CLAIM TO BE INSPIRED PROPHETS. BUT THE SOCIETY ARE GUIDED BY HOLY SPIRIT.SO WHY DOES THE WATCHTOWER AND AWAKE HAVE ERRORS.FOR EXAMPLE THE PYRIAMS CONNECT TO 1914,VACCINES ARE BAD FOR US, AND OTHERS.ALL OF THESE ARE BEFORE 1936 SO THEY ARE OLD.THE BIBLE WRITER WROTE OVER A PERIOD OF 1600 YRS.THE LIGHT GOT BRIGHTER BUT NO CONTRATIONS AND NO ERRORS. IF THE GOVERNING BOBY ARE GUIDED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT SHOULNT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT INFORMATION? OR SHOULDNT WE BE SILENT ON A TOPIC IF WE ARE NOT SURE. PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW IS THE HOLY SPIRIT IS GUIDING THE COVERNING BODY.I DONT NEED A LOT OF REFERENCE. JUST A SIMPLE ANSWER WILL BE FIND.THANK YOU FOR HELPING A BROTHER. if u want to you can call me at 732-819-0595
Answer Hello Edward
Thank you for your question.
Yes this is a question that has caused a lot of problems. Many have left being JWs because of it.
Now I am not sure as to just how you view being guided by holy spirit means. Many are under the misconception that it infers that the holy spirit in some way communicates with the GB. by dreams or directly putting thoughts into their minds or something along those lines. . Unfortunately I think the use of directed by Holy Spirit or appointed by Holy Spirit are poor choices of terms to have been used because it gives the above impression This just is not so.
It is by the same principle as elders are appointed by spirit. (see Watchtower January 15 2001 pages 13 and 14)
The principle in that article shows that elders are appointed by holy spirit because at the time they were appointed they meat the scriptural requirements, and because the Bible was inspired it can be said that holy spirit has appointed them.
Learning from the Bible we see that the first centry Christians and even the apostles made mistakes and had to keep learning by studying. An example of this is in Hebrews 5:11 – 6:1 “11 Concerning him we have much to say and hard to be explained, since YOU have become dull in YOUR hearing. 12 For, indeed, although YOU ought to be teachers in view of the time, YOU again need someone to teach YOU from the beginning the elementary things of the sacred pronouncements of God; and YOU have become such as need milk, not solid food. 13 For everyone that partakes of milk is unacquainted with the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to mature people, to those who through use have their perceptive powers trained to distinguish both right and wrong.
6 For this reason, now that we have left the primary doctrine about the Christ, let us press on to maturity,�
Note also Paul’s words to the Corinthians 13:11-13 “ 11 When I was a babe, I used to speak as a babe, to think as a babe, to reason as a babe; but now that I have become a man, I have done away with the [traits] of a babe. 12 For at present we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror, but then it will be face to face. At present I know partially, but then I shall know accurately even as I am accurately known. 13 Now, however, there remain faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.�
How were they to grow to maturity? by searching for truth as Soloman said Proverbs 2:1-5 “My son, if you will receive my sayings and treasure up my own commandments with yourself, so as to pay attention to wisdom with your ear, that you may incline your heart to discernment; if, moreover, you call out for understanding itself and you give forth your voice for discernment itself, if you keep seeking for it as for silver, and as for hid treasures you keep searching for it, in that case you will understand the fear of Jehovah, and you will find the very knowledge of God.�
