AboutDerrick Holland Expertise I was raised in the religion known as Jehovah`s Witnesses for 13 years. Since becoming a born-again Christian, I have researched extensively this religion, especially their doctrines and their history. I can answer questions about their doctrines from the perspective of Biblical Christianity.
Experience 23 years of Biblical research into the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, and how they differ from the teachings of the Watchtower.
I come here occationally and read whats new. It is interesting to see different points of view.
In a post under the question “New Personality” you make these statements
Quote
Let me assure you, sir, that the Watchtower Organization is NOT God, and turning people away from it is not the same as turning them away from God. I believe THIS comparison is what is blasphemous...Not my turning people to Jesus Christ
It is an opportunity to help others see what a difference Jesus can make in their lives...I hope to see Jehovah's Witnesses come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I also hope to help Christians defend their beliefs from God's Word, the Bible, and help them to effectively witness to JWs when they come in contact with them...I simply hope God will use me to expose false doctrine, and at the same time, lead people to the REAL Truth, Who is the person of Jesus Christ, and not an organization (John 14:6)."
I will love you enough, Nate, to tell you that I don't want to see you be accursed from God. But that is exactly what will happen to you, if your keep your faith in this Organization. It cannot save you.
End Quote
Are you saying that Jws view the Watchtower as a God? Please explain some more.
And are you saying that they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus?
What is more important a relationship with Jesus or one with God?
You seem to be saying that JW think the organisation will save them. Is this true? They do not look to God or Jesus for salvation?
If you are saying that they are wrong, I would like to see you ask a JW some questions on this site that you find objectional and see what it is they have to say.
Gordon
Answer Hello Gordon. Thank you for writing with your questions. I will attempt to answer them in the order you asked them, and if you need me to explain or elaborate on something, just let me know.
First of all, you have selected various quotes from different contexts in my discussion with Nate. I will explain what I was talking about in the various quotes.
First you ask....."Are you saying that Jws view the Watchtower as a God? Please explain some more"
Answer....The Jehovah's Witnesses do not view the Watchtower as God/a god, per se. If you were to ask them this question directly, they would deny it. Also, if you were to ask them if they view the Watchtower magazine as being equal with the Bible, they would say "no". What they actually practice is another thing altogether.
A JW may say he believes the Bible is the Word of God, and that the Watchtower isn't inspired like the Bible is, but just try showing them a contradiction between the Bible and the Watchtower, and see which one he will accept as "the truth". I have done this numerous times, and I am talking about BLATANT contradictions.
Now back to your question. No, the Watchtower does not teach that it is God.
When I made that statement, I was responding to an accusation that this indiviudal made, saying that I was "turning people away from God" when I expose the error of the Watchtower. He then accused me of being blasphemous by doing this. I simply pointed out to him that the Watchtower is not God, and that showing their error was not the same as "turning someone away from God".
The next quote you took from my comments was regarding a question that Nate asked me. He asked if there was something I wanted people to know, so I simply told him there WAS something I wanted them to know. I then took those statements found in my profile, stating WHAT it is that I want people to know. I also made the point that these statements should have shown him that my intent was to turn people TO God, and not AWAY from Him.
Next, you ask...."And are you saying that they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus?"
Answer....That is correct. The fact is, even JWs do not stress the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, lest you think I am being judgmental.
The reason for my statement, is that the JWs do not believe it is possible to simply trust Christ for salvation like the Bible teaches. Instead, the believe it is necessary to come to God, THROUGH Christ, BY MEANS OF THE WATCHTOWER ORGANIZATION. If you simply trust Christ alone, then forget it. You MUST come to the Organization. In fact, one of their publications invites people to "come to Jehovah's Organization for salvation".
By inserting the Watchtower Organization into the equation, and thereby making it a mediator of sorts, then have made it impossible to have a simple, personal, and saving relationship with Jesus Christ.
Next, you ask...."What is more important a relationship with Jesus or one with God?"
Answer....It is not a question of which one is more important. The Bible is VERY clear that you cannot have one, without the other. Aside from my belief that the Bible teaches the deity of Jesus Christ, that is not even the issue here. Jesus said in John 14:6....
"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN COMETH UNTO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME."
You cannot by-pass Jesus Christ and Calvary, in order to get to God. Nor can you have a relationship with God, without having one with Christ. Jesus is the only way to God. This is the them of the entire New Testament.
Consider this passage also....
John 5:23...."That all men should honour the Son, EVEN AS THEY HONOUR THE FATHER. HE THAT HONOURETH NOT THE SON, HONOURETH NOT THE FATHER WHICH HATH SENT HIM."
According to the plain reading of this Scripture, we are to honor Christ in the same way we honor the Father, and if we do not, then we are not giving honor to the Father either.
Next, you ask...."You seem to be saying that JW think the organisation will save them. Is this true? They do not look to God or Jesus for salvation?"
Answer....Yes, that is true. A JW believes he MUST join, and remain faithful to the Watchtower Organization to be saved. One who leaves this Organization is referred to as an "apostate", regardless of whether or not the person still obeys the Bible, or loves Jesus Christ. If they leave the Organization, they are viewed as having "apostasized" from God and Christ.
And as for whether the look to God or Jesus for salvation, I refer back to my earlier comments. They may profess to do this, but again, the believe that God and Jesus ONLY operate through the Organization.
So, this enables the JW to use "Christian" vocabulary when speaking with outsiders. They will say..."Of course we trust in God, and believe in Jesus as our Saviour." What they don't tell you immediately, is that this is ONLY possible through the Watchtower Society. And this, in effect, makes the Society the mediator of salvation, and not Jesus Christ.
Lastly, you said...."If you are saying that they are wrong, I would like to see you ask a JW some questions on this site that you find objectional and see what it is they have to say."
ANSWER....Actually, I HAVE had numerous discussions and debates with other JWs on this panel. Not any of them that are currently here, but others who used to be.
The fact is, I cannot get a JW to just sit down and have a simple discussion on a particular topic. The ALL will send you lengthy "copy and paste" articles, and let these articles do their thinking for them. One of the "experts" who is notorious for this, is called Janko. I have had numerous people write me, and complain that this guy doesn't bother to give them answers, but that he simply sends them pasted articles.
While that it is his privilege, I think it is a disservice to the people who write him looking for answers.
Well, enough about that.
If you need me to clarify any of these comments, or have any further questions, please let me know.
