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.
Question Hi, Most of my life i have been brought up a christian. Though laitly i have found that i pretty much hate religion. Although i still concider my self a christian, i do not believe a lot of christians beliefs. i have been told those who do not give there heart to the lord will go to heaven. Yet i know sooo many nice people out there who hav no choice in the choice of religion. or else they dont get the chance to even learn about Jesus. Then christian tell me these peopel are going to hell. Well i believe that if there really is a god, then who ever it is they would never send these good people to hell. So many wars have started from religion, woman in muslem countries are abused and have no rights, And now here i am with a girl i love and she's Jahovas witness.
I have been gonig out with this girl for 2-3 weeks now. I know this isnt long but we have also been freinds for a while. We get along so well. Only one problem, i hardly get to see her. Only at school and soem weekends. Why? Hr parents dont and wont know about our relationship. She cant tell them because im not jahovas witness. I want her parents to know.. well at least they should know when she's 18 and is wise enough to make her own decisions. Though i cannot see this happening if her parents believe she shouldnt be gonig out with a "non believer". I have no problem with her going to church, evebn though its 3 days a week. I accept there no sex before marrage. I accept they dont have birthdays christmus's. But will her parents accept me? From what ive told you about My beliefs its quit obvious i my elf could never be a Jahovas Witness, although i would actualy take my time to listen to what they believe in.Am i wasting my time?
Answer Hello Jonathon, and thank you for the question.
You asked me about a number of different things, so I will try to deal with each question individually. Some of the issues you seem to struggle with are questions that many others have had also. First, let me begin with the problems you are having with Christianity, in general.
You said...."Most of my life i have been brought up a christian. Though laitly i have found that i pretty much hate religion"
ANSWER....I am going to shock you by saying that it is o.k. to hate religion. At least, the kind of religion that gets in the way of a relationship with God, rather than bringing a person closer to God.
Yes, there have been many atrocities committed in the name of religion. But I don't think it is fair for you to use Muslim errors to criticize Christianity. Nor is it right to use examples of things done by people CLAIMING to be Christians, as proof that all Christians are wrong. You MUST learn to differentiate between true Bible believing Christianity, and man-made religion. The latter is deadly, and an abomination in God's sight. But a true Christian is simply one who has been saved by God's grace, uses His Word (the Bible) as his guide, and follows the Lord. That is the difference.
It appears to me that you have, somewhere along the way, gotten your eyes off of Jesus, and onto all the injustices in the world, and now you seem to blame God. Be assured that God is not the cause of this world's problems, man is. God made it perfect, and He will make it perfect again. But all around us, we see the result of sinful humanity insisting on having their own way, and ignoring the laws of God.
I think before we start to feel like God owes us something, or that He should simply remove all the pain around us, we should ask ourselves some important questions.....
First, let's just say that God decides tomorrow to remove AIDS, and sexually transmitted diseases from the world. Wouldn't that be great? But do you HONESTLY think that this would cause men and women to repent and forsake immorality? Do you think people would stop practicing homosexuality, fornication, and adultery, and start living according to God's righteous standards? No, it wouldn't.
Let's also say that God removed all the problems of alcohol and drug abuse. No more diseases, no more broken homes, no more addicts, etc. Do you believe this would cause people to be thankful to God, and adjust their lifestyles? Again, the answer is "no".
You see, we simply want God to heal all of our problems, problems that we have created. Not so that we can turn our lives around and do what is right, but so that we can go on living in the things that our flesh desires, but without the consequences. I know there are some who would change, but most of the world would not. What God HAS done, is to give us His Word, which contains His commandments and laws. These laws prevent these kind of things from happening. If 2 people practice God's laws on sex within the bonds of marriage, they don't need to fear AIDS and other std's. God's way is best, but when man decides to rebel against it, there are consequences to these actions. So, I really don't think it is fair to blame God for the result of our actions.
You also said...."Although i still concider my self a christian, i do not believe alot of christians beliefs."
ANSWER....I must admit, this statement confused me. I am not sure how one can be a Christian, and not have Christian beliefs. By its very definition, a Christian is one who follows Christ, and believes His teachings. I would think that the moment one ceases to have Christian beliefs, they would also cease to be a Christian. I don't mean to judge you, I am just a little confused by that statement.
And again, please do not confuse Christianity with DENOMINATION. They are not the same. I don't agree with every teaching in every denomination, but I DO agree full with the Bible's teaching. These simply cannot be lumped together like that.
You said....". i have been told those who do not give there heart to the lord will go to heaven."
ANSWER....Yes, this is true. But why would a person NOT want to give their heart to the Lord? And if a person would refuse God's gift of salvation, then WHY SHOULD THEY be granted eternal life?
God doesn't have to let anyone into heaven. But He chose to, in His great love for mankind. He gave His only-begotten Son as the payment for our sin debt, which we could ourselves never pay. He didn't have to do that. If we willfully choose to reject that, there remains no other payment for our sins.
You mention the people who are "nice". If all that was required to enter heaven was to be "nice", then why did Jesus even have to come die in the first place? Salvation does not depend on ANY good work that we can do. Our salvation rests fully on what Jesus Christ did on the cross. His blood was the payment for my sin, and yours. And yes, we must put our faith in His sacrifice to be saved.
Next, you said...."Yet i know sooo many nice people out there who hav no choice in the choice of religion. or else they dont get the chance to even learn about Jesus. Then christian tell me these peopel are going to hell. Well i believe that if there really is a god, then who ever it is they would never send these good people to hell"
ANSWER...."What about those who have never heard?" This question has been asked by people for centuries. Yet, I believe the Bible gives some insight into this.
True, there are people who have grown up not knowing the Gospel. But there is a little more to it than that. You must remember something here....God is not looking for the opportunity to send people to hell. God derives no pleasure from people being lost for eternity. The Bible is very clear when it says....
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH, BUT THAT ALL SHOULD COME TO REPENTANCE" (2 Peter 3:9).
According to Romans chapter 2, man is given an inward knowledge that there is a Creator. People are given an inward knowledge of right and wrong. Verses 12-16 bear this fact out. Compare this also with Romans 1:20....
"For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse."
You see, when we are given a knowledge of the Creator, and the principles of right and wrong, we are responsible with what we do with that knowledge.
We must remember that God knows the heart of each and every individual, and we do not. We must also remember that God doesn't want anyone to perish. I simply believe that when a person who has never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, God is powerful enough to send the gospel message to them, if they are truly seeking to know Him from their heart. And only God knows that. I know story after story of people who lived in lands where the gospel didn't exist, yet when they were seeking to know their Creator, somehow a missionary was able to reach them, or a gospel tract, or some other means.
I think we need to leave the judgment in God's hands, knowing that He will do what is right and just. His mercy and compassion far exceed ours.
Here is what I tell people....Instead of worrying about the people who have never heard, just leave that in God's hands. But you HAVE heard, and it is up to you what you are going to do with it. I certainly wouldn't reject the gospel of Jesus Christ, just because I was not sure about someone across the world somewhere. You have a personal responsibility to God for your own eternal life.
I don't mean that we shouldn't be concerned for those people. We should. That is why it is so imperative that we take the gospel of Christ to the world. If people were saved simply because they have "never heard", then it would be better to just leave everyone alone and tell no one! But the Bible says we are to preach the gospel to "every creature". And the reason for this, is that men are lost without Christ. When we obey Christ's command, He will see to it that lives are touched and changed. Our job is to share the good news, and God's job is to bless the preaching by saving the lost.
Now about your relationship with this JW girl. I have never advised a professing Christian to get involved in a dating relationship with a JW.
First of all, if you two are going to be serious, there is no way to keep her parents from finding out. Especially if you decide to get married. You ask if they will accept you....I hate to say this to you, but probably not. It is nothing personal, but they consider you "worldly" association, and a person to be avoided.
As for whether or not you are wasting your time, that is a decision only you can make. I simply ask you to not let your emotions or feelings for her make the decision for you. I honestly cannot see it working out between you, and you are probably better off remaing friends. One thing that may make it somewhat easier, is that you haven't been dating very long. It would be much easier now, that waiting 6 months down the road to find out that it isn't going to work out.
But Jonathon, let me encourage you to do something. I spent more time on your spiritual questions than I did on your relationship with your girlfriend, because that is the more important issue. I want to encourage you to have a talk with the Lord, and ask Him to be real to you in your life. Commit your life to Him, and allow Him to lead and guide you in this decision, and all others as well. You will never regret putting God first, but many have regretting not doing so.
I hope this answer has been helpful to you, even though it is quite lengthy. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to write.
