Is the Watchtower Society 'wishy-washy'?

WE SHOULD NOT BE WISHY-WASHY

"It is a serious matter to represent God and Christ in one way, then find that
our understanding of the major doctrines of the Scriptures was in error, and
after that, to go back to the very doctrines that, by years of study, we had
thoroughly determined to be in error, Christians cannot be vacillating -
‘wishy-washy’ - about such fundamental teachings. What confidence can one
put in the sincerity or judgement of such persons?" - The Watchtower, 15 May
1976, p.298.

This is the Watchtower’s own statement on what it means to be wishy-washy. This is very revealing when we consider the following statements. Each one shows a change and then a reverse to a specific doctrine. Wishy-washy or what?

THE POWERS

Evil as these Gentile governments have been, they were permitted or
‘ordained of God’ for a wise purpose (Rom 13:1). - Studies in the Scriptures,
Vol.3, 1886, p.250.

. . . the Scriptural exposition of Romans chapter 13. It showed
that Jehovah God and Christ Jesus, rather than the wordly rulers and governors
are ‘The Higher Powers’ . . . - The Truth Shall Make You Free, 1943,
p.199.

So the ‘superior authorities’ have their setting logically in the world
outside the congregation. - The Watchtower, 15 November 1962, p.683.

THE SOWER

Jesus Christ, with his prophetic foresight, could foreknow the outcome for
the symbolic mustard grain that he planted in the first century. - The
Watchtower, 1 October 1975, p.600.

In the parable, the ‘man’ that sowed the mustard grain pictures the ‘wicked
one,’ Satan the Devil. - Man’s Salvation out of World Distress at Hand, 1975,
p.208.

Which is correct . . . Jesus is to be considered as the planter referred to
in this parable. - Our Kingdom Ministry, November 1975, p.4.

THE LEAVEN

Leaven represents corruption throughout the Scriptures: in every other
instance . . . it is represented as evil and impurity, something that is
defiling . . . Jesus refers to leaven as a corruption . . . - Zion’s Watch Tower
Reprints, 15 May 1900, p.2635.

The leaven of righteousness of this God-approved nucleus . . . (Matt
13:33). - The Watchtower, 1 April 1962, p.204.

Accordingly, the parable of the leaven . . . is on the negative side . . .
leaven . . . is used throughout scripture in an unfavorable sense . . . - The
Watchtower, 1 October 1975, pp.592, 603.

HEAVEN OR EARTH?

But while we still urge justified believers . . . we cannot hold out as a
hope, the heavenly prize. We point such to . . . future earthly blessings.
- Zion’s Watch Tower Reprints, July 1882, p.377.

Though both companies will be spiritual beings . . . the ‘great company’
will be companions of the Bride . . . there will be a very great difference in
the degrees of glory. - Zion’s Watch Tower Reprints, March 1883,
p.458

Do those of the ‘great crowd’ . . . also go to heaven? . . .
Great Crowd, earthly hope. - Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp.167,
441.

INFLUENCE OF THE DEAD

Hence our dear Pastor, now in glory, is without doubt, manifesting a keen
interest in the harvest work, and is permitted by the Lord to exercise some
strong influence thereupon. - The Watch Tower Reprints, 1 November 1917,
p.6161.

No one of the temple company will be foolish as to conclude
that some brother (or brethren) at one time amongst them, and who has died and
gone to heaven, is now instructing the saints on earth and directing them as to
their work. - Jehovah, 1934, p.191.

It is fitting, then, that one of the 24 elders, representing anointed ones already in heaven, should stir John’s thinking . . . that elder could locate the answer and give it to John. This suggests that resurrected ones of the 24-elder group may be
involved in the communicating of divine truths today. - Revelation Its Grand
Climax At Hand, 1988, p.125.

Obama's mother posthumously baptized into LDS Church - Salt Lake Tribune

In the wake of his remarkable success it seemed that the world and his wife wanted to claim President Obama as their own with even an Irish connection being dug up. Now the Mormons have got in on the act by posthumously baptising his mother. They have in the past upset the Jewish community, the Catholic Church and now the American President with this wacky and unbiblical practice but there is no indication that they will review it. And, of course, it is always someone else’s fault and they promise a thorough inquiry to uncover the real culprits. Maybe they should try looking in the mirror. President Barack Obama's mother, Stanley Ann Dunham, who died in 1995, was baptized posthumously into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints last year during her son's campaign, according to Salt Lake City-based researcher Helen Radkey. The ritual, known as “baptism for the dead,” was done June 4 in the Provo temple, and another LDS temple rite, known as the “endowment,” was...

Mormon Christians? Whats in a Name?

The Mormon Church, disturbed by the continuing identifying of polygamus sects in the news with the name Mormon, recently issued a press statement aimed at "clarifying" issues. It is interesting to note that if you substitute the name "Christian" where they use the name "Mormon" it makes a very good argument for us against the claims of the Mormon Church. The full press release is reproduced below in italics with each paragraph rewritten in ordinary text to present it from a Christian perspective. SALT LAKE CITY 10 July 2008 On 26 June, Newsroom published a package of information featuring profiles of ordinary Latter-day Saints in Texas. With no other intention but to define themselves, these members provided a tangible depiction of what their faith is all about. They serve as the best distinction between the lifestyles and values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a Texas-based polygamous group that has recently attracted media attent...

Is atheism an intolerant belief?

The Big Questions , Sunday 2 August 2009, third question. A growing number of Britons say they are certain there is no God - but how do they know? Professor John Adams of the North Yorkshire Humanist Association begins by asking theists what evidence they have for their beliefs. Paul Woolley of Theos continues by pointing out Richard Dawkins description of faith as a 'virus', and the appalling track record of atheism in the 20th Century, as spearheaded by Pol Pot and Stalin. Chloe Clifford-Frith of the Humanist and Secular Students Society contends that Stalin did not do the things he did because he was an atheist, but because he was evil. Paul Woolley rejoins that atheists are trying to have it both ways when they claim that religion is the cause of evil, but refuse to acknowledge the ideological impetus of atheism when it comes to many evil acts. Mao and Stalin both replaced God with the State - a 'religious' manoeuvre. Rev Alistair Rycroft of St Michael Le Belfrey Ch...

Mike Tea said…

A very good example of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing. We ignore the past at our peril in many areas of life but this is simply embarrassing.

I was especially interested in the last example concerning those who are "now in glory" somehow watching over and directing the work on earth. Isn't this dangerously close to the RC doctrine of praying to the saints?

8 March 2008 at 11:22

Anonymous said…

hey there, just wanted to let you know that your wishy washy page reference is wrong, it is not on pg 293, but on page 298, hopefully you can update that for the sake of being accurate to any nay sayers

13 November 2015 at 21:29

Thanks for letting us know about the error in the page number. It is now corrected.

23 November 2015 at 17:27

Bridge of Reason

Search This Blog