Who is Leading God's People Today? Are They Faithful and Wise?
In this online article the Watch Tower's Governing Body attempts to lay out its credentials as the 'faithful and discreet slave' (NWT)of Mt.24:45.
‘Who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?’ (NWT 2013 ed.)
‘Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has set over his household to give them food at the proper time?’ (ESV)
The Standard
The dominating theme of Matthew 24 is the return of Jesus Christ. When the disciples asked him, ‘when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?’ (v.3) Jesus talked about signs, he didn’t talk about dates. The task of the Christian believer is watchfulness, because, ‘concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.’ (v.38) His return will be sudden, unexpected, like a flash of lightening (v27)
The role of the faithful and wise servant then is of paramount importance because, ‘many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead you astray.’ (24:5) There is no room here for tardiness. James solemnly warns, ‘Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.’ (James 3:1)
The Model
The article begins by presenting a picture of the first century apostles being the governing body of the Christian congregation. They point out four things that gave that early congregation confidence that the governing body was directed by Jehovah God through their Leader, Jesus.
1. Holy spirit guided the governing body
2. Angels assisted the governing body
3. God’s Word guided the governing body
4. Jesus led the governing body
Given this, what would be your reasonable expectations? Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Yet, with the guidance of ‘holy spirit,’ the assistance of angels, the guidance of God’s Word, and the leadership of the One who said, ’I will never leave you nor forsake you,’ (Heb.13:5) cults such as the Watch Tower Society would have us believe that early congregation fell into apostasy. This is the leadership that ‘turned the world upside down.’ (Acts 17:6)
Who Really is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?
In 1896, we are told, Charles Russell wrote of the work of the Watch Tower: “We want no homage, no reverence, for ourselves or our writings; nor do we wish to be called Reverend or Rabbi. Nor do we wish that any should be called by our name.” He later stated: “This is not man’s work.”
1. These men discover and explain ‘the deep things of God’! (1 Cor.2:10)
2. What they speak they speak, ‘not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by the spirit (sic)’ (1 Cor.2:13)
3. The work continues, ‘with supernatural assistance.’
4. ‘[No] other religious organization [has] been willing to rely fully on God’s Word.’
It sounds so promising, doesn’t it? But how does reality square up to this picture of spirit-led, supernaturally assisted, Word-guided, depth-diving leaders? How faithful, how wise (ESV) can the Governing Body be in light of the following quote from the article?
'The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870.'
I knew you would appreciate a list so here are two:
How does this’ clarification’ work? Look at this one example among so many and see if you see what I see. It is liberally peppered with speculation, using such words and phrases as, ‘it took time for them to discern’; they were ‘led to conclude’; ‘the Bible students thought…’; the Bible students concluded’; ‘the Bible students believed’; ‘it was thought’; and this little gem:
‘The Bible Students also thought that perhaps some who would serve as earthly “princes” during that time—including the resurrected “ancient worthies” (faithful men who died before Christ)— would somehow be rewarded with heavenly life at the end of the Millennium.’
They thought...perhaps...it was thought? We know all this is rationalised away with the idea ‘the light of truth shines brighter’ with the passing of time. However, as with Mormons and other groups, what is happening is current leaders are contradicting old doctrine in response to cultural and social pressures and as they simply realise, ‘oops, we got that wrong.’ Barry Amor sums it up well on our Facebook discussion:
Where did the 'old light' come from, if the 'new light' is truth and contradicts the 'old light' doesn't that make the 'old light' a lie? So, where did it come from? I can see 4 possibilities;
1. It came from Jehovah, but the Bible tells us that He cannot lie (Titus 1 v 2) and I think we'd all agree that a God who lies to us is not a true God!
2. It came from Jehovah but the Governing Body misheard it or misunderstood it. This would tell us the Governing Body is not very good at listening or understanding and so we should be very wary of believing what they say as it could so easily be wrong.
3. The Governing Body made it up of their own understanding. The Governing Body accepts that it is not infallible and does make mistakes so how could we trust men who cannot be trusted to speak the truth?
4. It came from Satan. Satan does appear sometimes as an angel of light (2 Cor 11 v 14) and he is the father of lies (John 8 v 44) so this would fit well with what he does.
I cannot think of any other option and none of the above encourage me to trust in men who pronounce things that are not true.
Oh, and then there are those dates Jesus never mentioned...not once.
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