Bridge of Reason

  In  an article on jw.org   addressing how we enter God’s rest the Watch Tower emphasise the importance of following ‘scriptural counsel’ from leaders and ‘keeping pace with Jehovah’s organisation.’ This has always been awkward given the history of failed prophecy and changed teachings for which the Watch Tower is known. The Society tries to excuse its past failures, saying,   'It is not easy to accept counsel from an imperfect human,' while trying to keep an iron hold on authority. Historically, they have leaned heavily on the idea of doctrines being refined, counsel being changed because of new light ‘improving’ our understanding. The article explains: 'Many of us can quote Proverbs 4:18 from memory: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.” That means that our conduct and our understanding of God’s purposes will improve over time... 'In modern times, there have been r...

  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 th e Father only.’ (v.38) His return will be sudd...

  In last week’s Watchtower Wednesday on the Reachout Facebook page we looked at a Watchtower article entitled, ‘Help Your Bible Students to Become Baptized Disciples.’ I wonder what people made of the Watchtower approach to making disciples? This is a key issue because it is where your journey of faith begins. If you start in the wrong place, proceed in the wrong way, you won’t end up at your intended destination. I am reminded, reading the article, of Jesus' words for the Pharisees in Matthew's gospel, 'They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders...'  (Mt.23:4) The article begins with Pentecost, typically telling the story their way, not allowing the text to speak for itself. ‘What was a large crowd in the first century told to do?’ they ask. Not surprisingly, while they must acknowledge the gift of speaking in other languages ( dialektos ) they give no explanation for this remarkable gift. Salvation, they go on to say , is gaine...