Bridge of Reason

T oday, when we come across Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons we find that they are led by a group of people who hold unquestioned authority. Members of this group know this, some even believe it themselves. This puts them in a powerful position, even to the point where they can create their own Bible. Two examples are the J oseph S mith Translation of the Mormons and the N ew W orld T ranslation of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. T hey can add words into their own Bible, words that are not in other, respectable, translations. F or example, in the Greek, C olossians 1:1 6 say s that J esus created all things: ‘ He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him.’ Col.1:15,16, ESV Jehovah’s Witnesses say that this runs counter to their understanding that Jesus is God’s first creat...

  The Watch Tower Society has much to say about John 1:1. ‘ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was a god.’ —John 1:1, New World Translation. In Insight on the Scriptures they write: 'This scripture reveals details about Jesus Christ’s life before he came to earth as a human. (John 1:14-17) In verse 14, “the Word” (or “the Logos,” Greek, ho loʹgos ) is used as a title. The title “the Word” apparently describes Jesus’ role in communicating God’s commands and instructions to others. Jesus continued to make known God’s word during his ministry on earth and after he returned to heaven.—John 7:16; Revelation 1:1.' It is noteworthy that the Watch Tower Society utilises words like 'apparently' ‘evidently’ and 'seemingly' quite a lot in their commentary on Bible teaching. It's as if they are determined to not be nailed down and so use ambivalence as a backstop. Their understanding of the word, 'Word,' is that it 'a...

  On their website, the Watch Tower define their New World Translation Bible as: ‘ A translation of the Holy Scriptures made directly from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek into modern-day English by a committee of anointed witnesses of Jehovah. These expressed themselves regarding their work as follows: “The translators of this work, who fear and love the Divine Author of the Holy Scriptures, feel toward Him a special responsibility to transmit his thoughts and declarations as accurately as possible. They also feel a responsibility toward the searching readers who depend upon a translation of the inspired Word of the Most High God for their everlasting salvation.” This translation was originally released in sections, from 1950 to 1960. Editions in other languages have been based on the English translation.’ ( Reasoning From the Scriptures, p.276 ) T heir stated aim (italicised) is laudable, however we judge things not by intentions but by results. We can’t build a reputation on what ...

  In last week’s Watch Tower Wednesday on the Facebook Page we saw i n the Reasoning book, p 328, the question 'How can a person know which religion is right?' They suggest a series of tests, beginning with: '(1) On what are its teachings based? Are they from God, or are they largely from men? (2 Tim. 3:16; Mark 7:7) Ask, for example: Where does the Bible teach that God is a Trinity? Where does it say that the human soul is immortal? '(2) Consider whether it is making known the name of God. Jesus said in prayer to God: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) He declared: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Matt. 4:10) Has your religion taught you that ‘it is Jehovah you must worship’? Have you come to know the Person identified by that name—his purposes, his activities, his qualities—so that you feel you can confidently draw close to him?' Do they hav...

  Continuing our look at the Trinity, we find in the Reasoning book p. 210 the Watch Tower continues to address the question: 'Does the Bible teach that none of those who are said to be included in the Trinity is greater or less than another, that all are equal, that all are almighty?' They comment on the gospel text in Matt. 20:20-23, RS: “ The mother of the sons of Zebedee . . . said to him [Jesus], ‘Command that these two sons of mine may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.’ But Jesus answered, . . . ‘You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.’” They go on: ‘ (How strange, if, as claimed, Jesus is God! Was Jesus here merely answering according to his “human nature”? If, as Trinitarians say, Jesus was truly “God-man”—both God and man, not one or the other—would it truly be consistent to resort to such an explanation? Does not Matthew 20:...

  John begins the account of his Revelation, ‘I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet…’ The New World Translation has: ‘ By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a strong voice like that of a trumpet…’ (Rev.1:10) More on this later. Having, inevitably, their own take on this, the Watch Tower, in the May 2022 Watchtower Study Edition, Study 19, writes: ‘ The aged apostle John identified that time when he said: “By inspiration I came to be in the Lord’s day.” ( Rev. 1:10 ) When John wrote those words in about 96 C.E., “the Lord’s day” was still far off. ( Matt. 25:14, 19; Luke 19:12 ) But according to Bible prophecy, that day started in 1914 when Jesus was enthroned as King in heaven. From that year onward, the prophecies of Revelation, which involve God’s people, started to undergo fulfillment. Yes, we are now living in “the Lord’s day”!’ Jehovah’s Witnesses see ‘the Lord’s day’ as the day of his be...

  We have all seen the implausible graphic art on  the covers of Watchtower magazines. Paradise on Earth has been a staple promise of the Society for generations. Mixed generations, species, and races living lives perhaps best described as satisfied. I don’t know what you imagine the afterlife to be like. When I look at these pictures I always think the one who would make paradise a paradise is noticeably absent. Indeed, it is clear the paradise Jehovah’s Witnesses have to look forward to (if they survive Armageddon and pass muster at the judgement) has an absent Saviour and is ruled for eternity by a governing body of 144,000. In The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life chapter 12 we read: ‘ From his heavenly throne Jesus Christ will administer earth’s affairs in a way that will bring lasting benefits... Associated with Jesus in his heavenly kingdom will be 144,000 kings and priests taken from among mankind and made perfect by God...But will this heavenly government have any...