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...

  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 ...

  I have recently, for teaching purposes, been drawing on the familiar Reasoning From the Scriptures book. The idea is a simple one, not especially novel, and other groups have something similar. The title comes from Acts 17:2,3, 'According to Paul's custom he went inside to them, and...he reasoned with them from the Scriptures.' The thinking is they follow the example of Jesus and his apostles. 'In answer to questions, Jesus quoted scriptures and at times used appropriate illustrations...' So, a sort of doorstep systematic theology then. They go on: 'Instead of providing a broad, general coverage of each subject, Reasoning From the Scriptures focuses primary attention on questions that are currently being asked by many people.' Note those words, ’currently being asked by many people.’ I have stepped back and taken an overview of the book, from A to W (notably, there is no Z for Zion) and asked myself, have they achieved what they set out to do? What ...

  Friends, it is happening. After two and a half years of not door knocking, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have been given permission by the Governing Body to return to house-to-house publishing today – September 1 st , 2022. After reporting of their great success in letter-writing, phone calls and online bible studies during the Covid pandemic, I like many, wondered if they would ever return to our streets. But they are back. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses have spoken of their great joy in being able to get back on the doors. Social media is awash with sentiments like ‘ Yes ’, ‘ Can’t wait ’, ‘ So excited ’, but for every positive post I saw, I believe there will be an equal number wanting to scream ‘ Nooooooooo ’. Knocking on people’s doors is hard work. I speak as someone who has done it as a JW and a Christian, and I can say with the utmost conviction that it is much easier to write letters. Still, you cannot be a Jehovah’s Witness and say ‘no’ to door-knocking, or rather say ‘no’ to...

  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...