Talking to a Jehovah's Witness

[Strix]

I've had an opportunity to study in-depth with several members of this group, and wanted to share some thoughts. When talking with a Jehovah's Witness, arguing from the Bible is often not the best approach (at least at the beginning of the study). Because the New World Translation (NWT) is an interpretation and is tailored to their belief, many of the arguments against their understanding are quickly refuted by pointing out the global conspiracy surrounding the rest of the translations generally accepted. Their belief is that the Holy Spirit guided the men that "translated" the NWT, although all documents have been lost and all names of the translators remain veiled. As you may have encountered, many will not read or even accept material that was not produced by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. This means that they must see the error from their own accepted writings. Here are some excerpts from their own writings in chronological order, about which I will refrain from any rhetoric so that you can draw your own conclusions. If you ever have the opportunity to talk with a Jehovah's Witness, always remember that the person on the other side of the table has a soul as well....


Prophecies of the end-time

A few more years will wind up the present order of things,and then the chastened world will stand face to face with the actual conditions of the established Kingdom of God. (Watchtower, 1894, p56)

These parallels seem to point to the year just before us particularly the early months. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1914, p5527)

We see no reason for doubting, therefore that the Times of the Gentiles ended in October, 1914; and that a few more years will witness their utter collapse and the full establishment of God's kingdom in the hands of Messiah. (Watchtower Reprints, VI, Sept 1, 1916, p5950)


1925 Prophecies

There will be no slip-up...Abraham should enter upon the actual possession of his promised inheritance in the year 1925 (Watchtower, Oct 15, 1917, p6157)

Therefore we may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old, particularly those named by the Apostle in Hebrews 11, to the condition of human perfection. (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p89)

...we may expect 1925 to witness the return of these faithful men of Israel from the condition of death being resurrected (Millions Now Living Will Never Die, p88)

The date 1925 is even more distinctly indicated by the Scriptures...by then the great crisis will be reached and probably passed (Watchtower, Sept 1, 1922, p262)

The year 1925 is here. With great expectation Christians have looked forward to this year. Many have confidently expected that all members of the body of Christ will be changed to heavenly glory during this year. This may be accomplished. It may not be. In his own due time God will accomplish his purposes concerning his people. Christians should not be so deeply concerned about what may transpire this year. (Watchtower, Jan 1, 1925, p3)

Some anticipated that the work would end in 1925, but the Lord did not state so. (Watchtower, 1926, p232)


Armageddon coming before 1950

It would therefore appear that there is no reasonable or scriptural injunction to bring children into the world immediately before Armageddon, where we now are. (Watchtower, Nov 1, 1938, p324)

Now, with Armageddon immediately before us... (Watchtower, April 1 1942, p139)


Prophecy of the end-times announced/denounced within the same year

Within a few years at most the final parts of Bible prophecy relative to these last days will undergo fulfillment resulting in the liberation of surviving mankind into Christ's glorious 1000 year reign! (Watchtower, Jan 5, 1968)

True, there have been those in times past who predicted an "end" to the world, even announcing a specific date. Yet nothing happened. The "end" did not come. They were guilty of false prophesying. Why? What was missing? Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that He was using and guiding them. (Awake, Oct 8, 1968)


The Faithful Slave

But let us never forget that the motives of this "slave" were always pure, unselfish; at all times it has been well-meaning. (The Watchtower, March 1, 1979, p24)


Additionally, I've seen several topics posted about the diety of Christ. If you are studying about this topic, and they have access to their interlinear (probably in the Kingdom Hall library), I would encourage you to get them to look at how they translate John 1:1. It looks remarkably like Nestle's translation "and God was the Word", which they reject. NWT has this verse "and the Word was a god". This is not an end-all to the discussion, but is certainly an eye-opener for any honest heart.

[mick]

The record of JWs is no better or worse than the end-time predictions of other Christians. Hal Lindsey, anyone?

"The Messiah must always be coming, but he must never come"

[aa118816]

Mick,

You are right that many Christians have made false prophecies, but that only shows that the one prophecizing was a false prophet. We just need to look to the Scriptures which give us this test. The JW as a cult has made numerous false prophecies from the top. They are nothing more than a cult.

Dan

[omimanordude]

Just a few tips I think we should bear in mind when talking to Jehovah's Witnesses (They sound trite, but so many don't remember these things!)

1) YOU have the truth, and though we are not the best Christians, know that we have the REAL Word of God and the REAL Truth that He wants us to spread. So have confidence.

2)Always try to undermine the authority of the Watchtower, such as showing their false prohpecies, without offending them; it is important for them to see the Word without their views instilled in them by the watchtower, but an offended person is not likely to respond to the Gospel as well.

3)Careful not to show them writings from exJWs, since they consider this as bad as porngraphy; rather, use the Bible, and know what their twisted version says so you know how to use your version to repond.

4) Read up on the Word of God. I cannot stress this enough. These cultist can twist up the truth so quickly; though we are not all scholars, make sure you at least know the fundamentals and truths of the Bible. Memorize verses and their meanings. There are great books out there and a wealth of knowledge to be learned on how to correct them as well. This is good, since JWs almost always respond the same because they all recieve the same information from the watchtower and their literature.

5)Say to them that we cannot both be right, so that we can examine our beliefs and see what is true and what is not. Take your time with this.

6) Defend your position, but also ask them questions as well, question their faith with what you know.

7) Like mentioned before, these people are souls as well, they are people just like us. Be careful not to look down on them or feel superior.

Above all else, PRAY to GOD. Only He can convict and change lives. Trust and have faith, and study the Bible as well.

[Atticus Finch]

Never give your phone number to a JW when he comes to your door and you chat for a while. I've learnt this lesson the hard way...

[JCSx2]

[quote="omimanordude"]
JWs almost always respond the same because they all recieve the same information from the watchtower and their literature.
quote]

Are they the borg?

[FFC]

JWs almost always respond the same because they all recieve the same information from the watchtower and their literature.
quote]

Are they the borg?

At least they are consistant right?

[jenna]

Yeah, they are consistant, alright. Consistantly annoying...

[FFC]

Yeah, they are consistant, alright. Consistantly annoying...

Ouch. Luckily the obedient JWs are not allowed to visit sites like this.

[sisiroy]

If we read Acts 1: vs.7 we see that no one knows the time of the end... and in 2 Peter
vs 3 -11 we learn that we should not scoff.. and that time is very different to the Lord...
"a day is like a thousand year's..." That is all we need to know and repeat to any one who can benefit from these Biblical truths.

[Zebulon]

Ok then have a look at King James Bible. Make a search on King James Himself and the way this bible was translated. Look at few details here and there.

Zebulon.

[FFC]

Ok then have a look at King James Bible. Make a search on King James Himself and the way this bible was translated. Look at few details here and there.

Zebulon.

I just did and it looks pretty straight up to me.

[catherine]

HI FFC,

you've just done me a favour. I've run out of books to read at the minute and I just noticed your signature. I've got the 'The Hiding Place'. I read it years ago and I 'forgot' I still had it. I shall be reading it again. Thanks

[FFC]

HI FFC,

you've just done me a favour. I've run out of books to read at the minute and I just noticed your signature. I've got the 'The Hiding Place'. I read it years ago and I 'forgot' I still had it. I shall be reading it again. Thanks

You're quite welcome. I'm glad I could help. Not to go off topic, for too long anyway, but you may find the life of Saint Theresa of Avila interesting. are you familiar with her? Check it out.

http://www.biographyonline.net/spiritua ... avila.html

Now back to your regularly scheduled program

[ageofknowledge]

Take some time to learn the history of Millerism and how the Great Disappointment led to the formation of the Jehovah's Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, etc.. groups as it will give you the historical perspective you need when talking to these people.