X. Jehovah’s Witnesses

History of the Movement

Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916)

     Brought up in the Congregational Church, Russell revolted at the idea of eternal punishment for the wicked.  Russell became a critic of all "organized religion.  In 1879, he founded "Zion's Watchtower," with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society beginning in 1896.  Russell taught that the wicked do not suffer, but are annihilated. He also came to believe that Jesus had returned to earth (invisibly) in 1874 and after a 40-year "period of presence" the world's governments would collapse and the millennium would begin.  The opening stages of WWI were encouraging (1914), but Russell died in confusion in 1916.

      His private life is written in the courtroom records of the Northeast.  The Brooklyn Daily Eagle (Nov.1, 1916 Obituary section) carried a summary of his divorce proceedings, his attempt to sell bogus wheat for $1 a pound, and the libel suit he filed against the Eagle and lost. The February 19, 1912 issue (pg.18) carried an article about a fraudulent "World Preaching Tour" that he never actually went on.  His "defamatory libel" suit against J. J. Ross ended in defeat for Russell (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Jan. 11, 1913).  Russell even engaged in Pyramidology [Studies in the Scriptures, Series III, pp. 313-376].  Before a court in Canada he admitted that he could not read Greek, which he had claimed he could do.

      He wrote extensively and claimed that his writings were better than the Bible (although JW’s will deny this, it will be hard for them to deny that Watchtower literature is held in suspiciously high regard by them in their "study").  Russell published a series of books entitled Studies in the Scriptures (1886-1904, with a 7th volume published later).  The 7th volume (The Mystery Finished) caused a split, with the larger group following J. F. Rutherford.

Joseph F. Rutherford (1869-1942)

     A lawyer who became intrigued by Russell’s writings, the two met in Kansas City and became associates.  When Russell died, Rutherford preached the funeral and claimed that Russell had passed directly into God's presence.  "Judge" Rutherford became the new leader and regathered the disillusioned followers.  Whereas they had been known as Russellites, Millennial Dawnists, or International Bible Students, Rutherford claimed to have discovered the inspired name "Jehovah Witnesses" (from Isaiah 43:10).  It escaped his notice that this same verse refutes their doctrine that Jesus was "a little, created god" (John 1:1, New World Translation).

Nathan K. Knorr (?-1977)

     A brilliant organizer, Knorr brought tremendous numerical growth to the movement.  His most distinguished doctrinal contribution was that the world would end in 1975.

Frederick W. Franz (1894-?)

     Franz had to pick up the pieces from the 1975 fiasco.  In a Time Magazine article (July 11, 1977), Franz explained the 1975 failure as follows: Adam was created in the Autumn of 4026 B.C. and 6,000 years of history would bring the world to an end in 1975.  He said that this chronology is correct, but what was wrong was that the original "7th day" of God's Sabbath did not begin until Eve was created.  Thus the date for the end has to be extended (how long has not been announced yet by the JW "brain-trust").

     The 1975 debacle and the theological double-talk to explain it away continued to trouble Franz’ nephew, Raymond, who was also a member of the organizations worldwide governing body since 1971.  He had authored numerous official publications, but because he was honest enough to think for himself and question, he was quickly “dis-fellowshipped” as a heretic and shunned by all relatives except his wife.^[1]

     In November 1995, perhaps in recognition of their past errors and to avoid future embarrassment, the Watchtower Magazine announced an end to the date-setting by noting that Jesus had been right after all - that “no one knows the day or the hour” (Matthew 24:36).^[2]

Doctrines

The Nature of Jesus

     Position - The JW’s believe that Jesus was "God's son," but is neither deity nor equal to YHWH.  [Truth that Leads to Eternal Life/TLEL, pp. 22-23].  The Word/Jesus was created before anything else and then created everything else for God.  [TLEL, pg.47]  Jesus did not raise bodily from the grave, but his dead body was taken away as a memorial. [TLEL, pg.52]

     Response - I would respond by noting several things:  First, it is true that Scripture teaches that there is but "one God" (Deuteronomy 6:4; 10:17; Isaiah 43:10-11; 45:5-6; 46:9; Mark 12:29; 1Corinthians 8:4-6; 1Timothy 6:14-16).  It is also true that from the beginning, the "one God" has revealed Himself to be a "united one" (echad, Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:26; 3:22; 11:6-7; cf. "one flesh" Genesis 2:24) rather than an "only one" (yachid) as 12th century Judaism, under Moses Maimonides, initiated.

     Second, the New World Translation (JW Bible) contains two intentional mistranslations to deny the deity of Jesus: {1} John 1:1 "a god" provides an indefinite article where Greek does not have one at all and ignores the Greek word order, which emphasizes the deity of the Word by declaring that "and God/theos was the Word/logos".  This "a god" foolishness, to make Jesus a "little, created god" also runs afoul of Isaiah 43:10 which declares that "NO GODS were created before or after YHWH" thus ruling out the notion of any other gods being formed at any time in history!  {2} John 8:58 "before Abraham was, I have been" is simply wrong, for the Greek verb "eimi" is present tense and has no other proper rendering than "I AM," which ties it to the divine name (Exodus 3:14) and this is why the Jews were so upset (cf. John 8:59; 10:30-33), not because Jesus was using bad grammar and awkward verb tenses.

       Third, the Scripture teaches that God alone is to be worshipped! (Deuteronomy 6:13-14; Matthew 4:10; Luke 4:8).  However, while the Bible tells us that Angels refuse worship (Revelation 22:8,9), the Apostles refused worship (Acts 10:25,26; 14:11-15,18), and Mary is not to be worshipped (Luke 11:27,28), we find that Jesus DID accept worship (Matthew 2:2,8,11; 14:33; 28:9; John 5:22-23; 9:38; 20:27-29; Philippians 2:5-11; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5).

       Forth, Jesus was YHWH in the flesh (Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:22-23 "God with us" & Isaiah 9:6, where a messiah-child would eventually be born and called "Mighty God & Eternal Father").  See also: John 5:18; 10:30-33,38; 14:7-11; 17:21; Philippians 2:5-6; 2Corinthians 4:4,6; Colossians 1:15-19; 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-3.  This is why Paul could say “God purchased the church with His own blood" (Acts 20:28).

       Fifth, when seen in its fuller context, Jesus as the "first-born" (Colossians 1:15) refers not to his cosmic origin and being originally "created," but rather the reference is to His resurrection from the dead (Psalm 2:7; 89:27; Acts 13:33; Romans 1:4; 8:29; 1Corinthians 15:20,23; Col. 1:15-18; Hebrews 1:5; Revelation 1:5; 3:14).

       As for the resurrection, Jesus was raised "in the body" (Luke 24:3-7,36-43; John 2:18-22; Acts 1:3; 2:22-24,29-36; 13:33-37) and it was the same body that was scourged and crucified (not a “spirit body,” as JW’s assert), because the identifying wounds were still present (John 20:24-28).

The Interim State of the Dead

     Position - According to Watchtower doctrine, at death the soul ceases to exist (soul-sleep).  In the resurrection, all will be re-created.  The wicked will be annihilated, while the righteous (Jehovah's Witnesses) will spend a divided eternity: 144,000 of the best JW's in heaven and the remainder on a renovated earth.  [TLEL, pp. 34,45,79,102-104; Watchtower, April 15, 1948 pp. 118-123]

      Response - The Bible teaches that there is eternal punishment/suffering for the wicked (Revelation 14:10; 20:10-15; Matthew 25:46).  The Revelation passages employ the term "basanidzo" = torture.  Annihilation after appropriate punishment?  Perhaps.  But death and then annihilation without punishment?  Never.  Jesus described the spirits of Lazarus and the Rich man as being very conscious after physical death (Luke 16:19-31).

      The divided situation (with all of the overflow beyond 144,000 Witnesses on a remodeled earth) was not an original doctrine of the movement, but was added when the number of JW’s passed 144,000 and an additional place was needed so that growth could continue.

Blood Transfusions

     Position - Blood Transfusions are forbidden in Scripture [Watchtower, 12/1/49 pp. 367-368; 3/1/50 pp.79-80; 5/1/50 pp.143-144; 5/15/50 pp. 158-159]

     Response - Blood transfusions are not “eating blood” (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 17:10-14), for the blood in a transfusion never passes through the mouth or digestion system.  It is not changed in any way and is used as blood because of the recognition of its life-giving role (Leviticus 17:11,14).  Jesus gave his blood for the “life” of others and, while not an atonement, this is why people offer blood for the welfare of others in a transfusion.  Every baby, initially, gets its blood type from someone else - the father!

Salvation

     Position - They deny any salvation outside of the JW organization.  All religions outside of their organization are rejected by God.  [TLEL, pp.138-139; The Nations Shall Know/NSK, pp. 199-200]

     Response - Salvation is only found in the name of Jesus, not a particular earthly organization which claims exclusive rights to God (Acts 4:12).  Those who are obedient to Jesus cannot be separated from God by anyone else, neither Popes in Rome nor the Watchtower organization (John 10:27-28; Romans 8:28-39).

Civil Government

     Position - The JW’s believe that Satan gave the world's governments their power.  [TLEL, pg. 99].  Accordingly, the JW's refuse military service, saluting/pledging allegiance to any national flag, and some resist paying property tax until the last minute before their property is sold by the state.

      Response - However, according to the Bible, it is NOT Satan but God who gives worldly governments their power (Romans 13:1-6; Matthew 28:18; Revelation 1:5).  Christians are commanded to pray for civil authorities (1Timothy 2:1-2), obey civil government (Titus 3:1; 1Peter 2:13-15,17), and even pay taxes (Matthew 22:15-21; Romans 13:7).  Civil government is established by God to maintain order and to resist it’s proper functioning is to disobey God (Romans 13:1-6), unless it requires something that directly contradicts God's revealed will.

The Name of God

     Position - The Witnesses have been taught that "Jehovah" is the only name by which God is to be addressed.  ("Yahweh" acceptable, TLEL, pg.18)

      Response - However, God’s own Word informs us that He has been called by many names: El Shaddai, El Elyon, Lord of Hosts, Elohim, etc.  YHWH’s witnesses (Isaiah 43:10) are now supposed to be “Jesus’ witnesses” (Acts 1:8).

Understanding the Bible

     Position - The JW’s are taught that the Bible cannot be understood without the help of a Jehovah's Witness or their written material.  [Watchtower, Oct.1, 1967, pg. 587; cf. Jan.15, 1950 p. 26].

     Response - Paul pointed people to the Scriptures alone (Acts 20:32; 1Corinthians 4:6).

The Return of Jesus

     Position - The JW’s believe that Jesus will not return visibly.  Daniel 2:44 was fulfilled in 1914.  [TLEL, pg. 81,99; Studies in the Scriptures/SitS, II:107,122; Watchtower, July 1, 1949 pp.195-202].

     Response - the Bible tells us that Jesus will return visibly and “every eye will see Him” (Matthew 24:30; Mark 13:26; Acts 1:9-11; 2Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 1:7).

The planet earth is “Eternal”

     Position - The JW’s believe that the present earth will never be destroyed (Psalm 104:5; Ecclesiastes 1:4)  [TLEL, pg. 101].

      Response - Again we find that better exegesis exposes the error here.  This earth "abides forever" {Ecclesiastes 1:4; Ps.104:5} compared with people that come and go, but God will destroy this earth and create a "new heaven and earth" (Isaiah 65:17; Psalm 102:25-26; Matthew 5:18; 24:35; Hebrews 12:26-27; 2Peter 3:7,10-12; Revelation 20:11; 21:1).  The Hebrew term "olam" is translated "forever," but its true meaning is closer to "perpetually" or "continually," rather than the concept of "endless duration" which we associate with our term "forever."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Charles E. McCoy

2006/06/06