I ended Part 1 with this question for the JW I was writing to: “The WT says that if reading the Bible all by itself causes you to be in ‘darkness’ (error), then how can you be in the ‘light’ (truth)?”
The WT answer—“read Watchtower publications.” Check out the following quotes:
“the Bible is an organizational book . . . For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization (WTBTS) in mind.” WT, Oct. 1, 1967, p. 587
“Jehovah caused the Bible to be written in such a way that you need his human channel (WTBTS) to understand it.” WT, Feb. 15, 1981, p. 17
“An individual must have The Watchtower to understand the Bible.” 1983 Yearbook, p. 21
The WT is saying that a JW cannot understand anything in the Bible without the WT telling him what it means. This seems to be exactly what Mr. Russell said in my original quote of him. The WT says that only the WT can properly interpret the Bible. It is saying that the Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, cannot give a Christian a proper understanding of the Bible even though it is Jesus who opens the mind to understand Scripture (Luke 24:45). This effectively prevents the JW from thinking and interpreting the Bible for himself apart from the WT organization's guidance.
Another WT quote:
"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible." "The Watchtower," Oct. 1, 1967. p. 587.
The WT restricts its followers from looking at the Bible by itself without the guidance of the organization. This is not freedom to think for oneself and it is a sure way for the WT to keep the JW’s intellectually in line with WT teachings.
What if a JW finds something in a WT publication that he/she feels goes against the Bible? Not a problem for the WT. They have it covered with:
“Avoid independent thinking . . . questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization (WTBTS).” WT, Jan 15, 1983, p. 22.
One of the WT’s favorite targets for criticism is the Catholic Church. They wag their head at the Catholics and say, “The Vatican belittles Bible study by claiming it is the only organization authorized and qualified to interpret the Bible." WT, 7/1/1943, p. 201.
The funny thing is, that is exactly what the WT does. It claims to be the only source of true spiritual knowledge.
When Mr. Russell started the WT religion, his followers were knows as International Bible Students. Now they are Jehovah’s Witnesses. I can see why they changed their name. This last quote would not qualify them as ‘Bible Students.’
“Heavy research is not necessary. The Watch Tower has done it for you. The most beneficial study you can do is to read The Watchtower or Awake! or a new book by the organization.” WT, June 1, 1967, p. 338
The JW wrote back one more time and said, “I would kindly request that you not contact me again.”
We now know what C.T. Russell thinks about studying the Bible. What does the Bible say about studying the Bible?
I John 2:27, “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”
John 14:26, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
The WT answer—“read Watchtower publications.” Check out the following quotes:
“the Bible is an organizational book . . . For this reason the Bible cannot be properly understood without Jehovah’s visible organization (WTBTS) in mind.” WT, Oct. 1, 1967, p. 587
“Jehovah caused the Bible to be written in such a way that you need his human channel (WTBTS) to understand it.” WT, Feb. 15, 1981, p. 17
“An individual must have The Watchtower to understand the Bible.” 1983 Yearbook, p. 21
The WT is saying that a JW cannot understand anything in the Bible without the WT telling him what it means. This seems to be exactly what Mr. Russell said in my original quote of him. The WT says that only the WT can properly interpret the Bible. It is saying that the Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, cannot give a Christian a proper understanding of the Bible even though it is Jesus who opens the mind to understand Scripture (Luke 24:45). This effectively prevents the JW from thinking and interpreting the Bible for himself apart from the WT organization's guidance.
Another WT quote:
"Thus the Bible is an organizational book and belongs to the Christian congregation as an organization, not to individuals, regardless of how sincerely they may believe that they can interpret the Bible." "The Watchtower," Oct. 1, 1967. p. 587.
The WT restricts its followers from looking at the Bible by itself without the guidance of the organization. This is not freedom to think for oneself and it is a sure way for the WT to keep the JW’s intellectually in line with WT teachings.
What if a JW finds something in a WT publication that he/she feels goes against the Bible? Not a problem for the WT. They have it covered with:
“Avoid independent thinking . . . questioning the counsel that is provided by God’s visible organization (WTBTS).” WT, Jan 15, 1983, p. 22.
One of the WT’s favorite targets for criticism is the Catholic Church. They wag their head at the Catholics and say, “The Vatican belittles Bible study by claiming it is the only organization authorized and qualified to interpret the Bible." WT, 7/1/1943, p. 201.
The funny thing is, that is exactly what the WT does. It claims to be the only source of true spiritual knowledge.
When Mr. Russell started the WT religion, his followers were knows as International Bible Students. Now they are Jehovah’s Witnesses. I can see why they changed their name. This last quote would not qualify them as ‘Bible Students.’
“Heavy research is not necessary. The Watch Tower has done it for you. The most beneficial study you can do is to read The Watchtower or Awake! or a new book by the organization.” WT, June 1, 1967, p. 338
The JW wrote back one more time and said, “I would kindly request that you not contact me again.”
We now know what C.T. Russell thinks about studying the Bible. What does the Bible say about studying the Bible?
I John 2:27, “I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”
John 14:26, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
James 1:5, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
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