From Part 2 it was shown that the WT believes that reading the Bible all by itself causes you to be in darkness. How can you be “in the light” according to the WT?
“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
The WT is saying that a JW cannot understand anything in the Bible without the WT telling him/her what it means. This seems to be exactly what Mr. Russell said in my quote of him in Part 2. 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 (Luke24:45). 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.
Another interesting WT quote: "The Vatican belittles Bible study by claiming it is the only organization authorized and qualified to interpret the Bible." The Watchtower, 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.
How should the Bible be studied?
I’ve blogged about the kind of Bible study a JW or an X-JW needs and you can read about it here--"I’ve left the JW’s. Where do I go? Part 2. The Answer! "
“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
The WT is saying that a JW cannot understand anything in the Bible without the WT telling him/her what it means. This seems to be exactly what Mr. Russell said in my quote of him in Part 2. 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 (Luke24:45). 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.
Another interesting WT quote: "The Vatican belittles Bible study by claiming it is the only organization authorized and qualified to interpret the Bible." The Watchtower, 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.
How should the Bible be studied?
I’ve blogged about the kind of Bible study a JW or an X-JW needs and you can read about it here--"I’ve left the JW’s. Where do I go? Part 2. The Answer! "
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