Jehovah Witnesses Part 1 (Tsouloufis Guest Post)

My friend Dan Tsouloufis wrote a helpful introduction to the Jehovah Witness’ Movement. Here’s a section from the first half of it covering its background and back beliefs. I think this is really important to know about if we are to communicate the truth in love to them here in Naperville and beyond:

Background on the Founder of Jehovah’s Witnesses

1. The Jehovah’s Witnesses organization (Watchtower Bible and Tract
Society) was founded in the late 1800’s by Charles Taze Russell.

2. Charles Taze Russell was born in 1852 in Allegheny, Pennsylvania,
and died in 1916.

3. As a youth, Russell developed a terrible fear of hell. But by his later
teen years, he had abandoned any notion of the existence of hell,
and remained confident from then on that hell didn’t exist.

4. Also, by this time he had developed a fascination with the Second
Coming of Christ. It was this “problem” that prompted Russell to
begin seriously studying the Bible, because he thought he could
solve this problem once and for all, and predict the return of Christ.

5. In the 1870’s, Russell became involved in teaching a small group
of Bible students, and within a few years was elected as their
“pastor”. (He would later claim that he was “ordained”).

6. It was during this time that Russell predicted Christ would return
in 1874. He taught that Christ’s return would not be a physical
one, but a spiritual one. Russell believed that this “invisible”
Second Coming of Christ was being revealed to him. (He later
changed that date to 1914).

7. In 1879, Russell began to publish a magazine, “Zion’s Watchtower
and Herald of Christ’s Presence”, which helped expand his new
movement. By 1880 there were 30 new congregations in 7 states.

8. In 1884, Russell founded Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society, and
incorporated it as a nonprofit religious organization. In 1896 the
society was renamed the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society,
and in 1908 the headquarters were moved to Brooklyn, New York.

9. Also in the 1880’s, Russell began work on a seven-volume series
called “Studies in the Scriptures”. It was in these works that he
outlined his “biblical” theology and doctrines.

10. Jehovah’s Witnesses have produced their own “translation” of the
Bible, known as the New World Translation. This appears to be
nothing but a reworking of the King James Version, though they
claim it’s a translation from the “original” languages.

11. The New World Translation is widely distributed around the world,
and its producers are anonymous, so there’s no way of knowing the
credentials of the translators or how they actually worked to
produce it.

12. Regarding the New World Translation, one thing is clear. It is not
a competent piece of work as a translation of the original languages
(if that was even the intent). It often distorts key passages in order
to make them conform to the erroneous doctrines of the Jehovah’s
Witnesses.

13. In 1913, Russell’s wife successfully sued him for divorce on
grounds of adultery, egotism, and domination. Further, Russell had
been charged with fraudulent activities regarding his own dealings
within his Society.

14. Russell at one point even perjured himself in court. Under oath
he testified that he knew Greek, the original language of the New
Testament. But when he was unable to identify the letters of the
Greek alphabet on request, he was forced to retract.

15. After the death of Russell in 1916, there were many predictions
made – not of Christ’s return (for it was believed Christ did return
invisibly in 1914 to usher in the “Kingdom of God”) – but of the
date of Armageddon, or the end of the world.

16. Leaders of the Watchtower Society predicted 1918 as the date of
Armageddon. Then after 1918 passed, they predicted 1925. After
1925 passed, they predicted 1975. The Society’s membership has
fluctuated greatly over the years because of disillusionment over
its failed prophecies regarding Armageddon.

17. It seems the Watchtower Society has since given up on setting
specific dates for the end of the world.

Jehovah’s Witnesses in a Nutshell
Basic Doctrines and Beliefs

J.W. assert a strict Unitarian view of God, called Jehovah, which they believe is the only true name for God. Jehovah is the Creator and Preserver of the universe and all things.

The doctrine of the Trinity is denied by J.W. in no uncertain terms. They claim that Satan is the originator of this doctrine. J.W. reject the concept of the Trinity because they cannot reconcile it with their reasoning. In fact, they specialize in coming up with many questions and arguments designed to ridicule the concept of a Three-in-One God.

J.W. assert that Christ was not divine, but was the first creation of Jehovah, and that Jehovah used Christ to create everything else. Before His incarnation, Christ was known as Michael the archangel, the captain of Jehovah’s hosts. J.W. believe the deity of Christ is a false doctrine.

Using their New World Translation of the Bible to undermine Jesus’ divinity, the J.W. distort the meaning of such terms as “only begotten,” “greater than I,” “firstborn,” and “Son of God,” in order to support their unbiblical, preconceived notions about Jesus.

J.W. assert that the Holy Spirit is merely an impersonal force, not of God, and not a member of a trinity. Their New World Translation consistently distorts the Greek pronouns by referring to the Holy Spirit as “it,” “which,” and “that.”

Though J.W. believe that Christ was sinless, they minimize His redemptive work on the cross. They teach that Christ offered only a partial atonement for sins. His death removed the effects of Adam’s sin, and put man in a position to work out his own salvation. Christ did not provide a true ransom for sins, but merely gave man an opportunity to merit his salvation either now or in the Millennium (a 1,000 year Day of Judgment period, during which Jehovah will separate the faithful from the unfaithful).

J.W. also distort the biblical doctrines of the bodily resurrection and the return of Christ. They claim that Christ was raised as a spirit. The body of Jesus “dissolved in gases” and the man Jesus (the physical Jesus) is forever dead. J.W. believe the bodily resurrection is a false doctrine.

Furthermore, J.W. believe that Christ’s second coming to the earth has already taken place (invisibly) to usher in the “Kingdom of God.” Supposedly, in 1914 Christ came to the “upper air” and later caught up the apostles and dead members of the 144,000 (the “anointed class”) who will be immortal. The “anointed class” are J.W. who have been selected by Jehovah on the basis of their worthiness in serving Jehovah continuously. Also at this time, Christ ended the “Time of the Gentiles” and began to reign. Then in 1918 Christ entered His spiritual temple and began the judgment of the nations.
J.W. are now eagerly awaiting not the return of Christ, but the imminent battle of Armageddon in which Christ will lead Jehovah’s forces to victory over evil. Prior to Armageddon, a “Spiritual resurrection” of the 144,000 will occur, and these members will rule with Christ. Only the faithful Witnesses will escape death in the battle of Armageddon.

At the start of the Millennium, following Armageddon, there will be an earthly resurrection of all the dead. Everyone who has been annihilated (the J.W. concept of death) will be re-created and given a second chance during the Millennium to believe and obey Jehovah.

At the end of the Millennium, before the Final Judgment, Satan and his demons will be loosed for a little while, to test the faith of those on earth. Then Satan and his demons will be destroyed.

At the Final Judgment, all those who are judged unworthy during the probationary period will be permanently destroyed (annihilated). There is no hell or eternal punishment in J.W. doctrine.

All those who are judged faithful during the probationary period will remain on earth as “Jonadabs” (or “other sheep”) who will enjoy a perfect earth forever. The 144,000 (the “anointed class”) will remain in heaven with Christ eternally.

How does J.W. Doctrine Contrast with Christianity?

J.W. view of God

God is called Jehovah and exists in a single person. In orthodox Christianity, God is an eternal, personal, spiritual being in three persons – the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

J.W. view of Jesus

Jesus is not divine, but rather is a creation of Jehovah – an angel who existed first as Michael, then as the man Jesus, and now exists again as Michael the exalted angel. In orthodox Christianity, Jesus is divine – He is God in essence, Son of God as the second person of the Trinity.

J.W. view of man and his destiny

Man is a material creation of Jehovah. He does not have an immortal soul, nor is the soul separate from the body. Ultimately, for those who do not measure up to Jehovah’s standard, there is no afterlife – merely personal extinction (annihilation). In orthodox Christianity, both heaven and hell are real. Thus, there is eternal reward or eternal punishment.

J.W. view of sin and salvation

Sin can be overcome by one’s good actions, as defined by the Watchtower Society. Christ’s death on the cross provides the “opportunity” for man to work for his salvation. In orthodox Christianity, Christ’s death on the cross was the complete payment for man’s sins, if he places his faith and trust in Christ alone, and not in his own works.

J.W. view of Christ’s resurrection

Christ was raised a “spirit” as the archangel Michael – the physical Jesus is forever dead. In orthodox Christianity, Christ was bodily resurrected from the grave.

J.W. view of Christ’s return

Christ did return to earth (invisibly) in 1914, and now rules earth from heaven. J.W. are waiting for Armageddon. In Orthodox Christianity, Christ will return physically, at a date and time unknown to His followers. Christians are eagerly awaiting His return.