CURRENT Jehovah's Witnesses, before you started studying with the JW organization ...?

Question

how much Bible study had you already done? Would you say you were a:

1) Bible novice;
2) a beginner;
3) that you had moderate knowledge of the Scriptures;
4) or would you say you had expert knowledge of the Scriptures?

Did you participate in any FORMAL study, under the guidance of an ordained minister or Bible scholar? If so, how long did you FORMALLY study the Bible before you studied with the JWs?

Hee hee, DwayneWayne called me Suzy!

It's just a question, DwayneWayne. I'm curious, that's all.

Hannah: by "formally" studying, I mean sitting down with a highly trained, godly Bible teacher and systematically going through the Bible, studying it Book by Book, Chapter by Chapter. Not just reading, but knowing and understanding. Realizing how all the Books work together; how Jesus fulfilled the commandments, feasts, sacrifices, etc.; what prophesies He fulfilled; etc.

Line Dancer:

1) You didn't answer the question;
2) I have no control over non-JW's answering this question. Perhaps you expect me to report them? Then I'd have to report you for not answering the question.
3) Why exactly is it that you've refused to answer? Could it be that your answer would cause you to feel inadequate?

Thanks to all who answered. I can't possibly pick a best answer, since this question was for informational purposes only -- so I'm puting this one up for a vote.

Answer 1

Sad, some claim to have moderate knowledge and others were novice....something is wrong. Satan is constantly looking for someone to devour and obviously he's devoured quite a few people. These are people who didn't do what 2 tim. 2:15 says to do. If they did, they wouldn't be JW in the first place.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Aj8Fp3DoT_zT35rBKsTqRf0jzKIX;_ylv=3?qid=20070924195405AAiakUc

JW’s have their magazines, watchtower books, and the nwt which is a neutered satanic translation. These are additions to Scripture.

You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. Deut. 4:2

Beware of the scribes. Luke 20:46

Jesus was Michael the archangel who became a man, The Watchtower, May 15,
1963, p. 307; The New World, 284.

Scripture says…

For to which of the angels did He ever say: “ You are My Son. Heb. 1:5

Jesus was only a perfect man, not God in flesh, Reasoning from the Scriptures,
1985, pp. 306.

Scripture says…

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Tim. 3:16

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 2 John 7

Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9

And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Ex. 3:14

Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” John 8:58

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Phil. 2:5-8

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Gal. 4:4-5

But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. Heb. 2:9

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Col. 2:9

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

There is no Trinity, Let God be True, p. 100-101; Make Sure of All Things, p.386.

Scripture says…

Then God said, “Let Us make man in OUR image, according to OUR likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Gen. 1:26

I and the Father are one. John 10:30

For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 1 John 5:7

Good works are necessary for salvation, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1,
pp. 150, 152.
Salvation is by faith and what you do, Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 1, pp.
150,152.

Scripture says…

But we are all like an unclean thing,
And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags;
We all fade as a leaf,
And our iniquities, like the wind,
Have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph. 2:8-9

It is possible to lose your salvation, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp.
358-359.

Scripture says…

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph. 2:8-9

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Romans 11:29

The Holy Spirit is a force, not alive, Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, pp.
406-407.

Scripture says…

1. Jehovah's Witnesses teach that the Holy Spirit is an active force like radar. They deny that He is alive, that He is a person. This is, of course, because they deny the Trinity. Yet, if the Holy Spirit is simply a force then...
1. Why is He called God (Acts 5:3-5)?
2. How is it that He can teach (John 14:26)?
3. How can He be blasphemed (Matt. 12:31,32)?
4. How can be the one who comforts (Acts 9:31)?
5. How is it possible for Him to speak (Acts 28:25)?
6. How then can He be resisted (Acts 7:51)?
7. How can He be grieved (Eph. 4:30)?
8. How can He help us in our weaknesses (Rom. 8:26)?
2. If the Holy Spirit is a force, then how is it possible that the above mentioned phenomena are attributed to Him? A force doesn't speak, teach, comfort, etc.
3. Nor can you blaspheme against a force.

There is no hell of fire where the wicked are punished, Let God be True, p. 79, 80.

Scripture says…

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Rev. 21:8

Luke 16:19-31

In no way, shape, or form does JW doctrine align with the Bible.

And the LORD said to me, “The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart. Jer. 14:14

I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. Gal. 1:6-9

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Cor. 11:13-15

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Pet. 2:1

Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel. Prov. 20:17

Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. Matt. 22:29

And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17

To JW’s

Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? Gal. 4:16

Answer 2

All individuals studying with or contemplating studying with Jehovah's Witnesses are encouraged to make the informed decision to do so. To make an informed decision, a person has to have some knowledge of who and what the group is all about. But it's obvious that the majority of websites and books that are out there are all nothing short of hate group propaganda......bigoted and closed-minded against Jehovah's Witnesses. Such material does not give a balanced view of Jehovah's Witnesses, much like reading a pamphlet from the KKK would not give a balanced view of African Americans, Jews, and so forth. Why are ALL of your questions directed solely to Jehovah's Witnesses? And all of them have a distinctive "I hate Jehovah's Witnesses" tone to them. Do you not realize there are other religions you can ask questions about? Why focus your hate and bigotry entirely to Jehovah's Witnesses? EDIT: You and your fellow cult friend, Kip, both have an obvious bias against Jehovah's Witnesses, and have made it a goal to spread as many lies and false accusations against us as possible. Don't insult my intelligence by denying your obvious hate. And you didn't answer the question. Why do you keep focusing your questions to Jehovah's Witnesses only? Why do we not see you asking questions of Baptists, Buddhists, Catholics, etc...? People like you and Kip only know what you are told or led to believe by your hate group leadership.......whether verbally or written. - Notice Bethany's unfounded and baseless ranting? "Silenced lion"? "Russ BC"? Do you have any support at all for those lies? Of course not.

Answer 3

Where do I begin? I would like to say that I had moderate knowledge of the scriptures. I was raised in the Lutheran church & school. Of course there was Religion class each day and then Confimation class taught by the Pastor. I figure that I went through this process for about 9 years. shortly after my confirmation, I began searching. You see, having knowledge and having understanding are 2 different things IMO.
Over the next 20 something yrs, I wandered in and out of the Pentecostal, Baptist, and Non-Denominational churches; also being called upon by JW's on 3 seperate occasions throughout this period. Still no understanding :( On the 4th time, I met a JW who was my massage therapist and offered me a study. I thought, why not since nobody else has been able to help me gain understanding yet. VERY wise decision! Now she is my best friend and sister and I haven't turned back since.

Answer 4

I suppose that when I began studying with the Witnesses, I had moderate Bible knowledge. I certainly was not an expert. Neither am I now. I have never met an expert in scriptural knowledge. The only scriptural expert of whom I am aware is Christ Jesus.

Did I participate in formal study? Yes. Under the guidance of a Bible scholar? I have never met a Bible scholar. Under the guidance of an ordained minister? You mean ordained by the seminaries? No, I have never studied under the guidance of a minister ordained by any seminary.

How long did I formally study? Since you have used this word twice in your question, I am beginning to wonder if I understand your use of it. I do not want to misunderstand you; doing so would have an effect on my response. So I will stop here.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 5

As has been mentioned by others, both Witnesses and non-Witnesses have answered this question.


4. Expert

The suggestion that a "FORMAL study" with an ordained minister or bible scholar is required for one to become an expert on the Scriptures is, frankly, laughable. There is a wealth of non-Witness published material available to any independent student who prefers independent research.

It would seem that many or most professional "ministers" would be interested less in bible truth and more in perpetuating their livelihoods.

(John 11:47-48) Consequently the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Sanhedrin together and began to say: “What are we to do, because this man performs many signs? If we let him alone this way, they will all put faith in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”

Learn more:
http://watchtower.ca/e/20010801/article_02.htm

Answer 6

I knew nothing about the bible, and I was apart of several different religions and they never taught hardly a thing out of the bible. I would ask questions and you know what I would get? "That's for God to decide, we just don't know" everything was a vague answer and not one religion taught me about Jesus' life before he was crucified. There wasn't ONE person out there from another religion that was even willing to offer me a bible study and I feel that if someone has a strong knowledge of the bible then they would be willing to go out there and help people in spiritual need and not attack people they feel are "unknowing". I don't feel that you have to have to study with a scholar to know about Jesus' life and his ministry and the prophecies he fulfilled. Jesus spent all his time after he was baptized in the ministry and he said for it to continue. Why isn't any other religion doing this? Did your bible scholar have an explanation for this? and are we wrong for following Jesus' footsteps so closely? You say you studied with a scholar but you didn't say what he taught you that contradicts with what we follow.

Answer 7

I would say I was a beginner. However, it does not matter where one stands as to Bible knowledge. A humble person can always learn more. One brother in a nearby congregation said that he THOUGHT he was expertly proficient in Bible knowledge since he had a MA in theology. I don't know for certain but I'm pretty sure at least one or two of his professors were ordained ministers. A bible study with Jehovah's Witnesses taught him more in 6 months than he had learned in 6 years.
Jehovah God is not impressed with titles or degrees. In fact "God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame;" (1Corinthians 1:27)

Answer 8

There are so Many misconceptions about the Witnesses I always feel like I need to clear everything up on this site but it is really just impossible. I am sure other religions face the same dilemma.

However I was raised as a Witness and Left when I was 18 to really find out what other faiths were all about. I returned a few years ago because I continued to read the bible and just could not find any other faith that followed the Bible and Jesus example.

Answer 9

None,the only Bible was the family heirloom Bible with clan records

Answer 10

3) that you had moderate knowledge of the Scriptures.

I doubt that I will ever become an "expert" as I can still find new thoughts even after 34 years.

As for studying under an ordained minister, I have yet to meet one that wants to talk about the Bible except in general terms.

Answer 11

In the first century, it's a wonder why anyone would want to be taught the Scriptures by the apostles because they were "unlettered and ordinary." Acts 4:13

Do you ask your question of any other religion, or have you focused your sights on grilling JW's with questions that you don't really want answers for? I see you have given Unsilenced Lamb and Nina an opportunity to spout out more negativity about us, even though they are not "current Jehovah's Witnesses."

I didn't answer your question? Okay. My mother studied the Bible with me when I was very young. Why would I feel inadequate?