Is the JWs expression " New light " coming from Proverbs 4:18?

Question

Could you give me some different Bible translations from that verse?

When you see them, do you think that this verse justifies the Watchtower Society's continually changing its teachings back and forth?

Answer 1

More than a century ago, Jehovah's Witnesses recognized the bible truths that hell is not hot, that the soul is not immortal, that God has a personal name, that Jesus is not Jehovah, that most humans will be resurrected as humans, and that God's Messianic Kingdom will restore paradise to earth and end the suffering of humankind.
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_03.htm

Amazingly, those ideas remain tightly and uniquely identified with Jehovah's Witnesses. Some enlightening regarding details has emerged in 130 years, but it is a silly exaggeration to pretend that significant teachings (such as those mentioned above) have been "changed".


Jehovah's Witnesses use literally dozens of different legal and corporate entities, many of which have names similar to "Watchtower Society" but none of which has "its teachings". Rather than to a corporation, beliefs and teachings are common to persons of the same religion, specifically to the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

When a questioner refuses to even use the actual and respectful name of a religion, it would seem to expose the questioner's lack of objectivity and lack of credibility.


The term "light" is a rather common metaphor for "understanding" in many different languages, including English, Hebrew, and Greek. Despite what anti-Witnesses pretend, Jehovah's Witnesses do not have some fascination with the expression "new light", but merely use the term as most secular dictionaries define it (as a synonym for "new understanding").

Ironically, it is Christendom (rather than JWs) which attaches theological significance to the expression "new light", typically as a reference to heaven.
http://thesaurus.reference.com/browse/new%20light


In any event, it seems rather obvious that ongoing bible research, as well as occasional advances in archeology and etymology, would result in refinements of one's understanding. That was true for Jesus' apostles and other early Christians, and it is true today.

In the first century CE, certain ideas took DECADES to resolve, even among men and women who walked with Christ Jesus. Even in the presence of Jesus, the idea of 'eating flesh and blood' stumbled some disciples (not outsiders, but disciples) who were unwilling to wait for the now-obvious answer (Jesus was simply speaking metaphorically).

After Jesus' impalement, sincere disciples were confused about whether Christianity should involve only Jews, or maybe only Jews and Samaritans, or maybe only these and circumcised Gentiles. There was confusion about using tongues within the congregation, about tolerating sin and "Jezebel", about when Jesus would "return", and about when Armageddon would arrive. Much of this confusion was quite public; even though the apostle Peter enjoyed tremendous privileges and direct communication from heaven, Peter seems to have been the source of an incorrect teaching "out among the brothers" that was perhaps not resolved until the apostle John wrote his Gospel more than 60 years later!

(John 6:61-68) Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were murmuring about this, said to them: “Does this stumble you? ...he went on to say: “This is why I have said to you, No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” Owing to this many of his disciples went off to the things behind and would no longer walk with [Jesus].

(Acts 18:25-26) [Apollos] had been orally instructed in the way of Jehovah and, as he was aglow with the spirit, he went speaking and teaching with correctness the things about Jesus... When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him into their company and expounded the way of God more correctly to him.

(John 21:21-23) Peter said to Jesus: “Lord, what will this man do [that is, the apostle John]?” Jesus said to him: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you? You continue following me.” In consequence, this saying went out among the brothers, that [the apostle John] would not die. However, Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but: “If it is my will for him to remain until I come, of what concern is that to you?”


Does the bible support the idea that full knowledge would be instantly understood by everyone? No. Instead, the bible contains such reasonable ideas as these:

(1 Corinthians 13:12) For at present we see in hazy outline by means of a metal mirror, but then it will be face to face. At present I know partially, but then I shall know accurately even as I am accurately known.

(Daniel 8:16,17;12:4,9) [The voice] proceeded to call out and say: “Gabriel, make that one there understand the thing seen.” ..And he proceeded to say to me: “Understand, O son of man, that the vision is for the time of the end.” ...“And as for you, O Daniel, make secret the words and seal up the book, until the time of the end. Many will rove about, and the true knowledge will become abundant.” ...And he went on to say: “Go, Daniel, because the words are made secret and sealed up until the time of the end.


Here are several different translations of Proverbs 4:18, which plainly uses "light" as a metaphor for understanding...

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until the full day.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
But the path of righteous people is like the light of dawn that becomes brighter and brighter until it reaches midday.

King James Bible
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

American Standard Version
But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Bible in Basic English
But the way of the upright is like the light of early morning, getting brighter and brighter till the full day.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But the path of the just, as a shining light, goeth forwards and increaseth even to perfect day.

Darby Bible Translation
But the path of the righteous is as the shining light, going on and brightening until the day be fully come.

English Revised Version
But the path of the righteous is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Jewish Publication Society Tanakh
But the path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Webster's Bible Translation
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more to the perfect day.

World English Bible
But the path of the righteous is like the dawning light, that shines more and more until the perfect day.

Young's Literal Translation
And the path of the righteous is as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is established,

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/jt/index.htm?article=article_02.htm
http://jw-media.org/beliefs/beliefsfaq.htm

Answer 2

Nina Dear...
At John 16:12 Jesus said to his faithful apostles: “I have many things yet to say to you, but you are not able to bear them at present.” To illustrate: When a person emerges from a long period of confinement in a dark room, it is best if he is exposed to light gradually. Too much light too soon can be shocking, perhaps even damaging. Similar is the need for progressive enlightenment with God’s truths. It corresponds with what the wise man says: “The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come.”—Prov. 4:18, Today’s English Version.