As Jehovah's Witnesses have admitted, the governing body has made many mistakes and changed numerous times their doctrines, therefore, when this "new light" is presented, are they free to choose if they want to follow it or not?
2007-11-28 13:21:47 · 14 answers · asked by Nina, BaC 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Secret ID: I have a life : )
2007-11-28 13:35:26 · update #1
Y'know. I was going to keep my fat yap shut for once and let them have at it, until I saw the post by Karysia and how he/she twisted 1 Cor. 13: 9, 10 completely out of context--perhaps worse than they do with Prov. 4:18, if that is even possible. I won't go into the Proverb because Troll did that nicely and I've answered that one so many times already.
But, as far as Corinthians. . . What is the passage talking about?
The entire chapter is speaking about sign gifts such as prophecy and tongues. In fact, this is the subject of chapters 12, 13, and 14.
Now, in these two verses, Paul is saying that these sign gifts will cease at some point. He wasn't specific on WHEN exactly they would cease, but says that they will cease "when that which is perfect is come". That is open for interpretation and there are dispensationalists who feel that means that the sign gifts ceased when the church was fully established, while people like the Pentacostals believe it refers to Christ's return. Whatever interpretation you believe is fine by me because Paul wasn't exactly dogmatic about the exact moment in time these sign gifts would cease.
HOWEVER, you can in NO WAY use this passage to infer that Paul, or any Bible-believing Christian, for that matter, can only know Biblical doctrine in PART and that we have to wait for some mystical "clarification" before we can get it right. God has given us His Word and it is complete without all the extra-Biblical "revelations" of the cults.
FACT: Paul is not speaking about doctrine at all. He is speaking about the sign gifts. That is the subject he is tackling here.
Can we please keep things in CONTEXT for once, people??? This is why there is so much error out there!!
EDIT: ok, I can't resist: As far as "new light" is concerned:
1. Prov. 4:18 is not speaking about one's belief at all. It is speaking about one's ACTIONS, to wit, how our righteous living will be an illumination upon the path as we walk throughout our life. It speaks of the process of sanctification that spans across the lifetime of the believer.
2. God says it is impossible for Him to lie. He is going to tell the truth each and every time and if someone is truly speaking for him, they cannot make a mistake or teach something deceptive. period. There is no way to justify anything else.
3. God says that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. This means that He does not change His mind--EVER! Scripture speaks of Him not changing even as much as the variance of a shadow. What He says goes, today, tomorrow, and for all time.
Between common sense and Scripture, then, it should be blatantly obvious that the only ones who change are fallible human beings. The only ones who make mistakes are men. Then, it should logically follow that if someone makes mistakes, he is speaking from his own initiative only and not from God, no matter how many times a person wants to say otherwise.
Jesus foretold, in Matthew 24, that in the last days there would be plenty of false prophets who would be claiming to speak for Him and do all kinds of things in His name. But Jesus will return and say He never knew them.
Therefore, it is imperative, for the sake of one's salvation, to not attach one's self to such false Messiahs, whether they be individuals or organizations comprised of many fallible humans. The WT is not the ark of Salvation, people, the blood of Jesus is!!!
2007-11-29 09:34:39 · answer #1 · answered by Simon Peter 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This scripture is completely misused and abused.
Here is the NWT and the KJV:
Proverbs 4:18 which states,
NWT
But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established,
KJV
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Quite a different version - is it not?
Maybe someone can explain the difference between a person the is just or justified and a "righteous" person?
Perhaps "perfect day" and "the day is" can also be contrasted?
This is not only misapplied - it is also mistranslated.
2007-11-28 23:49:33 · answer #2 · answered by troll to troll 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why do people criticize JWs for the scripture Proverbs 4:18?
There is nothing wrong with the new light concept (something that JW opposers exaggerate), take a look at what Gods word say here:
1 Corinthians 13:9, 10 "We don't know everything, and our prophecies are not complete, But what is perfect will someday appear, and what isn't perfect will then disappear."
Are you calling the apostle Paul a false prophet?
2007-11-29 13:44:47 · answer #3 · answered by Karysia L 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Many Christian cults, sects, denominations etc., follow the 'doctrines of demons' and are completely unaware of it because they do not study where their own beliefs come from in the first place. They're like sheep being led to the slaughter. 'The whole world is truly deceived'.
2007-11-29 18:44:02 · answer #4 · answered by Emerald Book Reviews 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depends on what you mean by "accept".
Everyone is free to have opinions, to use their own thinking ability, even to have doubts. Such is normal and human.
The question is.... what do you do about it? How do you act?
Having questions or doubts is not wrong, is not a problem for JWs. BUT it IS a problem to promote divisive ideas in the congregation.
So, if by 'accept' you mean "must believe wholeheartedly, with no doubts or be expelled from the congregation" - then NO, that's not how it is.
But, if by 'accept' you mean "if you have doubts, research further and wait on Jehovah to provide clarification, supporting the congregation to the best of your ability" then Yes. That's how it is.
2007-11-28 21:30:58 · answer #5 · answered by eliz_esc 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Nina baby girl, the whole thing is, have the Creator talked to you directly?
If not judge no one, get up go to work, or do whatever it is you do, that line of thinking will lead you down a long hallway of "whats the deal".
religion is one of the most touchies convos so take heed.peace
2007-11-28 21:27:10 · answer #6 · answered by yakusa3000 4 · 1⤊ 5⤋
No you are not free to choose,you follow the leader and no questions asked.
2007-11-28 21:25:30 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
as far as i know jehovas have to accept the "new light" as part of their baptism type thing.
2007-11-28 21:24:28 · answer #8 · answered by hadji331 1 · 2⤊ 3⤋
what is the new light you are talking about?
2007-11-28 21:24:41 · answer #9 · answered by Old guy 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As compared to the darkness you are in?
2007-11-28 21:28:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 5⤋