The Watchtower Society teaches that the Bible is inspired but must be properly explained ("illuminate" ) in order to be understood. The governing body of the organization is the only group supposedly qualified to do the illuminating.
However, their illumination has changed many times. Why would not the authors of the book have been the best ones to do the job?
2007-12-01 09:51:31 · 13 answers · asked by Nina, BaC 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Papa: I am not attacking JWs. If your organization claims to be one true religion, is it just fair that you answer the questions? Who else could possibly know anything about God's Word? ; )
2007-12-01 13:33:42 · update #1
Good question. Anyone who has the Holy Spirit indwelling in them can properly illuminate the Scripture and can be understood.
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Jn. 14:26
God already illuminated His Word long before the watchtower.
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Ps. 119:105
The authors of the Bible were the best ones. God wrote His Word right the first time so no need for any changes.
They must get those ideas from the masquerading light.
And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 2 Cor. 11:14
2007-12-02 07:57:41 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some Christians believe that the King James Version is "the only true version of the Bible" for English speaking people seeking which translation to read. They believe this because of the difference between the philosophical and religious position of the translators for the KJV vs. that of the translators of later versions. Translating often requires choosing between possible meanings for individual words. Therefore, what a translator believes about God and how God operates plays a part in how that translator may choose to translate an individual word. I have compared many translations and see very little difference between them. Still, when there is a discrepancy, I like to go to the KJV and look up individual words in a Strong's concordance, which gives the original Greek and Hebrew definitions of words. Then I can see what choices the translator had and what I believe to be a reasonable translation based on the context of the passage.
2016-05-27 03:47:55 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So since the JW's no one knew what the bible said or tried to understand it. C. T. Russell was a part of the Adventist movement and used their material, well are the 7th day Adventist illuminaters? what about W. Miller? That's a false claim according to their new light policy that keeps up dating itself so it shows the light that was illuminated 75 years ago was put out by some more new light.
2007-12-01 11:17:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's true that the Bible must be "illuminated" to be understood. It is said "the natural man does not receive the things of God; they are foolishness to him... they are spiritually discerned". Jesus said that when he left he would give us the Holy Spirit, who would "teach us all things".
The Holy Spirit illuminates the Word of God and gives it its power in the life of the believer. Anyone can read the words but apart from the ministry of the Holy Spirit they have no power.
2007-12-01 10:00:32 · answer #4 · answered by Craig R 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nina, why do you feel you have to besmirch the Witnesses and our organization.
What have the Witnesses done to you personally.
Why do you feel you have to continue to attack ones you don't know!!!!
This is our beliefs.
Do the Witnesses believe that their religion is the only right one?
Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one. Otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it? Christians are admonished: “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” (1 Thessalonians 5: 21) A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only true faith. Ephesians 4:5 confirms this, mentioning “one Lord, one faith, one baptism,” Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation. Instead, he said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.” Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they have found it. Otherwise, they would look for another religion.-Matthew 7:14
Also an answer to your question.
There is scriptures I would like to share with you, it is found in the bible book of Acts Chapter 8 verses 26-40.
How is someone to learn unless there is someone to teach.
Please read this account about the Ethopian eunuch
2007-12-01 10:04:51 · answer #5 · answered by Just So 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
An "illuminated" bible refers to one that has decorations on the pages. Centuries ago, the illuminaters used gold and silver as well as paint to "illuminate" the pages.
2007-12-01 09:59:18 · answer #6 · answered by Renata 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a passage in the Bible (can't recall it off hand) that says the Bible should not be interpreted except for, and only in cases of, biblical prophesy. Mankind has done nothing but interpret the Bible to suit his own greedy needs.
2007-12-01 10:27:30 · answer #7 · answered by Emerald Book Reviews 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is only One who can illuminate, the Holy Spirit.
2007-12-01 09:55:27 · answer #8 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ." This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome
2007-12-01 10:08:51 · answer #9 · answered by Gods child 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The original readers of the Scriptures understood clearly what were written.
It is our task today to understand what the original intentions of the Bible writers were when they wrote what they wrote.
2007-12-01 09:57:11 · answer #10 · answered by Averell A 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋