Jehovah's Witnesses, is The Watchtower really inspired by Jehovah?

Question

The Jehovah's Witnesses third and fourth presidents claimed that Jehovahs is the editor of The Watchtower and has always been the editor:
NEW YORK KING'S COUNTY CLERKS'S COURT RECORD, 1940, vol. II, p 795: Fred W. Franz on the witness stand:

Q: Who subsequently became the Editor of the magazine, the main editor of the "Watch Tower" magazine?
A: In 1931, October 15th, as I recall, the "Watch Tower" discontinued publishing the names of any editorial committee on the second page.

THE COURT: He asked you who became the editor.
THE WITNESS: And it said --

THE COURT: Who became the editor?
Q: Who became the editor when this was discontinued?
A: Jehovah God.

Olin R. Moyle, v F.W.Franz, et al. Libel suit testimony, May 10th to May 27th, 1943, New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division: Fred W. Franz on the witness stand, sections 2596 & 2597 -
Q: At any rate, Jehovah God is now the editor of the paper, is that right?
A: He is today the editor of the paper.
Q: How long has he been editor of the paper?
A: Since its inception he has been guiding it.
Q: Even before 1931?
A: Yes, sir.

Nathan Homer Knorr on the witness stand, at the same Olin Myle trial, sections 4420 & 4421 :
Q: But you don't make any mention in the fore part of your Watch Tower that "We are not infallible and subject to correction and may make mistakes"?
A: We have never claimed infallibility.
Q: But you don't make any such statement that you are subject to correction in your Watch Tower papers do you?
A: Not that I recall.
Q: In fact, it is set forth directly as God's Word, isn't it?
A: Yes, as His Word.

Q: Without any qualification whatsoever?
A: That is right.

Even the Watchtower itself claims:
The Watchtower is not the instrument of any man or set of any of men, nor is it published according to the whims of men. No man's opinion is expressed in the Watchtower."
(Watchtower 1931 November 1 page. 327)

"Nothing is interpreted but the interpretation comes from God and is then published."
(Watchtower 1943 July 1 page. 202-203)

"Jehovah God has made Known to his anointed ones in advance what these scriptures mean."
(Watchtower 1931 June 1 page.160)

"God uses and directs the WTS."
(VINDICATION Book 1 1931 page. 77)

YET, since Jehovah directs and edits The Watchtower. How could Jehovah be so wrong about several things? The Cross (you didn't recieve "new light" until your second president).

The men of Sodom will/will not be resurrected SEVERAL TIMES. Did Jehovah keep changing his mind?

JC -- You might want to know what "increase in knowledge" means. It doesn't mean what was wrong is going to be right or vice versa. If I learn something new is my knowledge increasing? Does it mean I have to change a teaching? No. "INCREASE in Knowledge" not "CHANGE in Knowledge".

JC -- Your presidents did claim he was the editor. You're in the biggest denial of your life. It's plain as day what they were saying. And it's plain as day what The Watchtower was saying. How could you possibly deny this? You're trying to explain away truth and it's not working.

If your "new light is "increase in knowledge" then why did you change the idea that the men in Sodom will/will not be resurrected at least 8 times? Did your knowledge keep increasing and decreasing?

UPDATE: IF THE WATCHTOWER ISN'T INSPIRED BY GOD, THEN STOP CLAIMING IT IS.

And since it's "not" inspired by God, then why do you hold The Watchtower (that makes several changes and mistakes) up so high, you believe what it says, teach from it, and use it's teachings as dogma? Why can't you understand and believe only the Bible without The Watchtower?

UPDATE: GRANDPA

You didn't answer the question. All you said was that my citation was flawed. Maybe you'll be kind enough to prove it?

That still doesn't take away what The Watchtower said in their publications. Read them again.

Answer 1

No.

F.W.Franz was an exemplary Christian who had positions of responsibility among Jehovah's Witnesses for many decades. Franz was imperfect, with a deference to the Almighty which seems to have confused overly literal-minded persons such as this questioner.

Jehovah's Witnesses have literally never claimed to be inspired. Nevertheless, in a general way Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Jehovah is guiding His universal organization, including the earthly part of that organization which includes the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Of course, the bible plainly teaches that Almighty God does not micromanage every detail of every facet of His organization, but only intervenes when matters go beyond where He is willing to allow them to go. Similarly, Jesus also has delegated the care of his earthly "domestics" or "sheep".
...(Matt 24:45-47) The faithful and discreet slave whom his master [Jesus] appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time? ...Truly I say to you, [Jesus] will appoint him over all his belongings [on earth].
...(John 21:15-17) Jesus said to Simon Peter: “Simon son of John, do you love me...?” He said to him: “Yes, Lord, you know I have affection for you.” He said to him: “Feed my lambs. ...Shepherd my little sheep. ...Feed my little sheep."


Historically and biblically, it seems rather obvious that ancient Israel was guided by Jehovah, but they even strayed into pagan false worship and sacrificed their own children to false gods. It would be blasphemous to suggest that God's guidance led Israel to such terrible mistakes.
...(2 Kings 16:2-3) Ahaz when he began to reign...reigned in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God like David his forefather. And he went walking in the way of the [bad] kings of Israel, and even his own son he made pass through the fire

Interestingly, even Christians who enjoyed direct communication from heaven at times came to wrong conclusions; these wrong conclusions were even communicated "out among the brothers"!

For example, the apostle Peter enjoyed remarkable privileges in the early congregation, but it seems that he was the source of an incorrect teaching about the apostle John that was not formally corrected until several DECADES had passed, and John himself finally wrote his gospel about 98 C.E.
...(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?”


Yet, God and Christ plainly blessed the work of Peter and the first century Christian congregation. Similarly, what group is working harder than Jehovah's Witnesses to preach God's message globally?
...(Matthew 24:14) And this good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.

Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20000622/
http://watchtower.org/e/19990715/article_02.htm

Answer 2

Friend, I'm not JW, but your premise is faulty. Although God himself is perfect in every way, what comes from God to man is not without fault... as God has to work with imperfect instruments. Men wrote the Bible, under the inspiration of God... that means incompleteness and error is possible. What reason is there to doubt something just because it is imperfectly expressed? You can obtain your own connection with God, so you can understand things they way he wants you to. There is good in everything and everyone. When you look for the good, everything begins to feel more sacred and pure. EDIT: I see your point, though. Religious commentary is most often an interpretation of the Bible (as all of our intellectual understanding is gained through interpretation from what we already know). The only alternative to interpreting the Bible, is having direct revelation from God, ie the spirit of revelation and prophecy.

Answer 3

Since you used the word "inspired," that should call to our minds the advice of the apostle John, where he said:

"Beloved ones, do not believe every inspired expression, but test the inspired expression, to see whether it originates with God, because many false prophets have gone forth into the world."

Elsewhere in scripture; namely in Jude and 2nd Peter, we are warned that false teachers will infiltrate Christ's congregation and will lurk among us like submerged rocks below the waterline. It is not so clear-cut that the Christian congregation is either perfect or evil. According to Christ, both the evil slave and the faithful slave work side-by-side in God's house up until the time that the master arrives for judgment.

The influence of both slaves is evident in the Watchtower Society today. So, accordingly, no matter how respected the source, each of us have the personal responsibility before God to be diligent students of his Word in order to 'test the inspired expression' as to its authenticity.

Answer 4

You asked this questions last week, and you're going to get the same same answer.

Jehovah God isn't directly editing the publication, but hes the reason why the organization has come to a accurate knowledge.


Daniel 12:4
But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, [even] to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

How will the knowledge be "increased" - will it be by man them self or the help of Jehovah God? The Organization doesn't take credit for this, they give their credit to the creator.

To increase in knowledge, you clearly have to have "new light" and theres no other way whatsoever.

Dan 12:9
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words [are] closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

Now answer this, how did God reveal these things in the last days? Because he clearly didn't tell anyone directly.

The fact is, since the Watch Tower is based on the Bible, they will never give credit to how the spiritual food is being provided. The organization still believes this today, but they will we know that Jehovah God isn't a literal editor.

Mic 4:1
But in the last days it shall come to pass, [that] the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

I quoted these scriptures before, but they never gave a response to them.

Questions

(1) How is Jehovah's Mountain (place or worship) exalter above all others?

(2) How did the sacred secret get revealed?


If you don't know these questions, then you really won't understand to whats being said.

UPDATE:
Since you never been to a meeting, you're completely left in ignorance. I'm not denying what it says because its a term we use today. I always hear people say these publications ect. comes from Jehovah but I know and they know its not in a literal sense.

Also, if you didn't know, the great apostasy mainly took place after the apostles had died. True worship was basically being done away with. But in the last days, the mountain of Jehovah was to be exalted above all the other mountains.

That being said, they were still were on the same level as all the other mountains because of the apostate teachings. Rejecting the teachings of Babylon the Great requires change and adjustments.

Answer 5

wow! you really have done your research! but what is the point of this question? is it to enlightten you? to satisfy your curiosity? to stumble us? i dont see the point but nevertheless it is a thought provoking question and one that i feel the need to answer in defence of what beliefs.

you ask if the watchtower is REALLY inspired of God? IT IS.
we know this because the watchtower is based upon the bible. it promotes Gods Kingdom and the bible. and if it does this that we know that it must be inspred of God because does not the bible say in 2 Tim 3:19; 16 

All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness

and too we need to remember that Jehovah uses IMPERFECT men to accomplish his will here on earth. all imperfect men are bound to make mistakes and all the more so because Jehovah is not telling us directly as he did Moses what to write but rather all the writings found in any of the books published by Jehovah's witnesses are based on the bible.

Answer 6

They don't claim to be "inspired", just:
- the only organisation led by God
- the only ones with the truth,
- all other religions are part of Babylon the Great, the World Empire of False Religions,
- They are the exclusive faithful and discrete slave which are the only ones chosen by God to dispense the truth
- The membership are forbidden to look at apostate or opposing views,
- You cant learn the "Truth" by reading the Bible only. You have to use Witness literature to get the true sense of it.
- They and they alone proclaim God's name Jehovah, even when many other religions do the same.

.....but inspired??? That would be a stretch.

Answer 7

your citation is flawed. it is chopped out of a court testimony.
it was done by the apostates who want to make it look as if the brothers back then were foolish.

the Watch Tower is a corporation started in PA. you can look them up on the internet if you have access.

there is also a watchtower bible & tract society in NY

you are asking a lot of peculiar questions. i would like to ask you a direct question:

who is feeding you all this bizarre stuff?
please,
you may write me at the 'reply to poster' section on the left at the top of your screen.

please. let us know.

thanx

gramps

Answer 8

They believe it is, but would not openly confess, acknowledge, or admit it (it took being under oath in a court room for those witnesses to admit it and then they tried to dodge the answer).
Does anyone else believe it? NO. It is written by members of the WBTS Governing Body (or someone selected by them to do it), edited by the WBTS GV, printed by the WBTS, and dispursed by the JW members. It has nothing really to do with being inspired of God. It is purely man's interpretations of the Bible, a bible which isn't even a good translation as it was translated by....who else but the WBTS Governing Body. GO FIGURE.

Answer 9

Fascinating question -- and answers. The word "editor" was not defined in the court proceedings, and is now free to interpret. No connection is made between editing and inspiration, so again, this is open to interpretation of those words. You would have to open up another trial to get to the bottom of this.

Answer 10

I like how some JWs say it is and some say it isn't.

Is that another example of their perfect unity?

Or it is just another example of them scrambling around like chickens when presented with real facts about the Watchtower Society?

Lovely

Answer 11

No it's not...only the Bible contains the inspired word of God.