Presentations of Articles
From the articles that were handed to me, by you (Paul Hunter), from the elder King Hurst, we see the following points:
1) Jehovah God is using the organization (cf. Jehovah's Advancing Organization).
2) The direction from Jehovah to this organization is gleamed from within the pages of the Watchtower magazines (cf. How Jehovah Guides His People).
3) We need to carefully examine these writings with the Scriptures (Ibid).
4) These truths make us happy (cf.1975 Yearbook; pg.146-47).
From all of these articles, we are collectively told that Jehovah is indeed using the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society because of the following reasons:
1) 1954 WT/ Oct 15, pg.638 - Jehovah uses this organization because it is meek and teachable and it is not set and bound in its viewpoints.
2) 1954 WT/Oct 15, pg.639 - In fact, this ability to discard the errouneous as the light increases makes the difference between Jehovah's true worshippers and the false religions of Christendom...
3) 1962 WT/Dec 15, pg.762 - A false prophet does not correct himself. He presists in proclaiming a wrong view when he knows that it is wrong.
Jehovah God is indeed happy to use this organization because of the following reason:
1) 1962 WT/Dec 15, pg.763 - Under its direction they are doing what is fine in the eyes of God, and his spirit is prospering them...
God will make it known to this "faithful servant" class His will gradually as indicated in Questions from Readers (pg.35) - God's will would only gradually be made plain to his servants on earth, the "faithful and discreet slave" class...
Examination of these Claims
If one is to come to the conclusion (as clearly displayed by these articles handed to me), one would have to have these questions, that concern me greatly, answered biblically, for after all we are dealing on matters that are concerning Jehovah and His Word.
Questions concerning Articles From reading the articles printed off by the elder King Hurst concerning Johannes Greber, it seems apparently clear that the Watchtower (WT) is stating two very different points, which I have contention with both factually and biblically. They are:
1) The WT states clearly from the 1955 and '56 articles, that Greber is a spiritist who relied on the directions from the "spirit-world" in writing his 1937 New Testament. The WT shows (using Scripture, which I fully agree with in their positioning) that such an act of spiritism is an abomination in the eyes of Jehovah God (cf.Deut 18:10-13).
Note: I have included the full print out of the 1955 - 56 WT articles for your review so that you can clearly see what the position that was taken by the Society concerning Johannes Greber and his spiritism was.
(October 1, 1955 The Watchtower page 603): This next page seems to criticize the Catholic church for suggesting that some of its members have had communication with spirits that are in the next life. I see the question for paragraph 32 at the bottom of the page and it asks about messages from Christians that have died. Then in paragraph 33 it says that this belief, that one can receive information from Christians that have died, is really an invitation to spiritism. Then it mentions an ex-Catholic named Greber that got involved in spiritism and believed he was getting communication from God's spirit world. Is this article condemning all this or is it saying that it is alright to get information from Christians that have died? So if some Catholics believe that they have received communication from persons that have died and are now spirits, does God approve of that?
(February 15, 1956 The Watchtower pages 110, 111): This next article in paragraph 10 mentions a reference to Johannes Greber ("Yo-han-ness Gree-ber") and how he was a spirit medium that communicated with the spirit world. It also says he did a translation of the New Testament in 1937. The next paragraph quotes from his demonic Bible and says the spirits helped him do his translation. I am not sure, but I think they are condemning it, true?
2) The WT, in the 1962, '75, and '76 articles refers to Greber (a known spiritist by the WT - see point 1) as an authoriative translator of the Bible (as a sidenote - King Hurst unknowingly failed to include the other WT publications where Greber was cited therein i.e. Make Sure of All Things page 489; January 1, 1961 The Watchtower page 30; The Word Who is He? According to John (1962) page 5; *September 15, 1962 The Watchtower page 554; Aid to Bible Understanding (1971) pages 1134 and 1669; October 15, *1975 The Watchtower page 640; *April 15, 1976 The Watchtower page 231): This shows seven times that your church's (WTB&TS) publications (WT booklets, magazines & the Awake) referred to Greber's demonic Bible (* equals the time that the listing is recorded in the WT-CD)).
This first one is from a publication Make Sure of All Things, the 1965 edition. This quote says that modern translations make the meaning of John 1:1 clear. Then it lists three translations, one of them being Greber's demonic Bible. This puzzles me. Is it really alright to quote from a spirit medium's material if it makes the Bible clear? I thought the what we saw before said we should shun material from a demonic source, even if it appears to be true. Also, how can material written under demonic-control help make the Bible clear?
These other quotes all seem to be references where your church (WTB&TS) quoted Greber for support of their teachings. Does this mean that sometime after 1956, when your church condemned Greber, and before 1961, when they started quoting him for support, they changed their view of him?
3) In the 1983 WT article Questions from Readers, King Hurst points to (correct me if I am mistaken) the fact that the WT stopped using Greber as an authority on Bible translations "after" they found out about his connection to spiritism in the 1980 edition of his translation of his Bible "The New Testament".
My questions are:
a) Why would the WT say that they only knew of Greber's spiritism in 1980 when the facts show that the Society was aware of such in 1955, going at great lengths (which I fully agree with) to show that this man was outside of God's Word (cf.Deut 18:10-13)?
b) Isn't this an example of the WT proclaiming something that is characteristic of a false prophet as explained in their own publication (which you handed me) dated WT/62,pg.762?
c) Isn't this a case of Exodus 20:16? By stating that they (WT) only became aware of Greber in 1980 when the truth of the matter is that they were aware of his spiritism in 1955/56?
d) What about the contention in the 1962 WT/Dec 15/pg 763/paragraph 2 as stated? How does that compare with Deut 18:10-13? Is the WT doing what is "fine" in the eyes of God?
e) Does all of this describe to us what the 1954 WT article Questions from Readers paragraph 7 would have us to believe? Is Jehovah one to not follow His own Word, from calling one an abomination in His eyes, to then saying that such is now permissable? What does this all say about the article entitled "How Jehovah Guides His People"? Is this article credible?
f) The Watchtower puts out a book called a Index (located on the WT-CD) that has all their subject listings from 1930-1985. How come they only show that they used Greber two times, once in 62, when they first used him and again in 83, when they said that they found out that he was a spiritualist? What about all the other times they used him? How come they didn't list the 1955 or the 1956 W.T. or the Survival after death book? (Those said that Greber was a spiritualist).They hide the fact that they knew who he was, A Spiritualist! Sounds like a cover up to me!
Now since the organization has left out these references in their Index, when the average witness tries to look them up, he can't find them! It makes it very hard for him to check them out (unless one such as I point it out with the help of the WT-CD). Thanks to the organization!
In summary then, if I am to become a Jehovah's Witness (JWs), am I to believe that Jehovah changes His viewpoint on spiritism so as to give His If I am to hold to the belief that Jehovah doesn't change His viewpoint nor go against His Word (Bible) on this matter of spiritism, is my belief too strict from becoming a JWs?
In reading ' Revelation - Its Grand Climax At Hand! (1988) ', this next page is what puzzles me. In the question for paragraph 17 at the bottom of the page it asks "the fact that the elder could locate the answer suggests what?" Then in the paragraph the answer appears to be that your church (WTB&TS) leaders claim to receive communication from Christians that have died and are now spirits. Do you now believe that it is alright for your religious leaders to receive messages from spirits that have gone to the next life? Does God approve of that? Does this mean your church (WTB&TS) has changed its position on whether this is really spiritism? I don't mean to upset you but I am trying to understand this. If someone were at your meetings where this question 17a was asked and said that this is spiritism and it is wrong, would that person be welcome in your church (WTB&TS)?
I have been told before that sometimes there are mistakes made by the many of people who handle the releases of the Watchtower and Awake publications, as well as the many of booklets that the Watchtower publishes. I can understand all of that being true, but in light of this statement released by the Governing Body in dealing with such fears, they state:
"The literature...is published in the name of Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Regardless of who may write certain articles they are checked carefully by members of the Governing Body before they are
published. So they are properly viewed as coming from the Society. (WT 1959 October 1, pg. 607-608.)"
If this statement is truthful, as indicated, then doesn't that strongly argue against those using the arguement that some people may have made a 'slip'? It seems apparent that such was not the case, in fact one might very well conclude that the Governing Body knew actually what they were doing when it came to the matter of Greber, doesn't it to you appear to be this way as well?
Now, I am not trying to find fault with any church/affilation or organization, it is just that when a claim is made that the said church/affilation or organization (in this case the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) make the claim that they are the ones being used solely by Jehovah God, is it not proper to be through in examining this claim?
What I am wrestling with is what does the Bible say about this? The Bible tells about two Sauls. The first was King Saul, the second was Saul the Apostle to the nations. Both were divinely appointed to their position. Both were confronted with spiritistic testimonies. King Saul accepted the testimony but Acts 16:16-18 shows that the Apostle Saul rejected the testimony and would have nothing to do with it. King Saul was rejected by God but the Apostle Saul kept his right relationship with God. Now in 1962 - ?? when your church knowingly recommended the demonic book 1937 New Testament by Johannes Greber, who were they more like, the anointed king Saul or the anointed Apostle Paul?
I hope and pray that you are not offended by my remarks and questions, but like I said before, the search for TRUTH must not be compromised, even if our beliefs seem to be contrary.
Now, if all that wasn't enough, I found a statement in one of the WT articles that King Hurst printed off that clearly indicates a distortion of the facts.
In the article entitled "God Readjusts the thinking of His People" (Aug 15 1972) there is mentioned in the second paragraph, concerning the matter of Romans 13:1 ("superior authorities"), an "impression" that the biblical understanding "before" 1929 was different than the one that was accepted as truth "after" 1962. This you can clearly see for yourself by reading the article which I am referring too (note: I underlined for easier clarity/understanding).
I have for you some articles that have the stated WT position concerning Romans 13:1 "before" the changing viewpoint in 1929. Here you will clearly see how the "New Light" in 1962 was nothing more than a return to a once held translation of Romans 13:1 (note: these articles have the actual quotes from the WT showing their position, I hope/pray that you will take the time/effort to verify as I have done in presenting this to you this day).
Questions concerning Romans 13:1
1) Why would the WT, once again so it appears, distort the facts from its readers, to give the false impression that they have made progressive steps of understanding (cf.Proverbs 4:18 as to the WT understanding of this verse, as well as the article in question which uses the words: they held a different view , a correct understanding was gained , did result in a re-adjusted view , Jehovah does not change from one period to another), when the truth of the matter is that the WT has returned to a previous understanding of the same passage of Scripture?
2) How does this flip-flop of understanding compare to what is stated in the photocopies of WT articles that King Hurst gave us (WT Oct 15 1954 pg.639. paragraph 2, Yearbook pg. 147 last sentence)?
Again, if I am to become a JWs am I to believe that today's understanding/teachings/truths could be tomorrow's misunderstandings/misteachings/mistruths, but yet to only to become once again the "Truth"? Am I to believe that this is how Jehovah God gradually makes His will known to us (cf.Questions from Readers pg.351 paragraph 4)?
If I am to hold to the belief that Jehovah God is not a God of confusion, is this belief/viewpoint too strict and is not allowing me to become a JWs?
Conclusion
Now, I have raised some serious matters in which for me to accept the WT's claim of being the "faithful and discreet slave" class, which is the only one being used today by Jehovah God, must be addressed with as much effort/clarity/factual evidence/biblical support in which I have given here in raising these concerns.
If, you feel that such is a futile attempt to make, for one with so many points of contention must surely have an extreme hard time in looking past the facts to accept ideological conclusions, then I am for sorry to then conclude by saying that which is claimed by the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society has about as much credibility as that which is claimed by the Church of Latter Day Saints, or any other church/organization/affilation who claims as much.
However, if you (which I hope/pray that you decide to do) can offer up "any factual evidence" that shows that my discoveries/concerns are improperly based, then I will "immediately" drop the conclusion, which I unfortunately at this time am forced to reach, which is simply that the claims made by the WT are unmerited/unfactual and by carefully examining their writings with that of Scripture, unscriptural.
I seek to serve the true God of the Bible, and I know He requires loyalty and faithfulness to Him, so I need to be careful that I don't get deceived into following a church/affilation/organization that preaches a false Christ.
Things that I have been finding in the Societies literature make me want to check more carefully before making a commitment to such. I hope that you can understand the position that I am forced to take (cf.2 Corinthians 13:5,6) and in-so-doing believe that I will indeed find myself on the path that is narrow and that which leads to everlasting life.