Jesus Never Said the Slave Would Produce Perfect Spiritual Food?

In an attempt to explain the recurring pattern of changing doctrinal positions the February 2017 study edition of the Watchtower states:

“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction. In fact, the Watch Tower Publications Index includes the heading “Beliefs Clarified,” which lists adjustments in our Scriptural understanding since 1870. Of course, Jesus did not tell us that his faithful slave would produce perfect spiritual food. (The Watchtower February 2017 study edition pg. 26 par. 12)

On the surface this sounds like a humble acknowledgment of human error and a willingness to change when more correct information is brought to their attention. However, if anyone has been one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for any length of time it is well known that suggestions based on scriptural research are not received well by the governing body. Their claim to being guided by God means that changes in doctrine are only one-directional, from the top down. Anyone that disagrees would be viewed as rebelling against God’s arrangement.

Personally, I believe there is much scriptural evidence to support the understanding that Jesus’ illustration of the faithful and discreet slave, rather than applying to a select group of men forming a governing body over Christians today, instead applies to all Christians.[1]

But what about the statement that Jesus would appoint and be satisfied with the performance of a slave that would provide imperfect spiritual food? Just what is imperfect food anyway? Junk food? Does not the very thought lead one to think that a sustained diet on such a provision would be inadequate for building a healthy spirituality, even detrimental to one’s spiritual health? (1 Tim. 6:3, 2 Tim 1:13; 4:3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1) Would taking such a course line up with the teachings and the pattern set by Christ? Consider:

“A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly instructed will be like his teacher. Luke 6:40

Reasoning on this scripture, the September 15, 1960 issue of the Watchtower states:

 “A pupil is not above his teacher, but everyone that is perfectly instructed will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6:40) The evidence on the part of those instructed was in their being like the instructor. By this we see what it is that Jesus shows to be the evidence of the success of teaching: teaching thoroughly given and thoroughly received is manifest by the one who is taught being like the one who does the teaching. The fact of successful teaching is established by what the pupil says and does in being like the teacher. From Luke 6:45 we learned that the evidence of the treasure of the Christian heart is manifested through what the mouth speaks from the heart’s abundance.

⁵ Therefore, the treasure of a Christian heart is manifested by the possessor in being like his teacher in demonstrating the active quality and ability of teaching. The treasure includes this active quality and ability of teaching, and so is an art treasure, of the very highest art, the “art of teaching.”—2 Tim. 4:1, 2, NW; Parkhurst.

⁶ A “good man” is always a pupil, always learning. At the same time, like his teacher, he himself is always teaching. Jehovah’s witnesses realize the importance of being teachers, taking notice of Scriptural references to Jesus’ teaching, such as at Matthew 5:2, where it is recorded that Jesus “opened his mouth and began teaching them.” Jesus “took up teaching beside the sea . . . he began to teach them many things with illustrations and to say to them in his teaching.” (Mark 4:1, 2) Mark 9:31 states “he was teaching his disciples and telling them.”

⁷ This loving Teacher gave direct commands to Christians that they should teach, saying, “Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, . . . teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.”—Matt. 28:19, 20. (The Watchtower September 15, 1960 pgs. 564-565 pars. 4-7)

When on earth, Jesus did not provide faulty spiritual food. (John 6:27,68) Does it makes sense then that Jesus would commend a slave for teaching error? (2 John 9)

On his final night with his disciples Jesus prayed to his father in their behalf:

“Sanctify them by means of the truth; your word is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I also sent them into the world. And I am sanctifying myself in their behalf, so that they also may be sanctified by means of truth. “I make request, not concerning these only, but also concerning those putting faith in me through their word, so that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in union with me and I am in union with you, that they also may be in union with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. John 17:17-21

If a slave of Christ taught only the things Jesus commanded and did not go beyond that, how would it be possible to err in doctrinal matters and organizational direction? However, Jesus did warn of the appearance of false prophets. How could they be identified?

“Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit. A good tree cannot bear worthless fruit, nor can a rotten tree produce fine fruit. Every tree not producing fine fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men. “Not everyone saying to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will. Many will say to me in that day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and expel demons in your name, and perform many powerful works in your name?’ And then I will declare to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:15-23

The Watchtower comments:

The danger of being misled is great, so Jesus warns: “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves.” Even as good trees and bad trees can be recognized by their fruits, Jesus notes, false prophets can be recognized by their conduct and teachings. (The Watchtower November 15, 1986 pg. 9)

 “Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15) This description fitted the Pharisees perfectly. (Matthew 23:27, 28) They “seated themselves in the seat of Moses,” claiming to speak for God while following the traditions of men.—Matthew 23:2. (The Watchtower October 1, 1990 pg. 23 par. 9)

So, the identification of a false prophet could be made by an examination of the food or teachings they provide.

“For no fine tree produces rotten fruit, and no rotten tree produces fine fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For example, people do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they cut grapes off a thornbush. A good man brings good out of the good treasure of his heart, but a wicked man brings what is wicked out of his wicked treasure; for out of the heart’s abundance his mouth speaks. Luke 6:43-45

 “In a figurative sense those “fruits” would include what the false prophets would say in the way of teaching. In this regard, Jesus added: “A good man brings forth good out of the good treasure of his heart, but a wicked man brings forth what is wicked out of his wicked treasure; for out of the heart’s abundance his mouth speaks.”—Luke 6:45. (The Watchtower November 15, 1978 pg. 31)

Notice that Jesus does not say a fine tree produces some rotten fruit. He said that it produces no rotten fruit. Hence, in order to protect oneself from false prophets, it is important to identify the difference between fine fruit and rotten fruit.

Fine fruit would be teachings that are based on God’s Word not the doctrines of men. (Matt.15:9)

They would never need to be changed or updated. (1Pet. 24,25)

Those teaching them would be seeking not their own glory, but rather the glory and righteousness of God and Christ. (John 7:18)

Rotten fruit would be teachings of doctrines of men that, due to imperfection, would need to be changed or updated over time.

Those teaching them would tend to give prominence to and glorify the accomplishments of men.  

Oh and one more thing. I think it goes without saying that only an extremely naive person would continue dining at a restaurant after experiencing food poisoning because they were given the excuse they were never promised to be served perfect food.

But this naivety is precisely what the Watchtower society expects its members to display. Note this bold statement made in a 1981 issue of the Watchtower:

“If we have once established what instrument God is using as his “slave” to dispense spiritual food to his people, surely Jehovah is not pleased if we receive that food as though it might contain something harmful. We should have confidence in the channel God is using.” (The Watchtower February 15, 1981 pg. 19)

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[1] See the series “A Simpler Approach to the Faithful and Discreet Slave”