Is the Watchtower society a false prophet?
In the previous article we noted the statement made in The Watchtower February 2017 study edition on page 26 paragraph 12:
“The Governing Body is neither inspired nor infallible. Therefore, it can err in doctrinal matters or in organizational direction.”
However, a careful review of the organization’s history reveals numerous statements giving the strong impression that the information they provide is not of human origin but comes from a divine source. Note the following:
C. T. Russell called himself “God’s mouthpiece” -The Watchtower July 15, 1906 page 229.Gods-MouthpieceDOWNLOAD
It can be seen that even as early as 1906 C.T. Russell made the mistake of equating light with a gradual increasing of biblical knowledge from God.
J. F. Rutherford declared that angels deliver what is published. -Preparation 1933 pages 36-37, 64.Preparation-pgs-36-37DOWNLOAD
The Watchtower publishes “no man’s opinion”. -The Watchtower November 1, 1931 page 327 paragraph 19; March 15, 1936 page 85 paragraph 13.No-mans-opinionDOWNLOAD
Nothing is interpreted but the interpretation comes from God and is then published. -The Watchtower July 1, 1943 pages 202-203 paragraph 34.
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“It is vital that we appreciate this fact and respond to the directions of the ‘slave’ as we would to the voice of God, because it is His provision.” -The Watchtower June 15, 1957 page 370 paragraph 7.
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“The ‘slave’ class has served as God’s sole collective channel for the flow of Biblical truth to men on earth. Just as the early Christian congregation collectively served as the channel of communication from heaven to earth, so in our time.” -The Watchtower July 15, 1960 page 439.
“As Jehovah revealed his truths by means of the first-century Christian congregation so he does today by means of the present-day Christian congregation. Through this agency he is having carried out prophesying on an intensified and unparalleled scale. All of this activity is not an accident. Jehovah is the one behind all of it.” -The Watchtower June 15, 1964 page 365.
The organization is “spirit directed” -The Watchtower March 1, 1988 page 10, and “God’s channel.” -The Watchtower January 15, 1969 page 51; July 15, 1960 pages 439, 442.
“Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God’s holy spirit or active force. -Zechariah 4:6. Only this organization functions for Jehovah’s purpose and to his praise. To it alone God’s Sacred Word, the Bible, is not a sealed book. Many persons of the world are very intelligent, capable of understanding complex matters. They can read the Holy Scriptures, but they cannot understand their deep meaning. Yet God’s people can comprehend such spiritual things. Why? Not because of special intelligence on their part, but as the apostle Paul declared: “For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God.” -1 Corinthians 2:10. Jesus Christ praised his heavenly Father for ‘hiding such things from the wise and intellectual ones but revealing them to babes.’ -Matthew 11:25. How very much true Christians appreciate associating with the only organization on earth that understands the “deep things of God”!’ ” -The Watchtower July 1, 1973 page 402 paragraph 4.
“When did Jesus appoint the faithful slave over his domestics? To answer that, we need to go back to 1914—the beginning of the harvest season. As we learned earlier, at that time many groups claimed to be Christian. From which group would Jesus select and appoint the faithful slave? That question was answered after he and his Father came and inspected the temple, or spiritual arrangement for worship, from 1914 to the early part of 1919. -Malachi 3:1. They were pleased with a small band of loyal Bible Students who showed that their heart was with Jehovah and his Word. Of course, they needed some cleansing, but they humbly responded during a brief period of testing and refining. -Malachi 3:2-4. Those faithful Bible Students were true Christian wheat. In 1919, a time of spiritual revival, Jesus selected capable anointed brothers from among them to be the faithful and discreet slave and appointed them over his domestics. -The Watchtower July 15, 2013 pages 22-23 paragraph 12.
Notice three points made in this article. First, in 1919 the appointment of the slave was over the domestics. Second, the reason given for the Bible student’s selection by God and Jesus at that time was that they showed that their heart was with Jehovah and his Word. Third, even though they needed some cleansing, they were humble and responded favorably.
This is a different explanation from what was given in the past. In previous articles about the selection of the faithful and discreet slave in 1919 it was said that:
- Jesus appointed them over all his earthly belongings.
- It was due to their providing good quality spiritual food.
“In this time of the end, Christ has committed “all his belongings”—all the earthly interests of the Kingdom—to his “faithful and discreet slave” and its representative Governing Body, a group of anointed Christian men. -Matthew 24:45-47. -The Watchtower September 15, 2010 page 23 paragraph 8.
The basis was that the message at that time was “accurate and well founded” -Revelation It’s Grand Climax at Hand! 1989 page 164 paragraph 13.
“the serving of food, the right sort of food, at the proper time was the issue. It had to be according to this that a decision must be rendered by the returned master.” -God’s Kingdom of a Thousand Years Has Approached 1973 page 350 paragraph 40.
However, in 2013 that has been adjusted:
“In the past, our publications have said the following: At Pentecost 33 C.E., Jesus appointed the faithful slave over his domestics. The slave represents all anointed Christians on earth as a group at any one time since then. The domestics refer to the same anointed ones as individuals. In 1919, Jesus appointed the faithful slave “over all his belongings”—all his earthly Kingdom interests. However, further careful study and prayerful meditation indicate that our understanding of Jesus’ words about the faithful and discreet slave needs to be clarified. -Proverbs 4:18 (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 page 20 paragraph 3.
“What do “all [Jesus’] belongings” include? Jesus did not qualify the word “all,” as if to limit his belongings to earthly things. In fact, Jesus has vast heavenly authority. “All authority has been given me in heaven and on the earth,” he said. -Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20-23. His belongings now include the Messianic Kingdom, which has belonged to him since 1914 and which he will share with his anointed followers.—Revelation 11:15 (The Watchtower July 15, 2013 pages 24-25 paragraph 17)
If the choice made by Jesus in 1919 depended on which of all the organizations claiming to be Christian at the time was producing the right sort of food, it would simply be a matter of examining what sort of food was being provided by the Watchtower society in order to verify if their claim to being the faithful and discreet slave was valid.
But with the adjusted explanations the criteria of judgement has changed. This means the “old light” provided up until 1919 can no longer be considered as something for us to determine whether Christ would have selected them. It is now understood that what mattered to him was that their heart was with Jehovah and that they were humble. This enables the society to sidestep the many errors and false predictions up until 1919.
Why then do they need to prove that Jesus was guiding them by holy spirit during that time?
The book God’s Kingdom Rules states:
“…the Bible Students spent decades pointing out that the year 1914 would be significant in fulfilling Bible prophecy. However, at that time they believed that Christ’s presence had begun in 1874, that he had begun to rule in heaven in 1878, and that the Kingdom would not be fully set up until October 1914. The harvest would extend from 1874 to 1914 and would culminate in the gathering of the anointed to heaven. Do mistaken ideas such as these cast doubt on whether Jesus was guiding those faithful ones by means of holy spirit? Not at all! -God’s Kingdom Rules page 50 paragraphs 5-6.
It has been explained that, according to Jesus illustration of the wheat and weeds, since they were not yet in the harvest season, the Bible students were not the channel Jesus was using to give food to the domestics. This must mean that they were wheat among weeds. But what is it that constitutes them as wheat if what they were teaching was not the truth? Still he apparently was guiding them during all that time. But what evidence is there for the guidance?
The book continues:
“…Would the premature ideas and eager questions of the tourists cast doubt on the reliability of their guide? Hardly! Similarly, although God’s people sometimes try to work out details of Jehovah’s purpose before it is time for the holy spirit to guide them to such truths, it is clear that Jesus is leading them. Thus, faithful ones prove willing to be corrected and humbly adjust their views.—James 4:6 (God’s Kingdom Rules page 50 paragraph 6)
Again, it is stated that their humility is what Jesus noted and what gained his approval. But notice the statement that during that time they were trying to work out details of Jehovah’s purpose before it was time for the holy spirit to guide them. Thus it is clear that it was their own human reasoning that got them into difficulty. Despite this, it is said that Jesus was leading them.
How is it possible for Jesus to be leading them but not guiding them?
Then as he made his inspection of all Christian religions in 1919, he selected a group that had a decades long history of presumptuously running ahead of the holy spirit and rewarded them for their humility.
The doublespeak is absolutely amazing!
Is this evidence of humility? After 1919, did the Watchtower society repent of the tendency to presumptuously run ahead of the holy spirit? Did they cease trying to work out the details before it was time?
At the time Christ supposedly appointed the “slave” in 1919 it was right in the middle of the campaign Millions Now Living Will Never Die. This was published as a book in 1920 and taught:
“We may confidently expect that 1925 will mark the return of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the faithful prophets of old.” -pages 89-90.
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The society claims that this was a message “Jehovah caused to be preached”! -The Watchtower November 15, 1955 page 698 paragraph 36.The-Watchtower-Nov-15-1955-pg-698DOWNLOAD
In his life story Karl Klein related a confession made by J. F. Rutherford:
“Regarding his misguided statements as to what we could expect in 1925, he once confessed to us at Bethel, “I made an ass of myself.” -The Watchtower October 1, 1984 page 24.
In an article entitled “Why Are You Looking Forward to 1975” it was stated:
“One thing is absolutely certain, Bible chronology reinforced with fulfilled Bible prophecy shows that six thousand years of man’s existence will soon be up, yes, within this generation! -Matthew 24:34. This is, therefore, no time to be indifferent and complacent. This is not the time to be toying with the words of Jesus that “concerning that day and hour nobody knows, neither the angels of the heavens nor the Son, but only the Father.” -Matthew 24:36. To the contrary, it is a time when one should be keenly aware that the end of this system of things is rapidly coming to its violent end (The Watchtower August 15, 1968 pages 500-501 paragraph 35)
Yet when that year passed by uneventfully it had to be admitted that this building up of excitement was wrong. Four years later, the Watchtower finally printed a statement that addressed the issue:
“With the appearance of the book Life Everlasting—in Freedom of the Sons of God, and its comments as to how appropriate it would be for the millennial reign of Christ to parallel the seventh millennium of man’s existence, considerable expectation was aroused regarding the year 1975. There were statements made then, and thereafter, stressing that this was only a possibility. Unfortunately, however, along with such cautionary information, there were other statements published that implied that such realization of hopes by that year was more of a probability than a mere possibility. It is to be regretted that these latter statements apparently overshadowed the cautionary ones and contributed to a buildup of the expectation already initiated. In its issue of July 15, 1976, The Watchtower, commenting on the inadvisability of setting our sights on a certain date, stated: “If anyone has been disappointed through not following this line of thought, he should now concentrate on adjusting his viewpoint, seeing that it was not the word of God that failed or deceived him and brought disappointment, but that his own understanding was based on wrong premises.” In saying “anyone,” The Watchtower included all disappointed ones of Jehovah’s Witnesses, hence including persons having to do with the publication of the information that contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date. -The Watchtower March 15, 1980 pages 17-18 paragraphs 5-6.
The article referred to is entitled “A Solid Basis for Confidence” in The Watchtower July 15, 1976 page 441 paragraph 15.
Obviously this cannot be viewed as the light getting brighter. Would a slave be considered faithful and discreet if he published sensational statements that were able to overshadow some cautionary ones? Is double-speak an evidence of trustworthiness? Initially in 1976 the society said the reason for anyone’s disappointment was that “his own understanding was based on wrong premises”. If this is not an attempt to lay the blame on the rank and file witnesses for coming to the wrong conclusions from statements both published and spoken, then it is an admission that those responsible for the publication of the information that contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date were presumptuously trying to work out the details of Jehovah’s purpose before it was time for the holy spirit to guide them. Additionally it must be asked, why did it take four years for the slave to admit he was wrong? Is this evidence of humility?
During the 2017 Regional Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a video entitled: “Cultivate Qualities That Promote Endurance” was played. At the 13:17 minute mark was a scene depicting a brother reminiscing about a time in his past when he faced a serious test. He relates:
“You see, back then some were looking to a certain date as signifying the end of this old system of things. A few even went so far as selling their homes and quitting their jobs. I admit, I was ready to see this old system go away too. But something just didn’t seem right. Both at meetings and in my personal study, I was reminded of what Jesus said: “Nobody knows the day or hour. I was dedicated to Jehovah, not a date. After that year came and went, most of those who had wrong expectations made the needed adjustments and they stayed. We didn’t run away and we didn’t give up. We trusted in Jehovah.”
Why was it presented as if a few publishers had wrong expectations and needed to adjust their thinking? Why was it not mentioned, as it was in the 1980 Watchtower, that even persons having to do with the publication of the information contributed to the buildup of hopes centered on that date?
Would a slave be considered faithful and discreet if he covered over uncomplimentary conduct in his past and provided a less than accurate picture so as to gain favor with the public?
In an article entitled: “Why Be Truthful?” The February 1, 2007 Watchtower states:
“Another factor behind lying is fear—fear of the consequences or of what others may think if the truth is told. It is only natural that people wish to be liked or accepted by others. This desire, however, can move them to distort the truth, even if only a little, in order to cover up shortcomings, to hide unflattering details, or simply to leave a good impression. -The Watchtower February 1, 2007 page 5.
Israelite King David recognized that such conduct would not win God’s approval:
I do not associate with deceitful men, And I avoid those who hide what they are (Psalm 26:4)
The history of the Watchtower society is riddled with examples of the “slave” presumptuously running ahead of the master, making bold prophetic claims that in their time were used to strengthen the unity of the organization, spark greater momentum for the preaching work and thus increase numerical growth. The following is a brief review of some of the bold predictions made prior to 1919:
“The ‘Time of the end,’ a period of one hundred and fifteen (115) years, from A.D. 1799 to A.D. 1914 is particularly marked in the Scriptures.” -Thy Kingdom Come 1891 page 23.
“Bible prophecy shows that the Lord was due to appear for the second time in 1874. Fulfilled prophecy shows beyond a doubt that he did appear in 1874.” -The Watchtower November 1, 1922 page 333.
“we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophesy that as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the ‘battle of the great day of God Almighty’ (Revelation 18:14)…will end in A.D. 1915, with the complete overthrow of earth’s present rulership … .” -The Time Is At Hand 1889 page 101.
The setting up of the kingdom in 1878 was proclaimed until the 1930’s![1]
Today the dates 1799, 1874 and 1878 no longer hold any prophetic significance for Jehovah’s Witnesses. Only the date 1914 is held on to. How does the society report on these pre-1919 predictions?
“The prophetic chronology contained at Daniel 4:10-17, 20-27 points to 1914 as the time for Jesus to begin ruling in the midst of his enemies (Psalm 110:2) For decades in advance, anointed Christians keenly awaited that year. The first world war and accompanying woes on mankind furnished proof that Jesus was indeed enthroned as King in 1914 (The Watchtower July 1, 1996 page 19 paragraph 18)
“Decades in advance searching Bible students had pointed forward to 1914 as the Biblically marked date. But when the accuracy of the time was confirmed by world events fulfilling Bible prophecy, our conviction too of what had taken place in the invisible heavens became overwhelming. -The Watchtower October 15, 1966 page 619 paragraph 24.
Decades in advance, Bible students proclaimed that there would be significant developments in 1914. What were these, and what evidence points to 1914 as such an important year?…
Just as Jesus predicted, his “presence” as heavenly King has been marked by dramatic world developments—war, famine, earthquakes, pestilences. -Matthew 24:3-8; Luke 21:11. Such developments bear powerful testimony to the fact that 1914 indeed marked the birth of God’s heavenly Kingdom and the beginning of “the last days” of this present wicked system of things.—2 Timothy 3:1-5. -What Does the Bible Really Teach? Page. 215-218.
According to these quotes what would you say the Bible students proclaimed decades in advance?
The May 15, 1995 article on page 21 gives the impression that in 1962 the society got a bright flash of light that subjection to the “superior authorities” of Romans 13 is relative not absolute. However in 1886 such subjection was viewed as relative. -The Divine Plan of the Ages page 266.
The May 15, 1995 Watchtower calls Russell and his followers “part of the faithful and discreet slave” and “those Jehovah used” and “anointed”. -page 17 paragraph 7. Also: “they took no credit to themselves. …All credit went to God.”
This misleads since Rutherford claimed that Russell was the “slave” not “part of”. Now it is no longer accepted that Russell is even part of the slave, since it is now understood that he lived prior to the harvest season. The slave was not chosen until 1919.
There are other examples of the same tendency to presumptuously run ahead of the holy spirit. For example:
“…vaccination is a direct violation of the law of Jehovah God.” -The Golden Age April 24 1935 page 471.
Yet this was changed in 1952:
After consideration of the matter, it does not appear to us to be in violation of the everlasting covenant made with Noah, as set down in Genesis 9:4, nor contrary to God’s related commandment at Leviticus 17:10-14. Most certainly it cannot reasonably or Scripturally be argued and proved that, by being vaccinated, the inoculated person is either eating or drinking blood and consuming it as food or receiving a blood transfusion. -The Watchtower December 15, 1952 page 764.
The understanding of the light getting brighter has itself received brighter light:
In 1881 Russell wrote:
“If we were following a man undoubtedly it would be different with us; undoubtedly one human idea would contradict another and that which was light one or two or six years ago would be regarded as darkness now: But with God there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning, and so it is with truth; any knowledge or light coming from God must be like its author. A new view of truth never can contradict a former truth . “New Light” never extinguishes older “light” but adds to it” -Zion’s Watch Tower February 1881 page 3.
The July 1, 1976 Watchtower says:
“as the light of understanding shines even brighter, old ideas have been replaced. Now, in these 1970s, it can truly be said that ‘the day is firmly established’ among Jehovah’s people.” -July 1, 1976 page 400.
It is amazing that this could be said one year after what was expected to happen in 1975 did not occur!” Additionally, many things have changed since then. For example since 1980 organ transplants stopped being “unscriptural”, since 1990 blood fractions are no longer prohibited and since 2010 “this generation” of 1914 is now not one generation but an overlapping of multiple generations!
Is it wise to put your trust in men who attach the name of God to errors calling it light from God and who then keep changing this so-called “bright spiritual light”? Why do 8.5 million persons keep doing so?
One reason is repetition. Repetition that has an almost hypnotizing strobe light effect on the mind. As already mentioned the May 15 article calls society’s doctrines “light” about 60 times. In the course of a year Watchtower society doctrine is called “light”, “education”, “accurate knowledge”, “truth”, “genuine Christianity”, “loyal to God’s word”, and similar things several thousand times! Contrastingly, others in Christendom are always summed up negatively “apostate”, “Babylonish”, “deceitful”, “fraudulent”, “false”, etc., thousands of times yearly. Also Jehovah’s Witnesses are admonished to shun all who criticize them or their publications.
The leaders of the society claim to be a prophet. -The Watchtower January 15 1959 pages 40-41; The Watchtower April 1 1972 page 197.
To claim to be God’s prophet and then hide behind Proverbs 4:18 when prophecies fail is either dishonest double-speak, self-delusion or both. What truly saddens me is that I believe those making such predictions really believe they are guided by God. They have told themselves this thousands of times, thus hypnotizing themselves and seizing upon any growth in numbers, technological advancements, increase in languages reached or building accomplishments as proof of God’s blessing. But all of this is to no avail if it is not founded on the only inspired word of truth that has been given to men. -Psalm 127:1; Matthew 7:21-23. Since the Bible says that prophets who make false predictions in God’s name deserve death it is absolutely imperative to “not go beyond the things that are written.” -Deuteronomy 18:21-22; Jeremiah 28:1-17; 1 Corinthians 4:6.
“For God is the one who said: “Let the light shine out of darkness,” and he has shone on our hearts to illuminate them with the glorious knowledge of God by the face of Christ.” -2 Corinthians 4:6.
The apostle Paul compares the gaining of knowledge by the face of Christ to light. (2 Cor. 4:4) But in so doing, he does not quote either Psalm 97 or Proverbs 4:18. Rather he refers to God’s calling light into being. (Gen. 1:3) Such knowledge is not limited to an elite class but is available to all Christians by means of the good news taught by Jesus and his disciples in the scriptures. Once that light has been revealed there is no need for future adjustments.
The changing interpretations that the leaders of the organization describe as the light getting brighter is more like chasing a mirage. Just when you get close enough to examine it, it disappears. They excuse themselves by claiming, after all, they did not create the mirage. It really looked like water and palm trees in the distance. But after recovering from the disillusionment they go on to make bold pronouncements about another oasis off in the distance, or rather “just around the corner”. How many times does this have to happen before one finally figures out that putting complete trust in such men is just following an unreliable guide through a desert?
Our trust should be placed not in fallible men but in God’s word.
“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place (until day dawns and a daystar rises) in your hearts. For you know this first, that no prophecy of Scripture springs from any private interpretation. For prophecy was at no time brought by man’s will, but men spoke from God as they were moved by holy spirit.” -2 Peter 1:19-21.
All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)
In his life story “Losing a Father—Finding a Father” published in the July 15, 2014 Watchtower, governing body member Gerrit Losch relayed the following experience:
“The Roman Catholic teaching of apostolic succession claims that there is an unbroken succession of popes in a line extending all the way back to the apostle Peter (The church misinterprets Jesus’ words that are quoted at Matthew 16:18, 19) Catholicism also claims that the pope is infallible in matters of doctrine when he speaks ex cathedra, or in an official capacity. I believed this and thought that if the pope, whom Catholics call Holy Father, is infallible in doctrinal matters and has proclaimed the Trinity to be true, then it must be true. But if he is not infallible, then the doctrine may be false. No wonder that for many Catholics the teaching of apostolic succession is the most important teaching, since the correctness or incorrectness of other Catholic teachings hinges on it!
When I visited the priest, he could not answer my questions, but he pulled from his shelf a book on Catholic doctrine that dealt with apostolic succession. I took it home, as he suggested, read it, and returned with more questions. Finally the priest, not being able to answer my questions, said: “I cannot convince you, and you cannot convince me. – I wish you the best!” He did not want to have any more discussions with me.” -The Watchtower July 15, 2014 pages 18-19.
Although the pope claims infallibility his claim to be Peter’s successor based on Matthew 16:18,19 can be wrong according to Gerrit Losch. But the governing body, even though they do not claim infallibility cannot be mistaken in their claim to be the faithful and discreet slave based on Matthew 24:45-47.
Amazingly, in an article in the February 1st 2013 issue, The Watchtower praises a Mormon who examined his beliefs in light of the Bible and left the Mormon church.
The young man wanted to become a Mormon missionary but was encouraged to study the Bible with his aunt and uncle who were Jehovah’s Witnesses. He writes:
“During our Bible discussions over the phone, my aunt and uncle always encouraged me to compare my beliefs with Bible teachings. They wanted me to prove the truth to myself. There were many things about the Mormon faith that I had accepted, but I wasn’t really sure how the Scriptures compared with those ideas. My aunt sent me the November 8, 1995, issue of the Awake! magazine, published by Jehovah’s Witnesses, which included some articles on the Mormon faith. I was surprised that I wasn’t familiar with many of the Mormon teachings. That moved me to search through the official Mormon Web site to confirm that what was stated in Awake! was factual. It was, and those facts were further confirmed when I visited Mormon museums in Utah.
I had always believed that the Book of Mormon and the Bible complemented each other. But when I began to read the Bible in earnest, I noticed contradictions between Mormon teachings and statements in the Bible. For example, at Ezekiel 18:4, the Bible says that the soul dies. However, the Book of Mormon, at Alma 42:9, states: “The soul could never die.”
I dug deeper into the teachings of my faith and also consulted with responsible Mormon Church leaders. I was told that the answers to my questions involved mysteries that one day would be solved as the light became brighter.
Disappointed by their explanation, I looked more closely at myself and my reason for wanting to become a Mormon missionary.”[2]
If this man were one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and approached the elders of his congregation with serious questions about apparent contradictions between the society’s teachings and statements in the Bible what would they tell him? How would they feel about his reading literature about Jehovah’s Witnesses from an outside source? If, because of not receiving a satisfactory explanation, he felt he could no longer attend meetings, how would he be viewed? All Jehovah’s Witnesses know that such critical thinking is discouraged as evidence of pride and rebelliousness. It is seen as showing an unthankful, unappreciative attitude for the increasing light that is being provided by Jesus Christ through his faithful and discreet slave.
We have now reached the end of this series “A Simpler Approach to the Faithful and Discreet Slave”. Part 1 attempted to outline, by sticking with the context of Jesus discussion, that this parable, like the parables of the minas, the talents, the ten virgins and the householder contained a simple yet powerful and important lesson for each Christian to remain alert and awake while using his talents and abilities to unselfishly help others and daily aim to be an example of what it means to be Christian because of not knowing when in the future his master would arrive. The other 8 parts were spent examining the interpretation offered by the Watchtower society along with its many changes and adjustments through time. Have you drawn your conclusion as to which is in harmony with the scriptures?
I hope you found this series enlightening. If you feel I have mis-characterized the society or have misrepresented the Bible in any way please let me know. I sincerely welcome your comments.
[1] See The Watchtower September 15, 1931 page 283 also The Watchtower June 1, 1933 page 174
[2] See The Watchtower February 1, 2013 pages 8-9 “The Bible Changes Lives”