Hello! Thank you for taking a little bit of time check out this website. This website's original intent examined the Jehovah’s Witness parent organization, the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society academically. How so? Quote examination. This is different from other websites that look critically at the organization. Other websites have been created that are supportive of the teachings of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Critical websites typically focus on doctrinal, organizational procedures, and practices within the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. However, the original main purpose is to not take a pro or anti-stance against the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society.
Part I
My involvement started in 2011. Witness came knocking at my door and try to convert me. It hasn't worked and they've come on and off for six years now (as of September 2017). One of the resources I noticed that was utilized was the book, Reasoning from the Scriptures (available as of December 17, 2017 on the Watchtower’s official website). As I examined it, I noticed a pattern for the places that were quoted from. These resources have ellipses (three periods in quick succession).
One of the things I did was to find this original material. I wanted to personally see what information was left out. Some information I noticed it would go against what the organization taught. This in addition to the authors being cited. There secular and religious authors. When it comes to the latter, I noticed they had beliefs that did not line up with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society-at all. What I personally found was material being selectively citied to support the Watchtower's position.
After looking through various quotes out of the book Reasoning from the Scriptures, this led to an investigation of the brochure entitled Should You Believe In The Trinity?
This brochure no longer printed or distributed for public use. As an individual who was written papers before both in high school and in college, I noticed that there were many citations that were not properly referenced. After researching further as to what the original author believed, I noticed that there information was selectively cited as well to support the Watchtower position. This was a direct contrast to what the original author did believe. Those are some things that I had noticed.
Within this section, I am not here to declare that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Writing Department is right or wrong, I am merely stating my observations. The big overarching question to ask as you research and review the information contained within the website deals with academic honesty-Is the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society Writing Department academically honest? This can only be answered as YOU personally look through the website and see the surrounding context of the information given as you see information dealing specifically with the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society's Writing Department as they write material and the “Faithful and Discreet Slave” which approves this written material. I've since expanded as I've got more things to speak about.
Part II
I've read some "old light" put out by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (roughly 11,000 pages as of October 2017). I have written some regarding Watchtower History. I will attempt to compare old light to new light for various topics. Much of the information can be downloaded at the Internet Archive. Information is contained within the “Quotes” section.
Part III
I’ve met with a Jehovah’s Witness elder and another from the “rank and file” for just over a year starting in 2016 into late summer of 2017 (the elder and I have a multi-year relationship). I’ve attempted to capture as much information in our dialogue back and forth with the basis of the conversation being “What Does the Bible Really Teach?” The inspiration behind this approach is Keith Walker of Evidence Ministries. His series was extremely fascinating and you can read about it at the Evidence Ministries Blog. My series is in the section: "Bible Teach Study." For those who are evangelical Christians and wish to see how one can work with a Witness, you can see what works and questions I asked. Here was my approach:
- The Bible (specifically verses in the New World Translation that haven’t been altered)
- Wilbur Lingle’s “Response To What Does the Bible Really Teach?”
- “Old light”
- Questions based on what they'd say
If you are an evangelical Christian looking at getting involved with counter cult apologetics, what you see may be of help since you all Witnesses are “programmed” to think the same and these questions posed will be useful for you.
Part IV
I’ve had some periodic updates regarding the latest iteration of the “Armageddon Project.” If you are familiar with the Watchtower and it’s history, you are probably aware that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society has predicted the Armageddon was “scheduled” to occur within the following years (Adventist groups “love” dates):
- 1914
- 1918
- 1925
- 1941
- 1975
Along with that, there have been some times that have been a little ambiguous. They include:
- Within this generation (the generation teaching has changed numerous times)
- Armageddon is just around the corner
- Armageddon is “soon” to happen
- End of the 20th century (The Nations Shall Know I’m Jehovah-How? published in 1971)
Since this website focuses on changes, here are the changes in usage of Armageddon:
- Control mechanism to garner more effort
- Prevent having children
- Keep people “on the edge” of their seats
With that thought in mind and in my readings, I’ve had a bit of a question-how often much does this word occur and how important is it? All organizations have identifying marks. Logos, practices, standards of conduct, etc. Aside from the door to door ministry, I’ve personally come to realize the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society uses Armageddon as an identifying mark. With that in mind, I’ve been going through every piece of Watchtower literature I have and am doing my best to document this singular word that is mentioned once in the bible (Revelation 16:16) yet has become central to Watchtower Bible and Tract Society theology. I’m not completely done, but I want to start getting this on out to you. I’ve been working for over a year and trust that you’ll find this interesting as well.
The goal is to release one year’s worth of material a week and I focused solely on publications that have the term “Armageddon.” Here is the tentative schedule for the section entitled "Armageddon":
- Monday-Watchtower Magazine
- Tuesday-Golden Age/Consolation/Awake
- Wednesday-Book study
- Thursday-Brochure/Booklets
- Friday-Other publications
I trust that as you look around this little portion of the internet, you can learn something you never knew before. If you have any questions/comments/concerns, please feel free to reach out to me. My email address is: watchtowerofjehovahswitness@mail.com.
Kindest Regards,
Sean
P.S. In the event that some person raises a “fuss,” all material is released in accordance with the Fair Use Act of 1976 Section 107.