Critique Of Jehovah Witnesses Theology Religion Essay
The aim of this report is to give a brief overview of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and their mission to disprove the full deity of Jesus Christ. The Jehovah Witnesses under the guidance of the Watchtower Society believes that they are the sole earthly representative of God. They also believe that the Watchtower is the only organization that can correctly interpret the bible. The Jehovah Witnesses doctrinal views run contrary to the views of modern Christianity and therefore in the eyes of many, it is considered a cult. This report will show how with love and humility one could share the gospel of Jesus Christ with all members of this organization.
THE BEGINNING OF THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES
“The Watchtower Society was founded by Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916). He was raised in a Presbyterian family in Pennsylvania and as a young teen he was encouraged to pursue a career in Christian ministry.” No one really knows how long he was involved in the Presbyterian faith; however there were some doctrinal differences that he did not agree with. Russell had a problem with the doctrinal views of predestination and eternal punishment. After leaving the Presbyterian faith Russell became a Congregationalist. While a member of a Congregational church Russell is” heavily influenced by an Advent Christian Church preacher, Jonas Wendell. Wendell who was a respectable Advent preacher becomes Russell’s mentor. Wendell’s family was a part of the Great Disappointment of 1844. This particular group known as the Adventists was looking forward to the return of Christ which
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was predicted by William Miller a popular Baptist preacher.” Of course this did not happen. Russell was intrigued with this group so he further immersed himself into the group and they again awaited the return of Christ in 1874 again this prediction did not happened. In 1879 Russell left the Adventists. Sometime later he began publishing his own magazine called Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. Russell used his magazine as a means to spread his doctrinal view which included many of the “Adventists beliefs, such as rejecting the Trinity, eternal punishment, and the immortality of the soul.” As if that was not bad enough Russell also proclaimed that Christ’s invisible presence (not Christ’s physical return) began in 1874 and that the human government would end and paradise would be restored by 1914. It was not until 1931 under the direction of a new leader (Joseph Franklin Rutherford) did the Watchtower Society adapt the name The Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Joseph Franklin Rutherford can be credited with the development of the present – day hierarchical, or theocratic, organizational structure.”
CRITIQUE OF JEHOVAH WITNESSES
The Jehovah Witnesses believe that the Watchtower Society is the one and only true organization any other organization is of the devil. The believers must obey the Watchtower as
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the voice of God. “If you believe anything other than what the Society espouses, you are disfellowshipped, and all your former Witness friends cluck and wag their heads because you have been influenced by Satan.” There are many things wrong with the belief system of the Jehovah Witnesses, for one they deny the Trinity. Since the Trinity is not mentioned in the bible there is no basis for the Trinity. Believing that the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit are one is a pagan doctrine. They believe that “Jesus was the first and greatest of creation and they believe Jesus is the incarnation of Michael the Archangel.” The Jehovah Witnesses believe that God (Jehovah) and Jesus are two separate gods, with Jesus being an inferior god serving under God who is the only true God. The Jehovah Witnesses believe that the Holy Spirit is nothing more than God’s invisible force.” The Jehovah Witnesses deny the existence of hell and teach that only 144,000 people will go to heaven and they believe that only the Jehovah Witnesses will survive the Battle of Armageddon and the second coming of Christ.”
WITNESSING TO THE JEHOVAH WITNESSES
Known for their fast talking and at times confrontational manor witnessing to a Jehovah Witness can be intimidating and at times down right frightening. However, Christians are encouraged to use every opportunity to open their eyes to the truth and to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them. “When witnessing to a Jehovah Witness never forget that you are the
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child of God; you must maintain authority in the situation and not allow the Jehovah Witness to take control.” It is very critical that a positive attitude is always maintained. Keeping your cool could make or break the conversation. “After all Christians are called to share the good news of the gospel with them so they might be saved from destruction (Jude 3; 1 Peter 3:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20).”
CONCLUSION
“Seek the truth – Listen to the truth- Teach the truth – Love the truth – Abide by the truth- And defend the truth -Unto death. ” The desire of any Christian should be that everyone accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There is nothing wrong with having different views however; when that view goes against the word of God the job of the Christian is to show that person the error of their ways. This is done with love and humility and with much prayer.
