Gen. 40v20 [18]; Ex. 20v12; Deut. 5v16, 6v4; Ps. 90v2 [54], 93v5, 111v7-8, 119v160; Is. 9v6 [25]; Mal. 3v6; Mt. 10v38 [22], 14v6 [18], 15v4-6, 16v24 [22], 19v19, 24v35; Mk. 7v10, 8v34 [22], 13v32 [61|62]; Lk. 2v8-11 [26], 9v23 [22], 14v27 [22], 18v20; Jn. 5v23 [43], 10v7-9, v25, 18v36; Acts 1v8 [2], 4v12 [27], 7v59 [10]; 1 Cor. 1v2 [9], v18 [23], 8v6 [36], 11v26 [38]; Gal. 5v11 [22], 6v14 [22]; Eph. 6v2; Philip. 3v18 [22]; 2 Tim. 3v15; Heb. 2v5 [57], 5v9; 1 Pt. 1v23; Rev. 1v2, 5v11-14 [10], 7 [13], 14 [13], 19v1 [16]
Introduction
The following is a response to "Quick Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses" [1] by Keith of Evidence Ministries.
To clarify: I am NOT a Jehovah's Witness [8], nor opposed to Keith's ministry. The following is simply the result of my personal attempt at gleaning and crystallizing from Keith's videos, that which is useful and that which isn't - to 'test all things, and keep what is good' (1 Thess. 5v21 and Acts 17v11).
Finally, I must also confess that my knowledge of the Jehovah's Witnesses are fairly limited, unlike Keith's.
Response
Why do you insist on being called 'Jehovah's Witnesses', if Jesus said you are to be His witnesses in Acts chapter 1 verse 8? [2]
This is NOT a question I will ask JWs, because Revelation Chapter 1 Verse 2 makes it clear that we ought to be witnesses "to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ" (Rev. 1v2, ESV). Hence, we are to be both, God's Witnesses and Christ's Witnesses. Furthermore, Christ Himself witnessed in His Father's Name. (Jn. 10v25)
Can you provide one scriptural example of Jesus addressing God in prayer as 'Jehovah'? [3]
This is NOT a question I will ask JWs, even though God's Hebrew name, "Jehovah", does not appear anywhere in the Greek New Testament.
Let me explain.
The JWs "New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures" [4] translated the words "God" and "Lord" as "Jehovah" "237 times in the New Testament" [4]. I don't have a problem with that for the following reasons:
I. If God's name was "Jehovah" in the Old Testament, and we are serving the same God, then I guess His name would still be "Jehovah".
II. Their translation is not the only one to translate "God" and "Lord" as "Jehovah". The Messianic Jewish translation of The Scriptures (TS) [5] did exactly the same, because:
"... it does not continue in the tradition of substituting the Name of the Father and of the Son with names ascribed to gentile (pagan) deities. All the names of deities which in the past have been ascribed to the Father, the Son, and even used when engaged in worship, have been avoided. One of the post-exilic-apostasies of Orthodox Judaism was the avoidance of the Name of the Almighty, the so-called Tetragrammaton, (the four lettered Name, 
)." [6]
Why did JWs refer to the Watchtower as the truth, when Jesus said that He was the way, the truth and the life? [7]
This is NOT a question that I will ask JWs, because they will logically conclude that those biblical truths, contained within the Watchtower's pages, remains 'the truth', no matter where it is to be found.
If calling upon the name of Jehovah means to pray to Jehovah, then what does it mean when Christians called upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in first Corinthians 1:2? [9]
Good question, because Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that "For our prayers to be heard, we must pray only to Jehovah through his Son" [12]. They are being "taught to pray to Jehovah the Father and not to Jesus the Son" [10], because they reject the Divinity of Christ [11].
One could also ask: "If Jesus isn't God, why did First Century Christians pray to Him in Acts Chapter 7 Verse 59 [10] and First Corinthians Chapter 1 Verse 2 [9]?" and "Why is He worshipped along with the Father in Revelation Chapter 5 Verses 11 to 14 [10]?"
Even their own Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, confirm Prayer and Worship to Christ.
"And they went on casting stones at Stephen as he made appeal and said: 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit'." (Acts 7v59, NWT)
"... to the congregation of God that is in Corinth, to you who have been sanctified in union with Christ Jesus, called to be holy ones, together with all who everywhere are calling upon the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:..." (1 Cor. 1v2, NWT)
"And I saw, and I heard a voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: 'The Lamb that was slaughtered is worthy to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.' And every creature that is in heaven and on earth and underneath the earth and on the sea, and all the things in them, I heard saying: 'To the One sitting on the throne and to the Lamb be the blessing and the honor and the glory and the might forever and ever.' And the four living creatures went saying: 'Amen!' and the elders fell down and worshipped." (Rev. 5v11-14, NWT)
The Watchtower teaches that the twelve tribes of 12000 mentioned in Revelation chapter 7 are figurative. These twelve tribes then equal the literal 144000 people mentioned in Revelation chapter 7 and 14. How can twelve figurative numbers equal one literal one? [13]
Good question.
Why does the Watchtower teach that the Great Crowd is on Earth, when Revelation 19:1 specifically states that the Great Crowd is in Heaven? [14]
Good question, because "One of the core doctrines of the Watchtower is that only 144,000 humans will go to heaven, where they are to rule as kings. Most Jehovah's Witnesses are not considered part of the 144,000 and do not expect to go to heaven. Rather they believe themselves part of the Great Crowd that will never die, but rather reside forever on earth." [15]
Even their own Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, confirm the Great Crowd in Heaven.
"After these things I heard what was a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: 'Praise Jah, you people! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God,..." (Rev. 19v1, NWT)
"Can you please provide one passage of Scripture which strictly forbids the celebration of birthdays?" [17]
Good question, because "Birthdays are not allowed by the Watchtower because two pagan rulers in the Bible killed people on their birthdays. The Pharaoh of Egypt killed his baker (Gen 40:20) and King Herod killed John the Baptist. (Matt 14:6)." [18]
"Is the actions of two wicked rulers sufficient enough proof that God condemns the celebration of birthdays?" [18] Of course, NOT.
Strangely enough the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society had no problem "celebrating their own 100th anniversary of the birth of their organization" [18], while "they disfellowship and condemn to eternal death those who celebrate the anniversary of one's birth" [18].
Furthermore, while the Bible says to "honor your father and your mother" (Ex. 20v12; Deut. 5v16; Mt. 15v4, 19v19; Mk. 7v10; Lk. 18v20; Ep. 6v2), the Watchtower nullifies God's Word by contending that you may NOT do so on either, their Birthdays, Mother's Day or Father's Day.
Even their own Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, concludes that failure to honor your father or mother equates to voiding God's Word.
"For example, God said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Let him that reviles father or mother end up in death.' But you say, 'Whoever says to his father or mother: 'Whatever I have by which you might get benefit from me is a gift dedicated to God,' he must not honor his father at all. And so you have made the word of God invalid because of your tradition." (Mt. 15v4-6, NWT)
By the way, Keith, hope you had a wonderful 41st birthday!
"In light of the fact that the Watchtower forbids Jehovah's Witnesses from celebrating their birthdays, why did they celebrate their own?" [19]
Good question.
"According to JW-media.org the New World Translation of the Bible is printed in 67 different languages, while the Watchtower magazine is printed in 167 different languages. Why does the Watchtower think it's more important to present their work more than God's Word?" [20]
Good question.
"Can you imagine what would happen if one million American Jehovah's Witnesses voted during the Presidential Elections. In light of the November 1st, 1999, Watchtower, which states that what a Christian does in the polling booth is between him and his Creator, Why can't you vote for Jesus Christ? I did." [21]
This is NOT a question that I will ask JWs, because they will simply point out that even if Jesus won the Presidency, it would be pretty pointless, since His "kingdom is not of this world" (Jn. 18v36).
"Recently a number of you have either emailed me or posted messages, and asked why I wear a cross. I challenge each of you to go through the New Testament and lookup the places where the word 'cross' is used. And then answer this question, What should the attitude of a Christian be toward the cross?" [22]
Good question, because both, the Jehovah's Witnesses and the Mormons, are philosophically opposed to wearing crosses.
Yet, biblically we are constantly told to figuratively 'take up our cross' (Mt. 10v38, 16v24; Mk. 8v34; Lk. 9v23) and 'bear our cross' (Lk. 14v27). To us, the cross is something to be proud of (Gal. 6v14). To the world, something to be offended at. (Gal. 5v11; Philip. 3v18)
"Does the cross offend you? Read First Corinthians 1:18." [23]
Good question, because if they are offended thereby, they probably find themselves on the outside looking in. (1 Cor. 1v18; Gal. 5v11; Philip. 3v18)
"I understand the Watchtower's reasoning for forbidding you from celebrating most holidays, but today is one that I just don't get. There are no pagan origins to Thanksgiving, so why can't you celebrate it? Aren't you thankful?" [24]
Good question.
"The Watchtower teaches that Jesus is a created being. In other words, He is not eternal. However, the Bible states in Isaiah 9:6 that Jesus is an Eternal Father. Now that phrase literally means that He is the father of eternity. Here's my question: How can a created being be the father of eternity?" [25]
Good question.
"Luke chapter 2 verses 8 through 11 in the New World Translation reads 'There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah's angel stood by them, and Jehovah's glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful. But the angel said to them: 'Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Saviour, who is Christ [the] Lord, in David's city.' Now we all know that that word 'Christ' is really a Greek translation for the word 'Messiah'. Taking that into account, Why does the Watchtower teach that Jesus didn't become the Messiah till baptism, when the Bible clearly states that Jesus was Christ at birth?" [26]
Good question.
Even their own Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, reads:
"There were also in that same country shepherds living out of doors and keeping watches in the night over their flocks. And suddenly Jehovah's angel stood by them, and Jehovah's glory gleamed around them, and they became very fearful. But the angel said to them: 'Have no fear, for, look! I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Saviour, who is Christ [the] Lord, in David's city.'" (Lk. 2v8-11, NWT)
"The February 15th, 1983, Watchtower on page 12 lists four requirements for those who would gain eternal life in paradise on earth. Let's look at the third requirement. 'The third requirement is that we be associated with God's channel, His organization. God has always used an organization. For example, only those in the ark those days survived the flood; and only those associated with the Christian congregation in the first century had God's favour. Acts 4:12. Similarly Jehovah is using only one organization today, to accomplish His will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it.' Now interestingly enough this paragraph mentions an ark, an organization and a Christian congregation, and then, of course, inserts Acts 4:12 right there. Now look up Acts 4:12 and then answer this question: Does the context of that verse refer to an organization, or a person?" [27]
Good question, because according to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, "only Jehovah's Witnesses have Gods backing and only Jehovah's Witnesses will survive Armageddon" [28]. In their own words:
"Jehovah is using only one organization today to accomplish His will. To receive everlasting life in the earthly Paradise we must identify that organization and serve God as part of it." [28|29]
"Only Jehovah's Witnesses, those of the anointed remnant and the 'great crowd,' as a united organization under the protection of the Supreme Organizer, have any Scriptural hope of surviving the impending end of this doomed system dominated by Satan the Devil." [28|30]
"Is it presumptuous of Jehovah's Witnesses to point out that they alone have God's backing? Actually, no more so than when the Israelites in Egypt claimed to have God's backing in spite of the Egyptians' belief, or when the first-century Christians claimed to have God's backing to the exclusion of Jewish religionists." [28|31]
Ironically, the context of the very passage they point to in their defence, contradict what they just said.
Even their own Bible, the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, Acts chapter 4 verses 10 to 12 states:
"let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you impaled, but whom God raised up from the dead, by this one does this man stand here sound in front of you. This is 'the stone that was treated by you builders as of no account that has become the head of the corner.' Furthermore, there is no salvation in anyone else, for there is not another name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must get saved." (Acts 4v10-12, NWT)
You see, Acts chapter 4 verses 10 to 12 speaks of a Person and NOT an Organization. Salvation is in Christ, NOT the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.
"So Jesus again said to them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture." (Jn. 10v7-9, ESV)
"... and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim. 3v15, ESV)
"And being made perfect, He [Jesus Christ] became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,..." (Heb. 5v9, ESV)
"A number of years ago I had a Jehovah's Witness coming to my door, and he offered me a free home bible study. I said, 'Sure, I'd love to study the Bible with you.' So he hands me this little brown book: Knowledge That Leads to Everlasting Life. He opens it up shows me all the contents of the chapters, and shows me all the nice colourful pictures, and says 'We can study this book, it's a fine publication'. And I said, 'Well, maybe we can study that book after we had that free home Bible study.' So then he handed me this book, Secrets to Family Happiness. He does the same thing, goes through the table of contents, and shows me all the nice pictures, and says: 'We can study this book'. And I said: 'Maybe we can study this book, after we study this book, after we have that free home Bible study you mentioned.' And he looked at me and he said: 'What other book did I give you?' So I said: 'Sir, do you mean to tell me, that when you say Free Home Bible Study, you want to study a book other than the Bible?' You know what he said to me? He said: 'What do you have against Watchtower literature?' You know what my reply was, and my question to you? What do you have against the Bible?" [32]
Good question, because the Jehovah's Witnesses focus more on their publications, than the Bible.
"In the past few years I have noticed an interesting trend amongst both groups. Both Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are using more Christian terminology. Mormons more so than the Jehovah's Witnesses, but the Jehovah's Witnesses have made some significant changes over the past few years. I believe this is that they can appear more Christian when talking to folks at their doorsteps. Now I'm going to do something different than what I've done in any of my past videos. I'm going to do a role-play. Now with this role-play I will be speaking with a Mormon, because I had this conversation with many Mormons, but I also had it with a few Jehovah's Witnesses - so this applies to you guys as well. Here goes. I've heard some Mormons refer to Jesus as their personal Saviour. Would you say that that is true about you as well? 'Well, yes it is, I believe that Jesus Christ is my personal Saviour. He died for my sins, and I love Him with all my heart.' Well that's interesting to hear, that you believe that Jesus is your personal Saviour. Do you pray to Him? 'Yes we do, we pray to Jesus'. You pray directly to Jesus. Dear Jesus, thank you for this food? 'Oh, you mean pray to Jesus. No. No. We don't do that.' Ok, I'm glad we got that cleared up. You don't direct your prayers to Jesus. 'No. No. We're instructed to pray to our heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, but we do not direct our prayers to Jesus.' Ok, so, if you don't pray to Jesus, do you think it would be fair to say that you don't really talk to Him? 'Talk to Jesus? Well, I've never really thought about that.' Ok, well, think about that. Do you, or have you ever talked to Jesus? 'Well, no, I guess I'd have to say that I've never done that.' Ok, well, that raises a question, and to be honest with you, poses a bit of a problem for me. How can you have a personal relationship with someone you don't talk too? " [33]
Good question, because contrary to their claims, Jehovah's Witnesses do not have a personal relationship with Jesus.
"A number of years ago I got into a conversation with four JW elders about the doctrine of the Trinity. One of them told me that he could disprove that doctrine mathematically. He said, 'Keith, one plus one plus one is three.' Now I'll tell you what I told him, except for you I'll put it in the form of a question. What is one times one times one?" [34]
Good question, even though very few seem to understand the philosophical nature of Keith's response and question. Let me explain.
Jehovah's Witnesses do NOT hold to the Doctrine of the Trinity [35].
The JW elder's argument, that 'one plus one plus one is three' was an attempt to disprove the Doctrine of the Trinity [35], in light of the Jewish Shema, contained in Deuteronomy Chapter 6 Verse 4 reading: "Jehovah our God is one Jehovah" (NWT). In other words, he was attempting to mathematically prove that three cannot be one. Basically, he was insulting Keith's intelligence.
Keith countered the JW elder's mathematical equation with a mathematical equation of his own, pointing out that 'one times one times one' is still One, and therefore not in conflict with Deuteronomy Chapter 6 Verse 4.
While this might not have been the best way of responding to their favourite proof-text, Deuteronomy Chapter 6 Verse 4, it certainly was the most witty.
"A number of you have made comments about first Corinthians 8:6, which reads in the New World Translation: 'there is actually to us one God the Father, out of whom all things are, and we for him; and there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things are, and we through him.' Now the point they are trying to make is that this verse specifically states that there are only one God, and it's the Father, therefore Jesus can't be God and the Trinity isn't true. But that isn't all this verse says, and here's my question to you: If the Father is the one God, then who is the one Lord? I'll give you a hint. It's not Jehovah." [36]
Good question, because if Jehovah's Witnesses can latch onto the first part of First Corinthians Chapter 8 Verse 6 to prove that there is only "One God" and that Jesus, therefore, cannot be God - then we can latch onto the second part of First Corinthians Chapter 8 Verse 6 to prove that there is only "One Lord", and that God, therefore, cannot be Lord.
You see, there is only "one God the Father", since Jesus would be 'one God the Son'; and there is only "one Lord Jesus Christ", since God would be 'one Lord the Father'.
"I'm going to read a part of an article out of the 1981 bound volume. This is the November 15th edition of the Watchtower, page 21, paragraph 18: We can expect a similar expansion of our preaching activity now at this climax of the ages. No doubt before the Great Tribulation is finished, we will see the greatest witness to God's Name and Kingdom, in the history of this world. And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah's Organization for salvation, the time no doubt will come when the message takes on a harder tone, like a great war cry.' Jehovah's Organization for salvation? Here's my question: If Jesus is Saviour, then why do we need to go to the Watchtower for salvation?" [37]
Good question.
"I have just returned home from the annual memorial that Jehovah's Witnesses celebrate every year. For the last ten years or so I have attended this meeting, to be honest with you, because it's a wakeup call for me, just to see exactly how lost Jehovah's Witnesses really are. It's very sad for me to see them pass around the emblems and reject them, because they are taught they are not part of the New Covenant. It's just a very sad thing for me. Reading out of the New World Translation, this is first Corinthians 11:26 - they read this every year: 'For as often as you eat this loaf and drink this cup, you keep proclaiming the death of the Lord, until He arrives.' Now we all know that Jehovah's Witnesses are taught that Jesus returned invisibly in 1914, so here's the obvious question: if this passage says that we are to keep on doing this until He arrives, and he came in 1914, then why are you still doing it?" [38]
This is NOT a question I will ask JWs, because the argument is unsound.
Yes, the Jehovah's Witnesses "claim that Jesus returned invisibly in 1914" [39]:
"After the passing of many more years, Jesus provides a series of visions to his beloved apostle, John. By means of these visions that John describes in the Bible book of Revelation, he, in effect, lives to see Jesus return in Kingdom power. John says that 'by inspiration' he was transported forward in time to 'the Lord's day.' What is this 'day'? A careful study of Bible prophecies, including Jesus' own prophecy regarding the last days, reveals that 'the Lord's day' began in the history-making year 1914, yes, within this generation! So it was in 1914 that Jesus returned invisibly, without public fanfare and with only his faithful servants being aware of his return. In that year Jehovah gave Jesus the command to go subduing in the midst of his enemies!" [39|40]
"What is indicated by 'clouds'? Invisibility. When an airplane is in a thick cloud or above the clouds, people on the ground usually cannot see it, although they may hear the roar of the engines. Jehovah told Moses: 'I am coming to you in a dark cloud.' Moses did not see God, but that cloud indicated Jehovah's invisible presence. (Ex. 19:9; see also Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 11:25.) If Christ were to appear visibly in the heavens, it is obvious that not 'every eye' would see him. If he appeared over Australia, for example, he would not be visible in Europe, Africa, and the Americas, would he? In what sense will 'every eye see him'? They will discern from events on earth that he is invisibly present. Also referring to sight that is not physical, John 9:41 reports: 'Jesus said to [the Pharisees]: 'If you were blind, you would have no sin. But now you say, 'We see.' Your sin remains.'' (Compare Romans 1:20.) Following Christ's return, some persons show faith; they recognize the sign of his presence. Others reject the evidence, but when Christ goes into action as God's executioner of the wicked, even they will discern from the manifestation of his power that the destruction is not from men but from heaven" [39|41]
However, First Corinthians Chapter 11 Verse 26 does NOT teach the Cessation of Communion at Christ's Return, only that we would "eat this loaf and drink this cup ... until He arrives". That, in itself, says nothing of it's cessation at His arrival.
To the contrary, it is very clear from Christ's own testimony that Communion would continue as a feast in Heaven.
"But I say to you, I shall certainly not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on till that day when I drink it anew with you in the reign of My Father." (Mt. 26v29, TS)
"Truly, I say to you, I shall certainly no more drink of the fruit of the vine till that day when I drink it anew in the reign of Elohim." (Mk. 14v25, TS)
"Why do we need an uninspired magazine to explain an inspired book?" [42]
Good question. But, I am sorry to say, that many Catholics and Protestants are guilty of exactly the same, looking to uninspired books and commentaries to explain Scripture.
"A number of years ago I was speaking with a number of older Jehovah's Witness gentlemen, and we were talking about Jesus, so I opened up my Bible to John 5 verse 23, which states: 'In order that all may honour the son even as they honor the Father' and I made that emphasis, 'even as'. So the Jehovah's Witness looks at me, and says: 'You're trying to make that sound like that's equal'. I said: 'Ok, how does your Bible read?' So he gets his New World Translation, opens up to the same verse: 'in order that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.', and he made the emphasis on 'just as'. And I said: 'That's even better... just as ... do you honor the Son just as you honor the Father?' I'll never forget his answer. He looked at me and he said: 'I'm not gonna say I honor the son any less. I just honor Jehovah more'. Ok, here's my question to you: Do you honor the Son 'just as' you honor the Father? " [43]
Good question, because Jehovah's Witnesses believe "that Jesus Christ was a perfect man, and that He is a person distinct from God the Father" [44] and "that before His earthly life, Jesus was a spirit creature, Michael the archangel, who was created by God and became the Messiah at His baptism" [44].
Some Jehovah's Witnesses, like BroFun [45], may attempt to reason that they do indeed honour Jesus 'just as' they honour the Father, since:
"... we honor the son because he is FROM the Father. So, showing honor to the son IS honoring the father. If Jehovah sent a representative to you, to give you a message, you would honor that one just as if he were Jehovah..for he is bringing you a message directly FROM Jehovah. Jehovah sent his son..and has bestowed upon him the kingship and authority..so honoring the son as the one from Jehovah, is honoring Jehovah." [45]
The above, however, did NOT answer the question. The question wasn't, 'Whether they honour the Son', it was 'Whether they honour the Son EXACTLY LIKE they would honour the Father'. Any honest Jehovah's Witness would have to respond with a definite "No".
"I was speaking to a Jehovah's Witness one time about the cross. He said it was impossible for Jehovah to have had his son execute on a cross, because it was, quote: 'a pagan implement of death'. I told him I understood his point, but that raised a question for me: Did God have an alternative? I mean, is there a Christian implement of death available?" [46]
Good question, because "Jehovah's Witnesses teach that Jesus died on an upright pole" [47] and not "a two-beamed cross" [47] like most Christian churches believe. This, of course, was an attempt by said Jehovah's Witness to provide an extra-Biblical reason for not believing in a two-beamed cross.
"In my last video I told you about a conversation that I had with a JW. He said that it was impossible for Jesus to have been executed on a cross, because it was 'a pagan implement of death'. Let's just think about this for a second: If the Romans, a pagan nation, also executed people with stakes, then doesn't that mean that the stake is also 'a pagan instrument of death'?" [48]
Good question, because the Roman crucifixions came in "many shapes" [49].
The first-century Roman-Jewish Historian, Titus Flavius Josephus (37-100 AD), "describes multiple tortures and positions of crucifixion during the Siege of Jerusalem as Titus crucified the rebels" [49|50].
Likewise, the Roman Stoic Philosopher, Seneca the Younger (4BC-65AD), recounted that "[he saw] crosses there, not just of one kind but made in many different ways: some have their victims with head down to the ground; some impale their private parts; others stretch out their arms on the gibbet" [49|51].
"A number of years ago I had a study with an elder and I was able to show him some of the inconsistencies in Watchtower theology, and how some of the doctrine has changed throughout the years. That's when he brought up the idea of New Light. We talked about that for a little bit, then I asked him this question - really a two part question. The first part: What is it that you believe now that's going to change in ten years? The second part: If what the Watchtower teaches now, changes then, then doesn't that mean that it's not true now?" [52]
Good question.
"As many Jehovah's Witnesses are aware, the Watchtower did not always condemn Christmas. I have an example of that, this is from a February 15th, 1919 Watchtower on page 63:93. By the way this the Seventh volume of the reprints, a very very rare book. The title of this part is 'Christmas Joy - Our Incarcerated Brethren'. This is a letter that someone wrote to the Watchtower, and the Watchtower decided to publish it. It reads in part: 'More than 150 prisoners in the Castle had nothing for Christmas, and so our brethren got a list of them from the officers, and out of their own abundance made up a little Christmas package for each of the unfortunates; and thus many were made happy. Even the officers were so pleased that they were heard to say, 'Never has anything like that done at this place before'. And so we can truly say, the Lord was in the prison that Christmas.' Celebrating Christmas. Today, of course, many Jehovah's Witnesses will point to the doctrine of New Light and say that they didn't have the information then, that they do have now, and that now Christmas is evil. But, here's my question. The date of this letter is very important. This was published again in 1919. Now the Watchtower teaches that Jesus was supposedly investigating all of the religious organizations in 1919, to see which one was His faithful and discreet slave. So here's the question: How can Christmas be considered evil, if Jesus approved of an organization that was celebrating it in 1919?" [53]
Good question.
"You should recognize this book. This is my paperback edition of the 'Reasoning from the Scriptures' book. And, if you've got yours handy, please open up to page 148. The heading reads: 'Did God have a beginning?': 'Psalm 90 verse 2: 'Before the mountains themselves were born, Or you proceeded to bring forth as with labor pains the earth and the productive land, Even from time indefinite to time indefinite you are God.' Is that reasonable? Our minds cannot fully comprehend it. But that is not a sound reason for rejecting it.' Then it goes on to give to examples, the first being time and the second being space. So the basic idea here is that you can't reject an idea, simply because you don't understand it. I've got a funny story to tell you about a true incident that happened to me. It was probably three years old. This was the first deep thought I ever had. We were living in Killeen, Texas, at the time and we were walking in the back yard, my mother and I. And I remember her telling me that God knew everything I was going to do, even before I did it. Now I was quite the 'outside the box' thinking kid, even then. And I remember looking up at my mom and saying: 'What if I changed my mind?' And then my mother answered me. She blew my mind with this statement. She says: 'God knew you were going to change your mind'. And I just remember looking up and going, 'Wow'. Pretty deep thought. Well, keeping that in mind, I'm going to ask you this question, and remember you can't reject the idea, simply because you don't understand it. Here's the question: If God wanted to exist as a Trinity, could He?" [54]
Good question.
"When the first Watchtower Library CD-Rom came out a number of years ago, I was pretty excited to get my hands on one. It just so happened that I met a Jehovah's Witness elder at a used books store, and he promised to get me one. So when it arrived, he had me over to his house, put the CD-Rom in his computer, fired it up, and showed me how to use it. He told me that I needed to be careful though, because the search feature organizes things by date, and I needed to make sure that I was looking at the most current truths, because the older truths might not be true any more. Yes, he really said that. So here's my question: Does truth really have an expiration date?" [55]
Good question, because Biblical Truth is absolute and unchanging. (Ps. 93v5, 111v7-8, 119v160; Mal. 3v6; Mt. 24v35; 1 Pt 1v23)
"I was just now reading an article out of the September 15th, 2010, Watchtower. The article is titled 'Your leader is one the Christ'. I've got a couple of quotes I'm gonna run past you, but you can read this article for yourself of of JW.org. Just download the PDF. Two quotes. One on page 21 and the other on page 23. My first quote is from the first paragraph: 'Christendom's churches have human leaders, such as the Pope of Rome, the Patriarchs of the Metropolitans of Eastern Orthodox Churches, and the heads of other religions. Jehovah's Witnesses recognize no human as their leader... The international congregation of anointed Christians and their other sheep companions, want no leader other than the one Jehovah has given them. They subscribe to Jesus' statement: Your leader is one, the Christ'. And here's the second quote on page 23, paragraph 8: '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 it's representative Governing Body, a group of anointed Christian men. The anointed and their other sheep companions, recognize that by following the lead of the modern-day Governing Body, they are in fact following their leader, Christ.' Did you catch that? How is it that the Watchtower can condemn other churches, other religions, for having human leaders, when they themselves admit to following a Governing Body, made up of men? Worse still, and here's my real question: How can they compare these men to Christ?" [56]
Good question.
"Hey YouTubers. We have a special edition of Quick Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses. We've got a guest questioner here, Newagegamer3018. Check out his channel. The interesting thing about Brian, here, is that he started off making YouTube videos, defending Jehovah's Witnesses, because he was a Jehovah's Witness. As it happens we are here in beautiful Ringo, Pennsylvania, at the Witnesses Now for Jesus Convention, and Brian now has a question for you: 'So it's common knowledge with Jehovah's Witnesses that Jesus Christ is the Messianic King of God's Kingdom. It's also common knowledge that Jesus is also Michael, the Archangel, the greatest creation of God. So here's the question, Jehovah's Witnesses: Hebrews 2:5 says: 'It is not to angels that He, God, has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking.' If Jesus is Michael the angel, how can the world be subjected to him in this kingdom?" [57]
Good question.
I foresee that they might attempt to differentiate between 'angels' and 'archangels'.
This argument, however, will fail, because the Jehovah's Witnesses themselves believe "that Michael is the same 'Angel of the Lord' who led the Israelites in the wilderness" [58|59|60]. In other words, they themselves confirmed that the Archangel Michael as an 'angel'.
"One of the objections that the Watchtower has to the Deity of Christ is the idea that Jesus did not know the time of the end. The June 1st, 1998, Watchtower on pages 12 and 13 states: 'Concerning that day or the hour nobody knows, neither the angels in heaven nor the son, but the Father. Mk. 13:32 Had Jesus been God Almighty he would have known that day and the hour. But he did not know, because he was not the all-knowing God. He was God's son and did not know everything that his Father knew.' Now I've got an answer to this argument. I've been using it for years, but Jehovah's Witnesses have been reluctant to accept that argument, until now. You see what's happening is, the Watchtower is using the very argument that I use to explain why Jesus does not know certain future events, and they're using that argument to explain why Jehovah God doesn't know certain future events. Let's look at the January 1st, 2011, edition of the Watchtower. They've got an article title, 'Did God know that Adam and Eve would sin?'. The basic answer to that question is 'No, God did not know'. On page 14 the Watchtower states: 'Still, someone may object, but how could an all-wise God not have known. Granted a facet of Jehovah's great wisdom is His ability to know, from the beginning, the finale. However, He does not have to use this capability, just as He does not always have to use His immense power to the full.' Here's the key part. 'Jehovah wisely uses His ability of foreknowledge, selectively. He uses it when it makes sense to do so, and fits the circumstances.' Now here's my question: If Jehovah God can wisely use His foreknowledge selectively, regarding Adam and Eve. Then isn't it also possible that Jesus can wisely use His foreknowledge selectively, regarding the time of the end?" [61]
Good question.
Conclusion
Keith's questions have helped me a great deal in gaining a better understanding of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Can't wait 'till next time they knock on my door.
Bibliography
1. Keith. Quick Questions for Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries; 27 November 2011) ✔
2. VIDEO: Keith. #1- Whose Witnesses? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 30 June 2008) ✔
3. VIDEO: Keith. #2 Jehovah In Prayer- Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 18 July 2008) ✔
4. New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 27 November 2011)
5. EJ Hill. The Scriptures (Hillside; 27 November 2011) ✔
6. Preface to The Scriptures (Northriding, SA: Institute for Scripture Research (Pty) Ltd, Post Box 1830, 2162, South Africa) p.xi ✔
7. VIDEO: Keith. #3 The Truth? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 30 July 2008) ✔
8. EJ Hill. Jehovah's Witnesses (Hillside; 27 November 2011) ✔
9. VIDEO: Keith. #4 Call Upon Jesus? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 19 August 2008) ✔
10. Should we pray directly to Jesus? (Witnesses for Jesus, Inc; 27 November 2011) ✔
11. EJ Hill. The Divinity of Christ (Hillside; 27 November 2011) ✔
12. Draw Close to God in Prayer (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society; 28 November 2011) ✔
13. VIDEO: Keith. #5 Literal 144,000? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 26 August 2008) ✔
14. 144000 (number) (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 28 November 2011)
15. Paul Grundy. Watchtower doctrine regarding the 144,000 being a literal number (JW Facts; 28 November 2011)
16. VIDEO: Keith. #6 Great Crowd Where? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 9 September 2008) ✔
17. VIDEO: Keith. #7 Happy Birthday! Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 25 September 2008) ✔
18. What pagan celebrations are allowed for Jehovah's Witnesses? (JW Info Line; 28 November 2011) ✔
19. VIDEO: Keith. #8 Watchtower Celebrated It's Birthday- Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 7 October 2008) ✔
20. VIDEO: Keith. #9 Man's word or God's Word? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 23 October 2008) ✔
21. VIDEO: Keith. #10 Vote Jesus! Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 30 October 2008) ✔
22. VIDEO: Keith. #11 The Cross- Quick Question For Mormons & Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 13 November 2008) ✔
23. VIDEO: Keith. #12 Offended? Quick Question For Mormons & Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 20 November 2008) ✔
24. VIDEO: Keith. #13 Happy Thanksgiving! Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 27 November 2008) ✔
25. VIDEO: Keith. #14 Eternal Father- Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 11 December 2008) ✔
26. VIDEO: Keith. #15 Je-HO-HO-HO-vah's Witnesses -Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 24 December 2008) ✔
27. VIDEO: Keith. #16 Organization or Person? Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 7 January 2009) ✔
28. Paul Grundy. Will Only Jehovah's Witnesses Be Saved? (30 November 2011) ✔
29. Watchtower (15 February 1983) p.12 ✔
30. Watchtower (1 September 1989) p.19 ✔
31. Watchtower (1 June 2001) p.16 ✔
32. VIDEO: Keith. #17 Against The Bible? Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 22 January 2009) ✔
33. VIDEO: Keith. #18 Personal Relationship? Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses & Mormons (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 4 February 2009) ✔
34. VIDEO: Keith. #19 Does The Trinity Add Up? Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 12 February 2009) ✔
35. EJ Hill. Doctrine of the Trinity (Hillside; 1 December 2011) ✔
36. VIDEO: Keith. #20 Jehovah is NOT Lord! Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 3 March 2009) ✔
37. VIDEO: Keith. #21 Watchtower Is Savior? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 1 April 2009) ✔
38. VIDEO: Keith. #22 Why The Memorial? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 9 April 2009) ✔
39. 2. How do we know Jesus has not already returned? & How will Jesus return? (Reasonable Answers; 2 December 2011) ✔
40. The Greatest Man (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society; 1991) p.132 ✔
41. Reasoning from the Scriptures (Watchtower Bible & Tract Society) p.343 ✔
42. VIDEO: Keith. #23 Which Is Inspired? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 28 April 2009) ✔
43. VIDEO: Keith. #24 Honor The Son! Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 10 September 2009) ✔
44. Mark Van Bebber. How do Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teachings about Christ compare with Scriptures? (Christian Answers/Eden Communications; 3 December 2011) ✔
45. BroFun. In a Comment on #24 Honor The Son! by Keith (YouTube; 3 December 2011) ✔
46. VIDEO: Keith. #25 Did God Have An Alternative? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 28 September 2009) ✔
47. Dispute about Jesus' execution method (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 3 December 2011) ✔
48. VIDEO: Keith. #26 Pagan Stake- Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 8 October 2009) ✔
49. Crucifixion (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 4 December 2011) ✔
50. Josephus. Wars of the Jews 5.11.1 ✔
51. Seneca. Dialogue "To Marcia on Consolation", in Moral Essays, 6.20.3, trans. John W. Basore, The Loeb Classical Library (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1946) 2:69 ✔
52. VIDEO: Keith. #27 Is It Truth... Now? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witness (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 27 October 2009) ✔
53. VIDEO: Keith. #28 Watchtower Celebrated CHRISTmas? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 15 December 2009) ✔
54. VIDEO: Keith. #29 Could God? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 20 January 2010) ✔
55. VIDEO: Keith. #30 Truth Expired? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 14 July 2010) ✔
56. VIDEO: Keith. #31 Who Do Jehovah's Witnesses Follow? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 24 August 2010) ✔
57. VIDEO: Keith. #32 Subject To An Angel? Quick Question For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 21 October 2010) ✔
58. Michael (archangel) (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; 5 December 2011) ✔
59. Reasoning from the Scriptures (Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1985) p. 218 ✔
60. Your Leader Is One, the Christ: Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom (The Watchtower; 15 September 2010) p. 21 ✔
61. VIDEO: Keith. #33 God Didn't Know? Quick Questions For Jehovah's Witnesses (Evidence Ministries/YouTube; 16 November 2010) ✔
62. EJ Hill. Mark Chapter 13 Verse 32 (Hillside; 6 December 2011) ✔
Revisions
27.11.2011-06.12.2011 / 18.07.2014