*** jv chap. 10 pp. 146-148 Growing in Accurate Knowledge of the Truth ***
The Light Shines More and More
As reflected in their modern-day history, the experience of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been like that described at Proverbs 4:18: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.” The shining of the light has been progressive, just as the light of early dawn gives way to sunrise and the full light of a new day. Viewing matters in the light that was available, they have at times had incomplete, even inaccurate, concepts. No matter how hard they tried, they simply could not understand certain prophecies until these began to undergo fulfillment. As Jehovah has shed more light on his Word by means of his spirit, his servants have been humbly willing to make needed adjustments. ***
First, we need to take a look at Proverbs 4:18 and its context. The Watchtower Society would have us believe that this scripture is telling us that our understanding of God's purpose would become more clear as time progresses. However, examination of the entire passage says something different.
(Proverbs 4:10-19) 10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings. Then for you the years of life will become many. 11 I will instruct you even in the way of wisdom; I will cause you to tread in the tracks of uprightness. 12 When you walk, your pace will not be cramped; and if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take hold on discipline; do not let go. Safeguard it, for it itself is your life. 14 Into the path of the wicked ones do not enter, and do not walk straight on into the way of the bad ones. 15 Shun it, do not pass along by it; turn aside from it, and pass along. 16 For they do not sleep unless they do badness, and their sleep has been snatched away unless they cause someone to stumble. 17 For they have fed themselves with the bread of wickedness, and the wine of acts of violence is what they drink. 18 But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established. 19 The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.
This passage of scripture is not talking about the doctrinal changes of an organization, but the differences between choosing either a righteous or a wicked course of life. There is no indication in the scriptures that Christians would have " incomplete, even inaccurate, concepts".
(2 Timothy 3:14-17)
14 You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them 15 and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.
Paul does not tell Timothy that he would have " incomplete, even inaccurate, concepts", but that he would be "fully competent, completely equipped". This notion of 'new light' is hardly evidence of someone who is completely equipped.
*** w81 12/1 p. 27 par. 2 The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter ***
2 However, it may have seemed to some as though that path has not always gone straight forward. At times explanations given by Jehovah’s visible organization have shown adjustments, seemingly to previous points of view. But this has not actually been the case. This might be compared to what is known in navigational circles as “tacking.” By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination in spite of contrary winds.
Really, going 'from right to left, back and forth' sounds less like Proverbs 4:18 and more like Proverbs 4:19
19 The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.
If the Watchtower Society is really God's sole channel of communication, why do they spend so much time groping for the correct understanding of the scriptures? Another thing about that doesn't line up with an increasing understanding of the scriptures is the nature of the doctrinal changes made by the Watchtower Society. In a situation where the 'light is getting brighter', you would expect the understanding of the scriptures to be more or less the same with minor adjustments. As we've seen...
* The Watchtower Society predicted the end of all human government in 1914. That turned out to be wrong. * The Watchtower Society predicted that Abraham, Isaac and other faithful men of old would be resurrected in 1925. That turned out to be wrong. * The Watchtower Society predicted the end of this system of things in 1975. That turned out to be wrong.
So much of this 'new light' turns out to be just plain wrong that you have to wonder where this light is coming from?
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Ah, the 'new light' argument...
*** jv chap. 10 pp. 146-148 Growing in Accurate Knowledge of the Truth ***
The Light Shines More and More
As reflected in their modern-day history, the experience of Jehovah’s Witnesses has been like that described at Proverbs 4:18: “The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established.” The shining of the light has been progressive, just as the light of early dawn gives way to sunrise and the full light of a new day. Viewing matters in the light that was available, they have at times had incomplete, even inaccurate, concepts. No matter how hard they tried, they simply could not understand certain prophecies until these began to undergo fulfillment. As Jehovah has shed more light on his Word by means of his spirit, his servants have been humbly willing to make needed adjustments.
***
First, we need to take a look at Proverbs 4:18 and its context. The Watchtower Society would have us believe that this scripture is telling us that our understanding of God's purpose would become more clear as time progresses. However, examination of the entire passage says something different.
(Proverbs 4:10-19) 10 Hear, my son, and accept my sayings. Then for you the years of life will become many. 11 I will instruct you even in the way of wisdom; I will cause you to tread in the tracks of uprightness. 12 When you walk, your pace will not be cramped; and if you run, you will not stumble. 13 Take hold on discipline; do not let go. Safeguard it, for it itself is your life. 14 Into the path of the wicked ones do not enter, and do not walk straight on into the way of the bad ones. 15 Shun it, do not pass along by it; turn aside from it, and pass along. 16 For they do not sleep unless they do badness, and their sleep has been snatched away unless they cause someone to stumble. 17 For they have fed themselves with the bread of wickedness, and the wine of acts of violence is what they drink. 18 But the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established. 19 The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.
This passage of scripture is not talking about the doctrinal changes of an organization, but the differences between choosing either a righteous or a wicked course of life. There is no indication in the scriptures that Christians would have " incomplete, even inaccurate, concepts".
(2 Timothy 3:14-17)
14 You, however, continue in the things that you learned and were persuaded to believe, knowing from what persons you learned them 15 and that from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through the faith in connection with Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.
Paul does not tell Timothy that he would have " incomplete, even inaccurate, concepts", but that he would be "fully competent, completely equipped". This notion of 'new light' is hardly evidence of someone who is completely equipped.
*** w81 12/1 p. 27 par. 2 The Path of the Righteous Does Keep Getting Brighter ***
2 However, it may have seemed to some as though that path has not always gone straight forward. At times explanations given by Jehovah’s visible organization have shown adjustments, seemingly to previous points of view. But this has not actually been the case. This might be compared to what is known in navigational circles as “tacking.” By maneuvering the sails the sailors can cause a ship to go from right to left, back and forth, but all the time making progress toward their destination in spite of contrary winds.
Really, going 'from right to left, back and forth' sounds less like Proverbs 4:18 and more like Proverbs 4:19
19 The way of the wicked ones is like the gloom; they have not known at what they keep stumbling.
If the Watchtower Society is really God's sole channel of communication, why do they spend so much time groping for the correct understanding of the scriptures? Another thing about that doesn't line up with an increasing understanding of the scriptures is the nature of the doctrinal changes made by the Watchtower Society. In a situation where the 'light is getting brighter', you would expect the understanding of the scriptures to be more or less the same with minor adjustments. As we've seen...
* The Watchtower Society predicted the end of all human government in 1914. That turned out to be wrong.
* The Watchtower Society predicted that Abraham, Isaac and other faithful men of old would be resurrected in 1925. That turned out to be wrong.
* The Watchtower Society predicted the end of this system of things in 1975. That turned out to be wrong.
So much of this 'new light' turns out to be just plain wrong that you have to wonder where this light is coming from?
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