At long last, two scriptures long acknowledged but long deemphasized are coming to the fore. I could not be happier. For the longest time I have adopted the Rolling Stones song as my personal year text: “You can’t always get what you want.” Now it is beginning to appear as though I can. Or at least more than previously imagined.
The two scriptures are:
“Not that we are the masters over your faith, but we are fellow workers for your joy, for it is by your faith that you are standing.” (Romans 1:24)
and
“So, then, each of us will render an account for himself to God.” (Romans 14:12)
The changes among JWs since the recent series of Updates began have prominently incorporated these verses. Christians are to stand by their OWN faith, with no other human as their “master.” And each with render an account “for himself” to God, not for someone else.
Well, if the scriptures are so plain and so long recognized, why are they only now coming to the fore?
Mostly it is because other scriptures point another way and it is a question of balancing them. There are continual references in the Bible to undershepherds of Christ who are responsible for the flock. Destroyed sheep will be demanded at their hand. This has a way of making them vigilant, not lackadaisical.
For example: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for [or “shepherd” / poimainō] the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28, ESV) They should be careless with something purchased with the blood of Christ?
and
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” (1 Peter 5:1-4)
We all know what shepherds do. They have rods to beat away predators but they also have staffs with crooks at the end to direct the sheep, at times forcefully, should they perceive danger. And what are the sheep supposed to do?
This: “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.” (Hebrews 13:17)
and
“Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders.” (1 Peter 5:5)
One thing I admire about Jehovah’s Witnesses is that they do not shirk from verses such as the above. They do not try to water them down. They do not kowtow when the overall world adopts the model of ‘No one’s telling ME what to do!’ Most others do kowtow, terrified at being thought out of step with the greater world’s demands for independence. Instead, the Witnesses say, ‘Steady as she goes.’ But have they gone too far?
When entire nations begin to complain and it is not for the reasons one might expect, they begin to think the answer is yes. It is therefore time to relook at policies and see if they can be readjusted while still keeping the overall core of them. Turns out they can.
Why did they not do it long ago? Why did they have to wait for entire nations to complain? As much as Jehovah’s Witnesses love that metaphor of God’s lightning-fast chariot, it is a metaphor. He doesn’t really have one. Nor does he have eyes, ears, arm, legs, etc. The continual anthropomorphization of God is for our sake, to help us better relate to Him. But it is metaphor. From a “one day is with God as 1000 years to men” standpoint, it is a lightning-fast chariot. But to someone at ground zero, it is more like a supertanker. It doesn’t exactly turn on a dime.
It turns out that Jehovah’s Witnesses are much like scientists in one important regard. Max Planck, the physicist, observed: “A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually die, and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it.” I believe that such is happening among Jehovah’s Witnesses today?
If so, it all sounds quintessentially human. Does this mean that the Witnesses today are not led by holy spirit?
to be continued.
****** The bookstore
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