Jehovah's Witness

[Jenna]

I didn't anticipate the knock on the door this morning, being that it is a weekday. lol Since I had already answered the door, I was polite and spoke with the JW ladies who knocked. I accepted their literature, and when they asked if they could come back, I invited them to call again when my husband would be home. He has never had a conversation with the JW before, and looks forward to witnessing to them.

Might I ask your personal opinons on speaking with Jehovah's Witnesses? After having read up a bit on the oddness of their doctrines and reading through the material that I was given, I am just overcome with sadness. While my husband is enthusiastic about the prospect of witnessing to these folks, I wonder how much good it will do to spar with them.

Quite frankly, these folks read the bible- and they are still adamant in their "salvation through works" position and their denial of the divinity of Christ. Is it beneficial to talk myself blue in the face, trying to show them that they are preaching a gospel that is no gospel at all? Should we try and talk to them every time "fresh" JW's come knocking on the door? What do y'all think?

[LilLamb219]

Isaiah 55:10-11 10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

There are times when it's really necessary to plant a seed and just allow God's Word to do its work instead of trying to force an issue on someone. Of course, that's not to say you shouldn't enter the conversation unprepared, but just keep in mind that God's Word is effective and trust in the living power of His Word.

[DaSeminarian]

I didn't anticipate the knock on the door this morning, being that it is a weekday. lol Since I had already answered the door, I was polite and spoke with the JW ladies who knocked. I accepted their literature, and when they asked if they could come back, I invited them to call again when my husband would be home. He has never had a conversation with the JW before, and looks forward to witnessing to them.

Might I ask your personal opinons on speaking with Jehovah's Witnesses? After having read up a bit on the oddness of their doctrines and reading through the material that I was given, I am just overcome with sadness. While my husband is enthusiastic about the prospect of witnessing to these folks, I wonder how much good it will do to spar with them.

Quite frankly, these folks read the bible- and they are still adamant in their "salvation through works" position and their denial of the divinity of Christ. Is it beneficial to talk myself blue in the face, trying to show them that they are preaching a gospel that is no gospel at all? Should we try and talk to them every time "fresh" JW's come knocking on the door? What do y'all think?

When they come back. Find out which one is the least indoctrinated and witness to that person specifically. I think you will be surprised at how quickly the other one will want to leave if you make any headway. ;)

[Radiata]

The surprising thing with JW's is that they study the bible. Most of the time, more than Christians do. But they seem to miss the point about Jesus being the one and only way to salvation. That's about all I know about them. I have talked to some on the Christian thread on this other forum, and everyone there, (Catholic, Baptists, Presbertarians, etc.) seemed to think Mormons and JW's were indeed Christians. I am sorry to say that I am the only Lutheran representative there. But that's ok. There really isn't any denominational wars going on there, so it's a friendly thread.

[Jim47]

One way to get to them is to ask them to explain in detail "their plan, which they call God's plan of salvation"

When they have pretty much stated that its by works then ask them why did God send us a Savior, and if we are saved by works then there is of course no need for a Savior, then go on to ask them how much good works is enough as God demands perfection from the moment of conception.

If you keep to this line of questioning you may get them to think.

[WildStrawberry]

When they come back. Find out which one is the least indoctrinated and witness to that person specifically. I think you will be surprised at how quickly the other one will want to leave if you make any headway. ;)

I was coming in to say just this very thing. :D

There's a book by CPH called How to Respond: Jehovah's Witnesses (http://www.cph.org/cphstore/product.asp?category=&part%5Fno=126005&find%5Fcategory=&find%5Fdescription=&find%5Fpart%5Fdesc=jehovah%27s+witnesses)

I found it very useful when dealing with a friend from work and also when another friend was "studying" with them.

They may say they study the Bible but the "bible" that they study is NOT a very good translation. It mistranslates many many key words to fit what the JWs believe They mainly study their "magazine" and treat that as if it were really the Word of God. However the things that the magazine has stated over the years have been contradicted by other things that are stated. Over and over again.

Kae

[Jenna]

From what I understand, they believe that Jesus' sacrifice was to redeem Adam, not mankind. I'm not sure how they get that though....

[DaRev]

From what I understand, they believe that Jesus' sacrifice was to redeem Adam, not mankind. I'm not sure how they get that though....

I don't think that they believe that all mankind are descended from Adam. Only those who are get to go to heaven. The rest spend eternity in "Paradise on earth."

[porterross]

The rest spend eternity in "Paradise on earth."


Really? They go to Aggieland?

That won't go over at all well. ^_^

[DaRev]

Really? They go to Aggieland?

That won't go over at all well. ^_^

Good thing it isn't true, then. :D

[PreachersWife2004]

Most of the time the JW that used to come to our house had almost rehearsed sounding answers for anything that we presented that might've been construed as witnessing.

Matt never told any of them that he was a pastor, or that he was Lutheran. He just listened and asked questions.

I think the jig was up when I, unbeknownst to Matt, nailed a wooden carving of Luther's symbol in the front hallway wall that faces the door. Some JWs came that week, and none have been back since.

[FaithfulRemnant]

I'd share with them. They give me literature, I'll give them some of mine. My brother on the other hand was quite simple in his confession to some JW's. He simply told them we go to the Lutheran church ;). Yep, no kidding. That's what he said.

[Jenna]

I have to admit that I did kind of set these poor ladies up, but that is what they get for knocking on my door. lol I didn't tell them that I am lutheran, just that I have a bible and that my husband and I would look forward to talking with them about their literature on Saturday.

All in all, I figured that that was much kinder than diving behind the couch and pretending to not be home. *laughs* I almost swallowed my own head when I saw my neighbor standing at his gate though, looking like he might well spray the poor ladies with the hose if they came 'a knockin'.

[Luther073082]

The JW's actually use a translation of the bible no one else uses much called the "New World Translation"

They insist it is the only correct translation. The problem was that the NWT was translated by a JW for JW's. The translation is based off their false doctrines. (not doctrines based off the translation/scripture)

Their entire organization is run by oligarcy (small group of people) They commit to the church first and sometimes even have arranged marriages within the church. Not sure how often they are though.

I have actually been in a JW church for a funeral because the neighbor across the street was a JW. The cross does not appear in the church as they view it as idolitry. They belive only 144,000 people will acend to heaven based off a gross misunderstanding of the scripture in revelations. Furthermore they belive that the dead enter into a sleep like state until Christ returns again.

They refuse to participate in any holidays or celibrations. It is blasphamny to them to celibrate someone's birthday or to even fly a national flag.

They are Christians in only the most broad sense and in my mind represent more of a cult then a church. They are quite simpily brainwashed, and because their translation was written to support their doctrines it may be completly useless to even try and debate them.

All in all, I figured that that was much kinder than diving behind the couch and pretending to not be home. *laughs* I almost swallowed my own head when I saw my neighbor standing at his gate though, looking like he might well spray the poor ladies with the hose if they came 'a knockin'.

One time they came to my door they had sent two very cute young ladies about my age. I'm a single guy and I'm a sucker for a pretty face, these girls came to my door. With a normal person if they suggested worshipping at their church I might say something to the effect of "I think I'll take my chances with the devil." But with cute girls I'm thinking

"maybe I will attend church with them . . ."
"NO KIRK THEY ARE WITNESSES, BLASPHAMOUS HERETICS OF THE WORST DEGREE, CULT INSANE STAY AWAY."
"Yeah but look at them, they don't look that dangerous... They look quite nice."
"Is a pretty face going to make you into an idoit every time?"
"Yes"
"God help you"


Anyways I didn't go but a pretty face almost turned my response from "No way in hell" to. . . "Sounds fun!"

[Zecryphon]

I didn't anticipate the knock on the door this morning, being that it is a weekday. lol Since I had already answered the door, I was polite and spoke with the JW ladies who knocked. I accepted their literature, and when they asked if they could come back, I invited them to call again when my husband would be home. He has never had a conversation with the JW before, and looks forward to witnessing to them.

Might I ask your personal opinons on speaking with Jehovah's Witnesses? After having read up a bit on the oddness of their doctrines and reading through the material that I was given, I am just overcome with sadness. While my husband is enthusiastic about the prospect of witnessing to these folks, I wonder how much good it will do to spar with them.

Quite frankly, these folks read the bible- and they are still adamant in their "salvation through works" position and their denial of the divinity of Christ. Is it beneficial to talk myself blue in the face, trying to show them that they are preaching a gospel that is no gospel at all? Should we try and talk to them every time "fresh" JW's come knocking on the door? What do y'all think?
I think you should go to: www.wayofthemaster.com (http://www.wayofthemaster.com) and click on the "Get Equipped" tab and then click on "Answers to 100 common questions" tab and then look for Jehovah's Witnesses. I can't copy and paste the information here or the link directly to the info or I would. I think this information will help you immensely when you witness to these people.

One thing you should remember about them is that they are not reading the same Bible as you and your husband. It is an edited Bible that is put out by the Watchtower that reflects their theology. Use your own when you witness to them, so that they may see some differences between what is written in theirs and what is written in ours. This will get them questioning which one is correct, which could be considered a crack in their defenses. Also, ask them why anyone would want to become a JW? There is no eternity with Jesus Christ, so what's the ultimate point?

[DoomRyderOCST]

I remember having 2 JW's stop by my house on Thanksgiving about 10 years ago. A friend of mine who was about to graduate seminary was over and we both got talking to them.

Somehow, without realizing it, we were able to split them up, which is something they shouldn't let happen. Anyways my friend had the old pro and I had the newbie. I wasn't trying to confuse the poor lady per se, but I could tell that she was having a very dificult time defending her beliefs.

Anyways, a few days later, we were coming home from church and saw the old pro with another newbie walking down the driveway of my neighbors house. My same friend was with me and bolted out of the car to go talk to her. She said she didn't have time to talk to him right now and hurriedly left.

After that the JW's only sent an old pro to our house. After that wasn't successful they stopped coming to our house pretty much altogether.

[DaSeminarian]

I remember having 2 JW's stop by my house on Thanksgiving about 10 years ago. A friend of mine who was about to graduate seminary was over and we both got talking to them.

Somehow, without realizing it, we were able to split them up, which is something they shouldn't let happen. Anyways my friend had the old pro and I had the newbie. I wasn't trying to confuse the poor lady per se, but I could tell that she was having a very dificult time defending her beliefs.

Anyways, a few days later, we were coming home from church and saw the old pro with another newbie walking down the driveway of my neighbors house. My same friend was with me and bolted out of the car to go talk to her. She said she didn't have time to talk to him right now and hurriedly left.

After that the JW's only sent an old pro to our house. After that wasn't successful they stopped coming to our house pretty much altogether.

Divide and conquer. Most laity can't do this because they don't have sufficient knowledge of scripture to handle the claims that the JWs make. My next door neighbors are JWs and I have had a couple of conversations with him, but I get nowhere because he has been indoctrinated for the past 30 years.

[DoomRyderOCST]

Divide and conquer. Most laity can't do this because they don't have sufficient knowledge of scripture to handle the claims that the JWs make. My next door neighbors are JWs and I have had a couple of conversations with him, but I get nowhere because he has been indoctrinated for the past 30 years.


They are absolutely amazing in their abiblity to steer almost any question back into their pre-programmed message. I pn the other hand have a hard time keeping my mind on the same subject for even 30 seconds.

[DaSeminarian]

They are absolutely amazing in their abiblity to steer almost any question back into their pre-programmed message. I pn the other hand have a hard time keeping my mind on the same subject for even 30 seconds.


A.D.D.? or ADHD?

[Radiata]

A.D.D.? or ADHD?ADHD. That's me.

With a normal person if they suggested worshipping at their church I might say something to the effect of "I think I'll take my chances with the devil." But with cute girls I'm thinking

"maybe I will attend church with them . . ."
"NO KIRK THEY ARE WITNESSES, BLASPHAMOUS HERETICS OF THE WORST DEGREE, CULT INSANE STAY AWAY."
"Yeah but look at them, they don't look that dangerous... They look quite nice."
"Is a pretty face going to make you into an idoit every time?"
"Yes"
"God help you"
Anyways I didn't go but a pretty face almost turned my response from "No way in hell" to. . . "Sounds fun!"

That's the good thing with my mindset right now. I am not tempted by a pretty face. By reading a very famous book by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker called "Every Young Man's Battle," I have trained my eyes to bounce away from things that may tempt me into lust. And in the case of women being attractive, I have no desire for that thing. I brought this up here (http://foru.ms/t5501360-right-or-wrong.html) a long time ago. I wonder if there is anything that attracts me now. I really don't think there is anything.

[Luther073082]

That's the good thing with my mindset right now. I am not tempted by a pretty face. By reading a very famous book by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker called "Every Young Man's Battle," I have trained my eyes to bounce away from things that may tempt me into lust. And in the case of women being attractive, I have no desire for that thing. I brought this up here (http://foru.ms/t5501360-right-or-wrong.html) a long time ago. I wonder if there is anything that attracts me now. I really don't think there is anything.

Pretty faces don't tempt me to lust or cause me to lust. . . Sex with her was far from my mind.

She was cute, I liked her. . . But it wasn't lust trust me.

[DoomRyderOCST]

A.D.D.? or ADHD?
Actually its Asperger's Syndrome. Too much Mountain Dew and good heavy metal doesn't help much either. :cool:

[Zecryphon]

Actually its Asperger's Syndrome. Too much Mountain Dew and good heavy metal doesn't help much either. :cool:
"Too much Mountain Dew and good heavy metal doesn't help much either."

But it doesn't hurt either! LOL Who do you listen to?

[DaSeminarian]

Actually its Asperger's Syndrome. Too much Mountain Dew and good heavy metal doesn't help much either. :cool:

A couple at the sem has a child with Aspbergers. They have said that symptoms seem to be somewhat autistic but at the same time ADHD. How did you cope with your syndrome?

[BreadAlone]

Isaiah 55:10-11 10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, 11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

There are times when it's really necessary to plant a seed and just allow God's Word to do its work instead of trying to force an issue on someone. Of course, that's not to say you shouldn't enter the conversation unprepared, but just keep in mind that God's Word is effective and trust in the living power of His Word.
I really dislike when people use this quote haphazardly.

God wasn't saying that spewing the Bible relentlessly would be an automatic cure-all for atheism and false religion. God also says:

6"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

[PreachersWife2004]

Yes, but it is not for us to decide who we don't share the word with.

Lambie was actually making the point that it's not our job to force feed the bible to the JWs or anyone else for that matter. But it IS our job to share the good news, even with those that WE might not think are worthy.

[BreadAlone]

Yes, but it is not for us to decide who we don't share the word with.

Lambie was actually making the point that it's not our job to force feed the bible to the JWs or anyone else for that matter. But it IS our job to share the good news, even with those that WE might not think are worthy.
That's agreed. :)

[DaRev]

One of my all time favorite passages is applicable here...

Romans 10:13-17 (ESV) - For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

[DoomRyderOCST]

"Too much Mountain Dew and good heavy metal doesn't help much either."

But it doesn't hurt either! LOL Who do you listen to?

I prefer mainly progressive and power bands but I like most of the genres. Some of my favorites include Sonata Arctica, Tourniquet, Rhapsody, (old) Nightwish, Narnia, (old) Extol, Haggard, Kapel Maister, and about 20,000 others. :)

I take it you like some metal too, who do you like?

[DoomRyderOCST]

A couple at the sem has a child with Aspbergers. They have said that symptoms seem to be somewhat autistic but at the same time ADHD. How did you cope with your syndrome?

At the time I was still in school, they weren't looking for things like Asperger's or ADHD or any of that stuff. So I didn't even know I had it until a few years ago. Since I never really knew anything was 'wrong' about me, I just kinda adusted to being known as kind of odd. :)

[Luther073082]

Yes, but it is not for us to decide who we don't share the word with.

Lambie was actually making the point that it's not our job to force feed the bible to the JWs or anyone else for that matter. But it IS our job to share the good news, even with those that WE might not think are worthy.

Since when is anyone worthy of the good news? I know I'm not.

[DaSeminarian]

Since when is anyone worthy of the good news? I know I'm not.

God's love for his creation is what makes us worthy. Our sins are what make us unworthy.

[Jenna]

I just kinda adusted to being known as kind of odd.

I have yet to meet a person who isn't odd. :) We all have our own little oddities. What is truly strange is the concept of being "normal". ;)

[Luther073082]

I have yet to meet a person who isn't odd. :) We all have our own little oddities. What is truly strange is the concept of being "normal". ;)

I tried being normal once, and then I got bored.

[RadMan]

God would have ALL men to be saved.

[Melethiel]

I tried being normal once, and then I got bored.
I've never been normal in any sense of the word.

[Jenna]

God would have ALL men to be saved.

It's not that I am saying that the gospel should be kept from anyone, not at all. My thoughts even extend into having conversations with those who are very adamant atheists, the kind of folks who fight you tooth and nail, verse by verse. I have no problem sharing the gospel with someone who is willing to hear, but I'm not sure how wise it would be for me to spend hours debating with people who are hostile toward Christianity or trying to convince me of a gospel that is no gospel at all.

[david01]

My two cents, here. In my experience I have discovered with JW's is that they are usually heavily programmed and are well-equipped to deal with the standard approaches taken by Christians. I have had the most success with getting out a 2 x 4 and hitting them upside the head (metaphorically only) to grab their attention and break the program. A typical example is a young JW fellow who recently came to my door. Before I would let him give me his spiel I asked him if he thought the book of the Revelation really belonged in the Bible. He thought a moment and said it should. I then asked him Who was seated on the throne in Rev. 4,5 (the Lamb of God). I then asked who that might be - Jesus Christ. I then asked what the four and twenty elders along with the myriads and myriads and thousands of thousands were doing in front of the throne. He didn't know. I told him it was worship. They were falling down and worshipping the Lamb upon the throne. I asked him then if anyone other than Jehovah God should ever receive worship. He said he wasn't sure (the JW answer is always no). I told him that if Jesus Christ is not God then all the hosts in heaven are guilty of idolatry and should be cast into the lake of fire as a result. However, that is not the case, meaning that either the Revelation is the Word of God and Jesus is God or the Revelation should be expunged from the Bible (along with other pertinent passages in the New Testament). I concluded by solemnly telling him that what he thinks of Jesus Christ will make all the difference as to where he spends eternity.

My advice is to keep it short, keep on target (the person and work of Christ) and keep it serious and compassionate.

[LilLamb219]

I really dislike when people use this quote haphazardly.

God wasn't saying that spewing the Bible relentlessly would be an automatic cure-all for atheism and false religion. God also says:

I didn't haphazardly use the quote. I purposely used it ;)

That verse shows the power of God's Word as it "effects" faith into people by use of the Holy Spirit. God's word is living and active as scriptures state in the NT. It coincides with this OT verse in a way.