From: peterson@sra.com (Eric Peterson x7644)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian
Subject: Re:  JW Bible, are they Christian, etc.
Date: 9 Sep 92 08:35:09 GMT
Organization: Systems Research and Applications

To the person who replied to me whose reply address does not work for
me: I left your name off this because you rmailed your reply to me and
because my reponse is somewhat personal; you will recognize your text.

> In your posting you write:
>In article <Aug.17.03.36.23.1992.18168@athos.rutgers.edu>
> diarmuid@uniwa.uwa.edu.au (Diarmuid Pigott) writes:
>
>>I would like some form of history of the JW's written by someone
>>mainstream and unimpeachable. Are there any suggestions? Also I would
>>like a lsit of the twistings of truth in their rather unusual
>>translation of the bible. 
>>
>>Thank you in advance
>
>I have observed that one man's twistings are another man's
>scholarly/inspired interpretation.  Those who lack the JW zeal for
>witnessing - as most agree we have been commanded to witness - should
>perhaps concider removing that beam before they worry about using
>their own scriptural interpretation (stated as fact) as a yardstick to
>measure and beat on those who interpret differently.  My beliefs vary
>greatly from theirs but I beleive their is much we can learn from.  
>
>I would invite you to compare that amount of time you have spend
>witessing this last month with any of my Jehovah's Witness neighbors.

Hi <name withheld> ;
   Sorry about the delayed reply.

   name withheld> As for zeal, yes there is much we can learn.  I have 2 JW's
   name withheld> friends that I talk to at length.  One has at times been
   name withheld> almost persuaded to accept Christ as diety, the other not.
   name withheld> This however is not just any rejection of truth, it is the
   name withheld> supreme damning truth.

I think we are all tempted and succumb to state our religious beliefs
and interpretations as fact.  I've logged well over 10,000 hour of
scripture study in the last few years -including in the Greek, have
held several responsible positions of leadership in my church
including that of full time missionary.  I believe that I've felt the
Holy Spirit burn within my heart and manifest the truth of my
religious beliefs, just as Cleopos felt on the road to Emaus as
Christ "opened up the scriptures" to him.  Yet I still don't find it at all
productive to relate my beliefs - beliefs that I tithe for and would
die for - as fact.  In our attempt to be Christ's peacemakers, I
believe, we nearly always lead to quarrel, contention, and drive away
the Lords spirit by doing anything but stating our beliefs as beliefs
and then explaining why we believe them to those who would like to
listen.  I believe that if we witness, and discuss politics in the way
that I've described, the old saying about religion and politics would
go away.  

   name withheld>                         ...Therefore, at best, we can learn
   name withheld> very little of worth from them.  To reject Christ as God is
   name withheld> no insignificant denial.

I think that you would be at a loss to prove how their Bible translation
scholars had any less credentials or more of an agenda, than the King
James scholars, the Catholic church (in helping to determining what
would be included in our current cannon) or any of the several
translating bodies up and down the translation line.

  I don't think that the Prince of Peace would have us anger our
devout Jehovas' Witness brothers by being so arrogant as to talk as if
speak for Christ and exclude anyone from sincere person from claiming
to be a Christian.  I'm sorry if my bluntness has offended you but I
felt moved to say it.  Maybe I surpass your arrogance by presuming to
correct you.  But, concerning those who were "casting out devils in
the name of Christ", the Saviour said to "let them alone" even when
they didn't directly follow him and only used his name - or so I
interpret :-).  If you can make a case for an alternate
interpretation, I hope you will share it with me.

Your friend in Christ;

Eric Peterson


P.S.  Just for the record, I agree that Christ's status is that of God.


                                   Eric Peterson (speaking for myself)
                                   Systems Research and Applications
                                   2000 15th Street North
                                   Arlington, VA 22201
                                   USA
                                   peterson@sra.com
                                   (703) 558-7644
                                   Fax:  (703) 558-4723

[We now know who did the JW translation, and it's fairly easy to show
that their credentials are not up to what we normally expect of
translators.  However I'm not sure how important this is, as the
details of their translation aren't all that critical to any
significant issue. They give a different translation of John 1:1,
which I'm inclined to think is wrong.  But that's by no means the only
verse supporting orthodox theology, so it's not clear that it's worth
arguing over.  --clh]