In the rhythm of routine, my friend, a dedicated Pioneer Jehovah’s Witness, and I settled into our customary pre-study chat. I’ve always valued these informal moments before diving into scripture, a chance to connect personally with someone I’m sharing my time with. After a pleasant half-hour of catching up, my Pioneer friend initiated our study with palpable enthusiasm.
JW: I’m really looking forward to this chapter!
KW: Chapter two already? Time flies.
JW: Yes! We finished paragraph three last time, and the rest of this chapter explores the evidence that the Bible is truly a gift from God.
We proceeded to read paragraphs four and five from the Teach Book, diligently answering the questions that followed each. Knowing the Watchtower’s nuanced stance on the inspiration of their literature – publications are deemed ‘not inspired’ yet attributed to God’s direction – I steered the conversation towards this intriguing point. I recall a past discussion with an elder who described “non-inspired messages” from God through the Watchtower. I was curious to see how my Pioneer friend would navigate this concept.
KW: In paragraph five, what’s your understanding of the phrase “borne along by holy spirit?”
JW: Well, literally it means “carried along.” Think of it as “being directed,” influenced, or moved.
KW: So, essentially “directed by the Spirit?”
JW: Exactly. That’s spot on. Actually, our newer translation phrases it slightly differently, “as they were moved by holy spirit.”
I made a note of his definitions directly in my Teach book for clarity.
KW: So, to be clear, “moved by the Holy Spirit,” “directed by the Spirit,” and “spirit directed” are all interchangeable ways of saying the same thing.
JW: Yes, they all convey the essential idea of spirit directed and inspired guidance.
KW: Therefore, “Spirit directed” is effectively the same as “inspired.”
JW: Um-hmm, in essence, yes.
This was a pivotal moment. Unbeknownst to my Pioneer friend, he had just stepped into territory that would require careful navigation later. He had equated “spirit-directed” with “inspired,” a point that would become crucial when discussing the status of Watchtower publications. To solidify the point, I reiterated what I had noted.
KW: Okay, just confirming: moved by the Holy Spirit, directed by the Holy Spirit, and Spirit directed – all equal inspired. Got it.
JW: Perfect. Now, paragraph five uses the illustration of a businessman and a secretary to explain how men wrote the Bible. Some people argue that because men wrote it, it’s somehow less divine.
KW: But the secretary was a person, a man in this analogy. So, what’s the issue there?
He chuckled at the point.
JW: Exactly! What’s the problem? If someone like Bill Gates drafts a memo, he might not physically type every word, but it carries the full authority of Bill Gates.
KW: Precisely, because it bears his signature, his stamp of approval.
JW: His thoughts, right?
KW: Right. The memo embodies the businessman’s thoughts and instructions.
This analogy was profoundly revealing. The Watchtower frequently emphasizes how the ‘Faithful and Discreet Slave’ delivers Jehovah’s thoughts and instructions to believers. If Watchtower publications are channels for God’s thoughts and instructions, the question naturally arises: why aren’t they considered inspired?
Our study continued at a good pace, and when we reached paragraph eight, I felt it was a good moment to share a relevant personal anecdote. The text highlighted, “At a time when there were wrong ideas about the shape of the earth, the Bible referred to it as a circle, or sphere. (Isaiah 40:22) The Bible accurately said that the earth ‘hangs on nothing.’ (Job 26:7).”
Years prior, I had the privilege of hearing a Christian astronaut recount his experiences. He was among the few who had walked on the moon. Standing on the lunar surface, gazing back at Earth suspended in the vastness of space, Job 26:7 came vividly to his mind. The Earth was literally hanging in “mid-air,” suspended on nothing. It was an awe-inspiring realization. My Jehovah’s Witness friend was genuinely captivated by this story.
Sharing such stories with Witnesses serves a purpose. I aim to show them that genuine faith and appreciation for God are not exclusive to their organization but are shared across various Christian denominations. The Watchtower often presents a negative view of “Christendom,” portraying it as devoid of spiritual value. Personal stories like this offer a subtle counterpoint, suggesting that others outside their group also hold deep faith that enriches their lives in tangible ways.
Paragraph nine led us to discuss the historical accuracy of the Bible. I recounted experiences from my recent trip to Israel, mentioning how even secular archaeologists have used the Bible as a reliable guide in their excavations, expecting to find exactly what the scriptures described. My Pioneer friend expressed surprise, wondering how these archaeologists could remain non-believers despite such compelling evidence. I responded with a perspective gained from my own faith journey.
KW: The more I live my Christian faith, the more I realize that belief, ultimately, is an act of the will. It’s a choice to will to believe or will not to believe. Evidence can be presented, but if someone is determined not to believe, or conversely, to believe regardless of contradictory evidence, there’s little external persuasion can do.
JW: Absolutely, that makes sense.
I recognized that my Witness friend was likely considering “proofs” from Watchtower publications, but my words were rooted in my broader experience ministering to Jehovah’s Witnesses and members of other faiths over many years. I hoped this insight would resonate with him when he inevitably encountered contradictions, historical revisions, doctrinal shifts, and unfulfilled prophecies within his own organization.
Our meeting was drawing to a close, and aside from the significant discussion on inspiration and spirit direction, the conversation remained relatively light. However, just as we were about to conclude, he made a remark that stood out.
JW: The spirit you’ve shown, your humble desire to know God and His will… Jehovah must be pleased to see such a childlike and honest spirit.
KW: Thank you for saying that. That’s very kind of you.
His words genuinely surprised and deeply honored me. It reminded me of a question a friend had posed after reading a previous account of our conversations: “How do you engage with them when they might suspect you of being an apostate?” My response was that the key is to converse in a way that such a question never arises. A significant part of this approach is not revealing the full extent of one’s knowledge upfront. By allowing the Jehovah’s Witness to gradually unveil their beliefs and doctrines, we create opportunities to address them within the framework they present, as I did in this discussion about inspiration.
Too often, in discussions with Jehovah’s Witnesses, there’s a rush to point out all the perceived flaws in Watchtower theology. We might be too eager to preach a counter-gospel when the more effective approach is to listen, observe, and seek openings to ensure our message is truly heard and, equally importantly, what remains unsaid is also considered. Jehovah’s Witnesses are conditioned to expect a direct, confrontational challenge to their beliefs, but they are less prepared for genuine questions aimed at understanding and clarification. By not being perceived as a threat, we can plant seeds of thought far more effectively than if we are seen as an adversary. I am grateful that my Pioneer friend sees me as a fellow seeker, not an opponent.
Please keep my Jehovah’s Witness friend and his family in your prayers.
