Talking to Jehovah's Witnesses

This Rock via CERC ^ | July/August 2001 | JASON EVERT

[GonzoII]

---

Talking to Jehovah's Witnesses

JASON EVERT

If you open your home to the Witnesses, that is more than most people do. Know that your charity and willingness to share your faith will leave a mark on the hearts and minds of Jehovah's Witnesses.

1. Hi. We're making visits in the neighborhood. Did you see on the news that bombing that happened in the Middle East? Wouldn't it be great if we could live in a world without war?
   
   If you've ever opened your door to find a pair of Jehovah's Witnesses, odds are you've heard a question such as this. This query and countless other door-to-door strategies of the Jehovah's Witnesses are laid out in their book Reasoning from the Scriptures. Long before they knock on your door, they have a carefully planned conversation designed to lead you to the Kingdom Hall. Do you have carefully planned response?
   
   When opening a discussion with a prospective convert, the first thing Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to do is to establish a common ground with you. Long before letting you know who they are or what they believe, they usually discuss global problems that everyone would like to see solved. If you listen, they'll explain how the Bible says that the Creator has a plan for us: to restore paradise on earth. The Witnesses will invite you to study Scripture with them in your home or to come to hear lessons given at the local Kingdom Hall.
   
   Here is your opportunity. Instead listening their pre-planned discussion of the Watchtower teachings, let them know that you are interested in them personally. What are their stories? What is the Lord doing in their lives? You'll find that a large number of Jehovah's Witnesses were raised Catholic, and this gives you an opportunity to share your love for the Church and invite them home. Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to listen.
   
   When your turn comes, focus the discussion on the one topic you need to address with any door-to-door missionary: authority. "Who is your authority, and why should we trust him? With the number of denominations approaching 30,000, all using Scripture and all claiming to be correct, what assurance can we have that the Watchtower's interpretations are accurate?"
   
   This is the crux of the matter, and you want to start here before getting into random doctrinal disputes. At www.catholic.com you'll be able to find several tracts showing that the Watchtower is an unreliable authority and many others that present the scriptural and historical reasons why you can trust the Catholic Church. Witness to the Witnesses about these things first and then deal with other doctrinal issues they'll bring up-such as the identity of Christ, the name "Jehovah," the 144,000, and the existence of hell.

   
   
   

2. Before Jesus Christ came to earth, he was Michael, prince of the angels.
   
   This is one teaching that the Witnesses don't speak about often, because the Bible is silent with regard to any evidence supporting such a claim. Witnesses will admit that if you had walked up to any of the twelve apostles and asked him who Jesus was, none would have said, "But of course, he's Michael the Archangel!" The very idea was unheard of before Charles Taze Russell, and the Bible rejects the possibility of it.
   
   The book of Hebrews states, "To which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my son'? . . . Let all the angels of God worship him. . . . Your throne, O God, stands firm forever. . . . O Lord, you established the earth, and the heavens are the works of your hands . . . to which of the angels has he ever said, 'Sit at my right hand'?" (Heb. 1).
   
   The obvious problem is this: Archangels are creatures, but the Bible forbids any creature to worship another creature. Thus, either the Bible is in error by commanding the angels to worship an archangel, or Jesus is uncreated and cannot be an archangel. Since this issue gave the Watchtower a tremendous problem, it changed its own original 1961 Bible translation to eliminate the references to worshiping Christ. Beyond this, Jesus has the power to forgive sins and give eternal life, but no angel has this capacity.

   
   
   

3. Jehovah is the proper pronunciation of God's name, and "Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved" (Rom. 10:13). Therefore, references to God in the New Testament should be translated as Jehovah.
   
   When the topic of the name of God comes up, first address the fact that the New Testament Greek always uses the word Lord and never Jehovah, even in quotes from the Old Testament. Encyclopedia Judaica, Webster's Encyclopedia, Jewish Encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Britannica, Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, and many other authoritative sources agree that the title Jehovah is erroneous and was never used by the Jews.
   
   So where did the name Jehovah come from? According to the Watchtower's own publication, Aid to Bible Understanding, "The first recorded use of this form dates from the thirteenth century. C. E. Raymundus Martini, a Spanish monk of the Dominican order, used it in his book Pugeo Fidei of the year 1270. Hebrew scholars generally favor 'Yahweh' as the most likely pronunciation."
   
   In regard to Romans 10:13, the Greek word used is kurios, which is translated Lord. However, when this passage is read in context with the preceding verse, the Lord being spoken of is Jesus Christ. So if the Lord in Romans 10:13 is Jehovah, then Jesus is Jehovah.

   
   
   

4. According to Revelation 7 and 14, only 144,000 people will inherit the heavenly kingdom. All others who are saved will reside forever on a paradise earth.
   
   Look up Revelation 7 and read it from beginning to end. You'll notice that if the seventh chapter of Revelation is to be taken literally, heaven would consist of 144,000 Jewish male virgins who were taken from a square-shaped earth and are now worshiping a sheep. This would mean that Peter (not a virgin), the Blessed Mother (not a male), and Jehovah's Witnesses founder Charles Taze Russell (not a Jew) could not be in heaven.
   
   Beyond this, we see in Revelation 14 that the 144,000 stand before the twenty-four elders from Revelation 4:4. This brings the grand total to 144,024 total people. But Scripture indicates that there are still more. Revelation 7:9 speaks of a countless multitude before the throne, which is in heaven (Rev. 14:2-3). We read also that all those with their name in the book of life are in heaven (Rev. 21:27), while all whose names are not in the book of life are thrown into the pool of fire (Rev. 20:15). There is no third "earthly" class.

   
   
   

5. Everlasting punishment is a lie invented by Satan. Such an idea is not in the Bible, which teaches that hell is only a place of rest in hope where the dead are conscious of nothing and feel no pain.
   
   
   

   Secondly, you can show them that you are Catholic, you love them, and you are devoted to the Word of God. So even if you can't remember all the verses at the right time, know that kindness has converted more souls than eloquence ever will.

   When discussing hell with a Jehovah's Witness, you must address the issue of the immortal human soul, since Witnesses deny its existence. Address the nature of the afterlife in general before dealing with the issue of hellfire in particular.
   
   In the Old Testament, Isaiah 14:9-17 indicates clearly that the dead are conscious, and the New Testament tells the same story. In 1 Peter 3:19, the apostle tells his audience how, after Jesus died on the cross, he "preached to the spirits in prison." If the dead were aware of nothing, his preaching would have been futile.
   
   So to be absent from the body is not to be unconscious; rather, it enables one to be home with the Lord (2 Cor. 5:8, Phil. 1:23). The body is just a tent or a tabernacle that does not last (2 Cor. 5:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:13), while man cannot kill the soul (Matt 10:28). Our souls live after the death of our bodies, since John "saw . . . the souls of those slaughtered . . . and they cried with a loud voice, saying . . . and they were told . . ." (Rev. 6:9-11). Because the soul does not die with the flesh, those in heaven are able to offer our prayers to God (Rev. 5:8) and live in happiness (Rev. 14:13).
   
   Those who led an unrighteous life are just as conscious of their punishment as the just are of their joy. If one is in hell, "he shall be tormented with fire and sulfur . . . the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever, and day and night they have no rest" (Rev. 14:11). This is an "everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25:41-46).
   
   Jesus tells his listeners of Lazarus and the rich man, where the rich man dies and "existing in torments . . . he sees . . . calls out . . . 'I am in anguish in this blazing fire'" (Luke 16:19-31). As a further illustration, Jesus stated that hell is likened to Gehenna. This Valley of Hinnom was located southeast of Jerusalem and was used as a garbage dump where trash and waste were burned continuously day and night. Jesus informs the listeners that hell is like this, "where the maggot does not die, and fire is not put out" (Mark 9:42-48). It is the place where the wicked are sent, and from this "everlasting fire" (Matt. 18:8) will come "weeping and the gnashing of teeth" (Matt. 8:12). Now, if hell were "a place of rest in hope" as the Watchtower teaches, Jesus would not have chosen such contradictory illustrations to convey this.

Each one of the above topics could be a long conversation. So know that your charity and willingness to share your faith will leave a mark on the hearts and minds of Jehovah's Witnesses. If you open your home to the Witnesses, that is more than most people do. Secondly, you can show them that you are Catholic, you love them, and you are devoted to the Word of God. So even if you can't remember all the verses at the right time, know that kindness has converted more souls than eloquence ever will.

---

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Jason Evert. "Talking to Jehovah's Witnesses." This Rock (July/August 2001).

Reprinted by permission of Catholic Answers.

This Rock magazine began publication in 1990 and quickly established itself as the definitive magazine of Catholic apologetics and evangelization.

Its mission continues to be the one for which it was created: to explain and defend the tenets of the Catholic faith and present practical ways to spread God's truth. It does so using unfailingly orthodox defenses of the Church's beliefs and always in a spirit of charity. Through This Rock, Catholic Answers cleaves to Peter's exhortation to apologists: "Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and reverence" (1 Pet. 3:15).

To subscribe to This Rock, go here.

Visit the Catholic Answers book and tract shop here.

Catholic Answers, 2020 Gillespie Way, El Cajon, CA 92020 USA
Main: 619-387-7200 | Fax: 619-387-0042
U.S. Orders: 888-291-8000 | Non-U.S. Orders: 619-387-7200

THE AUTHOR

Jason Evert earned a master's degree in Theology, and undergraduate degrees in Counseling and Theology, with a minor in Philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He is the author of Answering Jehovah's Witnesses, If You Really Loved Me, Pure Manhood, Answering Jehovah's Witnesses, Love, Sex, and Babies, Teen Relationships And Sexual Pressure, and Pure Love, which challenges young people to embrace the virtue of chastity. Jason speaks at seminars, participates in debates, and responds to thousands of questions about Catholicism from people around the world.

Copyright © 2008 Catholic Answers

---

[GonzoII]

Shhhh!, it's the J-Ws.

[plinyelder]

I have been associated with the JW’s for over ten years and even though I am not a baptized witness, If I had the inkling, I could probably pick apart the majority of what is said here.

I do not think that this is the place to do it though.

[GonzoII]

Ping.

[oldenuff2no]

Big dogs, big American flag flying in the front yard, and a big sign that says “Proud American Vet.”
They don’t knock on my door.

[RushLake]

Ditto that.

Big Flag, Blue Star banner on door, loud barking dog.

[plinyelder]

I am a Viet Nam vet .. Army/Rangers 68-71

What, pray tell, does what you said mean? (Flag, Vet etc. etc.)

[LetMarch]

“He (Jesus) came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:11-12)

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 19:13)

“For He (God) hath made Him (Jesus) to be sin for us, who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“Being born again, not of corruptible see, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” (1 Peter 1:23)

“He that hath the Son hath life: and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:13)

[Keli Kilohana]

Do you know why JWs never die in earthquakes?






They are always standing in doorways.

[CalvaryJohn]

Aw, don’t be a tease. Have at it. I’d love to see your argument for Michael as Jesus. And what do you mean, it’s not the place?

[elcid1970]

My grandfather, a WWI vet, had a doormat made with his name on it. After he had flung a few JWs and their Victrolas off his front porch and into the street, that doormat was enough to keep them at bay.

The purpose of the talking machines was to play recordings of the JW Founder, since most of their doorknockers were too illiterate to argue their case.

BTW, what do you get when you cross a Jehovah’s Witness with a Unitarian Universalist?

“Someone who knocks at your door to talk about nothing in particular.”

;^)

[wastoute]

I would just say to ANY believer that they need to take a care that the Jesus they depend on for grace actually is the one who has the AUTHORITY to provide it. If the Jesus you believe in isn't God ("If you have seen me you have seen the Father...") then by what authority does he say, "I go to prepare a place for you..." To not believe this is lake taking a placebo. There is no "active ingredient". I suspect this is why he said, "I will say I never KNEW you."

Something to ponder...

Μολὼν λάβε

[Nosterrex]

The difficulty with dealing with cults is one of authority. JW’s put their faith in the teachings of Watchtower. You can show them all the passages in the Bible that contradict their views, but they will put Watchtower's interpretations and explanations above yours. It is the same with Mormons or Moonies. The belief that you can convert them by showing proof-texts from the Bible will never work. What the Christian church needs to do is to teach the truth before they are sucked into a cult.

[republicangel]

Is it true that Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t involve themselves in politics? There was a news story in our local paper telling this before the election in 2008. A co-worker told me that it was true. Have always had a curiosity about different religions.

[waxer1]

Before you get into a discussion with these people, you better know your bible. These people are very well trained. They do a lot of roll playing and such.

When I was 16 my mother left us for the witnesses. She spent the rest of her life in service or I should say slavery to them. She was so afraid of making a mistake. If she missed a meeting, they would either call her and ask her why or come by her place.

She was one of their best book/magazine sellers in her hall. My mother died because of them. Yes, I am bitter. It is not the regular door to door people I am angry at. They are brainwashed, scared people. They have no hope to enter God’s kingdom. They are required to go out on service and they have a quota they have to meet.

When we cleaned out my mom’s apartment, we found tons of the magazines she would sell. She had to buy them with her own money to boot. And all her books. We had a nice bon fire that night. After all that woman sacraficed for that organization not one of her kingdom hall associates called us or even dropped us a card.

The leadership are evil in my opinion.

[plinyelder]

Yes, That is true.

[plinyelder]

Tsk Tsk

I am very sorry about your anger but .. You have been completely misled or your anger has made you blind to what is the real truth.

Again, I am very sorry about your mother and your anger.

[grumpa]

We have a step-by-step plan on how to witness to JW’s on our website: http://www.faithfacts.org/world-religions-and-theology/jehovahs-witness.

[waxer1]

Excuse me?

Honey, I know more about the witnesses than most witnesses do.

When my mom was in the hospital getting her by pass surgery, they had a monitor from the hall there. And do you know why? So if my mom started to bleed he was there to be sure that no b
lood was given to her.

I have not been misled my anyone. My mom was a pioneer, she had to devote at least 90 hours to service calls. By the end, she was so worn out. In less than two weeks after her surgery, she was out pioneering for goodness sake. We, her children who loved her unconditionally, were appalled. She said that she had to.

Do you know what the truth is? The Lord Jesus is the way, truth and the light to salvation.

[plinyelder]

The monitor would Only be there if your mothers wishes were that she Not receive blood.

They would be guarding against the hospitals unscrupulous attempt to go against those wishes when she could no longer defend her own wishes.

They, (hospitals) have been known to do that.

Yes, I know scripture and the JW’s very well.
I have studied the Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic scriptures, to be absolutely certain of translation and meaning.

[Eye of Unk]

I was raised by a mother that was a devout JW, when I turned 16 I left home and struck out on my own but found that all those years of indoctrination really screwed up my life.

This cult is probably the absolute worst when it comes to brainwashing its followers, they use so much nice sugary pacifying scripture storytelling it gives me a major toothache just thinking about what I had to endure.

I was a golden sheep in their flock....until I started asking questions...and then I “awoke” one day and it was apparently clear that I just was not mindless enough to be a blind faith follower anymore to them.

I have not seen my older sister for two decades, she is still a JW and wants nothing to do with unbelievers.

My advice is to NOT communicate at all, just say NOT interested.Do not try to convince them of anything, some things in life just cannot be changed, you write it off as a loss and move on to another day.

They will never be any danger unlike Muslims that can go into sudden Jihad syndrome, they make good employees as long as they can leave the Awake and Watchtower at home, they do not smoke, do not celebrate holidays or birthdays, they are good people in a weird Amish sort of way.

[Popman]

I have been associated with the JW’s for over ten years

Sorry to hear about your delusion.

"Kingdom of the Cults" by Walter Martin

[plinyelder]

Thank You but .. as you said .. “It’s my delusion”.

[Labyrinthos]

Rather than engage in a meaningless conversation that is not going to change any minds (or at least not the minds of the JW), the better approach is simply to say “No thank-you” and then shut the door and walk away. The next best approach is to answer the door naked and then invite them in to chat over a couple of brewskis.

[Popman]

Well, it is your life.

You should at least look at the link for an honest assessment of what Dr. Walter Martin has published. He book is, after all the standard reference on cults.

[PLMerite]

bump while I make some popcorn.

I live around the corner from a Kingdom Hall and they shuffle down my street with regularity.

[plinyelder]

I am very familiar with Dr Martin.(and his work)
We have met on more than one occasion.

As a matter of fact, Dr Martin, Dr D James Kennedy, myself and a few others had some very heated “but cordial” discussions a few years ago.(well maybe more than just a few)8-)

I helped Dr Kennedy move into his original ‘church’ many, many years ago in Fort Lauderdale. (It was an unused fire station LOL) I was born and raised there.

[waxer1]

are you a witness? Active? Just wondering.

Well, in the end we got her body back!!! She had a Catholic Funeral.

[plinyelder]

No, not baptized but I do try to keep up on the studies.

[narses]

+

Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:

Add me / Remove me

Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.

Obama Says A Baby Is A Punishment

Obama: “If they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

[Condor51]

If you open your home to the Witnesses, that is more than most people do.

I'm a 'door opener'. And I talk to them. They're polite and so am I.
I tell them I'm a Catholic and I respect them -- so thank you, but no thank you, and have a nice day.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***After he had flung a few JWs and their Victrolas off his front porch... ***

I met an elderly woman years ago who let in some JWs with their Victrola. She said after they finished playing the “founder’s” preaching she reached for her Bible and the Jws raced out the door.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

***I’m a ‘door opener’. And I talk to them. They’re polite and so am I.***

I also am a door opener. When they think they have found someone who is dumb as a post about the Bible I begin to demolish their arguments with scripture.
I had one yound lad so nervous the was really figiting around and every time he made an excuse to leave I would ask about another scripture. And I am never unfriendly to them.

Of course having the air conditioner off in the hot, hot humid summer makes them really figit! It is fun to watch the sweat roll off them when you ask them a really tough question and they realize you are not dumb as a post about the Bible.

They never come back.

[oldenuff2no]

They don't do the military, it an in your face kind of thing... We live Way out in the country. My friends can get out of the car because they know my dogs. Others need to read the other sign. “Dogs are trained to bite and hold while I grab My rifle”
I'm spent some time at Medina annex of Lackland AFB while I was in the military. I think I went through every dog school they had.

[Salvation]

Interesting article.

[Salvation]

How Old Is Your Church?

[PapaBear3625]

Rather than engage in a meaningless conversation that is not going to change any minds (or at least not the minds of the JW), the better approach is simply to say “No thank-you” and then shut the door and walk away. The next best approach is to answer the door naked and then invite them in to chat over a couple of brewskis.

I've also found that a gruff "no thank you" works. I have better things to do with my day than argue with JWs.

[elcid1970]

“and the JWs raced out the door”

While looking for the Life magazine edition covering Pearl Harbor, I stumbled across an article about JWs; the pix showed the `Victrola’ looking like a small suitcase which played 78 rpm discs vertically.

BTW, JWs who encountered violent responses like those from my grandfather began showing up with small children in tow. When they did, Grandpa didn’t say a word; he just gave them `the look’, which made the JWs quick to depart.

[TheConservativeParty]

“GET OFF MY LAWN”

[bankwalker]

I used to always slam the door in their faces until one fine Saturday morning a pair of them approached my house. I decided to let them in and offered them some iced tea.

After some brief small talk, I asked them how I could help them.

They looked at me, then at each other, then back at me.

One of them said nervously, "I don't know. We've never gotten this far before!"

[Quester]

The leadership are evil in my opinion.

The Watchtower Society (JW leadership) has a lot to answer for.

The most blatant failures of JW leadership has to do with the numerous failures in prophecy over the past century.

After a number of failed prophecies predicting the end of the world, the organization made a emphatic prediction that the world, as we knew it, would end in 1975.

As 1975 drew near, many Jehovah’s Witnesses began to quit their jobs (and gave up their pensions) in order to devote more time to the door-to-door ministry. Many sold their homes and businesses, cashed in life insurance policies, rejected college education for themselves and their children, and even put off non-emergency medical or dental treatment in expectation of “the end.” All of these actions were commended by the Watchtower Society and hailed by the organization to the rank-and-file as “good examples” of what “faithful” Jehovah’s Witnesses were to be.

“Many schools now have student counselors who encourage one to pursue higher education after high school, to pursue a career with a future in this system of things. Do not be influenced by them. Do not let them ‘brainwash’ you with the Devil’s propaganda to get ahead… This world has very little time left!… Make pioneer service, the full-time ministry, with the possibility of Bethel or missionary service your goal.” —The Watchtower, March 15, 1969, p. 171

“Therefore, as a young person, you will never fulfill any career that this system offers. If you are in high school and thinking about a college education, it means at least four, perhaps even six or eight more years to graduate into a specialized career. But where will this system of things be by that time? It will be well on the way toward its finish, if not actually gone!” —Awake!, May 22, 1969, p. 15

When 1975 came and went uneventfully, the Watchtower Society actually blamed the JW membership for taking their prophecy too seriously.

At that time, many American JW's left the organization.

There is more information on this climatic time for the JW organization at the follwing link ...

http://www.4jehovah.org/help-1975-prophecy.php

[toothfairy86]

The dental office where I work recently hired 2 JW’s...a receptionist and a dental assistant. Obviously the bosses didn’t know they were JW before they were hired, since you’re not allowed to ask those things at an interview. Up until recently, I wasn’t aware that they don’t vote in elections or believe in military service. This has been an eye opening experience. I also didn’t realize that they don’t believe in the Trinity. The JW bible is from a flawed translation by people who spoke neither Greek nor Hebrew. The more I find out about them, the more I wonder how anybody falls for this stuff.