Is the Governing body still "spirit directed"?

[Queen Esther]

Is the Governing body still "spirit directed"?

Of  course !  bec. its  our  only  channel  from  Jehovah  to  our  GB !  NO  one  can  purport  the  opposite

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

Soon after I was born, this came out in the AWAKE! magazine .....

As Dorothy said (paraphrased)  "We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto"

 

 

[bruceq]

Why 1947?

PROMOTING TRUE WORSHIP
Jehovah’s servants know that if they are to enjoy divine favor they must engage in clean, undefiled worship. (Jas. 1:27) They need to be morally and spiritually clean. (Isa. 52:11; 1 Cor. 6:9-11) Properly, such points have been stressed by means of assembly talks, Watchtower articles, and the like, especially during relatively recent years as the world in general has sunk deeper and deeper into the morass of moral degradation.
In 1951, advocates of true worship learned something significant about the term “religion.” Some of them could well recall 1938 when, at times, they carried the thought-provoking sign “Religion Is a Snare and a Racket.” From their standpoint then, all “religion” was unchristian, from the Devil. But The Watchtower of March 15, 1951, approved of using the adjectives “true” and “false” respecting religion. Furthermore, the absorbing book What Has Religion Done for Mankind? (published in 1951 and released during the “Clean Worship” Assembly at Wembley Stadium, London, England) had this to say: “Taken according to the way it is used, ‘religion’ in its simplest definition means a system of worship, a form of worship, without regard to whether it is true or false worship. This agrees with the meaning of the Hebrew word for it, ’a·boh·dáh, which literally means ‘service’, regardless of to whom it is rendered.” Thereafter, the expressions “false religion” and “true religion” became common among Jehovah’s witnesses.
God’s people were determined to practice true religion and to remain morally and spiritually clean for Jehovah’s service. Particularly was this emphasized in The Watchtower of March 1, 1952, containing the highly significant articles “Keeping the Organization Clean,” “Propriety of Disfellowshipping” and “Sin Making Reinstatement Impossible.” This journal showed that it was proper to expel an unrepentant baptized wrongdoer from the Christian congregation. (1 Cor. 5:1-13) If the sinner later repented, it was pointed out, reinstatement was possible.—2 Cor. 2:6-11.
This was not the first time The Watchtower had mentioned expulsion of unrepentant sinners from the congregation. From 1952 onward, however, the need to maintain the spiritual cleanliness of the Christian congregation was especially stressed. The passing of years also brought increasing awareness that merciful treatment of repentant ones was essential. (Jas. 2:13) Often, therefore, overseers have brought about spiritual restoration of erring ones before matters have deteriorated to the point that expulsion from the congregation was required.—Gal. 6:1.
 

 

BTW James do you celebrate Christmas?

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

bruceg:

I have not celebrated Christmas since about 1958, but every December I do calculate the size of my Freezer, and think about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and how much space he would take up, fully dressed-out.

.

 

 

[Matthew9969]

English Standard Version When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come

[AlanF]

The JW Governing Body is no more "spirit directed" than the Pope is. They actually admit it from time to time, but express it by talking out of both sides of their mouth at the same time. This is so as to deceive Watch Tower followers who are too dumb to see through the subterfuge.

The term "spirit directed" implies active direction from the "spirit". Passive direction is meaningless, i.e., reading the spirit-inspired Bible and trying to apply its cousel does not in any way imply active direction from "Jehovah's holy spirit".

The GB's claims about being spirit-directed depend on a deliberate confusion between active and passive direction. Passive direction by the holy spirit means reading the holy-spirit-inspired Bible, and then interpreting and applying what it says. Active direction means that God actively causes one to perfectly interpret and apply what the Bible says, or that one is actually being inspired by God through God putting in one's mind information that did not originate in one's mind. Since no one can perfectly interpret and apply what the Bible says, passive spirit-direction is meaningless. And since the GB has repeatedly admitted that it is neither inspired nor infallible, they admit that they do not receive active spirit-direction.

The Watch Tower Society has repeatedly argued that the spirit-direction claimed by other Christian sects is faulty, and therefore is a faulty form of passive spirit-direction. Yet it also argues that the Governing Body (and earlier JW leaders) have always been spirit-directed, with the implied claim that this spirit-direction has been active and perfect. So, while condemning this claim by "Christendom", they embrace it for themselves -- even while knowing, and occasionally admitting, that their spirit-direction is passive and quite imperfect. That's how they talk out of both sides of their mouth.

AlanF

[Witness]

On 4/4/2018 at 3:16 PM, tromboneck said:

See Brother Splane's discussion on "How does the governing body arrive at their decisions" on JW Broadcating. So, as has been explained decisions are not made unilaterrialy but as a group, over time, and not without help from others. However, the final decision is their's to make. 

David Splane – “Decisions of the Faithful and Discreet Slave”

“The Governing Body loves to get together and discuss the bible, and when those bibles come out on the table, and when the brothers bring their research in, and they’re starting to search the scriptures and analyze the scriptures, you see the happiest smiles on their faces.

The brothers love discussing spiritual things.

But the clarifications are often a long time in coming into print. Why. Because the clarification on one scripture can have a domino effect on others.
The clarification on one scripture can have ramifications on other prophesies. SO WE HAVE TO BE ABSOLUTELY SURE THAT EVERYTHING FITS.

So, to reiterate, although certain changes may be announced one after another, these decisions are thought out very carefully.

Here’s an interesting side point. The older members of the GB, Brother Jaracz, Brother Barr were just as interested in making the adjustments as the younger members were. They were very progressive.”

On becoming privy to the process of how the GB reaches decisions, we discern just what truly is their priority. There is no mention of Holy Spirit guiding these men, no articulation made of a prayerful interchange; but as we can see, their own “thoughts” are the driving force to change.

“So we have to be absolutely sure everything fits”. Whose puzzle are they building, one crafted by men, or do they carry the wisdom of God?

Has Christ yet to hand them the missing piece of their own thought-provoking puzzle? 
Time and projected failures prove that their puzzle is becoming more disheveled by the moment.

“For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” 1 Cor 1:19,20

Please, JWs, think of how the apostles were led, and how they never failed to acknowledge the Holy Spirit that filled their HEART. 2 Cor 1:21,22; 2 Tim 1:14 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/…

“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. “ 1 Cor 2:13,14

Any of us can research the Bible, but if these men are teaching millions to rely on the Holy Spirit to direct them in GodÂ’s Word, shouldnÂ’t they also prove that they do the same?

“BUT THE THINGS THAT COME OUT OF A PERSON’S MOUTH COME FROM THE HEART, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, FALSE TESTIMONY, slander.” Matt 15:18,19

The words of David Splane verify what inhabits the hearts of the Governing Body. Even wicked thoughts bring smiles, to those with evil intentions.

"Scoundrels use wicked methods,
they make up evil schemes
to destroy the poor with lies,
even when the plea of the needy is just." Isa 32:7

“Leave them; they are blind guides. If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” Matt 15:14

 

 

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

24 minutes ago, Witness said:

So, to reiterate, although certain changes may be announced one after another, these decisions are thought out very carefully.

Here’s an interesting side point. The older members of the GB, Brother Jaracz, Brother Barr were just as interested in making the adjustments as the younger members were. They were very progressive.”

The above quotes from David Splane, reiterated by Witness show that the younger AND older members of the Governing Body are proudly progressive.... enough to call it to our special attention so we do not miss it and are encouraged that even THEY are becoming  more and more, and in fact ARE more  and more politically correct, and "with it".

Being conservative or "progressive" has strong political overtones, and with all of humanity outside of Jehovah's Witnesses, "progressivism" is causing the collapsing of civilization by people who melt at the slightest pressure or mental stimulation they don't see ...and having conversations with them is like trying to walk on egg-shells without crunching them.

I see no difference inside Jehovah's Witnesses.

[Space Merchant]

9 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

The above quotes from David Splane, reiterated by Witness show that the younger AND older members of the Governing Body are proudly progressive.... enough to call it to our special attention so we do not miss it and are encouraged that even THEY are becoming  more and more, and in fact ARE more  and more politically correct, and "with it".

Being conservative or "progressive" has strong political overtones, and with all of humanity outside of Jehovah's Witnesses, "progressivism" is causing the collapsing of civilization by people who melt at the slightest pressure or mental stimulation they don't see ...and having conversations with them is like trying to walk on egg-shells without crunching them.

I see no difference inside Jehovah's Witnesses.

Seeing with how religion in general, mainly Christianity, there tends to be a difference between those in the mainstream and those that are among the minorities denominations of Christianity.

Other then that there are also Liberal Christians (Liberal Christianity), which does not stem to far from the Conservative tree. They differ, but their goals remain the same, as well as their political views, and we will see that again in full effect this October of 2018 in Texas.

The progressivism era was like 1890s to like 1920s/1930s, what is causing society to collapses right now is Capitalism and Nationalism, hence the widely spread and talk about Marxism, Zionism and the like, in the end, it all boils down to the global political mafia themselves.

They want power, thus bending all persons to their will and power by means of action and influence.

They want wealth, for they are willing to even go head to head with other countries to gain such wealth, for instance, Syria, for such persons already took out Libya and reaped its resources, as well as the resources of other countries close and or far from the US and allies, such resources such as oil (gas prices tend to vary in the most odd circumstances nowadays because of this tug-o-war).

They want single government, religion and educational system. They want their government to be head and in control for the betterment of themselves and the people re as puppets,for the government can take action against someone be it Just or unjust, but regardless of the outcome, it is corrupt and not many people trust the government now and they not trust now in the future, mainly when such a government has killed innocence in the past and started unnecessary conflict. They want a single Religion, the very reason they put the Vatican up to task to gather the world's most brilliant minds and religious leaders to join forces in unity, the conquest of peace as they say, and every month such a group gets bigger and bigger and their influence spreads like a virus to the masses, hence what we got in 2016, 2017's kairos, and like before, October 2018 in Texas will be no different, and inwards. They will shame other religions who do not join them and the government. In the realm of Education, they want to teach the masses of children one thing, and one thing only so they can build a better society to which the government sees sees fit, for any brilliant mind who comes with some unique idea, eventually the government will take and use it for their own benefit, as was done in the past and will be now. In this sense, the children will easily be susceptible to such an education that is being pushed by the government for their minds is like a sponge and taking in this knowledge. People today, as they grew older wised up, but majority have not, those that consider Columbus a hero, those who think the Holocaust was a hoax, just to name a few.

 

A bit off topic:

Speaking of false teachings in the realm of Education,

I had an experience once as a younger person myself, Thanksgiving, I use to think it was alright, until I saw marching Native Americans who deemed the holiday as a day of mourning (National Day of Mourning), for their people had been subjected to slaughter and rape, as well as diseases that were alien to them, not to mention stealing.

When people could this out, they questioned holidays such as this

http://www.uaine.org

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Mourning_(United_States_protest)

But yeah, that is what the era of which we live in as we speak. Eventually it will come to a point whereas the US allies, Israel already, as well as the United Nations will start to mess around with the people. The UN had done some actions already themselves, but the people retaliated, but it does not stop them from doing the will of their late Spiritual Mother, to infiltrate and influence the people, the churches, the schools, etc.

[Srecko Sostar]

On 12/13/2016 at 10:13 PM, Gone Away said:

No one is disfellowshipped for their beliefs.....as far as I know

:))) then we can say perhaps this:

Elders: "Bro Fred. We see that you have your beliefs on Bible teachings that is contrary to WT beliefs. We love you very much, but we must to disfellowship you, not because You have your own beliefs in your brain, but because you have no WT beliefs in your brain. Sorry!" 

[alvi languore insanabili]

1 hour ago, Srecko Sostar said:

Elders: "Bro Fred. We see that you have your beliefs on Bible teachings that is contrary to WT beliefs. We love you very much, but we must to disfellowship you, not because You have your own beliefs in your brain, but because you have no WT beliefs in your brain. Sorry!" 

Interesting. Trying to revive a 2016 topic with something that makes no sense. WOW! ?

[Srecko Sostar]

..."we are uninspired and can err"...

..."our Company is spirit-directed" ...

Some of comments here giving possible meanings on terminology used in WT publications that reveals, optional/possible GB deep thoughts, on how they looking at this issue and how members feel about. In 140 years, must has been/it is now, some sort of different mental/spiritual views and wishes of heart, how imperfect, uninspired, sinful man is guided, directed from JHVH spirit in accomplishing christian task as member (ordinary "am harets" and FDS member) in "one and  only" true religion/organization.  

Catholic church (just for example) also are in position to give self made arguments why they have to be, must to be "only true" religion. And in comparing to WT they already existing more then 140 years. Does this proving how They, Roman Catholic church, are "spirit directed" and have blessing because we see multitude of members and soooo long existing? Much, much longer then WT. Which (by whom) handmade is RCC? Humans, gods, devils ....etc.? Which handmade is WT? 

Juggling with words  and with meaning of words  ( lexical , syntax , and semantic analysis )  to whom the source is WT (or JW members and their personal understanding and feeling on issue) i think will not give proper answer. :))