New World Translation Archives - Page 11 of 14

Watchtower History Through Bible Translation

November 24, 2015 By Sean

I have been reading through the Golden Age 1926. I came across this statement on page 242 of the January 13 edition, “The Society issues Bibles or parts of Bibles in 572 languages” under the subheading, “Soviets Refuse Admission of Bible.”

This is telling in and of itself. The organization that we know today is known for publishing as it says, “Bible based publications.” Here it is the total opposite and only talked about the Bibles it has printed.

This site gives statistics on how many Bibles are in existence by language: Quora-How Many Languages is The Bible In?

From this page you will see that 2,900 languages of the 7,000 on the face of the planet have some portion of the Bible written in it’s language. That number is getting added to.

Let’s examine one group that is considered part of “Babylon the Great.” I heard a presentation from the Wycliffe Global Alliance and how they are working at getting more bibles into foreign lands. If memory serves me correctly, they first go for the gospel according to John, then move to the rest of the Greek Scriptures. From there, they cover the Hebrew Scriptures. The translation process for them requires years of training to gain mastery of the language.

The video below taken from the Annual Meeting of es in 2013 Part 4 of 7 has Geoffrey Jackson explaining information regarding translation techniques 2:25-3:35 mark.

Notice it’s English comprehension and computer skills needed as primary skills for translation.

This led me to searching the Society and seeing how many languages the New World Translation is printed in. Here’s one quote I found:

The Bible is the worlds most widely translated book-parts of it being available in over 2400 languages. Some languages have not just one translation but scores of them. If you have a choice in your language, you surly want to use the very best translation you can find.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. May 1, 2008 p. 18

This can be possibly misleading. The causal Watchtower reader may possibly believe that the organization is responsible for producing a number of the Bibles.

However, let’s see what the New World Translation edition of 2013 on page 4 says:

Available in whole or in part in over 120 languages.

New World Translation. 2013 Edition. p. 4

Let’s contrast that with other publications.

For instance, The Watchtower, available in over 210 languages, explains Bible prophecy, increases our comprehension of deep spiritual truths, and motivates us to live by Bible principles. Awake! magazine, published in some 100 languages, broadens our knowledge of Jehovah’s creative works and shows us how to apply the Bible’s practical counsel. (Prov. 3:21-23; Rom. 1:20) The faithful slave provides Bible-based material in more than 680 languages!

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. August 15, 2014. p. 4

So let’s do some analysis on the information above:

The Wycliffe Global Alliance that is part of “Babylon the Great,” puts forth a greater effort in bible translation since it produces 531 complete translations compared to the 120 of the Watchtower Society. The difference is approximately 411 languages.

Why doesn’t Jehovah give his blessing to his “one true organization” and have the Society with a greater output then this group (it’s just one that i’ve listed and there are most likely more)? The Wycliffe Group on their about page started in approximately 1942. The Watchtower Society was founded in 1879 and has a 63 year head start. The sole mission of this group is to produce a Bible in every language needing one by 2025. This is in great contrast to the organization that is supposed to be advancing the kingdom which had a definitive date of establishment in the days of Russell (1914) to now it is “soon” to be established.

In 1926, the organization primarily utilized the King James Version. It wasn’t until 1942 that the organization started to use the American Standard Version for in part because of the use of the word “Jehovah” used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures. As you may well know, the organization first released the complete New World Translation in 1961 after releasing it in part starting in 1950. Regardless, the primary bible used by the organization has seen a net decrease of 452 languages from the days of Rutherford until now.

The JW Library App has the King James and American Standard Version available in addition to the Kingdom Interlinear, Byington, and New World Translation available. Why not hand out one of those translations such as the King James Version? It has been translated into approximately 2,452 languages according to the site King James Bible Online.

I think it goes on to show without much explanation needed that the New World Translation of the Bible has been altered to fit their doctrines rather than conform their doctrines to that of the Bible. One easy example is Philippians 2:9 with the insertion of the word “other” that is no longer in brackets. Hence, the Society is at a disadvantage of getting Bibles into foreign lands.

Next, the Watchtower is written in over 210 languages. The New World Translation is written in 120. This means that the organization has 90 more languages available for reading the Watchtower Magazine compared to the New World Translation. If you as a Jehovah’s Witness are going to actually read the verses listed, how can you do so without a translation? Does this mean that there is an incomplete meal of “proper food at the proper time?” I merely ask the question, what does the organization place a priority on? The Awake! magazine has a slightly lesser importance given that it is printed in only 100 languages.

Perhaps with the organization printing less in regards to the Watchtower and Awake! magazines, they will reallocate some of the funds to Bible making (it’s a dream, yes I know).

With things like this in mind, what has caused the organization to go from speaking in reference to the languages the Bible has been printed in to focusing more on “bible related” material by the organization?

For all of the material that you place in door to door work, how often do you go and place a Bible as opposed to a Watchtower magazine?

By all means, place down that Watchtower and read the Bible. Learn who the Jesus of the Bible is and I will ask, would you consider walking away from this organization and accepting Jesus only? If this organization was truly worried about the eternal state of people, should it print more Bibles or more Watchtower related material?

Biblical View On Birthdays and the Watchtower Society

November 17, 2015 By Sean

Here’s a short one today and take a look at your New World Translation.

The birthday celebration is the topic that the Witness associates with just two individuals in the Bible. However, there are other verses that imply direct involvement with birthdays.

The organization cites support for this from two separate accounts within the Bible. However the organization has not been completely forthright in terms of birthdays and the verses at pertain to this.

What will follow are some verses dealing with birthdays and birthday announcements. An interesting irony is that in 1979 the Watchtower had an issue commemorative issue celebrating the centennial existence of the Watchtower organization.

Watchtower birthday focus:

Genesis 40:20-22

Mark 6:21-27

Based upon the two verses above, the Society would make it seem that birthdays are not to be celebrated. Let’s look at what the Society has left out for birthdays/announcements:

Genesis 3:15 Jesus foretold and look at cross reference to Romans 16:20 (you will need a mainstream bible for this since it’s not in the New World Translation.

Genesis 16:11 Ishmael

Genesis 18:10 Abraham. Go into verses 1-2 how Jehovah has appeared as three men.

Judges 13:3 Samson

1 Samuel 1:11-20 Samuel prayed for and Jehovah answers the prayer

1 Kings 13:2 Josiah

2 Kings 4:16 Shunammite’s son. Human announcing-let me know what you think.

Job 1:4 Job’s children

Isaiah 9:6 Jesus foretold

Micah 5:1-3 Jesus

Matthew 1:20-21 Jesus foretold by Jehovah’s angel.

Luke 1:5-25, 57-66 John the Baptist

Luke 1:26-38 Jesus foretold by Gabriel

Luke 2:1-20 Angels celebrate, the shepherds decide to go visit Jesus

The question worth asking at this point is this, who directed the angels to foretell? Let’s look at Watchtower history now for its statements:

MY DEARLY BELOVED BROTHER RUSSELL:– I am writing to wish you a happy birthday, and a glorious “new birth day” at the day that God may choose; also, to say that the Lord has brought me safely to Trinidad–I believe in answer to prayer before leaving Jamaica.

The Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s Presence. March 1914 p. Reprints p. 5429

Pardon me for intruding on your precious time, but I just can’t help letting you know how much I appreciate the phonograph which came to me on the morning after the 8th, which was my 80th birthday. It was indeed a birthday gift from Jehovah, to be used in proclaiming his name. May grace and strength be given me to do with my might what my hands find to do.

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. January 1, 1940 p.16

Is it proper to have or attend celebrations of birthday anniversaries?-F. K., Nevada.

Such celebrations have their roots in pagan religions, and not Scriptural grounds. Some Bible commentators suggest that birthday celebrations may have had their origin in the ‘notion of the immortality of the soul.’

The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom. October 1, 1951 p.607

So what you have is something that the organization participated in during the inspection of Jesus was a pagan practice, yet the organization was preaching truth.

What Kind Of Headlines Does The Organization Generate?

November 2, 2015 By Sean

A few days ago it was Halloween. Approximately 99 years ago, Pastor Charles Taze Russell died. A biography was printed in the December 1, 1916 issue of The Watchtower and Hearld of Christ’s Presence. Before getting into the topic the organization denied writing a biography:

“But, is it true you have never published a biography of Pastor Russell?

John: That’s right. Jehovah’s witnesses admire the qualities he possessed as a man, but were we to give the honor and credit to Pastor Russell, we would be saying that the works and success were his; but Jehovah’s witnesses believe it is God’s spirit that guides and directs his people.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses in the Divine Purpose. 1959. p. 63

After funeral services at The Temple in New York and at Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh, Brother Russell was buried at Allegheny, in the Bethel family plot, according to his request. A brief biography of Russell along with his will and testament was published in The Watch Tower of December 1, 1916, as well as in subsequent editions of the first volume of Studies in the Scriptures.

Proclaimers of God’s Kingdom. 1993 p. 64

I want you to read a single verse, Ephesians 5:27 which says, New World Translation “In order that he (Christ) might present the congregation to himself in its splendor, without a spot or a wrinkle or any of such things, but holy and without blemish.”

In short looking at the last portion of the verse, Christ wanted the church to be without reproach and blameless in the world. So with that in mind, today I want to cover “What Kind Of Headlines Does The Organization Generate?”

This is an organization that has had many controversies from the first leader until today. Aside from the bible and it’s doctrinal stances that have changed or practices such as blood transfusions, it extends into the media whether it be print or video. If you are a Watchtowerite, when there is great press given to the organization, it is readily promoted on the official website. Something along the lines of “this is Jehovah will or doing” is mentioned. When there is press that is completely negative, the organization says it is “persecution.” By claiming persecution, your conditioned response is to completely ignore everything that is said and you may have something in your mind that “this is Satan trying to prevent our work.” With this in mind, here’s some Watchtower generated headlines over the years:

Pastor Russell 1879-1916

Pastor Russell Say’s He’s Not Frightened
Girl’s Midnight Visit to Pastor C. T. Russell: Girl got arrested
Skeptical Uncle Sam Seeks to Know More About “Miracle” Grain
Pastor Russell Sues Eagle for $100,000
Girl Kissed Pastor and Sat On His Knee
Reason’s Why Pastor Russell’s Wife Left Him
Giving Up Their Homes, Following Russellism
“Pastor” Russell’s Imaginary Sermons
“Pastor” Russell Loses Libel Suit
Russell Follower on “Fallen Angels”
Russell Finances Bared by Follower
Call “Pastor’s” Wife In Russell Trial
Miracle Wheat Low In Government Test
Russell In Court As Lawyer Sums Up
Pastor Must Pay Taxes
Asks Who Pays Bills of Bethel Inmates
“Miracle Wheat” Again: Being Exploited in an “Ad” Disguised as News
(T) Not Produced at Court Hearing
Eagle Upheld in Libel Suit Victory
Eagle’sVictory over “Pastor,” Complete
The Vindication of a Cartoon
Canada Deports “Pastor” Russell
Offers Cancer “Cure”: “Pastor” Russell Publication Which Boosted Miracle Wheat Offers Recipe
‘Pastor’ C.T. Russell Dies; Burial Here
Watch Tower Will Elect a New Head
Watch Tower Gets “Estate” of “Pastor”

Russell Newspaper Articles

Rutherford 1916-1942

Are We At the End of the World? Oakland Tribune. August 25, 1917
Million’s Campaign: The Boston Evening Globe. December 17, 1920
1. Million’s Campaign: Los Angeles Morning Tribune, February 25, 1918, as recorded in Faith on the March by A. H. Macmillan, 1957, p. 86
Great Pyramid
1. 1926-10 Bizarre Theories About the Great Pyramid that DON’T Involve Aliens
Can the American Government Endure? No! Says Judge Rutherford. The Sunday Times Signal. October 16, 1933.
Rutherford Dead But Burial of Sect Leader Delayed
1. Wanted to bury him at Beth Sarim. January 12, 1942.
Shrine Planned for Rutherford. The Coshocton Tribune. January 12, 1942.
Judge Rutherford Lives Again, Sect’s Trial Witness Tells Jury. Brooklyn Eagle. May 21, 1943
Rutherford Thundered Rebukes, Witness Says. Brooklyn Eagle. May 24, 1943

Knorr 1942-1977: Shift from leadership to the people

1958: Jehovah’s Witnesses Yankee Stadium
1. Link 1
2. Link 2
1975: Sects: Witnessing the End (Times article)

Franz 1977-1992

1990: Watchtower Exec Jumps to Death: Brooklyn Heights Newspaper. August 3, 1990.

Hershel 1992-2000

Quiet Period with not much

Adams 2000-Present

As you can see, these headlines are things generally hidden and not what the organization would promote. After going through headlines like these from the beginning until now, this organization would not, as I see it, qualify as a spiritual paradise. Again, in a bought of hypocrisy, when something negative is said, the response is similar to, “there’s someone like that in every organization,” however, when amongst Jehovah’s people, there is no “badness” or “anything that would bring reproach upon Jehovah’s name” amongst the congregation.

The headlines started with the leadership and since the focus was on them, what was going on with the average “rank and file?” It is quite possible that some things were known amongst the members. If this is the case, did they model their activities after the leadership? This is an organization that has had problems from the beginnings with its foundation and they are always there and going through the organization. The question comes then, why do you elect to stay in this organization that continues to be shrouded in controversy and has been proven wrong over again and again. Put the publications down, come directly to Jesus since He would not have a part of this in the least bit.