Customer Reviews

Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses

5 star:		(32)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(16)

 

 

I am an evangelical that loves talking with JW's. We have a common bond in that we are passionate for God. I have had several wonderful encounters with them and even though most did not have an open mind, we were able to communicate in an atmosphere of cordiality and respect. I have had only one visit in which my guest was not gracious and of gentle spirit. I have used the content of Dr. Rhodes book on several occasions with great success, but I must admit, when using his line of questioning, one must be very careful not to be confrontational.

The bias of the reviewers who are obviously JWs should be taken with a grain of salt. There is a high probability that the reviews being initiated by the JWs are a "knee jerk" reaction to an obvious threat. All creatures fight back when they feel threatened, myself included, although I do not feel threatened by JWs.
I actually admire the them for their tenacity.

Getting back to the book... I do think that it would have been more helpful if more information on the deceptive practices of the Watchtower Organization were included. Most JWs are unaware of many of the WO's false teachings and deceipt. I've had a few JW visitors in my home who began to sob once the deception was exposed to them. You can find this information in books by former JWs who have been rescued from the WO, such as Kelly J Brazil who was former Ministerial Servant and Richard Royals, a former Auxillary Pioneer both available right here on Amazon. You can also visit http://www.watchman.org/jw/index.htm for more excellent resources.

This is not the place for debate, but I would like to quickly address the reviewer "info7943" who, in an effort to provide credibility to the NWT, tried to point out inaccuracies in Rhodes arguments against the NWT being an illegitimate translation. The reviewer points out that certain scripture that is in the NWT is also found in legitimate Bible translations. This is a moot point. The fact that the text matches is immaterial. It's the interpretation of scripture that is in question.

Let's bring up Rhodes (among others) comments regarding another controversial passage of scripture that was not mentioned. Let's look at Colossians 1:16-20. Here the translators of the NWT (for credentials go to http://www.freeminds.org/history/NWTauthors.htm) insert the word "other" in brackets 4 times in an effort to strip the deity of Jesus Christ and cast him as a created being. On page 7 in the 1984 addition of the NWT the use of brackets is explained as follows... "Single brackets [ ] enclose words inserted to complete the sense in the English text." In this case the word "other" does not complete the sense, it CHANGES it. Remove the word "other"...are the passages any less difficult to understand? Obviously the answer is, "no". Basic hermeneutics (the art and science of biblical interpretation) teaches us that in any Bible, words placed in brackets should only be used if it helps the reader understand the meaning of the passage and does not change the context of the passage. The NWT's translation of Colossians 1:16-20 obviously changes the context and is just one example of gross eisogesis (twisting) of scripture. I find this extremely troubling as Paul's main focus in the book of Colossians was to counter errors plaguing the Colossians by presenting the truth that Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, and in whom the fullness of the divine perfections find their perfect embodiment. Emphasizing that he is the creator of all, and all power is from him. Amazing.

This book is a good place to start, but I would recommend much more research into the Watchtower Organization and its doctrines before dialoging with our JW friends(and I do mean friends). It is the foundational principles of the Watchtower that is my adversary, not the people within it.

In closing we should all keep in mind 1Peter 3:15,"...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect..." with emphasis on RESPECT.

Soli Deo Gloria

With much regret, I have found those who downgrade this book are either a current Jehovah's Witness or simply do not know the real facts concerning what the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society teaches. Simply put: the truth is, more often than not, blunt, stinging and very repulsive to one who is supporting any untruth. And it wasn't any different when Jesus exposed the false teachers of His day. There were no kind words about the truths He was revealing but only to seek His death so as to stop His teachings from being heard. Truly, one of the most distasteful experiences in life is to discover that one has believed and supported a lie----that they were wrong.

This book is an excellent source of well-documented facts that clearly reveal the falicies of the Witness teachings. The information is presented in a very effective, direct, and yet respectful manner. It presents questions that will assist any honest-hearted Witness to seriously think about what they have been taught by the Watchtower.

At this point, you might be wondering what qualifies me to make such bold statements. And I don't blaim you. You see, for 8-years I was a very zealous and devout Jehovah's Witness. I would spend, at least, 100 hours per month presenting what the Watchtower taught from door-to-door. I loyally attended all 5 required meetings per week (14+ hours worth) and every special assembly that was located in another assigned city. I held several congregational leadership callings, and gave many public discourses to very large gatherings. And, with the sincerest of humility, whenever a member (in either my congregation or within my city) needed a biblical answer to a seemingly difficult question, or to effectively defend a Watchtowers teaching, I was usually sought for such a reply. But, above all, my love, my hobby and my recreational enjoyment comprised of very long hours of Bible study and vast reaserch (quite often, for 2 or more days,and to only briefly pause for something to eat or to freshen-up).

My ultimate desire was always to know and to clearly understand the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, of what God's Word declared. For this reason, I had always prayed to Jehovah that if I were to, somehow, discovere that I was not supporting the truth I would instantly make any required change(s)----scripturally, doctrinally and denominationally. Consequently, it was during a sincere effort to defend the Watchtower Society that the evidence against it began to grow and mount higher and higher (many of what Ron Rodes reveals in this book). Today, I am a very happy and God praising born again Christian (17-years now, to be exact). And it is only due to the blood and cross of Jesus Christ and the Lord Holy Spirit's profound guidance and loving-patience.

Therefore, this book will effectively assist anyone who desires to know the true teachings and history of the Jehovah's Witnesses, what the Bible really states, and how to present such to any honest-hearted and truth seeking Jehovah's Witness.

I could not recommend this book more in dealing with Jehovah's Witnesses. No single book offers more information on how to reason from the Scriptures than this book. Being over 400 plus pages long, Ron Rhodes covers nearly every subject that could come up when a Jehovah's Witness comes to your door. In fact, I would go as far as to say that this book offers enough information for even a long term dialogue with a Witness.

Ron Rhodes not only reasons from the Scriptures, but he even provides documentation to show how the Watchtower organization is unreliable and shouldn't be trusted. Jehovah's Witnesses claim to follow only the Scriptures. But Ron Rhodes demonstrates that this is only lip service. They actually follow an organization.

What was most helpful to me is the questions Ron Rhodes provides the reader. Just as Jehovah's Witnesses are trained to give answers for just about any question that is asked of them, so too Ron Rhodes provides the reader with questions to ask the Witness in particular situations. Having been in a few encounters myself, i've found many of these questions to be very effective.

But be warned: widom is needed when dealing with JW's. We should never be suprised in they offer an answer to the question that is asked of them. We must always excercise discernment. Simply asking a question isn't going to be the end-all of the conversation. We must continue to press these questions in long term situations. Once they see that the Watchtower explanations aren't satisfactory, they will be able to think for themselves.

Although Ron Rhodes offers excellent advice, we must always remember that it is God who saves and God who pursuades. This means that unless God intervenes, no JW will ever accept your reasoning, no matter how convincing. This is why we must never give up. God may have a purpose in your witnessing to JW's. And if God is glorified through the proclamation of His truth, then that should be reason enough to patiently endure conversations with even the hardest Witness.

Before reviewing Dr. Rhodes' "Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses," you should know that I know New Testament Greek, and I've studied Old Testament Hebrew, the original languages of the Bible. I've studied Watchtower and orthodox Christian theology for over 15 years, and thus I feel somewhat qualified to judge whether or not Dr. Rhodes has written "the worst book" on the group ever written, as some would have us believe.

I offer some specific examples of what are actually proven and accurate statements by Dr. Rhodes. First, although Dr. Rhodes did argue on page 177 that Michael is "one among equals," he also supported that statement by a reference to Daniel 10:13, where Michael (the archangel) is called "one of" the chief princes, justifying the statement "one among equals." Jesus is called the "only unique" (Greek: "monogenes") Son according to the Greek of John 3:16, and thus Michael cannot be Jesus, Dr. Rhodes argues (p. 177).

Second, on page 123 Rhodes does use the Greek-English lexicon by Arndt and Gingrich/Bauer to define the Greek word "arche" as "first cause" in Revelation 3:14. However, the Watchtower's doctrine says Jesus is a created being, so they prefer to believe that the word must mean "first created." While it is true that the lexicon does go on to say that the meaning "first created" is "linguistically possible," it is also true that what is linguistically possible is not always theologically or contextually possible. But the main definition given for "arche" in the context of Rev. 3: 14 is under the heading "first cause," not "beginning" as if Jesus was the first to be created. That was Dr. Rhodes' point. However, I will admit that Dr. Rhodes should have also addressed the "possible" linguistic issue as well. But on page 124 he did show amble evidence that the Watchtower translation was incorrect. Even a Unitarian scholar who didn't believe Jesus was God (just like the Witnesses!), Joseph Thayer, defined "arche" as "...the active cause" in his Greek-English lexicon.

Third, on page 63 Dr. Rhodes claims that Jesus used the Greek expression "ego eimi" ("I am") in John 8:58 as a way of "identifying Himself as God." He also explained on page 116 that at one time the Watchtower taught that "ego eimi" was translated "I have been" because of the "perfect indefinite tense" (footnote in 1950 Watchtower Bible). However, as Dr. Rhodes showed, "...this claim proved very embarrassing when Greek scholars pointed out to the Jehovah's Witnesses that there is no such thing as a perfect indefinite tense in Greek grammar."

Yet it appears the Watchtower Society went from one mistake to another. No credible Greek grammar book will ever argue that "ego eimi" can be correctly translated "I have been." The verb "eimi" is in the PRESENT tense, not the aorist or imperfect or pluperfect (all past tense forms). But since the accurate translation of "ego eimi" is "I am" but doesn't fit Watchtower theology, the issue of how the Greek word is properly translated is clouded by faulty red herring arguments from John 9:9. But as any student of Greek knows, the man healed in John 9:9 did not contrast the created existence of Abraham ("genesthai" in Greek) with his own uncreated existence ("ego eimi") as Jesus did, and thus Rhodes was justified in not dealing with the passage.

Since "ego eimi" is translated correctly as "I am" in EVERY place in the Watchtower Bible except John 8:58, Dr. Rhodes truly was justified in asserting that this was "one of the clearest examples of the Jehovah's Witnesses mistranslating the Bible in order to support a doctrinal bias" (p. 113).

Fourth, Dr. Rhodes did contrast the Watchtower version of John 8:58 ("I have been") with what the NASB version which says "I am." It is true that the marginal note of the 60-73 editions does say "Or I have been." But it is also true that it is in the margin and not the main text for a good reason: the MAIN text indicates the most accurate translation. Thus the marginal note argument from the NASB doesn't change the fact that "ego" means "I" and "eimi" means "am, to be" and is the present tense of the verb and thus cannot be translated "I have been."

The only misstatement that Dr. Rhodes made was when he said, "Scholars agree that the Watchtower Society has no justification for translating "ego eimi" in John 8:58 as 'I have been.'" (p. 116). What he should have said was, "Most credible scholars agree that the Watchtower Society has no justification for translating ego eimi in John 8:58 as 'I have been.'" Using a lone wolf like K.L. McKay is only a spurious appeal to a questionable authority.

Finally, Dr. Rhodes explained on page 173 that the Watchtower Society sees Jesus as a "mere angel." There he was merely pointing out that in COMPARISON to the orthodox view that Jesus was God incarnate, the Watchtower doctrine that He was only a "ruler of angels" or "second only to Jehovah God Himself" denigrates Jesus to the status of a "mere angel." Dr. Rhodes researched his topic well and provided much primary source information from Watchtower material, so for people to take him out of context in such a manner is simply dishonest.

Despite critics to the contrary, Dr. Rhodes has done an excellent job of detailing the clear biblical errors of the Watchtower Society (in about 15 chapters), from mistranslations and faulty interpretations and false prophecies, to confusing the use of animal blood sacrifice in the Old Testament with modern human transfusions, so that its members must refuse life-saving blood transfusions and sacrifice their lives for a faulty view of the Bible. Dr. Rhodes is to be commended for being bold and scholarly enough to tell the truth in a loving way so that people can escape the trappings of the Watchtower Society. Buy the book, research behind it carefully, and know the truth.

I believe that any Christian library should contain this book. It is very common for Jehovah's Witnesses to come to the door. This book is a great tool to show them the TRUE Jesus Christ of the Bible. I appreciate the advice that he has in the beginning of his book. This advice stresses to talk WITH the Jehovah's Witness and NOT at them. It is also stressed that you should get to know them as people. With those attitudes and the information contained in this book, you should be able to have a fruitful witness opportunity. If they are sincerely honest about knowing God, the material contained in this volume will help you with providing information on the TRUE Jesus Christ of the Bible. The majority of the book shows the Watchtower doctrine and the Scriptures that they use to support them. Mr. Rhodes then goes through the texts that they use. He supplies not only the word(s) in the original language with documented defintions, he also supplies supporting text. This is done on the principal that Scripture should interpret Scripture. I would recommend that this book be in your library and the information on the tip of your tongue. This will help to supply a ready defense for the faith.

This book from cover to cover is very accurate to the point where it provides all the footnotes to back up what he claims to have discovered in his research. The point by point refutation of the beliefs of the Watchtower is quickly dismissed, not only with common sense; but religion's worst nightmare; the bible itself. The only way the Watchtower is to get around their problems of faux doctrine is to change the New World Translation once again to fit their needs and I am sure followers of the Watchtower will by it because they are so programmed to accept anything that the "Society" tells them (I am sure a new edition is in the works). How grateful I am that you can turn to the words of Christ, our master and just accept what he says and no one else. I noticed some of the bad reviews that are invalid for their position that they take up with the author, like most false religions (or even people for that matter) will use these arguments and they are as follows:

1. You just hate us.
2. We are being persecuted because Jesus said we would be.
3. You are just anti (insert words here).
4. We are the only true church.

These will be likely the most they can come up with to argue their way out of a situation that they cannot back up with fact. Whether it is about religion or not when arguments cannot be debated without admission to the facts it will remain futile. The book is highly recommended for anyone wanting to learn about the false religions of our day in search of the truth. I am sure that back when the founder of this religion first started there was hardly any way to search out his truthfulness, but nowadays when information is so widely available, all false religions are easily refuted with obedience to god, belief in Christ, prayer and research. I once had a Jehovah Witness just tell me "it's the truth, you should believe," most people won't just believe it because someone said it was the truth, check it out for yourself.

Also check out the other reviews of Mr. Rhodes books on the Mormons and other cult groups and you will see the negative reviews are very similar. No one likes to hear the truth.

This is one of the best books available on the Jehovah's Witnesses belief system. Mr. Rhodes argues his case extremely well and uses easily understandable language. I couldn't recommend this book any more highly. For a great book on what it is like to be an average Jehovah's Witness read "The Awakening of a Jehovah's Witness" by Diane Wilson. If you want to know what it is like at the top of the organization read "Crisis of Conscience" and "In Search of Christian Freedom" by Raymond FranzReasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses

There are those people who hold beliefs on many things (even not related to religion) that will dogmatically hold on to them regardless of what anyone else says and what evidence is presented to the contrary. There are also people who hold beliefs that if they shown solid evidence that those beliefs are incorrect will change their beliefs. You will find JW that fit in both categories and it is to the latter group that books like this are extremely useful.

First, while I am rating this book 5 stars, I am not suggesting it can guarantee that every JW you talk to will suddenly convert to the truth. What it can do is help you go from merely saying "What you believe is wrong" to saying "What you believe is wrong and here is why...". It allows you to give specific examples and ask specific questions that will hopefully get the JW to truly question their beliefs. It will give them something concrete to consider instead of having to merely endure generalized arguments like "Well I just know you are wrong". It also lets you go beyond just one or two arguments which might easily be brushed off and allows you to pile up multiple pieces of evidence, the cumulative effect of which will be much more powerful and harder to ignore.

The best thing about this book is that it does really heavily on Scripture. It also gives information pertaining to the Watchtower organization itself that may be helpful in talking to a JW. For example, none of the Watch Tower "scholars" that translated their version of the Bible actually had any training or experience in translating Hebrew or Greek. A fact one of the men was forced to admit while being questioned in court.

When JW go out to witness they go out expecting to encounter resistance. The JW do not just allow anyone to go door-knocking, but put them through a training program before they ever ring that first doorbell. They already know many of the common questions and arguments they will hear. They know some people are going to tell them they are following lies. They probably take it as a badge of honor when someone throws out accusations since the Bible warns there will be people who oppose the truth and since they think what they have is the "truth" the mere fact someone is arguing with them probably lets them view themselves as the "persecuted" witnesses of God. But when you can get them to have to defend their doctrines against specific evidence and ask them specific questions to answer it will hopefully get to truly think about why they believe what they believe, maybe doubt it, and ideally reject it for the Truth.

It also needs to be understood that most JW are not just going to convert right there on your doorstep. If a JW leaves their church then they are considered an outcast by the other JW. Family members and friends are instructed to shun any "apostate" who dares to leave and not even say so much as "hello" to them. I'm sure some individual JW may not be so harsh in practice but it is still the official Watch Tower teaching and the threat of being totally shunned is still there. It has to be in the mind of any JW even considering that maybe the Watchtower is not really God's earthly organization. I know it has to be a heavy burden on them and will keep many from making any snap decision to leave the JW. Even so, that does not mean that you cannot plant seeds that will hopefully one day bear fruit.

This is the best book I have read to date when it comes to "Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Jehovah's Witnesses". It is thorough and complete. It is well researched and put together. It summarizes the JW in such a way it is bound to get under their skin. I thought they weren't allowed to read "apostate" material. Someone notify a Kingdom Hall that Heinz and some of his buddies are being bad. Oh, and Tonya, Jesus never called the father "Jehovah". He always called Him by a title, Father.

David Reed's books are much easier to read and understand,and possibly more suited for those who want to engage in the typical quick bible text-boxing encounter. Ron Rhodes' book, however, is much more detailed.

The level of detail is the book's greatest strength and it's greatest weakness. It gives a very thorough presentation of the Watchtower's doctrine and then it presents it to the Biblical doctrine using universally accepted exegetical priniciples. The problem is that there is no way that an average person could memorize all the material presented here on even just one of the subjects. A JW will immediately end their "bible study" with you if you have this book on the table as they view it as the work of an "apostate" and they are prohibited from any exposure to such material. Given that fact, you'll have to create your own "clif's notes" on a sheet of paper of the more salient material.

In short, it's very thorough, but I wish they'd made a cheat-sheet edition!