Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Good Place to Start, October 25, 2003
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
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31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
From One Who's Been There & Only Sought to Know the Truth, December 7, 2006
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.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best book in print on refutting Jehovah's Witnesses!, May 1, 2007
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.
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