Perception
can be a tricky thing. What we might adamantly insist is true is immediately
dispelled once all sides are examined. Three examples of this are the following
GIF files:
In the
first instance, I would have concluded that the two yellow squares are side by
side in the same plane. In the second, if the GIF had been reversed, I would
have concluded I was looking at a glass of water on a piece of paper. Finally,
the third instance is probably the most pertinent to this article. One person
standing at one angle would adamantly swear the letters spell “LISTEN” while a
second person, standing just a few feet away, would insist the letters spell “SILENT.” The
only thing that cleared up the matter in all cases was looking at it from all
sides. One angle compared to all angles is the difference between eisegesis (a
preferred, narrow view) and exegesis (a study that looks at all perspectives to
arrive at the correct conclusion). In the above, the correct conclusion is that
they are all optical illusions – not the reality they seem to be.
An
individual I know observed that: “Eisegesis is evidenced in many of the dogmas
of Roman Catholicism, and also in a number of 'Christian' fringe groups, and in
Mormonism, and in virtually any aberrant cult in existence, and for any number
of biblically-baseless beliefs floating around today.” Also included in his estimation
is “the fact that the practice of eisegesis is also very much in evidence in
Watchtower theology.”
The
individual that made those statements has long taken to task the beliefs of
Jehovah’s Witnesses and will talk with any adherent that gives him an ear. A
few times I’ve grown very frustrated with him, even losing my temper. At least
twice I’ve tried reasoning with him that if he takes such principled offense at
our teachings, he should pay attention to Jesus’ words at Matthew 15:14, the
crux of which is to “leave them alone, ignore them, disregard them,” or
(finally), as the NWT
puts it: "Let them be.” Jesus recognized it does no good to argue or even
“discuss” with those whose minds are made up. Further, Paul’s advice at 2
Timothy 2:23 tells us to “try to keep out of foolish and half-educated
arguments, knowing that they breed quarrels.”
And
indeed, as “polite” as that man sounds, it is very evident that he knows
his contentious stand will get a rise out of us. (I’ve even tried considering
the possibility that he doesn’t know his ways are contentious. But he keeps
coming back with accusations. That to me is contentious.) The rest of what Paul
said in that passage (vs 24 through 26) advises true Christians to keep calm,
not just on the outside but inside as well. Admittedly, I have not been a
stellar example in that, which is one reason I’d rather just let it go…but he keeps
commenting on my blog and I’ve always been a tenacious bulldog when it comes to
protecting what is mine (my well-researched and studied beliefs). But let’s
start over. I wanted to examine first the term he used and then how I feel it
is unwarranted that he applied it to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Presuppositions: The
only presupposition I am aware that we employ is the Holy Bible is the only and
final authority for what should be believed AND that God does not contradict
Himself, regardless of which human transcriber (Bible writer) he used. The
modern-day religion now known as Jehovah’s Witnesses started when a small group
of adults realized that the churches of the day were not holding true to the
Bible. It was their noble goal to search scriptures and attempt to formulate
what is true by ensuring their yet-forming beliefs were not disproven by
another scripture. For example, if they read one scripture that seemed to give
one impression, but another scripture would seem to disprove it, they would
make note of it and then research it further to ensure their beliefs conformed
with what God’s Word really taught as opposed to what they may have been
ignorantly, wrongly convinced. Now admittedly, there were some bumps and
hiccups and even as recent as the last decade, refinements have been made to
make God’s
Word true even if it makes every man a liar. While some may find
fault with this, the correct conclusion should be that we are humble enough to
admit when we are wrong. How many religions can you say that about?
Agenda: Again, the only agenda
I am aware of is the preaching of the Good News of God’s Kingdom. We don’t
demand a tithe so getting wealthy cannot be the hidden agenda. We are still a
very small people, so size is not an agenda. If we forced people to stay with
us, that might be an agenda. But we do not do that. If someone wants to leave,
there is nothing holding them back.
Biases: The term “bias” itself
suggests subjectivity. So let’s set the baseline. It is defined as: “Prejudice
in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another,
usually in a way considered to be unfair.” To put this in context of our
discussion, the bias being referred to here is an unfair treatment of God’s
Word. In the quote from the man at the outset, I definitely agree that it is
unfair that Catholics have replaced God’s Word with human dogma, ceremonies,
and rituals. It is unfair to God that Catholics have elevated Mary (the human
mother of Jesus) to an intercessor for mankind (often in complete replacement
of Jesus as mankind’s savior). I also agree it is unfair that Mormons have
replaced God’s Word with the Book of Mormon and other uninspired and dubious
writings. (And to any Mormon that may be reading this, I have asked Mormons
coming to my door if they have read the Bible. Their answer is always “no.”) In
contrast, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not employ rituals, ceremonies or dogma, not
even as an adjunct to our beliefs. The official stand is that the Bible is our
main textbook. (Reference
1,
Reference
2,
Reference
3)
Even
the negative application of the first word in that definition is not applicable
to Jehovah’s Witnesses: “Prejudice.” Unlike other religions who truly do not
regard the Bible as sacred or worth living our lives by, we have no such
preconceived ideas. If something in God’s Word reproves us, we take the reproof
and change. Now do not for one moment conclude I think we are perfect – no way
is that true. All humans are imperfect. But as a collection of official
beliefs, we make every attempt to stick to the Bible. Many, including the man
that wrote me, feel we have mistreated the doctrines of the Bible, but they
have never been successful in proving that claim. The scriptures they use
demonstrate they have not closely considered the context, intent of God, or
even reasonableness and intelligence. Like the illusions in the introduction,
they insist on just one view that would prove them right.
Reference
materials of Jehovah’s Witnesses often quote authorities that are not part of
our faith. This is done in order to demonstrate that the conclusion(s) we reach
are based not on subjective eisegesis but on objective exegesis. Every time
that man has assaulted the honor of “the Watchtower,” what he fails to realize
is that I have made a thorough search of the beliefs. They are integrally part
of my life. So when he throws accusations at my religion, I consider it a
personal assault to my well-researched beliefs, which, unto this very day, no one
has ever successfully discredited (except for maybe in their own self-approving
mind). Then, when I consider the actions and life of my accusers, I feel
vindicated. So coming back to the optical illusions introduction, it is my firm
belief that Jehovah’s Witnesses are the ones who have examined what the Bible
teaches, examined what people claim, looked at what made the most sense based
on evidence, and then formed their beliefs to the real truth of the matters of
God and what the Bible’s teachings are.
