How are we to understand the GB/Slave interpreting scripture, as the sole chanel, and at the same time accept that they can err?

[JW Insider]

13 hours ago, Anna said:

But we should be able to question a human, a prophet, or an angel for that matter. . . .  Today, we need to question in order to determine who is false and who is not.  (The term prophet that I am referring to is a spokesperson for God, not someone who predicts).

Very true. Just as 1 John 4:1 indicates, too. The idea that we might question a spokesperson for God obviously doesn't sit well with some. But it reminds me of a couple more Russell claims that he published about himself. Some were alluded to by BTK above, but I agree that we need to keep the context in mind.

I'm sure you've seen these before. One of them appears in every "opposition" book on Russell, of course. But that doesn't mean he didn't write it. Another one was written by others, but Russell knew, quoted from, and expressed approval for these Convention Reports.

"No, the truths I present, as God's mouthpiece, were not revealed in visions or dreams, nor by God's audible voice, nor all at once, but gradually, especially since 1870, and particularly since 1880. Neither is this clear unfolding of truth due to any human ingenuity or acuteness of perception, but to the simple fact that God's due time has come; and if I did not speak, and no other agent could be found, the very stones would cry out.  -- Watch Tower July 15, 1906, p. 230

"We have FAITH that the Lord has returned . . .  that HE has placed Pastor Russell in charge of the work this side the vail. We are glad therefore to recognize him as “that servant”, spoken of by the Lord; glad to recognize that the work he is doing is the work the Lord appointed him to do . . . . a 'Paul' -- one who is doing a work in this end of the Gospel age, similar to the work the Apostle did at the beginning of the age.” -- Foreword of the 1911 Convention Report

And that 1910 Watch Tower that BTK mentioned:

If, then, the Lord has provided us with something in our
day that other days than those of the Apostles knew nothing
about, no matter how good nor how wise they were-for us to
ignore the line of teaching which has been thus developed
would be, in our judgment, to ignore the Lord's providences.
It is for each one to think for himself, however, and to guide
his conduct in every way accordingly.
If the six volumes of SCRIPTURE STUDIES are practically
the Bible topically arranged, with Bible proof-texts given, we
might not improperly name the volumes-the Bible in an
arranged form. That is to say, they are not merely comments
on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself, since
there is no desire to build any doctrine or thought on any
individual preference or on any individual wisdom, but to
present the entire matter on the lines of the Word of God. We
therefore think it safe to follow this kind of reading, this kind
of instruction, this kind of Bible study.
Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see
the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also,
that if anyone lays the SCRIPTURE STUDIES aside, even after he
has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after
he has read them for ten years--if he then lays them aside and
ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has under-
stood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within
two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had
merely read the SCRIPTURE STUDIES with their references, and
had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the
light at the end of the two years, because he would have the
light of the Scriptures.

[Anna]

On 7/3/2019 at 12:52 PM, Noble Berean said:

Think of the people that died refusing organ transplants

In those days I am sure there were quite a number, and only a fraction were Jehovah's Witnesses

[Anna]

On 7/3/2019 at 3:36 AM, JW Insider said:

We tend not to see this wielding of authority as a problem, because MOST of what the GB relays and publishes is perfectly acceptable. But this lax attitude toward what Jesus warned us about can result in a very dangerous situation for Christians. We do not mature as we should to stand on our own, because it's so much easier to just accept humans as leaders, and accept them as vicars of Christ. (bold added by Anna)

 This is very true and there is a perfect example of how "obsessed" some can become. Just the other day I noticed a thread on a JW only chat forum, regarding the latest WT study articles (October 2019). There had been a glitch on the jw.library app and only the questions to the articles appeared. (It didn't help that some of those questions were quite provocative). The speculation among the friends was getting so out of hand, so much so that one brother was compelled to make this comment in answer to someone who intelligently remarked that this was obviously just a glitch:

It has to be remembered though that these 30 or so brothers and sisters who make batshit (pardon the expression) crazy comments do not necessarily represent the whole worldwide brotherhood, although maybe it could indicate that on average 2 out if 30 are reasonable, and it appears that 14 of them agreed with the ridiculousness of it once they actually thought about it, and 3 saw the funny side of it.
This whole thread showed how out of hand the friends get with their immature thinking because after the glitch was repaired, and the whole articles appeared, they carried on undeterred in their craziness!

P.S. The WT in question: https://www.jw.org/en/publications/magazines/watchtower-study-october-2019/

 

[Anna]

54 minutes ago, JW Insider said:

That is to say, they are not merely comments
on the Bible, but they are practically the Bible itself, since
there is no desire to build any doctrine or thought on any
individual preference or on any individual wisdom, but to
present the entire matter on the lines of the Word of God. We
therefore think it safe to follow this kind of reading, this kind
of instruction, this kind of Bible study.
Furthermore, not only do we find that people cannot see
the divine plan in studying the Bible by itself, but we see, also,
that if anyone lays the SCRIPTURE STUDIES aside, even after he
has used them, after he has become familiar with them, after
he has read them for ten years--if he then lays them aside and
ignores them and goes to the Bible alone, though he has under-
stood his Bible for ten years, our experience shows that within
two years he goes into darkness. On the other hand, if he had
merely read the SCRIPTURE STUDIES with their references, and
had not read a page of the Bible, as such, he would be in the
light at the end of the two years, because he would have the
light of the Scriptures. 

I can understand what Russell was saying. In his mind, he was probably thinking that he made the Bible more readable and understandable. And that as a result it would stick better in people’s minds. I feel his motive was genuine. But that does not mean that his statements were not presumptuous and dangerous. The danger is that as a result many will fixate themselves on every utterance of this “prophet” at the cost of actually checking the Bible itself. Not only that, but gradually people will take what this “prophet” says as gospel truth, no matter what it is, without checking or without a wait and see attitude. And this situation we find ourselves in today. I posted an example of the resulting hysteria above.

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

WDS .... the gift that keeps on giving!

 

[TrueTomHarley]

2 hours ago, Anna said:

I think he was only joking 😃

No

[Anna]

2 hours ago, JOHN BUTLER said:

BUT your comment is very sly, almost clever,

There was absolutely no intent at being clever or sly on my part. But you really show your paranoia though. Attributing intent where there was none.

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

I understand that John Butler has attracted the attention of British MI6, for violation of the National Secrets Act.

OOPS .... did I say that out loud?

[JW Insider]

23 hours ago, BillyTheKid46 said:

You call upon "all" the anointed to be fulfilling that role. Yet, not all who claim to be anointed have the capability to fulfill the role of the FDS, since not all are governed to dispense, spiritual food at the proper time. Another flaw in your ideology.

Yes. I do think that all of the anointed, each and every member of the entire Christian "congregation" or "body of Christ" have the capability to fulfill the role of faithful and discreet slave, during their life. The same actually holds true, by practical extension, to all members of the congregation.

This doesn't mean that everyone needs to have a say in doctrine, teaching, or instruction, shepherding, or that everyone needs to preside, or give feedback to the GB. It just means that every Christian has been given something  (gifts and talents, energy or ability to: work, console, encourage, help widows, comfort, preach, sing, prepare physical food, prepare a talk, raise children, help orphans, help someone sick, contribute money, help someone in need, carry water, drive an invalid to the meetings, etc.)

The principle is in Ephesians 4:12, Romans 14:19, etc., especially verses where the Greek word " οἰκοδομή oikodomḗ " is used. It means to build up, with the implication of building up a household, edification. It's related to the idea of the "faithful house servant managing the domestics" or "faithful steward" ( οἰκονόμος oikonómos; a house-distributor) who serve one another to keep a household running smoothly in Matthew 24:45, Luke 12:42, etc.

Metaphorically, food builds up, strengthens, maintains, gives energy, contributes to health, etc. In many of the following verses (and many others) the idea of "building up" uses this word also meaning "to edify" or, in effect, to feed. Each Christian is involved in soberly "feeding" on another. (Hebrews 10:24,25)

Ephesians 4:12
to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,

Romans 14:19
So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification.

Romans 15:2
Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

1 Corinthians 12:7
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Corinthians 12:27
Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.

2 Corinthians 13:9
In fact, we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong, and our prayer is for your perfection.

2 Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

2 Timothy 4:5
But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

And yes, I know that some would say that this applies initially and perhaps especially to the office of persons in leadership positions like Peter (representing apostles) who was told by Jesus, to "Feed my lambs/sheep." (John 21:17)  But this special shepherding work, as Peter points out is something that all elders should share in. Peter even uses some of the same language that Jesus used in the illustration of the faithful and unfaithful stewards:

(1 Peter 5:1-4) . . .Therefore, as a fellow elder, . . .  I make this appeal to the elders among you: 2 Shepherd the flock of God under your care, serving as overseers, not under compulsion, but willingly before God; not for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly; 3 not lording it over those who are God’s inheritance, but becoming examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief shepherd has been made manifest, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

 

[Anna]

[James Thomas Rook Jr.]

I have not been looking at sunsets out here ....

I have been doing VALUABLE RESEARCH!

As it turns out, BillyTheKid46 (BTK46) is the reason that Tight Pants Tony (TPT)  has such a fixation over tight pants!

If the pants are TOO TIGHT, it makes the head swell up into a giant yellow crazy face!

 ..... Or a jet black tall hat in an otherwise sepia colored cowboy bandito photograph!

[JW Insider]

I woke up this morning and was pleased to see a red 17 on the notifications bell at the top of this page. I thought that perhaps someone had made some thoughtful posts to read.

Alas and alack! All 17 were just down-votes from @Foreigner (Allen Smith's [BTK's] long-running spamming account).