Though it is not the first bible to be published by. The beliefs of jehovahs witnesses and how they differ from. These are separate from the ruling class the little flock of 144,000. Abbreviations of publication titles watchtower online. The new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is a translation of the bible published. Since 1976 all doctrinal decisions have been made by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders at the denominations headquarters. All that having been said, back to the book itself. According to jehovah s witnesses, this is a period of 1,000 years that follows armageddon and consists of paradise on earth for the faithful survivors and a selected group of resurrected people. They believe themselves to be the true christians and reject many popular ideas in other versions of christianity. The trinity doctrine was not conceived by jesus or the early christians. Jehovahs witnesses respectfully, why was the new world. Sympathetic readers therefore find their own story in rgch it is a firstperson plural we reading experience that announces this communitys. Here is another conversation where the jdubs multiple gods view is applied to creation from the 5.
Introduction in other posts, i detailed some of the more egregious theological errors being supported by the the jehovah s witnesses mistranslation of the bible. Their false assumption is that jesus is not god in flesh but michael the archangel who became a man. The new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is a translation of the bible published by the watch tower bible and tract society. New world translation of the holy scriptures by anonymous, the children act by ian mcewan, ellens song by ben kalla. Most of the prophecies in revelation were to be fulfilled after johns time 24. Are jehovahs witnesses too literal when it comes to the. Whatever happened to the kingdom interlinear translation. Jehovah s witnesses are directed by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders in brooklyn, new york, which establishes all doctrines789 based on its interpretations of the bible. Jehovah s witnesses are directed by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders. For many years it was taught that blacks were that color as a result of gods curse on canaan. Fully documented with photocopies of statements from rare watchtower publications, this book reveals many facts the watchtower society tries to hide from jehovahs witnesses and investigators of this religion.
In the beginning the word was, and the word was with god, and the word was a god. The new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is the name of the bible used worldwide by members of the jehovahs witness sect. It articulated ideas that remained the teachings of russells associates for the next 40 years, many of which are still embraced by jehovah s witnesses. Some accuse jehovah s witnesses of rewriting the bible to fit their doctrine. Later an edition of this was published in lyons, in 1542, by servetus.
Until the release of the new world translation, jehovahs witnesses in englishspeaking countries primarily used the king james version. Jehovah s witness leaders needed a scripture to promote their bible studies, which are really studies of their own literature, so they altered john 17. Stewart may 2016 i have in front of me a book published in 1969 by the jehovah s witness titled, the kingdom interlinear translation of the greek scriptures. Youngs literal translation uses jehovah 5787 times. Jehovahs witness quick reference guide study resources. You wont find them on the shelves in a typical jehovahs witness home. Why russia is afraid of jehovahs witnesses the conversation. They do not believe in hellfire, or the inherent immortality of the soul. Jehovah s witnesses use the new world translation of the bible. There are over eight million jehovahs witnesses in 240 countries worldwide. Review of 20 revision of the jehovahs witnesses new. He is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn of all creation. And i can see how they might gather this from colossians 1.
Have the jehovahs witnesses translated the hell out of. As witnesses embrace the new bible we ask, will it stand the test of time. Are jehovahs witnesses too literal when it comes to the bible. Company watchtower boast of their bible translation that it is a literal translation. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses.
Periodically jehovah s witness doctrine will change. This is one of the most common verses of contention between the jehovah s witnesses and christians. Jehovahs witnesses 10 things to know about their beliefs. It has been published in whole or in part in over 160 languages. These terms never appear in the bible, but are watchtower concepts based on melding the following scriptures. The new testament of our lord jesus christ, translated from the greek, 1694, and the word was a god hermann heinfetter, a literal translation of the new testament,1863, as a god the command. No other religious groups use this translation, and jehovah s witnesses make very little use of other translations. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8. Following are some verses concerning these two teachings of the witnesses, which they have totally corrupted. One way to examine the jehovahs witness perspective. Jehovah s witnesses cannot talk to them or even greet them on the street.
Email answers to questions from a jehovahs witness about their beliefs and doctrines. But how do we know if the jehovahs witness answers are actually true. With regard to bible translation, the book truth in translation by jd beduhn bible. Jehovahs witnesses believe that god created jesus first, then created everything that exists, through jesus. Robert young had published in edinburgh, scotland, the bible translation called youngs literal translation of the holy bible and that this translation also translated the greek word. What are the differences between most christian bibles and.
Jehovah s witnesses respectfully, why was the new world translation bible written. The nwt is the official translation of the old and new testaments by the wbts. Jehovah s witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. Read and listen to the bible online, or download free audio recordings and signlanguage videos of the bible.
Given the groups belief in a literal thousandyear earthly reign of. Jehovahs witnesses, in support of their new world translation, make extensive use of obscure, questionable bible translations. Similar to those ancient times, modern holidays and birthdays are celebrated in the same manner, meaning with gatherings, gifts, cake, candles, music and dancing. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is an accurate, easytoread translation of the bible.
However, in the meantime, along came the spanish priest and orientalist named arias montanus. The watchtower society claims this work to have been made directly into english from hebrew, aramaic and greek languages. It is a fairly literal translation, for the most part, but it does have some peculiar non literal renderings. So, when it comes to translating and interpreting bible verses that show the deity of jesus, the watchtower bible and tract society will go to great lengths to support their false presupposition. They also go by the designation jehovahs witnesses. With anointed jehovah s witnesses going to heaven and a great crowd of jehovah s witnesses being armageddons earthly survivors, the only option for worldly people became eternal destruction. If you are currently a jehovahs witness or an exmember of the jehovahs witnesses, its important to realize that god loves you and salvation is a free gift of god received by grace through faith in jesus christ ephesians 2.
Many jehovahs witnesses are overwhelmed with excitement following the release of the revised new world translation at the 129th annual meeting over the weekend a number have taken to social media to express their joy and appreciation at what is being viewed by many as a gift straight from jehovah. So one can clearly see that gods word testifies to the fact that he is a trinity. What version of the bible do the jehovahs witnesses use why. Jehovah s witnesses are part of the story john tells since the book is largely concerned with the 20th century. I offered to show him the two copies, but he declined, saying he would look for them in the kingdom hall. For a change, i would like to hear from jehovah s witnesses why the new world translation bible was written instead of those who are clearly blinded with hatred and bias toward them. These are the result of the committees efforts to conform the version to the doctrines of the jehovah s witnesses. King philip ii of spain called him to labor at a projected polyglot bible.
Facts the watchtower society doesnt want you to know. Total printing to 1985 of the kingdom interlinear translation of the greek scriptures. In 1950, the watchtower bible and tract society wt, the corporate name of the jehovahs witnesses jws. Jehovahs witnesses are told that this translation is the most accurate, unbiased translation available. The watchtower society claims this work to have been made directly into english from hebrew, aramaic and greek. In 1961 the society published its own translation of the scriptures, called the new world translation of the holy scriptures. He was finally satisfied that these books were indeed published by jehovahs witnesses. Jehovah s witnesses are arguably the most strict practicing christians in todays society. Sometimes they will even translate verses in a way that is consistent with their belief system. And of course a classic presentation by the lategreat. How many times has the new world translation been revised. An example conversation with a jehovah witness jw and historic christian belief on colossians 1.
Overall, this is nothing more than a literal interpretation of the thou shall not worship false gods commandment. Apparently, in first naming the magazine in 1879 editor russell was unaware that in 1862, or a year before the emphatic diaglott was completed, dr. The jehovahs witnesses new world translation and john 1. But it is a fact that it is not konkordant where the company will present its dogmas. In 1950, the watch tower society came out with their own translation of the bible, the new world translation. This is what jehovah s witnesses dothey would have us believe that the number 144,000 means exactly 144,000 people literal, but the phrase sealed from every tribe of the sons of israel means spiritual jews, or to be more exact, special members of their organization headquartered in brooklyn, n. Knorr died in 1977, and frederick franz took over the leadership of the watchtower society.
In their translation, the gospel of john begins in this way. You dont have to work for your salvation because jesus paid a debt for sin that no other person could pay. A busy religion as of 2010, there are over 7 million active jehovahs witnesses worldwide, spending. Charles taze russells books studies in scriptures are respected but. You wont find them in your local christian bookshop.
Remember, jdubs consider themselves rabidly monotheistic, but as one scholar says below, it must be stated quite frankly that, if the jehovahs witnesses take this translation seriously, they are polytheists. This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true god, and of the one whom you sent forth, jesus christ. Jehovahs witnesses, translations, and the new world. It was in july 1963, at the everlasting good news assembly of jehovahs witnesses at milwaukee, wisconsin, u. The new world translation of the bible is jehovahs witnesses own translation, no other religious group uses this bible and jehovahs.
Being subjective means that your understanding is based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or ideas. Jehovahs witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian. However, the jehovah s witnesses deny this altogether. The book, three worlds and the harvest of this world, was published in early 1877. The watchtower bible calls the new world translation of the holy scriptures one of the best translations to be found. The new world translation removes references to the deity of christ. Franz is the current leader of the jehovah s witnesses 1991. A critical look at the jehovah s witness bible the new world translation by m.
The new word translation of the holy scriptures is the selfpublished version of the bible that is translated, published and used by members of the watchtower organization. Kurt goedelman the new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is the name of the bible used worldwide by members of the jehovah s witness sect. The kingdom interlinear translation of the greek scriptures has been published in two editions by the watchtower bible and tract society, which is the publishing arm of what is now known officially as the christian congregations of jehovah s witnesses. The beliefs of jehovah s witnesses are based on the bible teachings of charles taze russellfounder of the bible student movementand successive presidents of the watch tower society, joseph franklin rutherford, and nathan homer knorr. Betweenthelines translations of the bible watchtower. I will compare king james verses with the jehovah witnesses bible, the new world translation. One of the core doctrines of the watchtower is that jehovah s witnesses form a great crowd of other sheep that will reside forever on earth. The new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is the name of the bible used worldwide by members of the jehovah s witness sect. Did christians literally stop drinking water, was jesus literal when talking about people. Now i want to touch briefly on the issue of jehovah s witnesses and hell mostly because the title and headings are funny. In yesterdays post i provided a brief overview of the jehovahs witness worldview to show how it answers the three most important questions addressed by any worldview how did we get here. They prefer to use their own bible translation, the new world translation of the holy scriptures, although their. New world translation of the holy scriptures wikipedia.