Should You Believe in the Trinity? (Introduction)

Who is Jesus? This question reveals a major breach between what Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christians believe.

Several years ago, when I was meeting regularly with Abbie, a Jehovah’s Witness, she gave me an attractive little booklet entitled, “Should You Believe in the Trinity?” The book goes through the “history” of the Doctrine of the Trinity before getting into theology and scripture itself. At first, I glossed over the history of the trinity, pretty much taking Watchtower’s word for it, and focused with my JW friends on scripture regarding Christ’s identity (I figured scripture was more important than history anyway, right?).

But when one of my aunts revealed some of her research into the historical segments of the booklet, I knew I needed to see the “whole story” behind these quoted passages. Watchtower did not make it easy to double-check these quotes. Although they did cite sources, they did not cite page numbers or chapters (there is no bibliography in the booklet). Thankfully someone else had done the lion’s share of locating the exact sources of the whole quotes, and I only needed to search out these sources to ascertain their meaning for myself.

I plan to re-type my notes made from researching this booklet (I have 6 pages of notes just from researching the first half of the booklet!) and post them here (eventually — I’ve really not much time for blogging these days!). I will include links to online books or to real books (for sale at Amazon or possibly for free at your library) whenever possible so you can look up quotes in their intended context. I wouldn’t want you to take my word for it — check these out for yourselves!

After typing up my notes regarding the history of trinitarian doctrine , I plan to list scripture verses that demonstrate there is only God, that the Father is God, that Jesus is God, and that the Spirit is God. I’ve never been one to be picky about the word “trinity.” It means nothing holy to me, in and of itself. The concept behind the word, however, is precious and can be found from Genesis to Revelation in the Holy Scriptures.

For those of you not interested in wading through my (possibly boring) pages of notes regarding quotes and historical teachings, I thought I’d mention a shining example of a quote published in the Should You Believe in the Trinity booklet that was taken out of context.

If a Jehovah’s Witnesses friend of yours shares this booklet with you, please look with them at this quote from Jesuit Edmund Fortman, on page 6, under the heading Testimony of the Greek Scriptures:

“Jesuit Fortman states: ‘The New Testament writers…give us no formal or formulated doctrine of the Trinity, no explicit teaching that in one God there are three co-equal divine persons…Nowhere do we find any trinitarian doctrine of three distinct subjects of divine life and activity in the same Godhead.’”

Now, I must say that Watchtower used Jesuit Fortman’s exact words.

And the Watchtower was honest in revealing to us when words have been omitted from the quotes by using …’s.

However, if you were to read Jesuit Fortman’s words in their entirety, would you see that he meant the same thing Watchtower tells us he means?

As you read Fortman’s words for yourself, consider what you think his intention was in writing them. Was he out to discredit or validate the doctrine of the trinity? Was he out to show that the Bible does not reveal a trinitarian doctrine or that it does indeed so?

Please see the .pdf version of The Triune God by Jesuit Fortman online to read this for yourself. The full quote can be found on pages xv and xvi of the Introduction. (The final phrase in the above-mentioned quote after the last “…” is not found in The Triune God until several PAGES later, in Chapter 2, page 16, if you’d like to read that quote in its entirety as well.)

I placed the words from the quote below that Watchtower used in the booklet in italics. The rest of the quote was hidden in the …’s.

“If we take the New Testament writers together they will tell us there is only one God, the creator and lord of the universe, who is the Father of Jesus. They call Jesus the Son of God, Messiah, Lord, Savior, Word, Wisdom. They assign Him the divine functions of creation, salvation, judgment. Sometimes they call Him God explicitly. They do not speak as fully and clearly of the Holy Spirit as they do of the Son, but at times they coordinate Him with the Father and the Son and put Him on a level with them as far as divinity and personality are concerned. They give us in their writings a triadic ground plan and triadic formulas. They do not speak in abstract terms of nature, substance, person, relation, circumincession, mission, but they present in their own ways the ideas that are behind these terms. They give no formal or formulated doctrine of the Trinity, no explicit teaching that in one God there are three co-equal divine persons. But they do give us an elemental trinitarianism, the data from which such a formal doctrine of the Triune God may be formulated.”

There were enough discrepancies between several passages in the booklet and their author’s original intentions to cause me to believe that Watchtower was being deliberately deceptive in its presentation.

Resources for Learning how to share with Jehovah’s Witnesses

Here is a neat site with lots of articles on theology.

This article, called Opening the Closed Mind, is not really about theology but really just has thoughts on how to open conversation with a Jehovah’s Witnesses or anyone in a controlling religous group.  The questions are to get them to think, not to start fights.  Great stuff.

Here are some more audio resources (if the link doesn’t work, I found cutting and pasting the new link given seemed to work).

Update on Jehovah’s Witnesses

We’ll, my Jehovah Witness “friend” Abbie finally came back a few weeks ago. I had no idea what to expect, or how to prepare. I really wanted to let her lead the discussion, with me raising questions that may cause her to doubt or investigate further. Trying to prepare without knowing which direction we would go in was daunting. It WAS nice to go through my dis-organized box of JW stuff and refresh my memory. These are the notes I found (I will update links as I input them into WordPress):

The Name of God

The Trinity

False Prophecies of the Watchtower

Abbie and another gal spent a few hours with us, discussing the Bible over yummy gluten-free chocolate cupcakes and steaming herbal tea. Abbie brought a book with her called What the Bible Really Teaches, and as much as my pride caused me to resist the student role, I kept reminding myself that lessons in humility are”just what the Doctor ordered” for me!  I thought I would look for chances to share the Gospel and JESUS with them whenever the time arose.

My boys had watched me prepare. They had lots of questions to ask! One of the questions was, What if the Jehovah’s Witnesses are right? I loved that question, and told them we needed to investigate to find out! I let them know they should never be afraid to seek Truth. I also told them about many of the mind-control tactics and false prophecies and scriptural changes the Watchtower has accomplished over the years.

Normally in our house we have an hour or so of “quiet time” each day where each person goes in a room by himself and reads or plays with quiet toys. (I don’t think I could survive without this time of peace I have to myself each and every day.) I let the boys know that it was very important that they stay very quiet while the JW’s were over. If they wanted to hear or discuss anything with us, they were allowed. They could play with Legos or the like in the living room, as long as they were respectful.

My 2 littlest boys were quiet as a mouse, except for interrupting every once in awhile to show off an “amazing” creation or two. My eldest played with Legos part of the time, and then got right in the thick of discussion! The JW’s and myself got stuck disagreeing on a few random points that I probably should have left alone. During a few of those moments, when perhaps the emotion in the room was running a bit high as a few people tried to speak at once, my 10-year old began to interrupt. He was so cute, not really knowing what we were talking about, but obviously knowing better than I did what was important. More than once he would cry out, “B…B….But, that’s why JESUS is soooooooooo special! Because we don’t have to DO ANYTHING to get to be with God! He did it all for us!” One of those times, while chuckling at how off-the-subject he was, I felt a tear in my eye and a lump in my throat! I realized it didn’t matter so much how Abbie and her friend responded, the decision to get together the JW’s was causing MY SON to be introspective and think deeply on matters of Christ and Salvation! And THAT made the whole awkward meeting worth it!

To sum up, we discussed what we thought the whole point of the Bible was. The JW’s think the book, cover to cover, is pointing toward the grand Kingdom which will be set up on earth. I see all of scripture as pointing to Jesus. The Old Testament looked forward to Him (e.g. Passover!) and the New Testament looked at His life on earth and to His future reigning.

We talked a lot about heaven. I didn’t quite understand that JW’s think we simply stop existing, like a dog does, when we die. They used a verse in Ecclesiastes to “prove” their point. It was an odd discussion that helped me understand a bit more where they are coming from. They do think that they will be resurrected again, with the new Kingdom, if they were good enough. But, they won’t be in the presence of God. They said they will never be separated from God’s love, using the analogy of us being not separated from the President’s administrative power here in our state even though we are almost 2000 miles from Washington D.C. This shocked me. I declared, “But would you be satisfied to be that far from your LOVER? I want to be WITH HIM!” I realized they don’t know the Lord like I do. They don’t share in intimate love with Him. Again, the whole discussion just seemed to show how the focus with JW’s is on earthy satisfaction and that Jesus is truly not very important to them. The catch phrases with both us and them sound the same, but the focus is topsy-turvy.

I asked a bit about whether the ladies looked to Watchtower above the Bible. They said, no they don’t, that they think Watchtower can make mistakes. They also claimed that they do not have to go along with prophecies from Watchtower. I said, “Oh, good to hear! Because I have been concerned over false prophecies, and the rumor that you would be disfellowshipped if you didn’t tote the party line.” I happened to have a little packet of photocopies from old Watchtower publications that made different predictions (Jesus coming back in 1874, the end of the world coming various times, etc.) with no mincing of words (again, when I get the chance I’ll put up links here — the story on the street is that one can get into HUGE trouble by not believing whatever Watchtower teaches). I mentioned the packet, perhaps a bit hesitantly. Abbie responded so quickly that she was interested in the packet! She said she had heard this complaint before and was curious to know how to answer people. She took the papers, folded them hurriedly, and put them in her purse. We’ll have to see her response to the photocopied information this Friday.

I know that this coming Saturday is the JW’s big communion day. I can’t remember what it is called right now, but learning about it has broken my heart. Only those select few who are going to Heaven (there aren’t many left as Heaven was closed to new followers in 1935) get to take communion. All others have to pass the cup and the bread by. I’m hoping to share my personal experience with communion with my friends this Friday.

The kids and I are learning about Passover this week as well. The other day, I felt like God almost audibly suggested we have the boys share their crafts and lessons with the lovely ladies as a way to share the gospel with them! I told the boys our researching Passover is part of a covert operation this year!

But, my house is not too clean at this present moment. I’m not finished researching and reading for the Friday meeting. I’m feeling rather under-the-weather hormonally as well. And we have a writing class for 2 of boys across town tomorrow, homeschooling reading and crafting to accomplished, neighbor kids beating down the door (Spring Break for them), and errands to run. I’m starting to get that overwhelmed feeling again…

So, if you read this, say a prayer that we may be prepared, full of God’s love, gracious, kind, considerate, and wise as we welcome the JW ladies into our home once more. And if you say a prayer that these meetings won’t continue for too long…well I’d be happy with that as well! Or at least a boost of confidence that these meetings are part of God’s plan!

Researching Answers, Sharing Tips!

You may already know from my earlier posts that I am going to begin meeting again with a Jehovah Witness acquaintance I have known for several years. I really believe that Jehovah’s Witnesses have been deluded by the Watchtower organization. I believe that this group is a mind-controlling cult. I believe talking with Abbie about what I know is worthwhile. I believe taking the time to research Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Bible is a good discipline for me. I think that exposing my kids to learning how to find Truth, and not being afraid to research, are splendid ideas.

But here I am sweatin’ tomorrow!

I just keep hearing a voice telling me how jacked up I am! How ill-fitted I am for sharing my faith.

I have felt pretty far away from God this past year. I have not been “good” at reading my Bible. I struggled with being impatient with my kids. I haven’t gained control over eating what I should/shouldn’t and I haven’t exercised as much as I know I should. These are just a few of the ways I have not lived up to standards I feel I should be living up to. Who am I to radiate Jesus Christ to these gals who are not only Lost, but also captives to a mind-numbing, life-controlling religion? Who am I, when I am so screwed up myself?

Then I remember the Gospel!

It’s not about me, is it? It’s about HIM! It’s not whether I’ve had a consistent quiet time, or even whether my theology is spot on. What matters is that Jehovah had the Mercy and Grace to reach down into this little sinner’s life and take her for His very own — not because I’m such a sweet gal but rather in spite of who I am! Yes, I wish that I had been a better Christian lately. But God’s power, God’s Love, God’s Grace are not dependent upon my performance.

It reminded me of the conversation that got me into this “mess” (grinning). A few months back, Abbie had come to my door for one of our little chats and to hand off a few magazines. We had been avoiding spiritual conversations for the most part (remember, we had met for about a year for serious discussion and then met casually for “catching up” over the next 5ish years) but this week Abbie said something in passing about the “good news” of getting to live in Paradise here on earth. Our family had just met that week with Mormon missionaries, and had an a-ha moment when we shared with each other what we each thought was the heart of the gospel. I suddenly realized what the “heart of the gospel” was to Abbie — living in Paradise Earth.

It was one of those beautiful, innocent moments, where the light bulb went off in my mind and the Holy Spirit filled my heart. I said to Abbie, “So that is the gospel for you! Can I tell you what the gospel is to me?” She said sure, and somehow the words flowed with the testimony so real in my life: that Jesus Christ was sent to earth to pay for my sins, so that I — me, even! — could become friends with God on NO merit of my own! That because I could do NOTHING to earn His love, He did EVERYTHING.

Abbie simply stared at me for a minute. (After she left, my 9-year old son said, “Mom, did you see her jaw hit the floor when you said you didn’t have to ‘do anything’?”) After the speechlessness wore off, Abbie asked if perhaps she could meet with me again so that she could show me from scripture all the things I do need to do to earn God’s love (I suppose I need to be ready to show from scripture God’s Grace tomorrow — pray for me for this!). I said, “Uh, maybe, well…we already met for so long before…and nothing came of it…but, yeah, I mean, we could meet, I guess…” A few weeks later, Abbie asked again if we could begin to meet, and I conceded.

So here we are, facing tomorrow!

I’ve spent my “spare” time this week preparing to meet with Abbie on Friday. I wanted to list some of the resources I’ve come across.

What a blessing to find at the bottom of my “cult” box, lodged in the back of my closet, several pages of notes from the last time Abbie and I met together — that made it easier to have some idea of how I’d like to try to direct the conversation. I found a page of notes on the Name of Jesus, and a stack of photocopies of old Watchtower magazines with false prophecies highlighted. I found many more “hard copy” helps in my JW stash that I’ll find links for soon and post as well.

My children and I are watching a movie tomorrow, before Abbie arrives, borrowed from my grandparents, called Witnesses of Jehovah (the style of clothing on the cover of the film certainly is dated, but I’m guessing the information is not!). I’ve been sharing bits of what I’m learning with the kids this week, and would like them to get a “bigger picture” from the video.

The web has been a wonderful place for research. The most helpful to me, as a busy stay-home mama, has been to listen to the audios on the Tower to Truth website. I’ve had my laptop revved up with audio of ex-Jehovah Witnesses sharing their experiences while making dinner, while bathing, while mopping the floor. Research-a-go-go! (Did I mention that I LOVE my new laptop? Thanks, honey!)

Free Minds provides an awesome power point presentation with embedded links to help you better understand how to talk with Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Although not very helpful in understanding how to share Christ with JW’s, this video by Brenda Lee is extremely interesting because Brenda shares a bit of her own experience (while using quirky creative humor to get her point across).

Here are some websites I hope to read more of in the future:

Watchtower Information Services

Exposing the “Should You Believe in the Trinity” booklet

Tips on Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses

Probe Ministries

Ex - JW Videos (previews are free and seem interesting — videos are cheap to download if you are very interested)

A Brief Definition of the Trinity

I hope these links and information help you in preparing to answer the cultist who is soon to knock at your door!

Sharing the Name of Jesus with Jehovah’s Witnesses

One of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ biggest arguments against mainstream Christianity is that we don’t emphasize using the name of Jehovah. I have no doubt that one of the times you will encounter JW’s at your door they will be ready to stress the importance of this point with you.

For example, here’s a quick quote from a Watchtower magazine I happen to have right in front of me (October 15, 2000):

“Some people feel that the omission of God’s name is a trivial matter. But think: Is it harder or easier to develop a close, enlightened relationship with a nameless person? Such titles as God and Lord (which are used of false gods) might draw attention to Jehovah’s power, authority, or position, but only his personal name identifies him unequivocally. (Exodus 3:15; 1 Corinthians 8:5, 6) The personal name of the true God captures his qualities and characteristics. Theologian Walter Lowrie rightly stated “A man who does not know God by name does not really know him as a person.”

The last time I met with Abbie, it seemed we stayed awhile on this topic. I found some photocopied notes of mine prepared for our discussion. I honestly don’t know if I found this information somewhere or came up with it during my own study. I can’t even remember if Abbie and I covered this information yet either. If you recognize any of this material, please let me know so I may site a source.

Here are my notes:

I was looking into one of the “identifying marks of a true believer,” which referenced Matthew 6:9, “Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy Name…”

I spent a little time looking up “name” in scripture, and found that the New Testament OVERWHELMINGLY points to, focuses on, and lifts up the name…of Jesus Christ.

In whose name should we meet together? (Look up Matthew 18:20, 1 Corinthians 5:4)

Demons are subject to whose name? (Luke 10:17, Acts 16:18)

Repentance and forgiveness are preached in whose name? (Luke 24:47)

In whose name are you to believe and receive the forgiveness of sins? (John 1:12, 3:16; Acts 10:43; 1 John 3:23; 5:13)

By whose name, and none other, do we obtain salvation? (Acts 4:10-12 — wouldn’t this have been a good, logical place in scripture for God to have used the name “YHWH” if the use of the name Jehovah, especially for SALVATION, was so important?)

Whose name is above every name? (Ephesians 1:21; Philippians 2:9-11)

According to Acts 1:8, of whom are we to be Witnesses?

With the exclusive emphasis on Jehovah, are you being obedient to Acts 1:8?

In Jeremiah 23:5-6, Jesus was prophesied to share the name of Jehovah. One of Jesus’ names means “God came to be with us” (Isaiah 7:14). We are to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (note, not “names” but “name”) Matthew 28:!9

Jesus said we’d be persecuted in the His name (Matt 24:9; Mark 13:13; Luke 21:12, 17; John 15:21)

“Kurios” is translated as “Jehovah” in Revelation 1:8, Romans 9:28-29, etc. Why is not translated Jehovah in Luke 2:11?

You’ll probably find better leads for discussing this topic if you look into books on witnessing to JW’s. Here a few websites I found after just a quick Google search:

Charts showing Jehovah and Jesus are the same

Witnessing the Name

The Name of God (scroll down to section with this title)

Some Other Names for God

Be Prepared to Give an Answer

Abbie* came by today. She’s come by once every two to three weeks for the past 6 years, give or take about 3 months when she was undergoing surgery and recovery.

Abbie’s 14 year old niece, with her mother, and their New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, were the first to knock on my door one morning in 2001. The teen Jehovah’s Witness gave her prepared speech, but the questions I had flustered her and she asked if she might come back with her well-read Aunt Abbie to set me straight. I agreed, and Abbie responding to her niece’s call for assistance began our 6-year relationship.

Abbie met with me for over a year, every other week, to “study the Bible.” We covered many topics. I began with simply defending my faith from the gross distortions she had accepted as truth, or defending the Greek or Hebrew meaning of scriptures. She ran the show; I just tried to exonerate orthodox Christian theology. As I became braver (and more tired of getting together) I began to photocopy old editions of Watchtower magazine which demonstrated the false prophecies and/or changed positions on major themes of theology. She seemed surprised, and always took the copies with her. But, overall, we got no where. She wasn’t budging, and I certainly wasn’t either.

We finally discontinued our meetings. Abbie persisted in stopping by to visit every few weeks since then, to give me the newest editions of the proselytizing magazines, catch up on my life and share what was going on with hers. Since that extended, official time of meeting, Abbie has only come in one time for coffee and small talk, usually she just stays at the door for a quick catch-up conversation.

Well, today, Abbie asked if we could start getting together again.

I screamed, “Nooooooooo!”

Well, I screamed inside my head, that is.

Then, a still, quiet voice reminded me, “…always [be] prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” I have often prayed for Abbie over these years, and have wondered why she still comes around. Perhaps the Lord is moving in her heart? Or perhaps He has a work to do in my heart?

Born to Jesus hippies, I remember going door to door with my mom and dad to share the Good News. We went because my parents were so excited about what they had found in Christ. The Jehovah Witnesses go because if they don’t turn in their hour-sheets demonstrating that they’ve gone, they are in danger of losing their church membership. They are commanded and expected to do a certain amount of door-to-door visitation each week.

I also grew up watching my parents talk for hours with cultists who come to our door to share their faith. My mom taught me to focus on “who Jesus is” with the JW’s. My grandma taught me to offer a homemade meal to the missing-their-mama’s-home-cookin’ Mormon missionaries who come by (this worked very well the last time — we had a GREAT night hanging out with the Mormon boys, yet they have NOT come back — woo hoo!) I was taught that if I am blessed enough to have someone knock on my door and give me an excuse to talk about Christ, who am I to turn them down?

So I told Abbie yes. I told her I was only willing to meet once a month, tho. And I’m praying for more courage this time, to be more forthright and bold. To be kind and accepting, yet not shy about the truth. To be friendly, yet to be enough of a friend to shine the light on dark places. I don’t want to get stuck on theology either. I want to be simple and wise — two attributes that do not come naturally to me. May the Spirit that is within me testify to the Grace that has found me!

If you are a Christian, please pray for Abbie. Abbie and others like her are swimming in dark, murky waters of mind-controlling, manipulating religion. Pray that God would move within her to question the status quo and consider thoughts of her own. Please also pray for ME in this endeavor! I want to use this opportunity to help my boys become stronger in the Word, to see their mom research and struggle and pray through different ways of thinking. I want the boys to learn that God can stand up to our scrutiny, and yet that it is His Spirit who does the converting, not our fancy words or lofty thinking.

I would also love to post my research and my conversations with Abbie to help others learn how to talk to those who come to their door to “study the Bible.” Since I became a stay-home mother, I realized that we are the ones who meet the majority of these missionaries. My hope is to help other homemakers become aware of this ministry at their doorsteps.

*not her real name