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