Jehovahs witnesses, translations, and the new world. The watchtower bible calls the new world translation of the holy scriptures one of the best translations to be found. Some accuse jehovah s witnesses of rewriting the bible to fit their doctrine. Jehovahs witnesses respectfully, why was the new world. I offered to show him the two copies, but he declined, saying he would look for them in the kingdom hall. Charles taze russells books studies in scriptures are respected but. What version of the bible do the jehovahs witnesses use why. In 1961 the society published its own translation of the scriptures, called the new world translation of the holy scriptures. He is the image of the invisible god, the firstborn of all creation. Since 1976 all doctrinal decisions have been made by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders at the denominations headquarters. The jehovahs witnesses new world translation and john 1. They do not believe in hellfire, or the inherent immortality of the soul. 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. 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.
The new world translation of the bible is jehovahs witnesses own translation, no other religious group uses this bible and jehovahs. A busy religion as of 2010, there are over 7 million active jehovahs witnesses worldwide, spending. New world translation of the holy scriptures by anonymous, the children act by ian mcewan, ellens song by ben kalla. He was finally satisfied that these books were indeed published by jehovahs witnesses. These terms never appear in the bible, but are watchtower concepts based on melding the following scriptures. And i can see how they might gather this from colossians 1. Jehovah s witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream christianity. 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.
Sometimes they will even translate verses in a way that is consistent with their belief system. In 1950, the watchtower bible and tract society wt, the corporate name of the jehovahs witnesses jws. Abbreviations of publication titles watchtower online. No other religious groups use this translation, and jehovah s witnesses make very little use of other translations. Most of the prophecies in revelation were to be fulfilled after johns time 24. Here is another conversation where the jdubs multiple gods view is applied to creation from the 5. Jehovahs witnesses 10 things to know about their beliefs. 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. An example conversation with a jehovah witness jw and historic christian belief on colossians 1. 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. It is a fairly literal translation, for the most part, but it does have some peculiar non literal renderings.
Being subjective means that your understanding is based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or ideas. Similar to those ancient times, modern holidays and birthdays are celebrated in the same manner, meaning with gatherings, gifts, cake, candles, music and dancing. New world translation of the holy scriptures wikipedia. All that having been said, back to the book itself. They also go by the designation jehovahs witnesses. Jehovahs witnesses are told that this translation is the most accurate, unbiased translation available. 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.
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. With regard to bible translation, the book truth in translation by jd beduhn bible. The witnesses have their own translation of the bible the new. February 10, 2020 is translated to 1,009 languages. The book, three worlds and the harvest of this world, was published in early 1877. Jehovah s witnesses are part of the story john tells since the book is largely concerned with the 20th century. This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true god, and of the one whom you sent forth, jesus christ. Review of 20 revision of the jehovahs witnesses new. 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. Why russia is afraid of jehovahs witnesses the conversation. 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.
However, the jehovah s witnesses deny this altogether. The new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is a translation of the bible published by the watch tower bible and tract society. 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. A critical look at the jehovah s witness bible the new world translation by m. Overall, this is nothing more than a literal interpretation of the thou shall not worship false gods commandment. Read and listen to the bible online, or download free audio recordings and signlanguage videos of the bible. In 1950, the watch tower society came out with their own translation of the bible, the new world translation. Knorr died in 1977, and frederick franz took over the leadership of the watchtower society. 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. The new world translation removes references to the deity of christ. These are separate from the ruling class the little flock of 144,000. Their false assumption is that jesus is not god in flesh but michael the archangel who became a man. Jehovahs witnesses bible reveals that jesus is god nwt.
Following are some verses concerning these two teachings of the witnesses, which they have totally corrupted. You wont find them in your local christian bookshop. Are jehovahs witnesses too literal when it comes to the. You dont have to work for your salvation because jesus paid a debt for sin that no other person could pay. However, in the meantime, along came the spanish priest and orientalist named arias montanus. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is an accurate, easytoread translation of the bible. Later an edition of this was published in lyons, in 1542, by servetus. Whatever happened to the kingdom interlinear translation. Now i want to touch briefly on the issue of jehovah s witnesses and hell mostly because the title and headings are funny. The new testament portion was released in 1950, as the new world translation of the christian greek scriptures, with the complete bible released in 1961. The watchtower society claims this work to have been made directly into english from hebrew, aramaic and greek. 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. 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. Jehovah s witnesses respectfully, why was the new world translation bible written.
Jehovah s witnesses use the new world translation of the bible. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses. Franz is the current leader of the jehovah s witnesses 1991. The watchtower society claims this work to have been made directly into english from hebrew, aramaic and greek languages. Have the jehovahs witnesses translated the hell out of.
Jehovah s witnesses are directed by the governing body of jehovah s witnesses, a group of elders. The new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is a translation of the bible published. 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. 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. In the beginning the word was, and the word was with god, and the word was a god.
They believe themselves to be the true christians and reject many popular ideas in other versions of christianity. 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. These are the result of the committees efforts to conform the version to the doctrines of the jehovah s witnesses. 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. Until the release of the new world translation, jehovahs witnesses in englishspeaking countries primarily used the king james version. It has been published in whole or in part in over 160 languages. Jehovahs witnesses is a millenarian restorationist christian denomination with nontrinitarian. King philip ii of spain called him to labor at a projected polyglot bible.
It was in july 1963, at the everlasting good news assembly of jehovahs witnesses at milwaukee, wisconsin, u. In their translation, the gospel of john begins in this way. I will compare king james verses with the jehovah witnesses bible, the new world translation. As witnesses embrace the new bible we ask, will it stand the test of time. Given the groups belief in a literal thousandyear earthly reign of. You wont find them on the shelves in a typical jehovahs witness home. Email answers to questions from a jehovahs witness about their beliefs and doctrines.
Are jehovahs witnesses too literal when it comes to the bible. Facts the watchtower society doesnt want you to know. 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 beliefs of jehovahs witnesses and how they differ from. Betweenthelines translations of the bible watchtower. Jehovah s witnesses cannot talk to them or even greet them on the street. 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. But how do we know if the jehovahs witness answers are actually true. Youngs literal translation uses jehovah 5787 times. The new world translation of the holy scriptures nwt is the name of the bible used worldwide by members of the jehovahs witness sect. Periodically jehovah s witness doctrine will change. Total printing to 1985 of the kingdom interlinear translation of the greek scriptures. Jehovah s witnesses are arguably the most strict practicing christians in todays society. Did christians literally stop drinking water, was jesus literal when talking about people.
Jehovahs witness quick reference guide study resources. Though it is not the first bible to be published by. This is one of the most common verses of contention between the jehovah s witnesses and christians. There are over eight million jehovahs witnesses in 240 countries worldwide. But it is a fact that it is not konkordant where the company will present its dogmas. 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. Sympathetic readers therefore find their own story in rgch it is a firstperson plural we reading experience that announces this communitys.
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. Being objective means that personal feelings or opinions do not influence you in considering and representing facts. For many years it was taught that blacks were that color as a result of gods curse on canaan. So one can clearly see that gods word testifies to the fact that he is a trinity. Company watchtower boast of their bible translation that it is a literal translation. Jehovahs witnesses, in support of their new world translation, make extensive use of obscure, questionable bible translations. A jehovah s witness can lie to someone if they are not entitled to know the truth. One way to examine the jehovahs witness perspective. The group reports a worldwide membership of approximately 8. And of course a classic presentation by the lategreat. 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.
1468 1104 380 289 59 642 925 1009 1130 511 509 1268 473 1400 1300 913 53 846 896 441 667 1281 903 243 786 150 1480 977 1401 1306 1069 970 926 811 725 770 1008 368 857 11 1187 1136 1234 1420