Something over than an hour ago we were visited by a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses. Having been previously called upon at our present location by their representatives (albeit not these two), we were somewhat surprised at this apparent followup-up.
For the biblically based believer, a twofold awareness becomes important at this point: 1.) To respond hatefully, as many unfortunately do, serves only to confirm one's own insecurity and lack of knowledge in confidently addressing the issues at hand, and; 2.) Jehovah's Witness mindset thrives on rejection as vindicating both themselves and their proclamation in terms of perceived persecution for the truth. Simply stated, the attitude and response of many believers, as opposed to countering the errors of JW doctrine, serve rather to confirm its validity in the minds of those so committed.
Our response to JW representatives typically flows somewhat along these lines: Given our commitment to Christ as foundational to the faith, we are willing to visit provided the discussion centers on the theme of his Deity. (This, of course, runs antithetical to JW persuasion wherein Jesus is seen as having been "awarded a state of divinity" in consequence of having discharged his calling.) We then share, again in a kindly spirit, that we have some questions for which we would also be interested in knowing their response.
These, for example, might include the fact that the Witnesses, on more than one occasion, have predicted the time of Christ's return. Why, for example, did he not then return in 1975? Another question, as a friend of ours found useful, is whether the visitor is a member of the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14 - the original self-designation of the Jehovah's Witnesses. Upon attaining this number, it was taught, Christ would then return. Failure here eventually necessitated the creation of a secondary body known as "Jonadabs," the classification to which all present Jehovah's Witnesses necessarily belong, given the fact that not only was the original number exceeded, but that the original 144,000 are now all deceased). This obviously gives rise to further question in terms of one's wishing to be a second class citizen in God's kingdom. Personally, we have never had one accept the invitation for such a discussion.
An additional point here is that when one gets beyond the caller's structured presentation, few Witnesses qualify to carry on a discusion of such nature. Perhaps even more sadly is the fact that seldom is there need on their part for the ability to do so.
In the posting immediately following this one, we offer a brief outline of Scripture concerning Christ's full Deity. Simply stated, the Gospel is undermined to the degree that such is not accepted or endorsed. You may wish to run off two or three copies to have on hand the next time a Witness calls.
Burl Ratzsch
