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Episode 9: Can I Get A Witness

September 17th, 2010 at 2:49 pm (Jehovah's Witnesses, Christology, Strategy, Unitarianism, Mike Felker)

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Mike Felker of The Apologetic Front blog, discussing how to reach out to Jehovah's Witnesses with the truth of biblical Christianity.

Music

Promoted Resources

Biblical References

  • 1 Peter 3:15 - "always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you"
  • John 17:3 - "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
    • cf. Matthew 7:23 - "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you...'" (to "know" is more than just gain knowledge)
  • John 3:3 - "Jesus answered and said to him, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.'"
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4 Comments

  1. Adrian said,

    September 26, 2010 at 6:28 am

    Just listened to Mike on JW’s

    For someone that spent 2 years with the Witnesses , Im surprised at some of the comments he makes . JWs for starters never use the term “soul sleep” .

    Also JWs do not believe they are working for their salvation , however they do believe that real faith , produces good works so to speak - so faith in other words should produce “fruitage”, I think most “Christian” denominations teach similarly.

    When I was an active Witness it was my love for God that was my primary motive for going from door to door , I never thought of it as a duty or a chore , I wanted to speak about God at every opportunity because of my love for God and his word - so lets not paint all Witneeses with the same brush - big mistake !

  2. Mike Felker said,

    September 26, 2010 at 5:13 pm

    Adrian, I appreciate your taking the time to listen to the interview and offering the corrections.

    First, I agree that JW’s do not use the phrase “soul sleep.” And if I said anything along the lines of, “JW’s believe in a soul sleep, as they call it” then my apologies. There are several phrases that I use in identifying JW theology which they don’t necessarily employ themselves. The “Two-class” theology might be one of them. For me, its an easy identifier of their position. In most cases, i’ve never had a JW object to my using “soul sleep”, “Arian,” or “two class theology” of them without qualification. However, it probably is safer and more accurate to use their terms and lingo when describing their position. Perhaps i’ll consider doing this from now on.

    I agree that, as you say, “they do believe that real faith , produces good works so to speak - so faith in other words should produce “fruitage.” However, at the same time, JW’s believe in a works-salvation theology. Do you not realize that even Roman Catholics and Mormons would agree with this statement? We must be careful to qualify what we mean. Unless every JW i’ve talked to was completely uninformed as to WT theology on this issue, they have *always* disagreed with salvation by faith alone. The second you add works to salvation, you have works-salvation. Though the WT’s view on this issue is like nailing jello to the wall, they are clear in their denunciation of Reformed soteriology.

    In fact, only recently (and I even recorded the conversation) a JW, in reference to 2 Cor. 5:19-21, stated that we must “earn this reconciliation.” But just to show that the WT is clear on their view on works-salvation, that any Protestant should disagree with:

    *** it-1 p. 37 Acceptable Time ***

    Such Christians had become the spiritual “Israel of God” from Pentecost of 33 C.E. forward (Ga 6:16), but there was a need for them to prove worthy of God’s undeserved kindness, so that the “acceptable time” might indeed prove to be “a day of salvation” for them.

    *** w60 3/1 p. 134 What Is God’s Way to Salvation? ***

    When a person, on the basis of the Scriptural knowledge he has gained, has belief in Christ as the Savior whom God provided and shows that faith by his works, he can consider himself as being on the way to salvation. It would be a mistake for him to think that he is now saved and cannot fall. He must show by his endurance in the Christian faith that he is worthy of salvation. “Let him that thinks he has a firm position beware that he does not fall.”—1 Cor. 10:12.

    But even apart from these quotes, JW’s know full well that their obedience to the organization is required. This is why so many JW’s are burnt out because of all the work; attending all the meetings, field service, etc. You attitude of joy is one that many JW’s might have and is one that the WT would want you to have. But again, Catholics and Mormons believe the same and still teach a works salvation.

    Salvation happens completely and totally apart from works. Not one single work can be added to the equation. In fact, Paul tells us not to work (Rom. 4:5)!

  3. Adrian said,

    September 28, 2010 at 5:45 pm

    Mike , thanks for replying I appreciate it .

    I dont want to portray myself as a JW appologist , however I do have a strong sense of justice and believe in reporting fairly , accurately and truthfully , religion unfortunately is always an emotive subject.

    Not all Witnesses are able to articulate their beliefs correctly , as is the case with persons from other denominations also , I ve heard some explanations on the trinity that would make your hair stand on end ;-)

    It does not help to generalise , My family for example are all devout Witnesses and I speak from my own observation , that they have a stong faith in Christ as their saviour , actually my father got into trouble with his local elders , when he openly admitted to speaking to Jesus in prayer on occasion.I became born again , while an active Jehovahs Witness - never under estimate the power of the Holy Spirit , there are no boundaries when it comes to God.

  4. Mike Felker said,

    September 28, 2010 at 9:41 pm

    Hey Adrian, i’ll certainly take your comments to heart and do my best to not generalize and represent others as accurately as I can. And I praise God that you have been born again. I fully agree that there are no boundaries with God, which is why I do what I do. God can save anyone and will certainly draw His elect unto Himself (John 6:37).

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