Challenging and Undermining
The Watchtower Society’s Message

Imagine the Jehovah’s Witnesses are riding a four-wheeled cart which represents Watchtower authority. The cart’s wheels represent its teachings. Once you are able to upset even one wheel the ride in that “cart” will be shaky and uncomfortable. The Jehovah’s Witnesses will eventually lose their confidence in the Watchtower’s teachings and authority.

Without the Watchtower Society, the Jehovah’s Witnesses would have no message. This section will challenge the authority of the Watchtower Society and undermine its purpose and eternal value.

I have included a series of non-threatening, yet thought-provoking questions you can ask the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The answers will not be found in their literature, so they will have nothing to appeal to and you will catch them off guard. This will force them to think for themselves.

These questions are critical because they avoid the “flash point” that starts arguments: the Bible. Remember: it is pointless to argue Bible passages because of their dependence on the Watchtower Society’s interpretation of scripture. These questions will help you avoid full-blown arguments and will plant seeds of doubt and undermine the authority of the Watchtower Society.

Beliefs Based Solely on the Bible?

At the onset of one meeting I had with a Jehovah’s Witness, he took control and ran me from scripture to scripture to prove that God’s name is Jehovah.

Christian: Why is knowing God’s name so important?

JW: (No answer.)

The Witness only took me from scripture to scripture to try and justify his beliefs. But I stayed away from the Bible and focused on the source of his beliefs.

Christian: How did you come to know these truths?

JW: By reading the Bible.

Christian: Don’t you use study aids, like The Watchtower?

JW: Yes.

Christian: I am convinced that what you are telling me is not based upon the Bible, but on what you have read in The Watchtower, someone else’s interpretation of the Bible. Let me ask you: had it not been for The Watchtower, what would your message be to me today?

JW: No answer.

The fact is, there would be no message without the Watchtower Society! This opens the door to implementing a plan. You must destroy their line of communication from the Watchtower Society by asking effective and thought-provoking questions. Your goal is to destroy his confidence in the Watchtower’s authority, not to argue theology.

Quick Quiz

1. What is the message of the Jehovah’s Witness without the Watchtower Society?[1]


2. What is the “flash point” of arguments between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christians? Why?[2]


3. Why must you ask Jehovah’s Witnesses questions regarding the authority of The Watchtower?[3]

Your strategy for witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses is simple: avoid theology and arguments, and focus on destroying their line of communication —the Watchtower Society.

Getting the Witness to Question the Need
for the Watchtower Society

Earlier, I quoted the Watchtower’s definition of “Jehovah’s Witnesses.” The last sentence read, “They base their beliefs solely on the Bible.” This is not true.

The dictionary defines the word solely as “alone; without others.” If Jehovah’s Witnesses “base their beliefs solely on the Bible,” then you should ask why they need study aids such as The Watchtower.

Their statement is a lie! The Witnesses base their beliefs on the “Biblical interpretation” of The Watchtower. Without it, they have no interpretation and no message.

Want to prove your case? Show the Witnesses they have elevated the Watchtower Society above the Word of God by asking the following questions:

Christian: What would your life be without the Watchtower Society? Why?

Christian: What would life be like without Jesus?

Christian: Which loss would be greater? Why?

Christian: According to John 14:6, Jesus stated that He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” What qualifications does the Watchtower Society have that equals Jesus’ claim?

Christian: Do you find your spiritual convictions and life’s purpose from Jesus or the Watchtower Society? Why?

Christian: If Jesus’ claim in John 14:6 is true, then why do you need the Watchtower Society?

Christian: If the Watchtower Society really is God’s spokesperson, which is the greatest of all gifts to mankind, Jesus or the Watchtower Society? Why?

WARNING:
Do not bombard the Witness with these questions!

Allow him to think about what was asked so your questions can “sink in.” Please don’t let the Witness change the subject. They are skillful at this. Once he changes subjects, you are on his playing field and you have lost complete control of the conversation and are at his mercy.

If you feel in your spirit you are not content with his answers you may ask one or more of these questions:

Christian: Would you have an answer to my questions if you did not have The Watchtower?

Christian: Are your answers based upon the Bible alone, or what you read in The Watchtower?

Christian: How did you arrive at what you believe is true, on your own or from The Watchtower?

Use your own personality and style as you ask these questions. They are designed to make the Witness question the purpose and eternal value of The Watchtower and to recognize that he depends on it more than the written words of God. Your questions set the foundation for even more critical questions.

Is The Watchtower Inspired of God?

... The Watchtower Society has also said that the fact that some have Jehovah’s spirit “does not mean those now serving as Jehovah’s witnesses are inspired. It does not mean that the writings in this magazine, The Watchtower, are inspired and infallible and without mistakes.”[4]

... The brothers preparing these publications are not infallible. Their writings are not inspired as are those of Paul and the other Bible writers.[5]

... However, the Watchtower does not claim to be inspired in its utterances, nor is it dogmatic.[6] (See Figure 1.)

By these statements it is clear: The Watchtower is not inspired, and neither are its writers. This is a critical issue.

The Witnesses will never bring up the issue of “inspiration” in their door-to-door work, nor will they expect you to bring it up. This will be to your advantage. The question of inspiration is not discussed in their literature (which provides their pre-prepared answers).

The Watchtower not only once again admitted it is not inspired but admitted who really is responsible for helping their Witnesses understand the Bible: Limited Human Beings! And who are these “limited human beings?” The Watchtower’s uninspired writers who have never heard from God and never will.

The “slave” is not divinely inspired but continues to search the Scriptures and carefully scrutinize world events, as well as the situation of God’s people, so as to understand the ongoing fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Because of human limitations, at times there may be an incomplete or incorrect understanding of some matter that may require correction later. 
(The Watchtower – March 1, 1981 p. 29)

Why is this so important? Regardless of any teaching or theology the Watchtower would have their Witnesses believe and/or follow, this is the Achilles heel of the Watchtower’s authority. Can a false prophet who has never heard from God ever be trusted with its uninspired teachings? No.

But you must bring up this issue, and he will be caught off guard. Show him the quotes we just showed you. The Jehovah’s Witness will be stuck.

Now you will need to remind him that the Word of God is inspired. (See II Timothy 3:16)

This issue raises three questions you need to ask:

1. Since the Bible is the inspired Word of God what is its purpose and eternal value to the Witnesses?


2. If The Watchtower is not inspired like the Bible, what is its purpose and eternal value?


3. If The Watchtower is not inspired by Jehovah, to what will the Witness appeal as his authority?

The Watchtower does not represent the voice or authority of God because it is not inspired by Him. It has neither eternal purpose nor value. It is useless to save you from hell, forgive your sins or prepare you for heaven.

NOTE

To be better prepared, it is best to write these questions down and study them. Feel free to write them down in your own words. This way, they will not sound as if they are rehearsed. After all, when they are your own questions you are better prepared and will be much more confident in your witness.