Michael Brooks
Jehovah's Witnesses, also known as the Watchtower Society, are a religious group with some Christian-like characteristics. However, their beliefs and practices differ significantly from those of Catholicism and other Christian denominations. Catholics may be conflicted about how to respond to Jehovah's Witnesses, especially when they come knocking at their doors to spread their message. While some may choose to ignore or reject them outright, others may engage in dialogue to understand and challenge their teachings. The decision to reject or interact with Jehovah's Witnesses is a personal one, but it is important for Catholics to be aware of the theological differences and the potential for xenophobia and anti-Catholicism in the Witnesses' message.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Theology | Jehovah's Witnesses' theology is based on Arianism, which was condemned by Christianity in the early 4th century as heretical. |
| Trinity | Jehovah's Witnesses reject the doctrine of the Trinity and the divinity of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. |
| Religious symbols | They reject the cross, religious pictures and statues. |
| Holidays | They do not celebrate Christmas, Easter, New Year's, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, St. Valentine's Day, All Hallows' Eve, etc. |
| Proselytization | They go door-to-door proselytizing and distributing literature. |
| Persecution | They believe that they will suffer persecution for proclaiming "Jehovah's message." |
| Anti-Catholicism | They are anti-Catholic and believe that Catholics are particularly misguided. |
| Xenophobia | They are xenophobic and believe that all world religions and institutions are controlled by Satan. |
| Salvation | They believe that only God's select people will be saved and will inherit a paradise on earth. |
| Armageddon | They believe that the Second Coming of Christ will be marked by the battle of Armageddon, in which Satan and his allies will be defeated. |
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What You'll Learn
The rejection of the Trinity and Incarnation of Jesus Christ
Jehovah's Witnesses' theology precludes them from experiencing the truth of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, which is the foundation of the Christian religion. The Witnesses identify Jesus with Michael the Archangel, and focus on the separate personhood of Christ and any Scriptures that portray him as secondary to God the Father or imply subordination. They use verses such as Colossians 1:15 ("And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation"), Revelation 3:14 ("The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Beginning of God's creation"), John 14:28 ("The Father is greater than I"), and 1 Corinthians 11:3 to show that Jesus was created and is inferior to God.
However, Catholics can accept the "from-ness" of Christ's deity from the Father. If there is one God who created all things and is absolutely unique, then Christian revelation indicates that Jesus is part of who God is. This is supported by John 1:1 ("In the beginning was the Word"), which states that Jesus was with God from eternity past and has no beginning because He is the eternal God. The term "greater" in John 14:28 refers to position rather than nature, as illustrated by the example of the President being greater than any individual citizen, without being a superior being.
The rejection of the Trinity is a natural consequence of the rejection of the Incarnation of Christ. The Holy Spirit is downgraded from the orthodox position of being the third Person of the Blessed Trinity to an "active force" that motivates believers to do God's will. The Witnesses' rejection of the Trinity stems from their belief that it had its origins in paganism and that only the Father is "Almighty God", possessing attributes such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence. However, the concept of the Trinity is derived from Scripture, and the absence of the word "Trinity" in the Bible does not invalidate it as a doctrine, just as the absence of the word "Jehovah" does not invalidate the doctrine of Jehovah.
The rejection of the Incarnation and Trinity by Jehovah's Witnesses is a significant point of divergence from Catholic beliefs, leading many to consider the Jehovah's Witness religion as separate from Christianity altogether.
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The rejection of the divinity of the Holy Spirit
Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) are known for their rejection of the dogma of the Trinity and Jesus Christ's divinity. This is a significant point of disagreement between JWs and Catholics, as the latter upholds the Trinity and the divinity of Christ.
According to JW theology, the Holy Spirit is not a person or a divine being but is instead referred to as God's "invisible power," similar to electricity or an activating force. This belief is a departure from the traditional understanding of the Holy Spirit as a distinct person within the Trinity.
In JW literature, the Holy Spirit is often described using impersonal metaphors such as wind, water, or power, and it is referred to as God's "hands" or "fingers." This reinforces the idea that the Holy Spirit is an extension of God's power rather than a separate divine entity.
The shift in JW theology regarding the Holy Spirit occurred around the 1930s, when their publications began to refer to the Holy Spirit as "it" rather than "he", marking a significant change from their earlier, more orthodox beliefs.
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The rejection of Christian practices
Jehovah's Witnesses, or the Watchtower Society, is a very old religion with a modern twist. It is a form of Arianism, a religion condemned by Christianity in the early 4th century as heretical and no longer Christian in nature. Adherents of Jehovah's Witnesses must reject several Christian tenets and claims, particularly the Trinity and Incarnation of Jesus Christ, as well as the divinity of the Holy Spirit.
Jehovah's Witnesses reject the divinity of Christ and believe that only the Father is "Almighty God". They also reject the true scriptural and traditional teaching on the Ascension of Christ and substitute it with their own inventions. According to them, man does not have a soul, but rather, is a soul. They do not believe in the immortality of the soul or the doctrines of eternal torment.
Jehovah's Witnesses also reject other Christian practices, including the Cross, Holy Communion, religious pictures and statues, Christmas, Easter, New Year's, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's Day, St. Valentine's Day, All Hallows' Eve, and more. They believe that the present world is the reign of Satan and that government, business, and organized religion are tools in conflict against the Theocratic Rule of Jehovah. They also believe that only 144,000 people, along with Christ, have immortal souls and will reign as spiritual creatures in heaven.
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The belief that the present world is the reign of Satan
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the present world is the reign of Satan, with governments, businesses, and organized religions being tools in conflict against the Theocratic Rule of Jehovah. They believe that Satan was originally a perfect angel who developed feelings of self-importance and craved worship. Satan's influence led to Adam and Eve's disobedience towards God, and humanity became participants in a challenge between the competing claims of Jehovah and Satan for universal sovereignty.
This belief is central to the doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses, and it has led to their separation from human governments and rejection of mainstream Christian beliefs. They see themselves as representatives of God's kingdom on earth, with a mission to remain separate from worldly influences.
The concept of Armageddon, or the Second Coming of Christ, is crucial to their faith. Charles Taze Russell, a key figure in the early days of the Jehovah's Witnesses, taught that Armageddon would occur in 1914, marking the end of the world and the beginning of Christ's thousand-year reign on earth. When this prophecy failed, the date was moved several times.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that in 1914, Satan was locked out of Heaven and cast down to earth, marking the start of Jesus' thousand-year reign. They interpret the Greek word "parousia" as "presence," indicating Christ's invisible presence rather than a physical return. This interpretation is a significant departure from mainstream Christian beliefs about the Second Coming.
The belief in the present world as Satan's reign has led to Jehovah's Witnesses being perceived as separate from mainstream Christianity. Their rejection of the Trinity, the divinity of Jesus, and traditional Christian practices has caused some Catholics and other Christians to view them as a cult or a heretical group.
In conclusion, the belief that the present world is under Satan's influence is a fundamental aspect of Jehovah's Witnesses' doctrine. It shapes their understanding of the world, their relationship with governments and other religions, and their unique interpretation of biblical prophecies and Christian theology.
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The belief that only Jehovah's Witnesses will survive the final judgement
Jehovah's Witnesses is a religion with Christian-like characteristics, but it is not a part of Christianity. The religion is based on the Bible teachings of Charles Taze Russell, the founder of the Bible Student movement, and successive presidents of the Watch Tower Society, Joseph Franklin Rutherford, and Nathan Homer Knorr. The Watch Tower Society, or Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, is the leadership organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, often referred to as "the Truth" by its followers.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that Armageddon will happen before the millennial reign of Christ Jesus, and that only the faithful and obedient Witnesses will survive. They believe that God speaks through their organization, and that only Jehovah's Witnesses will survive the end of the current world system. They believe that they will survive the battle of Armageddon, inherit a paradise earth, and live upon it forever if they pass the final test.
It is important to note that this belief is not universally accepted, even within the religion. The FAQ section of JW.ORG, a Jehovah's Witness website, states that "many millions who lived in centuries past and who weren't Jehovah's Witnesses will have an opportunity for salvation." This suggests that there is a range of beliefs within the religion regarding who will be saved.
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Frequently asked questions
It is understandable that some Catholics may not want to engage with Jehovah's Witnesses, especially if they are not familiar with their beliefs. However, it is not advisable to be rude or dismissive. Jehovah's Witnesses expect persecution and see it as a fulfilment of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:11-12. A polite conversation may be more effective in sharing the true faith.
Jehovah's Witnesses reject the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Holy Trinity, and the divinity of the Holy Spirit. They also reject other Christian beliefs and practices such as Holy Communion, religious holidays like Christmas and Easter, and the use of religious pictures and statues. They believe that the present world is under the reign of Satan and that only Jehovah's Witnesses will survive God's final judgement.
Jehovah's Witnesses go door-to-door to spread their message and beliefs. They see it as their duty to denounce all other religious bodies and believe that they are sharing the truth that has been revealed to them by God. They are often polite and well-mannered during these visits.
Catholics can educate themselves about the differences between their faith and the beliefs of Jehovah's Witnesses. There are resources available, such as books and websites, that compare Catholic teaching to Jehovah's Witness teaching. It is important to be aware of the xenophobic nature of their beliefs and the fact that they believe all other institutions and religions are controlled by Satan.
