![]() ![]() Rudeness is CounterproductiveīC rudeness, by the way, is counterproductive. Instead of attempting to build relationships during these visits, BCs often express a kind of pride in their rudeness (“I slammed the door in his face,” or “I told her I have a religion already, thank you very much”). Such encounters are not typically friendly or personal, but hasty and agitated. When encounters do occur, it’s usually at the front door as JWs circulate their message. According to the Pew Research Center, there are approximately 2.5 million JWs in the United States (well below one percent of the total population), and not all of them are serious about their beliefs. Honestly, because of the numbers, most BCs are unlikely to encounter many, if any, JWs in their lifetime. It seems, then, that if BCs are interested in sharing the gospel fruitfully with JWs, two things should be kept in mind: (1) we must be friendly, and (2) we must be willing to discuss doctrinal issues in a nuanced way. This kind of analysis could be extended at length, demonstrating how difficult it can be to share the true faith with those who hold to a very well-developed counterfeit, especially when JWs are convinced that the BC version is the counterfeit one. ![]() If Einstein was abusive toward others, it wouldn’t make E=mc ² false. “JW leadership has often been cultish and abusive toward its adherents.” Yes, but at certain times and places so have baptists (and plenty of other faith groups)! Abusive behavior in and of itself does not prove or disprove the veracity of a belief system. Why should they be mocked for engaging so passionately in an activity God calls us to do? Jehovah’s Witnesses are Abusive In evangelistic fervor, JWs often set the standard. “JWs are too aggressive in their evangelism.” This argument doesn’t work because the Bible calls BCs to be bold and open with their evangelistic practices ( Matthew 28:19–20 Acts 1:8). ![]() Ironically, they can use their “strangeness” as an argument for their authenticity. Thus, the relative “strangeness” of JW beliefs and practices shouldn’t arouse our scorn. Within the context of the world’s belief systems, these are very “strange” teachings, often labeled as absurd or ridiculous. Our entire faith rests on the fantastic reality that Jesus was physically dead and came back to life ( Romans 1:4 6:5 1 Corinthians 15:21). After all, we’re commanded to symbolically eat the body of Jesus and drink his blood ( John 6:53). “JWs are strange and weird and, therefore, wrong.” This is a folk-level argument that doesn’t work because the Bible assumes Christians will appear odd in this world ( 1 John 3:1). Consider some of the arguments often made against JWs that cannot be sustained: Jehovah’s Witnesses are Weird G iven this, BCs should approach sharing the gospel with JWs carefully. Common Arguments Against Jehovah’s Witnesses But it does mean that on the surface of these vaguely and broadly stated points of faith, the two beliefs system appear similar in many ways. ![]() This doesn’t at all mean that BCs and JWs have the same beliefs. Jehovah’s Witnesses (JWs), according to their official publications, such as The Watchtower and Awake, also subscribe, generally speaking, to every item on that list. So how should we share the gospel with a Jehovah’s Witness? How to Share the Gospel with a Jehovah’s Witness Biblical Christians (BCs) believe in one God who created the universe and cares for people, the possibility of a personal relationship with God, the need for sins to be forgiven to be saved, the authority of the Bible, ecclesiastical authority and discipline, the need to live differently from the world (in the world but not of the world), the kingdom of God (already inaugurated but not yet consummated), Jesus as the king of the kingdom, the need for obedience, God’s gift of teachers and leaders in the church, the mandate to make disciples of all nations, and the need to remain faithful under persecution. ![]()
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