History of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christianity
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christianity have a common origin story, with both tracing their roots back to the first-century CE communion of Jewish Christians, known as the Ebionites or Nazarenes. For years, Ebionites and Nazarenes lived in harmony and shared many core beliefs. However, by the fourth century CE, the two communities had diverged in terms of their belief systems, leading to the establishment of separate branches of Christianity.
Whereas early Nazarene Christianity, and its modern-day equivalent, Jehovah’s Witnesses, espouse the near-sacredness of the law of God, traditional Christians have had a more relaxed interpretation. Church Fathers, Popes, and Councils have focused on the Grace of Jesus Christ as the foundation of their faith, and there has been a divergence from the Ebionite-Nazarene custom of strict adherence to the Law of God. This has resulted in Jehovah’s Witnesses seeing themselves as a distinct group from Christianity.
Worship Practices
Jehovah’s Witnesses view Christianity as a form of apostasy that has distorted the original teachings of Jesus Christ. Although they take their name from the central figure of Christianity — Jesus Christ — they do not consider themselves to be Christians because their interpretations of scripture and practice differ in many essential areas. One important example of this difference is in the way they worship.
While many traditional Christians make regular use of liturgies, rituals, and litanies, Jehovah’s Witnesses reject these forms of worship in favour of scriptural study, preaching and evangelising, and the gathering of fellow believers. They also oppose the use of ‘formalized’ prayers, the taking of oaths, the celebration of holidays and birthdays, and the eating of blood-flavoured food.
Beliefs and Process of Salvation
The core beliefs held by Jehovah’s Witnesses differ from those of Christianity in other important ways. One of the most significant of these variations is in their understanding of the process of salvation. Whereas traditional Christianity teaches that salvation can be obtained by faith alone, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that it is achieved through faith, works, and obedience to God’s laws. They also teach that those who are saved will eventually be resurrected to live eternally on Earth, instead of going to heaven upon death.
Additionally, Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the Christian doctrine of the trinity and instead believe that there is only one God. In contrast, traditional Christianity teaches that God is made up of three divine persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This difference in beliefs also has implications for how they approach and practise baptism. While most churches believe that baptism is a step towards salvation and a symbol of being accepted as a member of the faith, Jehovah’s Witnesses view it as a public expression of loyalty to God and his laws.
Attitudes Toward Organised Religion and Practices
Jehovah’s Witnesses have a totally different attitude toward organised religion and its accompanying practices than many of their Christian counterparts. While most Christian denominations follow a hierarchical system of governance, Jehovah’s Witnesses reject any form of leadership or authority over their faith, except for the example and direction of Jesus Christ, as revealed in the Bible. As such, they are entirely organised and managed from bottom-up, instead of top-down, by their own members.
Although they do use some of the same words and phrases as traditional Christianity, such as communion, worship, and prayer, their interpretations of these concepts, and the ways in which they practice them, are far removed from the traditional forms of the faith. For example, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not participate in the Lord’s Supper, and instead observe a Memorial of Jesus’ death, which is conducted in a solemn, reflective manner.
Contribution to Society
Finally, it is important to note that while they differ from mainstream Christianity in many ways, Jehovah’s Witnesses still contribute to the wider world. They engage in voluntary work, including charitable humanitarian aid and disaster relief, often through their own organizations, such as the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Jehovah’s Witnesses also advocate for religious freedom, civil liberties, and the rights of children around the world, and are involved in educational projects, hospital visits, and advocacy on a range of social justice issues.
Interpretation of Biblical Texts
One of the key differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and traditional Christianity relates to their interpretation of biblical texts. Whilst traditional Christianity often prefers a literal interpretation of the Bible, Jehovah’s Witnesses favour a more symbolic and figurative approach, believing that some of the more difficult and ambiguous passages in the text can be explained by looking to related texts at other parts of the bible, and through consistent application of the Bible’s fundamental teachings.
This has implications for the ways in which Jehovah’s Witnesses approach the Bible as a whole, as their approach to interpretation can differ drastically from traditional Christianity. As a result, which ideas and stories they prefer to focus on when teaching others about their faith can also vary greatly. For example, while traditional Christianity might focus on stories of miracles performed by Jesus’s disciples or parables such as the Prodigal Son, Jehovah’s Witnesses may instead focus on teachings about how to live a life of faith and how to remain loyal to God in the face of temptation and persecution.
Evangelism and Proselytising
Jehovah’s Witnesses are particularly active when it comes to evangelism and proselytising. Their core strategy is to share their faith with people from all walks of life, through discussions and literature distribution. Witnesses go door-to-door in most western countries, where they aim to start conversations about their faith and provide information about their Church and its teachings. They also engage in public preaching, such as at shopping centres, parks, and college campuses, and they often employ television and radio clips to spread their message.
These evangelistic efforts are at the centre of what distinguishes Jehovah’s Witnesses from traditional Christianity. Their door-to-door campaigns, public preachings, and literature distribution are ways of both engaging others in meaningful conversations about faith, and creating awareness about the importance of faith in everyday life. As well as introducing potential adherents to the teachings of their church, these activities also have the potential to bring people from different backgrounds together, bridging divides in understanding and promoting tolerance and understanding.
Rules and Regulations
Another way in which Jehovah’s Witnesses differ from traditional Christianity is in the number and scope of their rules and regulations. While the major denominations of Christianity differ in the details of their doctrines, all are guided by a core set of beliefs and rules. Jehovah’s Witnesses, on the other hand, have a much more extensive system of rules and regulations that focus on strict adherence to their lifestyle and beliefs. These rules range from relatively minor aspects of everyday life, such as the types of clothing that Witnesses must wear, to major aspects, such as the requirement to shun any former Witnesses.
These rules and regulations are based on both a literal interpretation of bible passages and the doctrine of Christian love. In some ways, they are similar to the traditional rules of Christianity, such as the Ten Commandments, while in other ways they are quite different, such as the requirement to only socialise and intermingle with fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses. While some of these rules and regulations have been around since the beginnings of the religion, others have been added over time to reflect a more strict, conservative interpretation of the Bible.
Conclusion in Light of Modern Society
Jehovah’s Witnesses and traditional Christianity are different in many ways, and their views on topics such as the process of salvation, worship and evangelism, and their interpretation of biblical texts vary drastically from one another. Despite their differences, both groups share a common origin story and many core beliefs, and they continue to recognize the importance of faith in a modern world. As such, while they may differ in their customs and beliefs, they both play a key role in impacting society and guiding people to a deeper understanding of faith.
