The History of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a millenarian restorationist Christian denomination with nontrinitarian beliefs distinct from mainstream Christianity. The group was founded in the late 19th century by Charles Taze Russell, from the Bible Student movement. This group claims current membership of about 8 million worldwide, and has an estimated 7 million active members, making it the largest Christian denomination in terms of active participation and membership.
Jehovah’s Witnesses follow their own basic teachings and beliefs, and are known for their reliance on the Bible as their source of direction and guidance. They believe that Jesus is the son of God but reject mainstream Christian doctrines such as the Trinity, the immortality of the soul, the substitutionary atonement of Jesus, and the bodily resurrection of Jesus. They also believe in the imminent end of the world, or Armageddon, and that this will be preceded by good news of a heavenly kingdom on earth.
Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christianity
The relationship between Jehovah’s Witnesses and Christianity is complicated, due to the centuries of departure from traditional Christian doctrine and practices that have occurred in the movement. As a result, it is difficult to assess whether the group is part of Christianity or a separate religion altogether.
In its most basic sense, Christianity is the belief in one God in three persons, as well as the teachings of Jesus Christ and the New and Old Testament as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not fit this definition in two key ways: first, they reject the doctrine of the Trinity, and second, they rely heavily on the teachings of their own organization, rather than the Bible.
Jehovah’s Witnesses also differ from mainstream Christianity in many of their practices, including not celebrating Christmas, Easter, and birthdays; refusing to celebrate patriotic holidays such as the Fourth of July; shunning of former members; and not participating in traditional Christian rituals such as the Lord’s Supper/Communion.
Significance of Jesus in Jehovah’s Witnesses
While Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the doctrine of the Trinity, they do believe that Jesus is the son of God who supplied a ransom for humankind and was sent to earth to give humans an example of how to live. He is revered and worshipped as the only begotten son of God, and his death and resurrection are celebrated at the yearly Memorial of the redeeming death of Jesus Christ.
The Watchtower Society, the organization that leads Jehovah’s Witnesses, emphasizes Jesus’ human nature and his faithfulness. This focus on Jesus’ teachings and example is interpreted by the society’s direct authority and used as a primary guide in the lives of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
A Question of Authority
Given the significant differences between Jehovah’s Witnesses and mainstream Christianity, the question of whether or not they are part of Christianity is a matter of perspective and interpretation. The Catholic Church, for example, considers Jehovah’s Witnesses a cult, while some Protestant denominations accept them as a Christian sect.
The key question of whether Jehovah’s Witnesses are Christian or not ultimately revolves around the source of their beliefs and practices. If their faith is based on the Bible, the original source of Christianity, then the answer would be yes, Jehovah’s Witnesses are part of Christianity. However, if their faith is based on the Watchtower Society and its teachings, which differ significantly from those of the Bible, then the answer is no, Jehovah’s Witnesses are not part of Christianity.
Purpose of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that their main purpose as a religious organization is to warn people of the imminent end of the world. They employ door-to-door evangelism to spread their message, and they publish and distribute their own version of the Bible in hundreds of languages.
They have also traditionally held firm to traditional religious beliefs such as moral standards and their expectations of their members. For example, believers of the religion must study the Bible and be disciplined to avoid activities and behaviors that are forbidden to them. As a result, Jehovah’s Witnesses are often viewed as a strict and demanding religion by outsiders.
Controversies
Jehovah’s Witnesses have been controversial for their door-to-door proselytizing, their opposition to blood transfusions, their exclusion of women from certain positions within the organization, their rigid enforcement of shunning of members who have left the organization, their rejection of military service, their challenges to legal authority in the cases of conscientious objection and religious freedom, and their alleged lack of transparency on certain matters, such as the inner workings of their Governing Body.
The organization has also been accused by former members and others of abusing children and covering up instances of child sexual abuse. While the organization has cooperated with authorities to investigate such claims, they have consistently denied any such abuse or cover-up. Nonetheless, the issue continues to be a source of intense controversy.
The Benefits of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Despite the controversies around them, the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses offers many positive aspects, including their commitment to upholding moral standards, their emphasis on spiritual growth, and their dedication to teaching Bible truths. The Watchtower Society also offers a network of support and resources for its members and provides guidance and assistance as they search for answers to life’s questions.
In addition, the group is known for its charitable efforts, such as disaster relief and blood drives, that benefit people in need around the world. Jehovah’s Witnesses are also known for their warm hospitality and welcoming attitude toward outsiders, which can be a refreshing change for those who want to explore a different take on Christianity.
The Evangelical Outreach of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses have a long history of actively proselytizing their beliefs to non-believers, and they have grown into one of the world’s largest and most widely-recognized religions as a result.
The organization has also gone to great lengths to spread its teachings around the world, opening dozens of international headquarters in multiple countries and appointing members to serve as foreign missionaries. They have established a foothold in many countries, both developed and developing.
In addition, they have created a wealth of recorded and printed materials in hundreds of languages and distributed them around the world. This has been supplemented by the use of cutting-edge technology, such as the internet and social media, to reach wider audiences with the message of the religion.
Recruiting and Retention of Members
Jehovah’s Witnesses employ multiple tactics to bring new members into their ranks, from door-to-door evangelism to inviting non-believers to attend their meetings, conventions, and assembly days. In addition, their publications are distributed worldwide, providing an easy way to access information about the religion.
The Watchtower Society also provides a network of support for members, with an extensive system of congregations and local field servants to provide pastoral care. Finally, the organization encourages its members to stay in the faith through regular study, prayer, and participation in activities, such as preaching and engaging in charitable activities.
Preaching and Proselytism
Jehovah’s Witnesses have a long history of engaging in door-to-door evangelism and preaching in public places in order to reach individuals with the message of the faith. This has been supplemented by an array of other activities, such as open-air preaching, street witnessing, and literature distribution.
The Watchtower Society encourages its members to engage in such activities, and it provides extensive training materials on witnessing and methods of presenting the faith in public. They also offer a wide range of printed publications, videos, tracts, and audio recordings to help members effectively spread the message of their religion.
Appeal of the Religion
Despite the controversies surrounding it, Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to attract followers and retain members due to its strict moral code, its welcoming attitude toward outsiders, and its system of support and training offered to members.
The sense of community and fellowship that is cultivated by the Watchtower Society is also a strong selling point of the religion, as is the discipline and structure that it imposes on members’ lives. Finally, the religion’s emphasis on Christian faith and piety, combined with its strong belief in an imminent end of the world, are key aspects that are attractive to those who are searching for meaning and direction in their lives.
