LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Major Research Paper – Jehovah’s Witnesses
Submitted to Dr. Christopher Gnanakan,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the completion of
APOL 325 – 001
Christianity and the Cults
by
Jonah Stiltner
April 23, 2021
Introduction
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are an interesting Christian cult that is highly popular in the
world today, especially in the United States. Jehovah’s Witnesses have their origins in the
tremendous religious ferment of nineteenth-century America.1 Stemming from the Second Great
Awakening was grand-scale revivals and many new denominations and faith movements. In the
second half of the nineteenth century, the United States became a land full of rebirth and revival.
These conditions laid the foundation for new movements and faith systems, including a group
now known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses. From abstinence of normal, everyday practices to an
invisible second coming of Jesus Christ, this Christian cult is enthusiastically and fanatically
winning over the hearts and minds of many, ultimately causing disillusionment. While
evangelizing Jehovah’s Witnesses are important and the actions of doing so will be discussed
later, the main takeaway is that they hold to a false worldview. Therefore, the focus of this paper
is to outline the staggering differences pertaining to the Jehovah’s Witnesses worldview and
theology, mainly their distortion of the Gospel, and how this view permeates culture today.
Worldview & Practices
Historical Basis and Founder
As previously stated, due to the level of religious revivals and the pretense of
secularization, new movements formed amidst the colonies. Before Charles Taze Russell was
born, “a new movement—Second Adventism—was sweeping across America.”2 This movement
held to main tenets that Russell would later hold as his own with his congregation, “the Bible
1 Zoe Knox, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Secular World: From the 1870s to the Present (London, UK:
Palgrave Publishers, 2018), 1.
2 Stan Thomas, Jehovah’s Witnesses and What They Believe (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1967), 17.
2
Students”, before beliefs further developed. However, a more in-depth history is warranted to
provide a framework.
Charles Taze Russell was born in 1852 and “received a religious upbringing.”3 He was
encouraged to pursue Christian ministry by his mother before she died, although this did not
happen. In his teenage years Russell abandoned the Presbyterian church because he did not like
their doctrines of predestination and eternal punishment.4 At this moment in his life is when
Russell began experimenting with other religions and came across the Second Adventists. As
stated previously, Charles and his following became known as “the Bible Students” that
thoroughly investigated prophecy. Along with coming to disregard the Trinity, another
conclusion that the group came to was that “Christ would be invisibly present on earth before
Armageddon broke out.”5 Eventually, still at a young age, Russell took possession of a journal
while also reviving another one in order to spread these views to others. Later on, in 1879,
Russell founded a long-lasting magazine entitled Zion’s Watch Tower and Herald of Christ’s
Presence, which later became the Watchtower magazine. This magazine, the Awake! magazine,
and the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, completed under Nathan Knorr, hold
ultimate authority for all Witnesses as their sacred texts.
Subsequent presidents include Judge Joseph Franklin Rutherford, Nathan Knorr, Fredrick
W. Franz, and Milton G. Henschel. Rutherford shifted the trajectory of the Witnesses away from
Russell’s goals and toward his own out of a lust for power and even added a volume to Russell’s
Studies in the Scriptures. Regardless of who is president, however, the Watchtower Bible and
3 Ron Rhodes, The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2001),
78.
4 The Challenge of the Cults, 78.
5 The Challenge of the Cults, 79.
3
Tract Society of Pennsylvania remains the Governing Body exhorting control over its members
through the authority of the Watchtower and Awake! magazines.6
Doctrines and Beliefs
Stemming from two magazines and their personal Bible translation, one significant belief
that Jehovah’s Witnesses hold to is that Jehovah is the true name of God. They believe that
Jehovah is the correct representation of YHWH and therefore replaced every mention of “God,”
“Lord,” or other names as such in their translation with it. Further developing this belief, one
could argue that the theology of the Jehovah’s Witnesses was first present in a heretical belief
system condemned in the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D. started by Arius known as Arianism.
Those ascribing to this belief system describe Jesus Christ as created, meaning He is not equal to
God the Father but a lesser god. Witnesses subscribe to the same view and attribute God, or
Jehovah, as the Almighty and not Jesus. Consequently, any concept of the Trinity is complete
falsehood to a Jehovah’s Witness. While they believe that Jesus Christ was the Messiah, prior to
this He was the archangel Michael that emptied Himself of His existence as an angel, becoming
human. Although he was the “son of God” throughout his existence and has been the “son of
man” since his human birth, he became the Christ or Messiah only at his baptism when he was
anointed by Holy Spirit.7 Adoptionism is the idea here. Additionally, Jesus did not die on a cross
but a stake and also did not resurrect physically, but spiritually. Each of these views are heretical
and attack Jesus’ deity.
In terms of life, death, and morality, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe in the concept of
original sin stemming from Adam, but man still has a choice. While he is often in bondage to sin
6 Further renderings of “the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania” will be rendered “the
Watchtower Society.”
7 M. James Penton,IApocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses, Third Edition (Toronto:
University of Toronto Press, 2015), 265.
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and his eyes are blinded to truth by Satan, he retains enough freedom of the will to choose
between good and evil.8 Regardless of which is chosen, there is no literal Hell; hell is only a
common grave where individuals essentially have a second chance at resurrection even though
the soul (or person himself) is truly dead.
Overall, Jehovah’s Witnesses hold to a theology of a works-based salvation, also
meaning it can be earned. Jehovah’s Witnesses cannot know for sure if they have salvation
during this life.9 Individuals belonging to this faith group must go door-to-door evangelizing as
part of their mandatory ministry to earn salvation. All emphasis is placed on the individual trying
to earn good judgment from the sovereign Jehovah. However, two groups of people are to be
mentioned now. First, there is the Anointed Class which consists of 144,000 Witnesses that will
eventually reign with Christ in Heaven. This number has been reached. Second, there is the
“Other Sheep” or “Great Crowd” that will live on earth under Christ’s rule after His return. Each
of these groups include faithful servants of Jehovah while those ignorant to the faith will
essentially have a second chance at resurrection. It is worthy to note that Christ’s invisible reign
started in 1914 and His reign exists through the authority of the Watchtower Society.
Rituals and Practices
Finally, several odd rituals and practices are attributed to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. First,
like Christians, Witnesses conduct baptisms through total immersion from a devoted male
Witness and also partake of the Lord’s Supper. However, differences involve what must be done
prior to baptism. Also, the Lord’s Supper, or “the Memorial,” is only conducted once a year
pervy to the Jewish calendar.
8 Apocalypse Delayed, 270.
9 The Challenge of the Cults, 90.
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Other practices include abstinence from blood transfusions, observance of birthdays and
major holidays, the wearing of crosses, voting, saluting the flag, holding government office, and
military service. References to Old Testament Law involving blood are proofs for Witnesses to
abstain. Birthdays and other holidays are forbidden because both birthdays celebrated in the
Bible (Pharaoh and Herod) defiled God Himself. Finally, wearing a cross is forbidden by
Witnesses because the cross “is a pagan religious symbol adopted by the church when Satan took
control of it in the early centuries of Christianity.”10 Hence, Witnesses believe that Jesus died on
a torture stake and not the Cross. Overall, each of these practices is taught is Jehovah’s will yet
none of these are strictly prohibited from a biblical standpoint.
Theological Critique
The Christian faith contrasts sharply with the worldview, beliefs, and practices of the
Jehovah’s Witnesses. Two different Gospels are presented, one of works and one of grace
through faith that advocates Christ alone. Also, the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ is a
pinnacle truth that holds the Christian faith together. Without it, the Christian faith falls apart.
Gary Habermas presents what he calls the Minimal Facts Approach when reconciling the truth of
Jesus’ resurrection. This approach considers only those data that are so strongly attested
historically that they are granted by nearly every scholar who studies the subject, even the rather
skeptical ones.11 Since Jehovah’s Witnesses deny Jesus’ physical resurrection, their faith is
proven to be a totally different Gospel without mentioning their view about Jesus being
Adoptionist.
10 The Challenge of the Cults, 93.
11 Gary R. Habermas, and Mike Licona.IThe Case for the Resurrection of Jesus0(Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Kregel Publications, 2004), 43.
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Beginning with the heretical view of Arianism held by Witnesses, Colossians 1:6-7
clearly refutes this teaching upon studying the original languages. The text reads, “He is the
image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in
heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities
—all things were created through him and for him.”12 Jehovah’s Witnesses interpret the word
firstborn, Greek prōtotokos, to literally mean born first. However, upon further study, one finds
that this Greek word used by Paul in the New Testament actually means “preeminence over,
creation, not in the sense of being the "first" to be born.”13 Other texts are misconstrued by
Witnesses and taken as truth without the actual context or meaning of the Scripture passage. For
example, the concept of the Trinity is something that Witnesses do not believe in.
When it comes to life and morality, Christians believe in original sin, like Jehovah’s
Witnesses, and also that free will exists. However, the difference is within the statutes of free
will that Christians believe in. According to the Fall in Genesis 3, sin entered the earth through
Adam and as Paul says in Romans 3:23, “forIall have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
As far as mankind is concerned in the Christian faith, it is sinful and cannot choose good. As it is
written in the Old Testament, “all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment,” (Isa 64:6). To
Christians, mankind needs Christ to perform any good deeds. Therefore, there is a stark contrast
of the meaning of free will between Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses, but this is not the only
difference. Christians believe in a literal Hell; Jesus spoke more about Hell than He did about
Heaven. The main principle is this: without Jesus Christ, there is no entrance into Heaven. Jesus
said to him,I“I amIthe way, andIthe truth, andIthe life. No one comes to the Father except through
12 Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced employ theIEnglish Standard
VersionI(Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001).
13 W. E. VineIand Unger, Merrill. Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament
Words: With Topical Index (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson Incorporated, 1996).
7
me,” (John 14:6). This statement, without the use of an Ephesians passage, shows that works do
not save.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “ForIby grace you have been savedIthrough faith. And this isInot
your own doing;Iit is the gift of God, not a result of works,Iso that no one may boast.” According
to the Watchtower Society, Witnesses ultimately have no assurance of salvation and must work
hard with many things to try and achieve salvation. Outside of the theological break from
Christianity in terms of the pillar of the Christian faith, Jesus’ resurrection, a works-based
salvation makes it all about the individual while shifting the focus away from Jesus Christ in
every way possible. Essentially, it is as if Jehovah’s Witnesses have this esoteric knowledge of a
path to salvation, which is also a distortion of reality. Generally speaking, those that claim to be
the only keepers and teachers of a certain knowledge are false teachers, however, in many other
things one can say that Witnesses hold to a similar doctrine as Christianity. One must go beyond
surface-level digging, though, to ultimately understand the subtle differences of each Gospel.
Apologetic Assessment
Although Jehovah’s Witnesses hold to a different worldview and theology than the
adherents of Christianity, there are ways to apologetically witness to them. Matthew 28:19 says,
“Go therefore andImake disciples ofIall nations,Ibaptizing themIin the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” which is known as the Great Commission. As God commands in
Scripture, disciples are to make disciples as well as combat false teaching.
One thing that Jehovah’s Witnesses get right is their commitment to evangelize the world
for Jehovah so that all will be saved. Hospitality is very much shown by all Witnesses, which
only aids in their eventual conversation involving their doctrine. Honestly, in today’s world,
there is a seeming decline in the show of hospitality by Christians. The moment that Witnesses
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are seen in the same light as they view the world, in terms of needing saving and the phrase
imago Dei, witnessing becomes easier.
Building on the previous two ideas, another way to apologetically assess the beliefs of
Jehovah’s Witnesses is to sit down with one and talk about Scripture. The importance of using
the original language manuscripts is paramount to success in interpreting the Scriptures. By
doing this, Christians show the importance of the need to “contend for the faith that was once for
all delivered to the saints,” (Jude 1:3). Not only is defending sound doctrine important, but taking
the Great Commission seriously with compassion and hospitality through the Word proves
undeterrable even for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Personal Engagement
Many individuals in the world today especially in the United States have had at least one
moment in time where contact with a Jehovah’s Witness has happened. When I was younger
living with my father, several attempts were made by Witnesses to come inside and speak to my
father about “the Truth”; each was met with a decline. This facet of door-to-door evangelism
works particularly well for Witnesses; this also has a major role to play regarding a Witness’
salvation. Along with this evangelism, surrounding the world is numerous Watchtower
publications that seek to answer simple questions. From a business perspective, this approach is
very transactional in that individuals in society today want an immediate answer. These
publications are even available in over 100 languages. One downside to this and essentially the
entire faith is the prophetic understanding of the Watchtower Society which can clearly be seen
from reading its publications and a brief history of the faith movement. Edmond Gruss inserts an
article written by Douglas Wiskow in his book and accounts Douglas saying this: First, the
Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is not God’s channel of truth. To come to this conclusion
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one need only look at the errors and contradictions in the doctrinal and prophetic understanding
of the Society over the years.14 Throughout the years, the Governing Body has presented many
different years, including 1873 and 1914, as years that Armageddon was going to take place.
Obviously these predictions were false seeing as the world is still around today, however, while
many Witnesses left the faith, many also remained planted. This fear of Armageddon taking
place at any moment is pivotal in the development of Witnesses from a young age.
As previously stated, the fear of Armageddon is a belief that Witnesses pound into the
minds of every Witness, beginning at a young age. Seeing as most children of Jehovah’s
Witnesses grow up within the faith, one can only see how controlling it becomes. Hence, a
salvation by doing what the Watchtower Society says is paramount. One consequence of not
doing what the society says, among many other rules, is excommunication or disfellowship. I
believe that this is one of the main concerns when witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness because
Witnesses are heavily oriented around family, and any individual deciding to leave the faith for
anything else would result in the loss of his entire family. Naturally, this creates a hesitant spirit
among the questioning individual. Moreover, Witnesses are taught to stray away from
nonbelievers of Jehovah and Witness doctrine because they can become tainted by outside
influences. Anything that traps the mind into a one-track mind society is a recipe for disaster.
In the event that a Christian gets to meet with a Jehovah’s Witness, there are several
tactics he or she could employ. Primarily, the Christian should listen to the Jehovah’s Witness
and seek to develop a relationship rather than keep the relationship strictly professional in terms
of religion. This allows the Witness to begin thinking for himself, which in turn allows for the
Witness to begin seeking to ask questions. Due to the underlying sense of control placed on
14 Edmond C. Gruss. We Left Jehovah’s Witnesses: Personal Testimonies (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker
Book House, 1982), 42.
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Witnesses, showing them that asking questions is normal can help facilitate more free thinking
outside of the Watchtower Society. A third tactic to be used is the sharing of one’s personal
testimony. When a Witness witnesses the transformation caused by a truly grace-saving Gospel,
it is remarkable. It eliminates the need for a works-based salvation which is what Witnesses
believe in. Ultimately, unceasing prayer is warranted for Witnesses, but more importantly, for all
individuals. God has the ability to open the eyes of any individual He chooses, therefore prayer is
essential.
Conclusion
It is truly sad to see how the Jehovah’s Witness’ theology and mindset have permeated
culture today and how it continues to majorly influence society, especially in the United States.
What Jehovah’s Witnesses do well is show a need for community and then exercise “true”
community with fellow Witnesses. This sense of community permeates within culture as more a
need than a desire from many individuals. However, its distortion of the Gospel clearly is
evidenced after one reads the Bible along with referencing the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.
Different modes for salvation are preached by each the Jehovah’s Witness and Christian
worldviews, ultimately causing a crossroad. Ed Hindson has words to say about this teaching of
salvation. As Ed Hindson says, “Every religion in the world except one says you must work your
way to God. Only Biblical Christianity says God has worked His way to you.”15 May this
thought saturate the mind and show God’s love to Jehovah’s Witnesses and all other individuals.
15 Edward E. Hindson and Ergun Mehmet Caner. The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics. (Eugene:
Harvest House Publishers, 2008).
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Bibliography
Gruss, Edmond C. We Left Jehovah’s Witnesses: Personal Testimonies. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Baker Book House, 1982.
Habermas, Gary R., and Mike Licona.IThe Case for the Resurrection of Jesus0Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2004.
Hindson, Edward E., and Ergun Mehmet Caner. The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics.
Eugene: Harvest House Publishers, 2008.
Knox, Zoe. Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Secular World: From the 1870s to the Present. London,
UK: Palgrave Publishers, 2018.
Penton, M. James.IApocalypse Delayed: The Story of Jehovah's Witnesses, Third Edition.
Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2015.
Rhodes, Ron. The Challenge of the Cults and New Religions. Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Zondervan, 2001.
Thomas, Stan. Jehovah’s Witnesses and What They Believe. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan
Publishing House, 1967.
Vine, W. E.Iand Unger, Merrill. Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New
Testament Words: With Topical Index. Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson
Incorporated, 1996.
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