• When witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness a common argument you will hear from them is, “The term ‘Trinity’ is unbiblical; it’s not found anywhere in Scripture.” The Jehovah’s Witness makes this point attempting to refute the validity of this central doctrine of biblical Christianity.
• While it is true that the term “Trinity” is not found in the Bible, as we have demonstrated in previous Fast Facts, the concept of the Trinity is taught throughout the Scriptures.
• There are many other terms that are not mentioned in Scripture either, but that doesn’t mean these terms don’t convey a legitimate biblical truth. For example, the term “incarnation” is not found anywhere in Scripture, yet the doctrine of God taking on human flesh is taught throughout the Bible.
• Ask the Jehovah’s Witness, “Are the terms ‘theocracy’ or ‘theocratic kingdom’ found anywhere in Scripture?” They aren’t. So ask them, “Does this mean the Watchtower’s teachings are unbiblical?”
• Another common word used by Jehovah’s Witnesses that is also not found in any original Hebrew or Greek manuscripts is the name “Jehovah”. Again, applying the Watchtower’s logic regarding the term “Trinity”, suggest to them, “Since ‘Jehovah’ is not found in any original manuscripts maybe this term shouldn’t be used either?”

For more help in sharing your faith with a Jehovah’s Witness, please check out Dr. Carlson’s lecture, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Trinity, available in CD or MP3 in our online store.

• When witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness one of the common arguments you will often hear from them is, “In order to be saved you must use the proper name for God, Jehovah.”
• The fact of the matter is, though, Jehovah’s Witnesses place undue emphasis on the name “Jehovah”; an emphasis which simply isn’t justified based on the most contemporary and accurate biblical scholarship.
• The overwhelming majority of legitimate Bible translations do not use the name “Jehovah” for God. This is a term used almost exclusively by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
• Even the King James Version, which is officially recognized by the Watchtower Organization, only rarely uses the name “Jehovah” for God.
• The original Hebrew Old Testament uses the name “Yahweh” or “YHWH” to refer to God. “Jehovah” is one rendering of the Hebrew “YHWH” but not the most likely. The most likely rendering is “Yahweh”.
• Thousands of original Greek New Testaments never use the name “Jehovah” in reference to God, but the Jehovah’s Witnesses New World Translation uses it exclusively.
• When witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness it is fine to acknowledge and use “Jehovah” as a legitimate name for God. However, their claim that this is the only correct and proper name for God is simply not justified.

For more information on witnessing to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, please check out Dr. Carlson’s book, Fast Facts On False Teachings, available in our online store.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the biblical revelation of the person and work of Jesus Christ. In last week’s Fast Facts we detailed how Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that Jesus is really a created being, Michael the Archangel, the first creation of God.
• Not only do Jehovah’s Witnesses err on the person of Jesus Christ, but they also deny the biblical revelation of the full sufficiency of Christ’s atoning work on the cross for our salvation.
• The Watchtower organization of the Jehovah’s Witnesses teaches its members that salvation is partly through Christ’s death on a stake (not a cross) and partly through identification (and works) with the Watchtower organization.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that Jesus’ death only saves us from the guilt of Adam’s original sin and that more than faith is needed. The Watchtower tells its followers that we must prove the sincerity of our faith to Jehovah God through our works (this is why the average Jehovah’s Witness will spend 8-10 hours a week in door to door witnessing).
• The true biblical doctrine of Jesus’ atoning work reveals a far different message from what the Watchtower teaches. The Bible reveals that Jesus’ atoning death on the cross was wholly and totally sufficient for our salvation (1 John 1:7-9; Revelation 12:10-11; Hebrews 10:10, 18-23).
• Furthermore, the true biblical doctrine of salvation teaches that we are saved by God’s grace through faith and nothing more (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; John 6:28-29; John 1:12; 1 John 5:1, 11-13; 1 John 2:23).
• Jesus plus anything else is not the biblical gospel.

For more information on the Jehovah’s Witnesses and responding to their false, man-made teachings, please check out the documentary DVD, Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Non-Profit Organization, available in our online store.

• As mentioned last week, the theology of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is essentially a theology of denial. Jehovah’s Witnesses deny or redefine all of the fundamental doctrines of biblical Christianity. The doctrine of the person and work of Jesus Christ is no exception.
• As to the person of Jesus Christ, Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught by the Watchtower organization that Jesus is really Michael the Archangel, the first creation of God. They believe he was only a man when on earth, possessing no divine nature.
• The biblical doctrine of the person of Jesus Christ is far different though. For one, as we saw last week, Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ is God and part of the Trinity (Revelation 1:8; 21:5-7; 22:13-16; also Luke 1:35; Matthew 3:16-17; 2 Cor. 13:14).
• Furthermore, the Bible nowhere implies that Michael the Archangel is Jesus Christ. In fact, the testimony of Scripture is clear that Michael does not possess the same authority as Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God (see Jude v. 9 as compared to Matthew 4:10-11).
• The Bible also reveals that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is superior to the angels and is to be worshipped by them (Hebrews 1:4-6).
• Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the biblical doctrine of the person of Jesus Christ because they have been taught by the Watchtower organization that Jehovah alone is God. Jehovah’s Witnesses do not worship Jesus Christ. They have denied his deity and have turned him into a mere creation of Jehovah. Thus, they believe to worship Jesus is idolatry.
• Interestingly though, and unbeknownst to most Jehovah’s Witnesses today, prior to 1954 the Watchtower did promote the worship of Jesus Christ. However, they became fiercely anti-Trinitarian during the 1950’s with the release of their false, man-made Bible, The New World Translation.

For more information on refuting the false theology of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, please check out Dr. Carlson’s lecture, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Trinity, available in MP3, CD, or DVD in our online store.

• The theology of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of the Jehovah’s Witnesses is essentially a theology of denial. Jehovah’s Witnesses deny or redefine all of the fundamental doctrines of biblical Christianity, including the doctrine of the Trinity.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses claim to believe in the Trinity, but they have redefined the term “Trinity” to fit their own man-made doctrines. The Watchtower’s doctrine of the Trinity teaches that—Jehovah alone is God almighty, Jesus is only a god, and the Holy Spirit is simply an active force.
• The doctrine of the Trinity according to biblical Christianity though, is that within the nature of the One God there are three eternal Persons- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
• To demonstrate the biblical doctrine of the Trinity, we must help the Jehovah’s Witness to see that the Bible clearly identifies three distinct Persons as God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – while at the same time revealing the truth that there is only One God. The following passages are great starting points.
• The Bible reveals that the Father is God (2 Pt. 1:17; 1 Cor. 15:24; Jude 1).
• The Bible reveals that the Son (Jesus) is God (Rev. 1:8; 21:5-7; 22:13-16).
• The Bible reveals that the Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4; 2 Cor. 6:16 & 1 Cor. 6:19; 2 Tim. 3:16 & 2 Pt. 1:20-21).
• Lastly, the Bible reveals that there is only One God (1 Tim. 2:5; Gal. 3:20; Deut. 6:4; Is. 44:6).
• The logical conclusion from the testimony of Scripture is the biblical doctrine of the Trinity. This is not a man-made doctrine, but a doctrine based on God’s self-revelation to humanity.

For more information on witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses, please check out Dr. Carlson’s book, Fast Facts On False Teachings, available in our online store.

• Jehovah’s Witnesses are conditioned to accept without questioning the authority of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. When witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness here are a few helpful questions you can ask them…
• The Watchtower organization claims there have always been faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses. If this claim is true, who were the faithful witnesses immediately preceding your founder, Charles Russell? In fact, can you give me the names of any faithful witnesses between the first century Church and Russell?
• The Watchtower organization today claims they were chosen by Jesus in 1919 to be Jehovah’s representatives on earth because they were the only organization teaching the world the truth. Are you aware that the Watchtower organization in 1919 taught that Armageddon had occurred in 1914; that the end would come in 1925; that Jesus should be worshipped, as well as Jehovah; that the Great Crowd was a Heavenly class; that birthdays and Christmas were acceptable celebrations; and that the faithful and discreet slave was Charles Russell?
• Were the Watchtower Society teachings of 1919 the truth? If not, did thousands of Jehovah’s Witnesses die in error? If the Watchtower’s teachings have changed in the past, how can you be sure that what you’re being taught today is the truth? Are you afraid that you too might die in error?
• Would you be disfellowshipped today for holding to the Watchtower Society’s teachings of 1919? Would a Jehovah’s Witness from 1919 have been disfellowshipped for holding to the Watchtower’s teachings of today?
• Are you aware that the Watchtower organization declared for many years that Armageddon would occur in 1975? How can you trust an organization that has so often been wrong in their teachings?
• According to Deuteronomy 18:21-22, how can a person recognize a false prophet?

For more helpful guidance on witnessing to Jehovah’s Witnesses, please check out Dr. Carlson’s lecture, Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Trinity, available in CD or MP3 in our online store.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are notoriously difficult to reach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Much of this difficulty stems from how JWs are conditioned to accept the absolute authority of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of Brooklyn, NY.

When the Jehovah’s Witnesses come to your front door, remember…

• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that the Watchtower organization is the modern day prophet of God.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses have accepted the Watchtower organization as the voice of God on earth.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that to reject the Watchtower organization is to reject God.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that only the Watchtower organization can interpret the Bible accurately.
• Jehovah’s Witnesses believe the Watchtower organization’s publications (The Watchtower, Awake, etc.) contain God’s truth revealed through the organization.

Because of the beliefs mentioned above, when witnessing to a Jehovah’s Witness one of the helpful goals is to get the JW to begin to question the authority of the Watchtower organization. In next week’s Fast Facts we will begin highlighting some of the ways in which we can do this.

For more information on witnessing to the Jehovah’s Witnesses, please check out the documentary DVD, Jehovah’s Witnesses: A Non-Profit Organization, available in our online store.

• Many of today’s most prominent Non-Christian Cults will go door to door throughout neighborhoods attempting to win converts. The two most widely seen are Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormon missionaries.
• When the cultists come knocking on your front door, instead of seeing this as an inconvenience, recognize this as a readymade opportunity to share the gospel. The mission field is literally coming to you!
• Before answering your door, say a simple prayer, such as, “Lord, give me love, wisdom, and confidence as I share the hope of the Gospel with these lost souls.” The Holy Spirit will help you as you seek to lift up the name of the real Jesus and his free gift of salvation.
• The cultist is coming to your door because they believe they must earn their salvation or prove their faith to God. For many of them this is a tremendous burden. Therefore, one of the most helpful truths to focus on with the cultist is the grace of God. Verses like Ephesians 2:8-9 and Titus 3:4-7 are great passages to share with them.
• Don’t feel undue pressure to convert the cultist at your door. Remember, as Christians we are not responsible for how a person responds to our proclamation of the Gospel. We’re simply responsible for being faithful with the opportunities we have to proclaim it.

For more helpful tips on witnessing to the cults, please check out Dr. Carlson’s book, Fast Facts On False Teachings, available in our online store.

• “Christians are so intolerant.” This is another popular criticism that many believers have heard. It is most often raised against us when we dare to stand for the biblical worldview in our culture today.
• When someone brings this charge against you, it is important to understand what genuine tolerance and intolerance is, while also recognizing how today’s culture has redefined these words.
• Historically, tolerance has always implied the presence of disagreement, but being tolerant meant that the disagreement wouldn’t lead to insults, violence, or other forms of hostility. Those actions would have been deemed intolerant.
• In today’s culture, however, tolerance has been redefined. Today, to be considered a tolerant person, disagreement is not an option, especially in regards to another person’s spiritual beliefs, lifestyle, or sexuality. These areas must be accepted unconditionally and uncritically. Otherwise, you will be given the label of “intolerant”.
• Notice, today labels like “tolerant” and “intolerant” are no longer simply about one’s actions, but now they’re used in reference to personal beliefs and convictions.
• As Christians we must help our culture understand and recover the traditional understanding of tolerance and intolerance. We must contend for the truth that it is wholly consistent to speak out against spiritual error and moral violations of God’s will, while at the same time caring for and living respectfully amongst the people with whom we disagree. This is genuine tolerance, not intolerance.
• When someone uses the label of “intolerant” against you, remember, all they are doing is calling you names. They are not making an actual argument against your position. Simply respond, “I’m sorry you don’t respect my viewpoint on this issue, but could you please explain to me why you think I’m wrong rather than calling me names.”
• Furthermore, when someone calls you “intolerant” for doing nothing more than professing your Christian convictions, they are guilty of violating their own false notion of tolerance. Ask them, “Do you consider yourself to be an open-minded and tolerant person?” When they say, “Yes”, simply point out the inconsistency of their critique against you, “As an open-minded and tolerant person, I’m surprised that you would verbally attack me for simply holding to my personal beliefs. Isn’t that somewhat intolerant of you?”

For more helpful responses to today’s popular criticisms of Christianity, please see the book, Answers For A Confused Church, available in our online store.

• Another popular criticism that many believers have heard is, “You Christians are so hypocritical.”
• In responding to this charge, it’s important to acknowledge that unfortunately many Christians are hypocritical, professing their commitment to the Lord and his will, yet living and acting inconsistently with that profession.
• Acknowledging and apologizing for the inconsistency that many have experienced from Christians can be a powerful and disarming influence with those who raise this criticism.
• Beyond the above, when responding to the charge of hypocrisy, it is important to explain that even when Christians do act inconsistently with the faith they profess, this doesn’t make the faith they profess any less true.
• For example, a police office might enforce the speed limit while on duty, but then ignore it on his drive home. While the officer’s actions are inconsistent with the law he’s sworn to enforce, the officer’s inconsistency doesn’t make the speed limit itself any less valid.
• Christianity, like any belief system, must ultimately be judged based on the merits of its claims. Do we have reasons to believe that God exists? Does the Bible bear the marks of Divine inspiration? Is Jesus Christ really the risen Messiah and Savior of the world? These are the questions with which all people must ultimately contend.
• Christians do a disservice to our public testimony when our actions don’t match the faith we profess. Thus, it’s important that we honor the Lord and make His name renown by living lives of consistency and integrity. However, even when we are guilty of hypocrisy, this doesn’t make the Christian worldview any less true.

For more helpful responses to some of the popular criticisms of Christianity found in our world today, please check out the Apologetics Study Bible For Students, available in our online store.