In view of numerous emails from readers in response to last week's comments about Ray Franz, it seems appropriate to set a few matters straight.
First, on the matter of judging others: It is somewhat dismaying that apparently even some of Jehovah's Witnesses suppose that the Bible's injunction against judging our brothers somehow applies in the case of those who would mislead us. That is a wrong application of a biblical principle. For example, in the very same sermon where Jesus told us not to judge our brother or presume to extract the splinter of fault in our brother's eye, Jesus also warned us to be on guard against those who would defraud us of our faith, saying at Matthew 7:15: "Be on the watch for the false prophets that come to you in sheep's covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them."
Jesus' graphic illustration ought to help us appreciate the fact that spiritual predators may be very hard to recognize as such. They may appear to be genuine Christians—but appearances can be very deceiving. But, how is it possible to ever "recognize them" without using our faculty of judgment? It is not possible. The very act of identifying a wolf in sheepskin is to judge that one. Not only is it our right to make judgments in these matters, it is also the moral obligation of good watchmen and shepherds to sound the alarm when there is clear evidence that proves a wolf has donned a sheep's cloak and is on the prowl among the flock. Why should any clear-thinking Christian even question the appropriateness of that?
Secondly, some readers have expressed indignation that e-watchman has cited Ray Franz by name. But, there is no impropriety in that. Ray Franz is a well-known public figure—at least among Jehovah's Witnesses. It is not as if I used the name of a private individual who would otherwise be unknown to the reader. Most of the anti-Watchtower websites on the Internet make liberal use of Ray Franz. His books are considered "must reading" by opposers of Jehovah's Witnesses. In fact, it is not at all unfair to consider the growing number of ex-Jehovah's Witnesses as disciples of Ray Franz. So, to connect Ray Franz to the anti-Watchtower movement is simply to state the obvious.
Besides, in the 1st Century the apostle Paul named the names of those who were notorious in wrecking the faith of fellow believers. For instance, in his 2nd letter to Timothy, Paul mentioned Hymenaeus and Philetus by name, saying of them: "These very men have deviated from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already occurred; and they are subverting the faith of some." Was Paul judging them? Yes, of course he was. But, he rightly judged them on the basis of the criteria Christ laid down for us—by their fruits. The fruitage that allowed Paul to recognize those men for what they were was that they were "subverting the faith of some."
Jesus also named names. In the 2nd chapter of Revelation, Jesus actually commended the brothers in Ephesus because they hated the deeds of the sect of Nicolaus. Jesus said to them: "Still, you do have this, that you hate the deeds of the sect of Nicolaus, which I also hate. Let the one who has an ear hear what the spirit says to the congregations." Conversely, Jesus rebuked those in the Pergamum congregation who were "holding fast the teaching of the sect of Nicolaus."
We are not told anything about the man Nicolaus. Perhaps he was not even personally a member of either congregation. Neither are we told anything about the teaching of Nicolaus and why Jesus hated the deeds of his followers. But, evidently the sect of Nicolaus was not a stand-alone sect as we might think of a sect today as being; but rather, the sect of Nicolaus evidently operated as a sub-sect, submerged within the congregations back then. Likely the sect of Nicolaus accepted much of the teachings of the apostles but differed only in a few key doctrines—or perhaps just one. At any rate, the sect posed a very real spiritual danger to Christ's congregation. But, the point is: How would it be possible for the Ephesians to "hate the deeds of the sect of Nicolaus" without also judging Nicolaus as an enemy of the truth?
Paul similarly instructed Christians to reject any man who promotes a sect, saying: "As for a man that promotes a sect, reject him after a first and a second admonition; knowing that such a man has been turned out of the way and is sinning, he being self-condemned." (Titus 3:10-11)
Does the act of rejecting a man involve judging him? Yes, of course it does. But in the case of a promoter of a sect, Paul said that such an individual is self-condemned. So, rather than making our own judgments in such matters, it is merely a matter of accepting the judgment that is self-evident.
Now, the question: Is Ray Franz a promoter of a sect? Yes, absolutely! Why can we say that? Because Ray Franz promotes teachings that run counter to the truth that is held in common by Christ's anointed congregation. Just as Jesus condemned those who were "holding fast the teaching of the sect of Nicolaus," so too, the followers of Ray Franz holds fast to unbiblical teachings.
What are some of these sectarian teachings? For one, Ray Franz teaches that there is no distinction between the little flock of the anointed and the other sheep. He basically teaches what Christendom teaches—that all Christians go to heaven. Franz teaches that God may or may not literally burn the earth up some day. He doesn't feel that anyone can really know the truth on such matters. It is a weasely wishy-washy position to take to be sure. But the point is: The teachings of Ray Franz run completely counter to the core doctrine of Jehovah's Witnesses as to Jehovah's purpose to provide a kingdom of 144,000 to rule over a paradise on earth. Those who embrace such teachings may be said to hold fast to the teachings of the sect of Ray Franz.
Paul said in reference to Hymenaeus and Philetus: "Their word will spread like gangrene." How true that has been of Ray Franz's words as well. Like the 1st Century Cretins, Franz's teachings have also subverted the faith of entire households of Jehovah's Witnesses. The Internet has literally dozens of ex-JW anti-Watchtower websites, and nearly all of them promote Ray Franz or his teachings in some form. For a certainty, the teachings of Franz are truly comparable to a rapidly spreading, gangrenous, faith-destroying cancer.
Judging by the end results of Ray Franz's writings, namely the stumbling of many thousands of Jehovah's Witnesses and interested persons; we may rightly judge Ray Franz as a promoter of a sect and an enemy of the truth. As Jesus said, "by their fruits"—and the fruits of Franz's teaching is demonstrably rotten!
No doubt, the Devil would prefer that Jehovah's Witnesses today would suspend their God-given powers of judgment under the rubric of not judging our brother. However, it is our right and obligation to judge such a man. Moreover, we may also expect to hear Christ's eventual commendation for hating the deeds of the sect of Ray Franz.
Here are a few questions from a reader on this topic that would normally appear in the mailbag.
You made the following statement regarding Raymond Franz: "It is not that Franz himself is the source of the stumbling blocks though. For the most part such men have merely capitalized on the Watchtower's own folly, knowing that the average Jehovah's Witness or person studying simply does not have the depth of knowledge and faith to counter such things." This seems to be a judgment as to motive, but since we are not a reader of human hearts, what qualifies you to determine another's motive? *****
If someone were to purposefully dump a vat of cyanide into a city's drinking water, would it be unfair to judge that person as to their motive? By the same measure, when a man of Franz's stature in the organization writes books directed to Jehovah's Witnesses and a large percentage of those who read his writings are stumbled, many ceasing to continue as Jehovah's Witnesses, we are left with only two conclusions: One, the writer knows full well the result his writings will have on others. Or two: He is stupid and does not realize the effect of his influence. Personally, I do not think Ray Franz is stupid.
Can you provide actual evidence that Raymond Franz has anywhere said that Witnesses are better off leaving the Watchtower organization and "going it alone"? Please provide a verifiable reference. ****
I did not say that Ray Franz ever advised Jehovah's Witnesses to leave the Watchtower. He is much too clever for that. But, if you look at the end result of his teaching, and the faith-destroying effect his writings have upon the reader, then it is obvious what he is all about. II Peter the 2nd chapter warns us, the same as Jesus warned us, that there will be false teachers in our midst. The 3rd verse says that "they will exploit you with counterfeit words."
A person may unknowingly accept counterfeit currency because they are unable to detect the fraud, but that does not mean that they are genuinely enriched and can use the currency themselves. They are stuck with it—to their loss. By the same token, those who accept "counterfeit words" from the smooth-talkers may imagine them to be genuine words of faith. However, we can no more benefit from false words than we can pass counterfeit currency with impunity. The end result is spiritual ruination. Obviously, many believe that Ray Franz is the genuine article, but, like Jesus said: "By the fruits you will recognize those men."
Can you provide actual evidence that Raymond Franz has anywhere said anything about the Watchtower organization that is not true? Please provide a verifiable reference. *****
Again, I did not say Ray Franz was a liar. While his doctrinal teaching is false, as mentioned above, more than likely most of what he says is true. But, on the other hand, we are just hearing one side of the story—his side.
The letter of Jude is very similar to the 2nd chapter of II Peter and it relates that the false teachers are "the ones that make separations, animalistic men, not having spirituality." Now, ask yourself: Have the writings of Ray Franz caused "separations"? Without a doubt, yes they have. Conversely, have his writings benefited anyone spiritually? No, no one could make the case in the affirmative that their faith has been strengthened by his teaching.
Just like unreasoning animals, animalistic men also instinctively know the weaknesses and fears of others. They know that if they can subtly create enough doubt within a person's mind, then their faith will give way and they will have their intended prey. The victim may not even know he has been devoured.
How is it that you view your website as somehow more justifiable, more righteous than Franz' writings, when both of you have caused Witnesses to be stumbled from the organization by what you have said? *****
At least the questioner here admits that Franz's writings have stumbled people. But, the question is: Why would you defend anyone who knowingly stumbles others out of the truth?
Actually, there is a huge difference between Ray Franz and e-watchman, and many readers are well aware of those differences. For one thing, Ray Franz only presents his readers with negativity. He gives them no reason whatsoever to continue to believe that Jehovah's Witnesses are the true Christian faith. On the other hand, even though I am deeply disappointed in the Watchtower at times, e-watchman does not give away the faults of his brothers that are not otherwise public knowledge. For example, I have frequently focused attention on the Watchtower's child abuse issues and their NGO membership. But, these things are common knowledge. The child abuse thing in particular was published in many lands on national television and major newspapers.
While the depth of our error may come as a shock to some of the friends, rather than leaving the reader with the sinking feeling that the organization is hopelessly corrupt, e-watchman has delved into the prophecies with the intent of shedding light on our situation from Jehovah's perspective in order to impart hope. My purpose has always been to reach out to those who have been stumbled, as well as those who are yet to be stumbled, in order to impart some measure of hope and faith to the discouraged soul. Judging by the hundreds of emails and Guest Book entries, my writings have had an overwhelmingly positive effect upon the spirituality of Jehovah's Witnesses, particularly those who are disheartened. I have received many letters of thanks for providing a basis to continue to trust Jehovah's purpose in connection with Jehovah's Witnesses. I unhesitatingly recommend my faith as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. Can Ray Franz say that?
What does Ray Franz stand for anyway? Okay, so he left the Watchtower, now what? What is the truth? He admits that he is not really sure. He advises a wait-and-see approach, much like the atheist or agnostic who shrugs off any commitment to search for the truth by saying 'we'll find out when we die.' Franz has no burning passion for truth. He demonstrates no commitment to the glorification of Jehovah God. Franz and men like him are exactly described by Jude as "stars with no set course, for which the blackness of darkness stands reserved forever."
Ultimately, who we choose now for our guide will determine whether we reach our goal of salvation or not. The Bible advises that we keep focused on God's prophetic word until the daystar arises in our hearts. During the darkest hours of the end of the world we may expect the sealed sons of the kingdom to shine as brightly as the stars of heaven and lead God's people to life. Contrasted with that, Jude describes the animalistic misleaders of God's people as lost stars hurtling into eternal blackness.
You would do well to seriously reflect upon the course Ray Franz has provided by his pattern and decide if you really want to follow his wandering star into oblivion.
