Development of Jehovah's Witnesses doctrine
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Since the doctrines have been openly published for over 120 years in The Watchtower magazine, all changes in teaching are a matter of record. Rather than concealing these doctrinal developments, the organization often presents them in a positive light, as evidence of God blessing their efforts to understand the Bible better. A Bible verse frequently quoted in this context is Proverbs 4:18: "The path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established."
The book Jehovah's Witnesses: Proclaimers of God's Kingdom, published by the group in 1993, discusses the history of their religion including changes in doctrinal issues, acknowledging that doctrinal changes have been necessary and outlining many of the former beliefs and expectations held by the group. It states (page 709) that their understanding of the Bible gets progressively clearer at the proper time and that because of human error or misguided zeal, it has been necessary for them to adjust their viewpoint from time to time. It also includes photographic material showing that Witnesses at the beginning of the century celebrated Christmas and accepted the use of the cross as a symbol of Christianity. Additionally, The Watchtower of 15 May 1995 listed over 20 doctrinal changes that had been made over the years.
It should be noted that some of these changes in doctrine have led to the formation of several splinter groups.
[edit] Development of Witness Teachings
Doctrines in place since the movement's inception (1870s):
- Inerrancy of the Bible
- God's name is Jehovah
- Rejection of the Trinity doctrine
- Jesus a created being
- Holy spirit not a person
- Soul not immortal
- No hellfire
- Ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ; belief in Jesus necessary for salvation
- Spiritism rejected
- Fornication, adultery, homosexual activity viewed as sinful
- Clergy-laity distinction viewed as unscriptural
Changes in viewpoint that took place up to 1939:
- 1931 - Vaccines banned. [citation needed]
- 1927 - Celebration of Christmas and birthdays banned
- 1928 - Great pyramid of Giza has nothing to do with God's purpose
- 1929 - "Superior authorities" of Romans 13:1 identified as Jehovah God and Jesus Christ
- 1930 - All of Russell's dates were changed, the majority to commence in, rather than be completed by 1914
- Moved beginnning of Christ's Second Coming from 1874 to 1914
- Moved Christ's enthronement as King from 1878 to 1914
- Moved the beginning of the resurrection of the "Bride of Christ" from 1878 to 1918
- Moved start of last days from 1799 to 1914
- Moved Armageddon from 1914 to within a generation, with the understanding of generation changing several times
- 1931 - Adoption of the name 'Jehovah's Witnesses'
- 1932 - Application of restoration prophecies to Christian congregation, rather than to the literal Jews
- 1935 - Identity of "great crowd" of Revelation 7
- 1936 - Use of the cross as a religious symbol banned
- 1938 - Communion bread and wine identified as symbols of the body and blood of the 144,000
- 1939 - Complete neutrality in worldly affairs
Significant Changes in Doctrine 1940—present:
- 1944 - Supposed destruction of Jerusalem moved from 606 BC to 607 BC
- 1944 - Disfellowshipping (although this had already been practised in some form earlier)
- 1945 - Blood transfusion forbidden (clarification of existing stance on blood and specific application to transfusions)
- 1952 - Vaccines allowed. It was clarified that the Witnesses' position on blood does not apply to vaccination (some Witnesses were already accepting vaccinations at least as early as World War II) (Watchtower 15 December 1952)
- 1954 - Jesus no longer to be worshiped (though the Watch Tower legal charter still states that the organisation exists to promote the worship of Jehovah and Jesus)
- 1956 - Communion bread and wine identified as symbols of Christ's body and blood (return to pre-1938 position)
- 1962 - "Superior authorities" of Romans 13:1 identified as earthly governments (Watchtower 15 November 1962)
- 1967 - Organ transplants classed as "cannibalism" (Watchtower 15 November 1967)
- 1973 - Tobacco use viewed as incompatible with membership (it had been strongly discouraged throughout the prior history of the organization) (Watchtower 1 June 1973)
- 1980 - Organ transplants acceptable
- 1995 - Meaning of the term "this generation" referred to at Matthew 24:34 restored to a class of people displaying certain characteristics. (Matthew 17:17) (Watchtower 1 November 1995)
- 1995 - Time of fulfillment of Jesus' parable of the sheep and the goats (Watchtower 1 February 1995)
[edit] Significance of Doctrinal Changes
If there is little doubt that Jehovah's Witnesses have changed some of their doctrines over the past century, there is considerable controversy in some quarters over the significance of the changes.
Critics feel that the nature and extent of the changes is such that the organization's claim to be uniquely guided by God's spirit is disproved and seriously problematic in view of the degree to which adherents are urged to rely on the Watchtower organization's guidance in the interpretation of Scripture. Proponents feel that such changes are clarifications over previously diluted doctrines instilled from centuries of what is deemed by them as apostasized Christianity and appreciate a supposedly progressive organization that seeks further enlightenment, despite virtually all of the changes having been from their own relatively unique doctrines and not those generally accepted by 'apostate Christendom'.
Watch Tower literature recognizes that doctrinal changes have taken place though it states: "Matters on which corrections of viewpoint have been needed have been relatively minor when compared with the vital Bible truths that they have discerned and publicized." (Reasoning from the Scriptures, page 136-137)
Thus, Jehovah's Witnesses' publications, while recognizing that adjustments have been made, emphasize that the core elements of their belief are constant. They maintain that their understanding of the Bible gets clearer at the proper time, just as the understanding of doctrine among Christ's first-century disciples was also clarified gradually. Witnesses see these changes as evidence of divine blessing on their efforts to understand the Bible.
In general, Witnesses take a positive view of such adjustments. A new explanation of some verse or topic in The Watchtower magazine is likely to generate enthusiasm and interest, as well as considerable discussion. It is expected that further study of the Bible will result in an improved understanding, which of course necessitates alteration in viewpoints.
Some alleged 'doctrinal changes' are simply differences in the interpretation of a particular verse, with few practical implications. For instance, in 1962, The Watchtower identified the 'superior authorities' of Romans 13:1 as the worldly governments, rather than God and Christ as had previously been stated. However, this had little practical effect, as the Witnesses both before and after this change always considered it necessary to obey the laws of the land, unless these conflict with God's laws. Similarly, in 1988, The Watchtower reevaluated the Bible texts referring to Sodom and Gomorrah, and concluded that the inhabitants of those cities would not be resurrected. This position differed from what had previously been published. Most Witnesses would not however feel that adjustments of this type make a substantial difference to their lives or to their relationship with God.
Other 'doctrinal changes' are really clarifications, in response to developments in the world in general. For instance, as early as 1927, The Watchtower discussed the sacredness of blood. It did not discuss blood transfusions specifically, as the practice was still in its infancy. As transfusions became commonplace during World War II, the organization confirmed that its stance on the sacred nature of blood applied to transfusions too.
Furthermore, Jehovah's Witnesses are strongly encouraged to follow the earthly part of "God's organization". This would involve being obedient to what the congregation holds as clear doctrines. If they personally have doubts about some points of the teaching, they are encouraged to follow what the religion says until clarifications may occur. They believe that the organization does not teach them things that are harmful.
