"present Truth"

[SlaveForJah]

Hello all,

Christian Greetings.

Can anyone provide a sufficient answer to WHAT exactly is "present truth"? What does it mean, where did the term originate, and what, if any, SCRIPTURAL support can be offered for it's use? All replies are welcome, but please be prepared to offer Scripture to support your positions. Thank you.


Agape

SlaveForJah

[Sketch]

Can anyone provide a sufficient answer to WHAT exactly is "present truth"? What does it mean, where did the term originate, and what, if any, SCRIPTURAL support can be offered for it's use? All replies are welcome, but please be prepared to offer Scripture to support your positions. Thank you.[/b]

Allow me to quote one of the all-time classic movies, Spaceballs:

"What the 'heck' am I lookin' at? When does this happen in the movie?
Now. You're looking at now sir, everything that happens now is happening now.
What happened to then?
We passed it.
When?
Just now. We're at now-now.
Go back to then.
When?
Now.
Now?
Now!
I can't.
Why?
We missed it.
When?
Just now.
When will then be now?
...Soon."

/what? you said all replies were welcome...
//can I use Mel Brooks to back my position?

[SlaveForJah]

Allow me to quote one of the all-time classic movies, Spaceballs:

"What the 'heck' am I lookin' at? When does this happen in the movie?
Now. You're looking at now sir, everything that happens now is happening now.
What happened to then?
We passed it.
When?
Just now. We're at now-now.
Go back to then.
When?
Now.
Now?
Now!
I can't.
Why?
We missed it.
When?
Just now.
When will then be now?
...Soon."

/what? you said all replies were welcome...
//can I use Mel Brooks to back my position?[/b]


Hello Sketch,

Thanks for the reply. I appreciate the humor, and you got a big laugh outta me. I see the point, and it actually goes right along with my thoughts about "present truth". By the way, that movie makes me laugh every time, and what a great scene.

Anyhow, I would still like to get other replies (not that yours weren't sufficient).


Agape

SlaveForJah

ps - "I'm a Mog; half man, half dog...I'm my own best friend."

[TheCook]

Hello all,

Christian Greetings.

Can anyone provide a sufficient answer to WHAT exactly is "present truth"? What does it mean, where did the term originate, and what, if any, SCRIPTURAL support can be offered for it's use? All replies are welcome, but please be prepared to offer Scripture to support your positions. Thank you.


Agape

SlaveForJah[/b]

Edit: Personally, I don't care especially for the phrase, but this is what I could find in the WTBTS literature.

From the Proclaimers book, chap. 10 pp. 121-122 "Growing in Accurate Knowledge of the Truth"

<blockquote>Letting the Light Shine

Jesus instructed his disciples to share with others the light of divine truth that they had received from him. "You are the light of the world," he said. "Let your light shine before men." (Matt. 5:14-16; Acts 13:47) Charles Taze Russell and his associates recognized that they had an obligation to do that.

Did they believe that they had all the answers, the full light of truth? To that question Brother Russell pointedly answered: "Certainly not; nor will we have until the &#39;perfect day.&#39;" (Prov. 4:18, KJ) Frequently they referred to their Scriptural beliefs as "present truth" (underlined by me)—not with any idea that truth itself changes but rather with the thought that their understanding of it was progressive.

These earnest students of the Bible did not shy away from the idea that there is such a thing as truth in matters of religion. They recognized Jehovah as "the God of truth" and the Bible as his Word of truth. (Ps. 31:5; Josh. 21:45; John 17:17) They realized that there was still much that they did not know, but they did not hold back from stating with conviction what they had learned from the Bible. And when traditional religious doctrines and practices contradicted what they found to be clearly stated in God&#39;s inspired Word, then, in imitation of Jesus Christ, they exposed the falsehood, even though this brought ridicule and hatred upon them from the clergy.—Matt. 15:3-9.
</blockquote>
Love, The Cook

[TheCook]

I looked through the 2007 CD-ROM, the earliest reference seems to be from a Watch Tower magazine: January 1, 1892 (page 9).
<blockquote>Ministers? No, say the world and the nominal church, only ours who wear “clerical” garments and preach from our pulpits are God’s ministers. Yes, says the Lord, my servants (ministers) they are because they serve me, dispensing present truth (underlined by me) to my household. I have sent forth the message which they bear. He that despiseth them despiseth me, and he that receiveth the sealing in the forehead which I send by them will know the doctrine, that it is of me. “My sheep know my voice.”
</blockquote>
The latest I could find for the phrase "present truth" was in the Revelation book, chap. 1 p. 8 par. 8.
<blockquote>An even stronger reason for publishing this book is the need to keep up-to-date with present truth (underlined by me). Jehovah is continually shedding greater light on the meaning of his Word, and we can expect that our understanding of Revelation, along with other prophecies, will be sharpened as we draw closer to the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 7:14) It is important that we be well informed. As the apostle Peter wrote concerning divine prophecy: “You are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until day dawns and a daystar rises, in your hearts.”—2 Peter 1:19.</blockquote>

[Candace]

In the context of the Bible there is no such thing as "present truth." That&#39;s an oxymoron when used in context with the scriptures . There is "present understanding." The WTS would have been better off using "present understanding" instead of being so arrogant as to assert that everything they publish is the truth. Or to convince the rank and file that they are "in the truth."

What happens when a person who has spent decades thinking they were "in the truth" finds out that it wasn&#39;t all truth? Satan must really be proud of this stumbling block he&#39;s created. It&#39;s a smooth deception being pulled on millions of people. :mad:

[Nambo]

Unless Jesus himself gets "present truth", ie he got it wrong the last time so has to keep correcting himself, what this is, is a total admission that they make it all up, or if they do get direction from Jesus, they have no way of knowing it as to if its from Jesus or just more of thier own contrievance.

I think if they where ruled bu Jesus, he would ensure they only got true "truth", as and when they need it, and ensure they have to wait for HIS guidance on the interpretation of scripture hence it could be said "The light was getting brighter" as Jesus himself shone it.

Present Truth is just a better man-made interpretation of a previous deciept that has proved its real source through the passing of time.

Brother Franz in his insider book helps to understand how and why we have "Present Truth".

[Candace]

As for the scriptural support part, I think of the apostles and how before Jesus died they had so little understanding. But after his death and resurrection their minds opened up and holy spirit helped them to understand many things that Jesus had previously taught them.

If I wasn&#39;t still stuck with this Mac, I&#39;d find some accounts to share. If I have time later, I&#39;ll do some research the old-fashioned way. Or, if any particular events come to mind, feel free to post them.

[Molly]

I agree with Candace that the expression "present understanding" would be a much better way to refer to the degree to which we understand the scriptures. To use the expression "present truth" is misleading. Information is either the truth, or it is not. If it must be altered, rearranged to be more accurate, or changed by new information that comes to light, then how could it have ever really have been truth to start with.

A perfect example would be the succession of definitions used in the past for the length of a generation. They changed because there was nothing about them that was scripturally the truth, even if they might have been an acceptable definition in a worldly sense. They were not correct and therefore, not "truth" at any point in time, present or past.

The real problem with the use of "present truth" is the subtle coersion to agree that is foisted on everyone. If one doesn&#39;t agree with the "truth" as presented in the WT publications, then the only alternate is to take the position of the "liar." It is one of those insidious expressions that keeps the sheep from stepping out of line.

Molly

[Candace]

This is the scripture I was thinking of:

(John 2:18-22) . . .Therefore, in answer, the Jews said to him: “What sign have you to show us, since you are doing these things?” 19 In answer Jesus said to them: “Break down this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 Therefore the Jews said: “This temple was built in forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was talking about the temple of his body. 22 When, though, he was raised up from the dead, his disciples called to mind that he used to say this; and they believed the Scripture and the saying that Jesus said.

And some of the cross-references:

(Luke 24:8) So they called his sayings to mind,



(John 12:16) These things his disciples took no note of at first, but when Jesus became glorified, then they called to mind that these things were written respecting him and that they did these things to him.



(John 14:26) But the helper, the holy spirit, which the Father will send in my name, that one will teach YOU all things and bring back to YOUR minds all the things I told YOU.



(John 20:9) For they did not yet discern the scripture that he must rise from the dead.


Scriptural explanations of how the spirit would bear witness to the truth:


(John 16:12-13) . . .“I have many things yet to say to YOU, but YOU are not able to bear them at present. 13 However, when that one arrives, the spirit of the truth, he will guide YOU into all the truth, for he will not speak of his own impulse, but what things he hears he will speak, and he will declare to YOU the things coming.

(1 Corinthians 2:10-13) . . .For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man that is in him? So, too, no one has come to know the things of God, except the spirit of God. 12 Now we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that have been kindly given us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by [the] spirit, as we combine spiritual [matters] with spiritual [words].