Q: Doesnt Matthew 7:6 encourage deceit? Members of the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (Jehovahs Witnesses), use this verse to justify their Theocratic Warfare Society in which they intentionally conceal some of their beliefs when speaking with people who they regard as unworthy of it.
A: Ah; the You-Cant-Handle-the-Truth rationalization. The insightful article at www.freeminds.org/psych/whylie.htm gives some examples of the Watchtower Societys policy of lying. (See, however, One Brow's critique of some of the second-hand data therein, elsewhere at the SAB Discussion Board.) Their tactics have no real justification in this verse. It just says, Give not what is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. The reference to the feet of the dogs and pigs subtly signals that this is a parable-like statement (since paws or hooves would normally be mentioned). Jesus prescribes a strategy of withdrawal and silence when a Christian faces someone who is adamantly opposed to the gospel and is determined not to abide by it. After all, we have only so much time to sow only so much seed, so one should generally not throw away seed onto rocks. Theres a significant and obvious difference between following that instruction, and intentionally making false and misrepresentative statements about ones doctrine.
You can find out more about the beliefs of Jehovahs Witnesses and some other cults (including the Mormons) at www.waltermartin.org/cults.html and theres a profile of Watchtower beliefs, with links to other informative sites, at www.cultwatch.com/jw.html .
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
A: Ah; the You-Cant-Handle-the-Truth rationalization. The insightful article at www.freeminds.org/psych/whylie.htm gives some examples of the Watchtower Societys policy of lying. (See, however, One Brow's critique of some of the second-hand data therein, elsewhere at the SAB Discussion Board.) Their tactics have no real justification in this verse. It just says, Give not what is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. The reference to the feet of the dogs and pigs subtly signals that this is a parable-like statement (since paws or hooves would normally be mentioned). Jesus prescribes a strategy of withdrawal and silence when a Christian faces someone who is adamantly opposed to the gospel and is determined not to abide by it. After all, we have only so much time to sow only so much seed, so one should generally not throw away seed onto rocks. Theres a significant and obvious difference between following that instruction, and intentionally making false and misrepresentative statements about ones doctrine.
You can find out more about the beliefs of Jehovahs Witnesses and some other cults (including the Mormons) at www.waltermartin.org/cults.html and theres a profile of Watchtower beliefs, with links to other informative sites, at www.cultwatch.com/jw.html .
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
