TACKING INTO THE WIND

For some years now this ministry (Witness INC) has presented much documentation pointing out the contradictions in Watchtower teachings. It has been proven that the Watchtower has not been a consistent teacher of truth to Jehovah's Witnesses. Much time has been spent documenting doctrinal changes and flip-flops. We praise God that many people have been persuaded that the Watchtower is not of God but that Jesus is truly the Way , the Truth, and the Life.

Due to the many questions regarding changes in its doctrines, the Watchtower Society has been forced to come up with their answer for the contradictions. In the December 1, 1981 WATCHTOWER, their new excuse is called "Tacking into the Wind." l They say that even though their doctrinal path has not seemed to be straight to some people, by going back and "adjusting" previous teachings--that this is not the case. Why? Because they claim their walk or path in truth can be likened to navigating a sailing ship. They say that sometimes the sailors deliberately make the sails go back and forth, "tacking into the wind," while the ship itself is still going forward. They claim that is the way it is with Watchtower doctrine.

Friends, this is the logic they use to teach all kinds of false doctrine,, always changing their views, with their ship constantly "tacking into the wind." Interestingly with all their "tacking," changing back and forth on Bible teachings the Watchtower asks Jehovah's Witnesses to believe this results in giving the "spiritual nourishment at the right time"2 Since they claim to be "God's channel of communication, let's look at the record of Watchtower tacking into the wind and see if God really did communicate spiritual food to Jehovah's Witnesses at the proper time.

In the 1923 WATCHTOWER, page 67, did God teach, "The Scriptures show that his second presence was due in 1874?0 Today they believe He came in 19141 Did God reveal in PASTOR RUSSELL'S SERMONS, page 676,, that World War I was the beginning of Armageddon? Was the Watchtower only "tacking into the wind" when they said in 1941 it was merely a matter of "months" before Armageddon?4 Is this really spiritual food "at the right time?" Did God really use the Watchtower to communicate this information to Jehovah's Witnesses?

We suggest that Jehovah's Witnesses get a new navigator, for their ship seems out of control lost in a sea of confusion and darkness where little light is found. This new navigator is found at Hebrews 13:8 where it reads, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today yes and forever." If you are a Jehovah's Witness and will let Jesus be your navigator, your path will be straight and you won't have to tack into the wind on the Watchtower ship anymore.

1WATCHTOWER, December 1, 1981 p. 27.

2 1bid.   

4WATCHTOWER, September 15, 1941, p. 288