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CRISIS
of 
 
CONSCIENCE
Fourth Edition
RAYMOND FRANZ
Former member of theGoverning Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses
COMMENTARY PRESS
♦♦♦♦♦
ATLANTA
♦♦♦♦♦
200
4
 
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the
 New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures,
published by the Watchtower Bibleand Tract Society of New York, Inc. Abbreviations of Bible translationsreferred to in the footnotes:JB
The Jerusalem Bible
NEB
The New English Bible
NIV
The New International Version
RSV
The Revised Standard Version
NRSV
The New Revised Standard Version
Wherever possible, and for the sake of authenticity, an effort has beenmade within this book to present quotations from other publicationsby direct photocopies. Since certain of these publications may go backas far as ninety years in the past, the quality of the type may not alwaysbe of the highest standard.FOURTH EDITION,
Second
printing,
November
, 200
4
(First edition, copyright © 1983, six printings, 1983 to 1990;Second edition, copyright © 1992, three printings, 1992-1997;Third edition. Initial printing, April, 1999;Second printing, June 2000.)Copyright © 200
4
by Raymond FranzAll rights reservedPublished by Commentary PressP. 0. Box 43532, Atlanta, Georgia 30336Manufactured in the United States of America
Paperback Edition:
ISBN:
0
-914675-23-0
 Hardbound Edition: ISBN:0-914675-24-9
 
IN THE HISTORY of a religious organization there can be definingmoments, particular times and circumstances that allow for seeing beyondexternal appearance and recognizing the true character and essential spiritof the organization. The organization’s own self-image, its dominant cast of mind and outlook, its motivating force and its pattern of response todisagreement or challenge, can then be seen more clearly. The factors thatcome to light may have actually been there all along, at the inner core of theorganization, but were beneath the surface, even at odds with externalappearances and professed principles. The defining moment may producea portrait that is disturbingly different from the image the organization holdsin the minds of its membership, and that defining period may even escapetheir notice if those at the organization’s center can effectively suppressawareness of it.Most readers of the book that follows will have at least some famil-iarity with the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Consider, then, the fol-lowing statements and ask yourself as to the possible source of theseexpressions, and also as to their validity:
The natural man can see that a visibly organized body, with a definitepurpose, is a thing of more or less power; therefore they esteem thevarious organizations, from which we have come out, in obedience tothe Master’s call. But the natural man cannot understand how a com-pany of people, with no organization which they can see, is ever goingto accomplish anything. As they look upon us, they regard us simply asa few scattered skirmishers—a “peculiar people”—with very peculiarideas and hopes, but not worthy of special notice.Under our Captain, all the truly sanctified, however few or farseparated in person, are closely united by the Spirit of Christ, in faith,hope and love; and, in following the Master’s command, are moving insolid battalions for the accomplishment of his purposes. But, bear inmind, God is not dependent upon numbers (See Judges 7, as anillustration).. . . We always refuse to be called by any other name than that of ourHead—Christians—continually claiming that there can be no divisionamong those continually led by his Spirit and example as made knownthrough his Word.Beware of “organization.” It is wholly unnecessary. The Bible ruleswill be the only rules you will need. Do not seek to bind others’consciences, and do not permit others to bind yours. Believe and obey sofar as you can understand God’s Word today, and so continue growing ingrace and knowledge and love day by day.
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