Papers by Jason J E Wright
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Apr 5, 2016
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (hereafter "Watch Tower") has consistentl... more The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (hereafter "Watch Tower") has consistently claimed the principle of sola scriptura. However, in point of fact, when it comes to exegesis, Jehovah's Witnesses rely upon their leadership, namely, the "Governing Body", for biblical interpretation. Hermeneutical authority rests in the concept that the Governing Body prophetically fulfils the office of "faithful slave" mentioned in Matthew 24:45. This slave is said to be responsible for interpreting and disseminating biblical "truths" to members. It is the aim of this research to locate Matthew 24:45 within Watch Tower hermeneutical theory in order to analyse whether or not this doctrine is credible. Research follows three main foci: a historical review tracing hermeneutical antecedents, followed by the literature review engaging current scholarship, and finally an exegesis of vv.45-51. Research findings conclude that the Watch Tower is guilty of extreme eisegesis, thereby invalidating its claim to be the "faithful slave" of Matthew 24:45. Final conclusions outline the eclectic nature of Watch Tower hermeneutics while identifying a knowledge gap, namely, how readerresponse criticism both forged and maintains this doctrine. Finally, there is an urgency to educate the Church in relation to research findings with a view to reaching out into the Jehovah's Witnesses community.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research), Apr 5, 2016
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (hereafter "Watch Tower") has consistentl... more The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (hereafter "Watch Tower") has consistently claimed the principle of sola scriptura. However, in point of fact, when it comes to exegesis, Jehovah's Witnesses rely upon their leadership, namely, the "Governing Body", for biblical interpretation. Hermeneutical authority rests in the concept that the Governing Body prophetically fulfils the office of "faithful slave" mentioned in Matthew 24:45. This slave is said to be responsible for interpreting and disseminating biblical "truths" to members. It is the aim of this research to locate Matthew 24:45 within Watch Tower hermeneutical theory in order to analyse whether or not this doctrine is credible. Research follows three main foci: a historical review tracing hermeneutical antecedents, followed by the literature review engaging current scholarship, and finally an exegesis of vv.45-51. Research findings conclude that the Watch Tower is guilty of extreme eisegesis, thereby invalidating its claim to be the "faithful slave" of Matthew 24:45. Final conclusions outline the eclectic nature of Watch Tower hermeneutics while identifying a knowledge gap, namely, how readerresponse criticism both forged and maintains this doctrine. Finally, there is an urgency to educate the Church in relation to research findings with a view to reaching out into the Jehovah's Witnesses community.
An examination of the ‘the wrath of God’ motif in the Apocolypse of John (Revelation) with specia... more An examination of the ‘the wrath of God’ motif in the Apocolypse of John (Revelation) with special emphasis on the unique contribution this book gives to an understanding of this concept.
Postmodern philosophy ultimately rejects the notion of a grand overarching metanarrative. Convers... more Postmodern philosophy ultimately rejects the notion of a grand overarching metanarrative. Conversely Biblical Theology rests heavily upon the notion of a universal mettanarrative. This raises the question of hermeneutical compatibility.
This essay will survey the hermeneutical approaches of postmodernism and biblical theology towards narrative, metanarrative, and connected truth claims. Having outlined the antithesis, focus will turn to the post-evangelical proposals of theologian Stanley J. Grenz.
Overall, this essay will argue that rejection of foundationalism and authorial intent both from secular and Christian protagonists of postmodernism destroys the very foundation upon which biblical theology stands and operates.
This essay will show that postmodern deconstruction of metanarrative as well as post-evangelical hermeneutics are incompatible with biblical theology as a hermeneutical approach
The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (hereafter “Watch Tower”) has consistentl... more The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania (hereafter “Watch Tower”) has consistently claimed the principle of sola scriptura. However, in point of fact, when it comes to exegesis, Jehovah’s Witnesses rely upon their leadership, namely, the “Governing Body”, for biblical interpretation. Hermeneutical authority rests in the concept that the Governing Body prophetically fulfils the office of “faithful slave” mentioned in Matthew 24:45. This slave is said to be responsible for interpreting and disseminating biblical “truths” to members. It is the aim of this research to locate Matthew 24:45 within Watch Tower hermeneutical theory in order to analyse whether or not this doctrine is credible. Research follows three main foci: a historical review tracing hermeneutical antecedents, followed by the literature review engaging current scholarship, and finally an exegesis of vv.45-51. Research findings conclude that the Watch Tower is guilty of extreme eisegesis, thereby invalidating its claim to be the “faithful slave” of Matthew 24:45. Final conclusions outline the eclectic nature of Watch Tower hermeneutics while identifying a knowledge gap, namely, how reader-response criticism both forged and maintains this doctrine. Finally, there is an urgency to educate the Church in relation to research findings with a view to reaching out into the Jehovah’s Witnesses community.
Key Words: interpretive authority, faithful slave, Governing Body, spiritual food
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Papers by Jason J E Wright
This essay will survey the hermeneutical approaches of postmodernism and biblical theology towards narrative, metanarrative, and connected truth claims. Having outlined the antithesis, focus will turn to the post-evangelical proposals of theologian Stanley J. Grenz.
Overall, this essay will argue that rejection of foundationalism and authorial intent both from secular and Christian protagonists of postmodernism destroys the very foundation upon which biblical theology stands and operates.
This essay will show that postmodern deconstruction of metanarrative as well as post-evangelical hermeneutics are incompatible with biblical theology as a hermeneutical approach
Key Words: interpretive authority, faithful slave, Governing Body, spiritual food