The Watchtower, December 15, 1991

Download: PDF — The Watchtower, December 15, 1991

The Watchtower — December 15, 1991

Source: jw.org

Contents

Christmas—Why So Popular in Japan?

Christmas—Is It the Way to Welcome Jesus?

Rejoice in the Kingdom Hope!

Stay Close to Jehovah

What Does Subjection in Marriage Mean?

“Yet It Does Move!”

A Ministry for You?

Questions From Readers

Do You Remember?

Subject Index for “The Watchtower” 1991

‘A True Mosaic’

Christmas—Why So Popular in Japan?

BELIEF in Father Christmas runs deep among children in the Buddhist-Shinto country of Japan. In 1989, Japanese children wrote 160,000 letters to Santa World in Sweden. No other country sent more. They wrote the letters in hopes of gratifying their heart’s desire, be it an 18,000-yen ($136, U.S.) toy “Graphic Computer” or a 12,500-yen ($95, U.S.) portable video game.

To young Japanese girls, a date on Christmas Eve carries a special meaning. “According to a survey of young women,” says Mainichi Daily News, “38 percent said they had made plans for Christmas Eve a month ahead.” Young men have ulterior motives in wanting to be with their girlfriends on Christmas Eve. “A good idea is to pray together quietly with your girlfriend,” suggested a magazine for young men. “Do it somewhere fashionable. Your relationship will quickly become more intimate.”

Japanese husbands also hope to invoke some magical power by their Christmas tradition of buying a “decoration cake” on the way home from work. Playing the role of Santa Claus is supposed to compensate for neglecting the family the rest of the year.

Indeed, Christmas has taken root among the non-Christian Japanese. In fact, 78 percent of those surveyed by a supermarket chain said they do something special for Christmas. The ratio is overwhelming in a country where only 1 percent of the population claims to believe in Christianity. While professing to be Buddhists or Shintoists, they feel quite at ease enjoying the “Christian” holiday. In its almanac, together with Japanese festivals, the renowned Shinto Ise Shrine lists December 25th as “Christ’s birthday.” Scenes of non-Christians steeped in merrymaking during Christmas, however, raise the question:

Whose Celebration Is Christmas?

Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines Christmas as “a Christian feast on December 25 . . . that commemorates the birth of Christ.” It has been viewed as a time for “Christians” to “unite in their feelings of joy on Christ’s birthday.”

Those who celebrate Christmas as a purely religious festival may find those who secularize that day with merrymaking and gift-giving to be annoying and even blasphemous. “In Japan we have the ultimate in crass commercialism: no Christ,” wrote an American living in Japan. “To the Western eye,” another wrote concerning the Japanese Christmas, “it is not the turkey [which is not commonly found in Japanese markets] that is missing, but the most essential of ingredients, the spirit.”

What, then, is the spirit of Christmas? Is it the atmosphere of a church service with its carols, holly, and candles, which for many are used for their sole annual pilgrimage to the church? Or is it the love, the good cheer, and the gift-giving that move many to be generous? Is it the calmness that prevails on the battlefront while soldiers observe a few days of “peace on earth”?

Amazingly, the Christmas spirit often fails to bring peace even to the home front. According to a 1987 survey in England, it was estimated that ‘civil war’ would break out in 70 percent of British homes during Christmas that year. Battling over money would be the main cause. Drinking too much and not fulfilling one’s role in the family also lead to fighting.

“I wonder if we aren’t missing something about the true meaning of Christmas,” wrote a Westerner living in Japan who visited his home during the Christmas season recently. “Every Dec. 25, I feel the same longing to go back to that old-fashioned kind of Christmas of long ago—the pagan ceremony that celebrated the winter solstice by worshipping trees and holding orgies. We still have all the pagan trappings—mistletoe, holly, fir trees and so on—but somehow Christmas has never been the same since it was hijacked by the Christians and turned into a religious festival.”

Undeniably, Christmas is a pagan holiday. The early Christians did not celebrate it “because they considered the celebration of anyone’s birth to be a pagan custom,” says The World Book Encyclopedia. The pagan festivals of Saturnalia and New Year are the source of the merrymaking and exchange of presents.

If Christmas is essentially pagan, genuine Christians must ask the question, Is Christmas for Christians? Let us see what the Bible says concerning the celebration of the birthday of Christ.

[Box on page 4]

The Origin of Christmas Celebration

Although the exact details are lost in the mists of antiquity, indications are that by 336 C.E., a form of Christmas was being celebrated by the Roman church. “The date of Christmas was purposely fixed on December 25,” explains The New Encyclopædia Britannica, “to push into the background the great festival of the sun god.” That was when pagans indulged in orgies during the festivals of both the Roman Saturnalia and the Celtic and German feast of winter solstice. The New Caxton Encyclopedia says that “the Church seized the opportunity to Christianize these festivals.”

Christmas—Is It the Way to Welcome Jesus?

THE birth of the Savior, the long-awaited Messiah, was indeed a time for rejoicing. “Look!” announced an angel to shepherds in the vicinity of Bethlehem, “I am declaring to you good news of a great joy that all the people will have, because there was born to you today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” A multitude of angels joined in, praising God: “Glory in the heights above to God, and upon earth peace among men of goodwill.” (Luke 2:10-14) Some may conclude that Christians should imitate the angels in expressing joy over the coming of Christ to earth back then.

This was not the first Bible record of angels bursting into songs of praise. When the foundation of the earth was laid, “the morning stars joyfully cried out together, and all the sons of God began shouting in applause.” (Job 38:4-7) The exact date of this event is not recorded in the Bible. (Genesis 1:1, 14-18) However joyful the occasion may have been, Christians have not argued that because the angels applauded, they should annually celebrate the creation of the earth and perhaps adopt a pagan festival to commemorate the occasion.

Yet that is just what people who celebrate Christmas are doing to the birth of Jesus Christ. A look into most any reliable encyclopedia under the heading “Christmas” confirms that the date of Jesus’ birth is not known. The Bible is silent when it comes to that date.

“If the Trumpet Sounds an Indistinct Call”

“God is a God, not of disorder, but of peace,” wrote the apostle Paul, in correcting the disorderliness of the congregation in ancient Corinth. In the same context, he asked: “If the trumpet sounds an indistinct call, who will get ready for battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8, 33) Now, if a God of order intended to have Christians celebrate the birth of his Son on the earth, would He leave it to imperfect men to choose arbitrarily a date from pagan festivals and to adopt ungodly practices?

Examining a few Biblical examples clarifies that Jehovah God does not deal with his people in that way. When he required the Israelites to keep annual celebrations under the Mosaic Law, God designated specific dates and told them how to observe those festive occasions. (Exodus 23:14-17; Leviticus 23:34-43) Jesus Christ, although never commanding his birth to be commemorated, did command his followers to observe one specific date. “In the night in which he was going to be handed over,” Nisan 14, 33 C.E., Jesus initiated the celebration of the Lord’s Evening Meal, using unleavened bread and wine. He commanded: “Keep doing this in remembrance of me.” (1 Corinthians 11:23, 24) The trumpet sound as to when and how to observe the Lord’s Evening Meal is clear and unmistakable. Then what about Christmas? Nowhere in the Bible do we find any command to celebrate the birth of Christ, nor does it tell us when or how.

‘To Win People’

“Oh, of course I know Christmas is of pagan origin,” said a clergyman at a Tokyo Zion Church, “but as long as ordinary people are interested in Christianity on December 25 and come to learn the teachings of the Honorable Jesus, Christmas has its place in Christianity.” Many agree with his reasoning. Do you believe that making such compromises is proper?

Some argue that even Paul compromised to gain believers. “I make myself everybody’s slave,” he wrote, “in order to win as many people as possible . . . When working with Gentiles, I live like a Gentile, outside the Jewish Law, in order to win Gentiles. . . . All this I do for the gospel’s sake, in order to share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Today’s English Version) Do these words justify adopting a pagan festival to attract Gentiles to Christianity?

Consider carefully the context of Paul’s statement. In 1Co 9 verse 21, he said: “This does not mean that I don’t obey God’s law; I am really under Christ’s law.” (TEV) So he did not compromise in matters that overstepped Christ’s law, but he ‘lived like a Gentile’ by respecting the local customs and habits as long as these were not against Christian commandments.a

With this in mind, think how the adopting of pagan festivals into “Christianity” under the name of Christmas would appear when viewed in the light of the following Bible command: “Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship do righteousness and lawlessness have? . . . Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever? . . . ‘Therefore get out from among them, and separate yourselves,’ says Jehovah, ‘and quit touching the unclean thing’; ‘and I will take you in.’” (2 Corinthians 6:14-17) No matter what excuses may be offered, adulterating Christianity with pagan festivals is no way to welcome Jesus as a Savior. It would have been inappropriate in the first century when Jesus came in the flesh, and it is just as inappropriate today or in the future, when Christ comes as King to execute God’s judgments. (Revelation 19:11-16) In fact, those who prefer to celebrate pagan festivals behind a “Christian” disguise may well be denying Jesus Christ.

“Hidden Christians” Unrestored

Take a lesson from what happened to Catholics in Japan during the shogun era. When suppression of Catholicism began in 1614, some 300,000 Japanese Catholics had three choices: become martyrs, abandon their faith, or go underground. The ones who went underground were called hidden Christians. To camouflage their faith, they conformed to various Buddhist and Shinto customs. In their liturgy, they used Maria Kannon, which was Mary disguised as a Buddhist bodhisattva in the form of a mother holding a child. Their festivals mixed Buddhism, Catholicism, and folk religion. However, when forced to attend Buddhist funerals, they chanted Christian prayers and performed modoshi, a ceremony to nullify the Buddhist service. What has become of those “Christians”?

“As far as the majority of the Kirishitans [Christians] were concerned,” explains the book The Hidden Christians, “a religious attachment grew in them making it difficult to abandon the worship of Shinto and Buddhist gods.” When the ban was lifted and Catholic missionaries returned to Japan, the majority of those “hidden Christians” clung to their type of fusion religion.

However, could the Catholic Church reasonably criticize those “hidden Christians” who refused to be restored to Roman Catholicism? The Catholic Church has likewise adopted many pagan teachings and festivals, including Christmas. If Catholics and Protestants, though professing to be Christians, have paganized their “Christianity” with heathen festivals, could they not also be rejecting Jesus Christ?

Restored to the True Christianity

Setsuko, a devout Catholic for 36 years, finally came to that realization. After World War II, she had tried to fill her spiritual vacuum by associating with a Catholic church. ‘How satisfying!’ she thought as she attended Christmas Mass and saw gorgeous Christmas trees inside and outside her church. “I felt proud of our beautiful decorations, which outdid those of nearby churches,” she said. Nevertheless, Setsuko really had no understanding of Catholic teachings, though she even taught Sunday school for a while. So when she wanted to become more involved in church work, she asked her priest a few questions. Rather than answering her questions, the priest belittled her. Disappointed, she decided to study the Bible herself. Two weeks later, Jehovah’s Witnesses visited her, and she accepted a home Bible study.

She explains: “It was painful to be faced with Bible truths that refuted my previous beliefs. I even had alopecia neurotica, loss of hair due to being upset. Gradually, however, the light of truth shone into my heart. I was stunned to learn that Jesus could not have been born in a cold, rainy December, when shepherds would not be tending their sheep out in the open at night. (Luke 2:8-12) It shattered my image of the nativity, for we had used cotton wool as snow to decorate scenes of sheep and shepherds.”

After convincing herself of what the Bible really teaches, Setsuko decided to stop celebrating Christmas. She no longer has “the Christmas spirit” once a year but manifests the spirit of cheerful Christian giving every day.

If you sincerely believe in Christ, do not be annoyed when you see pagans polluting Christmas. They are only reiterating what it originally was—a pagan festival. Christmas leads no one to welcome Jesus Christ, who has returned invisibly as a heavenly King. (Matthew, chapters 24 and 25; Mark, chapter 13; Luke, chapter 21) Rather, true Christians show a Christlike spirit all year round, and they declare the good news of the Kingdom, of which Jesus has become King. That is how God wants us to welcome Jesus Christ as our Savior and the King of the Kingdom.—Psalm 2:6-12.

[Footnotes]

Compare the two ways in which Paul responded on the issue of circumcision. Though he knew that “circumcision does not mean a thing,” he circumcised his traveling companion Timothy, who was Jewish on his mother’s side. (1 Corinthians 7:19; Acts 16:3) In the case of Titus, the apostle Paul avoided having him circumcised as a matter of principle in the struggle with Judaizers. (Galatians 2:3) Titus was a Greek and so, unlike Timothy, did not have legitimate reason to be circumcised. If he, a Gentile, were to become circumcised, ‘Christ would be of no benefit to him.’—Galatians 5:2-4.

[Picture on page 7]

True Christians honor Jesus the year around

Rejoice in the Kingdom Hope!

“Rejoice in the hope. Endure under tribulation.”—ROMANS 12:12.

1. Why can we find joy in association with Jehovah, and what did the apostle Paul urge Christians to do?

“THE happy God.” (1 Timothy 1:11) How well this describes Jehovah! Why? Because all of his works bring great happiness to him. Since Jehovah is the Source of all good and happifying things, all of his intelligent creatures can find happiness in their association with him. Aptly, the apostle Paul urged Christians to appreciate their joyful privilege of knowing Jehovah God, to be thankful for all His wonderful gifts of creation, and to rejoice in the loving-kindnesses He shows them. Paul wrote: “Always rejoice in the Lord. Once more I will say, Rejoice!”—Philippians 4:4; Psalm 104:31.

2. What hope brings great joy, and what are Christians encouraged to do in regard to this hope?

2 Are Christians heeding this exhortation that Paul offered? Indeed they are! The spiritual brothers of Jesus Christ are rejoicing in the glorious hope that God opened up for them. (Romans 8:19-21; Philippians 3:20, 21) Yes, they know that they will share in fulfilling the great hope for the future of mankind, both the living and the dead, by serving with Christ in his heavenly Kingdom government. Imagine how much they will rejoice in their privileges as joint-heirs, serving as kings and priests! (Revelation 20:6) What happiness will be theirs as they help faithful mankind attain to perfection and help guide the restoration of Paradise to our earth! Truly, all of God’s servants have “the basis of a hope of the everlasting life which God, who cannot lie, promised before times long lasting.” (Titus 1:2) In view of this grand hope, the apostle Paul encourages all Christians: “Rejoice in the hope.”—Romans 12:12.a

True Joy—A Quality of the Heart

3, 4. (a) What does the term “to rejoice” mean, and how often should Christians be rejoicing? (b) What is true joy, and what is it dependent on?

3 “To rejoice” means to feel and to express joy; it does not mean to be in a constant state of euphoria, or exuberance. The verbs corresponding to the Hebrew and Greek words used in the Bible for “joy,” “exultation,” and “rejoicing” express both the inner feeling and the outward manifestation of joy. Christians are encouraged to “continue to rejoice,” “always be rejoicing.”—2 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16.

4 But how can one always be rejoicing? This is possible because true joy is a quality of the heart, a deep inner quality, a spiritual one. (Deuteronomy 28:47; Proverbs 15:13; 17:22) It is a fruit of God’s spirit, listed by Paul just after love. (Galatians 5:22) As an inward quality, it is not dependent on external things, not even on our brothers. But it does depend on God’s holy spirit. And it comes from that deep inner satisfaction of knowing that you have the truth, the Kingdom hope, and that you are doing what pleases Jehovah. Hence, joy is not a mere personality trait that we are born with; it is part of “the new personality,” the assemblage of qualities that distinguished Jesus Christ.—Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10.

5. When and how may there be outward manifestations of joy?

5 Though joy is a heart quality, it may nevertheless be shown outwardly on occasion. What are these occasional, outward manifestations of joy? They could be anything from facial sereneness to an actual leaping for joy. (1 Kings 1:40; Luke 1:44; Acts 3:8; 6:15) Does this mean, then, that people who are not talkative or who are not always smiling have no joy? No! True joy does not express itself in constant chatter, laughter, smiling, or grinning. Circumstances cause joy to manifest itself in various ways. It is not joy alone that makes us congenial at the Kingdom Hall but, rather, our brotherly affection and love.

6. Why can Christians always rejoice even when they face unpleasant conditions?

6 The constant aspect of joy is its inward permanence as a heartfelt feature of the Christian’s new personality. This is what makes it possible to be always rejoicing. Of course, at times we may be disturbed about something, or we may face unpleasant conditions. But we can still have joy in our heart. Some early Christians were slaves, having masters who were difficult to please. Could such Christians always be rejoicing? Yes, because of their Kingdom hope and the joy in their hearts.—John 15:11; 16:24; 17:13.

7. (a) What did Jesus say about joy under tribulation? (b) What helps us to endure under tribulation, and who set the finest example in this regard?

7 Right after the apostle Paul said: “Rejoice in the hope,” he added: “Endure under tribulation.” (Romans 12:12) Jesus also spoke of joy under tribulation when he said at Matthew 5:11, 12: “Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you . . . Rejoice and leap for joy, since your reward is great in the heavens.” The rejoicing and leaping for joy here need not be a literal outward manifestation; it is primarily that deep inner satisfaction that one has in pleasing Jehovah and Jesus Christ when standing firm under trial. (Acts 5:41) Actually, it is joy that helps us to endure while under tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 1:6) In this, Jesus set the finest example. The Scriptures tell us: “For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake.”—Hebrews 12:2.

Rejoicing in the Hope Despite Problems

8. What problems may Christians face, but why do problems not take away a Christian’s joy?

8 Being a servant of Jehovah does not free one from problems. There may be family problems, economic difficulties, impaired health, or death of loved ones. While such things might induce sorrow, they do not take away our basis for rejoicing in the Kingdom hope, the inner joy that we have in our heart.—1 Thessalonians 4:13.

9. What problems did Abraham have, and how do we know that he had joy in his heart?

9 Consider Abraham, for example. Life was not always pleasant for him. He had family problems. His concubine, Hagar, and his wife, Sarah, did not get along. There was bickering. (Genesis 16:4, 5) Ishmael poked fun at Isaac, persecuting him. (Genesis 21:8, 9; Galatians 4:29) Finally, Abraham’s beloved wife, Sarah, died. (Genesis 23:2) Despite these problems, he rejoiced over the hope of the Kingdom Seed, the Seed of Abraham, through whom all families of the earth would bless themselves. (Genesis 22:15-18) With joy in his heart, he endured in Jehovah’s service for a hundred years after leaving his home city of Ur. Therefore it is written of him: “He was awaiting the city having real foundations, the builder and maker of which city is God.” Because of Abraham’s faith in the coming Messianic Kingdom, the Lord Jesus, when already appointed by God to be King, could say: “Abraham . . . rejoiced greatly in the prospect of seeing my day, and he saw it and rejoiced.”—Hebrews 11:10; John 8:56.

10, 11. (a) What struggle do we as Christians have, and how are we rescued? (b) What makes up for our inability to wage perfectly the fight against our sinful flesh?

10 As imperfect humans, we also have our sinful flesh to contend with, and this struggle to do what is right can be very distressing. Our fight against our weaknesses does not mean, though, that we do not have hope. Paul felt miserable over this conflict, and he said: “Who will rescue me from the body undergoing this death? Thanks to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:24, 25) By means of Jesus Christ and the ransom he provided, we are rescued.—Romans 5:19-21.

11 Christ’s ransom sacrifice makes up for our inability to wage the fight perfectly. We can rejoice in this ransom because it makes possible a cleansed conscience and forgiveness of our sins. At Hebrews 9:14, Paul speaks of “the blood of the Christ” that has the power to “cleanse our consciences from dead works.” Thus, the consciences of Christians need not be burdened down with condemnation and guilt feelings. This, along with the hope we have, constitutes a strong force for joyous happiness. (Psalm 103:8-14; Romans 8:1, 2, 32) Contemplating our hope, all of us will be encouraged to wage the fight successfully.

Keeping Our Hope Close in Mind

12. What hope can anointed Christians contemplate?

12 It is important for both the spirit-anointed remnant and the other sheep to keep their “hope of salvation” in mind, wearing it as a protective helmet. (1 Thessalonians 5:8) Anointed Christians can contemplate the wonderful privilege of gaining immortality in heaven, having access to Jehovah God, and enjoying personal association with the glorified Jesus Christ and the apostles and all others of the 144,000, who maintained their integrity down through the centuries. What an indescribable wealth of association!

13. How do the anointed still on earth feel about their hope?

13 How do the few anointed still on earth feel about their Kingdom hope? This can be summed up in the words of F. W. Franz, president of the Watch Tower Society, who was baptized in 1913: “Our hope is a sure thing, and it will be fulfilled fully to every last one of the 144,000 members of the little flock to a degree beyond what we have even imagined. We of the remnant who were on hand in the year 1914, when we expected all of us to go to heaven, have not lost our sense of value of that hope. But we are as strong for it as we ever were, and we are appreciating it all the more the longer we have to wait for it. It is something worth waiting for, even if it required a million years. I evaluate our hope more highly than ever before, and I never want to lose my appreciation for it. The hope of the little flock also gives assurance that the expectation of the great crowd of other sheep will, without any possibility of failure, be fulfilled beyond our brightest imagination. That is why we are holding fast down to this very hour, and we are going to hold fast until God has actually proved that he is true to his ‘precious and very grand promises.’”—2 Peter 1:4; Numbers 23:19; Romans 5:5.

Rejoicing Now in the Paradise Hope

14. What hope do the great crowd need to keep in mind?

14 Such an expression of exultant faith infuses in those who are of the great crowd of other sheep grand reasons for rejoicing. (Revelation 7:15, 16) Such ones need to keep in mind the hope of surviving Armageddon. Yes, look forward to seeing God’s Kingdom vindicate the universal sovereignty of Jehovah God and sanctify his glorious name by bringing the great tribulation, which will cleanse the earth of the wicked ones of whom the Devil has been god. What a joy it will be to survive that great tribulation!—Daniel 2:44; Revelation 7:14.

15. (a) What work of healing did Jesus do when he was on earth, and why? (b) What will be the health needs of the Armageddon survivors, and why are they different from those who are resurrected?

15 Concerning the great crowd, Revelation 7:17 says: “The Lamb . . . will shepherd them, and will guide them to fountains of waters of life. And God will wipe out every tear from their eyes.” Though this prophecy has a spiritual fulfillment now, the Armageddon survivors will see it literally fulfilled. How so? Well, what did Jesus do when he was on earth? He healed the maimed, made the lame walk, opened the ears of the deaf and the eyes of those blind, and he cured leprosy, paralysis, and “every sort of disease and every sort of infirmity.” (Matthew 9:35; 15:30, 31) Is that not what Christians today need? The great crowd will carry old-world disabilities and infirmities over into the new world. What do we expect the Lamb to do about that? The needs of the Armageddon survivors will be very different from the needs of those who will be resurrected. The resurrected ones will likely be recreated with whole, sound, healthy bodies, though not yet having human perfection. Because of the miracle of resurrection, they will evidently not thereafter need repair of any former disabilities by the miracle of healing. On the other hand, because of their unique experience of surviving Armageddon, miraculous repair is what many of the great crowd will need and will receive. Apparently, a major intent of Jesus’ healings was to portray for the encouragement of the great crowd the joyous prospect that they will not only survive but be healed thereafter.

16. (a) When may miraculous healing of the Armageddon survivors take place, and with what result? (b) In what hope will we continue to rejoice during the Millennium?

16 Such miraculous healing will logically take place among Armageddon survivors relatively soon after Armageddon and well before the resurrection begins. (Isaiah 33:24; 35:5, 6; Revelation 21:4; compare Mark 5:25-29.) Then people will throw away eye glasses, canes, crutches, wheelchairs, dentures, hearing aids, and the like. What a cause for rejoicing! How well such early restorative action by Jesus comports with the role of the Armageddon survivors as the foundation of the new earth! Disabling maladies will be moved out of the way so that these survivors can move forward with zest, looking eagerly to the marvelous activity of the Millennium stretching ahead of them, not dragged down by the afflictions that the old world may have brought upon them. And all during the Millennium, they will be rejoicing in the hope of reaching the very fullness of perfect human life by the end of those thousand years.

17. What joys will there be as the work of restoring Paradise goes on?

17 If that is your hope, contemplate also the joy of sharing in restoring Paradise on the earth. (Luke 23:42, 43) No doubt the Armageddon survivors will help to clean up the earth and thus provide pleasant locations where dead ones will be resurrected. Funerals may be replaced by welcoming sessions for those brought up in the resurrection, including our own loved ones who have gone down into death. And think of the enriching fellowship with faithful men and women from past centuries. Whom do you especially want to talk to? Is it Abel, Enoch, Noah, Job, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Deborah, Samson, David, Elijah, Elisha, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, or John the Baptizer? Well, then, this delightsome prospect is also part of your hope. You will be able to converse with them, learn from them, and work together with them in making the entire earth a paradise.

18. What further joys can we contemplate?

18 Imagine, too, the wholesome food, pure water, and clean air, with our earth restored to its perfect ecological balance the way Jehovah created it to be. Life then will be, not mere passive enjoyment of perfection, but an active and meaningful participation in joyful activities. Contemplate a worldwide society of people free from crime, egotism, jealousy, quarreling—a brotherhood where the fruitage of the spirit is cultivated and produced by all. How thrilling!—Galatians 5:22, 23.

Hope That Makes Life Worth Living

19. (a) When is the rejoicing mentioned at Romans 12:12 to be experienced? (b) Why should we be determined not to let the burdens of life push our hope aside?

19 Expectation realized is no longer hope, so the rejoicing encouraged by Paul at Romans 12:12 is to be experienced now. (Romans 8:24) Just thinking of the future blessings that God’s Kingdom will bring is a cause for us to rejoice in that hope now. So be determined not to allow the burdens of life in a corrupt world to push your glorious hope aside. Do not become worn down and give out, losing sight of the hope ahead. (Hebrews 12:3) Abandoning the Christian course will not solve your problems. Remember, if someone quits serving God because of all the burdens of life now, he is still stuck with those burdens, but he loses out on hope and so loses out on the possibility of rejoicing in the marvelous prospects ahead.

20. What effect does the Kingdom hope have on those who embrace it, and why?

20 Jehovah’s people have every reason to have happy lives. Their bright, inspiring hope makes life worth living. And they do not keep this joyous hope to themselves. No, they are eager to share it with others. (2 Corinthians 3:12) Thus it is that those who embrace the Kingdom hope are a confident people, and they seek to encourage others by telling them the good news from God. This fills the lives of those who accept the message with the most wonderful hope that has ever been given to humankind in general—the hope of the Kingdom that will restore Paradise to earth. If people do not accept it, we still continue to rejoice because we have the hope. The ones who turn a deaf ear are the losers; we are not.—2 Corinthians 4:3, 4.

21. What is near at hand, and how should we evaluate our hope?

21 God’s promise is: “Look! I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:5) The new world with all its entrancing and endless blessings is at hand. Our hope—for life in heaven or on a paradise earth—is precious; hang on to it. In these critical last days, more than ever, view it “as an anchor for the soul, both sure and firm.” With our hope anchored in Jehovah, “an everlasting rock—the Rock of ages,” we surely have strong and exhilarating reason right now to “rejoice in the hope” set before us.—Hebrews 6:19; Isaiah 26:4, The Amplified Bible.

[Footnotes]

During 1992, Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide will have as a yeartext: “Rejoice in the hope. . . . Persevere in prayer.”—Romans 12:12.

Questions for Review

□ What is mankind’s great hope?

□ What is true joy?

□ When will miraculous healing of Armageddon survivors likely take place?

□ Why should we not let the burdens of life push our hope aside?

□ What joys do you look forward to in the new world?

[Picture on page 9]

Would it not fill your heart with joy to witness the kind of healings that Jesus performed?

[Picture on page 10]

Those rejoicing in the Kingdom encourage others by sharing their hope

Stay Close to Jehovah

“Persevere in prayer.”—ROMANS 12:12.

1. What is Jehovah’s will regarding prayer, and what encouragement did the apostle Paul give about praying?

JEHOVAH is “the God who gives hope” to all of his faithful people. As the “Hearer of prayer,” he listens to their pleas for help to attain the joyous hope that he sets before them. (Romans 15:13; Psalm 65:2) And through his Word, the Bible, he encourages all of his servants to come to him anytime they wish. He is always there, desiring to receive their inmost concerns. In fact, he encourages them to “persevere in prayer” and to “pray incessantly.”a (Romans 12:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:17) It is Jehovah’s will that all Christians constantly call on him in prayer, pouring out their hearts to him and doing so in the name of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ.—John 14:6, 13, 14.

2, 3. (a) Why did God exhort us to “persevere in prayer”? (b) What assurance do we have that God wants us to pray?

2 Why does God give us this exhortation? Because life’s pressures and responsibilities can weigh us down so much that we could forget to pray. Or problems may overwhelm us and cause us to stop rejoicing in the hope and cease praying. In view of these things, we need reminders that encourage us to pray and to draw very close to the source of help and comfort, Jehovah our God.

3 The disciple James wrote: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” (James 4:8) Yes, God is neither too lofty nor too far removed to hear our expressions to him, despite our imperfect human condition. (Acts 17:27) Furthermore, he is not indifferent and unconcerned. Says the psalmist: “The eyes of Jehovah are toward the righteous ones, and his ears are toward their cry for help.”—Psalm 34:15; 1 Peter 3:12.

4. How might Jehovah’s attentiveness to prayer be illustrated?

4 Jehovah invites prayer. We might compare this to a gathering where a number of people are together talking. You are there, listening to the others talk. Your role is that of an observer. But then someone turns to you, says your name, and directs his words to you. This arrests your attention in a special way. Similarly, God is always attentive to his people, wherever they may be. (2 Chronicles 16:9; Proverbs 15:3) So he hears our words, protectively and interestedly observing, as it were. When we call upon God’s name in prayer, however, his attention is arrested, and he is now focused on us in an explicit way. By his powers, Jehovah can even detect and comprehend man’s unvoiced petition offered within the hidden recesses of his heart and mind. God assures us that he will draw close to all those sincerely calling upon his name and seeking to stay close to him.—Psalm 145:18.

Response According to God’s Purpose

5. (a) What does the counsel “persevere in prayer” indicate regarding our prayers? (b) How does God answer prayers?

5 The counsel to persevere in prayer indicates that Jehovah at times may allow us to keep on praying about a matter for a while before his response becomes apparent. We might even tend to get weary of petitioning God for favor or loving-kindness that may seem sorely needed but long deferred. Hence, Jehovah God entreats us not to yield to any such leaning but to keep on praying. We should continue petitioning him about our concerns, confident that he respects our prayer and will meet our real need, not simply what we may have reasoned out. Jehovah God no doubt balances our petitions according to his purpose. For example, others may be affected by our request. We might liken the matter to that of a father whose son asks him for a bicycle. The father knows that if he buys a bicycle for that son, his other son would want one too. Since one son may be too young for a bicycle, the father may decide not to buy any at that particular time. In a similar manner, in the light of his purpose and timing of matters, our heavenly Father decides what is truly best for us and for others.—Psalm 84:8, 11; compare Habakkuk 2:3.

6. What illustration did Jesus give with regard to prayer, and what does perseverance in prayer show?

6 Noteworthy is the illustration Jesus gave concerning the need for his disciples “always to pray and not to give up.” A widow, unable to get justice, persevered in her request to a human judge until she finally received justice. Jesus added: “Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones?” (Luke 18:1-7) Perseverance in prayer shows our faith, our reliance on Jehovah, our willingness to stay close to him and make our petition, leaving the outcome in his hands.—Hebrews 11:6.

Examples of Staying Close to Jehovah

7. How can we imitate Abel’s faith in staying close to Jehovah?

7 The Bible abounds with accounts of prayers uttered by God’s servants. These “were written for our instruction, that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) Our hope is strengthened by our considering some examples of those who stayed close to Jehovah. Abel offered an acceptable sacrifice to God, and though no prayer is reported, he doubtless appealed in prayer to Jehovah that his offering might be accepted. Hebrews 11:4 says: “By faith Abel offered God a sacrifice of greater worth than Cain, through which faith he had witness borne to him that he was righteous.” Abel knew of God’s promise at Genesis 3:15, but compared to what we now know, he knew very little. Yet, Abel acted on what knowledge he did have. So today, some of those newly interested in God’s truth do not yet have much knowledge, but they pray and make the most of the knowledge they do have, as did Abel. Yes, they act in faith.

8. Why can we be certain Abraham stayed close to Jehovah, and what question should we ask ourselves?

8 Another faithful servant of God was Abraham, “the father of all those having faith.” (Romans 4:11) Today, more than ever, we need strong faith, and we need to pray in faith, as did Abraham. Genesis 12:8 says that he built an altar “to Jehovah and began to call on the name of Jehovah.” Abraham knew God’s name and used it in prayer. Time and again he sincerely persevered in prayer, calling “upon the name of Jehovah the indefinitely lasting God.” (Genesis 13:4; 21:33) Abraham was calling upon God in the faith for which he became celebrated. (Hebrews 11:17-19) Prayer helped Abraham to keep on rejoicing greatly in the Kingdom hope. Are we following Abraham’s example of persevering in prayer?

9. (a) Why are David’s prayers of much benefit to God’s people today? (b) What might result from our praying as David did to stay close to Jehovah?

9 David was outstanding as to persevering in prayer, and his psalms illustrate what prayers should be. For example, God’s servants can properly pray for such things as salvation or deliverance (Ps 3:7, 8; 60:5), guidance (Ps 25:4, 5), protection (Ps 17:8), forgiveness of sins (Ps 25:7, 11, 18), and a pure heart (Ps 51:10). When David felt afflicted, he prayed: “Make the soul of your servant rejoice.” (Ps 86:4) We can pray similarly for joy of heart, knowing that Jehovah desires that we rejoice in our hope. David stayed close to Jehovah and prayed: “My soul has closely followed you; on me your right hand keeps fast hold.” (Ps 63:8) Will we stay close to Jehovah, as did David? If we do, he will uphold us as well.

10. What wrong thoughts did the psalmist Asaph have at one point, but what did he come to realize?

10 If we are to stay close to Jehovah, we need to avoid envying the wicked because of their carefree and materialistic lives. The psalmist Asaph at one point felt that it was of no value to serve Jehovah, for the wicked “are at ease indefinitely.” Still, he discerned that his reasoning was wrong and that the wicked are “on slippery ground.” He realized that nothing was better than staying close to Jehovah, and he expressed himself to God this way: “I am constantly with you; you have taken hold of my right hand. For, look! the very ones keeping away from you will perish. . . . But as for me, the drawing near to God is good for me. In the Sovereign Lord Jehovah I have placed my refuge, to declare all your works.” (Psalm 73:12, 13, 18, 23, 27, 28) Instead of envying the carefree lives of the wicked, the people without hope, let us imitate Asaph in staying close to Jehovah.

11. Why is Daniel a fine example of staying close to Jehovah, and how can we imitate him?

11 Daniel persevered resolutely in prayer, even in the face of the danger of being in the lions’ pit because of disregarding official restrictions on prayer. But Jehovah “sent his angel and shut the mouth of the lions,” rescuing Daniel. (Daniel 6:7-10, 22, 27) Daniel was greatly blessed by his persevering in prayer. Do we also persevere in prayer, especially when faced with opposition to our Kingdom preaching?

Jesus, Our Exemplar

12. (a) At the beginning of his ministry, what example did Jesus set with regard to prayer, and how can this benefit Christians? (b) What does Jesus’ model prayer reveal about prayer?

12 Right from the beginning of his earthly ministry, Jesus is observed at prayer. His prayerful attitude while being baptized set a fine example for those undergoing water baptism in modern times. (Luke 3:21, 22) One could pray for God’s help to carry out what is symbolized by water baptism. Jesus also helped others to approach Jehovah in prayer. On an occasion when Jesus was in a certain place praying, one of his disciples said to him afterward: “Lord, teach us how to pray.” Jesus then related what is commonly known as the model prayer, in which the sequence of subjects shows that God’s name and purpose should be given priority. (Luke 11:1-4) Thus, in our prayers we need to keep perspective and balance, not neglecting “the more important things.” (Philippians 1:9, 10) Of course, there are times of special need or when a specific problem needs to be addressed. Like Jesus, Christians may go to God in prayer to seek strength to carry out certain assignments or to face up to particular trials or dangers. (Matthew 26:36-44) In fact, personal prayers may embrace virtually every facet of life.

13. How did Jesus show the importance of praying for others?

13 By his fine example, Jesus showed the importance of praying in behalf of others. He knew that his disciples would be hated and persecuted, even as he was. (John 15:18-20; 1 Peter 5:9) He, therefore, petitioned God “to watch over them because of the wicked one.” (John 17:9, 11, 15, 20) And knowing the special trial that lay ahead for Peter, he told him: “I have made supplication for you that your faith may not give out.” (Luke 22:32) How beneficial it is if we too persist in praying for our brothers, thinking of others and not just our own problems and interests!—Philippians 2:4; Colossians 1:9, 10.

14. How do we know that Jesus stayed very close to Jehovah throughout his earthly ministry, and how can we imitate him?

14 Throughout his ministry, Jesus persevered in prayer, staying very close to Jehovah. (Hebrews 5:7-10) The apostle Peter, at Acts 2:25-28, quotes Psalm 16:8 and applies it to the Lord Jesus Christ: “David says respecting him, ‘I had Jehovah constantly before my eyes; because he is at my right hand that I may never be shaken.” We can do likewise. We can pray for God to be close to us, and we can show our confidence in Jehovah by constantly keeping him mentally before our eyes. (Compare Psalm 110:5; Isaiah 41:10, 13.) Then we will avoid all kinds of troubles, for Jehovah will support us, and we will never totter.

15. (a) With regard to what should we never fail to persevere in prayer? (b) What caution is given regarding our thankfulness?

15 May we never fail to express thanks to Jehovah for all his goodness to us, yes, “the surpassing undeserved kindness of God,” which includes the gift of his Son as a ransom sacrifice for our sins. (2 Corinthians 9:14, 15; Mark 10:45; John 3:16; Romans 8:32; 1 John 4:9, 10) Indeed, in Jesus’ name, be “giving thanks always for all things to our God and Father.” (Ephesians 5:19, 20; Colossians 4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:18) We must be careful not to let our thankfulness for what we have be soured because we are so preoccupied with what we do not have or with our personal problems.

Throwing Our Burdens Upon Jehovah

16. When some burden troubles us, what should we do?

16 Persistence in prayer shows our depth of devotion. When we call on God, the effect on us is good even before an answer comes from him. If some burden is troubling our minds, we can stay close to Jehovah by following the counsel: “Throw your burden upon Jehovah himself, and he himself will sustain you.” (Psalm 55:22) By throwing all our burdens—anxieties, worries, disappointments, fears, and so forth—upon God, with full faith in him, we receive a calmness of heart, “the peace of God that excels all thought.”—Philippians 4:4, 7; Psalm 68:19; Mark 11:24; 1 Peter 5:7.

17. How may we obtain the peace of God?

17 Does this peace of God come instantly? Though we may get some relief immediately, what Jesus said about praying for holy spirit holds true here also: “Keep on asking, and it will be given you; keep on seeking, and you will find; keep on knocking, and it will be opened to you.” (Luke 11:9-13) Since holy spirit is the means by which we cast off anxiety, we need to persevere in asking for the peace of God and his help with regard to our burdens. We can be sure that by persistence in prayer, we will get the desired relief and calmness of heart.

18. What does Jehovah do for us if we do not know exactly what to pray for in a certain situation?

18 But what if we do not know exactly what to pray for? Our inward groans often remain unexpressed because we do not fully understand our situation, or we are at a loss as to what to present to Jehovah. It is here that the holy spirit can intercede for us. Paul wrote: “The problem of what we should pray for as we need to we do not know, but the spirit itself pleads for us with groanings unuttered.” (Romans 8:26) How so? In God’s Word are inspired prophecies and prayers that bear on our situation. He lets these intercede for us, as it were. He accepts these as being what we would pray for if only we knew their meaning in our case, and accordingly he fulfills them.

Prayer and Hope to Continue

19. Why will prayer and hope continue forever?

19 Prayer to our heavenly Father will continue forever, especially with regard to thankfulness for the new world and all its blessings. (Isaiah 65:24; Revelation 21:5) We will also continue to rejoice in hope, for hope in some form will remain forever. (Compare 1 Corinthians 13:13.) What new things Jehovah will bring forth when he is no longer under his self-imposed Sabbath day of rest toward the earth, we cannot even imagine. (Genesis 2:2, 3) For all eternity, he will have loving surprises ahead for his people, and the future holds grand things for them in the way of doing his will.

20. What should be our determination, and why?

20 With such a thrilling hope ahead of us, may all of us stay close to Jehovah by persevering in prayer. May we never cease thanking our heavenly Father for all our blessings. In due time our expectations will be joyfully realized, even beyond what we could have imagined or anticipated, for Jehovah can “do more than superabundantly beyond all the things we ask or conceive.” (Ephesians 3:20) In view of this, then, let us give all praise and glory and thanks for all eternity to Jehovah our God, the “Hearer of prayer”!

[Footnotes]

According to Webster’s New Dictionary of Synonyms, “Persevere nearly always implies an admirable quality; it suggests both refusal to be discouraged by failure, doubts, or difficulties, and a steadfast or dogged pursuit of an end or an undertaking.”

How Would You Answer?

□ Why do we need to persevere in prayer?

□ What do we learn from pre-Christian examples of prayer?

□ What does Jesus’ example teach us about prayer?

□ How can we throw our burdens on Jehovah and with what result?

[Picture on page 17]

Daniel persevered in prayer despite the threat of being thrown into the lions’ pit

What Does Subjection in Marriage Mean?

WHEN a Christian woman marries, she has to make many adjustments. Perhaps the greatest of these affects her liberty. As a single adult, she may have been free to make many of her own decisions without consulting anyone. But now that she has a husband, she is obligated to consult him and ask his permission to do many of the things that she used to decide for herself. Why is this so?

Because when the Creator of mankind gave the first woman in marriage to the first man, He appointed the man to be the head of his wife and their future children. This was only reasonable. In any organized group of people, someone needs to take the lead and make final decisions. In the case of marriage, the Creator decreed that “a husband is head of his wife.”—Ephesians 5:23.

In support of this, the divine instruction states: “Let wives be in subjection to their husbands.” (Ephesians 5:22) How a wife is affected by this arrangement depends on two things: First, how willing is she to submit to the arrangement? and second, how will her husband exercise his authority? In truth, when both marriage partners view the arrangement properly, they find that it is a blessing for the wife, the husband, and their children.

Not a Tyrant

How should a husband exercise his authority? By following the fine example of God’s Son. The Bible says: “A husband is head of his wife as the Christ also is head of the congregation, he being a savior of this body. Husbands, continue loving your wives, just as the Christ also loved the congregation and delivered up himself for it.” (Ephesians 5:23, 25) Jesus Christ’s exercise of headship was a blessing to the congregation. He was not a tyrant. He did not make his disciples feel restricted or oppressed. Instead, he gained the respect of all by his loving and compassionate treatment of them. What a fine example for husbands to follow in their treatment of their wives!

There are husbands, though, who do not follow this fine example. They use their God-given headship selfishly, rather than for the good of their wives. They dominate their wives in a tyrannical manner, demanding total subjection and often not permitting them to make any decisions for themselves. Understandably, the wives of such husbands often live an unhappy life. And such a husband also suffers in that he fails to gain the loving respect of his wife.

True, God requires a wife to respect the position that her husband holds as head of the family. But if the husband desires to enjoy her heartfelt respect for him as a person, he has to earn it, and the best way to do that is by acting responsibly and cultivating fine, godly qualities as head of the household.

Subjection Is Relative

A husband’s authority over his wife is not total. In some ways wifely subjection can be compared to a Christian’s subjection to a worldly ruler. God decrees that a Christian must “be in subjection to the superior authorities.” (Romans 13:1) Yet this subjection must always be balanced by what we owe to God. Jesus said: “Pay back Caesar’s things to Caesar, but God’s things to God.” (Mark 12:17) If Caesar (the secular government) demands that we give him what belongs to God, we remember what the apostle Peter said: “We must obey God as ruler rather than men.”—Acts 5:29.

In a somewhat similar way, if a Christian woman is married to a man who does not understand or fails to respect Christian principles, she is, nevertheless, obliged to be subject to him. Rather than rebel against this God-ordained arrangement, she would do well to act toward him with love and consideration and thus try to gain his confidence. Perhaps such fine conduct will make her husband change; it may even win him to the truth. (1 Peter 3:1, 2) If her husband orders her to do something forbidden by God, she has to remember that God is her primary Ruler. For example, if he demands that she engage in immoral sex practices, such as wife swapping, she is obliged not to submit. (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10) Subjection to her husband is governed by her conscience and by her primary subjection to God.

In the time of King David, Abigail was married to Nabal, a man who did not respect godly principles and who acted harshly and unlovingly toward David and David’s men. These had protected the thousands of sheep and goats belonging to Nabal, but when David requested a food contribution, Nabal refused to give anything.

Upon learning that her husband’s niggardly attitude was going to bring disaster on the household, Abigail decided for herself to take food to David. “Abigail hastened and took two hundred loaves of bread and two large jars of wine and five sheep dressed and five seah measures of roasted grain and a hundred cakes of raisins and two hundred cakes of pressed figs and put them upon the asses. Then she said to her young men: ‘Pass on ahead of me. Look! I am coming after you.’ But to her husband Nabal she told nothing.”—1 Samuel 25:18, 19.

Was Abigail wrong in acting contrary to the will of her husband? Not in this case. Abigail’s subjection did not require her to be as unloving as her husband, especially since Nabal’s unwise course put his whole household in danger. Hence, David said to her: “Blessed be Jehovah the God of Israel, who has sent you this day to meet me! And blessed be your sensibleness.” (1 Samuel 25:32, 33) Similarly, Christian wives today should not agitate and rebel against the headship of their husbands, but if these take an unchristian course, the wives do not have to follow them in this.

True, Paul in his letter to the Ephesians says: “As the congregation is in subjection to the Christ, so let wives also be to their husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:24) The apostle’s use of the word “everything” here does not mean that there are no limits to the wife’s subjection. Paul’s expression, “as the congregation is in subjection to the Christ,” indicates what he had in mind. Everything that Christ requires of his congregation is righteous, in accord with God’s will. Therefore, the congregation can easily and joyfully be in subjection to him in everything. Similarly, a wife of a Christian husband who earnestly tries to follow Jesus’ example will be happy to be subject to him in everything. She knows that he is very concerned for her best interests, and he will never knowingly ask her to do something out of harmony with God’s will.

A husband will keep the love and respect of his wife when he reflects the godly qualities of his head, Jesus Christ, who commanded his followers to love one another. (John 13:34) Even though a husband is fallible and imperfect, if he manages his authority in harmony with the superior headship of the Christ, he makes it easier for his wife to be happy to have him as her head. (1 Corinthians 11:3) If a wife cultivates the Christian qualities of modesty and loving-kindness, it is not difficult for her to subject herself to her husband.

Humble and Reasonable

Husbands and wives in the congregation are spiritual brothers and sisters with an equal standing before Jehovah. (Compare Galatians 3:28.) Men, however, have been assigned by God to exercise congregation oversight. This is gladly recognized by righthearted women in all submissiveness. And the weighty obligation it puts upon men not to be lording it over the flock is humbly recognized by mature men in the congregation.—1 Peter 5:2, 3.

If such is the relationship between men and women in the congregation, how can a Christian husband justify his acting as a tyrant over his wife, his spiritual sister? And how can the wife justify competing with her husband for headship? Rather, they should treat each other as Peter admonishes all members of the congregation: “All of you be like-minded, showing fellow feeling, having brotherly affection, tenderly compassionate, humble in mind.” (1 Peter 3:8) Paul too counseled: “Clothe yourselves with the tender affections of compassion, kindness, lowliness of mind, mildness, and long-suffering. Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely if anyone has a cause for complaint against another. Even as Jehovah freely forgave you, so do you also.”—Colossians 3:12, 13.

Such attitudes should be cultivated in the congregation. And they especially should be cultivated between husband and wife in the Christian home. A husband can show his tender affection and mildness by listening to suggestions from his wife. He should consider his wife’s point of view before making a decision affecting the family. Christian wives are not empty-headed. They can often give their husbands valuable suggestions, as Sarah did to her husband, Abraham. (Genesis 21:12) On the other hand, a Christian wife will not be unreasonably demanding of her husband. She will show her kindness and lowliness of mind by following his lead and supporting his decisions, even though they may sometimes differ from her own preferences.

A reasonable husband, like a reasonable elder, is approachable and kind. A loving wife responds by being compassionate and long-suffering, recognizing the efforts he makes to fulfill his responsibilities in spite of imperfection and the pressures of life. When such attitudes are cultivated by both husband and wife, subjection in a marriage is not going to be a problem. Rather, it is a source of joy, security, and lasting contentment.

“Yet It Does Move!”

“THE Bible teaches how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go,” said the 16th-century Italian scientist and inventor Galileo Galilei. Beliefs like that one threw him into conflict with the Roman Catholic Church, which threatened him with torture and imprisonment. Some 350 years later, the church reviewed its treatment of Galileo. What took place in Galileo’s day has been called a “confrontation between empirical science and blind dogmatism.”

Today, searchers for truth can learn from Galileo’s experience. But why did such a confrontation ever occur? A look at the accepted scientific views of his time will provide the answer.

In the mid-16th century, the earth was thought to be the center of the universe. Planets were assumed to orbit in perfect circles. Although not proved by scientific methods, these ideas were accepted in faith as established fact. Indeed, science with its “mystic ideas” was inseparable from religion.

Into such a world Galileo was born to a respected family in Pisa in 1564. His father wanted him to study medicine, but the inquisitive boy became fascinated by mathematics. In time, as a professor of science, he discovered certain principles of inertia. When descriptions of early Dutch telescopes reached him, he greatly improved on the design and built his own superior instrument. He turned it toward the heavens and published what he learned in his first book, Sidereus Nuncius (The Starry Messenger), introducing four moons of Jupiter to his generation. In 1611 he was called to Rome, where he presented his findings to the Jesuit Collegio Romano (Roman College). They honored him by a conference in which they acknowledged his findings.

Teachings Opposed by the Church

Ominously, before Galileo left Rome, a powerful Jesuit, Cardinal Bellarmine, instigated an inquiry into Galileo’s teachings. Galileo believed that creation is governed by laws that men can learn through study. The Catholic Church opposed this view.

…

Refine Search

Index Downloading...

The Watchtower, December 15, 1991