I strongly condemn what happened at the Jehovah’s Witnesses meeting in Kochi. Violence is never an appropriate way to express anger, disagreement or opposition toward a particular group. Whatever our differences may be, we should pray for those who were affected and for the victims and their families.
This incident also reminded me of something I have been meaning to write about for some time. Through conversations and relationships with many Jehovah’s Witnesses, I have had the opportunity to understand their beliefs more closely. I was already planning to discuss these issues when I begin writing about the doctrine of the Trinity, but for now, I wanted to offer a brief reflection.
From a historic Christian perspective, the central concern with Jehovah’s Witness theology is its understanding of the identity of Jesus Christ. Jehovah’s Witnesses reject the traditional Christian confession that Jesus Christ is truly God and instead understand Him as a created being. For me, this is not a minor doctrinal disagreement. The identity of Jesus is at the very heart of Christianity.
I know several Jehovah’s Witnesses personally - distant family members and friends. Many of them are genuinely kind people with sincere faith and a strong commitment to what they believe. My disagreement is therefore not with their character or sincerity, but with what I believe to be a serious theological error concerning Christ.
There are distinctive practices within Jehovah’s Witnesses that are often discussed, such as their position on military service and blood transfusions. Those issues, however, are not what concern me most. What matters to me above everything else is the person and identity of Jesus.
Christianity cannot compromise on who Jesus is. Whether we are talking about Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant traditions, every Christian denomination has its weaknesses and shortcomings. But the confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and truly divine is foundational to the Christian faith.
That is why I believe we should pray for Jehovah’s Witnesses and for people involved in other movements whose teachings differ fundamentally from historic Christianity. My prayer is not that they would simply change denominations, but that they would encounter the truth about Christ.
In fact, I believe that many sincere people within such movements possess qualities that could be used powerfully for the Gospel. Their dedication, discipline, commitment and willingness to follow what they believe could become tremendous strengths if directed toward the truth of Christ. Perhaps some could become powerful witnesses for Jesus.
At the same time, Christians should examine themselves. We claim to possess the truth, yet how often do we fail to understand it deeply or live it wholeheartedly? It is sobering to see people who are mistaken in their beliefs nevertheless follow those beliefs with extraordinary dedication, while Christians who confess the truth sometimes live as though it means very little.
So my appeal is twofold: Christians, know the faith you profess and live it sincerely. And let us pray for those whom we believe are sincerely seeking God but have been led into theological error. May our response never be hatred or violence. May it be truth, love, prayer and faithful witness.
One passage I often use when discussing the identity of Jesus with Jehovah’s Witnesses is Isaiah 44:6:
“Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: ‘I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god.’”
The text identifies the LORD - the God of Israel - as the First and the Last.
Then consider Revelation 1:17–18:
“Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.”
This raises a profound question: Who is the First and the Last?
Isaiah identifies the First and the Last with the LORD. Yet in Revelation, the one who says, “I am the first and the last” also says, “I died, and behold I am alive forevermore.”
Who died?
Jesus Christ.
This is one of the passages that leads me to the Christian confession that Jesus is not merely a created messenger or a lesser divine being, but God incarnate - the Lord who entered human history, died and rose again.
For me, this is ultimately where the discussion must return: Who is Jesus?
The answer to that question is not a secondary matter. It is at the very centre of the Gospel.
More on this soon.
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