Old letters to the WTS in Selters/Germany
Some people might wonder and think that I am a former Jehovah's Witness. In the publications of the Watch Tower Society is made the impression generally that all potential arguments against the religion of Jehovaism only could come from alumni. But I'm not an apostate!
In 1985 I had my first contact with the Jehovah's Witnesses. I was also happy to let them invite me to the Kingdom Hall in Mettmann and I had directly pleasure to attend the general debate. It has been made, for example the question: "What does belong to a successful use of preaching?" I immediately raised my hand and I was a little disappointed that nobody was curious about what a newcomer had to tell. I wanted to give the answer: "Love in my heart!" But unfortunately, someone else was called and he only read a given text: "A good organization!"
I thought, a horse would kick me. Ich hatte in christlichen Gemeinschaften schon viel erlebt. I had experienced a lot in Christian communities. Also that you could easily be overlooked. But this opened to me the realization that on the Jehovah's Witnesses the man himself has to be turned off with caution and approach. The individual was rigorously humiliated and deeply afflicted under the Watchtower contents. There was no initiative, no self-introduction, no enrichment of the community through me or you or anyone else. There was only the template Watchtower and then nothing.
That's when I started to write letters to the Jehovah-brothers in Selters/Germany. With these letters, I connected the hope that the comparison between the Bible and the Watchtower's statements may was perceived as a help or as an impulse, as an encouragement or a welcome conflict. But I some day received a succinct flat-letter from Selters/Germany, which only announced the visit of a few people.
Dear Mr. Hentschel!
We confirm receipt of your letter dated 17 July, with what you outline your thoughts on the Watchtower's edition of 15 July 1985. We appreciate your taking the time to write.
You cut at different points in your letter, to which we could, as you would expect actually, respond in detail on the basis of Scripture. But we prefer to ask our faith brothers of the local congregation of Mettmann-South, to do so for us. In a personal meeting all arising issues can be dealt immediately. We look for people who feel attracted to Jehovah's loving arrangements to the attainment of life (John 6:44, Acts 16:14). Surely you understand that we dedicate ourselves especially to the people who are well disposed to their heart and hear it and respond to with appreciation.
When we dedicate ourselves to the proclamation of the good news of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14) we remain Yours sincerely,
cc: Mettmann-Sued
Jehovah's Witnesses in cravat and choker
The men with the neckties and the briefcases soon came up to me. Three heads huddled on my couch and struggled a losing battle. Because I was then as now a Christian, firmly tied to Jesus. Their theological arguments were nothing compared to what I had to offer them in the conflict. But I had not studied theology, and also made no specific experience, except the few miracles that I had experienced with Jesus.
At the end of the meeting, they left my apartment relatively abruptly and one of them called out to me: "Mr. Hentschel, you have a very dangerous belief!" I called after him: "Yes, but not for me!" Thus the performance was over. Only one thing remains to be mentioned: I was so intense (not noticing it during the meeting) that I, after they had left my apartment, laid down myself just on the living room carpet and relaxed. I have lain there for an hour and I realized that I had started power seriously in service for Jesus. What impressed me was that I had not felt a breath of exhaustion during the meeting with the Jehovah's Witnesses.
The old letters
On the following pages I will publish the old rediscovered letters to the Watchtower section in Selters/Germany and to other participants of the drama. What I can say at this stage is that I then responded not so different from today. Perhaps the publication of the old letters to Selters/Germany can contribute recognizing by Jehovah's Witnesses, that faith in Jesus is much firmer and easier to endure than that which is made from the Bible by the Watchtower ideology. Because for about ten years I was "disloyal"! I did not feel being prepared to more conscience-stress, which I imagined myself through faith in Jesus. For this reason, I had tried to leave the commitment for Jesus. Not leaving Jesus himself, but from what I was accused by many friends. The witness statement on him, I wanted to avoid and create my life according to secular standards. In this was successful for about ten years. Then Jesus brought me back from my self-imposed lethargy and made me realize how wonderful it is to have a Lord who keeps to his word.
The old faith contract that I had at 16 with Jesus, was made by Jesus back to the wing, on which I had already experienced so many moments of luck. This time, however, I realized that the meaning of this faith in Jesus not only had a functional character, but that out of this promise in faith something was applied to me, I can only describe as absolutely meaningful life.
Each may sample Jesus. I certainly can and must say: Without Jesus, all is meaningless!