Magazine

Made by Serif

Biblical direction
Finding ‘The Way’

Issue 1 contains an interview with Jeff & Margaret Edwards ...

Were there religious influences in your upbringing?

Jeff: Not especially. We both attended Sunday School, Margaret more so. Generally speaking, I had no real interest in spiritual things, but Margaret has always been interested in the Bible.

Then tell us how your association with the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society (‘Jehovah’s Witnesses’) began?

Margaret: It was in 1985 when we were contacted by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Our children were growing up, giving us more time to think - and I remember becoming quite anxious as a result of watching television documentaries on the threat of nuclear war in the world. A JW I met in my local town centre of Tyldesley, England, shared Ecclesiastes 1:4 about ‘the earth remaining forever.’ That seemed so comforting that I found myself wanting to know more. As an animal lover, I confess I was attracted to the idyllic vision of living in harmony with the animals and all of nature on this earth.
Jeff: Initially, I’d eavesdrop on Margaret’s discussions, but soon we were both having home ‘Bible studies’ together with our JW contact - except I should point out that, although the Bible was used, it was their own translation and used only to support their books. The book used for study was ‘Living forever on a Paradise earth’. This was standard practice for all new converts. Living again in a paradise on earth was an appealing idea to both of us in a troubled world, and after 18 months, we were baptized with them in the Northenden Kingdom Hall as a public declaration of our acceptance of JW doctrine.

I understand that began an association that was to last for some 18 years. How would you sum up that period?
Margaret: I can remember wanting to take a full part in the annual ‘breaking of the bread’ or communion service. But when the bread and wine were passed around in the Kingdom Hall, no-one presumed to be entitled to eat or drink - we were told that this privilege belonged only to those who believed themselves to be included in the 144,000. In the New World Translation (the Witnesses’ own version of the Bible), Acts 2:42 talks about ‘the taking of meals’, and so doesn’t encourage everyone sharing in the ‘breaking of bread’ as a church ordinance ...
(Be sure to order your copy to get the rest of the interview)