The purpose of our publications is to provide a standard of knowledge in line with 2 Timothy 1:13 so that all who are baptized may "speak in agreement" in line with 1 Corinthians 1:10. The Bible is indeed the source of truth from God, but as Peter said, "However, some things in them are hard to understand, and these things the ignorant and unstable are twisting, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction."--2 Peter 3:16 It is true that the Bible provides all we need. We do not need to draw truths from other sources. But drawing up those truths may require a spiritual bucket as with Bible study aids and a person to draw it up with in the form of your Bible teacher. Reasoning From the Scriptures It is each individual's choice in what they will believe, but if anyone is to be baptized, they should be properly convinced with reasoning in line with 2 Timothy 3:14. You will not find anyone as devoted to reasoning on the Scriptures as Jehovah...

Many claim that Jehovah's Witnesses are not allowed to question or do independent research outside the publications of Jehovah's Witnesses. But is this true? Following are statements made in the Bible and in the publication Benefit From Theocratic Ministry School Education that demonstrate that Jehovah's Witnesses are indeed taught to use every tool at their disposal, including questioning others in the congregation and reviewing secular texts. (In fact, all who attend the Theocratic Ministry School are expected to familiarize themselves with the latter book and which we have studied in the meeting. Each member studies the assigned Bible reading and has a chance to discuss portions of the Bible in the school each week and are given opportunities to express their thoughts on those scriptures and their research on them.) Afterward are quotes from other publications that further encourage careful independent research, questioning and using their critical thinking. Beside...

Except for a handful of slip-ups up to 1995, "New light" is a term not generally used in Jehovah's Witness literature since the 1950's, because it is not accurate. The current editing process since the 90's prevents the article writers from making that mistake. However, the source of the term "new light" comes from the common colloquialism "to shed [or cast] new light on" or present something "in a new light". The term currently used in our literature is actually "increased light", in line with the scripture that says, "So we have the prophetic word made more sure, and you are doing well in paying attention to it as to a lamp shining in a dark place (until day dawns and a daystar rises) in your hearts," and "the path of the righteous ones is like the bright light that is getting lighter and lighter until the day is firmly established." (2 Peter 1:19; Proverbs 4:18; compare with Daniel 12:4 and John 16:13...