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Protestant Apologetics

From the Days of Eternity

Micah 5:2
Deity of Christ Strong
Doorstep Question
" prophesies that the Messiah's origins are "from the days of eternity." Your NWT changes this to "from ancient times." But the Hebrew word olam means everlasting — the same word used for Jehovah's eternality. If Jesus is eternal in the same way Jehovah is, what does that tell you? "
JW Claim

Jesus is a created being who has existed for a very long time, but he had
a beginning. He is not eternal in the way Jehovah is.

Strategy

Read and note the Hebrew word olam (eternity). This is the same word used in for Jehovah's eternality — "from everlasting to everlasting, you are God." If olam means true eternity for Jehovah, it means true eternity for the Messiah. The NWT weakens "from eternity" to "from ancient times" — ask why the same Hebrew word gets different translations when applied to Jehovah versus Jesus. Pair with where the Messiah is called "Eternal Father" — another olam reference.

Key Insight

The same Hebrew word describes both Jehovah's and Jesus' eternality. The NWT translates it differently for each — that's theology disguised as translation.

Likely JW Response

Olam can mean 'a long time' — it doesn't always mean eternity

Your Counter

Then would only mean Jehovah has existed "a long time" too. If you accept olam as true eternity for Jehovah, consistency requires you accept it for the Messiah. The word doesn't change meaning based on who it describes.

What to Avoid

Don't get into an extended Hebrew debate. Keep the comparison simple: same word, same meaning, different persons. Let the consistency argument do the work.

Homework to Assign

Read with the verses around it until you can quote it from memory, then read and . Compare the NWT's 'from ancient times' in with how it renders , so you can show that the same Hebrew word, olam, is translated differently for the Messiah than for Jehovah. Practise the doorstep question aloud, keeping the comparison simple: same word, same meaning, different persons. Expect 'olam can just mean a long time'; rehearse the consistency reply, that if olam means true eternity for Jehovah in , it cannot shrink when it describes the Messiah, without being drawn into an extended Hebrew debate.

Source: Multiple sources
Next in The Key in Your Pocket — A Christ-Centred Reading of Scripture (Step 6 of 10)
Call Upon the Name of the Lord Jesus
The OT worship phrase applied to Jesus