User:NilsJansma

Nils M. Jansma is a lay Christian preacher who specializes in Biblical apologetics. He was born on May 18, 1938 in Sacramento California.

Born and raised a Jehovah’s Witness

He was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness by his parents, Ernest and Dorothy Lucas Jansma. He was married to a fellow Jehovah’s Witnesses, Sheryl (Sherry) McClean, on October 13, 1962. Both were participating in what is called “Pioneering,” wherein they spent at least 100 hours a month preaching from door to door about Jehovah’s Witnesses’ beliefs. Their eventual goal was to attain to a position of higher organizational responsibility which, at that time, was referred to as being in the “Circuit Work.”

Before he was married, Nils worked for the State of California as a surveyor of public lands. In 1965, it was announced that Jehovah’s Witnesses were enlarging their printing factory facilities in Brooklyn, New York. Because Nils’s experience included such building construction, he knew that they were going to need what is called a “line and grade” surveyor during the construction of the planned factory building. He was also a member of the Operating Engineers Union, which qualified him to work on union jobs in New York State.

Served at headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses

In January of 1966, Nils sent an application to the headquarters of the Watchtower and Bible Tract Society volunteering to work on the proposed new factory building. To both Nils’ and Sherry’s delight, their application was accepted in May of 1966. They immediately made the necessary arrangements and moved back to Brooklyn, New York. This was referred to as “going to Bethel,” because that was the name of the residential building that housed many the volunteers working at the headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. (2) During the following five years that Nils worked for the Watchtower Society (WS), he found that he lacked the necessary education to perform many of the engineering design duties he was requested to do. Though Nils actually started college in 1957, he quickly dropped out because such an education was discouraged by the WS. At the time, he was told by a wise student counselor to be sure to “drop” all of his classes before quitting school. He was advised that if the classes weren’t officially “dropped,” he would receive and academic “F” for each class. Then, if he ever wanted to return to college in the future, his enrollment process would be much more difficult. He also discovered that the governing personnel of the WS were largely unqualified for the positions they held. Their primary requirement for their position was how long they had been at Bethel and absolute loyalty to the then president of the WS, namely Nathan H. Knorr. (3) Those who were fortunate to get a college education or some form of higher education were given preferential treatment. This also applied to the rank-and-file personel in general. For instance, a licensed architect from California was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness (JW) early in 1970. He immediately applied to Bethel and was accepted. In about May or June of that year, he became Nils’s overseer. It was then that Nils realized that to succeed in his present position, he had to become a licensed New York Professional Engineer. To this end, the WS allowed him to go to night school at Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute (BPI). However, such part-time education would take over 10 years or more to complete. It was then that he made plans to leave Bethel and return to his home in California to complete his education and become a licensed professional engineer.

Leaves Jehovah’s Witnesses’ headquarters

When Nils arrived back in California, he enrolled in college and Sheryl began pioneering again. One thing his years at Bethel had taught him was to no longer allow a group of men with self-serving and often unpredictable standards to dictate the course of his life. As one Bethelite put it, “The Bethel experience causes one to lose one’s fear of man.” Nils still believed that Jehovah God was directing the organization, but maybe not as precisely as he originally thought. The WS, as hard socially as it seemed sometimes to be to its members, was the only organization he thought had the “sayings of truth,” so where else could he go (John 6:68)? Since the elder arrangement had just come into being and Nils qualified, he became a card-carrying college student and a JW elder at the same time. The local brothers were suspicious and confused by this combination, but were unable to argue against it, since the Society had allowed Nils to go to school during his stay at Bethel. Also, Nils had told them of his plans to return to Bethel where his education could be put to good use.

1975, a significant year

In 1973, JW’s began to become fixated on the year 1975. This was because that after the district assembly in the summer of 1966, Bethel was buzzing with the “new light” (Prov. 4:18) that Armageddon should come by 1975. Neither Nils nor Sherry were convinced of the WT chronology that led to this date because Jesus had said no one would know the day or the hour (Matt. 24:36; 25:13; Mark 13:32). Also, in the past, the WS had predicted a number of dates for Armageddon to come and they all had failed. Because of Nils’ view toward 1975, he was said to have a “bad attitude.” In retrospect, maybe he always had a “bad attitude” because he found it difficult to deny plain and simple Bible truths in favor of the sometimes creative organizational “party line.”  So, Nils was a voice of caution, especially when his parents prematurely cashed in their retirement account “in faith” that they wouldn’t need it. This was a difficult period. In the worst-case scenario, Nils figured if the WS discovered they were wrong in calculating the date 1975, they would acknowledge their error, and some new “new light” would emerge that offered a more plausible explanation. As a result, he was willing to wait and see what would happen. However, the WS disappointed him again. Instead of admitting that they were wrong in predicting 1975 as when Armageddon should come, they said the people in the congregations promoted that idea and not the WS. This was too much for Nils. Nevertheless, he still didn’t have anywhere else to go, and so he just took a wait- and- see attitude. He didn’t have to wait too long. Becomes a father

An unexpected event happened that gave Nils a whole new outlook on life. After 15 years of marriage, Sherry was told by her doctor that they were going to have a baby. That changed everything. When Ariane was born in January, 1978, Nils stopped attending JW meetings. He didn’t want to raise Ariane as a Witness where she would be required to take a stand on issues that he was no longer convinced were valid, such as birthdays and blood transfusions. However, he didn’t oppose Sherry’s continued activity as a JW because he was sure that she would not be able to ignore indefinitely what he thought was the truth’s compelling influence.

Shocking news from Jehovah’s Witnesses’ headquarters

In the midst of Nils’s spiritual chaos, he heard that Ray and Cynthia Franz had been dismissed from Bethel. Ray Franz was a member of the JW’s Governing Body (1) The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses is its ruling council. The body formulates doctrines, oversees the production of written material for publications and conventions, and administers the denomination’s worldwide operations. The size of the Governing Body has varied over time, from seven (2010–2012, 2014–2018) to eighteen (1974–1975, 1977–1979) members. As of 2023, there are eleven members on the Governing Body. (4) The dismissal of Ray and Cynthia was a real shock! Nils and Sherry had known them personally and liked them during their stay at Bethel. In fact, Ray had always been a voice of reason, it seemed. Therefore, the rumors that were being circulated about their disgusting apostasy and their Judas-like attitude didn’t describe the kind, loving, mature couple Nils and Sherry had known. Naturally, Nils was very curious to discover what had really happened. Consequently, when Ray’s book Crisis of Conscience was published, Nils immediately bought a copy and brought it home. Both he and Sherry devoured it, hearing the ring of truth on every page, especially since they personally knew many of the people Ray wrote about.

Discovers that WS does not understand the doctrine of the trinity

After reading Ray’s book, Nils began reading the Bible without the WS publications as an information filter. He also began reading the writings of the early ante-Nicene (before 325 BCE) Christians. This led to his researching the history and content of the Nicene Creed and soon realized that the Society did not understand the real definition of the trinity. The WS was defining it as if it were modalism (Sabellianism), which is the idea that God has appeared in three different modes or identities, always separated by time and space. In other words, modalism says that God could never appear simultaneously as both the Father and the Son; whereas, the doctrine of the trinity teaches that God can and did. (5) Sabellianism is the same as the WS’ teaching that if God and Jesus were “one person,” then they could never appear to be present at the same time, as at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:13-17). However, that is a mistaken view. Those who believe in the trinity teach that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three separate persons. They use the presence of the three together as proof that the trinity doctrine is correct. Interestingly, Sabellianism (Modalism) was quickly declared to be a heresy by the early church and is considered unorthodox even today. That is what is so ironic about the WS’ position. They are making a big fuss and are constantly seeking to disprove an “unorthodox” doctrine that has already been rejected by the majority of Christians for almost 2,000 years. The sad truth is that the WS isn’t even aware of their blunder. Nils was truly amazed! The Watchtower Society, which supposedly is God’s only spokesperson on earth, has spent an excessive amount of time and energy refuting an incorrect view of the trinity. It now became clear to Nils that the only apparent difference between what the WS believe about Jesus and what Christendom teaches about the trinity boils down to what Jesus was originally made or composed of. Was Jesus supernaturally created out of nothing, as the Society teaches, which makes him a separate creation like the angels? Or is he the “only begotten son,” existing in the same unique form and composed of the same unique substance as God, making him co-eternal Deity (John 1:1; Phil. 2:6)? (6)  Nils realized that the WS was not teaching the “truth” about the trinity as he had once believed. Sherry also realized that the WS was not teaching the “truth” but for different and equally compelling reasons.

Visits a Christian church

At about this same time, Nils had been corresponding with John Banks who was the host of the Sunday morning radio program, Know Your Bible. John believed in a “young earth” theory of creation which stressed that the creative days of Genesis chapter 1 were each 24-hours long. Nils (who now had a Masters degree in engineering and geology) was of the opinion that the earth was old and that the days of creation were metaphors representing long periods of time. John Banks who was able and willing to accommodate Nils’s personal opinions, recommended that he attend a series of lectures being given at a local church by John Clayton. (7) (8) John Clayton was a lay preacher who believed much the same as Nils did about the age of the earth. So, it was on a very rainy Friday night in February of 1986 that Nils and Sherry walked into a church, away across town where they would not be recognized by anyone they knew. If a local JW discovered that they had attended a church service, they would likely be disfellowshiped (excommunicated). To be on the safe side, they even gave false names and regarded everyone present with suspicion, speaking only when spoken to. However, John Clayton and Nils were immediately kindred spirits when it came to science and the Bible. Amusingly, when John sensed Nils’s reluctance to be identified, he innocently said, “You must belong to a cult or something.” After the session, Nils and Sherry were invited to return on Sunday and attend a Bible study. The group was studying the book of Acts and going through each chapter verse by verse, without an organizational Bible study aid to guide them. This was an exciting change. Here people were asking questions and referring to a variety of different Bible commentaries for information. Some people respectfully disagreed with the opinions expressed by the person conducting the study, and it was okay! In preparation for the next week, Nils bought a slew of commentaries, and a whole new world of Bible study opened up to him. Ariane was 8 years old at the time and immediately fell in love with Sunday School after the first five minutes (surprise, surprise). It was a welcome relief from the hours of boredom she experienced at the Kingdom Hall (church building) of JW’s. Soon Sherry’s mother (who had read Crisis of Conscience) joined Nils and Sherry, along with some inactive Witness friends. Every Sunday, the XWitness group sat in the front row during the sermon with tears often streaming down their faces. Hearing a positive message about the love of Christ was a cathartic experience for them. But in accord with Watchtower programming, they kept waiting for all of the “hypocritical Christians” to show their true colors and gossip or backbite or fornicate on the pews, but it never happened.

'Nils continues his education

During the next 20 years, Nils and Sherry grew both educationally and spiritually. Nils earned a Doctorate in Practical Theology and Interdisciplinary Studies, and Sherry has a Masters degree in Reading and Language Arts. Spiritually, Nils and Sherry have grown into the Christians they always envied—those who really love Jesus and feel his presence in every area of their lives. Their cynicism is essentially gone, and in its place they are learning to trust. Every day they rejoice in the freedom they have in Christ when reading the Bible and applying all of the scriptures to themselves without having it filtered by the WS’ speculations, creeds and laws. Although they have been able to help some of their friends and family members to leave the Witnesses, the bulk of their ministry has involved educating fellow Christians about science and the Bible. Nils has co-authored a book with John Clayton which was published in 2001 entitled The Source; Creation – Eternal Design or Infinite Accident?. Nils has created an updated workbook for The Source which can be reviewed at  The book harmonizes Genesis chapter 1 with the fossil record and clarifies many misunderstandings that Christians may have about scientific issues. Sherry has written a book entitled Journey Through a Jewel, which is a novel based on their many trips through the Grand Canyon, whitewater rafting along the Colorado River while helping to coordinate and conduct a series of Bible classes about God’s creation. Throughout the story, the reader is swept along the river, through magnificent scenery and turbulent rapids. Grand Canyon history and arguments for belief in God are intertwined as the two main characters embark on a journey of self-discovery and faith. If you are interested in more information about either book, please click here: (9) Plans for the future

During the years ahead, Nils and Sherry hope to continue in a ministry involving science and the Bible. This subject is not important to people of faith, but it is to those searching for faith. We especially find young people being torn between loyalty to traditional beliefs taught by many of the churches and what they are learning in school. Churches today need to have a panel of “experts” in science and the Bible who can answer the difficult questions about the subject. In this regard, their ministry strives to help equip these would-be experts to educate others. Whether you believe in a “Young Earth” or an “Old Earth,” theory of creation, you can agree that this is a disputable matter that should not separate Christians one from another. The Apostle Paul admonishes that Christians are to “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters.” (Romans 14:1 NIV) As far as Nils and Sherry’s position with the Watchtower Society and Jehovah’s Witnesses is concerned, they always want to be available to any who are in need of help. While they do not seek confrontation, they do not run from it either. There are many powerful arguments that can have a compelling effect on those seeking to learn more about the WS. To learn more, visit their website at Additional information about what Nils is doing can be found at This is Nils Jansma References: (1)	 .      (2)	 (3)	 .  (4)	  (5)	 (6)	  (7)	  (8)	  (9)