What is "Immutable"?

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Everything seems to change. But rarely do we find things that are "Immutable".

So I thought this may be a good word to use sometimes when trying to help someone see the differences between human laws or certain theoretical scientific laws by humans that can change when new evidence is presented versus Jehovah and His "immutable" Laws and Truths.

 

This term could be useful when brothers give certain talks, if the brother of course  just gives a brief explanation since it is not a common word. I really like this interesting word that actually points toward the Creator and His laws and His Truths!  Therefore this word could be used to help others in some way in the ministry or from the platform.  Below are some articles in which the FDS has used this term. What are your thoughts? How can this word be used to help others?

 

(Merriam-Webster)

Immutable

:  not capable of or susceptible to change

 

*** w91 12/1 p. 19 par. 16 Practicing Pure Religion for Survival ***
The “good news” that they preach is that shortly God’s immutable purpose will be accomplished. His will is going to be carried out, “as in heaven, also upon earth.” (Matthew 6:10)
 

*** w81 8/1 p. 19 par. 15 A Field Producing Wheat and Weeds ***
Wheat seed never transforms itself into weeds. This would be contrary to Jehovah’s immutable law: “Let the earth cause grass to shoot forth, vegetation bearing seed, fruit trees yielding fruit according to their kinds.” (Gen. 1:11, 12) 
 

*** w80 2/1 p. 4 The Power Behind the Universe—A Mysterious Force or a Real Person? ***
The more scientists probe the universe, the atom and all forms of life, the more their studies reveal the beauty, the harmony and the complexity of all these things. The immensity and intricacy of the universe make men’s minds reel. But there is no effect without a cause. Behind all this beauty, this marvelous manifestation of wisdom and dynamic power, can you not “see” with “the eye of reason” the “invisible attributes” of the Great Maker? Obviously, the universe is governed by immutable laws. Does that not prove the existence of a Supreme Lawgiver? 
 

*** w76 9/15 p. 572 Hebrews: A Superior Worship and Its Requirements ***
And what solid grounds we have for strong hope, for God not only gave us his word but also stepped in with an oath! By reason of these

two immutable things we can have a hope that is like an anchor, both sure and steadfast. 
 

*** g 12/07 p. 7 Is Death Really the End? ***
The fact that we have an inborn desire to live and an enormous capacity to learn leads to a logical conclusion: Humans are designed to live much longer than a mere 70 or 80 years. This, in turn, leads us to another conclusion: There must be a Designer, a Creator, a God. The immutable laws of the physical universe and the unfathomable complexity of life on earth fully support belief in the existence of a Creator

 

*** g78 12/8 p. 11 Who Can Be Secure Today? ***
Despite today’s pressing problems, Christians can look to the future with complete confidence. The future is secure, just as God’s purpose concerning it is immutable. 

Edited February 19, 2017 by Beggar for the Spirit

[2EVES]

Very thought-provoking. What came to mind, is that because of these immutable laws of reproducing "according to their kind", a woman doesn't have to wonder what will she give birth to.  Will it be a kitten, a fish or a monkey? Will she need a tank or a cage?   No. She can confidently shop for a crib...knowing she will have either a boy or a girl.

[Sheep]

Interesting. Our CO had a comment at our last Circuit Assembly. He was talking about all the changes that have been taking place in the organization the last couple of years. Then he said: "There is only one thing that always stays the same, and that is change."

 

Next time I see him I'll have to put him up to date with this one. 

[minister159]

Immutable means there are some things, especially with regard to natural laws governing the universe and Jehovah's purpose, that are impossible to change or fail. That means we can have complete confidence in Him and His word. For example:

 

Matthew 24:35, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away." Impossible!

 

Luke 16:17, "Indeed, it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the Law to go unfulfilled." Impossible!

 

Isaiah 55:11, "It will not return to me without results,
But it will certainly accomplish whatever is my delight,
And it will have sure success in what I send it to do." Impossible!

 

James 1:17, "Every good gift and every perfect present is from above, coming down from the Father of the celestial lights, who does not vary or change like the shifting shadows." Impossible!

 

Malachi 3:6, “For I am Jehovah; I do not change." Impossible!

 

[Skye]

Immutable....sounds like "that which cannot be muted." 

[jwhess]

5 hours ago, Skye said:

Immutable....sounds like "that which cannot be muted." 

I had the same thought Sr. Fae.  I looked up "UNmutable" thinking it might be this word (cannot mute).  It simply says that this is an old and obsolete spelling of IMmutable.  I looked up "un-mute" ant it says it means to restore sound.  English is strange.

[carlos]

"Immutable" does sound as "that cannot be muted" but actually it is a word loaned from Latin. The Latin verb "mutare" means "to change", and the adjective "mutabilis" means "that can change". Therefore "immutable" is something that cannot change.

[Skye]

46 minutes ago, carlos said:

"Immutable" does sound as "that cannot be muted" but actually it is a word loaned from Latin. The Latin verb "mutare" means "to change", and the adjective "mutabilis" means "that can change". Therefore "immutable" is something that cannot change.

 

Makes perfect sense when I think of mutation in genetics - where it clearly implies change....

[jwhess]

2 hours ago, carlos said:

"Immutable" does sound as "that cannot be muted" but actually it is a word loaned from Latin. The Latin verb "mutare" means "to change", and the adjective "mutabilis" means "that can change". Therefore "immutable" is something that cannot change.

Gotta love the Latin....

MUTE: (1325 AD) Latin mūtus dumb; replacing Middle English muet  < French Old to equivalent Middle French mu,   

[Tortuga]

On 2/19/2017 at 8:59 AM, Skye said:

Immutable....sounds like "that which cannot be muted." 

 

...use more tape....

[rocket]

5 minutes ago, Tortuga said:

 

...use more tape....

 

Once in a while we have to make Shali's dog immutable like that.

[bobby]

im·mu·ta·ble

i(m)ˈmyo͞odəb(ə)l/

adjective

 

1. unchanging over time or unable to be changed.

   "an immutable fact"

   synonyms:

   fixed, set, rigid, inflexible, permanent, established, carved in stone;

[shali]

2 hours ago, rocket said:

 

Once in a while we have to make Shali's dog immutable like that.

Yes, I have had the "duct tape" more times than I care to remember!