We Need God's Word!

by comment 14 Replies latest jw friends

  • comment
    comment

    1. A well-known American president who emancipated the slaves and made a famous speech at Gettysburg once said something nice about the Bible. What a fine attitude! Today, millions find true peace of mind and spiritual happiness in the pages of that historical, holy book. However, millions of others pay no attention whatsoever to it. How regrettable that is!

    2. Do you read the Bible daily? If so, you are to be commended. (Joshua 1:8) The phrase "READ GOD'S WORD THE HOLY BIBLE DAILY" appears, without any superfluous commas, on a wall at the world headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in New York. Moreover, God's Word clearly states that it is God's Word. (2 Timothy 3:16) And while it is the oldest book in human history, honesthearted observers recognize that its counsel is fully applicable in such areas as religion, morality, science, technology and stock market analysis.

    An Exciting Book

    3. It is widely claimed today that the Bible is boring to read. Particularly young ones often use this as an excuse for neglecting to read the Holy Scriptures. But have they given full consideration to the facts? No, they have not. Every book of the Bible is a "perfect present...from the Father of the celestial lights." (James 1:17) Instead of merely concentrating on what the Bible says, we need to ask ourselves: "How can I apply these words more fully in my life according to their interpretation in today's Watchtower study?"

    4. One way to make Bible reading "come alive" is to project ourselves into the situation being described. For instance, consider the thrilling account of the presentation of offerings at the tabernacle by Israelite chieftains in Numbers 7:12-83. Of course, what we read here strengthens our faith in the Bible's historical authenticity. But just imagine how you would have felt as a chieftain, approaching the altar to present one silver dish, one silver bowl, one gold cup, one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, one kid of the goats, two cattle, five rams, five he-goats, and five male lambs a year old! How such sacrifice-offering activity must have increased the reliance of the Israelite chieftains on Jehovah God! This is what Jesus meant when he spoke of "getting the sense of it." (Matthew 13:14)

    5. Another way to increase our enjoyment of Bible reading is to look up Scriptures at Christian meetings. A 93-year-old sister from France explains: "When I hear the pages of Bibles rustling at the Kingdom Hall as the speaker asks us to look up the familiar verses in Hebrews about 'not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together,' it truly reminds me that I am at the Kingdom Hall with our loving brotherhood. Looking up the Scriptures keeps me awake both spiritually and physically!" Do you show the same heartfelt appreciation?

    ...

    comment

  • kes152
    kes152

    . Moreover, God's Word clearly states that it is God's Word. (2 Timothy 3:16)

    This scripture does NOT say the "Bible is God's word."

    Every book of the Bible is a "perfect present...from the Father of the celestial lights." (James 1:17)

    ever read Paul's opinionated letters?

    Peace!
    Aaron

  • comment
    comment

    In that regard, it's interesting what the article states:

    Instead of merely concentrating on what the Bible says, we need to ask ourselves: "How can I apply these words more fully in my life according to their interpretation in today's Watchtower study?"

    comment

  • bboyneko 2
    bboyneko 2
    And while it is the oldest book in human history,

    It is a common misconception that the bible is the oldest religious book or book in general:

    Veda The sacred scripture of Hinduism. Four Vedas make up the Samhita , a collection of prayers and hymns that are considered to be revelations of eternal truth written by seer-poets inspired by the gods. The Rig-Veda , the Sama-Veda , and the Yajur-Veda are books of hymns; the Atharva-Veda compiles magic spells. These writings maintain that the Brahman , or Absolute Self, underlies all reality and can be known by invoking gods through the use of hymns or mantes. The Vedic texts were compiled between c. 1000 B.C. and c. 500 B.C., making them the oldest known group of religious writings.

  • Seeker
    Seeker
    1. A well-known American president

    And therefore someone who is no expert on religion, and thus whose opinion of the Bible is valueless.

    God's Word clearly states that it is God's Word.

    Hard to argue with that!

  • comment
    comment

    Notably, the article states that "honesthearted observers recognize that [the Bible's] counsel is fully applicable."

    comment

  • Amazing
    Amazing

    Which part of the Bible, as we know it, contains God's Word? - Amazing

  • comment
    comment

    The article notes that Numbers 7:12-83 bears particular evidence of divine inspiration.

    comment

  • ozziepost
    ozziepost

    I think the WTS provided some unintentional humor in that article.

    Note the juxtaposition of these sentences:

    "Another way to increase our enjoyment of Bible reading is to look up Scriptures at Christian meetings.

    Looking up the Scriptures keeps me awake both spiritually and physically!"

    Yep, we all know about the "rustling of pages" don't we? How often we've turned to looking up the randomly quoted scriptures just to keep awake on a hot afternoon!

    Cheers,
    Ozzie

    "A lie which is half a truth is ever the blackest of lies"
    ALFRED, LORD TENNYSON, The Grandmother

  • comment
    comment

    I should point out that the humor is intentional, since I wrote the "article."

    However, much of the humor comes from the fact that the things in the article are right on the borderline of being what would be in an actual Watchtower article. (Or, alternatively, they satirize typical Watchtower attitudes.)

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