The ‘Reasoning from the Scriptures’ book lists 7 criteria for determining ‘which religion is right’?
Putting aside for the moment the assumption in the Society’s question, that there is only one ‘right’ religion, which 3 of the Society’s criteria do you think are the weakest and which 3 are the strongest, and why?
(Those who don’t believe that the bible is God’s word please try and suspend your disbelief when answering)
*** rs 328-30 Religion ***
How can a person know which religion is right?
(1) On what are its teachings based? Are they from God, or are they largely from men? (2 Tim. 3:16; Mark 7:7) Ask, for example: Where does the Bible teach that God is a Trinity? Where does it say that the human soul is immortal?
(2) Consider whether it is making known the name of God. Jesus said in prayer to God: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) He declared: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Matt. 4:10) Has your religion taught you that ‘it is Jehovah you must worship’? Have you come to know the Person identified by that name—his purposes, his activities, his qualities—so that you feel you can confidently draw close to him?
(3) Is true faith in Jesus Christ being demonstrated? This involves appreciation of the value of the sacrifice of Jesus’ human life and of his position today as heavenly King. (John 3:36; Ps. 2:6-8) Such appreciation is shown by obeying Jesus—sharing personally and zealously in the work that he assigned to his followers. True religion has such faith that is accompanied by works.—Jas. 2:26.
(4) Is it largely ritualistic, a formality, or is it a way of life? God strongly disapproves of religion that is merely a formalism. (Isa. 1:15-17) True religion upholds the Bible’s standard of morality and clean speech instead of weakly going along with popular trends. (1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 5:3-5) Its members reflect the fruits of God’s spirit in their lives. (Gal. 5:22, 23) So, those who adhere to true worship can be identified because they sincerely endeavor to apply Bible standards in their lives not only at their places of meeting but in their family life, at their secular work, in school, and in recreation.
(5) Do its members truly love one another? Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Such love reaches across racial, social, and national boundaries, drawing people together in genuine brotherhood. So strong is this love that it sets them apart as being truly different. When the nations go to war, who have enough love for their Christian brothers in other lands that they refuse to take up arms and kill them? That is what early Christians did.
(6) Is it truly separate from the world? Jesus said that his true followers would be “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) To worship God in a manner that he approves requires that we keep ourselves “without spot from the world.” (Jas. 1:27) Can that be said of those whose clergy and other members are involved in politics, or whose lives are largely built around materialistic and fleshly desires?—1 John 2:15-17.
(7) Are its members active witnesses concerning God’s Kingdom? Jesus foretold: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) What religion is really proclaiming God’s Kingdom as the hope of mankind instead of encouraging people to look to human rulership to solve their problems? Has your religion equipped you to share in this activity, and to do it from house to house as Jesus taught his apostles to do?—Matt. 10:7, 11-13; Acts 5:42; 20:20.
False "Reasoning from the Scriptures" (all rights reserved)
by yaddayadda 7 Replies latest watchtower beliefs
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yaddayadda
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vitty
5) Is the weakest cos they dont love one another, thats a myth
Cant think of the strongest !!!!!!!!!!
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cyberdyne systems 101
Where does the bible say we need an organisation? 1914? Paradise? Two classes of Christians?
(2) Consider whether it is making known the name of God. Jesus said in prayer to God: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) He declared: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Matt. 4:10) Has your religion taught you that ‘it is Jehovah you must worship’? Have you come to know the Person identified by that name—his purposes, his activities, his qualities—so that you feel you can confidently draw close to him?
What is God's name? Do they know its correct spelling or pronunciation?
(3) Is true faith in Jesus Christ being demonstrated? This involves appreciation of the value of the sacrifice of Jesus’ human life and of his position today as heavenly King. (John 3:36; Ps. 2:6-8) Such appreciation is shown by obeying Jesus—sharing personally and zealously in the work that he assigned to his followers. True religion has such faith that is accompanied by works.—Jas. 2:26.Is everyone to do as Jesus commanded and eat of the bread and wine, be annointed?
(4) Is it largely ritualistic, a formality, or is it a way of life? God strongly disapproves of religion that is merely a formalism. (Isa. 1:15-17) True religion upholds the Bible’s standard of morality and clean speech instead of weakly going along with popular trends. (1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 5:3-5) Its members reflect the fruits of God’s spirit in their lives. (Gal. 5:22, 23) So, those who adhere to true worship can be identified because they sincerely endeavor to apply Bible standards in their lives not only at their places of meeting but in their family life, at their secular work, in school, and in recreation.
Is following the meetings and schedules for ministry ritualistic and formal? Do they go beyond that which the bible states - such as what is proper for marriage mates? Can members reflect the fuitage of the spirit when the majority are not annointed and are still in effect under law? Do they apply mens standards in their lives - such as not doing celebrations
(5) Do its members truly love one another? Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Such love reaches across racial, social, and national boundaries, drawing people together in genuine brotherhood. So strong is this love that it sets them apart as being truly different. When the nations go to war, who have enough love for their Christian brothers in other lands that they refuse to take up arms and kill them? That is what early Christians did.
If you are weak by mens standards will you lose that love? If we sin will we be helped or interogated?(6) Is it truly separate from the world? Jesus said that his true followers would be “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) To worship God in a manner that he approves requires that we keep ourselves “without spot from the world.” (Jas. 1:27) Can that be said of those whose clergy and other members are involved in politics, or whose lives are largely built around materialistic and fleshly desires?—1 John 2:15-17.
Will it not fight laws/governments in courts to gain its rights, will it affiliate with the UN?
(7) Are its members active witnesses concerning God’s Kingdom? Jesus foretold: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) What religion is really proclaiming God’s Kingdom as the hope of mankind instead of encouraging people to look to human rulership to solve their problems? Has your religion equipped you to share in this activity, and to do it from house to house as Jesus taught his apostles to do?—Matt. 10:7, 11-13; Acts 5:42; 20:20.
What is the good news of the kingdom? Will we use the Bible or publications? Will we have to submit the time we spend to them?
CS 101
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AuldSoul
yaddayadda,
Instead of questions by which to measure religions, let's have a look at their counterpointed positive statements about themselves:
rs p. 283 - p. 284 Organization How can Jehovah’s visible organization in our day be identified?(1) It truly exalts Jehovah as the only true God, magnifying his name.—Matt. 4:10; John 17:3.
(2) It fully recognizes the vital role of Jesus Christ in Jehovah’s purpose—as the vindicator of Jehovah’s sovereignty, the Chief Agent of life, the head of the Christian congregation, the ruling Messianic King.—Rev. 19:11-13; 12:10; Acts 5:31; Eph. 1:22, 23.
(3) It adheres closely to God’s inspired Word, basing all its teachings and standards of conduct on the Bible.—2 Tim. 3:16, 17.
(4) It keeps separate from the world.—Jas. 1:27; 4:4.
(5) It maintains a high level of moral cleanness among its members, because Jehovah himself is holy.—1 Pet. 1:15, 16; 1 Cor. 5:9-13.
(6) It devotes its principal efforts to doing the work that the Bible foretold for our day, namely, the preaching of the good news of God’s Kingdom in all the world for a witness.—Matt. 24:14.
(7) Despite human imperfections, its members cultivate and produce the fruits of God’s spirit—love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control—doing so to such a degree that it sets them apart from the world in general.—Gal. 5:22, 23; John 13:35.(1) Which reduces Jesus to a false god, a position Jesus has held ever since "in the beginning."—John 1:1
(2) But not the mediator for all mankind.—1 Timothy 2:1-7
(3) Except that it cannot Scripturally support the teaching of "paradise" relating to the earth, or the requirements that "must" be met prior to baptism.—2 Corinthians 12:1-7; Acts 16:25-34
(4) It voluntarily maintains a voluntary 10-year associate member relationship with the United Nations Department of Public Information.—James 1:27; 4:4
(5) It allows Bethel Elders to serve for decades while collecting child pornography and soliciting minors for sex from property owned by God's organization.—1 Corinthians 5:1
(6) Even though the Bible originally foretold it for the days between 1874 and 1914, then foretold it for the days between 1914 and 1925, then foretold it for the days between 1925 and 1975, then foretold it for as long as need be.—Deuteronomy 18:20-22; 1 John 4:1
(7) It is set apart from the world in general not by its demonstration of the fruitage of the spirit, certainly not by self-sacrificing love, but by its bizarre doctrines on blood, holidays, marriage, the role of Jesus in Christian worship, etc.—John 13:34, 35
I don't think they measure up better or worse on any of them. Either the criterion is met, or it is not met. The organization Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and its subsidiaries can safely be rejected by its own criteria.
Respectfully,
AuldSoul -
fullofdoubtnow
(6) Isn't merely weak, it's hypocritical, or was it just a dream that I had when I heard they'd joined the UN?
What a load of crap!!!
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peacefulpete
(1) On what are its teachings based? Are they from God, or are they largely from men? (2 Tim. 3:16; Mark 7:7) Ask, for example: Where does the Bible teach that God is a Trinity? Where does it say that the human soul is immortal?
All Christian religions assert and believe they can prove their teachings are based upon the Bible making this question merely a self affirmation rather than insightful query.
(2) Consider whether it is making known the name of God. Jesus said in prayer to God: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) He declared: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Matt. 4:10) Has your religion taught you that ‘it is Jehovah you must worship’? Have you come to know the Person identified by that name—his purposes, his activities, his qualities—so that you feel you can confidently draw close to him?
More than a bit misleading given the Greek NT does not have the name JHVH or YHWH anywhere and there is no evidence it ever did. Spinning the texts above to mean that Jesus used moniker "Jehovah" is only possible through lifting isolated statements from both texual and cultural context. All Christian religions teach that it is "God" alone that must be worshipped.
(3) Is true faith in Jesus Christ being demonstrated? This involves appreciation of the value of the sacrifice of Jesus’ human life and of his position today as heavenly King. (John 3:36; Ps. 2:6-8) Such appreciation is shown by obeying Jesus—sharing personally and zealously in the work that he assigned to his followers. True religion has such faith that is accompanied by works.—Jas. 2:26.
"True faith "is being used as qualifier implying Christians that have different doctrinal understanding lack genuine faith. Defining "appreciation" for Jesus as going door to door selling JWism is cult rhetoric. All Christian religions use similar logic to motivate their members to act in ways deemed appropriate by the group. E.James was written by a Jewish Christian and is referring to work of the Mosaic Law not distributing magazines.
(4) Is it largely ritualistic, a formality, or is it a way of life? God strongly disapproves of religion that is merely a formalism. (Isa. 1:15-17) True religion upholds the Bible’s standard of morality and clean speech instead of weakly going along with popular trends. (1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 5:3-5) Its members reflect the fruits of God’s spirit in their lives. (Gal. 5:22, 23) So, those who adhere to true worship can be identified because they sincerely endeavor to apply Bible standards in their lives not only at their places of meeting but in their family life, at their secular work, in school, and in recreation.
All Christian religions would similarly discourage attendance of church as a mere formality. Again use of "True religion" as qualifier, implying that any religion that disagrees with the JW interpretation of proof texts pertaining to ethics and behavior is by default 'weak' and 'unclean'. 'Fruits of the spirit' include love, peace, longsuffering and gentleness, but these apparently don't apply when "upholding" JW standards of morality.
(5) Do its members truly love one another? Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Such love reaches across racial, social, and national boundaries, drawing people together in genuine brotherhood. So strong is this love that it sets them apart as being truly different. When the nations go to war, who have enough love for their Christian brothers in other lands that they refuse to take up arms and kill them? That is what early Christians did.
All churches repeat these words and feel they are practicing love. War is a complex issue with churches using many proof texts to support action against perceived evil and oppression of the helpless. There are a number of passivist Christain churches who would not kill for any reason. The above JW definition of love is another example of self affirmation rather than honest evaluation of the merits of other interpretation of texts. It also ignores the WT's history which in wars past offered prayers and support for America and its allies and the openly racist views expressed in the WT and companion publications.
(6) Is it truly separate from the world? Jesus said that his true followers would be “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) To worship God in a manner that he approves requires that we keep ourselves “without spot from the world.” (Jas. 1:27) Can that be said of those whose clergy and other members are involved in politics, or whose lives are largely built around materialistic and fleshly desires?—1 John 2:15-17.
The WT can hardly be considered politically neutral. It has openly condemned various forms of governmet and depicted various rulers as demonic puppets. It actively seeks to change laws and government policy through both politics and protest. I personally walked in a massive "protest" march for a change of zoning in New York city. Their recent covert involvement with the U.N. illustrates the behind the scenes efforts to win over hearts of goverment officials and policy makers using deception and publicly collected funds.
(7) Are its members active witnesses concerning God’s Kingdom? Jesus foretold: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) What religion is really proclaiming God’s Kingdom as the hope of mankind instead of encouraging people to look to human rulership to solve their problems? Has your religion equipped you to share in this activity, and to do it from house to house as Jesus taught his apostles to do?—Matt. 10:7, 11-13; Acts 5:42; 20:20.
More JW interpretation of proof texts is here presented as the last word. All Christain churches speak of the Kingdom. Many use texts that facilitate very different interpretation of what the "kingdom" is, most not seeing it as poitical at all. There are many radical groups that do interpret the Kingdom as political. The repeated emphasis on the house to house selling of JWism again reveals the real purpose of this supposed list of identifying traits of "True" religion, it is not designed to convince nonJWs but for self affirmation and motivation of JW members.
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elatwra
Wow, great posts. Please keep the "reasoning from the scriptures" topics coming.
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Mistah MOJO
I agree with Cyberdyne. MM