Comments You Will Not Hear at the 5-20-07 WT Review (Humbly Submit)
by blondie 48 Replies latest watchtower bible
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bronzefist
Thanks Blondie. I can only relate to the elders at the congregation I'm assigned to, but haven't attended for many months.....they're idiots. IMO many of the lowly rank and file are ignoring their (elders) "position" hence the article reminding everyone to OBEY them even though they are often wrong. The one positive thing is that 70% sitting through this crap will forget the "councel" 10 minutes after they leave.
brzfst
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stillajwexelder
Loyally lick their asses you mean
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BluesBrother
I really think that today's study is a cross roads in WT thinking . It finalizes the hints that have been dropped in lead up articles. it tells them firmly that they are under the thumb of the elders and for the first time (In my memory) uses the horrible word insubordination to describe a difference with an elder.
I was appointed an elder in the late 70's , green young and totally unready. The Watchtower at that time stressed the humble service of the elder body and explained the diakonos(sp) as one who gets dusty in the service of others..We were constantly told not to "Lord it " over the flock. Now the flock just has to obey. This is Wrong Wrong Wrong!
P7/8. quote Hebrews 13..The para says to "Observe the faithful conduct of the elders and follow such examples" The scripture actually says to contemplate their conduct and imitate their faith. I take from that the idea to watch what they do, and only imitate the faithful bits . A subtle difference
Not the normal term for obedience, but literally `be persuaded,' implying a willing acceptance of their leadership."
Actually W E Vine says of the word "peitho" "The obedience suggested is not by submission to authority but resulting from persuasion" So where are the puffed up elders in that scripture?
P16. Any mistakes on the part of elders would not justify an insubordinate attitude on our part
Hmmm. I wonder how todays crop of elders would cope with some of the feisty old sisters who would enjoy a good grumble and tell us exactly what they thought. We loved 'em anyway - today they would probably get marked. The cited scriptures to that paragraph describes how Miriam was struck with leprosy for talking against Moses..Would they like to do that to non compliant "sheep" today??
130 years ago the WT started a new religion without a religious hierarchy, it was claimed. They have made much of the priests of other churches "Lording it" ...Well now the wheel has turned full circle . It reminds me of George Orwell's "Animal Farm". At the end the pigs had become as bad taskmasters as the man that they deposed. The maxim was now " All animals are equal.......but some are more equal than others !".............
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MadTiger
I guess I didn't humbly submit.
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blondie
I know of many elders who are wonderful people, but their hands are tied, in a sense by organizational policies. They are not able to give nearly as much attention to shepherding as they wanted to, because they were so busy with the business functions of being an elder.
Unfortunately, Arthur, they have forgotten that they serve God and Christ and not men on earth. They are more concerned about pleasing humans...reminds you of the religious leaders of Jesus day. What did Jesus call them, hypocrites. Elders like above need to get some cojones and follow the Christ not the GB.
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SirNose586
Unfortunately, Arthur, they have forgotten that they serve God and Christ and not men on earth. They are more concerned about pleasing humans...reminds you of the religious leaders of Jesus day. What did Jesus call them, hypocrites. Elders like above need to get some cojones and follow the Christ not the GB.
Unfortunately, Following Jesus/Jehovah = Following GB. They primed that thought by use of the last article.
And yes, it is interesting that they mention the elder bodies not following the Society letters. Must be a big problem, then. And like sir82 mentioned, it's quite telling that the problem is "not following the direction of the GB," not "failing to follow the Bible." In summation:
BoE Letters > Bible
Following GB > Following Jesus/Jehovah
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blondie
Not every elder takes the step to leave the WTS but I have seen 15 in the last 5 years "step aside" as an elder. In one congo, there were more ex-elders than elders and they could not get the ex elders to "step up to the plate" again. They just can't take the cruelty from the other elders and the cruelty towards the "sheep" and the cruelty of the COs that kick the elders who want to be loving. I have seen this cruelty and seen the elders who just told them to stuff it and ceased being elders.
These elders had no illusions that the GB is Christ but they knew what hell the GB and the CO could make for them.
Blondie
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Blueblades
Some years ago when I was the watchtower conductor I put the elders in a bad light ( according to them ) from the platform, saying that even the elders were not exempt from such and such. After the meetings I was asked to meet in the library with the elders and was told by them to never slight ( according to them ) the elders from the platform again. I stood my ground and was frowned upon by them. I was one of three local elders and five bethel elders. It was the bethel elders who did not take a liking to what I said from the platform.
Now the G.B. is doing what I did those years ago. I wonder if they are going to call the G.B. into the bethel library and scold them too.
Thanks again Blondie
Blueblades
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Blueblades
Btw. Shortly after that a bethel elder took on the watchtower study conductor assignment which was find with me. And many times when I raised my hand to comment I was overlooked. Finally I would not raise my hand at all to comment and they would ask was there a problem and I would say not at all the comment was covered I HAD NOTHING TO ADD!
Blueblades