by metatron 19 Replies latest jw friends
Metatron,
You make a very good point. Nearly everything Jesus said in illustration was hyperbole. I never noticed much concern among the very rich JWs over Jesus words about the rich getting in to the kingdom as less likely than a camel getting through a needle's eye. Thus, knowing that it is hyperbole puts the broad and spacious road leading to destruction and the narrow and cramped road in new light. (pun intended)
Thirdson
'To avoid criticism, say nothing, do nothing, be nothing'
Exactly!
This hyperbole thing is a very simple point that is constantly
overlooked.
metatron
I've told you a million times, don't exxagerate!
Does anyone remember years ago the Watchtower's elaborate explaination that "yes, a camel can be put through a needle's eye if it were broken down to basic cells, etc. blah blah"?
Geez! How dumb was I?
Kilroy
Kil,
Actually, the Eye of the Needle was a Gate in the walls of Jerusalem. It was a VERY LOW and NARROW gate. For a camel to fit through it the Camel's burden (cargo) would have to be removed and it would have to get down on it's knees and crawl through. Therefore, it wasn't used by camels. The point of saying "Easier for a camel to pass through the eye of the needle" was that in order to reach the Kingdom we have to leave earthly treasures and burdens behind and humble ourselves.
Just a point to ponder.
Bboy, You crack me up dude! I love that kinda humor.
YERUSALYIM
"Vanity! It's my favorite sin!"
[Al Pacino as Satan, in "DEVIL'S ADVOCATE"]
Not everyone agrees with this 'gate' explanation:
Jul,
I'm just offering one possible explanation. The main point is, what is impossible to us is easy for God.
YERUSALYIM
"Vanity! It's my favorite sin!"
[Al Pacino as Satan, in "DEVIL'S ADVOCATE"]
Hi Unc,
For a man with such fabulous biblical knowledge you seem to come up with Watchtower style interpretations. You use rationalism to replace scriptural exgesis, ie: letting scripture interpret scripture. Let's see if you can come up with the passage(s) in the gospels that explains Jesus' temple statement.
BTW, all religion (that is not made up) goes back to the creation and the fall of man. Why in the world would you expect Christianity NOT to contain the truth gleaned from paganistic beliefs. Your question that you are so proud of is a MOOT POINT. LOL
Have a nice millenium,
Rex
G'day Rex,
YOU READY TO RUUUUMMMMBOLE!!! .. or should that read rump -ole (as per the bible board last century ;)
My question is just that a question, at least to start with its just a simple honest question, why christians avoid it or read more into it is entirely up to them. I guess anyone interested in reading history without the blinkers of pre-conception is guilty of watchtowerism .. mm i don't think so Rex.
I know a certain farken pal of mine kept pathetically goading you with the term dub dub and perhaps you're rerturning the favour .. its a good ploy to invoke thought amoungst ex-jws but i don't think that particular game is useful or relavent to either you or i. (several others have also tried to label me that way and run off with thier tails up after i put way too much effort in reply)
I also think its sad that you seem to thiink that if only ex-jws wouldn't throw out the baby jesus out with the manger straw they'd see the world as you do .. the fact is I'm not one who left 'the truth' fast or easily. I read deep and wide then went with what works best for me as have you. My non preacher stance leads many preachers to believe i don't have deep knowledge or conviction about stuff lol .. iintellectual taoism isn't for everybody that's for sure. <--- smurky smugy silly smiley
Don't worry WW I am my own man and have little vestage of JW thinking left in me. I'm not saying that there aren't a myriad of words that a worldly bloke like me cringe. Scarey as it is my thoughts are to the best of my knowledge lonesomely mine. You have chosen the path of answers, i have chosen the path of questions, may we both enjoy what we have left of this strange journey.
As for rummaging through the bible to show I understand exactly what you're on about .. I did that constantly for a long time on many discussion boards but it's a pointless excercise when christian fundies suddenly realise that i really do know what i'm on about and high tail it for the hills when the real discussion starts .. closed minds never won the heart of this little black duck and the fact that you constantly accuse me of ignorance without presenting a smidgen of fact gets wearysome. (i really think you're kiding, at least aty a soul to soul level .. look deep into my eyes and say that .. come on I dare ya!)
That said, I'm glad you didn't get on your high Christian steed and start down on me SirKnight .. i sit here accross the moot, disrobed and bibleless. (somehow my daughter has no bible in her house .. mm i wonder if Jesus is OK with that?)
cheers, unc.
edited to correct most of the appauling spelling and grammar (mustn't upset the pedants mumble mumble .. metatron must be psycic, he knew this thread would be all hyperbole and little substance... shit me having the last word again .. i must be a thread killer .. oh well i'll try and make it a good one ...
dromornithids!
I'm surprised, Unc.
A page full of drivel to explain away my exposure of your 'unanswerable question' as a totally irrelevant exercise in futility.
I am not at all over-confident. The problem is that most ex-dub rationalists will not accept the mysteries. I can provide you with biblical answers based solely on scripture but you will not recognize the responses as valid in your own world view.
Cheers!
Rex
P.S. Have you figured out where the gospels explain why Jesus mean't his own body when speaking of the temple? Oh, yes, one more fascinating fact:
Each Christian's body is a 'temple for God' since the indwelling holy Spirit resides in all who have truly accepted Jesus as their Lord (God) and saviour?
