When Revelation Turns Obsolete (page 3)

siegswife

Thanks aChristian. I've been somewhat at odds with the appearance of sexism in Pauls words. I was considering that maybe he was having a hard time letting go of some of his former vocation. You've given me a view that I never considered before.

COMF

It is a fact that women can manage corporations
(Carly Fiorina) or even a nation at war (Margaret Thatcher).
Not all women, but some - and more all the time as they gain
experience.

Okay. Now tell us about the males' record at the same things. Can all men manage corporations or nations at war? After all, they're the ones with all the experience.

COMF

patio34

Metatron,

What good rationale for obsolescence of the Bible. It makes so much sense!

Of course, when humans live much longer and accomplish other things, the Bible will go the way of extinction.

Many well educated persons consider that it already has. And many others too just quit being so gullible, IMHO.

Thanks for the ideas!
Pat

aChristian

Siegswife,

Thanks for the kind words. Man, I needed them. I was being eaten alive in here. Seems like on this board exJWs are not allowed to keep their faith in God when they lose their faith in the Watchtower.

Faithful2Jah

ac: Take heart. I too found your commentary on Paul's views of women to be of great value in my growing list of subjects that I am now convinced the WT has wrong. I have printed a copy of your post for future reference and another copy to share with a friend. Thanks.

Mulan

Our experience is that the more complicated you make an explanation of something in the Bible, the less likely it is, that it is correct.

I am not a person who believes the Bible to be the "all in all" anymore. But some of it is worthwhile. Take it for what it says, and stop trying to make it so darned complicated, that only those with "special insight" get to understand it. That is too familiar, for my taste.

Marilyn (a.k.a. Mulan)

Abaddon

aChristian;

I actually thought that was a pretty good piece of writing; kudos!

Don't know if it changes my opinion... apart from the fact you seem to have a point about Paul, and I always did think he was a bit chauvanistic. You make a good arguement to the contrary, although I'd like to read your post at length and do some parrallel research.

HOWEVER, this doesn't solve the general vaugeness and lack of provability the Bible suffers from.

My belief is that if there were a god like that spoken of in the Bible, its existence would be provable and its guide to us precise and accurate; more of a legal contract than a work of literature. This is a logical conclusion based on the premise of god caring and being desirous that none are destroyed, as departure from a provable god and a precise and accurate holy book would inevitably be damaging to some.

But I still enjoyed your post!

People living in glass paradigms shouldn't throw stones...

aChristian

Faithful2Jah,

Thank you for your support. : )

Marilyn,

So, far as "special insight" goes, I don't believe anyone has any. However, I do believe that the scriptures clearly indicate that God's word was deliberately written in such a way that it would not be easily understood by all.

"The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that though seeing they may not see and though hearing they may not understand." (Luke 8:10; See also Mt. 13:10-15.)
"At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, 'I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.' " (Luke 10:21; See also Paul's words in 1 Cor.1:19-29.)

I believe God gives His Holy Spirit to all who earnestly seek His help in understanding His word. (Luke 11:13; 14:25,26; 1 John 2:27) Not so that all who are called by Him will be able to fully understand all of His word, but so that all who are called by Him will be able to understand enough of it to be able to put their faith in Christ. To me to believe that God gives all who earnestly seek Him all the "special insight" they need is hardly comparable to the Watchtower's claims of "special insight."

Ab,

Thanks for your kind words.

You wrote: My belief is that if there were a god like that spoken of in the Bible, its existence would be provable.

I believe the same. I believe God has always given all those who earnestly seek Him all the proof they need to put their faith in Christ. I do not, however, believe that God now provides mankind with so much proof that we would all be forced to acknowledge God's existence right now. I believe that would defeat God's own stated purpose. For the Bible indicates that God has chosen to save that time for Judgment Day.

I think you are right in wanting proof. I know I did. After my bad WT experience I was a real skeptic. Then God provided me with all the proof I needed. However, what was proof for me may not be for you. I think if your heart is in the right place and you are willing to believe in God, He will provide you with all the proof you need of His existence. Of course, some people require more proof than others. Case in point, the O.J. jury. They did not think the prosecution provided them with enough proof. But were they willing to believe?

SEAKEN2001

"I just thought some here might be interested in knowing that there is another way of understanding Paul's writings than the sexist way presented by the one who started this thread. I found that viewpoint quite interesting when I first read it in a few Bible commentaries and I thought some others here, who have not yet read such commentaries, may find it interesting also. "

Ok, point taken. And there obviuosly were some here who appreciated the epistle.

I'm wondering though how God intends to save people who have no exposure to his written "Word", the Bible. I used to delve deeply into exegesis of the Holy Bible but as my eyes opened to the the way the world really is I realized that no written set of documents could be as powerful as the personal touch. I believe that there is no "word" of God in written form. If there is a "word" of God it is symbolic of all that is godly. That can take the form of anything that opens a humans heart to God and the spirit. Of course my understanding of God and spirit is probably far different from yours since I no longer hold to the narrow view explored by Jesus's followers.

I just found that trying to shore up the difficult passages of the Christian Bible in order to make God seem more reasonable to modern society was fruitless. Better to take the Bible at face value and recognize it's antiquity. I believe the original poster of this thread was pointing out the obviuos; the "Bible" should not be taken as a literal guide for modern living. I think it's just as reasonable to believe Paul and other men of his day were "sexist" by our modern-day standards, as to try to persuade otherwise.

Sean

Will Power

I liked the alternate look at paul's words, well thought out and highly possible!

but

Wasn't there an awake article posted not too long ago citing the real poop on women?

Its the fact that the circumference of a woman's skull ergo her brain is smaller as well as those wicked 2 days each month

Science .... always getting in the way.

Sorry, I'm in some kind of mood tonight.

When Revelation Turns Obsolete

Share this