Commentary on the Letter of James

by lepermessiah 52 Replies latest jw friends

  • DATA-DOG
    DATA-DOG

    Ssoconfused,

    Do you have the CD-library? You can still read the book there. This is a good thread to bring back. The WTBTS does not understand the realtionship between faith and works, and love. The following quote is one reason why any Pharisaic leader would hate the commentary.

    to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation

    A distinguishing mark of true Christians is an active concern for the needy, including the orphans and widows who often find themselves among the afflicted, suffering tribulation. (Gal. 2:10) The Christian should be willing and eager to come to their aid. Properly motivated Christian giving is of great value in the sight of God. (2 Cor. 9:6-15; Heb. 6:10; 13:16) God reveals himself as the Protector of the fatherless boy and the widow. (Deut. 10:17, 18; Ps. 68:5)From the very start, the early Christian congregation took special interest in providing for widows. (Acts 6:1-6) Jesus showed in the parable of the sheep and the goats that love and kind services rendered to the least of Christ's brothers in need provide a basis for favorable judgment. (Matt. 25:35, 36, 45) The apostle Paul admonishes: "Really, then, as long as we have time favorable for it, let us work what is good toward all, but especially toward those related to us in the faith. (Gal. 6:10; 1 John 3:14-18; Jas. 2:14-17) Concern for the lowly and the needy also includes speaking consolingly with the comfort that the Scriptures give. This will provide spiritual upbuilding. (1 Thess. 5:14; 2 Cor. 1:3-5)

    This is where the WTBTS drops the ball. They apply this only within the JW congregation, except perhaps the occasional person helped during a disaster. The Elders have been brainwashed into believing that door knocking is more important than helping orphans and widows. James 1:26,27 makes God's feelings clear on the matter. The word for worship in those verses means what it says, WORSHIP! I had an Elder tell me that it meant sacred service ( which dubs also do not understand precisely because of their pharisaic thinking ). I showed him the original language word and what it meant. " I still think it means sacred service", he said. I also had an Elder make the statement that if a Brother chose to help a neighbor with an emergency instead of going in service, that they would be in the wrong! Can't you go preach at another time and help your neighbor now?! It never registered in his dub brain.

    That kind of encouraged, dogmatic, ritualistic service has been fostered since Rutherford. The GB want that mentality because it makes them money. Shame on them. They devour the houses of widows instead of looking after them in a practical loving way. They will make sure to show up and check their will to make sure the WTBT$ gets some cash, that's for sure!

    Peace.

    DD

  • Apognophos
    Apognophos

    Yes, I've started reading this from my Library CD recently.

  • wifibandit
  • felipe
    felipe

    Can Anyone Know Who Wrote...

    1978 My Book of Bible Stories

    1978 Making your Family Life Happy

    1982 You can live forevere in paradise on earth

    1989 The Bible God’s Word or Man’s

  • Phizzy
    Phizzy

    When the Commentary on James came out, I was pleased that the Org had gone down the route of a Commentary format that mainly left out their wacky interpretations.

    As an avid collector at the time of Bible Commentaries I was aware that the writer ( later I learned it was Ed Dunlap) had done a good job, but was very aware he was not a qualified scholar, it was as though a very competent, but amateur, car mechanic had written a Textbook for teaching future technicians.

    It lacked the in-depth knowledge that Biblical Scholars, graduates of reputable Universities, posses and pass on. Ed did a very good job though, given his background.

  • stillin
    stillin

    It's funny, because this book came out so close in time to my conversion to being a Witness. I just mixed it in with the rest of it thinking, gee, these people really have something. Then came the God's Kingdom of 1000 years book, which seemed a more scholarly book to me and I was sold! Sincerity along with intelligence!

    I had heard that the Commentary book had some issues but nothing specific was ever pointed out. I missed this thread. Once again, you guys rock!

  • dropoffyourkeylee
    dropoffyourkeylee

    I remember thinking that they were eventually going to have a commentary on every Bible book. Boy I was wrong!

  • slimboyfat
    slimboyfat

    I was surprised some time time ago to discover that Raymond Franz wrote the old Family Life book. Is that true? Considering it has some of the more infamous statements on sexuality and gender relations.

  • Gorbatchov
    Gorbatchov

    The book about all the world religions was also different. Never studied it at the bookstudy.

    Never mentioned at meetings.

    liked that one, too.

    G.

  • Ray Frankz
    Ray Frankz
    I was surprised some time time ago to discover that Raymond Franz wrote the old Family Life book. Is that true? Considering it has some of the more infamous statements on sexuality and gender relations.

    I'd not be that shocked. Ray Franz was an excellent human being but WAS a christian, JW, conservative about sexual morals and he never denied it in any of his books. What makes him special is that he advocates that the one's opinion (his, for example) isn't the rule for anyone else but the oneself. But he's never been anything that resembles what a secular humanist is nowadays.

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