The parable of the sheep and the goats! (page 3)

My understanding is that we are expected to treat others with love and respect unconditionally, regardless of who is on the receiving end. It is not our place to judge others, if we are in a position to offer love and help, then offer it. There is no need to think beyond that when it comes to helping others.

To interpret this parable as referring to "spiritual brothers" kind of defeats the purpose of the parable in my eyes. Is it not of greatest importance to offer support to those in the greatest need? To me that would be the un-spiritual, the sinners, etc. The Jesus that I know would definitely reach out to those people and expect us to follow suit.

Jack x

TimothyT

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

I read it and thought... A GHOST!!! Whats that got to do with anything! HEHE!!! I can imagine some brothers i know saying something like that tho.

Some of the things iv heard said to householders in the past... SHOCKING!!!

Im glad i have seen the light here!

Cheers.

Timmy xxx

TimothyT

OOOH... Some great points Jackie boy!

You have my (unconditional) love and respect!

Timmy xxx

metatron

While there are many scriptures that the Watchtower twists or misinterprets, this one is especially repugnant because it takes the essence of this parable, advising compassion and mercy, and distorts it into something narrow, cultish and uncharitable.

The key to understanding the parable is that Christ's brothers are 'strangers' and their identity is unknown. The 'sheep' and 'goats' do not know who they are in the bigger picture. This is a far cry from the cultish idea that the 'sheep' are committed to serving a hierarchy/chain of command maintained by a central Governing Body.

It should be evident (but sadly isn't ) that Jesus was urging charity and compassion because his 'brothers' were not obvious or Theocrats in command. His message intended that 'you better be kind because you never know'!

Jesus condemned the Pharisees because their tradition distorted the Scriptures into something twisted and contradicting the original intent. In this regard, the Watchtower Society has committed the same offense.

metatron

Jackals

I would be interested to know what the watch towers defence would be in interpretting the parable in this way. Do they have any evidence to back up their claims??

Jack x

snowbird

To me that would be the un-spiritual, the sinners, etc. The Jesus that I know would definitely reach out to those people and expect us to follow suit ...

Yes! Jackal.

Even children, who felt quite comfortable in Jesus of Nazareth's presence.

Good points, also, Meta.

Syl

TimothyT

Great points Metatron! Wow... i should remember that for when i need to discuss it in the future.

I can pull up an article from the CD ROM Jack and see what they say. They wont justidy themselves though. As 'Gods annointed slave' they dont have to explain themselves.

Timmy Tucker xxx

TimothyT

15 Read Matthew 25:31-40. Jesus called those who would make up the faithful slave class his brothers. In the illustration about the separating of the sheep from the goats, Jesus clearly states that he takes personally the way we treat his brothers. In fact, he said that the determining factor that would distinguish a sheep from a goat would be the way an individual treated even “the least of these [his] brothers.” Therefore, the primary way that those with the earthly hope demonstrate their desire to be friends with Christ is by supporting the faithful slave class.

how can you express your friendship toward Christ’s brothers?

First, by wholeheartedly sharing in the preaching work. (Recruitment of new members)
A second way that those of the other sheep class can help Christ’s brothers is by financially supporting the preaching work. (Money)
A third way that all of us prove that we are friends of Christ is by cooperating with the direction provided by congregation elders. (Obedience)

Watchtower 2009, 15 October, Page 15-17

This article seems to present the parable in an honest manner, but to me, it feels like a total twisting of scripture in order to continue controling the lives of the members, doing so in 3 (convenient) ways.

Timmy xxx

tec

I'm losing it!

No, you're not. I read it as ghost too. I didn't think it made sense... maybe in the sense that they would be dead at armageddon... but that's what I thought too, lol.

Peace,

Tammy

The parable of the sheep and the goats!

Share this