Inspired by many on JWN board, my goal is to every Sunday study the article and find the manipulative parts. If you would like to join me that would be great! We can then find them together and then find what the scriptures or insights truly means with research, our own understanding, or maybe how it should be interpreted to one’s self. The benefit here is yes we have Critical Thinking Skills and/or we have the power of Holy Spirit.
Please ALL comments are welcome, for example:
For ones believing in God who uses prayer and Holy Spirit, others scriptures or interpretations are welcome!
For ones who don’t believe in God but enjoy theology using the scripture insight for their ethical principles, other sources, quotes, or words of wisdom are welcome!
Watchtower (Study) — September 15, 2011 for November 7-13 Run the Race with Endurance Page 16
{paragraph 6}Some succumbed to the pressures and distractions of daily life and failed to make the spiritual advancement that would have fortified them. (Heb. 5:11-14) Others apparently felt that life would be so much easier if they just went along with the majority of Jews around them. Those Jews, after all, had not completely abandoned God; they were still following his Law to some extent. Other Christians were persuaded or intimidated by individuals in the congregation who clamored for sticking to the Mosaic Law and tradition.
My examination is: They are putting words in the scriptures mouth… Heb. 5:11-14 is a simple warning of falling away from God, which the whole article is about as well but here they imply things that are not in the scriptures. If people just read the scriptures themselves they would just know “Oh I need to do more studying of the scriptures and try to understand them so I know right from wrong”, because simply like today many people don’t want to learn all the theology and hermeneutics (study of the theory and practice of interpretation).
{paragraph 12}Abraham and Sarah were called upon to leave behind their homeland to pursue true worship and await the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise. We are urged to disown ourselves and gain Jehovah’s approval and the blessings he holds out for us.
My examination is: Again they interpret this in their own words implying that “We” the obedient Jehovah Witnesses “disown ourselves” in another words, don’t think for yourself and what you feel is right, “gain Jehovah’s approval” actually gain OUR, the governing body, approval!! “and the blessings he hold out for us” because yeah governing body makes mistakes and you just need to be patient with us because we are imperfect.