CoC or ISoCF

by TheListener 23 Replies latest jw friends

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  TheListener

  
  Which of Ray's books would you recommend someone read first.

  CoC does a great job of explaining Ray's situation and the results. While covering some major doctrines along the way. However, for a full dub he does discuss things that don't have bullet proof backup, like Mexico and various GB meetings and discussions. All believable to those of us here, but maybe not so much to a full dub?

  ISoCF really emphasizes the doctrinal issues and problems with the dubs. It might be good since it's written well and goes directly to quotable and verifiable sources. However, without the background of CoC the full dub may be lost and feel that they are just reading a critique of their doctrines from any old person, not a former member of the GB.

  I don't know what the future will hold for me. But, if at some point it seems appropriate to suggest reading a book I'm just not sure which one to suggest.

  Help.
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  TheListener

  Oh and by the way I won't be able to read any responses until tomorrow.
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  Legolas

  In Search Of Christian Freedom!
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  littlerockguy

  I would highly recommend getting both of them, however I would read C of C first, which I have. I have In Search of Christian Freedom too but havent really read it from cover to cover yet as I have so many other things to take care of right now but I have read parts of the book. Besides C of C has been revised and updated so the info in that book is slightly more current than In Search of Christian Freedom.
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  vitty

  I read both, CoC first then Isocf, I liked insearch more, but I think its cos I read Coc first------------boy im confused.

  I ve thought about this myself, CoC is a thinner book, so you can get to through the details quicker, where as ISocf, does tend to repeat itself and information thats in Coc.
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  Darth Yhwh

  I’ve read CoC and considered reading ISoCF. Does the latter help one discover Christian freedom by disproving WTBS doctrine? I wouldn’t mind reading something critical of the WTBS however I wouldn’t consider myself as “searching” for Christ.
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  bennyk

  Although ISoCF is the more interesting of the two books (IMHO), it may be better to start w/ CoC because a JW may be unwilling to tackle a number of the doctrinal errors discussed in ISoCF. Crisis of Conscience lays the groundwork for the sequel by demolishing the most important WTS doctrine: the concept that the Governing Body speaks for God.
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  jaffacake

  
  

  
  These are two very different books. There are up to date editions of both books available (eg ISOCF mentions UN scandal). CoC is Ray's life story, which also deals with the Governing Body's inner workings and inevitably gets into some doctrinal issues.

  I'm not a JW and read ISOCF first because it arrived first. For a JW perhaps it would be better to read CoC first, because it explains Ray's motives, cause and credentials. Then when you will know who he is and why he can be so sure many JW teachings are in serious error.

  Yes, it disproves several JW doctrines using scriptures, using the Watchtower's own publicatons, and evidence of JW leaders under oath. It could lead one to Christianity, but this book is a must for anyone who has had, has now or may have in the future, any links to JWs.

  OMHO ISoCF is a far superior book, and not just because I am a Christian. It disproves Watchtower doctrine far more effectively, backed up by every kind of evidence. I can debate doctrine with any JW having read this book, because Ray understood scriptures more than anyone else on the Governing Body, and they knew it. There is clear evidence that his uncle Fred knew "the truth" but chose to ignore it to pursue his worldly 'career' as President of the Society.

  Why not read the whole of Chapter 9 free on the web?

  http://www.commentarypress.com/eng-search-ch9-01.html

  http://www.commentarypress.com/booklist-eng.html
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  FairMind

  I've read both books. I preferred CoC becasue it was written in a very logical and fully believable way with many proofs of what was written. ISoCF was much more doctrinal and I wasn't comfortable with some of Ray's conclusions. The best book I have read for disapproving the FDS doctrine is Captives of a Consept by Don Cameron.
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  jaffacake

  I agree that Captives of a Concept is excellent. The author says in it, that its title is derived from that of Ray Franz' book Crisis of Conscience.