Posts by menrov

22

New light on more parables

by Deltawave in

well after a full watchtower study last week about how we should not read to much into bible account as types and antitypes, we had a whole study article on what the 10 wise virgins now means.

interesting though is the fact that only in 2007/8 they taught that the discreet virgins were the annointed ones who waited for christ's return in 1914 and the foolish ones were the ones who fell away in 1914 because the end didn't come.

now though, we have new light!

menrov

The article "forgets" to mention that 1) all ten virgins fell asleep (matt. 25:5), and all become awake when there is an announcement (who gives that announcement??) that the bridegroom is here (not arriving invisibly but has arrived, visibly). Only then the amount of oil becomes an issue.

So, all virgins feel asleep......

Only when it is announced the bridegroom is here, they all wake up. The parable (that is what it is, not a prophecy) is to warn all believers to be ready to be joined with Jesus. How? Well, throughout the NT we read that FAITH is the critical element of believers. I guess the oil represents the amount of faith. So, in my view, Jesus is warning His followers that a lack of faith is dangerous as in will jeopardize your access to the kingdom.

For Jesus, all parables were meant to say about things that save you and allow access to the kingdom / eternal life or the things things that will prevent that.

11

Wife just went to circuit meeting

by menrov in

hi, for a couple of months now.

i stopped (after some 17 years) visiting meetings etc.

my intellect and conscience could not longer stand the lectures from the platform and in the magazines.

menrov

Thanks all. I do feel though that I seem to have given the impression I want to enforce my view on her. That is not the case. I was sharing an observation, a situation likely others are in as well.

My point is, that for someone (JW in general) who claims to do all that is written, it seems that the council in Eph. is not really considered. At least it seems not in situations like I am in now.

To consider: there is no scriptural support in NT to justify the obligation to visit annual conventions or assemblies. That was a practice with the Jews under the Law. But the council by Paul is I guess relevant to all Christians. (even to situations where husband is an unbeliever).

In my situation. it was presented as a given fact that she would go to attend the circuit meeting. If I would say I would go on Sunday to an all day event, I am sure she would expect me to discus and come to a sort of a mutual agreement that I would go alone and leave her because she does not want to go. I guess she would not have liked me to just tell her I'd be away for the day and because I know she would not want to join me, I'd leave her alone on Sunday. And she would be absolutely right that a couple discusses this. So, why not when there is a JW circuit meeting?

That was just my point.

11

Wife just went to circuit meeting

by menrov in

hi, for a couple of months now.

i stopped (after some 17 years) visiting meetings etc.

my intellect and conscience could not longer stand the lectures from the platform and in the magazines.

menrov

HI Daniel1555, you are right that in light of religious freedom, she has that right. In other words, she is entitled to have her own belief or faith. But with regard to actions, i.e. visiting meeting and supporting activities related to that belief, there should be some sort of common agreement. Otherwise this council has no value to christian, regardless if one is a JW:
Eph. 5:22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, 23 because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. 24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

11

Wife just went to circuit meeting

by menrov in

hi, for a couple of months now.

i stopped (after some 17 years) visiting meetings etc.

my intellect and conscience could not longer stand the lectures from the platform and in the magazines.

menrov

Hi, for a couple of months now. I stopped (after some 17 years) visiting meetings etc. My intellect and conscience could not longer stand the lectures from the platform and in the magazines. Anyway, my wife is still in, and almost seems she is even more "in" than before.

Today there is a circuit meeting. I did not go but she decided to go. I can only imagine the comments when she is there:
oh, how strong you are to be here, so good of you, a very good example etc etc.

If I would go out on my own to day, people who know me/us, we likely say: where is your wife? that is not nice that she preferred to go to that meeting than to stay with you, that religion must have a strong influence on her etc etc

The first group only looks at how my wife is following the JW routine, regardless her (scriptural) responsibility to her husband. The second group will have a much softer opinion and possibly find it all a bit strange that the wife is away for the whole day.

I did ask her why she does not follow the council by Paul that the man is the head of the woman, in other words, the woman should follow the lead of the man. I am still very christian but not a JW anymore (faded, not DA/DF). So, there is not one little shred of scriptural support to justify her to choose for an/the organisation and as such disrespecting / disobeying her husband. In my view, it is actually against the scriptures.

I sometimes wonder: how many marriages eventually ended due to this phenomenon?

75

Rumor about the Imitate Jesus Convention

by FusionTheism in

i saw a rumor a few weeks ago on reddit that the new imitate jesus convention is supposed to present new light and clarified understandings on the disfellowshipping/disassociation practices.. supposedly, if this rumor has any truth to it, there will be a talk given at the convention about how we should not be strict like the pharisees in how we shun people, loosening up some of the jw rules about this practice.. has anyone here heard anything about this or have more info on it?.

menrov

Hi, on another forum, I posted a quick analysis of the program. For what it is worth, here is my view on it:

I looked at the contents of the program and read the verses mentioned with the 30 to 45 minute talks (I exclude the symposiums as the topics are rather straightforward and are about behaviours). None of the verses mentioned make any reference to Jesus being a King with full authority, being our Judge and as such our life giver or being the Master of all congregations and will hold all accountable for their actions.
It is mainly about how Jesus lived on earth, His motives or drivers, and His actions. Also how He was submissive to His Father etc.

My feeling is that overall after the 3 days, the average JW will know (again) that Jesus was / is our biggest example with regard to how we should live, but he/she will not feel drawn closer to Jesus nor feel an urge to follow Christ as their leader (shepherd). He/she will feel the governing body did an excellent job to teach about Jesus and will be further motivated to put faith in their governing body.

The program on Friday (excl. the symposium):
Imitate Jesus—Why and How? (Luke 6:40)
Follow Jesus’ Pattern—Keep On Asking, Seeking and Knocking! (Luke 11:9-13; 22:41-44)
“Concealed in Him Are All the Treasures of Wisdom” (Colossians 2:2-4; Matthew 5:17-20, 43-48)
Sing Praises in Imitation of Jesus (Exodus 15:1, 2, 21;Matthew 26:30; 2 Corinthians 8:12; Colossians 3:16)
‘For a Certainty God Made Him Lord and Christ’—Part I (Mark 5:22-43; Luke 2:7-14, 42-47;4:1-30; 8:40-56)
“He Was Favorably Heard for His Godly Fear” (Hebrews 5:7; Matthew 10:27-31; 1 Peter 3:14)
Jesus “Came to Seek and to Save What Was Lost” (Luke 15:4-10; 19:10)

For example, the latter topic on Friday refer to the parable in Luke about searching for 1 sheep and leave the 99 others. The message of Jesus was that He came to what was lost and find them and reconcile them with the Father, so they become His children again and as such, brother of Jesus, with the same heritance. But as the organisation does not consider the R&F to be a sheep in that sense, I sense the contents will be more around the (renewed) efforts by the organisation to search for the ones that have become inactive or faded (a new brochure on this topic leaked a while ago). In other words, the organisation is imitating Jesus by focussing on the inactive JW's

Saturday:
Follow Jesus, But Not “at a Distance” (Luke 22:54)
Train, Trust, and Empower Others, as Jesus Does (Luke 8:1; 9:1; 10:1)
"For This I Have Come Into the World” (John 18:37; Matthew 21:23-46; 22:15-46)
Arm Yourselves With Christ’s Mental Disposition (Matthew 4:8-10; 8:1-3; John 2:13-17; 1 Peter 4:1, 2)

The first topic mentioned here has a rather peculiar verse mentioned. It is about Peter who followed at a distance. But the setting has nothing to do with a wrong behavior nor is there any educational contents intended with the fact that Peter followed at a distance. I presume the talk will be about being more active in the organisation.
The verses mentioned with 3rd topic above is about the fact that Jesus was sent and that His authority (while on earth) was given to Him and the many parables Jesus gave. As these verse address many things it is a bit hard to see what the heading of the topic actually means. I feel it will be about the authority of the governing body and the privilege to be part of the organisation.

Sunday
Jesus Christ, World Conqueror—How and When? (John 16:33; Revelation 6:2; 17:12-14)
This is rather strange questions as John 16:33 says that Jesus already conquered the world and the verses in Revelation is about a completely different conquering.
True Liberation Awaits Those Who Imitate Jesus (Leviticus 25:10-12; Acts 3:21)
‘For a Certainty God Made Him Lord and Christ’—Part II (Matthew 16:13-20;John 9:1-41; 11:1-44; Acts 1:1-11; 2:31)
As the Storm Approaches, Maintain Your Focus on Jesus! (Matthew 14:22-34; Hebrews 12:2)

The topic in red is not mentioning about Jesus current position and authority, It refers to His role on earth, as the promised Christ or Messiah, and the other verses are more about the resurrections and how he healed people. I expect the talk will stress that we can have faith in the Father as He made Jesus Christ and Lord (but not explaining what this should really mean to Christians) and that under the command of HIs Father will resurrect the loyals.

16

Better Bible Translation?

by Sofia Lose in

which bible translation is the best, according to biblical scholars, anybody knows?

please chime in.. i plan on getting it and doing comparison with the new world translation.

sl.

menrov

I use:
https://lumina.bible.org/bible/Matthew+1 --> NET, has very good footnotes.

and this resource:

http://studybible.info/compare/John%203:16

and biblehub.

44

August 2015 WT - Let's Review the BS Children

by InjusticeSystem in

found these gems in this edition:.

- keep in expectation!- prepare now for life in the new worldthe passing of time should not cause us to lose hope thatkingdom blessings will be realized.

there are solid reasonsto keep our scriptural expectations alive.

menrov

"Sticking with those who are guided by God-given wisdom will help us to “stand firm in the faith” during these very difficult times"

Who are those? The self-acclaimed fds? All 8 million?

So, if a JW wakes up, is that because of God-given wisdom and should therefore be supported / recommended for it?

44

August 2015 WT - Let's Review the BS Children

by InjusticeSystem in

found these gems in this edition:.

- keep in expectation!- prepare now for life in the new worldthe passing of time should not cause us to lose hope thatkingdom blessings will be realized.

there are solid reasonsto keep our scriptural expectations alive.

menrov

like the "obedient first-century Christians" ... really?? If I read Paul's, Peter's and James letters to the congregations and Jesus words and warning to the 6 out of 7 congregations in Rev. 2/3, I cannot really see they were an example to us.The letters and council are.

44

August 2015 WT - Let's Review the BS Children

by InjusticeSystem in

found these gems in this edition:.

- keep in expectation!- prepare now for life in the new worldthe passing of time should not cause us to lose hope thatkingdom blessings will be realized.

there are solid reasonsto keep our scriptural expectations alive.

menrov

Today, of course, we do not know where each one of us may be assigned to live in the new system of things. However, cooperation will bring us contentment and great happiness as we do Jehovah’s will wherever we live on earth at that time

The what about seeing the deceased loved one again??? He/she might be assigned to live I am not assigned to....(some might be very happy with that)..

This statement kills their doctrine that "JW's will see their deceased loved ones"

13

WBTS / JW views never quoted as good source of information

by menrov in

not sure if my title is correct.

what i noticed is that in say secular bible research documentation, books, lectures etc, one never (or at least i have never read it) reads a quote from one of the former or current wbts leaders nor do i ever see a reference to one of their publication (unless it is article about the jw/wbts itself).. for example, if you read a book on a bible theme or topic written by a scholar or other bible teachers/professors from prof xyz, you will find often in these books a reference to publications / statements / quotes from other scholars or professors.

but never have i seen a reference to say a wt publication or quote / statement from one the leaders of the organisation.. so, despite the million page printed or conferences organised by the wbts, the material apparently is never considered of value to others or to use as reference material.. in my view, that says a lot..... or am i wrong?

menrov

Not sure if my title is correct. What I noticed is that in say secular bible research documentation, books, lectures etc, one never (or at least I have never read it) reads a quote from one of the former or current WBTS leaders nor do I ever see a reference to one of their publication (unless it is article about the JW/WBTS itself).

For example, if you read a book on a bible theme or topic written by a scholar or other bible teachers/professors from Prof XYZ, you will find often in these books a reference to publications / statements / quotes from other scholars or professors. But never have I seen a reference to say a WT publication or quote / statement from one the leaders of the organisation.

So, despite the million page printed or conferences organised by the WBTS, the material apparently is never considered of value to others or to use as reference material.

In my view, that says a lot....

Or am I wrong??