Posts by darkspilver

5

Happy are those concious of their spiritual need?

by NikL in

that was the title of the public talk given by the co today.

it's a statement i've heard over the years many many times.it's based on the nwt translation of matthew 5:3i always use a different version of the bible when i follow the scriptures because it lets me get a better view of the scripture in question.well, imagine my surprise when i read the scripture in the nrsv bible to realise it says something completely different.the nwt renders it...3 “happy are those conscious of their spiritual need, since the kingdom of the heavens belongs to them.. however the nrsv says...3 “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.. i was quite surprised at the completely different meaning so i looked at other translations and they pretty much all say the same thing.

the only one who says anything like spiritual need is the nwt.

darkspilver

Interesting.

TBH surprising then that the CO apparently didn't use the NWT Appendix as a WT-thought 'explainer' to introduce the concepts he was talking about:

NWT - Appendix A1: Principles of Bible Translation, page 1719
During his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus used an expression that is often translated “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” (Matthew 5:3, King James Version) But in many languages, a literal rendering of this expression is obscure. In some cases, a strictly literal translation could imply that “the poor in spirit” are mentally unbalanced or lacking in vitality and determination. However, Jesus was here teaching people that their happiness depended, not on satisfying their physical needs, but on recognizing their need for God’s guidance. (Luke 6:20) Thus, such renderings as “those conscious of their spiritual need” or “those who know their need for God” convey more accurately the meaning of the original expression.—Matthew 5:3; The New Testament in Modern English.

20

Today's Watchtower Study 25 June " Do You Share Jehovah's Sense of Justice?" April 2017 issue

by BluesBrother in

same theme scripture as last week deut 32.

3/4 "a god... who is never unjust".

do i share that spirit ?

darkspilver

Wonder why they used the example of Ahab?

What 'justice' did Ahab's sons get?

(1 Kings 21:27-29) As soon as Aʹhab heard these words, he ripped his garments apart and put sackcloth on his body; and he went on a fast and kept lying down in sackcloth and walking despondently. 28 Jehovah’s word then came to E·liʹjah the Tishʹbite: 29 “Have you seen how Aʹhab has humbled himself on my account? Because he has humbled himself before me, I will not bring the calamity during his lifetime. I will bring the calamity upon his house in the days of his son.”

45

Britain Branch to Cease Printing Sooner Than Expected

by The Searcher in

i've received the following news from a reliable and trusted source: .

the demise of printing literature in the u.k. is being brought forward by one year - to march 2018. graphic design and printing support will go too.

large numbers of "disposable" bethelites will now have to make their own way in the world, when their "mother" abandons them.

darkspilver

My impression is that Temple Farm will be a distribution and storage warehouse and admin centre for the British "field" , nothing more.

FWIW I understood that all the UK individual congregation's literature orders are now already being packaged up in Germany - therefore no need for warehouse storage in Britain (though I'd expect the Britain Bethel to hold a small stock of things like Bible Teach books for 'emergency' orders)

This was the letter from last year -

BoE Letter June 10, 2016 - Re: Transfer of Shipping Activities From Britain Branch to Central Europe Branch
We are writing to inform you that the shipping activities presently done at the Britain branch will soon be transferred to the Central Europe branch, located in Germany. This transfer is currently underway, and will be completed by the end of September 2016.
What effect will it have on the congregations here in Britain? Public and study edition magazines in English will continue to be packed at the Britain branch for the congregations in Britain and Ireland when the quantity justifies it (above 50 copies for the study edition and above 100 copies for the public editions). However, foreign-language magazines, meeting workbooks and literature will be packed in the Central Europe branch once the transfer takes place.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwqmWMK7dwtla25CWXlLdXVENzg/view

On a side issue:

I think John Davis speaks for only one section of the community when he "disses" print media.

As a print newspaper reader myself, I thought the following recent (Jan 2017) study was interesting:

NEWSPAPER CONSUMPTION IN THE MOBILE AGE
Re-assessing multi-platform performance and market share using ‘time-spent’
The results show that, of the time spent with 11 UK national newspaper brands by their British audiences, 88.5 per cent still comes via their print editions, 7.49 per cent via mobiles, and just 4 per cent via PCs.
http://neilthurman.com/timespent.pdf

There is also this from Deloitte

UK News Media: an engine of original news content and democracy
A study on the economic contribution of the UK news media industry
December 2016
http://www.newsmediauk.org/write/MediaUploads/In%20the%20Spotlight/NMA%20Economic%20Report/Final_Report_News_Media_Economic_Impact_Study.pdf

45

Britain Branch to Cease Printing Sooner Than Expected

by The Searcher in

i've received the following news from a reliable and trusted source: .

the demise of printing literature in the u.k. is being brought forward by one year - to march 2018. graphic design and printing support will go too.

large numbers of "disposable" bethelites will now have to make their own way in the world, when their "mother" abandons them.

darkspilver

i wonder how much of it will ever get built

Compare the two projects.....

ORIGINAL PROJECT

UPDATED PROJECT

Full size graphic with readable names: https://img.jehovahs-witness.com/image/4ab852e44a544da3857d7a4fff7d2125

hat tip to this thread: https://www.jehovahs-witness.com/topic/5152526483587072/chelmsford-green-lighted

43

The "faithful slave" urges confession in latest Watchtower!

by The Searcher in

watchtower october 2017, page 11, par.

17 - confess and abandon secret sins.

some christians who have committed a serious sin try to cover it over in order to avoid embarrassing themselves or disappointing others.

darkspilver

They do this every few years. They get people feeling guilt

haha, yeah, you know they've just gotta 'guilt-trip' the flock.....

43

The "faithful slave" urges confession in latest Watchtower!

by The Searcher in

watchtower october 2017, page 11, par.

17 - confess and abandon secret sins.

some christians who have committed a serious sin try to cover it over in order to avoid embarrassing themselves or disappointing others.

darkspilver

darkspilver: was the "James" book not authored by those enlightened ones disfellowshipped in the R. Franz apostate affair? never to be quoted by wt again?

yeah, and so it's always great to be able to quote from it

I don't have a problem quoting from it - I think it's a very good verse-by-verse commentary

43

The "faithful slave" urges confession in latest Watchtower!

by The Searcher in

watchtower october 2017, page 11, par.

17 - confess and abandon secret sins.

some christians who have committed a serious sin try to cover it over in order to avoid embarrassing themselves or disappointing others.

darkspilver

Notice that 'The Searcher' didn't quote the interesting point from the James book - because I wonder who wrote it?

Commentary on the Letter of James, page 206
This confessing is not like a “confessional” arrangement where one is viewed as obligated to appear and confess all sins in order to obtain absolution from guilt in the eyes of God. Although James had previously made specific mention of the congregation elders with regard to sick ones needing aid, he here says to “confess your sins to one another,” not limiting the matter to certain ones within the congregation. While this is so, it is reasonable that the one confessing his sins would seek a person who could be of real help to him in a spiritual way.

43

The "faithful slave" urges confession in latest Watchtower!

by The Searcher in

watchtower october 2017, page 11, par.

17 - confess and abandon secret sins.

some christians who have committed a serious sin try to cover it over in order to avoid embarrassing themselves or disappointing others.

darkspilver

The Searcher is very clever, look beyond and behind, at how the OP is contrasting confession with forgiveness.

For example - you can go to 'the Police' to confess a crime, but they do not have authority to 'forgive' you - only 'the Judge' can forgive.

Likewise, JWs can go to 'the Elder's to confess a sin, but they do not have authority to 'forgive you - only 'God' can forgive

As 'The Searcher' picks out - the above is in contrast to Catholics.

45

Britain Branch to Cease Printing Sooner Than Expected

by The Searcher in

i've received the following news from a reliable and trusted source: .

the demise of printing literature in the u.k. is being brought forward by one year - to march 2018. graphic design and printing support will go too.

large numbers of "disposable" bethelites will now have to make their own way in the world, when their "mother" abandons them.

darkspilver

If printing is going why do they need to build such a big facility outside London? Seems like an unnecessary expense.

Yeah, that was my point above

It's likely they could have reduced their footprint to the 'original' Mill Hill Bethel, financial benefit from selling off everything else, AND still be in a good London based-location (including on the London subway network, and numberous nearby congregations).

And that's why 'The Searcher's' OP here - which I originally totally miss-read (sorry!) - is actually very interesting, once you join the dots

43

The "faithful slave" urges confession in latest Watchtower!

by The Searcher in

watchtower october 2017, page 11, par.

17 - confess and abandon secret sins.

some christians who have committed a serious sin try to cover it over in order to avoid embarrassing themselves or disappointing others.

darkspilver

Remember, remember the OP is from 'The Searcher'......

Look at the 2010 Watchtower that 'The Searcher' has helpfully pointed out:

Watchtower 1 September 2010, page 23

To Whom Should Sins Be Confessed?
God does not authorize men to forgive sins against him; only he can do so. The Bible tells us clearly: “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and righteous so as to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) However, to whom should such sins be confessed?
Since forgiveness can come only from God, confession must be made to him. That is what David did, as we have noted. On what basis, though, would forgiveness be granted? The Bible tells us: “Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the person of Jehovah.” (Acts 3:19) Yes, forgiveness is contingent not only on one’s recognizing and confessing the sin but also on one’s being willing to desist from the wrong course. This additional step is often difficult. But there is help.
Recall the words of the disciple James that we referred to earlier: “Openly confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may get healed.” To those words, James added: “A righteous man’s supplication, when it is at work, has much force.” (James 5:16) The ‘righteous man’ can be one of “the older men of the congregation,” whom James mentioned in verse 14. In the Christian congregation, there are spiritually “older men,” or elders, appointed to assist those who want to gain God’s forgiveness. No, such “older men” cannot absolve anyone of sins, for no man is authorized to forgive a fellow human for a wrong against God. However, they are spiritually qualified to reprove and readjust a person guilty of a serious sin, helping him to recognize the gravity of his sin and the need to repent.—Galatians 6:1.