Phizzy: I did read the post from Doug Mason,it did not seem relevant to the topic. But thats my opinion. I have read alot on this subject,and I see good points on both sides. This is why I posted this topic. Iam just not confident to subscribe wholly to one side or the other. Hopefully more insight will be unearthed in the field of biblical archaeology.
Chris Tann
JoinedPosts by Chris Tann
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57
Was the Biblical Canon Directed by God?
by Chris Tann inthis is a question a sincere christian may agonize over after learning that some books of the bible were rejected by certain early christian groups,while other books that did not make the canon were accepted.
also,when one realizes that so called inspired writers of the greek scriptures quote from apocrypha,that most christians reject today,one wonders if these writings that include these quotes should even be in the bible.. it is true that when it comes to the christian greek scriptures the canon has been closed for many centuries.
also, these books have been accepted by christians ever since the second,perhaps first,century.
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57
Was the Biblical Canon Directed by God?
by Chris Tann inthis is a question a sincere christian may agonize over after learning that some books of the bible were rejected by certain early christian groups,while other books that did not make the canon were accepted.
also,when one realizes that so called inspired writers of the greek scriptures quote from apocrypha,that most christians reject today,one wonders if these writings that include these quotes should even be in the bible.. it is true that when it comes to the christian greek scriptures the canon has been closed for many centuries.
also, these books have been accepted by christians ever since the second,perhaps first,century.
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Chris Tann
To: Howthebiblewascreated, I'm not sure why you think my original post assumes all 27 books were accepted in the second century,when I plainly listed the books and approximate date that some were doubted as inspired by Christian groups in the second century. Everything else you mentioned I would tend to agree with,except mabey the second revolt thing; only because I haven't given it a thorough investigation.
To: Data-dog, What I do know about Tarturas is that it was first in greek literature before 2Peter even wrote about it. The way it is described is the exact way Peter describes it,indicating he got his info on it from such source.Mabey it is real, but all we can go by is the writings of antiquity, and the earliest one that speaks of Tarturas is neither Jewish or Christian. Sure many fables or writings have good moral teachings,and we can learn from them as well. However,I was specifically speaking of Christian writings that for the most part have held authority with the church for many many years and still do. These we can use and base our faith on.
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57
Was the Biblical Canon Directed by God?
by Chris Tann inthis is a question a sincere christian may agonize over after learning that some books of the bible were rejected by certain early christian groups,while other books that did not make the canon were accepted.
also,when one realizes that so called inspired writers of the greek scriptures quote from apocrypha,that most christians reject today,one wonders if these writings that include these quotes should even be in the bible.. it is true that when it comes to the christian greek scriptures the canon has been closed for many centuries.
also, these books have been accepted by christians ever since the second,perhaps first,century.
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Chris Tann
Data-dog, The contents written by Paul and other canon writers are very well thought out in my opinion. If one reads them soberly and really thinks about what they are saying, you can learn alot and truly be encouraged to live a godly life. At times Paul puts too much emphasis on himself,which seems to be an error on his part. To me 2 Peter does not seem to be truly written by Peter,and includes what appears to be belief in a pagan underworld called Tartarus.
However if one puts that aside it seems the writer was a Christian and at best we can benefit from any moral teachings that are included in it. I do feel that early Christian writings should be considered, like the Didache and letters written by the church fathers. I also feel that Christian books of today should be read as well. Having said that, a Christian should carefully consider the contents of these writings and the credentials of the writer. I think the NT should be our standard in what other Christian writings are acceptable to study and apply. If any writing is out of harmony with the NT writings we should proceed with caution.
The NT writings are the earliest Christian writings we have,and have been universally accepted by most Christians for centuries. This is all we have to give us a foundational understanding of Jesus and the beginnings of Christianity. To: Givemejustalittlemoretime, I agree with you;the Bible in of itself cannot give us life. However it is the NT that has revealed the gospel of Christ to us, and we need to at least consult it to understand how to properly come to Christ and let him be revealed in us;as Col. 1:27 has revealed. Otherwise we are just making stuff up.
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Warwick Building Project Fluff Stories
by bruh2012 intalking about an article that makes you want to throw-up in your mouth- wt-study jan 15, 2015 the offered themselves willingly.. amazing the psych job of selling your business, moving your entire family, quiting your job to be a "temporary" worker at the new world headquarters!.
throw your livelyhood away only to get the "feeling" that jehovahs is blessing you!
i wish there was away to track the psych job during patterson and other major projects of what happened to all the "friends" that sold and got rid of their livelyhood then and where are they now.. did you ever sacrifce it all for a building project only to be left with nothing after your "spiritual high"?.
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Chris Tann
My son is mid teen. I will refuse him to go to Bethel without getting a college education. I told my wife that they can tell you to leave at anytime and if your not prepared they aren't gonna help you.
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What do Mark, Luke, and Paul all have in common?
by Coded Logic inaccording to scripture, none of them ever met jesus.
i was a jw for 20 years and i never knew this!
i thought they were all apostles!
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Chris Tann
I was a zealous pioneer, an m.s. and studied like crazy. The only problem was I thought WT publications told me everything I needed to know. I now see that I was mistaken. Now I wonder, if the Apostle Matthew wrote that gospel,why not make it evident that he did for future generations to be confident that a disciple of Jesus wrote it. Also, why have two gospels written by men who didn't know Jesus? Why didn't Peter or Andrew or even Thomas write gospels. There were no shortage of Apostles to choose from. This would give it more authority.
Then there's the book of John. He doesn't say it's John the Apostle. The ending implies someone else wrote it or at best finished it. Personally, I believe Jesus's friend Lazarus wrote it- plenty of evidence for that. No Coded Logic,you were not the only one. If we want truth,we must pick apart everything and strip it to its core,not being afraid of what we discover,but embracing it.
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57
Was the Biblical Canon Directed by God?
by Chris Tann inthis is a question a sincere christian may agonize over after learning that some books of the bible were rejected by certain early christian groups,while other books that did not make the canon were accepted.
also,when one realizes that so called inspired writers of the greek scriptures quote from apocrypha,that most christians reject today,one wonders if these writings that include these quotes should even be in the bible.. it is true that when it comes to the christian greek scriptures the canon has been closed for many centuries.
also, these books have been accepted by christians ever since the second,perhaps first,century.
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Chris Tann
Designs- please be more specific so I can answer your question in the best possible way, thanx.
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57
Was the Biblical Canon Directed by God?
by Chris Tann inthis is a question a sincere christian may agonize over after learning that some books of the bible were rejected by certain early christian groups,while other books that did not make the canon were accepted.
also,when one realizes that so called inspired writers of the greek scriptures quote from apocrypha,that most christians reject today,one wonders if these writings that include these quotes should even be in the bible.. it is true that when it comes to the christian greek scriptures the canon has been closed for many centuries.
also, these books have been accepted by christians ever since the second,perhaps first,century.
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Chris Tann
This is a question a sincere Christian may agonize over after learning that some books of the Bible were rejected by certain early Christian groups,while other books that did not make the canon were accepted. Also,when one realizes that so called inspired writers of the Greek scriptures quote from apocrypha,that most Christians reject today,one wonders if these writings that include these quotes should even be in the Bible.
It is true that when it comes to the Christian Greek scriptures the canon has been closed for many centuries. Also, these books have been accepted by Christians ever since the second,perhaps first,century. But wait! Around 170c.e. 2 Peter was doubted as inspired in certain quarters, around 180 Hebrews was doubted, 190-Hebrews,1&2 John and Jude. 230c.e. -Hebrews,James, 2 Peter, 2&3 John and Jude. Also, according to the Muratorian Fragment of 170c.e., the church accepted an apocalypse of Peter,which never made it in the canon of today.
Yes, we as Christians can believe that God gradually directed certain writings to be weeded out,while others included. My objection is- why was there such confusion of which ones were inspired around the time of their writings? Why did God not make it explicitly clear which ones he "breathed on"? No where in the Bible does it say God would direct the formation of books for the Christians.
Now,for me, I feel that every Christian book is in harmony with God's will and standards,whether inspired or not. Thetefore I believe at the very least that he approves of these writings for us to live by; even if some may have written things that are not accurate. When it comes to inspired topics, the writer usually says he had a vision or revelation prior to his writing about it. Therefore at best,the vision was inspired,not the writing of it. This whole topic does concern me because when I read my Bible I want to be sure that at least it has God's approval;and that Iam not just studying a man's oppinion about God.
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Evolution and spirits
by Chris Tann inas of now iam making an unbiased examination of evolution.
however one thing keeps me hanging on to the belief of a supreme spirit being; the existence of spirits.
i have heard countless accounts of people who have experienced frightening encounters with evil forces.
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Chris Tann
Thanks truthseeker. This 9yr. Old boy walked BACWARDS up a wall! Seen by professionals. When asked if he could do it again he denied ever doing it and could not perform it. Several medical staff saw child being picked up and thrown against a wall with no one touching him. Psychological test was done on mom,and she was found to be sound of mind.
Proof, proof, proof. If one says this doesnt prove anything then I can make the same assumption with the seemingly progressive evolving of a species, and say God created animals with similar bone structures and such.
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149
Evolution and spirits
by Chris Tann inas of now iam making an unbiased examination of evolution.
however one thing keeps me hanging on to the belief of a supreme spirit being; the existence of spirits.
i have heard countless accounts of people who have experienced frightening encounters with evil forces.
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Chris Tann
Cofty. My tablet doesn't support the plug-in. Please give me the site address,thnx. Also I will go back and re-read the article more carefully.
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149
Evolution and spirits
by Chris Tann inas of now iam making an unbiased examination of evolution.
however one thing keeps me hanging on to the belief of a supreme spirit being; the existence of spirits.
i have heard countless accounts of people who have experienced frightening encounters with evil forces.
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Chris Tann
And the levitating across floor. And come on! Do you really think this kid is gonna walk up a wall ,on a ceiling and land on his feet while holding his grandma's hand all by himself? Im sorry ,but I just can't dismiss the many accounts that I have read about from seemingly reliable sources ,as happenings, like this ,as all psychological. I wont untill it is proven completley false.