Posts by blondie

164

How did JWs arrive at a clearer understanding of what the Bible teaches than other Christian denominations?

by slimboyfat in

for jws who believe that jehovah had a hand in reviving the truth in the nineteenth century this is enough explanation for how jws managed to achieve a closer approximation to early christian beliefs and practices than other groups.

but is there an explanation for this phenomenon that doesn’t rely on supernatural intervention?

new testament scholar james dunn explains the difficulty of interpreting the biblical texts in this way:.

blondie

I was curious about how the WTS depended on quotes of people outside of the WTS, to confirm the WTS teachings. Can they not use the scriptures to do that? Did Jesus quote Jewish bible scholars of his time or before? And there were "bible" experts, Sadducees, priests, Pharisees, and many bible readers know how Jesus felt about them. These groups developed an alternate book to the Old Testament to teach the "common" people what those scriptures really meant, and it has become known as the Talmud (not the Torah), approximately 600 statements and the Jews were required to follow that, that is the religious leaders opinions. Many times the scholars the WTS quotes from, on further examination, actually believed in things totally contrary to what their "bible" says. I wondered that for many years. I have been in the WT library at Bethel and read many WTS books not available to jws outside Bethel. That was eye-opening to me. I would be wary of using outside sources (that the WTS has not held in high esteem) to support. (Once again reporting, not supporting the WTS ideas) Love, Blondie

47

2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change

by Listener in

a change to their doctrine came from jackson.

this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.

but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.

blondie

DisgruntledFool, not a fool in my opinion. You provide a good example of what the WTS has "adjusted". But have seen the light, or as I call it an AHA moment.

6

The Bible Does Not Say

by blondie in

jw
friends

the wts often uses the phrase about then follows with their idea of what their god meant.

i have p0sted some of the most recent.

it is worth a look at more.

blondie

The WTS often uses the phrase about then follows with their idea of what their god meant. I have p0sted some of the most recent. It is worth a look at more. Link if you want to use it. https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/s/r1/lp-e?q=%22the+bible+does+not+say%22&st=f&p=par&r=newest

However, the Bible does not say that an angel of God performed miracles at the pool of Bethzatha. (See study note on Joh 5:4.)

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nwtsty - Study Bible

· Enduring Injustice (‎1 occurrence)

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The Bible does not say that Joseph defended himself against the false accusation of Potiphar’s wife.

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w24 May p. 32 - The Watchtower (Study)—2024

· Trust in the Merciful “Judge of All the Earth”! (‎1 occurrence)

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The Bible does not say.

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w24 May pp. 2-7 - The Watchtower (Study)—2024

· Will Jehovah Answer My Prayers? (‎1 occurrence)

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The Bible does not say.c

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w23 November pp. 20-25 - The Watchtower (Study)—2023

· Questions From Readers (‎1 occurrence)

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The Bible does not say.

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w23 June p. 31 - The Watchtower (Study)—2023

· Questions From Readers (‎1 occurrence)

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The Bible does not say, but here are some possible ways.

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w23 March p. 14 - The Watchtower (Study)—2023

· November (‎1 occurrence)

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The Bible does not say.

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es23 pp. 108-118 - Examining the Scriptures—2023

· Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Have Rules About Dating? (‎1 occurrence)

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The Bible does not say that we need to date or that it is the only way to marriage.

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ijwfq article 43 - Frequently Asked Questions About Jehovah’s Witnesses (ijwfq)

· “Strengthening the Congregations” (‎1 occurrence)

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The Bible does not say why he left, but the apostle Paul evidently viewed Mark’s action as irresponsible.

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bt chap. 15 pp. 117-123 - Bearing Witness (bt)

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73

JWN, 23 years posting Blondie

by blondie in

jw
friends

can i call you friends, i think so after 23 years posting here.

i am dismayed how jwn is being "dominated" or taken over by a few posters, peppering the comments.

in the past, the admin did not approve of this and did remove some posters from jwn.

blondie

Can I call you friends, I think so after 23 years posting here. I am dismayed how JWN is being "dominated" or taken over by a few posters, peppering the comments. In the past, the admin did not approve of this and did remove some posters from JWN. Also, long comments quoting from many bible scholars of the past, many who did not agree with other scholars, makes the post unclear to those who don't rely on the scholars to support their ideas and some times getting into a competition of who is right, never coming to a conclusion. The ex-jws that came here, do not see themselves as bible scholars, but trying to keep their comments more brief and to the point. Some old-timers on here also see the change and manner of posts. We are here partly to help people trying to leave the WTS, clarify or more correctly "confirm" their observations with personal experiences and questions of the intent behind the WTS ever-changing doctrines and policies. I wish Simon could again take a closer at the posts. Just my observation after 23 years of participation on JWN, Love, Blondie, your friend.

47

2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change

by Listener in

a change to their doctrine came from jackson.

this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.

but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.

blondie

The WTS has said that the marriage of the Bride of Christ and Jesus cannot happen, until of the "true" anointed are resurrected to heaven. Considering how many of the newer governing body members are quite young, 40's and 50's and they have said that all will be resurrected to heaven before the wedding starts, what about these younger governing body members? Does that mean they will have to live out their natural lives before they are resurrected (the WTS has said that the resurrection of the anointed started long after the 1st century, and actually started in the early 20th century and that thereafter when "true" anointed WTS members died faithful, they would be resurrected "in the twinkling of an eye." So will younger governing body members have to die before natural and taken to heaven so they can be there for the marriage? (reminds me of the non-WTS teaching of the rapture) Or will the "end" have to wait till the death of the last governing body member? With so many jws getting the "calling" late in life (more than just the governing body, but all 144,000 anointed (all self-claimed) are in heaven" On the recent info on 2 more governing body members being appointed by the other members, what happens then? Can we "assume" that the average lifespan now is around 80 years (sic), and some will reach that age, can we assume that the end is yet 30 years in the future? And with the "overlapping generation" teaching how much farther will that put out the time for the marriage to begin. The marriage cannot start until all "true" anointed are in heaven, Can you conclude then that some of the anointed will die sooner, not of natural causes, also pushing out the timeline? I don't see how this explanation does not open up the need to make other "adjustments" and "clarifications: (WTS terms not mine)? (and when says "we" they mean the governing body since only they, not the rest of the anointed, have that privilege to make adjustments and clarifications? I know many on JWN will have their long convuluted explanations, but I am not looking for that. Just that readers here, look at the possibilities that the WTS needs to address. Love Blondie (who does not claim to be a bible scholar or feel that quoting other "bible scholars" is true support of their ideas. Give your own opinion not that of others.) Just reporting, not supporting WTS ideas.

47

2024 Annual Meeting Doctrinal Change

by Listener in

a change to their doctrine came from jackson.

this isn't a transcript of his whole speech but i thought i would try and get some of his main speech in writing.. at around 1hr26 minutes he starts talking about some dangerous thinking in feeling there is some wiggle room in regards to the schedule for the gt.

but you see, we need to be careful about what we are thinking about the number of anointed ones left on earth.

blondie

I see the word "assumed" used, it made me remember this proverb "When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me." Once again they do make an ass out of themselves and unfortunately other believing jws.

56

Annual Meeting live updates

by ukpimo in

i have obtained the live link for the annual meeting tomorrow:.

annual meeting live link.

the meeting will begin at 9:45am eastern time, for those of us in the uk, that will be 2:45pm.

blondie

Between 1972 and 1975, the Governing Body was enlarged to 18 members.

6

Atlantis

by Marcial in

jw
friends

please give us news of him as soon as you can.

atlantis has done so much that it would be too ungrateful to forget him.

i am so indebted to him.

blondie

If no news, then there is no news to share.

5

Questionable Claims and/or Actions of The Governing Body

by Vanderhoven7 in

here are a few of the questionable claims and actions of the gb that i have noticed:.

a. writing themselves into the salvation formula.

b. claiming they are jehovah's unique channel of communication.

blondie

Here is a list of statements the GB has said about obeying them explicitly, starting in 2022, many might remember the statement from 2013, that one is in here to, but some confirming that after 2013.

https://www.jwfacts.com/watchtower/quotes/trust-governing-body.php

(2022) As the end of this system of things draws near, we need to trust in Jehovah’s way of doing things as never before. Why? During the great tribulation, we may receive instructions that seem strange, impractical, or illogical. Of course, Jehovah will not speak to us personally. He will likely provide direction through his appointed representatives. That will hardly be the time to second-guess the direction or to view it with skepticism, wondering, ‘Is this really coming from Jehovah, or are the responsible brothers acting on their own?’ How will you fare during that crucial time in human history? The answer might be indicated by how you view theocratic direction now. If you trust the direction we receive today and readily obey, you will likely do the same during the great tribulation.

Polygamy WTS history 1941, 1947, 1951

by blondie in

i bet you didn't know that the wts allowed male jws to keep the wives they had before being baptized, but no more after baptism....but only in countries where the government allowed polygamy legally.

i wonder how the scripture that says a christian man should only have one wife?

september 1, 1995 wt p. 25-26. it was in 1947 that the first three gilead graduates arrived in nigeria.

blondie

I bet you didn't know that the WTS allowed male jws to keep the wives they had before being baptized, but no more after baptism....but only in countries where the government allowed polygamy legally. I wonder how the scripture that says a Christian man should only have one wife? September 1, 1995 WT p. 25-26

It was in 1947 that the first three Gilead graduates arrived in Nigeria. One of these brothers, Tony Attwood, is still here, serving at the Nigeria Bethel. From that time on, we saw great changes in Jehovah’s organization in Nigeria. One of the big changes was our view of polygamy.

I married Olabisi Fashugba in February 1941 and knew enough not to take any additional wives. But until 1947 when the missionaries came, polygamy was common in the congregations. Polygamous brothers were told that they had married more than one wife in ignorance. So if they had two or three or four or five wives, they could keep them, but they should not take any more. That was the policy we had.

Many people had been anxious to join us, especially the Cherubim and Seraphim Society in Ilesha. They said that Jehovah’s Witnesses were the only people who taught the truth. They agreed with our teachings and wanted to convert their churches into Kingdom Halls. We were working hard to bring this about. We even had centers to train their elders.

Then came new direction concerning polygamy. One of the missionaries delivered a lecture at a circuit assembly in 1947. He spoke about good conduct and habits. Next he quoted 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10, which says that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God. He then added: “And the polygamists will not inherit God’s Kingdom!” People in the audience shouted: “Oh, polygamists will not inherit God’s Kingdom!” Division resulted. It was like a war. Many of the newly associated ones stopped associating, saying: “Thank God, we have not gone very far.”