I'm starting to have doubts (again). Firstly, I cannot accept that much of the Bible was meant as literally as some would argue. As others have mentioned, the Bible is just a small sample of Scriptures. Who decided what should be in/out of both Old & New Testaments? The New Testament was compiled in the late 4th century, but what if the men who decided what was in/out were poor judges or not inspired by God? What did these men believe and how did they act? Why is the Bible apparently so contradictory and why does this lead to so much division amongst those who accept it as the inspired word of God? Has more harm or good been done because of the existnce of the Bible, the Koran etc etc? Sometimes it just seems to be meant to tie well-intentioned people up in knots trying to work out the correct version of "the truth". I'm glad I don't believe as any other human in my quest to understand the meaning of life, although its nice to share viewpoints on some things.
jaffacake
JoinedPosts by jaffacake
-
25
What is the bible for?
by Smoky ini was just wondering the other day about the bible, in a different manner than i usually would (inspired by god).. it is like if i were a atheist, or something........ so what is the bibile?.
is it a rule book, that we must follow?
a guide we reference to enrich our lives?
-
-
-
22
Been searching scriptures for "salvation"
by jaffacake ini?ve been given a nwt bible, but don't understand how jws believe as they do.
why does the ?bible topics for discussion?
include some issues, eg celebrating birthdays, that seem less important compared with the question of how to attain salvation.
-
-
jaffacake
I am most grateful for the excellent views expressed. I know someone who is a non-practising Roman Catholic. She is what some may describe as clean living, and always seems to give up her time to help others, putting herself last. She visits the sick and offers support to many, even when they continually make mistakes and bring misfortune on themselves. She believes in God and his son from a catholic perspective - all she's known, but rarely attends church. What I'm trying to say is that I recognise in her many of the attributes linked to what the Bible says about salvation, although she doesn't know it because she knows little of scriptures. What I'm trying to say is that people like me are studying and talking about what makes a true Christian, whilst others, some not linked with a religion or organisation, just seem to get on with living a Christian life. I'm just thinking aloud really.
-
11
Servant versus Overseer
by larc inway back when, they used they used the term of servant.
in the late 60's or early 70's, they changed it to overseer.
now let us look at these two words.
-
-
jaffacake
Is the term "district overseer" or similar Biblical? When I was an adventist, the head of my congregation (my Pastor) washed my feet as a symbol of humility, and I washed his.
-
51
After all the wts crap, do any of you still believe in Jehovah?
by ButtLight ini have learned alot about the wts.
and disagree with allot of it.
but i still believe in jah.
-
-
jaffacake
WELCOME. Like many on here I believe in God or Jehova or whatever name we want to use, but the letters don't seem important to me, or indeed to God. Most Christians recognise references to God's name as his "good name" ie reputation. Even WTS acknowledges that meaning in Scriptures. As for the inaccurate term Jehovah, I'm pretty sure this was never written in original Greek Christian scriptures.
In WTS publication ?Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 2, Page 314?, it quotes Professor Kurt Aland as stating:
?the text of the New Testament has been excellently transmitted, better than any other writing from ancient times; the possibility that manuscripts might yet be found that would change its text decisively is zero.?
The Watchtower itself on 1 April 1977, page 219 ?whatever version of the Christian Scriptures you possess, there is no reason to doubt that the Greek text upon which it is based represents?what the inspired authors of these Bible books actually wrote. Though now nearly 2000 years removed from the time of their original composition, the Greek text?is a marvel of accurate transmission.?
An Article in Awake magazine 8 May 1985, page 14 says:
?since God inspired the original writings, ?it is logical that he would oversee a faithful transmittal of his Word down to our present day.?
There are approximately 5,000 ancient manuscript copies of the Christian Scriptures (ie New Testament). If I am to agree with the Watchtower that God saw to it that the preserved Greek text is ?a marvel of accurate transmission?
and then if the name YHWH is so important to God, why did God not see to it that it was preserved, at least in a single one of those 5,000 ancient manuscripts? Especially as it is clear from quotations as late as the fourth century, that YHWH was still to be found abundantly in the Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (ie Old Testament). Could it be that it was never ever there in the New Testament? All the evidence now points to the conclusion that the tetragram never existed in the original New Testament scriptures.
I think Jesus would have harsh words for an organisation obsessed with how God's name should be spelled and pronounced.
-
22
Been searching scriptures for "salvation"
by jaffacake ini?ve been given a nwt bible, but don't understand how jws believe as they do.
why does the ?bible topics for discussion?
include some issues, eg celebrating birthdays, that seem less important compared with the question of how to attain salvation.
-
-
jaffacake
Thanks again Narkissos. I need to think and read some more, perhaps I have concentrated too much on Paul's writing, and too little on others. I'll read your posts at least a copuple more times. The only thing I'm sure of now is that the NWT is strongly biased towards one side.
-
22
Been searching scriptures for "salvation"
by jaffacake ini?ve been given a nwt bible, but don't understand how jws believe as they do.
why does the ?bible topics for discussion?
include some issues, eg celebrating birthdays, that seem less important compared with the question of how to attain salvation.
-
-
jaffacake
I don't believe it, yet again half the verse doesn't come out in the message. I'll type it out once more:
Romans 9:30-32
?What shall we say then? That gentiles that did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is a righteousness that is by faith; but that ..... who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone.?
-
22
Been searching scriptures for "salvation"
by jaffacake ini?ve been given a nwt bible, but don't understand how jws believe as they do.
why does the ?bible topics for discussion?
include some issues, eg celebrating birthdays, that seem less important compared with the question of how to attain salvation.
-
-
jaffacake
At the start of my post this verse wouldn't come out right - 4th time of trying...
Romans 9:30-32
?What shall we say then? That gentiles that did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is a righteousness that is by faith; but that
My question...what does Paul describe as the stumbling stone?
-
22
Been searching scriptures for "salvation"
by jaffacake ini?ve been given a nwt bible, but don't understand how jws believe as they do.
why does the ?bible topics for discussion?
include some issues, eg celebrating birthdays, that seem less important compared with the question of how to attain salvation.
-
-
jaffacake
Interesting, and not as straightforward as I thought. This seems contradictory, but perhaps not. I agree that the definition of works is clearly about good Christian deeds such that are common in many individuals in many religions, some more so than JWs. As for the faith v works debate I'm still pondering. Perhaps aimed at people who said they had faith and called upon the Lord, but true Christian faith was not manifest in their actions. The main question I raised in my post however was about the NWT, and that it appears biased in that I felt steered away from some clear scriptural messages & towards those supported by JWs. I would have more respect if both aspects of scriptures were referred to, even if the discussion topic then drew its own conclusions. Then again, why add the traditions and creeds of men at the back of a Bible? A concordance (an honest and complete one) is perhaps all we really need.
-
8
Who remembers "Welcome to the Great Crowd" ?
by JustTickledPink in.
i was baptized in 1986 at the tender age of 11 yoa, but i remember after sitting through that stupid talk (where i almost fell asleep, no kidding) and then prayer, then getting dunked, then they announced a welcome to all newly baptized people and said "welcome to the great crowd" .
it's so weird remembering that specifically.. now i think, welcome to the great dwindling crowd of duped people not going anywhere.
-
-
jaffacake
Doesn't revelation say something about the great crowd (those in the courtyard) being cast out. I really don't think Rev says any of the great crowd will be saved, but hey, what do I know?
-
37
Can The Watchtower Society Be Reformed?
by Cameron in.
what about www.jwreform.org ?.
don at www.captivesofaconcept.com
-
-
jaffacake
I've not been on the inside but know people who are. The reform group's website looks good and although it is called reformation, I see it as a potential stepping-stone out of the clutches of WTBTS. For some this may be the best way out. Some may be more likely to listen to fellow JWs who are still faithful to Jehovah, but have doubts about the organisation. Personally I think once they find out some of the truth, they are bound to uncover more and more, and eventually make a complete scape. Ever the optimist