Hi, I'm interested in researching this subject. Can anyone recommend any good books that offer critical theories on the origins of early Christianity, specifically the content and creation of the gospels. For instance, how much of the gospels is underlying historical truth and how much might be exaggerations that crept in through, say 'chinese whispers' in the time between Jesus death and the writing of the gospels ?
I've researched the claims that the story of Jesus contains a lot of elements borrowed from earlier pre-Christians pagan elements (Horus, Dionysius, etc) but have also read convincing rebuttals to that theory.
I'm satisfied that the overall accurate textual transmission of the scriptures is adequately proven.
Aren't looking for anything on the gnostic gospels particularly, having satisfied myself on those. Just the NT gospels.
Just constructive posts please.
yaddayadda
JoinedPosts by yaddayadda
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What happened between Jesus death & the gospels being written?
by yaddayadda inhi, i'm interested in researching this subject.
can anyone recommend any good books that offer critical theories on the origins of early christianity, specifically the content and creation of the gospels.
for instance, how much of the gospels is underlying historical truth and how much might be exaggerations that crept in through, say 'chinese whispers' in the time between jesus death and the writing of the gospels ?
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yaddayadda
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DC, all but gave directions to the JWD site
by ocsrf in.
i found the dc very interesting this year do to my reading of this site.
i took note that the danger of the internet was menitioned no less than three times, once with a demonstration showing a brother who found a site by a innocent search of the web on a jw subject to the very last talk, concluding remarks and final "resolution" that consisted of 10 items with number 10 staying away from dangerous sites and chat rooms.. makes you wonder what the real story is behind that much attention being given to this problem iof theirs.. oc
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yaddayadda
Just wondering what your point is Myelaine? Could it be that when Jehovah says he will cast his 'net' over them, he meant the 'inter net' ???
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Greg Stafford releases JWD 3
by AliveinChrist ingreetings group .
i saw today that stafford is going to be releasing a third addition of his jehovahs witnesses defended publication at a pre-sale price, on his web site at http://www.elihubooks.com/ .
it will be of interest to those of us who have read his publications to see what changes will be in version 3 that were not in version 2, since the release of his three dissertations book, which was a more candid look at the history of the wt history and doctrinal changes.
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yaddayadda
Despite no longer being a JW and having read anti-JW doctrine material for years, I remain convinced that the JW's have got it spot on re the trinity, no hellfire, and no inherently immortal soul. It's just a pity there is so much creedal crap in amongst that lot.
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Do you think a nuclear weapon will be used in war or terrorism in our time?
by free2beme inwith all those nukes out there, and all the countries that have them or are making them.
do you think it is something we should expect, that in our lifetime a nuclear weapon will be used in war or an act of terrorism?
i personally think it is possible, and i think it would be the middle east that would see this happening.
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yaddayadda
Yep, I'm absolutely convinced we will see a nuclear weapon used in our time, sad to say. It's only a matter of time.
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The World (YAWN) Cup
by Gregor insoccer could be played without using a ball and nobody would notice.
come on, an hour and a half of watching a big pinball machine, with players falling down writhing in fake agony trying to get bogus fouls called?
endless arguing with refs over tedious rules violations.
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yaddayadda
This world cup has been boring. Defenses are totally dominating and I've never seen so much cynicism and cheating going on. I love soccer but this world cup has been a yawn I'm afraid. They need to tweak the rules a bit to make it easier for attacking football, eg, eliminate the backpass to the goalie entirely. That would make just enough difference to open up the defenses more.
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DC, all but gave directions to the JWD site
by ocsrf in.
i found the dc very interesting this year do to my reading of this site.
i took note that the danger of the internet was menitioned no less than three times, once with a demonstration showing a brother who found a site by a innocent search of the web on a jw subject to the very last talk, concluding remarks and final "resolution" that consisted of 10 items with number 10 staying away from dangerous sites and chat rooms.. makes you wonder what the real story is behind that much attention being given to this problem iof theirs.. oc
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yaddayadda
I already had doubts before searching the net. I knew something was screwy with the whole chronology, 1914 thing when they changed the 'generation' understanding in 1995. That tipped me over the edge. I knew there were no answers to be found in the Society's own publications so I sought out information elsewhere, simple as that. The internet just seemed like a giant online library to me so why not use it? I trusted myself to sift the bullshit from the truth and I've discovered that my trust was not ill-founded (eg, there is just as much bullshit on this website than there is truth). That's why they are so dumb to continually demonise the internet like this. Those who have doubts and are not totally sucked in by the Society's cultish warning to avoid all alternative sources of information on JW belief will start to realise that there is something going on, that there is an abundance of information out there on the internet to be found, being naturally curious, they won't be able to resist having a peek.
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"Watchtower Killers"---The Great Watchtower Deception
by sf inas i was reading one of the 'newbies' threads, at the end google has this ad for a site we've seen discussed here before.
yet, i never really went and read the site {i do tons of reading, so it isn't easy to read everything i'd like}.. for others interested:.
http://www.energeticsolutions.com.au/great_watchtower_deception.html.
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yaddayadda
Although he makes a valid point that JW's have been brainwashed into a type of 'suicide' re the blood issue, it has nothing to do with hypnotism. In that regard the website is pure rubbish. As Just2sheep mentioned, the guy can't even get his facts right about how a meeting is conducted. May as well say that the invention of reading (moving eyes from left to right) was meant to hypnotize humanity.
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Letting Go......
by anewme in"in the inevitable rising and falling, the cycles of expansion and contraction that come as you give birth to yourself, there may be moments to push, to strive toward a spiritual goal.
but more frequently the task is one of leting go, of finding a gracious heart that honors the changes of life.
"in all practices and traditions of freedom, we find the heart's task to be quite simple.
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yaddayadda
May i ask what the title of the book is? Try also reading 'The Secret of Letting Go' by Guy Finley. Superb.
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Would you have stayed if essential changes were made?
by greendawn inwhen you began doubting the wts did you decide that there was no remedy and you had leave them, or did you say if they change on such and such points i will stay on?
what were those points that if changed you would approve of the jws and stay in?
for me it was not an issue because i wanted to see many changes and they wouldn't carry them out.
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yaddayadda
Yea, I would've stayed, because I think scripturally their most basic doctrines are correct, but it would be a totally different organisation with all the changes that should be made. It's like asking 'if you could travel back in time what would you change'? Totally hypothetical.
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yaddayadda
And Dubya is studying with the Moonies. Havn't you heard?