Posts by Doug Mason

20

Why did Paul call Jesus, “the firstborn from the dead”?

by Doug Mason in

"jesus christ was resurrected on nisan 16, 33 c.e., the day when the jewish high priest offered up the firstfruits of the barley harvest.

this fits in accurately with jesus' being the "firstfruits" in the resurrection of the human dead.

(1 cor.

Doug Mason

The term “firstborn” is a single word and it refers to rank, it does not relate to being born, as the following shows:

“Jesus Christ was resurrected on Nisan 16, 33 C.E., the day when the Jewish high priest offered up the firstfruits of the barley harvest. This fits in accurately with Jesus' being the ‘firstfruits’ in the resurrection of the human dead. (1 Cor. 15:20) This put Jesus Christ in the first ‘rank.’ Just as in the Jewish barley harvest there were afterfruits to be reaped, so too there must be afterfruits in the resurrection: of the dead. But since Jesus Christ ranks first, Paul called him ‘the firstborn from the dead, that he might become the one who is first in all things.’”—Col. 1:18. (The Watchtower, June 15, 1979)

4

The importance of being Satan or the Devil

by Etude in

while the word "satan" appears in many translations of the old and new testament, it is much more common in the n.t., with only a few mentions in the o.t.

the word "devil" seems almost exclusively used in the n.t., at least in the few versions i checked.

this may have something to do with the word origin, satan v devil.

Doug Mason

In the OT, "the" Satan was an opposer. In Job it was a son of God who carried out YHWH's instructions and was limited to that action. He would be something like a Public Prosecutor.

The word :"devil" comes to us from the Septuagint -- the Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures, where they used the word "Diabolos" which became Devil.

When the 3rd century BCE Jews (and more particularly the common class) used their creative imagination (and ideas from their neighbours) they invented a spirit world along with an evil class of spirits, a war within heaven, and a Leader of the angles they invented as having "fallen". This Leader was given a range of names, the most popular being Mastema (see Jubilees), Azazel, Beliar, Belial, Beelzeboul, Satan, and so forth, depending on the region where he resided. Later on, closer to the time of the NT, they invented daemons (demons), which influence carried over to Christianity (another Jewish sect) and to Islam.

https://jwstudies.com/2TP_A_Spirit_World.pdf

https://jwstudies.com/Revolutions_Satan__Lucifer__Devil.pdf

Doug

20

Why did Paul call Jesus, “the firstborn from the dead”?

by Doug Mason in

"jesus christ was resurrected on nisan 16, 33 c.e., the day when the jewish high priest offered up the firstfruits of the barley harvest.

this fits in accurately with jesus' being the "firstfruits" in the resurrection of the human dead.

(1 cor.

Doug Mason

"Jesus Christ was resurrected on Nisan 16, 33 C.E., the day when the Jewish high priest offered up the firstfruits of the barley harvest. This fits in accurately with Jesus' being the "firstfruits" in the resurrection of the human dead. (1 Cor. 15:20) This put Jesus Christ in the first "rank.”

"Just as in the Jewish barley harvest there were afterfruits to be reaped, so too there must be afterfruits in the resurrection of the dead. But since Jesus Christ ranks first, Paul called him "the firstborn from the dead, that he might become the one who is “first in all things."—Col. 1:18.

"By his sacrificial death Jesus Christ bought back or redeemed all the human family who are dying "in Adam." (The Watchtower, June 15, 1979, page 22)

Study on Second-Temple Mysticisms and Mysteries completely rewritten

by Doug Mason in

i appreciate the feedback that i received from my study into the mysticisms and mysteries of the second-temple period (which is a period that includes the nt, particularly paul) and their ongoing impact.. i have now completely reworked it and hopefully i have addressed the concerns that were raised.. the information is structured thematically:.

1. celestial ascents.

2. mysticisms.

Doug Mason

I appreciate the feedback that I received from my Study into the Mysticisms and Mysteries of the Second-Temple period (which is a period that includes the NT, particularly Paul) and their ongoing impact.

I have now completely reworked it and hopefully I have addressed the concerns that were raised.

The information is structured thematically:

1. Celestial Ascents

2. Mysticisms

3. The Mysteries

4. Descent from Heaven

Plus two Appendices.

I am very open to criticisms, which I welcome with open arms.

https://www.academia.edu/s/c441f4ced5

Doug

35

An exchange with a JW about the blood doctrine.

by Giles Gray in

i recently had an online exchange with an active jw about the blood issue.

he originally wanted to talk about the potential dangers of transfusions but i pointed out that the risks of transfusions have nothing whatsoever to do with the reason that jws reject blood, and therefore i didn’t see any value in debating that topic.. not able to let it go, he then insisted that the blood mandate was a common theme throughout the bible, quoting acts 15:29.. it’s been a while since i looked into the subject, and i admit i’m now a little rusty when it comes to recalling where to find biblical quotes, but i remembered that there are passages in both the new and old testaments that, when read in the context of the time they were written, call into question the watchtower’s rendition of acts 15:29.. i offered to do some bible research and get back to the jw, suggesting that rather than letting our discussion become combative, we could have an informative and interesting exchange of ideas.

i reassured him that i was not looking to undermine his convictions, in fact i was more than happy to be corrected if my thinking was wrong.

Doug Mason

I have gathered much on the subject over the years:

https://jwstudies.com/blood.html

These appear on that page and might be helpful:

https://jwstudies.com/Handling_Medical_Evidence.pdf

https://jwstudies.com/Letter_from_Ray_Franz.jpg

https://jwstudies.com/The_Meaning_of__Blood_.pdf

As you say, every medical procedure carries risks, and one should never promote or deny a procedure based on ancient mythologies. The decision must be made by those qualified to make it.

Doug

6

Second-Temple period mysteries and mysticisms

by Doug Mason in

i don't know if anyone is interested in the subject of the mysteries and mysticisms of the second-temple period (including paul and the gospels) but if so:.

https://www.academia.edu/s/61773ba12f?source=link .

doug.

Doug Mason

Thank you, Terry.

I turned page 8 on its head, I was wrong and I appreciate your help.

Please tell me if it is still out of whack - and anywhere else.

------------

Appropriate to other things, I came across the following passage in an old book languishing unloved for many a year:

Those who regard the prophets mainly as guides to the future are likely to be disappointed by this work. For me, "the prophets speaks primarily to the men of his own time, and his message springs out of the circumstances in which he lives" (Men Spake from God, Ellison, page 4). Hence we will best understand Ezekiel as we try to grasp what his own generation should have understood and only then reinterpret, if necessary, in the light of the New Testament. In dealing with the prophecies of the future. I have therefore been normally more concerned with what Ezekiel's contemporaries were to understand by them than what we may read into them from the standpoint of the New Testament. (Ezekiel: The Man and His Message, Ellison, (1956), 11).

Doug

6

Second-Temple period mysteries and mysticisms

by Doug Mason in

i don't know if anyone is interested in the subject of the mysteries and mysticisms of the second-temple period (including paul and the gospels) but if so:.

https://www.academia.edu/s/61773ba12f?source=link .

doug.

Doug Mason

Thank you, Terry. I will rethink that part again.

I am wrong to use "Christian" definitions of "mysticism" and "mystery". I need to provide the understanding of these terms during the Second-Temple period (which includes Paul).

To give you an idea of the slippery slope that befuddled my ancient grey cells, I have provided the "Christian" definitions here:

https://jwstudies.com/Defining_Christian_Mysticism__Inge.pdf

https://jwstudies.com/Defining_Mysticism__a_Survey__Zarrabizadeh.pdf

Regards -- and thank you,

Doug

6

Second-Temple period mysteries and mysticisms

by Doug Mason in

i don't know if anyone is interested in the subject of the mysteries and mysticisms of the second-temple period (including paul and the gospels) but if so:.

https://www.academia.edu/s/61773ba12f?source=link .

doug.

Doug Mason

I absolutely agree with you, Terry!

The list of "definitions" in the book where I lifted that from runs to a few pages, several not in English, most far worse..

Thank you for your feedback and I will take another look with the view to replacing the paragraph.

I really appreciate your feedback.

If anyone can find a meaningful replacement from a recognised scholar, please let me know.

Doug

6

Second-Temple period mysteries and mysticisms

by Doug Mason in

i don't know if anyone is interested in the subject of the mysteries and mysticisms of the second-temple period (including paul and the gospels) but if so:.

https://www.academia.edu/s/61773ba12f?source=link .

doug.

Doug Mason

Hi,

Back again, this time with egg on face.

I found errors with the hyperlinks I provided at Page 7 of my Study. No excuses, just plain incompetence.

The corrected file is at:

https://jwstudies.com/2TP_Mysticisms.pdf

I will correct the Academia address in the morning.

Sorry.

Doug

6

Second-Temple period mysteries and mysticisms

by Doug Mason in

i don't know if anyone is interested in the subject of the mysteries and mysticisms of the second-temple period (including paul and the gospels) but if so:.

https://www.academia.edu/s/61773ba12f?source=link .

doug.

Doug Mason

Hi,

I don't know if anyone is interested in the subject of the mysteries and mysticisms of the Second-temple period (including Paul and the Gospels) but if so:

https://www.academia.edu/s/61773ba12f?source=link

Doug