Isn't the whole idea or rule of "burden of proof" equally as much man-made as atheists claim the Bible is?
Why should I follow YOUR man-made rules instead of any other man-made rules?
for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.
but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?
why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?
Isn't the whole idea or rule of "burden of proof" equally as much man-made as atheists claim the Bible is?
Why should I follow YOUR man-made rules instead of any other man-made rules?
for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.
but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?
why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?
Phizzy,
Are you honestly suggesting that the Golden Rule and Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son morality has no place in the 21st Century?
Or the total equality of Galatians 3:28?
the july 15, 2015 study watchtower article entitled "your deliverance is getting near", along with the jw broadcasting video entitled "gerrit losch: fortified by "the prophetic word," and chapter 21 of the god's kingdom rules!
book presented a large amount of new light or clarified understanding of the events of the great tribulation.. here i am presenting it in chronological order -- this is the governing body's updated chronological order of events for the time right before the great tribulation through armageddon:.
the final sealing of the anointed occurs just prior to the outbreak of the tribulation.
Watchtower Simplified Study Edition, March 2015, Page 22:
13 Just before the great tribulation, God will give his final approval to the hardworking anointed ones who are still on earth at that time. This is their final sealing. (Revelation 7:1-3)
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Watchtower Study Edition, March 2015, Page 15:
11 So, then, before the great tribulation starts, all the faithful anointed on earth will have received their final sealing. (Rev. 7:1-4) From then on, their calling is sure. But think about the years before the tribulation begins. What would happen to anointed ones who failed to remain watchful, who lost their integrity? They would lose their heavenly reward. Obviously, they would receive no final sealing prior to the start of the tribulation. By that time, other faithful ones would be anointed. When the tribulation starts, the foolish ones might be shocked to see the destruction of Babylon the Great. It may be only at that point that they realize that they are not ready for the arrival of the Bridegroom. At that late hour, if they in desperation ask for help, what would happen? Jesus’ parable gives us the grim answer. The discreet virgins refused to give up their oil for the sake of the foolish, telling them to go instead to the sellers of oil. Remember, though, it was “in the middle of the night.” Would they be able to find sellers of oil at that hour? No. It would simply be too late.
the july 15, 2015 study watchtower article entitled "your deliverance is getting near", along with the jw broadcasting video entitled "gerrit losch: fortified by "the prophetic word," and chapter 21 of the god's kingdom rules!
book presented a large amount of new light or clarified understanding of the events of the great tribulation.. here i am presenting it in chronological order -- this is the governing body's updated chronological order of events for the time right before the great tribulation through armageddon:.
the final sealing of the anointed occurs just prior to the outbreak of the tribulation.
worldwide security under the prince of peacegods eternal purpose now triumphinglife does have a purpose babylon the great has fallen gods kingdom rulesyou can live forever on a paradise earththe secret to family happinessdid man get here by evolution of creationlet your kingdom comechoosing the best way of lifecommentary on the letter of jamesi have one of each.. the bible gods word or mansis the bible really the word of godsurvival into a new earthknowledge that leads to everlasting lifereasoningunited in worshipholy spirit the force behind the coming new orderthe two babylon'sparadise lost originalyou can live forever on a paradise earth first large print edition 1982 revelation book 1988 large print.
paul basically admitted in roman's 2 that if you're not a christian but you follow your conscience and the 'law of your heart' then you are fine!.
screw organised religion.
it's bogus.
the july 15, 2015 study watchtower article entitled "your deliverance is getting near", along with the jw broadcasting video entitled "gerrit losch: fortified by "the prophetic word," and chapter 21 of the god's kingdom rules!
book presented a large amount of new light or clarified understanding of the events of the great tribulation.. here i am presenting it in chronological order -- this is the governing body's updated chronological order of events for the time right before the great tribulation through armageddon:.
the final sealing of the anointed occurs just prior to the outbreak of the tribulation.
Notsurewheretogo,
Point 6 comes from the "Gerrit Lösch: Fortified by "the Prophetic Word" JW Broadcasting Video that was released in April, 2015. Here is the link:
http://tv.jw.org/#video/VODStudio/pub-jwban_201503_1_VIDEO
He said that because he was comparing it to the 4-year period from 66 A.D. to 70 A.D. when the Temple was destroyed.
Point 7 comes from paragraphs 5 and 6 of the July 2015 Study Watchtower article entitled "Your Deliverance is Getting Near!" (Compare the Simplified Edition also).
Combine those statements with the other recent statements from the God's Kingdom Book and other Watchtower issues, that the judgment of the Sheep and Goats happens at the END of the Tribulation and is based on how a person treats the anointed while the anointed are on earth.
for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.
but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?
why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?
WTWizard,
Do you have an example of the Bible intentionally lying?
for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.
but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?
why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?
Simon,
It could all be myth and fiction. I don't deny that as a possibility. Even if it is, it would make more sense to use the good parts / good morality found in the Bible to reason with those who are still die-hard believers, rather than alienate them completely by telling them it's all shit.
Azor,
I actually have come to value kindness, hope, and love equally as much as truth. If there is no God and there is no afterlife, with no judgment on whether I believed in facts or falsehoods, shouldn't kindness and happiness take priority over truth?
for many christians, the bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from god, where every single word was carefully chosen by god for a reason.
but, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.. since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free?
why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with?
For many Christians, the Bible is viewed as the 100% error-free, perfect book straight from God, where every single word was carefully chosen by God for a reason. But, usually, when you have a discussion on the topic, these Christians will end up saying that only the original copies written directly from the hands of the prophets and Apostles were error-free, and all manuscript copies since then are subject to copyist mistakes and other errors.
Since zero original copies are in existence, how do we know the originals were error-free? Why should we think the originals should be error-free to begin with? It’s important to remember that today, all we have are copies of copies of copies of copies of copies, and then, on top of that are translations and re-translations.
Why would God make sure that the originals were 100% inerrant, but then not preserve the originals, and allow all future copies to contain errors?
In the stories within the Bible, we constantly see the perfect God using imperfect, mistake-prone people to do His will. The New Testament shows that the Apostle Peter, even though He was specially chosen by Jesus and given the Keys of the Kingdom, he still messed up big time and had to be corrected by the Apostle Paul. (Galatians 2:11-14) Also, Paul got into a heated argument with Barnabas. (Acts 15:37-39)
My point is, these people God was using to do His will were imperfect just like we are. Why should we assume that, all of a sudden, when they picked up a pen and paper, they became inerrant and infallible?
I view the Bible as containing the Gospel Message of salvation, and the teachings of Jesus, which are infallible, but the rest of the Bible can (and does!) contain many copyist errors, and perhaps, historical or scientific mistakes.
I think we do a great disservice to our own minds and faith, and also to the inquisitive & skeptical outsider, when we rest our entire belief system on whether or not the Bible can have one tiny mistake and still contain the Word of God.
If Peter or King David can make a blunder and still be used by God, then why couldn’t a Bible-writer make a mistake while writing Scripture, and God still use that imperfect Scripture to express His Word?
And if Jesus could use myths and fictional stories and imaginary characters in His Parables to teach moral lessons, then why can't other parts of the Bible do the same?