Gallons of ink have been spilled on the theodicy question! I do like what DD said, and half a person's verse from Job. It's interesting how the book of Job concerns the problem of suffering, and the answer to it is really..........no answer! -- I do know for sure that when you read the Bible Teach book, and it "answers" that age-old question, which has been debated/discussed over centuries by many brilliant theologians, philosophers, etc, in like 5 paragraphs....... Well, it's one of the most aburd things i've ever seen! Anyone who claims to answer it in a totally satisfying, dogmatic and simplistic manner is just plain wrong and ridiculous!
AuntBee
JoinedPosts by AuntBee
-
26
Why dont more Christians invoke a JW-style Satan argument when debating why God allows suffering?
by Half a Person ini have just been watched the first part of a sort-of theist vs atheist debate on youtube featuring christopher hitchens.. what struck me is that in all of these types of debates that ive seen, the christians, when faced with the question why does god allow suffering, never really provide any sort of satisfying answer.
its usually something along the lines of:.
our question shouldnt be what is *god* doing, but, rather, we should ask ourselves: what am *i* doing?
-
-
-
48
What do you think about Revelation?
by wantstoleave inhow do you put the bible book of revelation into perspective?
do you see it as real?
metaphorical?
-
-
AuntBee
Ultimate Reality - I'm much more interested in this view lately too, the pre-ad 70 date. I realized from studying the Reformation and church history, that the popular views of today that get the most publicity were not held by most CHristians over the span of church history. -- I"ll look into those books you mentioned. A book that is written on a more popular level i think, is Last Days Madness, by Gary DeMar. (I would think exJWs would like the title, LOL) -- Another resource for those who are really into it, is Concordia Theological Seminary (Lutheran), has a series on Revelation on ITunes U. The prof is somewhat hard to get used to listening to, but he's quite good. (i've got a link somewhere on a verse by verse commentary on Matthew 24 from the pre-ad 70 point of view that's really interesting too. I'll try to find it later.)
Cheers, auntbee, tucson
-
78
How Are JW's Sins Forgiven?
by Perry inmatthew 9:6 but that ye may know that the son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.. .
john 1:12 but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of god, even to them that believe on his name:.
why did we beg for jehovah's forgiveness at every prayer when clearly the son has this authority?.
-
-
AuntBee
Angel Eyes said: "if we know we have led a truly clean life and been repentent,confessed sins when needed, lived according to Jehovahs standards then we are forgiven "
Have you ever read where Jesus clarified Jehovahs standards in the Sermon on the Mount? I don't feel i have lived according to Jehovahs standards on most days, let alone as a characteristic of my entire life. Have i led a truly clean life? NO. Do i confess sins when needed? I doubt it. I think there are many sins i commit that i am not even aware of. Especially if one includes in the definition of sin, sins of omission, as well as sins of the heart, attitudes , words ,etc. In the JW theology, is it really only the "biggies" you have to worry about? The external ones?
THe last JW i spoke with said that God knows our heart, and she was saying this as though it would be a comfort. This is not a comfort to me, that God knows my heart. I would be fearful in light of this, if it weren't for Christ as my mediator, and the One who died in my behalf.
Perry is right. The WT claims to be the only Christian organization on earth, but takes away the most basic, awesome , most comforting joy spoken of in the New Testament.....Jesus died for our sins!
-
18
2009 Sing to Jehovah Lyrics--PDF----by request!
by Atlantis in2009 sing to jehovah lyrics--pdf----by request!
request from researcher: i heard about this file but never received a copy and wondered if you had it.
can i get a copy?
-
-
AuntBee
I agree with Satanus after skimming the songs. Not much Jesus, not much about what He has done for us, not much good news. TONS of stuff about what YOU MUST DO, SHOULD DO, to get blessings, rewards, etc. Even where it mentions "Ransom" or "Forgiveness of sins", it doesn't go in depth about what this means, etc. It's almost like just thrown in there to make it sound somewhat "Christian." It reminds me more of songs someone would sing who has joined a military organization, songs to hype you up, and keep you going. I think the hymnody of a group really does reveal a lot!
I hope it's ok, but as a contrast, i wanted to post one of my favorite hymns. It's become popular lately in Contemporary Christian music, by various groups. It's called Before The Throne of God Above by Charitie Bancroft (a contemporary of Russell actually, LOL) I just love it, because it is pure Gospel. It's all about Christ, and His work for us, and its benefits! Nothing about us, how dedicated we are, should be ,etc. (some nice renditions of it are on YouTube. THe music is beautiful also.)
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!
Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!
One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God -
14
Were you sad when your car died?
by compound complex inmine may not make it.
in the family for years.
a workhorse.
-
-
AuntBee
YES, i was so sad. I'm glad someone can relate. We had a Toyota Camry, stick shift, 239,000 miles. Awesome car, 1993. We even had it re-painted, and my hubby let me pick the color. It was a shade of green that turned out to look really bad on it, and everyone has teased me about it for years, LOL. We lost it to Cash For Clunkers, as we really needed an automatic my daughter could drive to work and school. sniff. -- I hope you get a good prognosis, CocCo.
-
25
Gulper eels....why do teachers assign little kids "projects" that they know damn well the parent are going to have to do?
by SnakesInTheTower ini gotta vent...i am sitting here at my computer, using my nice, much faster 18 mb internet (vs my old 1mb)....and what am i doing (other than posting about the qualities of toilet paper)?....i am looking up crap about "gulper eels".. you see, my 8-year-old soon to be stepson says to my fiancee and i last thursday.... 8yrold: "i have a project due.
" hmmmm.... snakesandfiancee, looking at each other suspiciously: "when is it due?
" 8yo: "an animal, i have to find facts about an animal and pictures and print them on a poster board" as he pulls out of his backpack a large sheet of paper that has been folded more times than an accordion.
-
-
AuntBee
"some of those in his class that look like Graphic Art majors did it..".
ROFL!! You'll really start seeing even more awesome projects when he starts doing......science fairs!
-
4
New Book on Witness History
by Old Goat ini've been following the truthhistory.blogspot.com watchtower history blog almost since it was started.
it's probably the only authoritative web site dealing with early watch tower history.
the blog owner has just published a history of nelson barbour, one of russell's first associates.
-
-
AuntBee
Thank you for the book link, as well as the blog link! I'm an avid fan of reading about WT and Adventist history. It does look really interesting!
-
53
What should I say to the Mormons?
by bluecanary inyesterday as i was leaving the apartment, there were two women in skirts, holding bibles at the door across from me.
i almost panicked!
i definitely want to talk the jws if they ever come to my door (no one knows me in this area) but i'm not ready yet!.
-
-
AuntBee
Joseph Smith's 33 (at least) wives, one as young as 14, and quite a few were already married to someone else. The New Testament teaches that even local church elders must be 'the husband of one wife.' So wouldn't at least that standard apply to someone claiming to be God's mouthpiece to restore the Church in the last days? .... Adultery, of course, is condemned in both the Old and New Testament.
-
25
Gulper eels....why do teachers assign little kids "projects" that they know damn well the parent are going to have to do?
by SnakesInTheTower ini gotta vent...i am sitting here at my computer, using my nice, much faster 18 mb internet (vs my old 1mb)....and what am i doing (other than posting about the qualities of toilet paper)?....i am looking up crap about "gulper eels".. you see, my 8-year-old soon to be stepson says to my fiancee and i last thursday.... 8yrold: "i have a project due.
" hmmmm.... snakesandfiancee, looking at each other suspiciously: "when is it due?
" 8yo: "an animal, i have to find facts about an animal and pictures and print them on a poster board" as he pulls out of his backpack a large sheet of paper that has been folded more times than an accordion.
-
-
AuntBee
OH, a few of my huge pet peeves. Homework for parents! ROFL. HATE it. And i agree with Big Tex, let them do it on their own , regardless of how it turns out. (of course i would answer questions, give suggestions, etc.!!)
Helicopter parents? Oh, so annoying. They are doing their kids NO favors in the long run. Very dysfunctional. Keeps them very babyish. yuk. Sometimes they fail. Sometimes they have teachers they can't figure out, even when they try hard. And almost ALWAYS there are people smarter than them! Welcome to life.
My son just started high school, and i said to him, You want to be a commercial pilot. ASU has a great program, but i'm sure you need pretty good grades. Good luck, its up to you. -- I also dislike the computer thing the schools do, where you can check every day on their grades, assignments, etc. I guess ok for problematic situations, but it fosters that over-involvement.
Studies show that "straight A's " are actually no indicator of future success. Some of that can be a very motivated/smart kid, but a lot of it is parent-enabled, or parent driven, they need it to please the parents. Besides, almost everyone gets A's most of the time now, so i'm not sure what it even means any more! Big time grade inflation compared to when i was in school. Classes are dumbed down too. Let's just say, physics is not what it used to be.
As you can see, i have a lot of opinions on this. hehe.
-
102
Ever had some Witness storm out or turn off a Movie you were watching! Which one?
by Witness 007 ini was watching steve martin "leap of faith" pg rated mind you with some witnesses.
he plays a fake faith healer.
their were a couple swear words, and the brothers asked me to switch it off.. same thing happened with christine applegate movie {pg 13} "don't tell mom the babysiters dead.
-
-
AuntBee
My daughter's best friend during high school could not watch "Fireproof", which was so sad, because it has such a good message about marriage and such. I guess it should be rated R for Christian content!! You'd think she wanted him to watch some porn or something.