Ren said:
no thx and going over back history of imperfect men is not my idea of fun, If you look for imperfection in imperfection you will find it!
All a ex-Jw can prove by telling how bad such and such a witness was is that they are imperfect men Well! I already knew that.
Spirit guidance doesn't preclude imperfection.
and in fact we are told biblically that we await the time when 'imperfection becomes perfection' While I try not to use imperfection as an excuse I cannot allow it as a Reason to condemn either!
http://www.armageddononline.org/failed_armageddon1.php
Ren my dear, just a few comments and questions now that I have a little time:
Ø First, I find it odd that you would defend your faith with a list that puts your faith on the same level as David Koresh and the Branch Davidians.
Ø Who else on that list is Spirit directed?
Ø If they are the only channel of communication from God, shouldn’t they have the best record of any - even if it is not perfect?
Ø Why do they have the worst record on the list?
Ø Why should I trust my eternal destiny with someone who is wrong every time?
Ø JW’s believe that the GB alone is spiritual enough that they alone can understand the Bible, but they are no better than anyone else. Which is it?
Ø I am willing to condemn EVERY single person on the list, that claimed to speak for God, as a false prophet. Are you willing to do the same?
Ø I am willing to apply any standard that I hold the WTS to, to every other person or religious organization. Do you hold the WTS to the same standards that you apply to other religions?
Ø Reading WT, Awake, meetings and field service aren’t fun either. You would do well to read early WT writings and those of the early Church Fathers. Perhaps you could avoid inadvertantly embarassing yourself by confusing theology as biography.
Ø As I have read many of the writings of Russell and Rutherford, I know more about the early doctrines of your faith than you do.
Ø JW’s would be surprised to learn that they hold to a faith that was founded in Egyptian/ Babylonian paganism. Russell taught that the pyramid was a stone witness equal to the Bible.
Ø I don’t know where you got the idea that the council of Nicea invented the trinity or the deity of Christ, but it is bunk. These doctrines were held long before Nicea.
Ø Arius was excommunicated, not executed.
Ignatius of Antioch – Letter to the Ephesians ca. 100
“There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death”
“God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life.”
Hyppolytus - Against Heresies ca. 220
“For this is a peculiarity of the pre-eminence of God, not to stand in need of other instruments for the creation of those things which are summoned into existence. His own Word is both suitable and sufficient for the formation of all things, even as John, the disciple of the Lord, declares regarding Him: All things were made by Him, and without Him was nothing made.”
Hermas - The Shepherd ca.100
“and the son is the Holy Spirit”