One who is an instructor of the Ministerial Training School, the Watchtower Bible School of Gilead, or such programs, and well as those on the Teaching Committee would surely be among the best at teaching "what is the JW theology", but which is actually really available to all via individual, personal research in the WT publications (which qualified instructors have written based on their own array of study and experience in handling the Word of the Truth. Most, if not all of the WT publications use what could be termed "theological" expressions/ understanding, including the Require brochure, the Teach book, the Reasoning book, and the Insight volumes. It is good to become well-grounded in the variety of expressions that are used. For one thing, the exact questions Doug Mason has asked here in Post 634 are probably not identical to any question actually found on the WT CD-ROM. Thus one may need to start with a verse that IS understood as relating to part of the question, and then note and research the cross-reference citations, and reason of the matters from there. Sometimes, the best way to get the answer, rather than trusting our own reasoning abilities, is by writing someone who we trust would surely know. Perhaps that is why Doug Mason has asked here on this Forum. Unless a person (Doug Mason in this case) has a rapport with someone here in a teaching position in the congregation (i.e. elder, MS, pioneer, family head) who has experience with reasoning on your exact questions or ones like it, the teacher will probably NOT have the skills to answer the question to your satisfaction better than you can yourself [unless the required publication is NOT available for your study], since you know WHY your are asking these exact questions. Personally, I trust myself in researching various genealogical issues and comparative linguistics issues, but not doctrinal Bible issues, since I have yet to receive real personal training of that sort, which is required because sound scriptural understanding is NOT obtained by simply private guesswork and deduction. In order for it to qualify properly under the heading "the JW theology", the questions should be those which are required curriculum for unbaptised publishers in general to know, since one becomes a JW by being approved for theocratic public service and then for ordination as a baptised minister of the Good News of the Kingdom. In that case, the Organized book (given to all publishers, or would-be publishers [i.e. regular meeting attenders]) should have such a question, and its authorised answer. It may be, that we'll have to wait until the particular question is considered in a future "Questions From Readers" article.
Spike Tassel
JoinedPosts by Spike Tassel
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68
What is the JW theology?
by Doug Mason inby "theology" i mean "the study of god (gk.
: theos).. jws keep rabbiting on ad nauseum about the trinity teaching being "irrational", "impossible to understand", etc.. i do not want this thread to be about the trinitarian doctrine.. i want to be given an explanation of what a jw believes.
i have seen so many arrows and spears thrown by jws, i want to know exactly what they are defending.. i want to see an explanation of "god" that is rational and can be understood.. doug.
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WHAT HAS HELPED HEALED CURED YOUR BITTERNESS WITH THE BORG?
by freewilly01 inis there or has there been anything that has aided you in your quest to rid yourself of the bitterness and resentment of the jw's .
i know for some it has appeared that they have a newfound religion or religious belief, but that is not the case with myself.. for some maybe visiting these sites encourages them to shed those miserable memories?
for me it just builds more resentment.
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Spike Tassel
recognizing that it is ME whom I have control of, NOT anyone else. Coming on to JWN has given me a "SAFE" outlet in which to STATE what I believe, and see how others may judge what I say. Immersing my self on JWN is a way of not being isolated, and yet not being exposed physically to unwanted health hazards. This allows me to benefit from the various one's hearts better, since I can take my time to analyse each response which I am interested in. Seeing how others have moved on from bitterness and other negative thoughts/ emotions is also quite helpful to remake my psyche, thus allowing me to stay analytical, while lessening me being "critical". By focusing on articulating my positions more than anything like attacking others' positions is also quite helpful in my process of making my inner self more attractive to myself, and others.
by the way, a post all/mostly in lower-case, like this post of mine, is going to get a better response THAN ONE THAT IS ALL IN CAPS. ALL-CAPS is for Government indexes and other detached announcements; it is not for general Forum use, like this Topic (a.k.a. thread) is part of.
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68
What is the JW theology?
by Doug Mason inby "theology" i mean "the study of god (gk.
: theos).. jws keep rabbiting on ad nauseum about the trinity teaching being "irrational", "impossible to understand", etc.. i do not want this thread to be about the trinitarian doctrine.. i want to be given an explanation of what a jw believes.
i have seen so many arrows and spears thrown by jws, i want to know exactly what they are defending.. i want to see an explanation of "god" that is rational and can be understood.. doug.
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Spike Tassel
This is a question for individual, personal research using WT publications. You can do it yourself, Doug. This is how you make the Truth of the Bible your own.
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where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus?
by Spike Tassel inbluecanary asks [with emphasis mine]:.
in the past when god's chosen leader acted without his blessing, god corrected the individual/group in an obvious and miraculous way.
why does it appear, then, that when the gb is "adjusted" it comes from external sources, such as the 1914 generation dying off, or races integrating nationwide.
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Spike Tassel
The Topic here is where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus? It is NOT about putting other posters on trial
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where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus?
by Spike Tassel inbluecanary asks [with emphasis mine]:.
in the past when god's chosen leader acted without his blessing, god corrected the individual/group in an obvious and miraculous way.
why does it appear, then, that when the gb is "adjusted" it comes from external sources, such as the 1914 generation dying off, or races integrating nationwide.
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Spike Tassel
I answer spiritually, like Jesus, in riddles, as I'm being refined. I am not qualified to do otherwise.
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where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus?
by Spike Tassel inbluecanary asks [with emphasis mine]:.
in the past when god's chosen leader acted without his blessing, god corrected the individual/group in an obvious and miraculous way.
why does it appear, then, that when the gb is "adjusted" it comes from external sources, such as the 1914 generation dying off, or races integrating nationwide.
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Spike Tassel
each must deal with circumstances according to their conscience and training and qualifications, and be refined according to their personal study of the issues each face personally. If we can help a crime from happening, then we ought to prayerfully do so. On the other hand, should we attempt to solve anything without prayerful guidance, we cannot realistically expect Jehovah's assistance. Shrewdness is a virtue, inexperience is not. Let Jehovah avenge any wrong as we beseech Him constantly for His guidance, so that Jehovah may be glorified in every matter.
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How much does behel/bethels around the world conribite to local and national economies?
by badboy inany ideas?.
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Spike Tassel
actually, now that I think about it, Bethels generate quite a bit of tourism, due to the many that visit Bethels each year. No doubt, this helps raise the fashion standard in the area because of the visitors' model example. Thus, more shopping by the locals, in addition to whatever tourism dollars the Witnesses bring to the areas due to the nearby Bethels.
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where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus?
by Spike Tassel inbluecanary asks [with emphasis mine]:.
in the past when god's chosen leader acted without his blessing, god corrected the individual/group in an obvious and miraculous way.
why does it appear, then, that when the gb is "adjusted" it comes from external sources, such as the 1914 generation dying off, or races integrating nationwide.
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Spike Tassel
which is many of us stay put, in the camp of Jehovah's Witnesses, "no longer be babes, tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in contriving error." We let our Bible-trained conscience be our guide, come what may. The WT organization does give a lot to listen to, to read, and thus, to think about. But, we're all given free will, to decide, hopefully, in a balanced way. As I've said before, I'll stay faithfully attending, regardless of how any JC may rule, and when Armageddon's done and I'm still attending, there will be no need to wonder where I stand on the issue of Universal Sovereignty.
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where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus?
by Spike Tassel inbluecanary asks [with emphasis mine]:.
in the past when god's chosen leader acted without his blessing, god corrected the individual/group in an obvious and miraculous way.
why does it appear, then, that when the gb is "adjusted" it comes from external sources, such as the 1914 generation dying off, or races integrating nationwide.
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Spike Tassel
Ephesians 4:11-16 is germane regarding "flipflops" and "refinements":— 11 And he [the Christ] gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelizers [Or, "missionaries." Greek, eu·ag·ge·li·stas´; Latin, e·van·ge·li´stas.], some as shepherds and teachers, 12 with a view to the readjustment [Or, "to the putting into proper alignment."] of the holy ones, for ministerial work, for the building up of the body of the Christ, 13 until we all attain to the oneness in the faith and in the accurate knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ; 14 in order that we should no longer be babes, tossed about as by waves and carried hither and thither by every wind of teaching by means of the trickery of men, by means of cunning in contriving error. 15 But speaking the truth [Or, "But being truthful."], let us by lovegrow up in all things into him who is the head, Christ. 16 From him all the body, by being harmoniously joined together and being made to cooperate [Literally, being made to go together."] through every joint that gives what is needed, according to the functioning of each respective member in due measure, makes for the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
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where do the refinements come from?, and why do you answer thus?
by Spike Tassel inbluecanary asks [with emphasis mine]:.
in the past when god's chosen leader acted without his blessing, god corrected the individual/group in an obvious and miraculous way.
why does it appear, then, that when the gb is "adjusted" it comes from external sources, such as the 1914 generation dying off, or races integrating nationwide.
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Spike Tassel
how are flipflops refinements, unless the unsound interpretations got rooted out? and those responsible for publishing the unsound interpretations got counseled properly?
After all, as Psalm 119:165 is recorded:— Abundant peace belongs to those loving your [Jehovah's] law, And for them there is no stumbling block.