Posts by godrulz

14

How bad is their shunning policy towards old studies?

by educatingMyself in

alreet everyone!.

this is somewhat related to my previous topic.. i dropped a friendly email to my old study conductor (how you doing?

hope your well.

godrulz

I went to the Memorial and chatted with a nice couple. He gave me his business card for insurance sales with his email. I thought he implied to contact him for spiritual issues, but now I think he was trying to get insurance business. I wrote him a positive email and thanked him for our dialogue. I went over some of the points he did not have answers to and asked him more questions. As a Christian, I would see this as a great opportunity to connect, witness, defend/proclaim my faith with a person of faith (even if the wrong one). It is a courtesy to reply to an email when someone gives their email with this implication. I was never responded to, just ignored. He knew I was never a JW, but probably sees me as an opposer (apostate would technically be incorrect). Is this type of rudeness common? Truth does not run from error. I am not impressed. JWs also say they will get back to you or bring someone more informed, but they never do (not keep word; theocratic warfare?).

I also worked with a now DF JW. His sons work in my field and I run into them at the gym, bottle depot, etc. One is professional and friendly, says token 'hi', knows I have been at their meetings, but oppose WT. The other son shuns me like I am DF and won't even say boo. This is odd behavior. Door-to-door is highly ineffective compared to relational, friendship evangelism. I hope the WT keeps telling JWs to distance themselves from non-JWs. It will keep them from impacting lives for the bad. The cultic mentality is polar opposite to the Christian mentality I am privileged to be part of. I can love a JW, befriend them, go to their meetings, etc., but they cannot/do not do the same.

328

Jesus Is Jehovah/Jehovah Is Jesus

by snowbird in

http://www.str.org/site/news2?page=newsarticle&id=5725.

i fought against this with all my wts-trained power, but truth prevailed.. any way you cut it, it comes out the same.. peace and strength in your search.. sylvia.

godrulz

Son of God=God the Son. When God is used, it may refer to the triune God, God the Father (this passage), Jesus as God, Satan as god, Holy Spirit as God, etc. It is not uncommon when God and Son are in the same passage, that the Father is the intended meaning of God (here, for e.g.). This does not preclude the Son being God based on many other passages (the most you can argue is that modalism is not true since the Father and Son are seen to be personally distinct).

8

Does the Bible state that Jesus return would be an invisible return, the WTS. says it was ?

by thetrueone in

original word.

transliterated word: parousia.

original word.

godrulz

When Jesus returns, the world will know His power, glory, majesty. When things did not pan out for Russell and his date setting, he invented a loop hole of an invisible return without any evidence (WWI is not proof of his return; maybe proof of demonic activity). Scripture supports a visible return of Christ. Jesus even warned about those who said He would be here or there and then taught that it would be like lightning, not invisible wind.

328

Jesus Is Jehovah/Jehovah Is Jesus

by snowbird in

http://www.str.org/site/news2?page=newsarticle&id=5725.

i fought against this with all my wts-trained power, but truth prevailed.. any way you cut it, it comes out the same.. peace and strength in your search.. sylvia.

godrulz

Positional, functional subordination is not a denial of essential equality of nature. The same word is used for Jesus being subject to his parents (without being inferior to them). Jesus was positionally lower than angels/Father for a time, but He was still superior to angels and equal to the Father during the incarnation (Heb. 1-2; Phil. 2; Jn. 1). Likewise, the headship of man over women is still equality of common human nature, not essential inferiority (just functional, positional roles).

40

Convention without a 'Badge'

by IMHO in

jw
friends

i attended a convention recently but didn't wear a badge i was treated with the utmost suspicion.

particularly when i arrived during the sessions one day.

the attendant didn't want me wandering off to find a seat on my own.

godrulz

Do they have a right to escort people away from a public gathering? If one refuses or resists, would they call police? Watchman duty?! Dig the euphemisms for heavy handed goons.

39

District Assembly has my mom complete brainwashed again. Look like I'm in trouble.

by scooterspank in

well, my worst fears have com to fruition.

too emotionally exhausted for details but she came home last night from her assembly.

the night ended with her in tears, telling me i'm going to die.

godrulz

Salvation trumps psychological issues and Jesus is the ultimate healer and helper. I appreciate the natural wisdom in what you are saying, but this assumes that death or His return will not thwart the delay. In some ways, it is like marriage. Are we ever truly ready to get married and have kids? Are these things reasons or excuses. The Jews at Pentecost did not need a year or two. They were prepared to follow Christ in a moment even if it meant losing friends, family, and their very lives. I would hope a person responds to the Holy Spirit as He works in their lives and we would not assume we need deprogramming, psychology, etc. (though they may be part of the process; God can do in a moment what man takes years to do or undo).

Does it help if my heart and head are in the right place even if I am a bull in a china shop?

40

Convention without a 'Badge'

by IMHO in

jw
friends

i attended a convention recently but didn't wear a badge i was treated with the utmost suspicion.

particularly when i arrived during the sessions one day.

the attendant didn't want me wandering off to find a seat on my own.

godrulz

I go with jeans, facial hair, and a purple KIT. I don't want to be deceptive and can handle being followed by goons afraid of the Holy Spirit in me. I am respectful, but go to pray (spiritual warfare) and perhaps share a verse or principle or two with individuals. I have never been a JW, so am opposer, not apostate. I want to identify with these precious people and let them know that Jehovah God loves them and wants them to come to Christ through the gospel and to free them from a manmade religion.

117

Is Rev 5:11-14 Worship or Obeisance?

by JCISGOD98 in

i asked a jw last week the following question, "is revelation 5:11-14 a worship act to the lamb or an act of obeisance?.

revelation 5:11-14 nwt states and i saw, and i heard a voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: the lamb that was slaughtered is worthy to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.

because it's an act of worship and it is not allow in your kingdom hall.

godrulz

The angels forbid John from worshipping them. They said to worship God alone because He alone is inherently worthy. If Jesus is subordinate creature, it would be blasphemy and idolatry to worship Him. The fact that God commands angels to worship Him and Jesus received worship is proof of His equality with the Father and Deity.

39

District Assembly has my mom complete brainwashed again. Look like I'm in trouble.

by scooterspank in

well, my worst fears have com to fruition.

too emotionally exhausted for details but she came home last night from her assembly.

the night ended with her in tears, telling me i'm going to die.

godrulz

It would be bad to run from one lie to another lie. It would be helpful and good to run from the false to the true. The ultimate issue is having relationship with the Living God through Christ, not getting on a different religious treadmill. God commands all men everywhere to repent and believe (Acts). The gospel is the power of God (Romans). Jesus is the only way and name by which we must be saved (Jn.). We are commanded to be born again. It is an ultimatum, not a suggestion in light of Jn. 3:16 vs Jn. 3:36. The risk of sitting around thinking about it is that He may return or we may die. I agree that it is not good to rebound without being ready, but we have the info we need to make an informed decision now.

117

Is Rev 5:11-14 Worship or Obeisance?

by JCISGOD98 in

i asked a jw last week the following question, "is revelation 5:11-14 a worship act to the lamb or an act of obeisance?.

revelation 5:11-14 nwt states and i saw, and i heard a voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders, and the number of them was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: the lamb that was slaughtered is worthy to receive the power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.

because it's an act of worship and it is not allow in your kingdom hall.

godrulz

Since when is James Dunn one of the most respected NT scholars around?! Is he trinitarian or not? He is part of the new perspectives on Paul, but that does not make him right about everything he says? There are many more scholars that will explicitly defend the trinity, Deity, worship of Christ, etc.