godrulz

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Posts by godrulz

• 
  98

  The "WOW!!" moment...Theocratic Ministry School was a sham!

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just remembered something from long ago..... i moved to california in 1974 after i had been in "the truth" for 11 years, having full-time pioneered and also having served time in federal prison over the so-called christian neutrality issue.. i felt completely confident that my bible education was the best on planet earth.

  i had honed my skills by door to door preaching, discussion, arguments and attendance at the theocratic ministry school.. i began working as an artist in a huge company that manufactured all kinds of art, sculpture and wall hanging.

  the head of the artists was a wonderful young man, skilled artist and devout christian who took me under his wing.

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  godrulz

  No biggie, I was joking with the play on words of gun/cannon/canon.
• 
  93

  How evangelicals and Witnesses are alike

  by jgnat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  both believe in the inerrancy of the bible (psalms 12:6, 119:89, proverbs 30:5-6, 2 timothy 3:16-17, 2 peter 1:20-21, rev 22:18-19) and in their absolute correct interpretation.both believe that the other is apostate (2 thessalonians 2:3-4).both believe that the others doctrine is influenced by the devil (genesis 3:1-15, john 8:44).both believe the other is condemned for their false beliefs (2 peter 2:1-3, 1 timothy 4:1-3, 2 timothy 2:16-19, hebrews 6:4-8).neither would darken the door of the others sanctuary, for fear of contamination.both would avoid casual association (proverbs 13:20, 1 corinthians 5:11, 15:33), and certainly would not marry the other (2 corinthians 6:14).both believe that armageddon is imminent and look forward to the purified world afterwards.both consider that the highest form of charity is to convert another.

  practical works like feeding the poor are considered inferior.more?

  can we make it a dozen (a more perfect number)?.

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  godrulz

  Jn. 3:16 vs Jn. 3:36 is doctrinal, truth, the gospel. Your beef is with God, Jesus, Bible, not me. I cannot and will not compromise I Jn. 5:11-13 (eternal destinies are at stake; notice no mention of smoking, voting, holidays, blood, organization, church, peripheral doctrines, etc. Rom. 10:9-10 simple!).

  I appreciate that many are adverse to belief and need healing, love, acceptance. How many years does this take and why not do it with the Great Healer instead of a shrink? At some point, one can be deprogrammed, but still spiritually dead in eternal peril. I do trust that the Spirit alone can convince, convict, convert, but He uses the Word and messengers who share it. This is foolishness to those who are blind/perishing, but life for those who respond by yielding to Him. I cannot judge hearts, but that does not free me from the Great Commission to all ethnos/peoples, including the kingdom of the cults. Many here can help people psychologically or emotionally, but that does not negate the need for the gospel, the ultimate source of help, healing, life, freedom (few will do that and Satan will oppose it).
• 
  93

  How evangelicals and Witnesses are alike

  by jgnat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  both believe in the inerrancy of the bible (psalms 12:6, 119:89, proverbs 30:5-6, 2 timothy 3:16-17, 2 peter 1:20-21, rev 22:18-19) and in their absolute correct interpretation.both believe that the other is apostate (2 thessalonians 2:3-4).both believe that the others doctrine is influenced by the devil (genesis 3:1-15, john 8:44).both believe the other is condemned for their false beliefs (2 peter 2:1-3, 1 timothy 4:1-3, 2 timothy 2:16-19, hebrews 6:4-8).neither would darken the door of the others sanctuary, for fear of contamination.both would avoid casual association (proverbs 13:20, 1 corinthians 5:11, 15:33), and certainly would not marry the other (2 corinthians 6:14).both believe that armageddon is imminent and look forward to the purified world afterwards.both consider that the highest form of charity is to convert another.

  practical works like feeding the poor are considered inferior.more?

  can we make it a dozen (a more perfect number)?.

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  2. 
  3. 
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  godrulz

  The issue is Jesus, not peripheral doctrines. We are all condemned sinners in need of a sinless Savior and His grace appropriated through faith, not works. We are all in the same boat, religious, atheist, or nothing.
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  17

  Time demands of the Jehovah's Witness religion compared with other religions?

  by stapler99 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been wondering how other religions, such as other christian denominations, would compare to the jw's in their time demands.. .

  i'll lay out the approximate hours per week below.

  (i know some of the meeting lengths have changed in recent years, and the bookstudy has been abolished.

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  godrulz

  Many Christians are pew warmers and JWs put them to shame. Others are over committed to church and have little time to connect with unbelievers. We need to be edified and equipped by gathering together for corporate worship, etc., but we also need to be outside the fortress walls to enjoy and serve in daily life. This comes naturally as He lives His life in and through us and it is motivated by love, not keeping track of hours, literature handouts, etc. (Christianity is not like communism).
• 
  93

  How evangelicals and Witnesses are alike

  by jgnat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  both believe in the inerrancy of the bible (psalms 12:6, 119:89, proverbs 30:5-6, 2 timothy 3:16-17, 2 peter 1:20-21, rev 22:18-19) and in their absolute correct interpretation.both believe that the other is apostate (2 thessalonians 2:3-4).both believe that the others doctrine is influenced by the devil (genesis 3:1-15, john 8:44).both believe the other is condemned for their false beliefs (2 peter 2:1-3, 1 timothy 4:1-3, 2 timothy 2:16-19, hebrews 6:4-8).neither would darken the door of the others sanctuary, for fear of contamination.both would avoid casual association (proverbs 13:20, 1 corinthians 5:11, 15:33), and certainly would not marry the other (2 corinthians 6:14).both believe that armageddon is imminent and look forward to the purified world afterwards.both consider that the highest form of charity is to convert another.

  practical works like feeding the poor are considered inferior.more?

  can we make it a dozen (a more perfect number)?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  godrulz

  Liberal, nominal Christianity is what the WT rightly rails against. Nominal Christians in Ireland, Middle East kill other Christians (Catholic vs Protestant, etc.). Are they really Christians or are they just religious? The WT wrongly lumps the rest of us in with them making a straw man (we also reject these indefensible things). The narrow way is Jesus, not a specific group/denomination. The broad way is any other way apart from Jesus. Countless doctrinal disputes are not the primary issue. There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end thereof is death (Prov.).

  I accept this exhortation from Scripture and trust we all do. I Tim. 4:16 "Watch your life AND doctrine (both behavior and belief, not either/or) closely. Persevere in them, because IF you do (some don't), you will save both yourself and your hearers (my goal under God)." Since the Bible warns about false doctrine and ungodly practice and emphasizes sound doctrine and holy practice (orthodoxy/orthopraxy), so should we (God knows what is vital and best).

  How long to we have to deal with WT baggage before we move on and become mature, growing disciples of Christ? Some are interested in dealing with the fall out from past religious experience (good), but at some point, ultimate healing will only happen when we plug into the Healer (psychology is limited). What does it prosper a man to gain the whole world and lose their soul?
• 
  98

  The "WOW!!" moment...Theocratic Ministry School was a sham!

  by Terry in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i just remembered something from long ago..... i moved to california in 1974 after i had been in "the truth" for 11 years, having full-time pioneered and also having served time in federal prison over the so-called christian neutrality issue.. i felt completely confident that my bible education was the best on planet earth.

  i had honed my skills by door to door preaching, discussion, arguments and attendance at the theocratic ministry school.. i began working as an artist in a huge company that manufactured all kinds of art, sculpture and wall hanging.

  the head of the artists was a wonderful young man, skilled artist and devout christian who took me under his wing.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  godrulz

  Canon, not cannon (gun). I appreciate everyone's insights/experiences.
• 
  80

  Struggling

  by anniegirl76 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i have been df-ed for almost 9 years.

  just out of curiosity, has anyone decided to find another religion or belief after being jw?

  i struggle with my feelings, my mom and brother, aunt, cousins are all jw.

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  godrulz

  The WT is weak to non-existent with true acts of love and service to the community/lost. Their primary focus is door-to-door and internal needs for its own members. Preaching is paramount, but it is also practical/loving to serve others with no hidden agenda (to convert them, etc.). The social gospel is another extreme where we feed the bodies, but let the soul perish for lack of the gospel.
• 
  17

  Time demands of the Jehovah's Witness religion compared with other religions?

  by stapler99 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i've been wondering how other religions, such as other christian denominations, would compare to the jw's in their time demands.. .

  i'll lay out the approximate hours per week below.

  (i know some of the meeting lengths have changed in recent years, and the bookstudy has been abolished.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  godrulz

  Pentecostals used to have about a two hour morning service, over one hour evening evangelistic service, mid-week Bible study, etc. Our Pentecostal Church now has a one-one and a half hour morning service. I also lead a small group study of about 1.5 hours. There are special youth services weekly, men's, women's, children's ministry, etc. of varying frequency. I think most evangelicals try for at least one-two hours/week. We do not see it as a good thing to have all our activity in church, since that would affect family/community/relationships with unchurched, etc. Society is changing and the WT would be wise to treat people like adults instead of children. Jn. 17:3 is about knowing Jesus personally, but the WT mistranslates it as endless taking in knowledge about God, etc. Endless indoctrination is required, but useless without a relationship with Christ that can be nurtured privately in addition to corporate times. There are extremes of too much or too little formal involvement in spiritual things. It should not come at the expense of having non-faith friends/service, etc. Christians are free as to how much or little they participate in. There would be loving concern if people never gathered corporately and matured, shared their gifts/ministries, etc. Only cults control and coerce WT-style commitment as a test of love for God. One can be in a secular business cult without knowing God. One can be in a religious cult, highly devoted in time/energy, yet far from God (same applies to Catholics, etc.).
• 
  93

  How evangelicals and Witnesses are alike

  by jgnat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  both believe in the inerrancy of the bible (psalms 12:6, 119:89, proverbs 30:5-6, 2 timothy 3:16-17, 2 peter 1:20-21, rev 22:18-19) and in their absolute correct interpretation.both believe that the other is apostate (2 thessalonians 2:3-4).both believe that the others doctrine is influenced by the devil (genesis 3:1-15, john 8:44).both believe the other is condemned for their false beliefs (2 peter 2:1-3, 1 timothy 4:1-3, 2 timothy 2:16-19, hebrews 6:4-8).neither would darken the door of the others sanctuary, for fear of contamination.both would avoid casual association (proverbs 13:20, 1 corinthians 5:11, 15:33), and certainly would not marry the other (2 corinthians 6:14).both believe that armageddon is imminent and look forward to the purified world afterwards.both consider that the highest form of charity is to convert another.

  practical works like feeding the poor are considered inferior.more?

  can we make it a dozen (a more perfect number)?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  godrulz

  JWs are wrong. It seems strange that they think only a relatively small group will have the truth and remain to clean up this mess for 1000 years. There are hundreds of millions of believers, not a few million and fading.
• 
  93

  How evangelicals and Witnesses are alike

  by jgnat in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  both believe in the inerrancy of the bible (psalms 12:6, 119:89, proverbs 30:5-6, 2 timothy 3:16-17, 2 peter 1:20-21, rev 22:18-19) and in their absolute correct interpretation.both believe that the other is apostate (2 thessalonians 2:3-4).both believe that the others doctrine is influenced by the devil (genesis 3:1-15, john 8:44).both believe the other is condemned for their false beliefs (2 peter 2:1-3, 1 timothy 4:1-3, 2 timothy 2:16-19, hebrews 6:4-8).neither would darken the door of the others sanctuary, for fear of contamination.both would avoid casual association (proverbs 13:20, 1 corinthians 5:11, 15:33), and certainly would not marry the other (2 corinthians 6:14).both believe that armageddon is imminent and look forward to the purified world afterwards.both consider that the highest form of charity is to convert another.

  practical works like feeding the poor are considered inferior.more?

  can we make it a dozen (a more perfect number)?.

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  godrulz

  gods of gaps? I understand, but nope. Your god is Chance, so this is your god of gaps. Either God objectively exists or not. We are not just proposing Him because we don't have an explanation. He is uncreated Creator, First Cause. I can't explain how this is so, but it is. Gen. 1:1 "He is there and He is not silent." -Francis Schaeffer