Aaron Eldridge

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Posts by Aaron Eldridge

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  9

  WTBTS Doctrinal Help

  by Merkaba in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i'm trying to compile a list of j-dub beliefs that are not solidlysupported by scripture - examples: abstaining from wearing beards, "door-to-door" witnessing, hierarchical authority structure.... can you guys help me out with some that stand out to you?.

  thanks in advance!.

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  Aaron Eldridge

  My favorite is the two class doctrine, the 144,000 versus the great crowd.
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  14

  How do the Jehovah's Witnesses understand the narrative of the Bible/themselves?

  by Aaron Eldridge in

  1. watchtower
  2. scandals

  i'm trying to get my head around a basic overview of how the jehovah's witnesses understand the narrative flow of scripture and their own history within that.

  to me this provides a good general framework from which most of their theology flows.

  this is a brief sketch that i have done off the top of my head.

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  Aaron Eldridge

  I'm trying to get my head around a basic overview of how the Jehovah's Witnesses understand the narrative flow of Scripture and their own history within that. To me this provides a good general framework from which most of their theology flows. This is a brief sketch that I have done off the top of my head. I'm sure there are plenty things that I'm missing, perhaps even major oversights. What thing should be added?

  • Story of the Bible for JW's
  • Hebrew Scriptures
  • Earth created as Paradise, man is created to care for it. Man is intended to live forever.
  • Man sins. God punishes man by death and death becomes inherited.
  • God puts in place a temporary sacrificial system of sacrifice to atone for sins.
  • God chooses a people, the nation of Israel.
  • Christian Greek Scriptures
  • Christ came as 'Second Adam'/ another perfect man to atone for the sins of Adam.
  • God welcomed in 144,000 to be his new chosen people, a.k.a. Spiritual Israel.
  • The early church fell into apostasy after the death of apostles.
  • 1914 Christ rule in heaven began, the Kingdom is established.
  • 1918 God chose a people, the Intl. Assoc. of Bible Students/ aka Jehovah's Witnesses.
  • Near Future
  • Armageddon/ Great Tribulation/ Judgment of Mankind.
  • 1000 year rule of Christ begins, Satan is bound.
  • Resurrection
  • Earth reworked into Paradise.
  • 1000 years ends, Satan is released, Jehovah takes over ruling.
  • Final tempting by Satan, majority of man apostatizes.
  • Final judgment, Satan is destroyed, apostates annihilated..
  • Survivors live forever on Paradise Earth.
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  3

  N.T. Wright, Michael F. Byrd, Scott McKnight, E.P. Saunders, Etc.

  by Aaron Eldridge in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  these are some of my favorite new testament scholars.

  all of these guys and many others fall within the "jesus is the restoration of israel" court of new testament studies.

  obviously these are not the only ones, there are many others but these are my favorite thus far.

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  Aaron Eldridge

  I do like reading a variety of views. However, at the moment these type scholars that I mentioned above are of the most interest to me.

  I've read Elaine Pagels but did not find her to suit my taste. She seems to be highly biased in her view, without realizing that she is highly biased. Someone along the same line of thinking as Pagels that I do like is Robinson. To me he is much more engaging and less inflammatory/biased in his views. I guess in the end I see Pagels as being somewhat disingenuous, in the same sort of category as Bart Ehrman. They seem to say outrageous things in popular level books that would never fly in scholarship, seemingly they do this to sell more books. But that's just my two cents.

  Borg and Crossan are both very enjoyable to read. Of all the Jesus seminar scholars these two are definitely my favorite. Meeting Jesus again for the first time was a very good book and a refreshing change of pace for the popular level books.

  As far as truth is concerned, I guess I'm somewhat postmodern. I do believe in absolutes, I just question our ability to fully know them.

  I'm completely unaware of Thomas Merton. Just look him up on Wikipedia and he does look thoroughly interesting. Many thanks for the suggestion.
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  3

  N.T. Wright, Michael F. Byrd, Scott McKnight, E.P. Saunders, Etc.

  by Aaron Eldridge in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  these are some of my favorite new testament scholars.

  all of these guys and many others fall within the "jesus is the restoration of israel" court of new testament studies.

  obviously these are not the only ones, there are many others but these are my favorite thus far.

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  Aaron Eldridge

  These are some of my favorite New Testament scholars. All of these guys and many others fall within the "Jesus is the restoration of Israel" court of New Testament studies. Obviously these are not the only ones, there are many others but these are my favorite thus far. Just wondering if anyone else out there has read their works or have any thoughts about them.

  I just finished reading the third bookin the Christian origins and the question of God series of books, by Wright.

  Next up is Michael Bird's Jesus and the origins of the Gentile mission. Looks to be quite good and if reading his other books (in particular Crossing over land and sea:Jewish missionary activity in the second Temple Period) are any indication this will be fantastic.

  thoughts, comments, suggestions, hate and discontent?…
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  3

  Gentile Times?

  by garbonzo in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  why do they believe in the gentile times again?

  why would god wait so long to have an earthly organization of truth?

  is this explained?

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  Aaron Eldridge

  The question of why, would best be answered by explaining why Russell adopted the belief. It was not original to him, rather he borrowed and reshaped it from the Adventist tradition. They developed this as a way of explaining why Christ was returning in the 19th century. So the question of why is more a function of social psychology than theology. An answer of this sort involves more speculation than answering the question of what they believed.

  If what you are asking is what they believed, then it is a matter of inert facts in the form of theology. It is much easier to explain than the why.

  So before answering, are you asking the why or the what?
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  206

  i am a regular pioneer in my cong reading crisis of conscience.here goes...

  by MsGrowingGirl20 in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  i'm on page 90 right now...the info is definitely new and gives me a totally diff view as to how i used to think of faithful and discreet slave.

  i was thoroughly disgusted with the way the brothers handled the oral sex and leadership problem and the insight on the scriptures book...... still have alot of questions though.

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  Aaron Eldridge

  Ms. growing girl 20,

  I sent you a PM( private message ), to view it click on the envelope symbol next to your name in the upper right-hand corner of this website.

  Thanks
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  109

  Early Civilizations and Bible Chronology

  by xelder in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs
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  Aaron Eldridge

  Wow, it's amazing the discussion that was started from two blank post. Only on Jehovah's-Witnesses.net :)
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  81

  WT Mar 15th 2012 - 144,000 no longer a literal number?

  by dozy in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  reading idly through this magazine , i read the study article "rejoicing in our hope" which discusses the two "hopes" according to the wtbts ie heaven & earth.. a couple of points were of interest:.

  (1) absolutely no mention at all of the 144,000 or rev 14. usually an article like this would be filled with references , but it isn't even mentioned.

  it does discuss the "limited number" , but only in contrast with the "no man can number" great crowd.. (2) a much more laid back attitude towards the two hopes.

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  Aaron Eldridge

  While the 144,000 may at some point no longer be a literal number, the representatives of the 144,000 and more importantly the governing body will still have control over the other sheep.

  This is done by the belief that the 144,000 are the true members of the body of Christ and are the vanguards of the new covenant. Following this line of thinking the only way the other sheep can have blessings from God and the new covenant is through association with the 144,000. As long as this remains there will still be cultic control over the majority of Jehovah's Witnesses. Until the belief that the rank-and-file must associate with the 144,000 and their representatives stays intact there is really no change.

  I am not trying to say that this is an insignificant change. It may cause some to start questioning, which is always great. But, the devastating effects of this doctrine are going to remain, as it is one of the main ways that the rank-and-file are kept in submission.

  @cyber Jesus. If you are asking when the 144,000 doctrine first began to be used, it predates Russell in the Adventist movement. Though Russell put his own spin on it, the doctrine and was by no means originally his. It really did not take the shape that it has today until Judge Rutherford. I have been meaning for some time to make a thorough post about the development of this doctrine. Perhaps I should gather up all my research and post a new topic about it.
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  5

  22 Minutes Left! LivingSocial Deal: Half Off At Whole Foods Market

  by Justitia Themis in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  .

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  http://livingsocial.com/deals/123805?ref=addthis-share2-26768359&rpi=26768359.

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  Aaron Eldridge

  It says 22 hours on mine. This is a great deal thanks!
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  19

  Research question re. Treatment of Disfellowshipped Relatives

  by Quarterback in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  i do remember, but can't seem to find it, a watchtower comment that stated.

  " relatives must decide on the emotiional needs of the df'd relatives to see what limited contact would be necessary".

  does anyone remember this?.

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  Aaron Eldridge

  @New Chapter, that is discusting, could you imagine Chris Jesus doing such?