Posts by ixthis

85

How many gods are there?

by jgnat in

christianity was birthed in a polytheistic world, inheriting from jewish roots the concept of one g-d. now, instead of one god for israel, we are offered one god for the whole world.

caesar (mortal men) was declared a god.

gods had powers beyond ordinary men, could grant requests, and demanded sacrifice and worship.

ixthis

We believe in one God. The Father Almighty. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. And in the Holy Spirit.

- St. Athanasios the Great (297-373)

- St. Basil the Great (330-379)

------------------ From St. Justin Martyr (The Ante-Nicene Fathers Vol. 1; Eerdmans pg. 169): "...it is better to believe even what is impossible to our own nature and to men, than to be unbelieving like the rest of the world, we have learned; for we know that our Master Jesus Christ said, that 'what is impossible with men is possible with God' (Mt. 19:26)..."

7

For people who are out but still believe in Jesus Christ...

by roxanesophia in

since the bible speaks of being blood guilty if one knowing the truth doesn't tell others, i'm a bit tortured by the fact i've learned the jw doctrine is false and i've found the truth in the bible, but there's no way in hell i can talk to other jw's about it.

i would so love to just plant the seed of doubt, and turn them to the real truth, but i know how futile that can be.

i was never baptized - with good reason.

ixthis

Blood is life: the things most fundamental to animate existence. One can offer nothing more than one's blood : it is the offering of one's very being and existence.

Patristic usage seems to focus on this:-

Cain sheds blood ; Abel's life is given to death.
Abel's blood 'cries out'; life abhors death.
Sin makes impure; life is polluted.
Sacrifice renders pure; polluted life is offered to God, who alone can make fallen life whole.
Christ sheds his blood ; Life gives his life for the life of all.

63

Can you answer: What is "The Truth"?

by serenitynow! in

i mean can someone, preferably an active jw, explain in 5 sentences or less what that really means?.

i ask because of the long post that "20571..." made on another thread about how "the truth" is better than this, that and the other thing.. what does it really mean?.

ixthis

Yknot - well, in that case, I can see the humour of the TM! Thanks for explaining the joke ... I get it!

7

For people who are out but still believe in Jesus Christ...

by roxanesophia in

since the bible speaks of being blood guilty if one knowing the truth doesn't tell others, i'm a bit tortured by the fact i've learned the jw doctrine is false and i've found the truth in the bible, but there's no way in hell i can talk to other jw's about it.

i would so love to just plant the seed of doubt, and turn them to the real truth, but i know how futile that can be.

i was never baptized - with good reason.

ixthis

I'm not sure I can answer your question, however, I think that I can contribute a bit to the discussion.

In the writings of Saint Basil the Great (329-379), "blood" is described as closely identified with the soul. This is consistent with the OT and later ideas of the spilling and consuming of blood.

When one drank the blood of one's opponent, one literally consumed the soul of one's opponent, taking for one's self the strengths and mights. When two men mingled their blood (ie "blood brothers") they literally "mixed" their souls so that they become related. When the Hebrews were warned against the consumption of the blood of animals (hence the regulations for kosher butchering of livestock - killing by draining the blood of the animal) it was so that the person eating the meat did not also take on the bestial passions of the animal so consumed.

When we as Christians partake of the Most Holy Body and Most Precious Blood (known as Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion), we take in the spiritual nature of Christ inasmuch as we are able to bear it.

I think this identification of "blood" and "soul" might be of use here in talking about the relationship of our Lord's sacrifice and blood.

64

Devotional to the Bridegroom - Christ

by ixthis in

scripture.

awake!

ixthis

Oh that is beautiful!! Thank you!!!

63

Can you answer: What is "The Truth"?

by serenitynow! in

i mean can someone, preferably an active jw, explain in 5 sentences or less what that really means?.

i ask because of the long post that "20571..." made on another thread about how "the truth" is better than this, that and the other thing.. what does it really mean?.

ixthis

The Truth is not an abstract idea or thought nor can it be a "trademark" belonging to the Watchtower.

The Truth is a Person.

I am the Truth, Christ announced.

He did not say, "I came to tell you a few nice things about truth to help you along"

He said; I am the Way & the Truth & the Life! (John 14:16)

19

I've invited the Witnesses to my house

by maksym in

jw
friends

im recent here and thought i would properly introduce myself.

i have posted a few times but mostly i like to read because i gather good insight into reaching the hearts of jehovahs witnesses.

the short of it is i was born into a large family of jehovahs witnesses.

ixthis

I asked them a question that really made them uncomofortable, I said, "have you ever experienced a miracle"

64

Devotional to the Bridegroom - Christ

by ixthis in

scripture.

awake!

ixthis

Grand Duke Konstantin Romanov:

Teach me to love Thee, O Lord,
With all my mind, all comprehension,
To entrust my soul into Thy care
And my life with each heartbeat’s ascension.
Teach me to heed and fulfill
Only Thy merciful will,
Teach not to grumble or complain
Of my toilsome lot.
All whom Thou came to redeem
With Thy purest and holiest Blood, –
With a deep and unselfish love
Teach me to love, O my God.

- K.R. (Grand-Duke Konstantin Romanov)

Duke Romanov

64

Devotional to the Bridegroom - Christ

by ixthis in

scripture.

awake!

ixthis

From the moment your start praying, raise your heart upward and turn your eyes downward. Bring your focus to your innermost self, and there pray in secret to your heavenly Father.

Our Lord instructed us to pray in secret - this means, in our heart - and also to 'shut the door'. What is this door he says we must shut, if not the mouth? For we are the temple in which Christ dwells, for so the Apostle said, 'You are temples of the Lord' (1 Cor 3.16). The Lord enters into your inner self, into this house, to cleanse it from everything that is unclean; but only when the door, that is your mouth, is closed shut.

Before you pray, first forgive all those who have offended you. Then you may pray. Only in this way will your prayer rise up into the presence of God. If you do not forgive, it will simply remain on the earth.

- Aphrahat the Persian

19

I've invited the Witnesses to my house

by maksym in

jw
friends

im recent here and thought i would properly introduce myself.

i have posted a few times but mostly i like to read because i gather good insight into reaching the hearts of jehovahs witnesses.

the short of it is i was born into a large family of jehovahs witnesses.

ixthis

Beautiful post Maskym!