Posts by beenthere2

35

Prelude to a disfellowshipping: An open letter.

by rory-ks in

jw
friends

an open letter to the body of elders, .

sudbury (suffolk) congregation of jehovah's witnesses.. .

on wednesday, april 4, 2012, the decision will be carried out to announce to the congregation that, rory sullivan is no longer one of jehovah's witnesses.. .

3:16, "all scripture is inspired by god".....since the only scripture at the time this was written was the old testament (hebrew scriptures, if you prefer), would it make sense to reason that this scripture cannot be used by itself to support new testament writings?....that the scriptures referred to in this verse were the old testament?.

as an apostle paul had authority, but to me it seems that some of the things paul wrote were related as "commands" to the congregations, whereas other things were only his suggestions or his perspective and that it was up to the individuals to decide for themselves.. your thoughts on this?.

beenthere2

A lot a great comments but I think Terry hit the nail on the head... What is "written" and what is written "about" are two different things. (The Michaelangelo example was great!)

I somewhat agree with Irondork... Paul may have been referring to the old Hebrew writings when he said, "all scripture", but I don't think that necessarily demands the Greek sciptures are any less valid; inspired. ......except that my point was that many times the org. uses that verse to validate everything in the NT as inspired by God.......I think some may be inspired, some may not......it may very well be all inspired by God....but to use that verse as the foundation to make the point that all of the NT is inspired by God is a mis-application of the verse (in my humble opinion).

Isn't it nice to be able to share thoughts with each other without having to be told what to think?

23

Question about 2 Tim. 3:16

by beenthere2 in

regarding 2 tim.

3:16, "all scripture is inspired by god".....since the only scripture at the time this was written was the old testament (hebrew scriptures, if you prefer), would it make sense to reason that this scripture cannot be used by itself to support new testament writings?....that the scriptures referred to in this verse were the old testament?.

as an apostle paul had authority, but to me it seems that some of the things paul wrote were related as "commands" to the congregations, whereas other things were only his suggestions or his perspective and that it was up to the individuals to decide for themselves.. your thoughts on this?.

beenthere2

I'm going to try again to reply......I couldn't get my replies to actually appear....(thanks for the tip Black Sheep)

and "yes" N. Drew, that is what I meant. I appreciate the replies. It's given me a lot to consider. (Especially the ones from Leolaia)

Related to this is how 1 Corn. 1:10 ("you should all speak in agreement") is used by the org. to support the stance for unity (by conformity). To me, in this scripture Paul was exhorting the brothers to be in agreement about who they were following (the Christ). It was not a command that they be in agreement about everything. In fact he even starts the verse by using the expression "I exhort you...". So, I think, if one believes the writings of the NT are all inspired by God then even the "exhortations" seem like commands. If one does not necessairly believe all writings in the NT are inspired by God (with all due respect to Paul since he was an apostle) then the exhortations carry less weight and do not have to be viewed as commands. Am I making a valid point? Trying to explain this makes me feel like a dog chasing its tail. I do believe that the commands of Jesus as related in the NT are inspired.

One of the reasons I left the org. was that I felt like the org. did not have authority to dictate so much of my life for the sake of unity. What bothers me is that there is a lot about the org. I actually like, but that I cannot really associate with them because I am expected to comply 100% or I'm out.

Regarding 2 Tim. 3:16, "all scripture is inspired by God".....since the only scripture at the time this was written was the Old Testament (Hebrew scriptures, if you prefer), would it make sense to reason that this scripture cannot be used by itself to support New Testament writings?....that the scriptures referred to in this verse were the Old Testament?

As an apostle Paul had authority, but to me it seems that some of the things Paul wrote were related as "commands" to the congregations, whereas other things were only his suggestions or his perspective and that it was up to the individuals to decide for themselves.

Your thoughts on this?

103

Those on JWN still serving as elders...What if?

by Kensho in

jw
friends

apostates undercover elders (i know there are some professed elders on here) have you ever handled a jc envoling a publisher viewing sites like jwn or others and who question the gb etc.. and if not what if you were assigned a jc involving apostacy?.

i would think this would be almost, if not an impossible situation.. kensho.

beenthere2

51

Suggestions for finally talking to my parents about my doubts?

by stillstuckcruz in

i'll give my story again:.

i was raised a believing witness.

i had a normal life and very loving parents who would do anything for me and my brother(who is 21).

beenthere2

Not a good time...part of next week's WT is about apostates....very firm wording.

fyi-.....I just faded away and it has been 18 years. I never talk to my family about my thoughts because it will only cause trouble. I still read some of the literature on-line; but I have to filter in my mind what I am reading....I separate what is fact and what is an interpretation..... My biggest problem was the stating of some beliefs as FACTS (such as 1914) when they are really interpretations or conclusions, and making statements that are misleading....for example, a recent WT said..."the first century Governing Body..." when there really was no 1st century "governing body".

Just get busy and fade away.....in time your family will give up trying to convince you to get active. You have to play the game with their rules....so if you just get inactive you still keep your family contact.