jeremiah 7:31 says, "they have built the high places of toʹpheth, which is in the valley of the son of hinʹnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, something that i had not commanded and that had never even come into my heart.’".
according to this scripture it's unthinkable for jehovah to be pleased with child sacrifices.
but yet he sent his son to be killed as a sacrifice for all?.
When you look at this from a historical angle and read what the early church fathers had to say it is different.
I also take into consideration which letters almost didn't make it into the bible and why when studying this. There's much to consider that's why I will be breaking this subject up and discussing them.
I want to gather more documented research to share. I hope it will be enjoyable at leadt for those who still read the bible.
i am in conversation with a uk historian regarding some knights templar locations, where jws have built buildings.
*** this is serious research - not a joke *** .
i am not - and do not wish to be - a conspiracy theorist, but something has come to light in the uk and i lack the knowledge of knights templar + masons.
About numerology, a relative of mine at bethel mentioned to me that back in the 90s a GB member used numerology to unlock messages in the bible. It wasn't anything crazy. I didn't remember all the details. This bethelite mentioned it as if it's something this GB member did casually and just for entertainment.
i am in conversation with a uk historian regarding some knights templar locations, where jws have built buildings.
*** this is serious research - not a joke *** .
i am not - and do not wish to be - a conspiracy theorist, but something has come to light in the uk and i lack the knowledge of knights templar + masons.
May I suggest that you find the nearest masonic temple and start there? I think they can offer some helpful information. They're pretty accessible.
jeremiah 7:31 says, "they have built the high places of toʹpheth, which is in the valley of the son of hinʹnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, something that i had not commanded and that had never even come into my heart.’".
according to this scripture it's unthinkable for jehovah to be pleased with child sacrifices.
but yet he sent his son to be killed as a sacrifice for all?.
I'm not doubting sin or chet. What I am saying is that through time chet has changed it's meaning from when it was written originally. Again, there was no concept of original sin as Christians explain it today.
It took hundreds of years to develop the theories of atonement that we have today. And Perry has explained just one of the many theories beautifully.
I'm thinking I will have to break up this subject in different posts since there are many theories and beliefs on the matter that have truly changed since the first century.
i'm sure most here who've questioned or left behind their belief in god have encountered this question - without god, what basis can there be for morality?
my exwife, when i admitted that i was an atheist, once asked me "if you don't believe in god, what's to stop you from going out and raping and murdering?
" previously, whenever i got this objection, i would tend to turn it around on the other person with a response along the lines of "if fear of god is the only thing that stops you from murdering, that makes me rather nervous to be around you.
Religious morality is the worst kind. Why do you need a book to tell you what to do or not to do?
i'm sure most here who've questioned or left behind their belief in god have encountered this question - without god, what basis can there be for morality?
my exwife, when i admitted that i was an atheist, once asked me "if you don't believe in god, what's to stop you from going out and raping and murdering?
" previously, whenever i got this objection, i would tend to turn it around on the other person with a response along the lines of "if fear of god is the only thing that stops you from murdering, that makes me rather nervous to be around you.
jeremiah 7:31 says, "they have built the high places of toʹpheth, which is in the valley of the son of hinʹnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, something that i had not commanded and that had never even come into my heart.’".
according to this scripture it's unthinkable for jehovah to be pleased with child sacrifices.
but yet he sent his son to be killed as a sacrifice for all?.
When the Bible was written there was no concept of original sin. I'm trying to figure out when this idea emerged. So far I have found that St. Augustine wrote about this first.
The idea of a ransom sacrifice is certainly difficult to swallow. Jesus death forgives sins yet the Bible also says our death forgives our sins. So, which is it? Judaism had no concept of sin.
After studying the Jewish culture about sin and looking into the NT objectively and the many theories of Jesus atonement and their history, I have found that the one that makes sense to is the Moral Exemplary theory.
Phillip Quinn explained it this way:
My suggestion is that what Abelard has to contribute to our thinking about the atonement is the idea that divine love, made manifest throughout the life of Christ but especially in his suffering and dying, has the power to transform human sinners, if they cooperate, in ways that fit them for everlasting life in intimate union with God. ... On [this] view, the love of God for us exhibited in the life of Christ is a good example to imitate, but it is not merely an example. Above and beyond its exemplary value, there is in it a surplus of mysterious causal efficacy that no merely human love possesses. And the operation of divine love in that supernatural mode is a causally necessary condition of there being implanted or kindled in us the kind of responsive love of God that, as Abelard supposes, enables us to do all things out of love and so to conquer the motives that would otherwise keep us enslaved to sin.
i'm a current bible student of jw's looking to chat with someone about biblical doctrine.
i'm not interested in talking with an apostate or a fader, i'm just a person looking for answers and wondered if there are any neutral voices in this forum who have good insights into the bible.
i currently talk with a couple of jw's on a personal level from my congregation and they are knowledgeable to a certain extent, but i dare not ask them certain questions because, as you know, the congregation has a culture of fear that impacts trust and openness, especially concerning biblical doctrine or the societies teachings.
Since the Bible was written for Jews I have found that it's better understood when studied through their knowledge. Look for the intended meaning by researching the culture of those days. It makes it more meaningful.
And don't be afraid of looking up non-canonical books.
For deeper study I like this blog
i was thinking about how the borg screws up and sexually neuters their flock by telling them when single to "deaden their body" and then boom as soon as there's a ring on the finger to not be denying eachother.. do any of you know of jws who have been screwed up by these teachings?
i know 2, 1 elder came back from honeymoon having a nervous breakdown unable to cope with the cd that sex produced in his head.
and the other called up her parents while on honeymoon, crying and begging for themto come and get her, since she was so shocked that sex hurt.
Yes, it left my marriage in shambles. My husband was heavily indoctrinated thinking sex was evil. I have needs. It was like having sex with a Nazi. He felt guilty if we enjoyed ourselves too much. It led ti fights, which led to our separation but we got back together. He still struggles with it though.
I always hated being told how I should view sex. I have few restrictions but my husband still is very restricted. It's difficult to enjoy it when I know he doesn't feel comfortable. It deeply hurt my self-esteem. I really don't understand it.
one argument against beards i've heard multiple times, both from individual jws and from the platform is roughly:.
'timothy got circumcised so as not to stumble others!
shouldn't you be thankful you don't have to do that?
Psalm 119:165 Abundant peace belongs to those who love your law; Nothing can make them stumble.
If someone "stumbles" because of a beard, they need to get their head out of their @ss
