Because the universe as it is, not as we would imagine it, allows for its possibility. When Adam fell, and became God's enemy ....everything in Adam, and under his dominion became disconnected one way or another - from the Source of Life.
Posts by Perry
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754Theists, why does God allow suffering..
by The Quiet One in..specifically, the suffering of animals.
you can talk about free will/sin/people choosing to not listen to god etc to explain human suffering being allowed.. but how can you love a god that allows animals, that haven't sinned or chosen to not have anything to do with god, to have their short lives ended in often long, drawn out, painful ways.
i could list stories i've read that would probably make you feel ill, but i'm not looking to shock anyone or start an emotional debate.
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Authority in the Witnesses
by Band on the Run innow that pastor russell is persona non grata, i was wondering how this movement ever started.
i always find it surprising that educated people refuse to read the bible.
they will just follow someone.
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Perry
People have been claiming 'special' status for thousands of years.
Jesus life WAS special. Very special.
Peter Stoner was chairman of the mathematics and astronomy departments at Pasadena City College until 1953 when he moved to Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. There he served as chairman of the science division. At the time he wrote this book, he was professor emeritus of science at Westmont.
In the book Science Speaks, there was a foreword by Dr. Harold Hartzler, an officer of the American Scientific Affiliation. He wrote that the manuscript had been carefully reviewed by a committee of his organization and that "the mathematical analysis included is based upon principles of probability which are thoroughly sound." He further stated that in the opinion of the Affiliation, Professor Stoner "has applied these principles in a proper and convincing way."
Peter Stoner's Calculations Regarding Messianic Prophecy
Peter Stoner calculated the probability of just 8 Messianic prophecies being fulfilled in the life of Jesus. As you read through these prophecies, you will see that all estimates were calculated as conservatively as possible.
- The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem ( Micah 5:2 ).
The average population of Bethlehem from the time of Micah to the present (1958) divided by the average population of the earth during the same period = 7,150/2,000,000,000 or 2.8x10 5 . - A messenger will prepare the way for the Messiah ( Malachi 3:1 ).
One man in how many, the world over, has had a forerunner (in this case, John the Baptist) to prepare his way?
Estimate: 1 in 1,000 or 1x10 3 . - The Messiah will enter Jerusalem as a king riding on a donkey ( Zechariah 9:9 ).
One man in how many, who has entered Jerusalem as a ruler, has entered riding on a donkey?
Estimate: 1 in 100 or 1x10 2 . - The Messiah will be betrayed by a friend and suffer wounds in His hands ( Zechariah 13:6 ).
One man in how many, the world over, has been betrayed by a friend, resulting in wounds in his hands?
Estimate: 1 in 1,000 or 1x10 3 . - The Messiah will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver ( Zechariah 11:12 ).
Of the people who have been betrayed, one in how many has been betrayed for exactly 30 pieces of silver?
Estimate: 1 in 1,000 or 1x10 3 . - The betrayal money will be used to purchase a potter's field ( Zechariah 11:13 ).
One man in how many, after receiving a bribe for the betrayal of a friend, has returned the money, had it refused, and then experienced it being used to buy a potter's field?
Estimate: 1 in 100,000 or 1x10 5 . - The Messiah will remain silent while He is afflicted ( Isaiah 53:7 ).
One man in how many, when he is oppressed and afflicted, though innocent, will make no defense of himself?
Estimate: 1 in 1,000 or 1x10 3 . - The Messiah will die by having His hands and feet pierced ( Psalm 22:16 ).
One man in how many, since the time of David, has been crucified?
Estimate: 1 in 10,000 or 1x10 4 .
Multiplying all these probabilities together produces a number (rounded off) of 1x10 28 . Dividing this number by an estimate of the number of people who have lived since the time of these prophecies (88 billion) produces a probability of all 8 prophecies being fulfilled accidently in the life of one person. That probability is 1in 10 17 or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000. That's one in one hundred quadrillion!
This is equivalent to filling the state of Texas (or France) knee deep in coins and then picking one up with a unique mark on the first try. However, Jesus did not fulfill only 8 prophecies, he fulfilled 108 prophecies. The world itself could not contain enough coins to picture this probability.
A detailed listing of all 108 prophecies fulfilled by Jesus is contained in Dr. Reagan's book, Christ in Prophecy Study Guide .
Jesus is totally and utterly unique. He is the epitome of someone "special".
- The Messiah will be born in Bethlehem ( Micah 5:2 ).
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Authority in the Witnesses
by Band on the Run innow that pastor russell is persona non grata, i was wondering how this movement ever started.
i always find it surprising that educated people refuse to read the bible.
they will just follow someone.
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Perry
Jesus .... wanted to be above others
Really? By healing the sick, raising the dead and washing dirty feet?
Can you do that?
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16
Authority in the Witnesses
by Band on the Run innow that pastor russell is persona non grata, i was wondering how this movement ever started.
i always find it surprising that educated people refuse to read the bible.
they will just follow someone.
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Perry
BOTR,
Suffering appeals to many hard working proud people. It makes them feel special as part of their overall works-based ideology. The WT feeds that notion.
Sinners on the other hand are not special, but commonplace.
Jesus' offer of salvation apeals to sinners, not special people.
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Authority in the Witnesses
by Band on the Run innow that pastor russell is persona non grata, i was wondering how this movement ever started.
i always find it surprising that educated people refuse to read the bible.
they will just follow someone.
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Perry
I was wondering how this movement ever started.
I can tell you what I know as a 4th Generation Witness.
My Great Grandmother was the first of several hundred desendants and relatives to join. She came to the US as an Italian imigrant from Sicily at age 9. She hooked up in the 20's with the Watchtower masquerading as an American style Christian organization. Probably seemed like the thing to do in her new country. My grandmother was a 1st generation American Sicilian who only had a 3rd grade education. Grandpa was a 3rd generation American who descended from the same village in Sicily, but also only had a 3rd or 4th grade education. They joined the cult as did my mother, who was a high school graduate. But she suffered in the WWII years with getting kicked out of school because of the flag issue. They made her feel proud to suffer for the Truth.
I finally read the bible and figured out that there is not ONE SINGLE SCRIPTURE that offers salvation outside of the New Covenant. Most of my several hundred Italian realitives on my grandmothers side are members. It is their "thing".
There is hell to pay for ignorance of sin and God's solution to the problem.
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the subject of resurrection
by Crazyguy inwere the earliest believers of a resurrection the egyptians, i have yet to find an earlier culture believing in this idea?.
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Perry
I'm wondering if a better question might be: Was there EVER any culture that did not believe in an after life?
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What is your favorite gospel music?
by Zoos inmy taste in music is pretty eclectic.
i was listening to some andrea bocelli this afternoon and found this on youtube.. .
oh my god!!!.
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Perry
I saw Bocelli last year in Austin , Tx. .....Amazing.
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My first post: Pet Peeves from my JW past
by BarHarborBarbara infirst post here: longtime lurker but hesitant to take the leap.
my story is pretty much like everyone elses with little variance, but i thought id add a few details that especially tormented me when i was in.
im sure these are familiar, im afraid this is a bit of a rant.. --paradise: the constant chatter about a perfect world when most in the hall were not even slightly interested in taking care of the earth now.
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Perry
I feel so much freer along with much closer to Jehovah and Jesus now because I'm relying on them and not men.
Welcome to Christian Freedom. Glad to have you aboard!
That's me at 5:05. I used to be a Regular Pioneer & 4th generation witness.
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Visited Baptist church on Easter
by snakeface ini live in a rural area; in field service we had to drive from house to house.. i have not had any desire to visit any church for several years now.
saturday i was doing chores in my yard - washing the car, etc.
- and 2 ladies drove in, dressed like witnesses would be dressed.
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Perry
First time I went to an independent baptist church, the preacher blew my mine and my wife's hair back. Wow! Is all I could say.
We found one a little closer to home (not quite as dramatic) and went there for three years. Made some great friends we still keep in touch with.... including Pastor and wife.
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Any Suggestions on what to say if elders ask why you stopped going in FS?
by BU2B ini was curious what might be some good things to say if i am questioned by the elduurs about my decline in fs.
anything too honest may get me a jc (although that would be for the best in the end..) the co visit is this week so they may be getting more agressive than usual.
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Perry
Tell them that if they can show you even one NT scripture showing how a person can have their sins forgiven outside of the NEW COVENANT, you are willing to have something to preach about at the doors. If they can't, what is there to talk about?