I used to use that same argument, wannabefree! I had someone try to show me Rev 1:8 and the other "Alpha and Omega" verses in Revelation to show me that Jesus IS called Almighty God. But the WT thought was too strong on me then.
Christ Alone
JoinedPosts by Christ Alone
-
148
Jehovah's Witnesses View of Jesus Compared to the Early Church
by cofty inthe following is an extract from something i wrote 16 years ago soon after leaving the watchtower.
i am posting it because it may help honest jws consider how far their beliefs are at odds with new testament christians.
if they have "the truth" then their attitude to jesus ought to reflect that of the apostles.
-
-
-
148
Jehovah's Witnesses View of Jesus Compared to the Early Church
by cofty inthe following is an extract from something i wrote 16 years ago soon after leaving the watchtower.
i am posting it because it may help honest jws consider how far their beliefs are at odds with new testament christians.
if they have "the truth" then their attitude to jesus ought to reflect that of the apostles.
-
-
Christ Alone
One of my favorite things about not being a WT drone anymore is the ability to recognize fellow Christians by the fruits they produce -- not the
doctrinal positions they hold.
Amen to that. Love is the bond of union, not doctrine.
-
148
Jehovah's Witnesses View of Jesus Compared to the Early Church
by cofty inthe following is an extract from something i wrote 16 years ago soon after leaving the watchtower.
i am posting it because it may help honest jws consider how far their beliefs are at odds with new testament christians.
if they have "the truth" then their attitude to jesus ought to reflect that of the apostles.
-
-
Christ Alone
PSac is right. The Word was divine has the exact same meaning as the Word was God. The Word was with God refers to another person (the Father). The Word was God refers to His nature or quality, divine - the same nature or quality as the Father.
But John 1:1 is not the only place in John where Jesus is called God.
John 20:27,28: " Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!""
-
-
-
Christ Alone
Great scriptures, kepler. Not only Paul but JESUS gave significance to the cross as an object with a far greater meaning. The message of the cross. It is interesting that it is foolish to JWs... 1Cor 1:18: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Just so others don't have to look up Keplers scriptures, here they are:
Matthew 16:24: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34: For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
-
-
-
Christ Alone
My opinion is if you are using it in prayer, directing prayers towards it, or using it as some lucky charm, then it is an idol.
And the majority of Chrisians do not do any of this.
-
-
-
Christ Alone
NC, the difference of a symbol to a logo. Most of it is semantics. In marketing there is very little difference between a "logo" and a "symbol". A logo, in marketing terms, is usually a word or words in type. It identifies the company, brand, project, or group. However a symbol is a mark or marks without type, which are used to identify a coprorationm, agency, or institution. An example is NIKE. NIKE is the logo (with the specific typesetting and font, with the "swoosh" being its symbol. (BTW, this is straight from my marketing textbook. Both represent something. When you look at a WT logo (or more correctly SYMBOL), you may not get an emotional attachment...but many others do. Many brothers in my hall commonly wore WT tie clips. The WT logo is all over everything at bethel. It represents Jehovah's organization.
For me, I don't get overly emotional when I see a cross. It's a symbol of Christianity, yes. Do I worship it? No. The comparison to wearing a gun or knife is faulty to me for this reason: The cross is no longer used as an execution device. We have no experience with it. It is beyond our western experience. Guns and knives ARE objects that are used to inflict pain and death today. With the cross the focus is not "See what a terrible death Jesus faced!" It is: "Jesus conqured the cross. He defeated the grave." The cross represents victory. It represents hope for us.
So yes, there is a lot of meaning in the cross. But is it an idol? I can't see it. An idol is an object used for worship. I don't use the cross for worship, and I don't know others that do.
-
-
-
Christ Alone
Technically we DO worship Jesus body...
-
-
-
Christ Alone
NC, what is an idol to you? Isn't an idol something that you worship? Can you find me an example of Chrisitans saying that it is ok to worship the cross? You say that at least JWs don't regard the stake as a symbol. True. But do they regard this image as a representing symbol that they hold in high regard?
This is the symbol that represents who they are. Why is THIS not idolatry, but someone seeing the cross as a symbol of Christianity IS? I agree that some Catholics honor the cross in a way that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. But this seems to be the exception more than the rule in Christianity.
So JW's don't add significance to the stake beyond that it was a stake.
Also...does it really matter? It wasn't a stake without a crossbeam anyway, so THAT argument falls flat.
-
-
-
Christ Alone
So if an object like a cross is used as a "lucky" charm it would be idoltery, if the cross or pole is seen as what it REPRESENTS to our redemption then
it's no big deal.
Good point, Pterist. The copper serpent was important to the salvation of Israel. But later on they ended up worshiping this image, and it was idolatry. 2Kings 18:4 says: " He removed the high places, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles. He broke into pieces the bronze snake Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had been burning incense to it."
-
-
-
Christ Alone
So much could be used to symbolize Jesus and the principals he taught. A loaf of bread. That could certainly represent life, the word, salvation.
But Jesus was not just a prophet that preached and showed love. Otherwise He would have been no different from others that did the same (i.e Ghandi or Buddha). Jesus significance was that He was God who came to sacrifice His body for man. His death is the entire significance of Christianity. His death for our sins. Paul spoke of "the message of the cross". (1Cor 1:18) It is this message that is of the greatest importance to Christians. Like was already brought out, I think, Paul decided not to know ANYTHING but Jesus and Him crucified.
Also, there are other symbols that were used by Chrisitians. It was/is not just the cross that is the symbol of Christianity. The Ichthys is a good example. Jesus taught to be fishers of men. Early Christians used the fish as a symbol of their faith in that command.