Leolaia
Post 13924
I have no information as to Couture's qualifications etc but the very fact that Newton acknowledged Couture's contribution is a significant proof of Couture's scholarship.
scholar JW
ric,.
i scanned the few pages i have from newton's 1977 book, "crime of claudius ptolemey", as well as a few explanatory pages.. it's available at:.
http://www.jwstudies.com/newton_crime_ptolemy.pdf.
Leolaia
Post 13924
I have no information as to Couture's qualifications etc but the very fact that Newton acknowledged Couture's contribution is a significant proof of Couture's scholarship.
scholar JW
ric,.
i scanned the few pages i have from newton's 1977 book, "crime of claudius ptolemey", as well as a few explanatory pages.. it's available at:.
http://www.jwstudies.com/newton_crime_ptolemy.pdf.
Doug Mason, Leolaia, AnnOMaly
It must be of much chagrin to WT critics and apostates that Dr Robert Newton in researching for his The Crime of Claudius Ptolemy sought the valuable assistance of a JW, chronologist Philip G. Couture. Do you not think that such a 'celebrated' scholar would be included in that august body of 'celebrated WT scholars?
scholar JW
did you use wt dates as well as things found from a secular perspective?
if a witness was researching the 607 dates strictly from watchtower info, would it still become clear they are wrong?
or does the wtbs *make* the dates add up...?
garyoneal
Post 508
Celebrated WT scholars have an interest in all secular sources because these documents are of value and provide much information for all but in terms of constructing an accurate Bible chronology these resources are either unnecessary or of limited value.
scholar JW
i have a new take on the 587/586 "controversy".
this is of course, speaking for me over 3 years after i left.
i realize that if you are first leaving, this is a big deal.
garyneal
Post 509
If secular chronolgy is so accurate then there not be a one year discrepancy for either we know the precise date for the Fall or we dont' Therefore it is foolish and presumptuous of WT critics to demounce 607 BCE when they cannot be certain on a definite alternative.
The twenty gap occurs because of the difference between the two chronologies caused because one ignores the seventy years and the other uses it.
scholar JW
i have a new take on the 587/586 "controversy".
this is of course, speaking for me over 3 years after i left.
i realize that if you are first leaving, this is a big deal.
garyneal
Post 507
1. Only 607 BCE is supported by the Bible, 587 BCE is only supported by Neo-Babylonian chronology and a false interpretation of the biblical 70 years.
2. Only 607 BCE is supported by the celebrated WT scholars but has indirect support fro scholars and historians. 587 BCE is supported by apostates and some scholars whereas 586 BCE is universally supported by serious scholars.
What scholars are discovering today is pointing more in the direction of 607 BCE and serious scholars continue to promote 586 rather than 587 BCE so as you correctly say you have one helluva problem.
scholar JW
did you use wt dates as well as things found from a secular perspective?
if a witness was researching the 607 dates strictly from watchtower info, would it still become clear they are wrong?
or does the wtbs *make* the dates add up...?
Garyneal
Post 500
Proof for the validity of 607 BCE has always been presented in numerous WT publications so all that I would do is simply present what has already been published and you are quite capable of finding and reading that information yourself. Scholar will help you if you are having some technical problems with the subject.
You list three aspects of Bible chronology but these were not of my suggestion but of yours for it was you that asked about these matters and I have responded as necessary. These matters are settled by means of the Bible and the presentation of chronology as presented in WT publications and this should be sufficient for you.
You are correct in that secular scholars do use the Bible, secular sources and scholarship to prove 586 or 587 BCE but the celebrated WT scholars use and can use the same identical information to prove 607 BCE. So you have a big problem here! For equally the facts in support of 607 BCE are available for all to check.
scholar JW
did you use wt dates as well as things found from a secular perspective?
if a witness was researching the 607 dates strictly from watchtower info, would it still become clear they are wrong?
or does the wtbs *make* the dates add up...?
Leolaia
Post 13913
It seems that the 'celebrated WT scholars' are an enigma for you but that is just the way it is. Whatever praise or recognition scholar gives to this august body it simply recognizes what Jehovah God is accomplishing through His people and His Organization on earth in these modern times.
scholar JW
i have a new take on the 587/586 "controversy".
this is of course, speaking for me over 3 years after i left.
i realize that if you are first leaving, this is a big deal.
garyneal
Post 495
Are you then saying that there are absolutely no facts at all in support of 607 BCE? Are you saying that the calculation of 607 BCE is a figment of imagination? Are you saying that there is no history or prophecy in the Bible? Are you saying that there can be no such thing as a Bible chronology and if that is true then equally 586 or 587 BCE are also imaginary or fictitious dates?
scholar JW
did you use wt dates as well as things found from a secular perspective?
if a witness was researching the 607 dates strictly from watchtower info, would it still become clear they are wrong?
or does the wtbs *make* the dates add up...?
garyneal
Posts 493,497
I am sorry if you are having trouble with the maths concerning the reigns of Nebuchadnezzer but let me assure you that all that you need is a pen and a piece of paper and simply list each year and count backwards inclusively. If that fails then the next step is to write to Bethel with your difficulty and they will help you. Scholar is simply not interested in doing the work for you because he believes that if you raise the problem then you must solve it. I know that sounds tough but scholar is a tough man.
In working from 539 BCE to 607 BCE the celebrated WT scholars use the Bible and secular sources combined with the latest and best scholarship yhus proving 537 BCE along with seventy years arriving at 607 BCE
scholar JW
i have a new take on the 587/586 "controversy".
this is of course, speaking for me over 3 years after i left.
i realize that if you are first leaving, this is a big deal.
AllTimeJeff
Post 4286
Repetition is good as it part of the 'art of teaching'. So scholar is teaching you! You are correct, apostates don't invent any dates at all because all they do is copy others being gullible to boot. Some have even become scholars because of their past experience as Witnesses which has caused them to attain a level of scholarship but their attainment has exposed them to much ridicule and shame from serious scholars.
For your information scholar loves facts and only deals with facts a fact that you choose to ignore.
The WT is a reliable source but it is not infallible, humans such as historians and scholars are not reliable or infallible for they are not in possession of Holy Spirit unlike Christ's brothers. But more to the point it is not to men that we should turn for guidance but it is to God and His Word that are truly reliable.
Scholar is a believing, active JW apologist.
scholar JW