as i work my way through the history of judaeo-christian salvation, i have drafted a chapter on the trinity and early christology.
as before, i am seeking corrections, advice, and suggestions.. the chapter is available at: http://www.jwstudies.com/formative_christianity_s_christological_combats.pdf.
while preparing this chapter, i realised that i am not looking at the "evolution" of soteriology.
Hi Doug
I have been looking for a doc. Like this forever. Excellent !
A lot to digest, a bit over my head to make any serious contributions right now, only to say it's now on my iPad, for my next (very soon) long flight back to Ireland.
Fair Dinkum mate :)
ps. There is a thread on the JW Topixs forum on *who is Jehovah* by a self proclaimed arrogant JW *annoined* named Samson, you may want to put it out there for review.
in other words, what good works have the 144000 done to be secured a place in heaven?
i am told they have already been chosen.
does that mean that jehovah also knows our future?
iWant2Learn4 days agoIn other words, what good works have the 144000 done to be secured a place in heaven? I am told they have already been chosen. Does that mean that Jehovah also knows our future? (Serious).
non jw so thank you for bearing with me.
do special talks happen with individual congregations or is it throughout?
i was told by my husband that i had to go with him and the rest of his family to the special talk that was happening this weekend.
Cultivate Peace ..!
poor guys have to trained to defend the judgmental slandering spirit of the Watchtower GB and their literature...like in Russia.
SAD
back in 2005, i remember sitting in the stadium in the special rows with 42 others.
8000 people were looking at us - maybe even with a binocular - while listening to the speech.
my family and my friends among them, being all proud of me.. i don't remember being enthusiastic.
OP
It was in the 80's, I was in my early 20's an Irish Roman Catholic. Studies for years with a JW friend at work. Found a local cong. Great bunch of guy, families, great fellowship.
Reluctant at my baptism because of the WTS forumla and *INTO association with the WTS org* but an elder friend and good guy (John May, who later led a revolt against the WTS in NY due to the fall out of Ray Franz disfellowship) reassured me it was may personal decision with Jehovah, nothing else.
JWs members asked how I felt after the *DUNK* and mentioned *circumcision of the heart * I was puzzled with this question considering that was suppose to be for the 144k only. I felt committed, anxious and probably over pious, but I realized some JWs had no idea they were NOT baptised into Christ.
It was not to last long considering the Ray Franz bomb shell, where half the cong. WALKED. Most had already experienced the 1975 crap.
Anyways ...that's my reply to baptism *feelings* and way of introduction of myself to the forum.
cheers :)
the following is from a facebook post and..maybe i am missing something, but none of these items disprove them being in a cult.
jehovah's witnesses are often mistaken to be something else.
some say it a secret cult while others believe something else.......i'm very proud to tell you my readers that i'm one of jehovah's witnesses.. below are 17 facts that shows jehovah's witness is not a cult..... 1. there are currently about 8 million jehovah's witnesses around the world.. 2. an average of over 800 people become jehovah's witnesses daily.. 3. we keep coming to your doors even though we have regular jobs and family like you because we are admonished to do so by jesus christ.. 4. we do not participate in wars and for this reason more than 1600 jehovah's witnesses were killed by hitler.. 5. there are currently over 300 jehovah's witnesses in prison in south korea and egypt because they refused to stop preaching or enlist in the military.. 6. we don't salute the flag or say national anthems because we pledge our allegiance only to god.. 7. yes we have fun and party too so don't get that twisted.. 8. not many of us know the name of the president of our headquarters because we do not pay any reference to him he is a fellow servant of god just like the rest of us are.. 9. you earn the privilege of becoming a jehovah's witness.
OP
Too late for the damage control old son, there is enough evidence in the Watchtower's own literature to prove they are a judgmental hate group.
Religious nationalism (BTG) is growing not dying, and soon the WTS will be under investigation here in USA. The WTS will reap what they have sown for years.
They are using Christians from the UN and elsewhere, in their defense in Russia and call us apostates when we fellowship with them .....hypocrites ...
the following is from a facebook post and..maybe i am missing something, but none of these items disprove them being in a cult.
jehovah's witnesses are often mistaken to be something else.
some say it a secret cult while others believe something else.......i'm very proud to tell you my readers that i'm one of jehovah's witnesses.. below are 17 facts that shows jehovah's witness is not a cult..... 1. there are currently about 8 million jehovah's witnesses around the world.. 2. an average of over 800 people become jehovah's witnesses daily.. 3. we keep coming to your doors even though we have regular jobs and family like you because we are admonished to do so by jesus christ.. 4. we do not participate in wars and for this reason more than 1600 jehovah's witnesses were killed by hitler.. 5. there are currently over 300 jehovah's witnesses in prison in south korea and egypt because they refused to stop preaching or enlist in the military.. 6. we don't salute the flag or say national anthems because we pledge our allegiance only to god.. 7. yes we have fun and party too so don't get that twisted.. 8. not many of us know the name of the president of our headquarters because we do not pay any reference to him he is a fellow servant of god just like the rest of us are.. 9. you earn the privilege of becoming a jehovah's witness.
Response to OP :
proof they are a judgmental hate group ..
Note to the speaker:
Build appreciation for earthly part of Jehovah’s organization and the important role it plays in our relationship with him. Show that accepting the organization is essential, as Jehovah’s purpose is to “gather all things togeth- er again in the Christ.” (Eph 1:10) Make it clear that only those who come into and remain in unity with Jehovah and his organization will get life
DANGEROUS TO TAKE HUMAN VIEWPOINT OF EARTHLY PART OF JEHOVAH’S ORGANIZATION
(6 min.)
Some become critical, saying that Jehovah does not have an organization
May say that loving one’s fellowman is what really counts or that having a personal relationship with God is the really important thing or even that personally reading the Bible is sufficient (rs 326-8)
Those who adopt such viewpoints are * like Satan*
They break away from the Father, Jehovah *By rejecting Jehovah’s organization*, such ones are rejecting the protection of the Fine Shepherd, who has but
“one flock” (Joh 10:16) (1Ti 1:19, 20; 2Ti 2:16-19)
Such persons emphasize personal salvation, not the vindication of Jehovah (w88 1/15 17-18; hp 191)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2fYNzAbUpqFdWRPMFdIX294M1E/view?pref=2&pli=1
USA Will also be investigating hate groups ...
i had an interesting discussion over the weekend with a coupe of witness on the carts.
i asked them if they put much thought into the rights/wrongs/consequences of writing letters to russia before doing so or did they just do it without thought because the gb asked them to.
one said yes, they would always do what the gb said to do because they completely trusted that the gb would never ask then to do something that is wrong.
WTS GLOBAL agenda ...writing letters to Russia !
WTS limited agenda ...A copy of the new ARC recommendations on *Child Protection* SOP, ONLY ON REQUEST and ONLY in Australia !
which one is self serving ?
SAD
(for the record, i’m agnostic who is earnestly seeking an objective, honest and concrete hope for something greater).
“there is evidence of a creator if you just look for it”.
many of us have heard similar sentences from believers regarding proof of creator, proof that their religion is the correct one, proof that their particular sect is the right one, proof that their individual sects interpretation of a certain religious text is the right one, proof that their own personal interpretation of a certain religious text is the right one; the list goes on.. in one of my previous posts, i shared the following thought of mine:.
OP HONESTLY and OBJECTIVELY look at every argument for or against a Creator.
this statement shows you have *consciousness* and *cognitive ability* superior to animals of like body and functions. This (cognitive ability) is an *image of a creative mind* in function. Any ideas how thoughts are formed ?
cheers ;)
see what bridget azaz did!.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzbe5yo7uq4.
WATON : perhaps off-topic contributions
au contraire my friend....the bread and wine symbolize the *substance* of that envisaged (motivational/empowering) LIFE
cheers ;)
some quick background information: my dad (her firstborn son) died unexpectedly this past october.
his death has really hit our family hard.
personally, i have not totally come to terms with this.
OP
condolences on the loss of your father...
