Posts by Shining One

75

Infallibility of Scripture

by drew sagan in

one of this biggest teachings present in mostly all christian denominations is the idea that the bible is infallibile.

my question is, where does the bible say this?

i know of many scriptures that point to the idea that what was written was directed by god, but where does the idea that what written is totally without error originate?

Hey Terry,
The 'shore' that you are swimming to is one that leads to a meaningless existence now, then an eternity separated from your Creator. The 'priesthood of the believers' is a plural reference, not an individual one. A believer is guided and taught by the Holy Spirit. That is affected by the believer's own relationship (or non-relationship) with Jesus Christ. If your understanding does not line up with scripture, in context, then your understanding is mistaken. The vast majority of protestant churches have the same basic, orthodox beliefs. These must be held to or the religion is then declared a cult. The grey areas are non-essential to salvation and answer the question: why are there so many denominations and churches? The Catholic church rules in authority over all of it's churches, just like the Watchtower.
Rex

75

Infallibility of Scripture

by drew sagan in

one of this biggest teachings present in mostly all christian denominations is the idea that the bible is infallibile.

my question is, where does the bible say this?

i know of many scriptures that point to the idea that what was written was directed by god, but where does the idea that what written is totally without error originate?

Shining One

>or is it telling us something much more simple?

The gospel message IS simple, "1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time." 1 Cor. 15:1-8
There are people that have never read a scripture that believe. There are millions in China that have no personal copy. They have to memorize it en masse to recite in their home churches. Explorers have found people groups that were isolated from the rest of humanity that had been praying for someone to come along and tell them more of this God. The message is so simple that it is an offense or a godsend!
Rex

75

Infallibility of Scripture

by drew sagan in

one of this biggest teachings present in mostly all christian denominations is the idea that the bible is infallibile.

my question is, where does the bible say this?

i know of many scriptures that point to the idea that what was written was directed by god, but where does the idea that what written is totally without error originate?

Shining One

Hey Drew,
I see what you're saying here. When you have a personal relationship with a person it makes the belief so much easier. The idea of salvation is hinged on the belief that the One in charge is still alive and answers prayer. "Thus saith the Lord". Would it not be reasonable to assume that God keeps His story consistent for the benefit of the (potential) believer?
Rex

24

Are there any believers here?

by kwr in

i'm a unitarian christan and do read the watchtower and awake regularly.

i'm curious if any one here believes in the god of abraham or are there all doubters here at this web site?

kwr .

Shining One

>I call myself a skeptical Christian. That means I will call to question even treasured beliefs if they don't add up.

So, then you have set yourself up as one who can judge God (as portrayed in the Bible)? If that is so then all you have is an opinion that rests on no authority. Why are some of the writings of Paul 'believable' but not others? For that matter, why is any part of the Bible 'believable' and not another part?
You don't accept scripture as authoritative: therefore you cannot believe Jesus' statements are authoritative; therefore you cannot accept the apostle's teachings and that leaves you with the 'shifting sands' of your own mood and axioms. Logic and consistency doesn't reside in your comments.
Rex

39

Perfect, Nearly Perfect, and Mostly Perfect....Religion

by jgnat in

kero-kero's goodbye post brought me to mind a common complaint amongst jw apologists, that all we do is bring up the bad stuff and old history.

after all, "nobody's perfect".

well, that would be fine and dandy if the wtbts hadn't set themselves up as the sole mouthpiece for jehovah in these 'last days'.

Shining One

>Well, that would be fine and dandy if the WTBTS hadn't set themselves up as the sole mouthpiece for Jehovah in these 'last days'. My JW hubby brings up what he considers fatal flaws in my church's doctrines as why he could never participate in our worship. I wonder, how are the JW's any different?

Jgnat,
I wonder why this is a contentious issue between you and hubby? You regularly, (even slavishly_LOL) complain about scripture and the doctrines developed from it.....by your own church's mission statement! How are you yourself any different than a JW who questions and belittles Christian doctrine?
Rex

9

Wife beating during 20 years and fiduciary duty

by chasson in

wife, a member of the jehovahs witnesses, sued watchtower society and church elders alleging that the church and the individual defendants failed to render assistance to her when she was consistently and repeatedly beaten by her husband over a period of 20 years; actions for intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress and for breach of fiduciary duty time barred; limitation periods not tolled by the doctrine of fraudulent concealment; church teaching that members were not to resort to lawsuits did not postpone the running of the limitations periods until plaintiffs expulsion from the church; however, the claim for breach of implied contract to protect plaintiff so long as she was obedient to the church was timely because the alleged breach could be considered to have occurred on the date of plaintiffs expulsion from the church; but the claim for breach of implied contract was barred by the first amendment case # 801 (10/00) (conn. super.

ct.) (for collateral proceeding in the same case, see index entry in the next paragraph) .

wife, a member of the jehovahs witnesses, sued watchtower society and church elders alleging that the church and the individual defendants failed to render assistance to her when she was consistently and repeatedly abused by her husband for nearly 20 years, but counseled her to continue to endure in the marriage.

Shining One

Here is an important point. If she had also brought charges of failing to report abuse of children (that the elders knew about) the congregation and the elders personally could be held liable. Most states have this law in place. It is the legal obligation of churches, childcare, etc. to report suspected child abuse.
Rex

26

The Devil couldn't have done a better job, assuming God inspired the Bible

by Spectrum in

if you were a mean spirited, nasty supernatural being that wanted to reek havok on human civilisation how would you go about doing it?

inspire people to write several versions of a book, call it holy, then get people to slavishly follow the version that they prefer and die for it when they come in contact with a different version.

could a kind, all powerful, gracious god have ever inspired such a book.

Shining One

>then get people to {{{{slavishly}}} follow the version that they prefer and die for it when they come in contact with a different version.

Ah, there's that word again. Before you I only heard it from Jgnat. Are you one of her trolls, perhaps from another computer with a different I.P. address?
Rex

9

anti DoorKnocking / neo Green River Act in New England?

by james_woods in

i saw a short piece last night on an activist group in a little town in (i believe) connecticut -.

they were trying to enact local legislation to limit door knocking.

the issue was not the jws - it was about one of those general magazine salespeople who got into some elderly ladies house and robbed & murdered her a year or two back.

Shining One

You may want to know that the Supreme Court ruled on a similiar piece of legislation last year. The village of Stratton, Ohio lost the suit and it had similiar language.
Rex

32

Dinner with moderate Muslims

by peacefulpete in

my wife has a classmate that recently married a pakistani man.

he's here only on a student visa and is faced with returning to pakistan as soon as he graduates.

he has an application for greencard pending but the wheels turn slow.

Shining One

>I wish I could express my thoughts as clear.

You have to have a valid one first. LOL
Rex

32

Dinner with moderate Muslims

by peacefulpete in

my wife has a classmate that recently married a pakistani man.

he's here only on a student visa and is faced with returning to pakistan as soon as he graduates.

he has an application for greencard pending but the wheels turn slow.

Shining One

You are an example of willful ignorance. My word, what an idiotic stand to take! Look at the evidence...The most conservative Islamists are in charge of Sharia law. Besides the rival sects killing each other and targeting anyone near a target (Target: woman, child of innocence). Let me give you one little example: Informal judicial groups go around Iran beating anyone who is found watching the World Cup! Can you believe that one? Of course, you will blow it off, just like you turn a blind eye toward Pol Pot, Kim Il Sung and Stalin! Rex