Posts by Theophilus

23

They Came back

by Theophilus in

howdy.

after an unfortunate absence i have returned.

ina previous thread, i shared that i had initially begun my research into jw doctrine and such after being approached (some would say accosted) by a pair of well meaning jw's one saturday morning.

In my opinion, any organization that employs the tactics and hurtful deceptions that the Watchtower Society does, which have time and again been exposed by your fellow posters on this board, is a danger. Any organization that intentionally deceives it's members and destroys families and shatters individuals must be exposed and called to account. How many people have to suffer under Pharisaical burdens and oppressive regulations before we stop saying it's a matter of opinion? How many people have to die for lack of a transfusion, because an organization claims the Bible tells them so? How many? For me, one is enough.
I wept last night as I read the outright lies in the JW literature used to deceive unsuspecting people? I became so angry and I thought about the suffering of so many who are deceived. Enough is enough.
The Watchtower is a drug more dangerous than heroin or crack. Your fellow posters have said numerous time, those in the society are brainwashed, programmed, I wold add slaves to this organization.
The organization must be called to account.
Silence in the face of injustice and oppression is a horendous crime.
It is the least Christian response I can think of. That kind of Silence screams.

33

The divinity of Jesus as the Christ

by Theophilus in

i have been curious why the jw's and other cults claim that the bible does not support the notion of the christ as divine (god).

can anyone offer an explanation?

my reading of the texts brings me to that conclusion.

Theophilus

I have been curious why the JW's and other cults claim that the Bible does not support the notion of the Christ as divine (God). Can anyone offer an explanation? My reading of the texts brings me to that conclusion. There are a number of outright claims to it, as well as some that take actual research.

Take for example Titus 2...
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them,and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

I'm not putting a hook in the water to see who bites (like some have been known to do on this board) I really want to understand this.

18

The lost books of the Bible

by Kristen in

and the lost books of eden.

books that didn't make the cut into the official 66 we have now.

anyone ever read or research them?

Theophilus

Howdy!

Extra-Biblical literature is a real interest of mine and I have done some research (no doctorate or anything, but it is a fascinating study). Most researchers (christian and secular) pretty much seem to go along with the idea that the gospels not included in the Bible (that of Thomas, Philip, Mary Magdalene, etc...) were written during the second century A.D. by the Gnostic sects to promote their beliefs (the non-diety of Christ was a biggie). The Gospel of Barnabus is an 18th century fraud (and was touted by the Muslims for awhile as the correct "injil" mentioned in the Koran). If you are interested i reading early Christian literature from the Church fathers from ~100 A.D. to ~800 A.D., I recommend the following link...
http://www.ccel.org
It's a HUGE amount of writing.
Enjoy!

23

They Came back

by Theophilus in

howdy.

after an unfortunate absence i have returned.

ina previous thread, i shared that i had initially begun my research into jw doctrine and such after being approached (some would say accosted) by a pair of well meaning jw's one saturday morning.

Theophilus

Howdy. After an unfortunate absence I have returned.
Ina previous thread, I shared that I had initially begun my research into JW doctrine and such after being approached (some would say accosted) by a pair of well meaning JW's one Saturday morning. I also shared that, up to that time, they had not contacted me. Well... They came back. As I was leaving for church, no less. I told them I was on my way out and asked for their e-mail addresses so that I could arrange a time to meet.
I have not yet contacted them and I have returned to this forum to request your help. I would like to know (1)what you discovered that showed you that the WT was not right? and (2)what your advice would be for a guy who wants to help other JW's to know the truth about the Organization?
I've done enough research to know how wrong it is, but how do I help the one who believes it to be true?
I would really appreciate any help you can provide.
PS - anybody got a Kingdom Interlinear laying around that they might want to sell?

Thanks all!

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Theophilus

I'm going to set aside my previous thread to ask a question...

Do you believe that we (mankind) are made in the image of God?

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Theophilus

Looking at the universe through the laws of cause and effect; that no effect can be greater than it's cause and that an effect can only contribute to it's subsequent effect that which it contains, would you agree that the universe (and all that it contains)is a good starting point in objectively establishing some rudimentary and essential characteristics of it's creator?

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Theophilus

It's VERY difficult to offend me. Humor is great.

Is it safe to assume from your previous posts that you believe the universe was created?

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Theophilus

Hi Carmel,

I just wanted to let you know that I do respect your position. I would not presume to
force my views or ideas on anyone. I am merely responding to an open forum from
my point of view. If something that I posted offended you, or if you feel that I
misrepresented you, then I apologize and would like to know any points of offense
so that I can provide explanation or apology.

I agree that we need to establish objective criteria for the evaluation of ideas and
perceptions. Experience alone is inadmissable as an explanation. If our beliefs are
founded on subjective experience, then we limit our ability to find the truth. I've
begun posting the initial questions to establish that objective criteria and would
certainly value your input.

Why do I say that I'm not "religeous?" I am a follower of Jesus Christ, whom I
believe is the messiah promised from God to bring salvation. When I say this, I mean
that I follow Christ, not the institution. In other words, my faith is not founded by
mindlessly regurgitating what a person in "authority" tells me. It is founded on the
study of the documents (and their history) that reveal the character and purposes of
God.
I examine what is put before me as truth. That's how I found this site to begin with. A pair of JW's visited my home, presented to me what they claim to be truth, and I am researching it and finding it lacking.

It's difficult to write so that my heart may be known and understood. I know that I have a tendency to write in a way that seems cold, I assure you that is not my heart.
You are all honest and open about where you are at in your lives and what you are thinking. I hope that I am percieved to be the same. I cast no judgement. I am sharing my views as those who have predceded me have also done.

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Theophilus

AhHah,

Tell me, what aspects of the universe lead you to believe that there is a creator and what the character of that creator would be.

89

Do you believe ...

by AhHah in

simply respond to each question with a yes or no answer (or '?

' if unsure):.

before answering, please see my comments on general/main - "how about a survey?"..

Theophilus

Can we agree that there is a God? A creator who made all things and is still active in his creation?