Posts by EdenOne

56

One reason behind the slow steady decline of JWs

by AllTimeJeff in

hello first of all to those that remember me.

i'm doing well, 10 years since my missionary trip to cameroon.

i've met a couple of goals.

EdenOne

We don't have a Governing Body anymore ... What we have is a GOVERNING CORPSE.

Welcome back AllTimeJeff! While I was a lurker your posts were those that I always wanted to read first. Thank you for helping me to wake up.

Eden

15

Just read "Zealot - The Life And Times Of Jesus Of Nazareth"

by EdenOne in

so, keeping in mind that mrs. eden isn't so comfortable with english, i have been searching for books on the subject of the historical jesus and who wrote the bible, and i got very frustrated because there's not a lot of those in my native language.

most of what i read in english simply hasn't been translated, which is a shame.

in any case, i managed to get two: bart ehrman's "misquoting jesus" and reza aslan's "zealot".

EdenOne

My last post was done very late at night, and I forgot to add something that the "Zealot" book yielded, that was rather surprising to me.

The fact that Paul took the teachings of the followers of Jesus and transformed it into a whole new religion isn't a novelty. However, I thought that Paul's teachings were winning by landslide in the first century. Aslan's insightful analysis shows otherwise. In fact, the congregation of Jerusalem, led by James, the Brother of Jesus, saw Paul as a dangerous apostate, and fought back, sending their own missionaries to visit Paul's congregations and urging them to return to keeping Moses' Law, as it was observed by the congregation in Jerusalem. Hence, Paul's constant rants against the judaizants and his constant need to reaffirm his authority as an apostle not inferior to those who have walked and broke bread with Jesus. And, in fact, the congregations were giving more consideration to blood, and so James was winning those people back, which left Paul in hot water, tonthe point that he got publicly scolded by James for teaching an apostasy against Moses (Acts 21) and hummiliated by having to submit to a ritual of purification in the Temple. However, the tide turned when the Temple was destroyed in 70CE, and suddenly no one wanted anything to do with a religion (judaism) that had been humilliated by Rome. That's when the disciples of Paul seized their opportunity and gained mommentum.

Eden

15

Just read "Zealot - The Life And Times Of Jesus Of Nazareth"

by EdenOne in

so, keeping in mind that mrs. eden isn't so comfortable with english, i have been searching for books on the subject of the historical jesus and who wrote the bible, and i got very frustrated because there's not a lot of those in my native language.

most of what i read in english simply hasn't been translated, which is a shame.

in any case, i managed to get two: bart ehrman's "misquoting jesus" and reza aslan's "zealot".

EdenOne

I also recommend "How Jesus Became God" by Bart Earhman.

I have it as an e-book, but haven't read it yet.

How about Richard Carrier's "On the Historicity of Jesus: Why We Might Have Reason for Doubt"

I never found compelling arguments against the historicity of Jesus, from what I've read in several articles. But I'll keep that in mind when I decide to read something more in-depth to that effect.

he doesn't feel Reza isn't really well qualified to talk about early christianity.

I don't agree with Ehrman. Aslan was raised a Muslim, lived in a liberal muslim family and converted to evangelical christianity on his late teens. He then had a scholarly path much similar to Bart Ehrman's. I don't think that the islamic roots of Aslam per se disqualify him from doing a scholarly work on the historic Jesus. It's actually a bit inelegant to claim so.

Brent btw is an excellent scholar

I'll keep an eye for an opportunity to look into his works.

=============

Btw, some more recommendations (in english):

"The Authentic Gospel Of Jesus" - Geza Vermes

"Paul and Jesus - How the Apostle Transformed Christianity" - James D. Tabor (Highly recommended!!)

"James the Brother Of Jesus" - Robert Eisenman (Extremely dense book, not for the faint of heart ...!)

"Jesus, Interrupted" - Bart Ehrman

"A History of Christianity" - Diairmaid MacCulloch (For a comprehensive historical overview of the development of Christianity until the the XX century.)

=================

Finally, one of my favorites. It's a scholarly article (Book? Thesis?) about how the first Christian gatherings.I have found it a fascinating reading. I found it very useful when I had to research for an article I wrote about shunning.

THE EARLIEST HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN GATHERING - ORIGIN, DEVELOPMENT AND CONTENT OF THE CHRISTIAN GATHERING IN THE FIRST TO THIRD CENTURIES

by Valeriy Alexandrovich Alikin

Eden

15

Just read "Zealot - The Life And Times Of Jesus Of Nazareth"

by EdenOne in

so, keeping in mind that mrs. eden isn't so comfortable with english, i have been searching for books on the subject of the historical jesus and who wrote the bible, and i got very frustrated because there's not a lot of those in my native language.

most of what i read in english simply hasn't been translated, which is a shame.

in any case, i managed to get two: bart ehrman's "misquoting jesus" and reza aslan's "zealot".

EdenOne

So, keeping in mind that Mrs. Eden isn't so comfortable with english, I have been searching for books on the subject of the historical Jesus and who wrote the Bible, and I got very frustrated because there's not a lot of those in my native language. Most of what I read in english simply hasn't been translated, which is a shame. In any case, I managed to get two: Bart Ehrman's "Misquoting Jesus" and Reza Aslan's "Zealot".

I've just finished reading "Zealot" in just one day. It's simple and easy to follow, at some points I find it a bit superficial. But seems to me a good introduction book for someone wanting to know more about the historical Jesus. It's useful to debunk the devotional reading of the gospels and the wrong notion that the NT displays a united church of the followers of Christ.

I recommend it, but as I said, it keeps things on a relatively accessible level, but for more in-depth research, there are better works. Have you read it?

Eden

51

My first post

by thewalker in

jw
friends

hi, i just joined the board and wanted to present myself.. i'm active, in fact very active in congregation activities serving "where the need is great" in a foreign language congregation somewhere in western europe.

as a young brother, i'm seen as an example as i'm doing all a good witness should do.. i had doubts years ago but i decided just to ignore them and move to another congregation to preach more.

that worked for some years but i'm now at the exact same point.

EdenOne

Welcome TheWalker ... It seems we're on the same geography (non-english speaking Western Europe). You are among friends, take your time, don't rush; educate yourself before you make life-altering decisions - especially if you have family still in.

Eden

16

Searching for those who "know" TTAT

by EyesOpenHeartBroken in

jw
friends

does anybody have any tips for conversation starters to covertly feel out someone in the cong that you suspect is a "knower" about ttat?.

any success or experiences to share?.

EdenOne

Maybe what we need is a secret apostate sign ("T" for TTAT)

Eden

46

Correlation decline JW numbers and JW broadcasting?

by Gorbatchov in

jw
friends

i read some impressive figures here about the decline of the jw numbers in 2015.. could there be a correlation between this decline and the start of jw broadcasting?.

hence, that there would be an negative impact because the gb is standing so nearby, you can experience the idiot reasoning of their doctrines sitting in your own living room?.

the lett effect?

EdenOne

"We love this teaching" was said during the AGM where the new light about the identity of the FDS was first expounded. I think it was said by David Splane. In 2013, maybe...?

Eden

31

The Thief of Always

by YinzerDad in

prologue... .

a brief precursor about myself.

i've been lurking around for almost 2 years.

EdenOne

YinzerDad, welcome! Your experience and analogy with the "Thief of Always" (of which I didn't know about) is poignant. In many ways, I can relate with your story. But, as many have said, you're still young, you have an education, and you have a family. Lots going for you. Work from there to build up an interest and then a passion. You have time. This 'system of things' ain't going anywhere.

Eden

22

"the Kingdom work is expanding at an accelerated pace"

by Londo111 in

if recent intel is true, there is only a .23% increase worldwide in 2015. .

notice what is increasing is not the average publisher count, according to the above watchtower quote to spin the bethel downsizing, but the work.

"the little one will become a thousand and the small one a mighty nation.

EdenOne

The work is "expanding" so much that is getting sublimated to vaporware.

Eden

36

Do you need Art and Music in your life?

by The Rebel in

jw
friends

music and art have been a big part of my life since i was a little boy, and although i was never able to play a decent guitar, i can paint.

my art teacher from college said " i was the most imaginative and constructive pupil she had ever had.

" i loved that comment, because in translation i realised it meant i had to work harder than other more naturally talented students, but the effort was always worth it.

EdenOne

Music, absolutely. Keeps me sane, provides an outlet for my creativity, and I can vent and release energy through it.

Eden