Haha... I can relate. Unknown to many of the brothers seated in our local khall, by Sept. 2013, we will have discussed again the new light that effectively supersedes that new light highlighted in the box.
ProfCNJ
JoinedPosts by ProfCNJ
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47
Awkward moment at the WT study today
by FadeToBlack inwhen we got to paragraphs 10,11 with the reference to the box at the top of the page - is your teaching up-to-date?
the conductor asked for an explanation of what the current 'bible truth' was.
for the first one, 'this generation (matt 24:34) absolutely nobody raised their hand!
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Kingdom Ministry of May 2013 Subtle use of "ALONE or only"
by ProfCNJ in[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:officedocumentsettings> <o:relyonvml /> <o:allowpng /> </o:officedocumentsettings> </xml><![endif].
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ProfCNJ
1. Do JWs SOLEY possess the true teachings of Jehovah God on earth. In its Kingdom Ministry of May 2013 page 2, it states that “our magazine alone proclaims salvation…”. For us JW’s, we should welcome this as an encouraging statement that reinforces our faith. However, for an outsider or a non-JW, this would appear discriminatory or prejudicial. As a Christian witness, is there nothing on earth – other than the Watchtower, Awake & other Watchtower publications – that are in circulation which can help in educating people to learn about salvation or at least mold them into model Christians that would make them good candidates for salvation? Acts 10:34 is very clear that God shows no partiality and that “in every nation anyone who does what is right is acceptable to Him.” The word “anyone” is striking and defining. It does not mean a person should read alone WT publications to do what is right in God’s eyes to attain salvation neither it specified a particular organization or association as a requirement.
With the booming population in the whole world that now stands at 7Billion, how can the WT do all the evangelizing work for the entire earth with JW’s numbering to only 7M+ given the fact that not all are active Witnesses? Would it be more Christian and loving to safely assume that there are other materials out there, which JW's have not read nor made accessible to them – which contain spiritually uplifting information essential for mankind’s salvation as well? Would it be more Christ-like to say there are beliefs, movements, and other groups outside of Jehovah’s organization that are also acceptable to our loving Creator, the source of infinite wisdom and love, a loving God who does not discriminate, who saved the whole mankind from eternal damnation through Christ? Can God just be mobilizing one group – and the rest of similarly practicing Christians He does not approve of? That was true during the time of Israel when there was only one nation with God’s approval. But after the descent and resurrection of the Son of God, it does not matter if one is a Jew or not to receive God’s approval.
The statement in the Kingdom Ministry appears absolute, taking away all the integrity of published materials from other Christian religions or movements. I began asking myself: Does the WT have the MONOPOLY of accurate knowledge on the TRUTH about salvation? Has the WT researched, compared, and dissected WITHOUT BIAS ALL available information out in the market that lead them to conclude - in absolute terms - that their magazines alone contain the truth that leads to salvation?
The articles we read from the WT and Awake were not written out of nowhere as if all things are original. While WT articles are presented in such an organized fashion with even non-JWs giving their unselfish compliments, they were a product of extensive research obtained from other published sources. In fact, WT has affiliated itself with the UN to gain access to its library and gather useful data for its own use.
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My Letter to Brooklyn about the Parousia that got me disfellowshipped
by cofty inthis is the letter i wrote back in '96 about the parousia.
following the '95 watchtower that disconnected the "generation" from 1914 i began to look carefully at end-time prophecy and soon discovered what i knew were basic errors in what i had been taught.. i was a loyal jw at the time and was still serving as an elder.
i used only watchtower publications in my research.
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ProfCNJ
Hi Cofty. What can I say? Your letter appeared very logical and coherent. The bible verses you have expounded are indeed very enlightening. I cannot however comprehend why they need to disfellowship you when you had a very polite, respectful tone.
They way you have assembled your piece is enough to shake current JW belief about "parousia". Your points are too crisp just to be ignored by any Christian interested in vouching for the truth.
As I have explained separately on another thread, I find no need for an invisible presence or coming for Christ IN 1914 since he has been directing and guiding IN SPIRIT his followers (or his Christian congregations) since he resurrected. He is doing that loving function until now. Evidently, his followers, including the brothers and Christians all over the world, are more interested in his true coming or return - the one that is visible.
WT in Brooklyn should have answered the query in detail, citing verses and other credible sources to counter your reasoning. For if the brothers in WT has the UNASSAILABLE TRUTH in their midst, then no amount of contrary proof can dismantle their belief at least in this aspect.
My hats off you Bro. Cofty. :)
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Former, Long Time Part 2
by James Jackson infirst of all thanks for all the kind words!!!
i am over whelmed by the responses.
i work very hard through the week and the only time i can reply is in the early morning hours, i read the respones on my iphone through out the day, if there was a way to log on with the phone, i would.
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ProfCNJ
Good morning, leaving_quietly. I can relate to nos. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and even 8. Strange what you just stated are happening to me over the past 2-3 weeks already... Are these feelings normal?
Do we really have to go through emotional roller-coaster ride?
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Former, Long Time Part 2
by James Jackson infirst of all thanks for all the kind words!!!
i am over whelmed by the responses.
i work very hard through the week and the only time i can reply is in the early morning hours, i read the respones on my iphone through out the day, if there was a way to log on with the phone, i would.
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ProfCNJ
I have been a JW since December 1991, now serving as MS. I was asked before to consider accepting the privilege of being an elder but I turned down the privilege 2x. After witnessing conflicts among elders, some of such problems became privy to me, I told myself I cannot go further lest I become part of some struggles that would just stress me out.
I love this thread and the relevant posts. I just feel for Zophar. For more than 3 months now, I tried making comments about Bible highlights out of my own research and the way I see the Bible - w/out interference from the WT references. Surprisingly, some of my friends who have privileges in the congregation appreciated those comments. I told myself, if there is anything I can contribute, it should sound refreshing and encouraging - not the usual canned/worn-out comments the brothers are used to hearing for years.
I cannot understand my feeling sometimes. It is as if I am trying to light up a candle in the middle of people who are held captives. It is like making them see scriptures seldom used in the kingdom halls, and show to them their practical applications.
I just don't know if the elders are taking notice of my demeanor. Sometimes, I am vocal at the back of the hall, sharing my observations to fellow MS or a publisher. And more often than not, they would smile at me, as if saying, "brother, you got a point." :)
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Why WT translates Parousia as "Presence" and not "Coming" (Matt. 24:3)?
by ProfCNJ inwt had translated "parousia" as presence instead of "coming".
it has explained time and again that in 1914, jesus came invisibly and since then, we are living in the last days under his invisible presence.. now i was a bit puzzled if that would really be the appropriate translation after reading matthew 28:19, 20.. 19 "therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit,20and teaching them to obey everything i have commanded you.
and surely i am with you always, to the very end of the age.".
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ProfCNJ
WT had translated "parousia" as presence instead of "coming". It has explained time and again that in 1914, Jesus came invisibly and since then, we are living in the last days under his invisible presence.
Now I was a bit puzzled if that would really be the appropriate translation after reading Matthew 28:19, 20.
19 " Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. "
I pondered repeatedly and asked myself: Why should Christ "come invisibly in 1914", when he committed/promised he would be with his peopole/disciples until the end of the age?" If he has stayed with his followers since uttering that important commission up until today - and until the end of the world or system of things as they say, then he is guiding them invisibly for hundreds of years. And if that is the case, there was no need to come invisibly in 1914. It does not really make sense.
Hence, the WT could have mistranslated the word to support its 1914 doctrine.
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Another Newbie
by Skinnedsheep ini recently came to the realization that the organization is corrupt and is false.
my story is similar to many i think.
i was raised in the religion, pioneered and served as an elder for a number of years.
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ProfCNJ
Thanks for the welcome folks! :)
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Former Long Time Elder, New Member
by James Jackson ini have served 20 years as an elder, 5 years as an ms. was on the district committee in 2010, held various positions on the district , circuit, and rbc level.
probably been on more than 100 judicial committees and even an appeals committee.
was the coordinator in our congregation and deleted because adult child was df ( i kicked him out at the time of his wrongdoing, but that wasn't enough for thr brothers).
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ProfCNJ
Hi and Welcome! Just began posting here yesterday though I have seen this site abut 2-3 months ago but felt guilty of lurking over extended period of time so I stopped.
I have to be honest to myself. Staying inside the organization because of family (I being the head of the family), some close friends and spiritual family. My favorite part is to participate in sharing some highlights of the bible reading scheduled for the week, w/out forcing myself to use WT as reference, making my comments as practical as they can be applied to daily Christian life.
What I noticed was that some of the brothers with privilege better appreciated comments that are refreshing (sounding new to them) than the usual worn-out comments lifted from a source which they already know.
There was a time when I pondered: Why always use only WT publications as reference? Since WT has no monopoly of all wisdom and knowledge about God's Word, there are for sure abundant materials out there which are very good source for doing independent research.
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Another Newbie
by Skinnedsheep ini recently came to the realization that the organization is corrupt and is false.
my story is similar to many i think.
i was raised in the religion, pioneered and served as an elder for a number of years.
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ProfCNJ
Hi folks! Also a newbie here, a current MS but have started doing in-depth research about WT since April 2013. Surpisingly, voluminous amount of data I have found are interesting, liberating and very mind-challenging!
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GB (Splane) says JW parent should "force" their children
by Gayle into go in "service," "baptism," etc.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsqmosgj710
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ProfCNJ
Wow, these posts are very revealing and enlightening! I can definitely relate.
I have a 12-year old daughter going to 13. She approached me and she said she wants to be an unbaptized publisher. Part of me wanted to give a good commendation, but another part is telling me to explain to her not to be to hasty with the decision, especially when school season is just about to begin.
With all the arguments and explanations, I thought we ought to follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. He got baptized at an age mature enough to make a very serious commitment on serving his Father. And if age will the main basis, I guess 13-15 would be way too young. Earliest could be when one reaches majority age, which is 18. But if we will use the age of the Son of God as primary reference, then 25 years old or older would be more Christian, close to the Christ's age. Neverthless, maturity is something relative, not dicated or determined soley by age.