Posts by ProfCNJ

79

When did people of the Great Crowd start to appear?

by wizzstick in

quick question, faithful followers of our treacherous hearts... .

i should know the answer to this but.... so the great crowd class were identified in 1935, but does the wt suggest when it's members first appeared on earth?

all first century christians were of the annointed (i think that's right), so when do they think the first of the great crowd rolled up?.

ProfCNJ

After giving this great crowd some thought, as I have been taught to believe for more than 2 decades since I got baptized, I asked myself: If the Lord Jesus Christ declared there is "other sheep that are not in this fold" (John 10:16), he certainly knew that during his time he had other sheep to consider. I thought, w/o researching any further, that this "other sheep" would refer to non-Jews, e.g. the Gentiles who are and would be his believers, eventually exercising faith in him. It never dawned on me that Christ was referring to a far distant future crowd in 1935 who will have different kingdom hope.

Now here comes the odd question: How come the great crowd (similar to the other sheep) was only identified as such in 1935 by J. Rutherford when Christ had already shared about it while he was still alive? Does this mean that there was no other sheep (a.k.a. earlthy class) until 1935 before the announcement during that Convention? This does'nt sound logical.

My understanding of this core teaching is getting brighter and brighter (Prov. 4:18). I cannot understand why the Society has interpreted this matter in a way that is causing confusion even with the simplest analysis.

88

jw.org store in Rouen, France

by breakfast of champions in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvcvnhohno4.

naaaahh.

we're not a business.

ProfCNJ

The Society is already catching up with modern day branding efforts. Having jw.org on the signage is more subtle than having "Jehovah's Witnesses" prominently printed. I think they have consulted some branding experts on this venture.

If this one gets successful, perhaps in attracting interested ones and raising funds by way of voluntary donations, we will surely see replication in France and in other parts of Europe.

88

jw.org store in Rouen, France

by breakfast of champions in

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvcvnhohno4.

naaaahh.

we're not a business.

ProfCNJ

Why is jw.org silent about this shop? We need to know if this one is sanctioned by the Society and for what purpose it was put up. It would be premature for us to judge immediately w/out finding out the rationale of its existence.

On a positive note, this JW.net is really updated, as if there are field reporters deployed.

32

My JW Experiences and Living in No Mans Land

by wizzstick in

jw
friends

lots of proper pioneering (90 hours), lots of calls, lots of studies, lots of interest.

enough to make it all interesting.

driving this buzz was the sense that armageddon was imminent.. my father was never a jw, and was very opposed.

ProfCNJ

1 Peter 2: 2: "As newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation." (American Standard Version) Spiritual milk is also translated as "rational & unadulterated milk".

JWs may still possess "some of the core teachings of the TRUTH". The problem is, in the course of crafting adjustments over the years, the organization has added "unessentials" that have somehow beclouded the truth. That is where the trouble lies. Once pure milk now becomes adulterated.

I have come to re-assess the preaching work since I and my family am are still doing it. What I do is to find ways to preach matters that can help the household appreciate basic bible truths - a combination of what the future holds and practical day-to-day application of scriptures - not much about WT literature. What makes me feel better is if I am able to let the other person smile for learning some good things about the Bible, e.g. family, personal problems, work etc. The emphasis is for them to realize the Bible is no ordinary book. It can be a lifeline. When principles are applied properly, it will give refreshing results. This is the positive side of preaching. But to impose on others to believe some doctrines that we ourselves do not believe anymore or having doubts to say the least, well, that's making me uncomfortable.

In the preaching work, we share the good news, hope, it's positive energy. We feel the Holy Spirit is guiding us. We channel their attention to the Bible and its infinite wisdom. This becomes like a commercial break for them who are so busy. Preaching and teaching others to change their lives for the better, making them praise Almighty God Jehovah and his wonderful works, these are the activities that will be hard to just let go.

And when things get really worst, I think it may just boil down to this: Choosing the lesser of 2 evils? :)

27

Why do JWs stay despite doubts & discoveries about JW Beliefs?

by ProfCNJ in

jw
friends

if we are going to create a pie chart with the following categories, what could be the main components-reasons and their respective percentages for just staying in the organization in spite of the doubts, discoveries about the jw doctrines/beliefs?

i doubt if the topmost reason is because of love of jehovah god and his son jesus christ.

your inputs dear friends and fellow brothers will be most appreciated.. a. below 40 years old.

ProfCNJ

If we are going to create a pie chart with the following categories, what could be the main components-reasons and their respective percentages for just staying in the organization in spite of the doubts, discoveries about the JW doctrines/beliefs? I doubt if the topmost reason is because of love of Jehovah God and His Son Jesus Christ.

Your inputs dear friends and fellow brothers will be most appreciated.

A. below 40 years old

B. 40 years old and above

1) Concern about Family's Reaction - %

2) Friends & social connections/well-being

(and the fear of losing them all because of shunning) - %

3) Love of Jehovah God and His Son - %

4) Love of the worlwide brotherhood - %

5) Fear of destruction in Armageddon - %

6) Discomfort in moving to another religion/sect - %

7) Others __________________________ %

Total 100%

85

My Letter to Brooklyn about the Parousia that got me disfellowshipped

by cofty in

this 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.

ProfCNJ

In retrospect Cofty, brother in Christ, I wonder why the WT became too harsh on you. In the scriptures, Abraham bargained with Jehovah several times to spare Sodom and Gomorrah. He was reasoning, he was pleading. Yet the Almighty one treated him with respect.

He did not just shut up the door on Abraham on his first try and said: "Son, that won't work, it won't happen, I am telling you, so don't waste your time bargaining. How dare you challenge my decision?"

47

Awkward moment at the WT study today

by FadeToBlack in

when 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!

ProfCNJ

Hi earthfire. Before The WT can be shared or given to the public during house-to-house preaching and other evangelizing means. But now, the WT has 2 editions: 1-for the public consumption and 2-for JW's study only.

The 2nd edition or version used for WT study every Sunday contains about 4 study articles. They are being released to the congregations in advance, e.g. 2 months ahead of the date the magazine is scheduled to be discussed in the kingdom halls.

Hope this helps clarify.

47

Awkward moment at the WT study today

by FadeToBlack in

when 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!

ProfCNJ

Hi blondie, interesting question. I myself don't study the WT study article in advance anymore. But this one I will devote time and energy, and be ready to meet up with some friendly elders and fellow MS to shed light on the new light.

We still have ample time to gether evidence to the contrary.

47

Awkward moment at the WT study today

by FadeToBlack in

when 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!

ProfCNJ

Actually, only our Service Overseer raised his hand to answer the first question. Looked like nobody cared to research about it or all but one were afraid to give the wrong answers. hehe

47

Awkward moment at the WT study today

by FadeToBlack in

when 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!

ProfCNJ

The July 2013 Study Article issue of the WT is loaded with new light for discussion in Sept. 2013. I cannot imagine how our kids, the children, even teens, and interested ones will grasp the new information, dissect it objectively and draw conclusions with unfailing confidence.

I don't know if any of WT leadership can realize that this kind of material when discussed does not fit the entire audience in the kingdom hall.