Posts by ProfCNJ

9

Balancing the Mix of Healthy Spiritual Teachings and Questionable Doctrines as JW

by ProfCNJ in

if you are a current or active jw, you cannot help but feel you are in a bind.

while you have discovered the truth about the truth and has continuously researched on it, you cannot help also but to regard the fellowship inside, add perhaps those encouraging teachings which build up faith and spirituality.. the reality is you cannot just turn a blind eye on the goodness in the organization too or shall we say some of its members who are also standing by you.

somehow, you felt the fds food is helping you in a spiritual sense.

ProfCNJ

If you are a current or active JW, you cannot help but feel you are in a bind. While you have discovered the truth about the truth and has continuously researched on it, you cannot help also but to regard the fellowship inside, add perhaps those encouraging teachings which build up faith and spirituality.

The reality is you cannot just turn a blind eye on the goodness in the organization too or shall we say some of its members who are also standing by you. Somehow, you felt the FDS food is helping you in a spiritual sense. On the other hand, you cannot also ignore such erratic doctrines on 1914, Last Days, 144K, new light, Generation flip-flop, etc. Here is where cognitive dissonance surfaces.

What a situation to be in. Not easy. Roller-coster ride. One day you are full-blooded JW, next day and you saw questionable activities in the organization, you become half-hearted. Very Challenging.

For the brothers who are still in yet confused, how are you coping up and dealing with our situation? And for those who decided to get out already, did you feel at some point you should have not left?

112

All appointed men are being told they have to pioneer now!

by stuckinarut2 in

yes, you read correctly..... all appointed men have been told in a new letter that they have to pioneer to "set the lead" whenever there is a "special" campaign month.

they use some scripture saying that these ones have to show by example.... so for any of us who are appointed and have learned ttatt, it is going to be very hard to fade during this time!.

.

ProfCNJ

I don't know but to become a pioneer for August 2014 just because we have a new tract to campaign (or distribute) for and just because we are celebrating 100 years of God's Kingdom, is not motivating enough.

If a JW does not believe the 1914 doctrine anymore and the end is not near as the Society has trumpeted for 100 years, then what is the RATIONALE for joining the fray? As christians, we have the privilege to preach the good news - with or without being a pioneer. Only Jehovah God sees what is in the heart.

The new August tract has JW.ORG prominently printed on it. It can be considered as a subtle if not direct marketing for the website. While there are articles that are worth reading for the public at large, I personally don't believe it is compelling to go out and comit yourself to investing 50 hours to campaign. Besides, there are "good and fine works" outside of the preaching work (Heb. 10: 24, 25).

24 " And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. " Instead of devoting 50 hours of sharing the new tract, why not have some of those hours devoted to doing charitable works, visiting the brothers (and even non-JW friends) who are sick or need help, visiting orphanage which is scriptural also. How about spending time buying gifts as surprise presents to the brothers? There are probably a long list for good works for you - and not only preaching. :)

33

If END is Imminent, Why Witness in Silence in Public Places?

by ProfCNJ in

we were taught for 100 years that the end or armageddon is imminent, as if it is coming in a hurry.

but look now at the new way of sharing god's kingdom in uk which i find as a complete irony.

"thousands have switched tactics to stand on street corners in more than a dozen cities across britain - and unusually for public preachers, they are staying almost completely silent... unlike other evangelical preachers, they do not shout or call attention to themselves - instead standing in near-silence until someone approaches them."http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691254/how-jehovahs-witnesses-got-street-smart-believers-swap-infamous-doorstepping-standing-outside-train-stations-shops.html.

ProfCNJ

If we are to continue sharing the Good News of the Kingdom and help people to be reconciled to God as 2 Corinthians 5: 18-21 (NIV) states:

18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin [ a ] for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

it should be anchored on LOVE and not based on specific dates that sow fear (1 John 4: 18).

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."

Moreover, what we want to stand out is GOD'S Word - the BIBLE - and not make an impression that JW literatures and JW.ORG website are more important implicitly, that as if bible study literatures are INDISPENSABLE for understanding the Bible.

33

If END is Imminent, Why Witness in Silence in Public Places?

by ProfCNJ in

we were taught for 100 years that the end or armageddon is imminent, as if it is coming in a hurry.

but look now at the new way of sharing god's kingdom in uk which i find as a complete irony.

"thousands have switched tactics to stand on street corners in more than a dozen cities across britain - and unusually for public preachers, they are staying almost completely silent... unlike other evangelical preachers, they do not shout or call attention to themselves - instead standing in near-silence until someone approaches them."http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691254/how-jehovahs-witnesses-got-street-smart-believers-swap-infamous-doorstepping-standing-outside-train-stations-shops.html.

ProfCNJ

Hi Shirley, what you have enumerated are additional paradoxical signs that JWs are preaching we are nearing the END of the system of things, yet the WT is reducing the no. of assemblies, the no. of hours to pioneer, scrapping the DO position, etc.

It's either we belive one and despise the other. WT should make a categorical statement and support it with activities that are aligned to it.

33

If END is Imminent, Why Witness in Silence in Public Places?

by ProfCNJ in

we were taught for 100 years that the end or armageddon is imminent, as if it is coming in a hurry.

but look now at the new way of sharing god's kingdom in uk which i find as a complete irony.

"thousands have switched tactics to stand on street corners in more than a dozen cities across britain - and unusually for public preachers, they are staying almost completely silent... unlike other evangelical preachers, they do not shout or call attention to themselves - instead standing in near-silence until someone approaches them."http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691254/how-jehovahs-witnesses-got-street-smart-believers-swap-infamous-doorstepping-standing-outside-train-stations-shops.html.

ProfCNJ

Hi Phizzy, on economics standpoint, you definitely have a point for excluding the bible. The Bible Teach Book effectively becomes now as a substibute. However, I don't know how business savvy it is to give away these magazines and books for FREE (without donations)? We are afraid JW members would eventually shoulder the cost of the free distribution.

33

If END is Imminent, Why Witness in Silence in Public Places?

by ProfCNJ in

we were taught for 100 years that the end or armageddon is imminent, as if it is coming in a hurry.

but look now at the new way of sharing god's kingdom in uk which i find as a complete irony.

"thousands have switched tactics to stand on street corners in more than a dozen cities across britain - and unusually for public preachers, they are staying almost completely silent... unlike other evangelical preachers, they do not shout or call attention to themselves - instead standing in near-silence until someone approaches them."http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691254/how-jehovahs-witnesses-got-street-smart-believers-swap-infamous-doorstepping-standing-outside-train-stations-shops.html.

ProfCNJ

No offense intended to the Organization but I saw no Bibles included in the trolleys or carts at least in the photos shown in the bbc news (see link below).

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28166192

I guess preaching of the Good News of the Kingdom should remain centered on the Bible (e.g. NWT). Hence, bibles will have to be displayed as well, then complemented by bible study literatures. We don't want to make the impression that we are just offering published books and magazines, and leaving behind the most important published book in history, the Bible, at least for Christians.

33

If END is Imminent, Why Witness in Silence in Public Places?

by ProfCNJ in

we were taught for 100 years that the end or armageddon is imminent, as if it is coming in a hurry.

but look now at the new way of sharing god's kingdom in uk which i find as a complete irony.

"thousands have switched tactics to stand on street corners in more than a dozen cities across britain - and unusually for public preachers, they are staying almost completely silent... unlike other evangelical preachers, they do not shout or call attention to themselves - instead standing in near-silence until someone approaches them."http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691254/how-jehovahs-witnesses-got-street-smart-believers-swap-infamous-doorstepping-standing-outside-train-stations-shops.html.

ProfCNJ

Hi there kaik. The Society has been consistent about this - they talk about destruction of the world coming without delay YET they ACT and organize activities that would seemingly defeat the same message.

Assume a sinking ship, and a few know about the real situation. Will these few men stay in silence, just watch and let others approach them, before warning them of the impending disaster? Or will they create an unimaginable noise to alarm everybody else to SAVE them from tragedy?

33

If END is Imminent, Why Witness in Silence in Public Places?

by ProfCNJ in

we were taught for 100 years that the end or armageddon is imminent, as if it is coming in a hurry.

but look now at the new way of sharing god's kingdom in uk which i find as a complete irony.

"thousands have switched tactics to stand on street corners in more than a dozen cities across britain - and unusually for public preachers, they are staying almost completely silent... unlike other evangelical preachers, they do not shout or call attention to themselves - instead standing in near-silence until someone approaches them."http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691254/how-jehovahs-witnesses-got-street-smart-believers-swap-infamous-doorstepping-standing-outside-train-stations-shops.html.

ProfCNJ

We were taught for 100 years that the END or Armageddon is IMMINENT, as if it is coming in a hurry. But look now at the new way of sharing God's Kingdom in UK which I find as a complete irony. *

"Thousands have switched tactics to stand on street corners in more than a dozen cities across Britain - and unusually for public preachers, they are staying almost completely silent... Unl ike other evangelical preachers, they do not shout or call attention to themselves - instead standing in near-silence until someone approaches them."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2691254/How-Jehovahs-Witnesses-got-street-smart-Believers-swap-infamous-doorstepping-standing-outside-train-stations-shops.html

QUESTIONS:

1) If we are preaching with a sense of urgency - a matter of life and death - then why do it in silence, why be passive at this stage in history? Should it not be the reverse?

2) As the big day draws near, would it not be more logical to up the speed in reaching out to people for them to ACT without delay instead of standing in silence near a display stand of religious literature?

3) Would this approach send a CONFUSING signal to the rest of JW community as well as to those to whom they have preached?

Your thoughts and comments appreciated. :)

* reports point to other parts of Asia, including the Philippines.

16

Can an Anointed be Disfellowshipped by the Elders of Earthly Class Now?

by ProfCNJ in

hi folks.

anointed jws have heavenly hope, including the esteemed privilege of reigning as kings and priests with jesus christ.

while they preach and share practially the same spiritual activities as members of the other sheep (os) do, an anointed jw has a greater distinction.. come now the disfellowshipping standards.

ProfCNJ

Hi folks, I raised the question since having the hope to become co-rulers of Christ is such a distinctive, elevated status implicitly. How can a brother who belongs to an earthly class or OS judge him? Wouldn't it be more appropriate if he is judge by elders who are also anointed?

@Fernando, thanks for lifting that excerpt from the WT. Following that thought, would it also be safe and valid to assume that the same principle applies to the FDS or the Governing Body, e.g. no special treatment, no special gift, etc?

16

Can an Anointed be Disfellowshipped by the Elders of Earthly Class Now?

by ProfCNJ in

hi folks.

anointed jws have heavenly hope, including the esteemed privilege of reigning as kings and priests with jesus christ.

while they preach and share practially the same spiritual activities as members of the other sheep (os) do, an anointed jw has a greater distinction.. come now the disfellowshipping standards.

ProfCNJ

Hi folks. Anointed JWs have heavenly hope, including the esteemed privilege of reigning as kings and priests with Jesus Christ. While they preach and share practially the same spiritual activities as members of the Other Sheep (OS) do, an anointed JW has a greater distinction.

Come now the disfellowshipping standards. Would it not be awkward or inappropriate at this time to expel an anointed from the organization by elders who belong to the OS or earthly class, most especially if the case is Apostasy, or should we say apostasy against the new Governing Body?