Posts by bebu

Hi Ona... Um, may I ask what this is referring to? Is it Acts 12:11-12, where Paul opposed Peter to his face? If so, that is surely an exaggeration in your description. By your definition, all of the people on this board 'fight' like militant 'soldiers'. ...But perhaps you are referring to something else?...

Paul was pretty militant--to start out with, anyway. "He was breathing threats", and in the middle of carrying out plans to search out Christians and put them in jail. His method was surely the sword.

But after conversion, in 2 Cor, he says,

2CO 10:1 By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you--I, Paul, who am "timid" when face to face with you, but "bold" when away! 2 I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world. 3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

also, in Eph chapter 6:

11

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

I think these are well-known verses, so surely you must be aware of them... And when I read the letter to the Ephesians, I am really struck by his tenderness. My picking out snippets doesn't really do much justice to these letters.

What is he referring to? Who is it that is fighting, and what are the weapons? He is not referring to political entities here, but how the gospel is spread. The singlemindedness of a soldier is his, but the method of a soldier (physical force) he no longer applies.

Paul surely changed in methodology; I do not think he was ever a pacifist, but to imply that he would be ok with "evangelizing" along the same lines as Mohammed used.... well, there's nothing I can find to substantiate that at all.

...These days when I read the NT letters, I think of this discussion board, and how Paul would post here: Eg, a thread titled "Judaizers require circumcision; please advise", and Paul would post a reply that would include an exasperated, "Brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. (As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!!! ) ...Cheers, P"

...I think he'd be a fun poster to read as he debated.

bebu

31

Should a Christian Fight in a war, or join the military service?

by l3gi0n in

ecclesiastes 3:8

: there is a time for peace and a time for war.

there are some arguments as to weather a christian would fight in military service, or would remain peaceful to all men, up until death.

bebu

Can it be imagined? The Apostle Paul, at the behest of the Roman Army, riding on horseback torching the homes and villages of people with whom Rome is displeased with? No, I don't think so.

I don't think so either--mostly because they then would be fighting on the side of the ones who were occupying them. But the Jews had great respect for military; to them it was not shameful or immoral to be a fighter.

When police shoot and kill a suspect, they are held to account. Even when they do not kill, they are held to account. We do not protest against our police forces as being murderers.

Rom 13:4

For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

There doesn't seem to be a moral problem here. I think that the issue is personal hatred of the enemy. Even though we fought the Japanese in WW2, it would certainly matter on a personal level if one soldier fiercely hated the Japanese and loved to kill them, vs. a soldier who desired that the Japanese could recognize what mistakes they were making, and change course.

Judas kissed Jesus--it was a betrayal signal. Paul said to greet each other with a holy kiss. Any action alone, without context, is not enough information to determine the moral attitude. Some actions, like fighting, are suppressed more often in normal society; this does not mean that they never have a time and place of proper expression, just that the proper occasions are fewer.

bebu and 2 centimes.

41

Honestly, How Do You Think You Handle Criticism???

by minimus in

jw
friends

.

well?

bebu

It takes me some time to digest criticism, to see if it was valid or just a flame. I realize people can get passionate about issues, but I find name-calling an immature way for adults to debate. If someone tells me I'm stubborn, I might have to agree--but perhaps it's not bad to be stubborn at times.

I don't feel comfortable in criticizing. I don't mind pointing out inconsistencies I find, but to point it out without seeming rude is sometimes tough. I guess that is why, at this time, I generally avoid rough and tumble debates; I'm still getting to know people, their attitudes, and whether I can have some trust in their motivation. And then I can evaluate criticism better.

I do not like hatred that parades as "criticism".

bebu

46

Here is something to debate!

by Aztec in

jw
friends

does true love exist?.

i'm a skeptic by nature, although not necessarily a very logical one.

i believe in love but i am not sure of the idea of one true love or soulmates.

bebu

Well, I feel sure that true love does exist; seems to be existing at my home, anyway.

As for love at first site, absolutely sort-of. I think that attraction can be strong enough to last during the time it takes for the people to actually establish a relationship and a commitment. That kind of happened in my case with my husband. We got married a year after we first met. And for about 6 of those months we were corresponding from overseas. Married over 16 years. (Take heart, nomad soul!! Thing could work out as well for you! )

Love is a great thing at its various stages.

bebu

65

What are you currently reading?

by Sirona in

jw
friends

as ex-dubs we are free to read whatever the hell we want to read.

in celebration of that fact (and to give me some ideas on what to read next .

sirona

bebu

'Waaaay back in college when I took a lot of psych courses and a few counseling courses, a friend lent me a book called "Effective Biblical Counseling". I read it with the thought it might give me one more perspective in helping others. ...Instead, I benefitted from it myself: my depression left, and I lost 20 stubborn pounds without dieting. (I realized later that many folks go into psych because they are trying to understand themselves most of all! ) I found this book again lately, and still think it's excellent.

I'm our church's librarian, so mostly I'm reading thru new and old "inventory". That and news on the web. And posts here. It's been fun.

bebu

86

Have You Recieved Any Benefit From This Web Site???

by minimus in

jw
friends

are you happier since you've found this place?

if jwd were gone tomorrow, would you just look for another site to get involved with?

my opinion of this board is that it is one of the best boards to learn current information from.

bebu

Yes, I've certainly benefitted from this site, even tho not a JW. I've appreciated seeing that deep inside the shell of witnesses there is actually been a normal human being! I really feel great when reading a newbie's story of how s/he got free! In a world of bad news, stuff like that warms my heart.

It's hard for me to sympathize with the Old Guard here; things change, and they will certainly change again --and again. I'm sure I'll probably be in their shoes, given time. In the meantime, I hope that they will be using their creative juices to entice us with interesting topics to debate.

bebu

61

BIG TEX & CRUZANHEART -- 20 YEARS TOMORROW!!!! (6/4/83 to 6/4/03)

by cruzanheart in

jw
friends

big tex, honey, it's been a grand ride so far and i look forward to the next 20 years.

you're my soulmate, my lover, my best friend, and never, ever boring.

i love you!!!!

bebu

Congratulations to Cruzan and Big Tex!!!

May God keep blessing you through the next 20 years, and beyond!! (How wonderful to get to know you on this forum!)

bebu

25

MINIMUS, ANSWERS ONLY,NO QUESTIONS!

by Blueblades in

jw
friends

ok,here is a switch.how about we try to post only answers first,rather than ask a question.for example:the answer to your ???

now minimus, wouldn't it be great if you can get 4,000 posts with only answers and not questions.i know that you are the master question man with jh hot on your trail.remember" the shell answer man ?

"how about ,minimus,the answer man,this way we all here on this forum ask you the questions and you answer.. just something different to freshen up the forum with an interesting twist, how far do you think we can take it.i'm thinking 4,000 answer posts from you.. blueblades ,kinder like jeopardy,the answer is?

bebu

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyy....

Nilfun, I just realized that you are the SNL's Church Lady!!!! ROFL!

OK, trying to stick to the topic:

Question for the answer "42":

What is another word for stamina??? (*Begging forgiveness*)

...Next answer: "I give up."

(Hint: any question might work here, and maybe end this game.)

bebu

who can't believe I'm such a sucker to answer this...

6

Lurkers! How the Watchtower Could Change!

by metatron in

jw
friends

let it not be said that we are only capable of bashing the watchtower society.. for once, let me point out how simple it would be for them to change into a more.

humane, tolerant and christian organization.. first, print some strong articles on voluntary service.

after a few months of emphasis.

bebu

Double amen!

It can, and should, be done.

bebu