Hey Herk, I'm sorry if my thoughts offend you. I don't know how I came over as dogmatic when all I related was how I now read that scripture. But still, if you wish to discredit my explanation, be my guest. Perhaps you can bless us with the benefit of your superior littery reportwar. I would very much like to read what you have to say on a more logical level than your empty character assassination you present above.
Posts by Tyler
-
91It's so simple -- Matthew 24
by cruzanheart inso here i was this evening, reading the old familiar matthew 24 with the kids before bedtime, but i was reading out of our very nice contemporary parallel new testament, specifically the message version, and i had this sudden realization: jesus didn't give us a really complicated, mysterious prophecy that had different types and antitypes -- he was simply continuing his original message (love your neighbor, love god).
remember verse 12 about the love of the many cooling off?
the verse right after that talks about enduring to the end.
-
-
-
7
REASONING FROM THE SCRIPTURES,page 91
by badboy in`on the coins of constantine the most frequent symbol is xp*;but this symbol is used without the surrounding circle, and with the 4 equals arms vertical and horizontal;and this was the symbol specially venerated as the`solar wheel'.
the non-christian pp 133-141.. * denotes a close represtention of the actual symbol.. r they actually saying that the symbol which i believe simply represtents the 1st 2 letter of christ r of pagan origin?.
this is serious,man!.
-
-
Tyler
It looks like 'X' and 'P' by our Alphabet, but in Greek these are the Greek letters 'Chi' and 'Ro'. the word for 'Christ' looks something like 'XPICTOS' pronounced: 'Christos'. Look it up in the Kingdom Interlinier. Hence XP stands for Christ.
-
7
REASONING FROM THE SCRIPTURES,page 91
by badboy in`on the coins of constantine the most frequent symbol is xp*;but this symbol is used without the surrounding circle, and with the 4 equals arms vertical and horizontal;and this was the symbol specially venerated as the`solar wheel'.
the non-christian pp 133-141.. * denotes a close represtention of the actual symbol.. r they actually saying that the symbol which i believe simply represtents the 1st 2 letter of christ r of pagan origin?.
this is serious,man!.
-
-
Tyler
You mean this symbol?
-
13
The WT on witchcraft
by figureheaduk infelt a little bored earlier so i decided to take a trip over to the wt's badly researched propaganda official site, when i stumbled upon this little gem concerning the wiccan faith:.
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2000/4/1/article_02.htm.
it's the usual waffle from the (old) boys in brooklyn about paganism is worshipping satan, only the bible (and by implication that the wt) is the absolute "truth" blah, blah, blah.
-
-
Tyler
Naturally, we are free to choose which path to take. But since our eternal welfare is at stake, that choice is vitally important. To achieve spiritual enlightenment, we must pursue the way of truth—the way that is found only in God's Word, the Bible.
We all know the veiled threat behind those words, but is it my imagination, or are the WBTS being a little mor PC in their wording?
-
91
It's so simple -- Matthew 24
by cruzanheart inso here i was this evening, reading the old familiar matthew 24 with the kids before bedtime, but i was reading out of our very nice contemporary parallel new testament, specifically the message version, and i had this sudden realization: jesus didn't give us a really complicated, mysterious prophecy that had different types and antitypes -- he was simply continuing his original message (love your neighbor, love god).
remember verse 12 about the love of the many cooling off?
the verse right after that talks about enduring to the end.
-
-
Tyler
I like this interperatation. However I have since developed a more cynical view of the bible. Here is how I now read Matt24:
The sighn of the Messiah's second coming was a much older messianic prophesy gleaned from the Hebrew scriptures, and originally was meant to be the Messiah's coming (not second coming). It refured to the invading army (Romans it turned out) would one day surround Jerusalem (a common practice when an army wants to besige a city) and it would be at their most desperate hour that the messiah woud appear and rescue them. Jesus (is recorded to have) said 'When you see Jerusalem surrounded, then let those in Judea flee to the mountains'. The WT tries to make out that this was remarkable because it foretold that the army would disband. But read it carefully. It did not say 'let those in Jerusalem flee to the mountains' No, he said 'Judea'. So he meant the surounding countryside towns and villages should flee and abandon Jerusalem to their fate.
The prophesy was a lie. Probably many beleaved it faithfully to the end, but as we know the messiah did not save them. Christianity was born from the despair of this tragedy. Many surviving Jews tried to rationalise this horrific event and after reflecting on some lunatic preachers long gone came up with the urben myth that the messiah had indeed already come, but he gave his life to redeem us from sin, and will one day come again to vanquish the earth of all evil. The myth gained momentum and formed Christianity. A couple or three centuries later and Eusibius did a bit of revisionisum and thus we have the new testiment of today.
But I do agree that love is important for a happy and ballenced life, as well as a harmonious society.
-
33
Help! Spouse thinks JW religion the most logical
by bittersweet inmy husband and i were discussing what makes some people become jw's last night.
i was saying that if i hadn't grown up in it, i would have never been drawn to it at all.
i'm not a very spiritual person.
-
-
Tyler
Hey Bittersweet, to be honest I know where he is coming from. Compared to other religions he is right – to a point.
Other fundamentalist religions are all emotion based, while traditionalist churches like Catholics and C of E are very community based. JW’s are certainly not very emotional, their community sucks, so all that leaves is logic, which it purports to have. It does! It has “a” logic to it, but it is not about encouraging rank and file to use their “own” logic, rather you are meant to conform to the WBTS’s logic.
My advice (I know you’ve had a lot all ready, sorry!) is to argue whether ‘logic’ is always the best course of action, rather than ‘ethics’. JW’s are defiantly not very ‘ethical’ even though they ‘rationalise’ their cruelty with ‘reasons’.
My twopennuth!
-
52
Englishman's Barbie / Apostacue:
by Englishman inok, folks, put this one in your diary if you please!.
sunday.
july 13.. just like the shindig we held last year, this one will also be held in my back garden at our home in weston super mare, england.
-
-
Tyler
Weston Super Mare? Sounds great! I'll be there!
-
24
Time for me 2 say goodbye
by Iron Eagle inyeah i've decided to say goodbye folks.. i've had some interesting discussions on this forum, yet i will cease to operate as an active member as of now.
i came to this conclusion via a number of reasons; .
(a) many people on this board have had such a bad experience as a witness that they have decided to deviate so much from the bible and what it tells us.
-
-
Tyler
My advice to you Iron Eagle is:
Get A Life!
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/19/49412/703145/post.ashx#703145
I’m surprised you weren’t kicked off for your insulting behaviour!!
-
4
Part III -
by AGuest inexposing watchtower lies & errorspart iii christ speaks to the congregationsthe watchtower, may 15, 2003 .
paragraph 6:they do not put up with false brothers who want to be viewed as apostles.
like the ephesians, loyal christians today cannot bear bad men.
-
-
Tyler
Does the May 15 WT really say that? I'm wondering if you combine the above quote with this Sunday's WT article whether you are likely to get a chemical reaction.
-
11
Watchtower Study May 4
by Tyler ini'm new here so please be gentle.
i posted this on other x jw forums, and thought i'd post it here as well.
see what i think of the place.
-
-
Tyler
Hi all. I'm new here so please be gentle. I posted this on other X JW forums, and thought I'd post it here as well. See what I think of the place.
Watchtower Study
April 28- May 4
The Early Christians And The Mosaic Law
This is a particularly dull looking study, however, don’t be fooled! Boredom is a form of semi-hypnosis, and it is under such conditions that the WBTS use some of their most blatant mind control techniques! This is a juicy case in point.
Introduction
Well, how do you prove a point without any evidence to support it? Simple. You use every snide and subtle trick you can muster to subliminally implant your suggestion into the minds of your quarry. The WBTS here is clearly trying to get the JW’s to see their dictates as ‘gospel’ quite literally. The point of the article is first alluded to at the end of paragraph 4 where after describing the Mosaic Law’s role in the Fledgling Christian Congregation, it says:
‘But some Jewish Christians were slow to grasp this vital truth. As a result, they continued observing features of the Law even after Jesus’ resurrection. Others, though, adjusted their thinking. In doing so, they set a fine example for us today. Let us see how.’
Count the Watchtowerisums! Slow To Grasp, Adjusted their thinking, Set a fine example, Mmm. Can you see where they are heading? Yep, this is about suppressing any doubts and questions, and blithely conforming to every whim the WBTS tell us to think.
Exciting Developments in Christian Doctrine
A ‘development’ in doctrine eh? This section relates to Acts 10:9- 48. Peter is given a vision of food that was condemned by the Mosaic Law, yet commanded to eat it by God. The article comments: ‘Instead of rigidly clinging to the Law, Peter adjusted his view. This led him to an amazing discovery concerning God’s purposes.’
Mmm. He adjusted his view eh? Paragraph 7 attributes this change to a ‘spiritual discernment’. Hence their imperative rhetorical question: ‘would you have been as willing as Peter to adjust your viewpoint?’
Some kept following the Tutor
Now Acts 11:1-3. There was a dispute about the necessity of circumcision. In Paragraph 9 we are told the issue reached a head in 49 CE where Paul and others went back to ‘ask the governing body to resolve this issue once and for all’. Note also that they say unless it was sorted out some were ‘bound to be stumbled’! Implying (but not exactly saying) that today’s governing body is concerned for their flock.
An Honest Difference of Opinion- Then Unity!
The apostles are now called the ‘governing body’. Perhaps the ‘Governing Body’ today will start calling themselves ‘Apostles’, eh? Anyway the end of Paragraph 11 says ‘Those Christians who submitted to clear theocratic direction were blessed with a solid, Scriptural answer.’
What About Jewish Christians?
‘The governing body had clearly indicated that Gentile Christians did not need to be circumcised. But what about Jewish Christians? The governing body’s decision had not specifically covered that aspect of the question.’ So much for clear direction and a solid answer! Don’t you just love double speak?
Anyway, after labouring the above point over two paragraphs, paragraph 14 says: ‘Guidance came, not in the form of a letter from the governing body, but in additional inspired letters written by the apostles.’ Actually, this paragraph is a bit odd in its context. Rather than teaching reliance on the GB, this seems to be saying that inspiration can come from a separate source. If I’m not mistaken, at the meetings, they will try to make this out to refer to GB appointed ‘elders’ and ‘Circuit Overseers’. The next section seems to support this application.
Slow To Grasp The Point
Commenting on why some Christians did not take to Paul’s advice, key expressions used are: ‘they lacked spiritual discernment’, ‘neglected taking in solid spiritual food’, ‘irregular in attendance at the Christian meetings’ Paragraph 16 calls them ‘professed Christians’ who didn’t want to ‘stand out in the community’, They wanted to ‘blend in’ etc. What are they getting at here? Could it be attire and goatee beards, or sisters wearing trousers (pants in the US )? Hence the need for discernment because there is no good or scriptural reason to enforce these petty rulings, but they do anyway.
Applying The Lesson Today
I have to quote it! Paragraph 18 says: ‘After considering these events of long ago, perhaps you are wondering: “If I had lived at that time, how would I have responded as God’s will was progressively revealed? Would I have rigidly held to traditional views? Or would I have been patient until the proper understanding became clear? And when it did, would I have wholeheartedly supported it?”’
Clearly the GB know that many are having doubts. The trouble is the GB do not have the skill or knowledge to truly sort out the problems in their organisation. Just look at the mess they made of getting brothers to sort out differences in last weeks article! In the meantime JW’s are convinced to not look elsewhere but to whole heartedly support their faith. To be honest I don’t believe the first century Christians were any better off.
Paragraph 19makes the point clearer by making the reader think ‘How do I respond to clarifications in Bible understanding when presented today?’ and ‘Do I patiently wait on Jehovah when answers to lingering questions seem slow in coming?’ It also comments that Jehovah provides direction by means of …. ‘his earthy organisation’ and Jehovah will bless us with endless life that is both happy and satisfying’ if we listen.
Ever wondered how you were duped so badly? Imagine having all that blared at you for an hour while in a state of semi consciousness!