Posts by mdb

10

30 Days as a muslim

by Dr Jekyll in

thought some of you might be interested in this.

this program takes an american christian and sends him off to live as a muslim for 30 days.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8596690458731858361&q=30+days

mdb

Some Teachings of the Islamic faith

Hostile scriptures portraying a hatred for Jews and Christians alike. Here are a number of examples from the Koran as evidence of the Islamic teachings regarding Jews and Christians:

[5.51] O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people.

[5.14] And with those who say, we are Christians, we made a covenant, but they neglected a portion of what they were reminded of, therefore we excited among them enmity and hatred to the day of resurrection; and Allah will inform them of what they did.

Some of the scriptures from the Koran which seem to encourage hatred toward the infidel (unbeliever) rather than love:

[9.29] Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and his Apostle have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.

[9.30] And the Jews say: Uzair is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!

[9.123] O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness; and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).

[48.29] Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah, and those with him are firm of heart against the unbelievers, compassionate among themselves;…

[66.9] O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and be hard against them; and their abode is hell; and evil is the resort.

I wouldn't go. You might not return.

23

What does Acts 15 mean, people "called by my name"? Help needed!

by jwfacts in

is this referring to jehovah or jesus?

i am in discussion with someone and need an answer that would satisfy a thick skulled jw.. in the nwt it says .

(acts 15:15-18) 15 and with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 after these things i shall return and rebuild the booth of david that is fallen down; and i shall rebuild its ruins and erect it again, 17 in order that those who remain of the men may earnestly seek jehovah, together with people of all the nations, people who are called by my name, says jehovah, who is doing these things, 18 known from of old.

mdb

Interestingly Acts is post Jesus death. So Jesus no longer has the opportunity to correct anybody and a whole new theology is built.

Jesus claimed to be a son of God. The Gospel writers after his death claimed that his mother was a virgin - but this unnecessary addition only served to obscure Jesus actual teaching.

Mary being a virgin was not an unneccessary addition. It was a prophecy about the Messiah which came true.

Then he said, “Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. ~Isaiah 7:13,14

It is necessary because it is one proof that Jesus Christ is the Messiah. How does referencing the virgin birth obscure Jesus' teachings anyway?

23

the new world translation of the holy scriptures

by jes30427 in

what year was this bible translated?

it doesnt even say who translated it.

did this russel guy get bored and want to start his own religion or something.

mdb

So can u tell me where russle got his stuff from if there wasnt even a bible until franz wrote it.

There was a bible - the KJV. There are old translations of the KJV that have the Watchtower name on them. The KJV is what C.T. Russell used (as far as I know) and after his death, the Watchtower also used the authorized KJV until they made their own translation.

The NWT is not the word of God, but a perverted work translated by five men.

Translating committee: Nathan Knorr, Albert Schroeder, George Gangas, Fred Franz, M. Henschel

"Fred Franz however, was the only one with sufficient knowledge of the Bible languages to attempt translation of this kind. He had studied Greek for two years in the University of Cincinnati but was only self-taught in Hebrew." ["Crisis of Conscience"; by Raymond Franz; Commentary Press, Atlanta; 1983 edition; footnote 15; page 50.]

Four out of the five men on the committee had no Hebrew or Greek training at all. They had only a high school education. Franz studied Greek for two years at the University of Cincinnati, but dropped out after his sophomore year. When asked in a Scotland courtroom if he could translate Genesis 2:4 into Hebrew, Franz replied that he could not. The truth is that Franz was unable to translate Hebrew or Greek.

3

let's say god exists, well then ...

by zagor in

if i consider for a moment that god exists, he would be an all-powerful intellect wouldnt he, so he would have created man with the same intellectual qualities as stated in genesis 1:26 wouldn't he?

why then, would religions or a religion that 'represents' him here on earth try to limit the use of that intellect?

why such a fear of independent thinking?!?!?!

mdb

In other words majority of people would be able to see the truth with their own minds.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. ~1 Cor 1:18,21

This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. ~Eph 4:17-19

But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. ~2 Cor 4:3-6

Men do not see the truth because they love the darkness more than the light (read Romans 1:18-32). Living for Jesus means denying yourself. Most people love their own lives (even their sin) so much and would rather do their own thing, that giving it all up would not only be unthinkable, but seems impossible. If men would only see what it is that they are throwing away. And for what? Worldly pleasure that lasts a moment in contrast to eternity with the Creator.

And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” ~Jn 3:19-21

If I consider for a moment that god exists, he would be an all-powerful intellect wouldn’t he, so he would have created man with the same intellectual qualities as stated in Genesis 1:26 wouldn't he?

Genesis 1:26 says "Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” "

Nowhere in Gen 1:26 does it say that man was to be made to have the mind of God - with an all-powerful intellect. It only says that man was man in His image, according to His likeness. Because we are not all-knowing, wise or powerful does not nullify the fact that God exists. The Scriptures say that all creation testifies concerning His being. We are without excuse.

In other words majority of people would be able to see the truth with their own minds. [PART2]

Actually, it is only by God who unveils Himself to the seeker that they see the light. That's why it is called grace. If you seek Him, He will be found. Knock and the door will be opened. Ask and it shall be given. Only God can change the heart of a man and God draws near to Himself those He chooses.

37

Was Jesus sacrifice really a sacrifice?

by jambon1 in

i would like to state firstly that i in no way intend to offend anyone.. its just when i was in the org i had major problems with the blood issue/death because of persecution.

many times we were taught that god does`nt ask us to do anything that he has`nt done himself.

now imagine everything the bible says about jesus really did happen.

mdb

I've poured over the scriptures wherein Jesus is quoted and have never found anything in his comments that referred to his death as a sacrifice. I did, however, see a comment he made to the effect that "it is something (he) must do." So it sounds to me that he admitted that it was his duty or his penance for something rather than a sacrifice.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. ~Eph 5:1,2

For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever. ~Heb 7:26-28

For Christ has not entered the holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; not that He should offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood of another— He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ~Heb 9:24-26

But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. ~Heb 10:12,13

That should be enough Scriptural quotations. He (Jesus) gave Himself as a sacrifice for you and promises eternal life to those who believe on Him for salvation.

28

If Jesus did not forgive a repenting satan, would He be a hypocrite?

by DavidChristopher in

he commanded us to forgive anyone who sins agianst us.

" like our current gb?

is the gb authorized to answer this question?

mdb

The evil one has already been condemned and his time is short. Why do you debate about something that cannot happen and in the process label God a hypocrite - bringing accusations against the Holy One and dishonoring His name? You only bring condemnation on yourself, putting yourself in the same position as the devil.

The real problem is in the question. Jesus has no worry of forgiving a repentant satan, because when satan rose up against God, he was sentenced and cast out of heaven. Even now satan is serving his time. It is too late for the devil, just as when men are brought before the judgement seat of God, it will be too late for those who did not put their trust in Jesus. At that time, men will have no opportunity for repentance. They will have had their time in this life to have either chose to follow Christ Jesus, or deny Him. Those who deny the Son of God also deny the Father and will share the fate of the devil and all the fallen angels, being cast into the lake of fire where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth forever and ever. I know you do not want to hear about hellfire, but it's the truth.

6

Patrol of the kingdom hall property.

by mdb in

out of curiosity, does the kingdom hall make a habit of sending a pair of men out to patrol thier building during weekly studies?

once a week there are certain individuals who walk around a certain kingdom hall to pray against the organization and for the salvation of those inside.

almost like clockwork, at 8pm two well dressed jw men walk around the building once.

mdb

Out of curiosity, does the kingdom hall make a habit of sending a pair of men out to patrol thier building during weekly studies? Once a week there are certain individuals who walk around a certain kingdom hall to pray against the organization and for the salvation of those inside. Almost like clockwork, at 8pm two well dressed JW men walk around the building once. On one occasion, shortly after 8pm the front gate to the property (compound) was closed while the meeting was in progress. Is this standard procedure?

36

Who here is not former Jehovah's Witness?

by omerp in

just wondering who else is lurking besides me?

mdb

I have never been a JW and never will. Nothing can pluck me out of my Father's hands (a son by adoption). I sure pray that those who have been deceived will have their eyes opened and come out of that idolatrous organization.

7

The Soul

by Honesty in

.

why did jesus make a distinction between the body and the soul if they are one and the same as the watchtower society teaches?.

matthew 10:28 dont fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul; rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

mdb

Your body is the physical temple which God has given you to dwell in while here on earth. The Soul is the core of your being, the part of you which holds personality, memories, emotion, etc. It is who you are - Adam became a "living soul." The spirit is your immaterial nature which, though the body dies, lives beyond the grave. Even our being is a type of trinity. See how it's possible? You are a living soul and your existence is made up of three distinct parts (body, soul, and spirit). God is also one God and eternally lives in the persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God did say, "let us make man in our image", and we've been make like Him in more than just a physical sense.

I'm not attempting to make this thread a trinity debate, but you should be able to see the relation here. It is possible for God to have three separate persons and inseparablly be one God. We have a finite human mind and in our mind it seems impossible, but nothing is impossible with God. He is greater than us and He draws near to Himself those He chooses. That's grace, nothing we have done. Those who do not believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God have been blinded and do not know the Father because they do not know the Son. The scriptures say that if you do not believe the Son, you also do not believe the Father and you make God to be a liar because you don't believe the Son whom He has sent. Eternal life is believing in Jesus Christ. If you believe Him, you will love His holy commands and live for Him.
Jesus said to Philip, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (Jn 14:9)
And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (Jn 20:28,29)

13

Is there a human today who knows Jesus's opinion of things?

by DavidChristopher in

i mean what did simple things like "bad associations", "sinners", "demons", "angels", mean in his opinion?

is there a human that will step up and take resposibility for explaining what jesus' opinion was when he called people these words?

can he explain the context he was using to us?.

mdb

was a "sinner" anyone who opposed Him? I am kind of confused on this.

We're all sinners, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom 3:23) and the one who opposes Jesus Christ is an antichrist as well as a sinner.

Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. (1 Jn 2:18)

Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. (1 Jn 2:22)

and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. (1 Jn 4:3)

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (2 Jn 7)