Posts by Fernando

4

Youve Got Mail! TM

by ABibleStudent in

dont you love getting emails from friends and relatives, even if it is a chain email?

at least someone thought about you and cared enough to send you an email.

if you were a new convert, active jw, a jw with doubts, or an ex-jw struggling to live without jw family/friends, how would you feel about receiving one of my friendly, innocent emails?

A two sentence email:

Did you know that more than half the Bible's references to the "good news" are by Paul?

Should we as "publishers of the good news" study, embrace and teach the "good news according to Paul"?

_________

Reasoning: it is impossible to continue following and yielding to the unabridged or full "good news" and remain captive to the Watchtower (religion) or their counterfeit and truncated "good news".

_________

The power and purpose of the "good news":

"The spirit of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah is upon me [Jesus], for the reason that Jehovah has anointed me [Jesus] to tell [the] good news to the meek ones [sheep or wheat]. He has sent me [Jesus] to bind up the brokenhearted [spiritually deprived and unregenerated], to proclaim [spiritual] liberty to those taken [spiritually] captive [by religion/ists] and the wide opening [of the spiritual eyes] even to the [spiritual] prisoners [of religion/ists]" (paraphrase of Isaiah 61:1).

23

Was the Bible written for two opposite audiences?

by Fernando in

it seems the bible can be interpreted using either a religious or a spiritual framework with opposite results.. i have been pondering if this was by design, to effect a separation between the sheep (wheat) and weeds (goats).. does this mean that the bible is effectively booby-trapped against spiritually blind (physical, natural, carnal, legalistic, moralistic, ethnocentric and gnostic) supremacist religionists who would get the wrong end of the stick and show themselves to be children of the "god of religion" and not children of the "god of abraham"?.

it would seem a religious framework results in blindness and (supremacist) behaviour common to the ruling religious watchtower hierarchy and clergy.

essentially "christless christianity".. it would seem that a spiritual framework results in the opposite - social justice, open mindedness, liberal and generous orientation, inclusivity .

Fernando

@AGuest, enjoyed hearing about your "bootstrapping" prayer and the result. We all should do this more often. Sincerely surrender our ideas and will, and let God give us all the right answers and direction.

23

Was the Bible written for two opposite audiences?

by Fernando in

it seems the bible can be interpreted using either a religious or a spiritual framework with opposite results.. i have been pondering if this was by design, to effect a separation between the sheep (wheat) and weeds (goats).. does this mean that the bible is effectively booby-trapped against spiritually blind (physical, natural, carnal, legalistic, moralistic, ethnocentric and gnostic) supremacist religionists who would get the wrong end of the stick and show themselves to be children of the "god of religion" and not children of the "god of abraham"?.

it would seem a religious framework results in blindness and (supremacist) behaviour common to the ruling religious watchtower hierarchy and clergy.

essentially "christless christianity".. it would seem that a spiritual framework results in the opposite - social justice, open mindedness, liberal and generous orientation, inclusivity .

Fernando

Hey ProdigalSon!

Sorry, I should have clarified what I meant.

The Watchtower is against any knowledge (gnosis in Greek) that might expose them - such as an education or reading Ray Franz' books. On the otherhand they favour us taking in knowledge (self-aggrandizing religious propaganda) that comes from them.

So we might make a distinction on the source and purpose of knowledge - which can be either good or bad.

The Watchtower taught us that we are saved and achieve self-righteousness by means of acquiring the supposedly "right" knowledge (gnosis in Greek). This is supremacist Gnosticism and is practiced by religious Gnostics.

All religion effectively does the same, offering various paths to self-righteousness (mainly also legalism, moralism and ethnocentrism) where we can earn, deserve or pay for a good standing. This of course makes THEIR followers supremacist, self-righteous and judgmental of others that do not share their views and pursuits.

Scripturally speaking we are legally saved (from the authority of our spiritual step-father the devil) as a free gift when we accept the invitation to "come as we are" (spiritually bankrupt) and have a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus (not humans) after hearing the "good message" about him.

When John 17:3 is correctly translated it refers to this relationship as KNOWING translated from Greek where it refers to the intense level of intimacy where a man KNOWS a woman (sexually).

The Watchtower being Gnostic mistranslates John 17:3 as: "This means everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ". Of course the Watchtower next claims only they have and dispense this special gnosis or knowledge (which keeps changing) and we have to remain connected with them to be saved. This is completely against many scriptures that relate salvation to God granting us repentance (awareness of dysfunction) and faith (a wide opening of our spiritual eyes) in Jesus, as free unmerited gifts.

Even the Watchtower's own Kingdom Interlinear Greek translation (KIT) contradicts the above translation.

So Watchtower religionists might have "knowledge" about Jesus, but they do not "know" him in a personal relationship and are destined to hear the words of Matt 7:23: "And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew YOU! Get away from me, YOU workers of lawlessness." Watchtower religionists practice "Christless Christianity" and therefore do not speak of Jesus from the heart as did Paul: "my Lord" or "our Lord". Neither do Watchtower religionists confess and promote Jesus from door to door as "my saviour", "my deliverer/liberator", "my atoner/reconciler", "my restorer" or "my older brother". They are too busy promoting religion (proselytising Matt 23:15) instead of promoting the "good news ABOUT Jesus" (evangelising like Paul).

23

Was the Bible written for two opposite audiences?

by Fernando in

it seems the bible can be interpreted using either a religious or a spiritual framework with opposite results.. i have been pondering if this was by design, to effect a separation between the sheep (wheat) and weeds (goats).. does this mean that the bible is effectively booby-trapped against spiritually blind (physical, natural, carnal, legalistic, moralistic, ethnocentric and gnostic) supremacist religionists who would get the wrong end of the stick and show themselves to be children of the "god of religion" and not children of the "god of abraham"?.

it would seem a religious framework results in blindness and (supremacist) behaviour common to the ruling religious watchtower hierarchy and clergy.

essentially "christless christianity".. it would seem that a spiritual framework results in the opposite - social justice, open mindedness, liberal and generous orientation, inclusivity .

Fernando

@Knowsnothing, I wonder if one could paraphrase: "God desires all to attain to (or be granted) repentance (awareness of dysfunction) and be granted faith (a wide opening of our spiritual eyes) by inclining our hearts to HIM and his MESSAGE (the full unabridged 'good news about Jesus')"? This would suggest that those who CHOOSE self-righteousness (religion) instead of unmerited and IMPUTED righteousness (the good news of grace and justification) are granted the right and free will to do so. If the Bible is interpreted to us by Holy Spirit it should lead us to Jesus ("the truth"), and away from the confusion of (sectarian) religion.

@AGuest, thank you for the detailed, well considered and thought provoking reply. "A compilation of writings that have been mistranslated, mistransliterated, misinterpreted, misunderstood, misused... and more". Indeed! Being shocked at the many instances where the Watchtower has done this one can but wonder what the RCC has done before them. Still, I was granted repentance and faith from an honest and relentless pursuit of the full and true "good news ABOUT Jesus" in the NWT and WT CD, of all places! I also learnt that the full and priceless "good news" is revealed (by Holy Spirit) rather than discovered (by man). The Holy Spirit can and often does reveal translation and other errors on the fly to ANY believer (simple Jesus follower). You might enjoy parts of the chapter on the Bible called "Christianity is not a book religion" in http://www.christinyou.net/pdfs/Christiantynotrel.pdf.

19

Do Not Forsake the Gathering of Yourselves Together

by N.drew in

doesn't it mean for life, not death?

in other words, does it mean don't leave anyone out?

they interpret it as do not leave yourself out, but what i think it means is do not leave (in your imagination) anyone out for lost.

Fernando

Religionists would of course interpret "gathering together" to mean in a religious building, for a religious ceremony, to be taught religion and dogma, with fellow self-righteous supremacist religionists worshipping the "god of religion" (instead of the "god of Abraham") and celebrating "Christless Christianity" or similar.

That was largely Saul's view or attitude before he became Paul, whereafter he saw the "church" as the diaspora of believers (simple Jesus followers) instead of a building.

(http://theschoolofchrist.org/articles/no-fellowship-no-problem.html)

8

Serving where the need in greater - and leaving the "truth"

by dozy in

a few years ago , a very zealous 30 ish pioneer couple sold up & moved to central america to serve where the need is greater.

they were the classic incredibly "enthusiastic for jehovah" types who had deliberately not had any family & led a very "simple" life to focus on kingdom interests.

they were very very close & always worked together in the ministry.

Fernando

Nothing opens ones eyes to reality like "culture shock" and being on the receiving end of prejudice, ignorance, hostility and venom from your so-called "brothers and sisters" just because your accent and culture are different to theirs.

Starting afresh in another country outside of ones comfort zone and with a clean slate provides ample opportunity to freely re-evaluate all in the harsh, unbiased and bright light of reality.

It really pricks the WBT$ bubble, which is why the R&F are discouraged from moving to another land without the benefit of prior authorised and organised indoctrination from the "Gilead Missionary School" or similar.

23

Was the Bible written for two opposite audiences?

by Fernando in

it seems the bible can be interpreted using either a religious or a spiritual framework with opposite results.. i have been pondering if this was by design, to effect a separation between the sheep (wheat) and weeds (goats).. does this mean that the bible is effectively booby-trapped against spiritually blind (physical, natural, carnal, legalistic, moralistic, ethnocentric and gnostic) supremacist religionists who would get the wrong end of the stick and show themselves to be children of the "god of religion" and not children of the "god of abraham"?.

it would seem a religious framework results in blindness and (supremacist) behaviour common to the ruling religious watchtower hierarchy and clergy.

essentially "christless christianity".. it would seem that a spiritual framework results in the opposite - social justice, open mindedness, liberal and generous orientation, inclusivity .

Fernando

It seems the Bible can be interpreted using either a religious or a spiritual framework with opposite results.

I have been pondering if this was by design, to effect a separation between the sheep (wheat) and weeds (goats).

Does this mean that the Bible is effectively booby-trapped against spiritually blind (physical, natural, carnal, legalistic, moralistic, ethnocentric and Gnostic) supremacist religionists who would get the wrong end of the stick and show themselves to be children of the "god of religion" and not children of the "god of Abraham"?

It would seem a religious framework results in blindness and (supremacist) behaviour common to the ruling religious Watchtower hierarchy and clergy. Essentially "Christless Christianity".

It would seem that a spiritual framework results in the opposite - social justice, open mindedness, liberal and generous orientation, inclusivity . Although far from perfect, persons such as Martin Luther, Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Nelson Mandela come to mind.

Your thoughts and perspective on this will be much appreciated and a big help in my research (Sociology of Spirituality, Sociology of Religion).

7

Christmas - why do so many celebrate Jesus, and so few celebrate religion?

by Fernando in

having been out for around 2 years now, i've been pondering the universal popularity of christmas (jesus) as compared to the general unpopularity of (sectarian) religion.. my thinking on the unpopularity of religion is based on passive and low "church" attendance, where the only ones who actively and unreservedly promote and celebrate religion are those that are part of the ruling religious hierarchy which satisfies their lust for power, authority and glory.. do most of us at some level get it that jesus was/is anti-religion and that is why the religious establishment and leaders had/have him killed off (matt 23 esp v15)?.

your thoughts and perspective on this will be much appreciated and a big help in my research (sociology of spirituality, sociology of religion).. .

Fernando

Having been OUT for around 2 years now, I've been pondering the universal popularity of Christmas (Jesus) as compared to the general unpopularity of (sectarian) religion.

My thinking on the unpopularity of religion is based on passive and low "Church" attendance, where the only ones who actively and unreservedly promote and celebrate religion are those that are part of the ruling religious hierarchy which satisfies their lust for power, authority and glory.

Do most of us at some level get it that Jesus was/is anti-religion and that is why the religious establishment and leaders had/have him killed off (Matt 23 esp v15)?

Your thoughts and perspective on this will be much appreciated and a big help in my research (Sociology of Spirituality, Sociology of Religion).

36

Looking for examples of how the Watchtower usurps Jesus position.

by Indian Larry in

i am doing a personal research project and looking for examples of how the watchtower usurps jesus postion.

scriptural or wt references would be great.

thanks!.

Fernando

The term "the anointed" does not appear even once in the New Covenant scriptures (main text) where it has always correctly been translated as "Christ".

When the Watchtower speaks of "the annointed" they often are referring to certain (modern day) fallen humans.

36

Looking for examples of how the Watchtower usurps Jesus position.

by Indian Larry in

i am doing a personal research project and looking for examples of how the watchtower usurps jesus postion.

scriptural or wt references would be great.

thanks!.

Fernando

Watchtower followers can be in "the truth™", but not in Jesus (his heart).

"The truth™" can be in a Watchtower follower's heart, but Jesus can't.

__________

Searching the Bible on the WT CD for "in union with" returns around 106 hits in the Bible. The word "union" has been added during translation to deprecate the level of relationship that a believer (in Jesus) has (or should have) with Jesus.

Have you ever heard, or asked a Watchtower follower to say: "I am in union with the truth™" or "the truth™ is in union with me"?