Posts by Vanderhoven7

24

A quote to brighten up your Monday!

by SweetBabyCheezits in

jw
friends

"once upon a time, in some out of the way corner of that universe which is dispersed into numberless twinkling solar systems, there was a star upon which clever beasts invented knowing.

that was the most arrogant and mendacious minute of "world history," but nevertheless, it was only a minute.

after nature had drawn a few breaths, the star cooled and congealed, and the clever beasts had to die.. one might invent such a fable, and yet he still would not have adequately illustrated how miserable, how shadowy and transient, how aimless and arbitrary the human intellect looks within nature.

Vanderhoven7

Apparently no news brightens up Tuesdays as well. ;)

79

Watchtower falsification of its history

by jwfacts in

i received an email with the following information that is worth sharing.. the 2011 yearbook goes to great lengths to elevate the truthfulness of watchtower information in even minor details, and criticise information from other sources.

so it is telling that the 2010 "jehovah's witnesses - faith in action, part 1" has omitted an important element of their history when re-enacting the 1922 cedar point convention.. under the heading "tracing all things with accuracy" the 2011 yearbook states: .

"jesus said that the faithful slave would be discreet in giving the domestics "their food at the proper time.

Vanderhoven7

Bookmarked

18

Should Believers Fear Hell and God?

by leavingwt in

jw
friends

in today's usa today, there is an article about hell, written by author and reverend oliver thomas.

i've quoted a few interesting portions, below.

the entire article may be viewed at the link.

Vanderhoven7

Thanks for the highlights and the article reference. Hell is actually one of my favourite subjects.

"But the Greek word that is often translated "eternal" (aionos) — whether it is used to describe punishment or life — is better understood as a word of quality, not quantity. Punishment is only "eternal" (in the way that Americans understand that word) in the sense that it could be final."

Not to challenge, but only elaborate.

WHAT ABOUT ETERNAL FIRE: We've come across this imagery before. But does "eternal fire" clearly denote either conscious experience, or a continual burning flame which causes endless suffering? Or could "eternal fire" simply be a metaphor for eternal destruction? Interestingly, because something is eternal/everlasting in scripture does not necessitate endless perpetuity of action. For example, the scripture speaks of "Eternal Judgment", Hebrews 6:2, not in the sense that the final judgment scene will be reenacted day after day for eternity, but that a final judgment will be made that will have eternal consequences for the wicked.

- Similarly, rather than denoting an endless process of ongoing

torture, could "eternal fire" be descriptive of a destruction

which is unending in the sense that it is eternally irreversible?

- In other words, could the consequences of the fire be eternal

and not the burning process itself?

(From my manuscript - Eternal Torment:Image and Reality)

24

A quote to brighten up your Monday!

by SweetBabyCheezits in

jw
friends

"once upon a time, in some out of the way corner of that universe which is dispersed into numberless twinkling solar systems, there was a star upon which clever beasts invented knowing.

that was the most arrogant and mendacious minute of "world history," but nevertheless, it was only a minute.

after nature had drawn a few breaths, the star cooled and congealed, and the clever beasts had to die.. one might invent such a fable, and yet he still would not have adequately illustrated how miserable, how shadowy and transient, how aimless and arbitrary the human intellect looks within nature.

Vanderhoven7

Thought this was cute.

18

Dispelling JW Myths: Faithful and Discreet Slave

by AuldSoul in

matthew 24:45-51 who really is the faithful and discreet slave whom his master appointed over his domestics, to give them their food at the proper time?

happy is that slave if his master on arriving finds him doing so.

truly i say to you, he will appoint him over all his belongings.. .

Vanderhoven7

Bookmarked

68

Christians used to be sure of what they believed...

by THE GLADIATOR in

jw
friends

recent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.

christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.

only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.

Vanderhoven7

Joey:not picking on you but you make a point I have problems with, you see I can apply your definition of faith to any religion and call it a day.

Thank you. Yes, we do disagree.

Biblically, faith/righteousness/salvation comes entirely from without, based completely on the work/merit of another more worthy than ourselves. It is grace alone, by faith, alone, through Christ alone. Religion teaches (including WTS religion) that faith/righteousness/slavation is something you attain to, you merit, you work for and ultimately you deserve. Ultimately then, religious faith, is faith in ourselves.

The difference can be stated this way: Religion is "do"; Christianity is "done". The fact that it is done, is the Christians' grounds for faith/assurance, joy and endless thankfulness.

68

Christians used to be sure of what they believed...

by THE GLADIATOR in

jw
friends

recent events on this board have got me thinking, which is no small feat.

christians are arguing more with each other than with atheists.. christians used to be sure of what they believed solid in their faith and certain of its foundation cornerstone and what he was called.

only non-believers cast doubt and were crushed under a mountain of bible passages that were heaped upon them.

Vanderhoven7

<<Not all people have faith; that is true. Nor is it our job (or ability) to judge anyone for their lack of faith, weakness of faith, or strength of faith. (the first two smak of arrogance, and the last of, yes, jealousy) You are honest in who you are and what makes you tick (as long as you, yourself, knows), and I love that about you. Since I believe in Christ, and He can see through to the truth of us, there is little point in hiding who we are, though most of us do even from ourselves; myself included. Because its often uncomfortable to face certain parts of who we are.>>

Well said Tec. Faith is born of integrity....integrity that realizes and admits the truth about ourselves, about our spiritual poverty and our need of a righteousness and holiness that is not of our own. Everything else is arrogance. Faith is a gift to all who will call upon the Saviour...the very One who stands at the door of our existence and knocks... shouting, "Whosoever will, may come and take of the water of life freely". How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit/faith to those who ask Him.

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