fulltimestudent

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Posts by fulltimestudent

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  5

  Are the Christian Greek Scriptures (the NT) Jewish or Gentile?

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  today's oxford university press blog has a brief discussion by biblical scholar, ann conway-jones**, examining how we may 'see' the nt?.

  "the new testament: jewish of gentile.".

  conway-jones acknowledges the work of jewish scholars (for example, geza vermes) in correcting some mistaken historical christian viewpoints.

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  fulltimestudent

  Jewish concept of Messiah as a global CONQUEROR ‘with Jehovah’s hand being constantly supporting him in His sworn integrity’ (Isaiah 42:7).

  Sure, so we are still waiting, waiting, waiting, for this Jewish hero to be the global conqueror and restorer of the the kingdom of god.

  It's interesting to consider just who the author of Isaiah may have thought he was writing about, and why he considered it necessary?

  We are on surer ground when we get to Daniel's prediction of a global conqueror. Written after the conquests of Alexander the Great, restless native peoples predicted the rise of a 'native' hero who would restore a local kingdom. You can find local demotic literature in Ptolemaic Egypt making similar predictions.

  None of them were fulfilled in any meaningful way. That's why the tiny christian sect resorted to myth and magic with the death of Jesus, who briefly thought he was that hero.
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  2

  Chinese Scientists claim that the mountain that formed NK's Nuclear test site has collapsed.

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  todays's 'south china morning post,' has the headline:.

  north korea’s nuclear test site has collapsed ... and that may be why kim jong-un suspended tests.

  the mountain’s collapse after a fifth blast last fall has led to the creation of a massive ‘chimney’ that could leak radioactive fallout into the air, researchers have found.. full report at: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2143171/north-koreas-nuclear-test-site-has-collapsed-and-may-be-why-kim-jong-un?utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20180426&utm_campaign=scmp_today&aid=190131336&sc_src=email_2221295&sc_llid=54531&sc_lid=151076047&sc_uid=z7rq3jwhwq&utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email.

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  fulltimestudent

  Irrespective of the motives of any of the major players in the Korean drama, today was rather unique as Kim Jong-un crossed the border (in the into South Korea for talks with Moon Jae-in, President of South Korea. (President Moon stepped onto the NK side for a brief moment).

  The BBC reports (video):

  http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-43914208
  
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  2

  Chinese Scientists claim that the mountain that formed NK's Nuclear test site has collapsed.

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  todays's 'south china morning post,' has the headline:.

  north korea’s nuclear test site has collapsed ... and that may be why kim jong-un suspended tests.

  the mountain’s collapse after a fifth blast last fall has led to the creation of a massive ‘chimney’ that could leak radioactive fallout into the air, researchers have found.. full report at: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2143171/north-koreas-nuclear-test-site-has-collapsed-and-may-be-why-kim-jong-un?utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20180426&utm_campaign=scmp_today&aid=190131336&sc_src=email_2221295&sc_llid=54531&sc_lid=151076047&sc_uid=z7rq3jwhwq&utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email.

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  fulltimestudent

  Todays's 'South China Morning Post,' has the Headline:

  North Korea’s nuclear test site has collapsed ... and that may be why Kim Jong-un suspended tests

  The mountain’s collapse after a fifth blast last fall has led to the creation of a massive ‘chimney’ that could leak radioactive fallout into the air, researchers have found.

  Full report at: http://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy-defence/article/2143171/north-koreas-nuclear-test-site-has-collapsed-and-may-be-why-kim-jong-un?utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_content=20180426&utm_campaign=scmp_today&aid=190131336&sc_src=email_2221295&sc_llid=54531&sc_lid=151076047&sc_uid=z7Rq3JwHwQ&utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email

  I guess its a reasonable question that the SCMP then asks, whether that's the reason for Kim Jong-un's sudden reversal of policy?

  The SCMP also points out that the 'chimney' formed by the mountain's collapse may be releasing radioactive substances into the air.

  Not a very desirable thing to happen.
• 
  5

  Are the Christian Greek Scriptures (the NT) Jewish or Gentile?

  by fulltimestudent in

  1. watchtower
  2. bible

  today's oxford university press blog has a brief discussion by biblical scholar, ann conway-jones**, examining how we may 'see' the nt?.

  "the new testament: jewish of gentile.".

  conway-jones acknowledges the work of jewish scholars (for example, geza vermes) in correcting some mistaken historical christian viewpoints.

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  fulltimestudent

  Today's Oxford University Press blog has a brief discussion by biblical scholar, Ann Conway-Jones**, examining how we may 'see' the NT?

  "The New Testament: Jewish of Gentile."

  Conway-Jones acknowledges the work of Jewish scholars (for example, Geza Vermes) in correcting some mistaken historical christian viewpoints.

  Quote: "In the first century, it was impossible to distinguish between what was “Jewish” and what was “Christian.” “Messiah” started as a Jewish concept, and the followers of Jesus interpreted his life, death, and resurrection within the framework provided by the Jewish scriptures."

  and

  "The theology of the New Testament, even its Christology, is Jewish. It represents one offshoot of the tremendous variety within Second Temple Judaism. But a complex relationship developed between the New Testament’s theology and its sociology. It turned out that its ideas had more traction among Gentiles than Jews. Paul was already aware of the ironies–hence his convoluted, horticulturally suspect, image of the wild olive shoot grafted into the cultivated olive tree (Romans 11:17-24)."

  But notes,

  Quote: "In the New Testament, we see the inception of the struggle between Jews and Christians over the same God. What was to be the future of the God of Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and Jeremiah? Who knew best how to interpret the scriptures? The New Testament read Sunday by Sunday in churches is not a simple record of the Jewish Jesus and the Jewish Paul. It witnesses to the beginnings of Christian identity formation–a convoluted process whereby Jewish concepts were appropriated by outsiders. The relationship between Judaism and Christianity was skewed from the start, and the complications are still with us today."

  If that discussion interests you, you can find the full article at:

  https://blog.oup.com/2018/04/new-testament-jewish-gentile/?utm_source=feedblitz&utm_medium=FeedBlitzRss&utm_campaign=oupblog

  **Ann Conway-Jones is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham and The Queen’s Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education. She is the author of Gregory of Nyssa’s Tabernacle Imagery in its Jewish and Christian Contexts.
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  15

  How did ancients know entire Earth was covered by water?

  by Bad_Wolf in

  1. social
  2. current

  entire world used to be covered by water.

  i am not talking about the 'great flood', but on earth's formation itself.

  the bible talks about earth being only water and then god making dry land appear.

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  fulltimestudent

  The author of Genesis Ch one, believed that the earth was once covered with water because that was an ancient Egyptian myth, and he borrowed the idea from the Egyptian stories he had heard.

  There were many ways people living in what we now call Palestine knew the Egyptian creation myths. The Palestine area was once part of the Egyptian Empire, so strongly influenced by Egyptian culture. There was also trading contact with Egypt.

  Here's a statement from a web-site on ancient Egyptian beliefs:

  The Creator God's Offspring
  At a time the Egyptians called Zep Tepi (the First Time), Atum created two offspring. His son, Shu, represented dry air, and his daughter, Tefnut, represented corrosive moist air. The twins symbolize two universal principles of human existence: life and right (justice).
  The twins separated the sky from the waters. They produced children named Geb, the dry land, and Nut, the sky. When the primeval waters receded, a mound of earth (Geb) appeared, providing the first solid dry land for the sun god, Re, to rest. During the dynastic period, Atum was also known as Re, meaning the sun at its first rising.
  https://www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egcr09e.shtml
• 
  11

  For those who still think the Bible is useful for arriving at any conclusions about life or anything else!

  by doubtfull1799 in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  "both read the bible day & night, but thou read black where i read white.".

  - william blake.

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  fulltimestudent

  steve2 : It amazes me that believers will select an isolated verse here and there that supposedly offers wise advice on some modern problem, whilst ignoring entire books of the Bible or long passages in other parts of the Bible involving genocide, calculated violence directed at individuals and their children and intemperate ranting and raving.

  that's what jumped into my mind when I read the posting by Ireneus, he cites Matthew 25: 31-46 and comments
  

  "Mathew 7:12; 25:31-46 where humanism is put above even the concept of God."

  Completely ignoring the fate of those who the mythical Jesus claims, ignored his followers. He also ignores the fact that humanism can be found in the thinking of other peoples.

  For example, which is better way to think?

  To love god and your neighbour, as the bible puts it, or to have compassion for all living things as the buddha teaches?

  When YHWH states:

  “I, Yahweh, your god, am a jealous god, punishing children for the iniquity of parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.” (Exodus 20:5)

  What kind of moral code is that?
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  23

  Christ's sacrifice

  by dogisgod in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so, i am having lunch with a group of women with varying backgrounds.

  i asked the circle how many believed in the story of adam and eve and the snake.

  no one believed it literally.

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  fulltimestudent

  A small but important fact-check.

  Himself I am : A&E Mmmm..... Where shall I begin? Mmmmm..... I know let's start with a comparison, in ancient Greek (Hellenic) Mythology as written by the likes of Homer, Plato and Socrates (After they studied at Alexandria's Great Library) ...

  It would be impossible for the early Greek thinkers and writers (Homer, the possibly legendary author of the Iliad and Odyssey, attributed to late eighth or early seventh century BCE, Plato and Socrates - the Greek philosophers of the fifth century BCE) to have studied at the famed Library of Alexandria. That library was established by one of Alexander the Great's successors, Ptolemy I, in the third century BCE. Alexandria as a city was founded by Alexander.
  

  The Socrates who did study at that library was also known as Socrates Scholasticus, a 5th-century CE Christian church historian.
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  15

  An honest look at the situation

  by Formerbrother in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  i was brought up in the truth.

  i saw a lot unchristian things going on in my local body of elders, my dad was an elder and waiting outside elders meetings to go home with my mum and other wives, we sometimes heard raised voices in the 2nd school.

  the other mums would raise their voices as well thinking of something to say to hide the elders 'private' arguments.. my dad hated it all, i think he hated having to keep things secret from my mum and me.. anyway, i got baptised, and as we did back then didnt think about further education but instead pioneered.

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  fulltimestudent

  Nothing wrong with being a window cleaner or any other honest work.

  And, at least in some western societies you can still get ahead in life. A Chinese friend of mine (from Singapore), apparently orphaned early in his life, raised by a family that did nothing for him. Had no education at all (fees applied in British controlled Singapore) sent out to work part-time at age 8, start fulltime work (72 hours a week) at age 11. Never had a decent meal in all his early life. At 18 he had to do compulsory military service, where he learned personal discipline, shortly after that he managed to come to Australia, eventually getting a job in the support staff of a large legal company. Through hard work at his low-level job and thrift he now fully owns his own apartment and has enough savings to support his old age without any reliance on government handouts.

  If he can do it - any xjw can do it too.
• 
  23

  Christ's sacrifice

  by dogisgod in

  1. jw
  2. experiences

  so, i am having lunch with a group of women with varying backgrounds.

  i asked the circle how many believed in the story of adam and eve and the snake.

  no one believed it literally.

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  fulltimestudent

  dogisgod: So Ransom is a JW thing?

  The use of the word ransom is more common among JWs. Orthodox christians are more likely to use words like redeemed and redemption.

  redeem is defined as (Oxford Dictionary):

  • 1. 1redeem oneself Do something that compensates for poor past performance or behaviour.
       ‘Australia redeemed themselves by dismissing India for 153’
    2. Atone or make amends for (sin, error, or evil)
       ‘the thief on the cross who by a single act redeemed a life of evil’
    3. Save (someone) from sin, error, or evil.
       ‘he was a sinner, redeemed by the grace of God’

       
       

  • 2Gain or regain possession of (something) in exchange for payment.

    ‘statutes enabled state peasants to redeem their land

    1. Finance Repay (a stock, bond, or other instrument) at the maturity date.
    2. Pay the necessary money to clear (a debt)
       
    3. ‘owners were unable to redeem their mortgages’

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  So you see the word ransom is similar in meaning to the word redeem which is more commonly used in orthodoxy.

  So its a matter of personal choice on the part of the translator. You'll see that more clearly when you understand that the hebrew word palah, can be seen to have these meanings in English. (From the BlueletterBible site) (Reference: https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H6299&t=NLT

  • 1. The KJV translates Strong's H6299 in the following manner: redeem (48x), deliver (5x), ransom (2x), rescued (1x), miscellaneous (3x).
       Outline of Biblical Usage [?]

       1. to ransom, redeem, rescue, deliver

          1. (Qal) to ransom

          2. (Niphal) to be ransomed

          3. (Hiphil) to allow one to be ransomed

          4. (Hophal) redeemed

             Strong’s Definitions [?](Strong’s Definitions Legend)

             פָּדָה pâdâh, paw-daw'; a primitive root; to sever, i.e. ransom; generally to release, preserve:—× at all, deliver, × by any means, ransom, (that are to be, let be) redeem(-ed), rescue, × surely.
             Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon [?]
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  30

  What is CT Russell's motive?

  by sinboi in

  1. watchtower
  2. beliefs

  what is russell's motive when he started examining the bible with a group of bible students?

  did he intend to form a cult and to mislead others?

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  fulltimestudent

  Is Russell's life pattern very different from most religious "holy men/leaders" in history?

  I thought as I saw this thread, that you could ask the same question about the man Jesus. While three and half years (or, so it is claimed) is not long enough for similar patterns to other historical "holy men/leaders" to form, we can 'see' Jesus as deluded (which word can describe most religious people).

  Whatever idea was the spark that set Jesus on fire. we may never know - but some idea did set him on fire, and whatever it was, it was a delusion - just as it was for Charlie Russell.