Posts by peacefulpete

76

Rekindled Light — The Narrative Structure of the Hexaemeron (Genesis 1:1–31)

by Mebaqqer2 in

i used to comment here many years ago when i had an interest in biblical research in relation to jehovah’s witnesses.

these days my biblical research is little concerned with jehovah’s witnesses.

i feel my time is better spent researching the diachronistic development of the biblical text and ascertaining what the biblical writers and editors intended in the times in which they lived.. i have recently placed a summary diagram for a paper that i have written with original research entitled the narrative structure of the hexaemeron on academia.edu.

peacefulpete

Early thoughts about Holmstedt's article.

The opening word choice "ordered" rather than created, is quite consistent with the chaos leitmotif the author is clearly utilizing.

In response to the odd flow of the narrative, Midrash B’reishit Rabbah 3:8 postulated the cyclical past of numerous creative events followed by destruction. In such a setting "in a beginning" becomes plausible but feels like reverse engineering a solution. Scribal error, combined with reinterpretation seems more likely if the 'beginning' is to be read indefinite.

I favor the second possible translation offered by Holmstedt "In the beginning 'in which' God ordered the heavens and the earth. Therefore, though vs 1 as stand-alone introduction, makes a great deal of intuitive sense in light of modern cosmology, I suspect the author wasn't using the terms 'earth' as a planet but in anthropic focus of usable, productive land, heavens representing the region above as a part of the whole, again with an anthropic focus. If so, vs 1-3 flow just fine. If the process of 'ordering ' the earth and heavens is the intent, this removes the awkwardness of God 'creating" then subsequently creating again.

I know in vs 7 etc. the 'firmament', "of the shamayim" was formed to divide the tehom (primeval chaotic waters) is named shamayim, (which has inspired more questions) but I imagine the author as embracing a looser definition than we impose. Heavens probably meant anything 'above' but from the anthropic standpoint the firmament was the defining boundary whereon the lights of the sky are made to appear. (The term is used variously throughout the OT.) If so, then vs 1-3 read continuously.

76

Rekindled Light — The Narrative Structure of the Hexaemeron (Genesis 1:1–31)

by Mebaqqer2 in

i used to comment here many years ago when i had an interest in biblical research in relation to jehovah’s witnesses.

these days my biblical research is little concerned with jehovah’s witnesses.

i feel my time is better spent researching the diachronistic development of the biblical text and ascertaining what the biblical writers and editors intended in the times in which they lived.. i have recently placed a summary diagram for a paper that i have written with original research entitled the narrative structure of the hexaemeron on academia.edu.

peacefulpete

I have a hobby of dispassionate textual criticism, but certainly do not have your level of commitment. I'll try to study this tomorrow. Welcome back.

45

consequences for going against the direction.

by jehovaxx in

there are no serious consequences for doubting the gb.

there are no consequences for going against the direction.

we can now celebrate anything.. what will happen if you take blood, celebrate xmas and birthdays ect?.

peacefulpete

jehovaxx.....It would be a positive development for the people in the church if what you describe is actually how things are done. I fear it might be a local rogue CO mouthing off. It doesn't impact me either way, but I empathize for those still in the grip of the church.

45

consequences for going against the direction.

by jehovaxx in

there are no serious consequences for doubting the gb.

there are no consequences for going against the direction.

we can now celebrate anything.. what will happen if you take blood, celebrate xmas and birthdays ect?.

peacefulpete

Jehovaxx..... I recommend testing your theory before suggesting it to others. It is my view that nothing of significance has changed. Choices should be clear eyed and well informed. Then there are no regrets.

11

Chat AI shows Jesus was not god

by enigma1863 in

title: jesus' perception of himself: a nuanced view of equality in a patriarchal society.

introduction:.

the perception of jesus christ's divinity has been a subject of theological debate for centuries.

peacefulpete

Pete, it does make an interesting point about viewing Jesus words through the lens of cultural norms of the time.

If we are to dig a little deeper we find the "cultural norms" include the sectarian usage of "Son of God" to include the purely mystical representation of Deity in action. For example:

Philo of Alexandria | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy (utm.edu)

As has been repeated many times recently on this forum, the language of begetting, subordination and sonship are not preclusive to identifying Son of God as God. The words have a unique religious meaning that was current in Jewish thought.

I also remind you that the words placed in Jesus' mouth are those of the writers for theological purposes. It is easily demonstrated by comparing recensions/versions of the Gospel that these words reflect the views the writer wished to convey and are not actual quotations.

29

Beards vs. Shunning announcements

by slimboyfat in

during lett’s announcement that beards are now allowed he elaborated at some length how brothers ought to feel and react to the change in policy.

he warned brothers not to resent not being able to grow beards earlier if they had wished to do so.

he also warned brothers who supported the old policy not to allow themselves to wonder what the point of doing so was now that it has changed.

peacefulpete

Members of my family who left/exiled got a call from a JW sibling yesterday. No socializing just an invite to "special talk" being given by her husband. All it accomplished is demonstrate that the controls are still in place. Of course I didn't get one, they regard me as dangerous. I'm ok with that.

11

Chat AI shows Jesus was not god

by enigma1863 in

title: jesus' perception of himself: a nuanced view of equality in a patriarchal society.

introduction:.

the perception of jesus christ's divinity has been a subject of theological debate for centuries.

peacefulpete

Anyone who has asked AI to answer a controversial question learns quickly that it just regurgitates the information from popular websites. There is no evaluation of accuracy or objectivity. Garbage. Nothing to do with left or right. It's just repeating crap, often contradictory answers in same response.

30

Will New Rules Bring JWs Together or Pull Them Apart?

by doinmypart in

jw
friends

there's been a lot of discussion about the changes in the org.

you might think all this would shake things up, especially for the older or super dedicated jws.

but remember when gb decided all the khs and the bank accounts needed to be transferred/managed from the top?

peacefulpete

Not so much "sticking together" as believing they have no choice. It's also human nature to preserve status quo, cling to the familiar. It takes a pretty strong push emotionally to convince people to change.

24

JWlite like being a Trekkie. You know it’s fictional

by ExBethelitenowPIMA in

jw
friends

i now view jwlite like the trekkie conventions.

star trek is fiction and all the fans know this full well.

but they find it beneficial.

peacefulpete

You must understand millions of people thought they could/would be able to emotionally and psychologically go on as you are. You either find yourself compromised ethically or eventually re-lose yourself.

Then again, if someone is a JW in their outlook and values but has been simply offended by current leadership, I can see such a person loosely clinging to the group awaiting change they hope to see. That wasn't me or many here.

6

Finger of God

by peacefulpete in

a myriad (or close) of threads have discussed the depiction of deity in the ot and nt.

many exjws simply can't seem to wrap their minds around the concept of hypostases of god.

hypostases as i'm using the term refer to personified conceptualizations of divinity often acting in a particular role.

peacefulpete

Phizzy, I suspect that exposure to a multicultural superpower alone offered the elite in exile new perspective. The world of ideas got a lot bigger. That combined with the disillusionment of no longer being the center of the world. Reinvention and reform were imperative. Yahweh had to mature along with his people.