Posts by pseudoxristos

40

Is the baby being thrown out with the bath water?

by Chap in

if god spoke to a man and told him to write down what he said, how are we to distinguish this writing from other people who say god spoke to them?

we know the human beings can lie about anything for any reason.

if a writing supposedly contains prophesy, some say it wasn't prophesy and was written after the fact.

pseudoxristos

Chap,

Many that have really looked into the Bible and its claim to inspiration, have not only thrown out the baby with the bath water, but have thrown out the tub as well.

As far as I'm concerned the problems of God and his inspired "Word", far out weigh the few questions that remain once you dismiss him and his so-called writings. The few remaining questions such as, “how did we get here?” and “what is our purpose?” are very significant, but they pale in comparison to the multitude of questions that arise when one attempts to undertake a exhaustive study of the origin of the Bible.

Starting with the Book of Genesis, the two Creation accounts immediately raise some serious questions. Not to mention the Flood, the Tower of Babel, the numerous didographies, the countless absurdities and finally ending with the questions of authorship. Moving on to the book of Exodus, we have a couple of million people wondering in the wilderness for forty years. The logistics problem that this created is unimaginable. I could go on and on about the OT, but moving to the NT, the synoptic gospels raise enough issues to make anybody question their inspiration.

Oh, yeah, we can’t forget about the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi Library. The Israelites were very active in producing what they thought was God’s word. Today Christians use just a fraction of these writings

I don’t know about you, but I tend to believe that the simpler solution is usually more accurate. With my present belief system (or non-belief) there are just a few simple (but significant) questions that remain unanswered. I don’t foresee that I will ever find the answers, but I am much more comfortable with these than the countless other questions I had as a believer.

pseudo

33

Rabbi Responds to Jehovah's Witnesses

by DevonMcBride in

jw
friends

the below message was e-mailed to a friend of mine who then sent it to me.

devon

on the subject of jehovah's witnesses: they don't visit us anymore, they used to come by regularly.

pseudoxristos

I never became a Witness, but I did take the time to learn to read Greek. I also looked into Hebrew, but never got to the point of being able to read it. Along the way I decided that the Bible was mostly myth so it didn't seem quite as important to finish my study of Hebrew.

At the time it seemed that the subject of God and the Bible was important enough to justify the effort. Even though I am a not believer, I'm still very glad that I studied the Biblical languages.

To bad the lady didn't accept a study. She may have been able to teach the Witness a few things about the OT.

pseudo

7

Jesus and John his cousin ...weren't close?

by gumby in

how well do you know your cousins?

if one of your cousins was to be a leader over a nation and a great man of world impotance, and your moms were real close friends.....wouldn't you know a little about him?

the gospel of luke tells how mary was the cousin of elizabeth (the mother.

pseudoxristos

It seems that the Gospel writers were so eager to portray Jesus as the Messiah, that they frequently made obvious mistakes in their the wriitings. Often the mistakes made the other characters in their fiction look foolish and forgetful. John's forgetfulness in Matthew, shows that Matthew was more concerned with proving that Jesus was the Christ and that he was fulfilling prophecy, than he was in writing a accurate biography. The Gospels are full of events like this.

Jesus' own mother and relatives seemed to forget that her son was the promised Messiah.

21 And his relatives having heard of it went out to lay hold on him, for they said, He is out of his mind. ........................ 31 And his brethren and his mother come, and standing without sent to him calling him. 32 And a crowd sat around him. And they said to him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren seek thee without. Mark 3:21,32 (Darby's)

Mark describes events that he could not have witnessed.

35 And, going forward a little, he fell upon the earth; and he prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. 36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee: take away this cup from me; but not what *I* will, but what *thou* wilt. 37 And he comes and finds them sleeping. And he says to Peter, Simon, dost thou sleep? Hast thou not been able to watch one hour? Mark 14:35-37 (Darby's)

Matthew also describes events that he did not witness.

1Then Jesus was carried up into the wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted of the devil: 2 and having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he hungered. 3 And the tempter coming up to him said, If thou be Son of God, speak, that these stones may become loaves of bread. 4 But he answering said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which goes out through God's mouth. 5 Then the devil takes him to the holy city, and sets him upon the edge of the temple, 6 and says to him, If thou be Son of God cast thyself down; for it is written, He shall give charge to his angels concerning thee, and on their hands shall they bear thee, lest in anywise thou strike thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said to him, It is again written, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again the devil takes him to a very high mountain, and shews him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory, 9 and says to him, All these things will I give thee if, falling down, thou wilt do me homage. 10 Then says Jesus to him, Get thee away, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt do homage to the Lord thy God, and him alone shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaves him, and behold, angels came and ministered to him. Matt 4:1-11 (Darby's)

Mark forgot for a moment that he was recording Jesus' speach, and injected his own thoughts.

14But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not, (he that reads let him consider it,) then let those in Judaea flee to the mountains; Mark 13:14 (Darby's)

There are also numerous examples of Jesus constantly reminding the Disciples that he was the Son of Man. They just never seemed to understand what he was telling them. It seems like he had to explain every parable to them. Were they the stupidest people he could find?

The Gospels were not written to record history. They were written to prove that Jesus was Christ.

pseudo

15

Great Site Iraq Information Minister

by anglise in

this site is brilliant.

sorry if it has already been posted.

anglise

pseudoxristos

Try this link.

http://64.39.15.171/

pseudo

39

Apocryphal Books of the Bible

by nativenyr23 in

was watching a history channel program last night (yeah, i'm a history channel geek!

) and was introduced for the first time in my life to the apocryphal books of the bible?!?!?!?!?

omg....fascinating.

pseudoxristos

manon,

I found these volumes in a used book store (it was kind of an upscale used book store, they had mostly general interest books). I believe I paid about $50 for the set.

I have seen them in Barnes & Noble, it seems like they were $90 for the set. I just checked Amazon, it looks like they have Volume 1 for $38.50. I also checked ebay. Someone has a set that is currently at $43.00.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3512170369&category=29366

pseudo

Sorry, the link doesn't work. Search for OLD TESTAMENT PSEUDEPIGRAPHA and you should find it.

39

Apocryphal Books of the Bible

by nativenyr23 in

was watching a history channel program last night (yeah, i'm a history channel geek!

) and was introduced for the first time in my life to the apocryphal books of the bible?!?!?!?!?

omg....fascinating.

pseudoxristos

The "APOCRYPHAL BOOKS OF THE BIBLE" are just the tip of the iceberg as far as the non-canonical writings are concerned.

I have the two volume set of "The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha" by James H. Charlesworth.

Of the many writings contained in the two volumes, 1 Enoch is one of the most interesting. It is much like Daniel and the Book of Revelation. Several parallels can be found between it and the New Testament.

The book of Daniel should really be a part of the following list. Internal and external evidence, indicates that it was written during the same time period as the other eschatological books.

The fact that these books were written prior to and during the time of the New Testament, indicates how common it was for the Jews to create fictious works. But, of course Christians believe that the books of the bible were somehow immune to this process.

The following is a list of the Pseudepigrapha works, most are contained in the two volume set:

Pseudepigrapha

ApAb Apocalypse of Abraham (First to Second Century AD)
TAb Testament of Abraham
ApAdam Apocalypse of Adam (First to Fourth Century AD)
TAdam Testament of Adam (Second to Fifth Century AD)
LAE Life of Adam and Eve (First Century AD)
Ah Ahiqar (Seventh to Sixth Century BC)
AnonSam An Anonymous Samaritan Text
LetAris Letter of Aristeas (Third Century BC to First Century AD)
ArisEx Aristeas the Exegete (Prior to the First Century BC)
Aristob Aristobulus (Second Century BC)
Art Artapanus (Third to Second Century BC)
2Bar 2 (Syriac Apocalypse of) Baruch (Early Second Century AD)
3Bar 3 (Greek Apocalypse of) Baruch(First Century to Third Century AD)
4Bar 4 Baruch (First to Second Century AD)
CavTr Cave of Treasures
ClMal Cleodemus Malchus (Prior to the First Century BC)
ApDan Apocalypse of Daniel (Ninth Century AD)
Dem Demetrius (Third Century BC)
ElMod Eldad and Modad (Prior to the Second Century AD)
ApEl Apocalypse of Elijah (First to Fourth Century AD)
HebApEl Hebrew Apocalypse of Elijah
1En 1 (Ethiopic Apocalypse of) Enoch (Second to First Century BC)
2En 2 (Slavonic Apocalypse of) Enoch (Late First Century AD)
3En 3 (Hebrew Apocalypse of) Enoch (Fifth to Sixth Century Ad)
Eup Eupolemus (Prior to the First Century BC)
Ps-Eup Pseudo-Eupolemus (Prior to the First Century BC)
ApocEzek Apocryphon of Ezekiel (First Century BC to First Century AD)
ApEzek Apocalypse of Ezekiel
EzekTrag Ezekiel the Tragedian(Second Century BC)
4Ezra 4 Ezra(Late First Century AD)
GkApEzra Greek Apocalypse of Ezra(Second to Ninth Century AD)
QuesEzra Questions of Ezra(Unknown)
RevEzra Revelation of Ezra(Prior to the Ninth Century AD)
VisEzra Vision of Ezra(Fourth to Seventh Century AD)
HecAb Hecataeus of Abdera
Ps-Hec Pseudo-Hecataeus(Second Century BC to First Century AD)
HelSynPr Hellenistic Synagogal Prayers(Second to Third Century AD)
THez Testament of Hezekiah
FrgsHistWrks Fragments of Historical works
TIsaac Testament of Isaac
AscenIs Ascension of Isaiah(Second Century BC to Fourth Century AD)
MartIs Martyrdom of Isaiah(Second Century BC to Fourth Century AD)
VisIs Vision of Isaiah
LadJac Ladder of Jacob(First Century AD)
PrJac Prayer of Jacob(First Century AD to Fourth Century AD)
TJac Testament of Jacob
JanJam Jannes and Jambres(First to Third Century AD)
TJob Testament of Job(First Century BC to Fifth Century AD)
JosAsen Joseph and Asenath(First Century BC to Second Century AD)
HistJos History of Joseph(Prior to the Fourth Century AD)
PrJos Prayer of Joseph(First Century AD)
Jub Jubilees(Second Century BC)
LAB Liber Antiquitatum Biblicarum
LosTr The Lost Tribes
3Mac 3 Maccabbes(First Century BC)
4Mac 4 Maccabees(First Century AD)
5Mac 5 Maccabees
PrMan Prayer of Manasseh(Second Century BC to First Century AD)
SyrMen Syriac Menander(Third Century AD)
ApMos Apocalypse of Moses(First Century AD)
AsMos Assumption of Moses(No later than AD 28)
PrMos Prayer of Moses
TMos Testament of Moses(First Century AD)
BkNoah Book of Noah
Ps-Orph Pseudo-Orpheus
PJ Paraleipomena Jeremiou
PhEPoet Philo the Epic Poet(Third Century BC)
Ps-Philo Pseudo-Philo(First Century AD)
Ps-Phoc Pseudo-Phocylides(First Century BC to Fourth Century AD)
FrgsPoetWrks Fragments of Poetical Works
LivPro Lives of the Prophets(First Century AD)
HistRech History of the Rechabites(First to Fourth Century AD)
ApSedr Apocalypse of Sedrach(Second Century AD to Fouth Century AD)
TrShem Treatise of Shem(First Century BC)
SibOr Sibyline Oracles(Second Century BC to Seventh Century AD)
OdesSol Odes of Solomon(Late First Century to Late Second Century AD)
PssSol Psalms of Solomon(First Century BC)
TSol Testament of Solomon(First Century to Third Century AD)
5ApocSyrPss Five Apocryphal Syriac Psalms
Thal Thallus
Theod Theodotus(Second Century to First Century BC)
T12P Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs(Second Century BC)
TReu Testament of Reuben
TSim Testament of Simeon
TLevi Testament of Levi
TJud Testament of Judah
TIss Testament of Issachar
TZeb Testament of Zebulun
TDan Testament of Dan
TNaph Testament of Naphtali
TGad Testament of Gad
TAsh Testament of Asher
TJos Testament of Joseph
TBenj Testament of Benjamin
Vita Vita Adae et Evae(First Century AD)
ApZeph Apocalypse of Zephaniah(First Century BC to First Century AD)
ApZos Apocalypse of Zosimus

pseudo

31

copycat burns his pecker

by greven in

pseudoxristos

He should have used a cake instead.

That way he could have his cake and eat it too.

pseudo

29

Mourners offended when JWs target them at the cemetary!

by joe_from_kokomo in

friends and 'ex-friends': .

you'll find this little ditty of a news story very amusing.

it seems some overly-zealous sister from the uk was pestering the grieving worldly ones at the local cemetary so much that they got mad and complained to the cemetary owner, who then complained to the kh overseer.

pseudoxristos

Standard operating procedures.

Quotes from a Witness Group on Yahoo:

Hello Friends
A sister in Texas sent me a few tips that have been working well where she lives. This sister is a 'senior sister'. That is, she has reached the age where she must plan ahead for service. She doesn't have the strength that many of us take for granted. As a result, she has prayerfully sought out ways to maximize her strength.
Here are some of the successes she has had.
.
1. Funeral homes.. She gives this advice...It is better not to ask permission to leave literature. Instead use a positive approach like, "We are making a concentrated effort to leave this brochure (or magazine, etc.) with all the funeral homes in the area, and here are your copies. I will return in a few weeks to replenish your supply." When she returns she smiles, and either leaves more brochures or a few copies each of the latest magazines or both. (Of course, the brochure of choice is 'When Someone You Love Dies'. When leaving this brochure for the first time, be sure and highlight the benefits contained in this brochure to comfort grieving ones.) She told me that on the very first funeral home on her list came a request for someone to conduct a quarterly seminar to help those who have lost loved ones in death. It is best to turn this to an elder to handle if it happens in your area. .
2. Nursing homes..
In nursing homes the same brochure will be warmly received by the administration. Perhaps the one to contact is either the Administrator or the Entertainment Director. Also, be sure to offer a free group study of the Bible using either the book The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived or My Book of Bible Stories. (Following this thought my wife has conducted a group study using the Greatest Man book here in Amarillo. Her study now has an average attendance of over 17 to 20. She has found that these folks are looking forward to the study, are learning many Bible truths and are improving in their outlook.) This a great territory that exists in almost every congregation territory. Most will find that the brochure, When Someone You Love Dies, will be well accepted by most nursing homes, as they are mostly at a loss when it comes to offering real comfort to grieving ones.

.
Letter writing is just one of the many ways that we can do witnessing. I have known of sisters and brothers that went through the newspaper looking for obituaries (death announcements) and researched the family members then wrote them a brief letter included the brochure "When Someone You Love Dies". In doing this some have started bible studies. Some cases the individual is just thankful for something that gives hope. Another thing that I have heard about from the newspaper is looking for birth, wedding and engagement announcements. You can include the name and quote from one of our publications, along with scripture quotations, that apply to the situation. Telelphone witnessing is another way to get some time in. My mother used to witness and eventually started studying with one of my dad's sister-in-law over the telephone.

pseudo

108

ROLL CALL!!!!! How many people are on this forum?

by NaruNaruChan in

jw
friends

i'm so curious!

if you see this, sign your name and your location if you want, cuz i wanna know how many people actively view this!

^_^

pseudoxristos

pseudo, Broken Arrow, Ok USA

102

SEE THE REAL FACE OF THE WAR IN IRAQ, SEE THE HORROR

by justhuman in

since the media in u.s show nothing about the war in iraq, and bush's administration censor everything that is "bad' for the puplic, here are some shocking photos of how bush is setting free the iraqi people.

similar view of how watchtower's god will treat everyone who disagrees with them in armageddon.

bush does not care about the iraqi people.

pseudoxristos

I’m glad that the anti-war protesters can freely voice their opinions. It would be very distressing if they could not. I am thankful that I live in a somewhat free society.

I do not like war. I believe that every option should be explored before choosing the option of war. It is possible that more time and more inspections could have forced Saddam to comply with the UN sanctions. But, it is more likely that he would have just continued to play the same games that he has been playing for the last 12 years. Ultimately something would have to be done.

There is no denying that the US may have interests other than destroying Saddam’s WMD and freeing the Iraqi people. The US is focusing attention on these concepts, to rally support for the war. Most who support the war effort, realize that there are hidden agendas, but accept the two main reasons a sufficient in justifying this action.

It seems that anti-war protesters are more concerned about putting down the current administration than protesting the war. Sure, we all had fun complaining about the antics of the last President, but I don’t remember the absolute hatred that I’m currently seeing toward this President. Refresh my memory if I’m wrong, but was there this much hatred directed at Clinton administration during the Bosnia action?

I’m just glad that Saddam isn’t our president, or we would all be complaining.

Whoops, I forgot, if Saddam were president, we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

pseudo