With a lot of Jehovah's witnesses teaching the concept of seeing truth through scripture, and to be honest this being the strongest outreach to others, Why are there studies happening for non scripture conversations where clearly there has been some clear "filling in" of the gaps?
Yeh Sure. Sorry for the confusion, I hope I can explain clearer. If not I will try to ask a different question.
We regularly "Study" with two Witnesses. And they constantly remind us to look at scriptural truth. ( So what is written in the Bible, and to not jump to conclusions that are not written) This is often suggested over the concept of the Trinity. (As there is no scriptural evidence of it, therefore it cannot be true (I am aware that is not the only argument and at the moment I do not feel that, that should be our starting topic)) So I hope you can see that we our constantly taught and reminded of these truth seeking. This is (I feel) the strongest outreach for all the witnesses I have met. The Bible is written as words of God and cannot lie, so therefore, scriptural truth. Seeking it is a clear outreach.
However, there is still a lot of "filling" of gaps and "logical conclusions" gathered from scripture rather than what is written. A prime example of this, is that ArchAngel Michael and Jesus are one. Where, although there is scriptural evidence to "assume logically" that they are one and the same, there is NO scriptural evidence to say that they are.
So my question is, how can we be taught of relying on scriptural evidence, when we are also being taught to assume the meaning behind it?
Sorry that this has been clear. If not, I wouldn't mind sharing topics with you for a while regarding the themes from the book " What the bible really teaches" (assuming that you have one to hand) I would like to go through the topic of chapter 16. Taking a stand for true worship.
The major difference here between the trinity and Michael/Jesus is that the bible actually says nothing that could lead me to believe Jesus is God, even contradicting that idea. (Rev 1:1 for example) However, the parallels between Jesus and Michael are strong and the bible gives no indication that the assumption is erroneous. You will find the same approach to all Bible topics when it comes to JW's. We look at *all* the scriptures that relate to the subject and then prayerfully consider the conclusion we need to come to.
Also, I would not mind helping you understand anything from the bible teach book.
Mmmm.... I suppose this is what I find truely interesting. As I feel that there are quite a few verses that would suggest (at least in the same way of Micheal and Jesus being one) that Jesus was God. Now, the part that I find very interesting, and please don't take this in a negative way, but I find that interpretaion is taken differently, now, I am sure that all denominations under the Christian umbrella, have all taken interpretaion differently. But, the one standing point that I have always enjoyed and supported is the fact that if it is not written then it is not biblical truth. But then, when scriptual eveidence is shown, it can be "knocked" back to misinterpretation.
For me, I do truely feel that there is scriptural evidence to show that Jesus is God, But can see how, from the Witnesses perspective, that He is not. (And I would be happy to share most of my verses with you if you have not come across the "trinitarian" verses before)
The thing that does come through from the bible is that God is mysterious , with many verses stating that we will never fully know the mind of our creator, if this is the case, for me I would be far willing to consider Micheal as Jesus, as a mysterious and all powerful God, could create this scenario, but that logic being true, it would also assume that He could create a trintarian concept.
I think, it should come down the three options:
1: Michael/Jesus are one, and that there is a Trinity.
2:Micheal/Jesus are not one and that there is not a trinity, (and we must take the bible literally without assumptions)
3: We will have to continue loving the father, and follwing and worshipping through the works of Jesus, with the assumption that we will never fully know the mind of our creator, and as long as we worship and follow the teaching of Jesus (as written) and with that earthly hope, we will all (unless we're the annointed) be part of the new earthly large crowd.
Set a topic, set some surrounding guidlines and lets chat and discuss!
ReplyDeleteI'll ask a question then.
ReplyDeleteWith a lot of Jehovah's witnesses teaching the concept of seeing truth through scripture, and to be honest this being the strongest outreach to others, Why are there studies happening for non scripture conversations where clearly there has been some clear "filling in" of the gaps?
I am not aware of your topic or do not understand it. Can you give an example or explain your meaning?
ReplyDeleteYeh Sure. Sorry for the confusion, I hope I can explain clearer. If not I will try to ask a different question.
ReplyDeleteWe regularly "Study" with two Witnesses. And they constantly remind us to look at scriptural truth. ( So what is written in the Bible, and to not jump to conclusions that are not written) This is often suggested over the concept of the Trinity. (As there is no scriptural evidence of it, therefore it cannot be true (I am aware that is not the only argument and at the moment I do not feel that, that should be our starting topic))
So I hope you can see that we our constantly taught and reminded of these truth seeking. This is (I feel) the strongest outreach for all the witnesses I have met. The Bible is written as words of God and cannot lie, so therefore, scriptural truth. Seeking it is a clear outreach.
However, there is still a lot of "filling" of gaps and "logical conclusions" gathered from scripture rather than what is written. A prime example of this, is that ArchAngel Michael and Jesus are one. Where, although there is scriptural evidence to "assume logically" that they are one and the same, there is NO scriptural evidence to say that they are.
So my question is, how can we be taught of relying on scriptural evidence, when we are also being taught to assume the meaning behind it?
Sorry that this has been clear. If not, I wouldn't mind sharing topics with you for a while regarding the themes from the book " What the bible really teaches" (assuming that you have one to hand) I would like to go through the
topic of chapter 16. Taking a stand for true worship.
Thanks for the clarification.
ReplyDeleteThe major difference here between the trinity and Michael/Jesus is that the bible actually says nothing that could lead me to believe Jesus is God, even contradicting that idea. (Rev 1:1 for example) However, the parallels between Jesus and Michael are strong and the bible gives no indication that the assumption is erroneous. You will find the same approach to all Bible topics when it comes to JW's. We look at *all* the scriptures that relate to the subject and then prayerfully consider the conclusion we need to come to.
Also, I would not mind helping you understand anything from the bible teach book.
Mmmm.... I suppose this is what I find truely interesting. As I feel that there are quite a few verses that would suggest (at least in the same way of Micheal and Jesus being one) that Jesus was God. Now, the part that I find very interesting, and please don't take this in a negative way, but I find that interpretaion is taken differently, now, I am sure that all denominations under the Christian umbrella, have all taken interpretaion differently. But, the one standing point that I have always enjoyed and supported is the fact that if it is not written then it is not biblical truth. But then, when scriptual eveidence is shown, it can be "knocked" back to misinterpretation.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I do truely feel that there is scriptural evidence to show that Jesus is God, But can see how, from the Witnesses perspective, that He is not. (And I would be happy to share most of my verses with you if you have not come across the "trinitarian" verses before)
The thing that does come through from the bible is that God is mysterious , with many verses stating that we will never fully know the mind of our creator, if this is the case, for me I would be far willing to consider Micheal as Jesus, as a mysterious and all powerful God, could create this scenario, but that logic being true, it would also assume that He could create a trintarian concept.
I think, it should come down the three options:
1: Michael/Jesus are one, and that there is a Trinity.
2:Micheal/Jesus are not one and that there is not a trinity, (and we must take the bible literally without assumptions)
3: We will have to continue loving the father, and follwing and worshipping through the works of Jesus, with the assumption that we will never fully know the mind of our creator, and as long as we worship and follow the teaching of Jesus (as written) and with that earthly hope, we will all (unless we're the annointed) be part of the new earthly large crowd.