Re:why they leave the watchtower - 2005/06/12 11:34Hello everyone, I see we have another one taking leave of the cafe. That's too bad Sandra. That's very unfortunate, but the atmosphere is beginning to resemble the WTBTS itself with threads being totally eliminated or locked in arbitrary fashion. I've just started reading In Search of Christian Freedom. So far I can't find one thing objectionable, and it really does get to be a crises of conscience when one comes to realize how deeply entrenched the wrongs are and how just how much you handle of going thru the motions of trying to pretend to preach the good news without promoting the organization and going thru the motions of talking in one liners and smiling at elders, and never having a serious discussion with anyone. It really creates great internal conflict as you realize that the Witness community has, as was noted, become almost Orwellian. It's an apt description.
Post edited by: freyd, at: 2005/06/12 11:39
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Flowerchild
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Re:why they leave the watchtower - 2005/06/12 13:10Yes Dear Freyd
I also read through much of the In Search of Christain Freedom, and right at this time, I am praying very hard and am hopefully coming to have insight into the more important matters.
I think its good to know that we love Jehovah no matter what we read or come to know, this most important love never goes away but only deepens,
Freyd I hope that your reading the book only helps you to draw closer to Jehovah and lean on Him in all your ways and will help you come to know your Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus
As this is what we hope and pray for to always stay close to them, i think by reading the book I have more appreciation for Jesus and the need to give Him the Honor that Jehovah wants His son to have.
Hopefully we will always build up our faith by much prayer
May you have endurance and may the God of all tender mercies keep you in His care
much peace
your sister
PS one word of caution Freyd, just know that the book does not direct you anywhere , it kind of leaves you with a sense of hanging , the one thing I'm learning through the Holy Spirit is to be balanced and I pray this for you as well, Also know that No man has the answers, most have found their way through much trial and tibulation, through a personal search for truth, The Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth, just learn to listen to its leadings.
sometimes when we pray for understanding and wisdom we think it will come all neatly packaged for us, but instead it comes with much suffering, but we Will be wiser and have understanding, as Jehovah gives in abundance, just not how we think it should be sometimes, just pray to recognize His answering what you are praying for.
Post edited by: flowerchild, at: 2005/06/12 13:21
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dinah
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Re:why they leave the watchtower - 2005/06/13 15:28Sandra,
I think Ray purposely leaves you "hanging" because he doesn't want to draw followers to himself. Obviously it did make you give things some prayerful consideration, right? He just kinda gets you searching. CoC was good, but I haven't read "Freedom" yes, I plan too.
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Eden
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Re:why they leave the watchtower - 2005/06/13 16:45Hi Freyd! Nice to see you!
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freyd
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Re:why they leave the watchtower - 2005/06/13 23:19Dittos Eden.
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polemotheos
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Re:why they leave the watchtower - 2005/06/14 09:05ralphy wrote: They also noted Acts, 15:20, 29 where it is commanded that we are to "abstain from blood." The meaning of this Scripture is more ambiguous, but it clearly is a response by the early Christians to the Mosaic law which was not given to all humankind but the Jews only. From the context, it likely referred the four major sins, one of which is murder. Thus the term "blood guilt" refers to murder, and the phrase "abstain from blood" or, as some manuscripts state, "abstain from bloodshed," likely refers to committing or contributing to homicide or death in some way. I enjoyed your essay, but may I humbly disagree with the above portion. I disagree that Acts 15 is about homocide. I prefer the argument made by Raymond Franz in his book In Search of Christian Freedom page 300. The things to be abstained from were from Leviticus 17:7-9 which said that even non-Jews should abstain from some things under mosaic law. The decision was indeed about eating blood, but not because it was against God's law, or a taboo subject, but as a compromise on a specific issue at a specific time in history when unity between Christian Jews and Christian gentiles was important to spread the faith in Christ. The letters sent out from the Apostles about this were not some form of law, please read in context. Franz refers on page 307 to 1 Cor 8:1-12. where Paul said the only reason Christians should not eat (unbled) meat sacrificed to idols was, not because it was against some law (except perhaps the royal law of love). The only reason to abstain would be in case it caused harm to a spiritually weaker brother. I think Franz's comments only make your argument stronger. I did not write that essay. Thanks for you comments though.Your Peace, Surrender, In You, YHVH Re-connect Co-operative
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