InCognitus Posted May 16, 2020 Posted May 16, 2020 3 hours ago, theplains said: I believe God has already left answers in the Bible as to his true nature. The same Bible that the Jehovah's Witnesses use to support their beliefs? The same Bible that has been the foundation for hundreds or even thousands of Christian denominations with conflicting doctrines, even on the nature of God and his Son? The same Bible that was the source of the one man's beliefs as he was burning the other man at the stake for interpreting the Bible the "wrong" way for his beliefs? Who do we go to for the absolute sure way to interpret what God has already left us in the Bible? You? Popular opinion? The majority vote? I said it before and I'll say it again: God is the one with the answers. I'll go to him and his prophets. 3
InCognitus Posted May 16, 2020 Posted May 16, 2020 4 hours ago, theplains said: Either he always existed as God or he was a man who became a God like Joseph Smith taught. Don't set up a false dichotomy. There are other possibilities, like he always existed as God and he once lived as a man and came to be our God. 2
Maureen Posted May 16, 2020 Posted May 16, 2020 45 minutes ago, InCognitus said: The same Bible that the Jehovah's Witnesses use to support their beliefs? The same Bible that has been the foundation for hundreds or even thousands of Christian denominations with conflicting doctrines, even on the nature of God and his Son? The same Bible that was the source of the one man's beliefs as he was burning the other man at the stake for interpreting the Bible the "wrong" way for his beliefs?... Actually the Jehovah Witnesses use New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures published by the Watch Tower; so it is a translation that only the JW's use. It is not the same Bible that other Christian denominations use. M. 1
InCognitus Posted May 16, 2020 Posted May 16, 2020 (edited) 26 minutes ago, Maureen said: Actually the Jehovah Witnesses use New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures published by the Watch Tower; so it is a translation that only the JW's use. It is not the same Bible that other Christian denominations use. M. They have their own "translation", yes, but they'll also use whatever translation suits their interpretation at the time. I've had many online discussions with members of the Jehovah's Witnesses faith, and they will gladly use the King James Version (because that's the version I use primarily) when trying to convince me that their interpretation is the "right" one. And there are many other translations they pick and choose from to support their views. But all Bible versions have interpretational bias. It all depends on if the translators had the "right" or "wrong" bias when making the translation. And this brings it all back to the same question: Who is the one who gets to decide what is the interpretation that God intended? It can only be God and his inspired prophets. That's how the Bible came to us to begin with, so that can be the only logical answer. Edit to add: Did I mention that the foyers in our chapels should be focused on Christ? Edited May 16, 2020 by InCognitus 3
mfbukowski Posted May 17, 2020 Posted May 17, 2020 15 hours ago, theplains said: Either he always existed as God or he was a man who became a God like Joseph Smith taught. Time would be reckoned differently in different universes. Just to explain, suppose the big bang starts the universe in which we now live. But some believe that time is cyclical and that the Big Bang happened out of a singularity or black hole in which a previous Universe had collapsed. So one Universe collapses into a black hole and then explodes into the Big Bang, and ours will do the same. Two universes, two "eternities". Suppose God lived as a man "for eternity" - as we can live for eternity- in the first universe, and then out of the ashes of that universe, organized his own universe, which is ours, and OUR "forever". We use the phrase "one Eternal round." And in that case he could be a man as we are in the first earlier universe and be God we know him in the second Universe which he organized. Just supposing. Look up "multiverses" on Google. 2
CV75 Posted May 17, 2020 Posted May 17, 2020 8 hours ago, mfbukowski said: And in that case he could be a man as we are in the first earlier universe and be God we know him in the second Universe which he organized. In this way we too always existed as gods (in the event we attain that promise). It also shows that there is always a "space" and a "time" in which God lives, no matter the formulation and organization. 1
HappyJackWagon Posted May 18, 2020 Posted May 18, 2020 On 5/14/2020 at 8:32 PM, Calm said: Maybe it is more they don’t want bishops to have to waste their time with local members either promoting their favorite picture or artist or condemning someone else’s. Iow, it is not the bishop they are worried about. I know, right? Members be the worst! But seriously, do you really think this is done to protect Bishops from having to spend time on deciding art or protecting the bishops from members? I mean...really?
Calm Posted May 18, 2020 Posted May 18, 2020 (edited) Most leaders have been bishops, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they think about such things as trying to save bishops hassles or conflict with members. All it takes is one memorable incident for that to stick in their minds. Edited May 18, 2020 by Calm 2
The Nehor Posted May 28, 2020 Posted May 28, 2020 On 5/18/2020 at 3:21 PM, Calm said: Most leaders have been bishops, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they think about such things as trying to save bishops hassles or conflict with members. All it takes is one memorable incident for that to stick in their minds. And it would be remarkable for a Bishop to only have one memorable incident. Most have a few every month. 1
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