Wednesday
Oct192011
Podcast, episode #36
Entertaining questions regarding the reliability of the Bible, man of lawlessness, self abuse, second death, resurrection and more.
To access archived podcasts and other programs produced prior to 2009 go to e-watchman.tv
9 Comments
Reader Comments (9)
"If we compare the antiquity of the Gospel manuscripts with similar ancient writings, the case for trusting the Gospels gains considerable strength. Consider, for example, the writings of three historians more or less contemporaneous with the evangelists: the Jewish historian Josephus and the Roman historians Tacitus & Suetonius. The oldest extant manuscripts of Tacitus & Suetonius come from the 9th century. Those of Josephus date back only to the 11th century. We're talking about a time gap of 800 to 1,000 years between the autographs (originals) and the (copies) extant manuscripts, yet historians accept the manuscripts as basically reliable representations of what was originally written. Lest it seem that I've chosen examples that are unusual, the oldest manuscripts of the classical historians Herodotus & Thucydides are separated from their autographs by about 500 years."
Can we trust the Gospels? Mark D. Roberts.
http://www.amazon.com/Can-Trust-Gospels-Investigating-Reliability/dp/1581348665/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1319038970&sr=8-1
M,
.....AND YOUR POINT OR QUESTION IS? Your post falls into the trap of many others, you quote and say things which are mainly from other people but YOU put forth NO original information or YOUR OWN thoughts or constructed questions. Many just post Biblical quotes and move on. At least your not that dumb to do so. Thanks for the effort!
The comment you quoted from and the final question from your source is: "Can we trust the Gospels? Mark D. Roberts." That is a good question. Most of pure religion is FAITH. Living the faith and hopefully, having some type of divine epiphany to elevate your "inner conscience" to a higher level. I know, sounds crazy but why not? Everything else is in this world!
It's based on well researched evidence. It's also not the final source, many scholars have contributed to this evidence.
I think you're being a bit hypocritical. What original information have you ever come up with?
Faith = trust. Trust is built on evidence. That's what we have. It's not "blind faith".
M
You are correct. Blind Faith can be a terrible thing. GOD does not allow us to have blind faith. Did you know that? Think deeply about that for a moment.
IF I told you what book I wrote, then you would know too much. So, yes I have done my own research.
Robert,
You say that 1914 is the operation of error promoted by the MOL, but you also say that this happens by men infiltrating the organization. But did not Russell himself from the very beginning start the org and start 1914?
Also you had me laughing picturing you “franticly kicking leafs around”. LOL
funny that I got a podcast to listen to on my date of birth. good to hear your voice again KING-sama!
Anthony :
Even though the "Leaders of the WT society" have been 'judged' and found wanting, there were throughout the history of this religion (snare & a racket)
the biggest percentage of genuine "wheat-like Christians" being drawn into the circle, through their disenchantment of 'religious doctrine' currently available...
Upon their individual 'anointing' they would have been 'taught by Holy Spirit ' dispensed thru Christ Jesus and thereafter been involved in a "spiritual war wihin their minds & hearts' : so it was God's 'people' being brought together 'from the nations' into a 'structure' that protected them from christendoms false doctrines.. But nevertheless, a daily struggle to 'conform for the sake of the brotherhood'
Anthony: Like to add, by giving you an example of a decade of WT history, when the "Aid to Bible Understanding" was being prepared, in the 70's
Have given details of this on another site, but there were five (5) highly spiritually mature J.Ws appointed to do the research & write the above "Bible dictionary" btw their current 2 volume "Insight from the scriptures" was produced, copycat style from "Aid Book".
Ed. Dunlap who was very well known as the Registrar of Gilead for some decades, and enjoyed collaborating with Ray Franz as well as many others also met secretly in small groups, within the confines of the Brooklyn H.Q. to seek "true light"..many of these brothers were anointed but refused to partake, due to the 'false teachings and interpretations of prophecy' that continued through the decades.
despite their massive efforts and loyalty 'to the cause' (Ray Franz was a Missionary for many decades, & only came off the field on invitation to be part of the 1974 Gov Body) they were spied on and set upon in a form of "Inquisition" that included many secret interrogations ,af terward 'thrown out ' literally on the street, after being given ultimatums and threats. No one, anointed or 'other sheep' was safe from the 'Devil's advocate' and F., Franz' control of the Company.. Yes, you are right about the 'history of apostasy' and Barb Anderson's "Watchtower Documents" explains much of that history, first hand experience.
Contrary to the Watchtower's teaching, the first resurrection has not yet begun. The first resurrection is still a future event. It will occur during the great tribulation, likely at the sounding of the 7th trumpet. The Watchtower teaches that the first resurrection began in 1918, but offers absolutely no proof to that effect. On the other hand the Bible shows that there were plenty of eyewitnesses to the temporary resurrection Jesus performed during his ministry on earth. Moreover, there were plenty of eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. What proof has the governing body of Jehovah's Witnesses presented to back up their claim that the first resurrection has been underway decades ago?
Claude G.