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Organized Religion

The Ekklesia

This is a Greek word which is translated church. In the N. T. it signifies a company, assembly or body of people bound or compacted together. Today there-are many organizations claiming to be the church, and having various bonds of union; but we wish to know, upon the authority of God’s Word, what ekklesia, body, […]

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A Simpler Approach The Faithful and Discreet Slave The Life and Teachings of Jesus

A Simpler Approach to the Faithful and Discreet Slave Part 6

Food at the Proper Time “For you are a holy people to Jehovah your God, and Jehovah your God has chosen you to become his people, his special property, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. “It was not because you were the most numerous of all the peoples […]

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A Simpler Approach The Faithful and Discreet Slave The Life and Teachings of Jesus

A Simpler Approach to the Faithful and Discreet Slave Part 5

The Lesson of the Loaves By use of the account of Jesus feeding 5,000 people with just 5 loaves of bread and two fish, -Matthew 14:14-22, the July 15, 2013 Watchtower study article entitled: “Feeding Many Through the Hands of a Few” focused on the fact that Jesus did so by means of his disciples. […]

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A Simpler Approach The Faithful and Discreet Slave The Life and Teachings of Jesus

A Simpler Approach to the Faithful and Discreet Slave Part 4

The big adjustment in 2013 Not all anointed ones make up the slave. Only the members of the governing body. The first appointment of the slave to provide food for the domestics occurred not in 33 C.E. but in 1919 No “evil slave” class. What of the Evil Slave? “But if ever that evil slave […]

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Religious History

The Crushing Weight of Authority (Reorganized)

When I began this series of articles, I had in mind taking only a few examples that would serve to illustrate how extreme, cruel and unjust men can be when they perceive a threat to their authority structure. Since then I have read so many examples showing this to be a recurring pattern over and […]

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Religious History Shunning

The Crushing Weight of Authority Part 2

Persecution of Jerome of Prague This reformer, who was the companion of Dr. Huss, and may be said to be a co-martyr with him, was born at Prague, and educated in that university, where he particularly distinguished himself for his great abilities and learning. He likewise visited several other learned seminaries in Europe, particularly the […]

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Shunning

Compassion for the Other: Faith and Doubt among Jehovah’s Witnesses

Jehovah’s Witnesses have come under much criticism for their policy of shunning. Often critics, viewing things from the perspective of the disfellowshipped person, see this as cruel and unloving treatment. While I personally have come to know of many experiences that have led me to agree with those who view this to be an extreme […]

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Organized Religion The Life and Teachings of Jesus

Who Are the True Worshipers?

Nevertheless, the hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshippers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for indeed, the Father is looking for ones like these to worship him. God is a Spirit, and those worshipping him must worship with spirit and truth.” (John 4:23, 24 New World Translation) These […]

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Organized Religion

Beware the Voice of Strangers

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he […]

Categories
Organized Religion

“I Know This is the Truth!”

Recently, I came across a video that showed, by a series of interviews, how persons can be so convinced that their chosen religion is the truth. Such experiences can make one wonder if any religion can claim to be the true one or if it is even possible for humans to arrive at the truth. […]