Categories
Examining Doctrines The Great Crowd/Other Sheep The Life and Teachings of Jesus

Who Are the Other Sheep?

 “And I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; those too I must bring in, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become one flock, one shepherd. John 10:16. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that when Jesus says “this fold” he is referring to the Israel of God, made up of only […]

Categories
Examining Doctrines Revelation The Great Crowd/Other Sheep

The Great Crowd – Where Do They Serve?

 “After these things I saw, and, look! a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, dressed in white robes; and there were palm branches in their hands. And they kept on crying with a loud […]

Categories
Examining Doctrines Organized Religion Shunning

A Lesson in Tolerance

“John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons by the use of your name, and we tried to stop him because he is not one of our company.” “Don’t stop him,” said Jesus. “There is no one who can do a work of power in the strength of my name and […]

Categories
Examining Doctrines Shunning

Can I Just Leave?

On the official JW.org website, in the FAQ section, the following topic is addressed: Do Jehovah s Witnesses Shun Former Members of Their Religion? The very first answer given to this question is: “Those who were baptized as Jehovah s Witnesses but no longer preach to others, perhaps even drifting away from association with fellow […]

Categories
Examining Doctrines Shunning

Can I Just Leave? Part 2

In the previous post I ended with the question: Can a person leave the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses, choosing to worship God willingly, from the heart apart from the organization and not face repercussions? Let’s analyze the rest of his testimony and see if Geoffrey Jackson can answer that for us: The following exchange is […]

Categories
Baptism Examining Doctrines The Life and Teachings of Jesus

To Whom Are You Dedicated?

Shortly before his ascension to heaven, Jesus gave his disciples these parting words: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you. And look! I […]

Categories
Examining Doctrines Organized Religion

Do You See Things As They Really Are?

   In the 1930’s, Swedish artist Oscar Reutersvärd drew and made public a series of what came to be called impossible figures. A modern example is shown at left. At a quick glance, these drawings seem to make believable what clearly violates all rules of common sense. When examined carefully, however, they can be seen […]

Categories
Child Abuse Examining Doctrines

No More Silence: An interview with Boz Tchividjian of G.R.A.C.E.

By Rachel Held Evans, on March 18, 2013 No More Silence: An interview with Boz Tchividjian of G.R.A.C.E. This is the second post of a weeklong series, Into the Light: A Series on Abuse and the Church, which featured the stories of abuse survivors, along with insights from professional counselors, legal experts, and church leaders about how […]

Categories
Ministry Organized Religion Practicing the True Religion The Life and Teachings of Jesus

Practicing the True Religion

 Scene 1: The Broad and Narrow Roads “Go in through the narrow gate, because broad is the gate and spacious is the road leading off into destruction, and many are going in through it; whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are finding it. (Matthew 7:13, 14) […]

Categories
Ministry Organized Religion Practicing the True Religion The Life and Teachings of Jesus

Practicing the True Religion Scene 2

The Good Tree and the Worthless Tree “Be on the watch for the false prophets who come to you in sheep’s covering, but inside they are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will recognize them. Never do people gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles, do they? Likewise, every good tree produces fine fruit, […]