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Religious History

Martin Luther and the Diet of Worms

The Diet takes place in April 1521 not in Rome but on German soil in front of the emperor Charles V. They pile up his books on a table and they ask him if these are his. He says yes all of them. Are you ready to recant? Luther says some of these are sermons. […]

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Apostasy Examining Doctrines Man of Lawlessness Religious History

Who Is the Man of Lawlessness? Part 3

Let no one lead you astray in any way, because it will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness gets revealed, the son of destruction.  He stands in opposition and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits down in the temple of God, […]

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1914 Examining Doctrines Religious History The Faithful and Discreet Slave Watchtower History

The Watchtower Society Conceals Its History

“More than 30 years before October 1914, anointed Christians began preaching that God’s Kingdom would begin to rule on that important date. Their understanding was based on Daniel’s prophecy about a large tree that was cut down and would grow again after a period of time. (Daniel 4:16) Jesus described a sign that would help his […]

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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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Religious History Shunning

The Crushing Weight of Authority Part 1

Healing a Man Born Blind (With comments from Albert Barnes) 1Now as Jesus was passing by, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who committed the sin that caused him to be born blind, this man or his parents?” 3Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents […]

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Religious History

The Crushing Weight of Authority Part 3

It is June 22, 1633. An unsteady old man is on his knees before the court of the Roman Inquisition. He is a man of science, one of the best known of the day. His scientific convictions are based on long years of study and research. Yet, if he wants to save his life, he […]