Paradise Cafe Discussions - A Place For Bible Research And Christian Encouragement

I took a look at the site, byz - no offense intended to you or your friend, but it contains some misleading info/disinformation of note. Least of which is his opinion of the WT teachings, however 'salty' the introduction is.


Christianity, the Cults and Other Religions:
'Christian' Cults
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By 'the Christian cults' we mean those groups which, though they claim to be Christian, differ from basic Christianity to the degree that they are regarded as being in major error and thus heretical. Most of these cults originated in America.

Members of these groups fall into two general categories. Some have swallowed the party line completely and have no interest in listening to other people's views. Others, by contrast, are fundamentally seeking God and through circumstances have been drawn into the cult, but their overriding desire is to know and please the Lord. These are usually much more open to debate and the weighing of other viewpoints.

We also need to remember that God is a God of grace and responds to the slightest move on a person's part towards him. For that reason, while we may completely reject a cult's doctrine as a system, we must stay open to the fact that some members may be genuinely saved—in spite of the system rather than because of it.

Jehovah's Witnesses
This cult was founded by an American, Charles Taze Russell (1870-1916). The name 'Jehovah's Witnesses' (based on Isaiah 43:10) was not adopted until 1931, the group having previously been called by several other names: Russellites, Millennial Dawn, the International Bible Students' Association, and the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

Typical JW literature
Jehovah's Witnesses have their own English translation of the Bible: the New World Translation. Christian scholars universally recognise it to be unreliable, in places dishonest, and adapted in line with the group's doctrines.
Their doctrine of Christ is seriously deficient. They deny his deity, believing him to be a created being, the archangel Michael. His death atoned only for Adam's sins, not for anyone else's; it merely provides a basis upon which individuals must work for their own salvation.

They do not believe that Jesus rose in bodily form from the dead. As for his return, they hold that he was crowned as king in October 1914 and 'returned' secretly and invisibly. At the same time, Satan and his hosts were thrown out of heaven and came to earth.
As for the Holy Spirit, Jehovah's Witnesses view him as no more than a vague force.

With no real Saviour, they inevitably end up in legalism. Salvation has to be earned by door-knocking, the selling of Watchtower literature and attending meetings and conferences. There is an 'anointed class' of believers, numbering 144,000, who, if they work hard enough at it, are born again and will go to heaven, but the last of these places was taken in 1931. Other believers are in the general class, called the 'other sheep', and they will have to be content with life on the new earth.

Jehovah's Witnesses take a legalistic view of Genesis 9:4, on the basis of which they teach it is a sin to accept a blood transfusion. As a result, many have died who with a transfusion might have been saved.

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Is that it in a nutshell? Lol.

Please understand that what David Matthew writes is all about his own opinion of what the Bible teaches - as are ALL religions and religious authors of many many words. We can squeeze a few nice thoughts from all the words, but for the real 'inside info' - go directly to the Source. I can't stress this enough for those who are genuinely searching(whether just beginning the search or still searching) for the True God and how to worship and please Him - go directly to His Word. Pray also for Him to allow His holy spirit of understanding into your heart and mind. Read the gospel accounts and let Jesus Christ reveal Who God IS and how much He really loves, forgives, and wants you to know and remember Him.

Love is one key - our love for the One Who created us, our Heavenly Father, and His inmmeasureable love for us, His children.
Humility is another neccessary key - the letting go willingly of every single thing we think we know in order for His spirit to completely take the lead in teaching us.

We each generally reach a point in our spiritual maturity and in steadily growing towards God, when we are able to throw everything away for Him.(and not look back longingly!) We're able to say with the truest of convictions that "nothing matters"(my job, status, reputation; my mate, parents, children; my thoughts, desires, my own goals and aspirations - this life), "dear Father - none of it matters but YOU and my love for You."

He will answer - He is within reach of every one of us, and is looking for reconciliation with His lost children - He will find us all. :hug:

Luke 11:9 “And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10) For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 11) “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? 12) Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! 13) So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

With love, Willa
:peace:

I use an excellent set of textbooks called "Studies in the Scriptures." They unlock the Bible the way the Bible says it would be unlocked at the end.

Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

Seal up how long? "even to the time of the end."

Once chapter I especially like is "Permission of Evil" which shows the Scriptural reasons that God permitted evil, and the Scriptural proofs of how He will bring sin to an end and bless all the families of the earth! :thumbup:

They can be downloaded free at my website, or ordered in hard cover.

Hi, Martha. :) For quite a few years now, I have kept a personal reminder at the top and bottom of each day's list of activities/appointments/goals/errands/etc. All it says is: "R.S.M.P.P."

Read. ... Study. ... Meditate. ... Pray. ... Ponder.

Now, mind you, I don't mean to imply that I am able to do nothing but these things each day. (I would if I could, though.) The reminder is to assist me to keep my focus on the "more important things" in my day. (It seems to help level out the hills and valleys the mundane brings with it.) ;) If I might offer one suggestion (I have learned this by trial-and-error experience), whatever time is available to you in your day, be sure to allocate no more than one-third of it for "Reading and Studying." And, be sure to allocate at least two-thirds for "Meditation, Prayer, and Pondering" (asking yourself questions about what you have considered).

Not much, I know. But, I hope that helps a little bit. :giverose:

your friend and brother, ... isomam

I like everyone's answers here. I also include listening to Bible on walkmen tapes. That tool actually has helped me get a really big overview of the Bible differently than from reading and is very convenient to carry everywhere. I also recommend having a couple different versions of the Bible too to compare hard verses.