He differs from others.
Stands out above the rest.
Below is my response to a Jehovah's witness I was debating on another blog. It was quite a lively conversation and I'm praying it takes root in this man's heart one day:
The existence of hell was taught by none other than Christ himself, and supported by most of the other Bible writers (Luke 16:19-31; Matt. 18:8,9; 24:48-51). Obviously, you are not aware of the prevailing teachings on hell and everlasting punishment of the Jewish faith--teachings that Jesus not only failed to address as unscriptural, but rather, embellished and used as a warning to those who reject his words! On what basis, furthermore, can you write off such a commonly accepted doctrine, which his followers understood only too well? Is it rather not because you don't want to believe something that you make it "symbolic?" What is your criteria for determining whether something is symbolic or not? What is your method of interpretation? The above were not my own words, but rather a response that I happen to agree with. I would simply add that: To me, hell is a very REAL place. If it were not, there would be no need for Jesus Christ. That being said, I would be sure the things I believe, I believe with my whole heart and not because someone has had to convince me. I do believe Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. Without Him, I would be tortured in Hell. But the torture Tom mentioned he suggests is from God. That's not in my Bible at all. My Bible clearly states that we have a choice: one to either worship God or not. One to go to Heaven or Hell. There is no confusion. There is no in between. I would also humbly add that God has changed my life dramatically. I am litterally a different person than who I was before I came to know Him. I know He is real. He's changed my life. I know He's in Heaven and I want to be with Him one day for the rest of eternity. He's perfect, and loving, and kind and caring. And He knows me by name. He cares for me as though I'm His only child. That's MY God. I'd love for you to know Him the way I do. If we can't agree, we can't agree. I don't have to make you. But I pray with all my heart you learn the truth for yourself one day. Respectfully,Melissa
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
JWs preach that the story of "The Rich Man and Lazarus" is a mere parable which Jesus used solely as a hidden means of condemning the Pharisees. Frankly, I believe the story is about Lazarus, brother of Mary and Martha.
However, I tell JWs that for the sake of argument, then lets assume it is a parable, and that Jesus used it strictly to teach a point.
I then ask the JW if in their ministry training sessions if the JWs ever act out various "witnessing" scenarios (they do). I then say: Then you know what is a "setting" as it relates to such scenarios.
I then ask the JW to point out one single other parable told by Jesus in which the "setting" he used was not a real-life setting.
Jesus used farming, planting, sowing, harvesting, and other real-world scenarios as his "settings" for various parables.
NEVER did Jesus ever make up a fantasy "setting".
JWs believe that teachings about the soul and the afterlife all came from Plato and the Greeks, and infiltrated Jewish culture after Alexander the Great conquered Judea.
Ask the JW why would Jesus ever use a "setting" which perpetuated the Greeks' false religious beliefs.
If your JW doesn't get these points, or will not admit such, then don't waste any more of your time. Allow these points to work on their mind over time.
Thankyou for the suggestion. I spoke with another former JW tonight who said the biggest key to her coming to my church now was personal relationship.......... something that is not encouraged in Kingdom Hall. I'm praying for my new friend and that the desire for a personal relationship will be enough to sway him.
Post a Comment