Originally posted by robbie carrobie
If you could actually comment on the import of scripture for these ideals are certainly contained in Scripture it may be helpful for while I am sure your opinions have relevance to someone they are not scripture and have no more efficacy than what we are willing to allow them which at present is not much. I am sorry to be so blunt but with so many p ...[text shortened]... a standard to which one may appeal which is at present scripture your opinions not withstanding.
I am not sure if you are misunderstanding me on purpose, or just trying to defend the indefensible...
The point I am making is as follows:
1 There is a written word, which is the Bible, which is taken as a Guide for Living by many different groups of people.
2 As this Forum has demonstrated on occasions too numerous to mention, these various groups, (e.g. JWs, Baptists, Pentecostals, you name it) have at times taken the SAME verses and filled 20+ pages of text showing to each other how THEIR particular interpretation is correct! (and often aggressively and insultingly so) Shouldn't this mere fact alone give you a gentle hint that the mere words are NOT ENOUGH to prove TRUTH? YOU say "GOD says this" then RJH or sonship says "No, GOD says this!" To any casual observer this would indicate that the written words of the Bible are, to put it mildly, open to differences of interpretation. (Do you follow me so far? Good.)
3 Surely you will agree that there is a main thread running through the Bible, and that is that God is interested in our relationship with Him and with each other. (I am intentinally making this very simple.) There is a thread of Reconciliation on both the vertical as well as the horizontal level. This is common in most groups and denominations, and I would guess even within the JWs.
4 When a specific
interpretation of the Bible (in my example, the very clear literal message of Paul about the role of women) causes untold hardship and pain when applied in the way it is, surely it would be a warning sign that we are applying this particular scripture incorrectly? If one "Truth" contradicts another "Truth", then maybe one of them isn't a "Truth".
So if the STANDARD of which you speak is the PRINCIPLES espoused in the Bible, then I am in total agreement with you.
However, if that STANDARD is
one particular interpretation then I am saying it is no longer a standard.
Please tell me that you at least follow my reasoning, rather than merely denouncing me as a heretic.
I am fully in agreement with the right of the JWs (and any other group, for that matter) having their own interpretations and following God in the way they think best. Go in peace and blessings on your head!
Unfortunately, this becomes a real problem when THAT view is propagated as being the only way anybody should believe - which is what I am afraid you are doing.