Christian Evangelism - Is it Off Track?

Dear Randman;Thank You, that is a wonderful compliment, thought I doubt you will even understand why or how. But to have our doctrinal position compared to the science supporting evolution, is a ringing commendation. It is a shame that you are unable to understand the scientific or religious answers you have received to your questions. I would suggest that you educate yourself on both subjects, and then maybe you will understand what is being said to you, and ask some questions when you don't understand something.Sincerely Yours; Wm Scott Anderson

So you are not considered a cult by any first world nation? no white papers or parliament reports have concluded you are a cult?Is that what you are saying?This message has been edited by Charles Knight, 15-Aug-2005 07:30 PM

The thread was started as a discussion which was essentially about whether or not Christian evangelism should be more focused on lifestyle and example.I certainly didn't intend it to be a topic for JW evangelism and whether or not it is a cult.This message has been edited by GDR, 08-15-2005 06:18 PM

Sorry I offended you, but if you take it as a compliment, so be it.I have met a couple of JWs I respect, but many times the ones that came to my door seemed to just give pat answers as if they were just repeating something they had been indoctrinated in, but not as well educated in.At the same time, maybe my experience is limited, and I should not judge the whole organization.Note I did not call JWs a cult, but I do disagree with it's tenets, in part because I think creating your own Bible or version/translation to support your doctrinal views is not the way to go.This message has been edited by randman, 08-16-2005 12:27 AM

I appreciate your sentiment very much. From what I've witnessed recently I have to believe evangelism is off track.I think this will sway in time though. People will get back to their bibles.See what happens.Pray for evangelists.Ones you know that need guidance or exposure to truth.That would be a very arrogant statement if the truth I typed wasn't Christ.This message has been edited by Chris Porteus, 08-16-2005 12:42 AM

Charles, I spent a good few months of my life discussing with Jehovah's witnesses at my house every sunday.There usually isn't a fruitful conclusion.These people know their bibles.They know their faith.Even if you know what you think is the truth about them your words will have no effect.I don't want to hate a faith that does good things that jw's do.Like I said they know their Bible's. They do go door to door.The intentions of their service is questionable however.I am just warning you that you will be hardpressed to convince them of anything.Good luck though.

Ever hear of shunning?

I think it is changing, but slowly. I agree that it is good for people get back to their Bibles, but the key is that they have to "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk".There is a line in a Christian song I like..."it doesn't matter if you know the Bible if it's all just in your head.. The thing I (Jesus),need to ask you is have you done the things I said."

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Everybody is entitled to my opinion.

Thanks Chris - the only thing is I don't intended to convince them of anything. It's a total waste of time. All I intend to do is anti-preach when WMscott or his ringer try and get people to email them off site for "further information".As for "knowing their bibles" - you may want to look a bit deeper at that one, many christians feel that the JWs use the bible as a secondary tool. One of the christians on here would be a better source of information than me on that one.
n>This message has been edited by Charles Knight, 16-Aug-2005 10:01 AM

You mean like the Xians (who split from the jews)? Or like the protestant Xians who split from the Catholics?At which point did it become errant, in your opinion, not to shape your religious scripture to your own doctrinal views? And does this mean you wholly reject Xianity, or embrace all scripture which was in existence within Xianity but rejected for the formal first Bible?

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holmes
"...what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.."(D. Bros)

Do you believe that the JW doctrine of refusing blood transfusions makes sense?Doesn't it result in senseless, needless loss of life?

quote:

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but she felt it was useless to argue about evolution because "the evolutionists are just like the JWs" and I have to paraphrase, but she said it's like "talking to a robot" that has pat answers and never addresses your comments or shows any willingness to seriously address the issue.

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Why don't you invite her here, we'd love to get into very in-depth, detailed discussions of the evidence contained in the peer-reviewed literature with her.You are welcome to participate in similar discussions, randman.

Holmes, Christians didn't rewrite the OT. Reinterpreting can be valid, but changing the text is not, imo.

They added a New Testament which allowed for changes in meaning from the New Testament, in order to fit their doctrine. That's as good as changing the words directly. I would of course disagree that reinterpreting is different than rewriting.One poster at EvC had linked to a site describing the process evangelicals had used coming up with a new version of the Bible (updated). It specifically stated that any inconsistencies found by using the (near) original sources with their original meanings, were always translated in line with longstanding evangelical traditions and not with actual intent of the passage.But let's ignore that then, why not deal with the rest of my points? Are you claiming that no changes were made by Xians to the Bible? If so read a history on the Bible.

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holmes
"...what a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away.."(D. Bros)

Dear Charles Knight; Of course Charles, I know perfectly well that a number of governments have labeled us a cult over the years. Hitler and Stalin never had a kind word to say about us, and some governments seem to have a similar leaning in their thinking. If you use the broad definition of a cult, you can call all any religion a cult. I was just referring to the narrower definition that was posted, which doesn't fit us at all.Sincerely Yours; Wm Scott Anderson