Bridge of Reason

  Paradise is a constant theme with Jehovah's Witnesses, as we saw in last week’s Watch Tower Wednesday. According to this article , Paradise is defined as a place where: There is a one-world government International unity A harmonious environment Perfect health and abundant food Peace and security Ample housing and satisfying work The best education Unending life How would you discuss this with a Jehovah's Witness? Where are they right? Are they right? What have they misunderstood? What does the Christian message bring on this issue? In the Facebook discussion Lois pointed out the absence of labour and production in the illustrations that typically these stories of paradise, including this one. Lois remarks: ‘ They also show this beautiful picture of paradise on earth but how are the buildings and tractors made, no factories or workers are ever shown!’ Given the original purpose of God being man’s stewardship o

  I recently attended a course entitled ‘Who is My Neighbour?’. We spent three days looking at the beliefs, teachings, and practices of Islam. During the course we had a tour of a Mosque and had three Muslim ladies visit us to share how their faith shapes their lives and way of thinking. It was all very interesting. The programme was designed to help Christians better engage our Muslim neighbours with the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. As we shared about what we had learned, I realised that I got something from the course that no one else did. The more I heard about the beliefs and practices of Islam, the more I thought to myself that Mormonism is Islam in disguise. This is the first in a series, where I will compare and contrast the beliefs and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with those of the Islamic religion. Mormons and Muslims ‘ Elder Carlos E. Asay of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Sa

  On their website the Watch Tower Society answers: 'No. A comparison of ancient manuscripts shows that the Bible is basically unchanged despite millenniums of recopying on perishable materials. Does this mean that mistakes in copying were never made? Thousands of ancient Bible manuscripts have been found. Some of these contain a number of differences, indicating that mistakes were made in copying. Most of these differences are minor and do not change the meaning of the text. However, a few significant differences have been discovered, some of which appear to be deliberate attempts made long ago to alter the Bible’s message.' The two examples they give are 1 John 5:7 and the removal of the Name from the Bible. They go on to quote three reputable Bible scholars to demonstrate the Bible we have today is reliable. They do a good job of defending the Bible while strongly qualifying their endorsement of the Holy Text. As Tony Hancock commented when reading the opening lines

  “Very few people believe in the devil these days, which suits the devil very well. He is always helping to circulate the news of his own death. The essence of God is existence, and He defines Himself as: 'I am Who am.' The essence of the devil is the lie, and he defines himself as: 'I am who am not.' Satan has very little trouble with those who do not believe in him; they are already on his side.” [1] The Schemes of the devil Satan uses various "wiles" with the aim of doing one of two things: i)            To blind the minds of unbelievers – and keep them from the light of the gospel and so be saved. ii)          To try and defeat, deflate, and discourage those who have put their faith in Christ.  Can we know anything of the devil’ schemes? Paul the Apostle tells the church in Corinth. …for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Cor.2:11 Paul here suggests that devil is predictable; once you know his schemes, you know his schemes. He doesn’t cha

  In their Watchtower No 2, 2021, we read: 'The Bible describes the time period just before the end as “the last days.” (2 Peter 3:3, 4) Second Timothy 3:1-5 states that the last days would be marked by a steep moral decline. (See the box “ Just Before the End of the World.”) Do you see people who exhibit selfish, greedy, fierce, and unloving traits today? This too is evidence that we are living very near the end of the world.’ They go on to ask, ‘How long will the last days be? According to the Bible, only “a short period of time.” Then, God will destroy “those ruining the earth.—Revelation 11:15-18, footnote; 12:12.' This teaching keeps Jehovah's Witnesses tied to the organisation for fear today might be the day. We've all heard their leaders speak on this, especially Anthony Morris, who seems to take particular glee in describing the end and its suffering. Bleak seems to suit the man's character and demeanour. It seems we should know what the Bible says