Bridge of Reason

  In the film “The Sixth Day”, based in the near future where cloning of pets is allowed but not of humans, the main character, Adam, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger, wakes up in a taxi, not knowing how he got there.   He travels home only to see another man inside with his family; this man looks exactly like him.   Before being able to confront the imposter, Adam is attacked by unknown assailants and has to run.   This being an Arnie movie there are lots of shoot outs and the body count is high as Adam attempts to find out what is going on. It turns out that he has been cloned and the cloning company is trying to clear up the loose ends.   Spoiler alert; it turns out he is the clone and the other Adam is the original.   The story highlights some problems with the Watchtower’s ideas about ‘resurrection’.   They teach that, at death, who we are ceases to exist; there is no soul or spirit that survives death, nothing of our essence continues on. ...

  Jesus, Moses, and Elijah Death The Watchtower Society teaches that at death a person goes into a state of ‘non-existence’ and those opposed to Jehovah will be annihilated. “ Death Definition: The ceasing of all functions of life. After breathing, heartbeat, and brain activity stop, the life-force gradually ceases to function in body cells. Death is the opposite of life.” - Reasoning from the Scriptures, WBTS, 1985, p.98. “ Paul speaks of those who have known the truth, have been partakers of holy spirit, and then have fallen away .The ransom could no longer help them; hence they would receive no resurrection .This illustrates the future before them: complete annihilation.” - Insight on the Scriptures, Vol.2, WBTS, 1988, p.792. Genesis 2:17 – They argue Jehovah warned Adam against disobedience, which would lead to death. Ecclesiastes 9:5 – Insist the dead are conscious of nothing. Resurrection The personality and character, of a person worthy of resurrection, are in Go...

  We looked last week at the JW teaching that when Jesus died he went out of existence and that it required Jehovah God to raise him because he only existed in God’s memory - like every other creature that dies. It’s important to remember they consider Jesus a creature, albeit the first created. To say their teaching on Christ’s resurrection appearances is convoluted is an understatement. This week we look at the proof texts and begin to answer Watch Tower claims from the Bible. The central biblical teaching is that of Christ’s resurrection. Paul described it as ‘of first importance.’ ‘ I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures…’ 1 Cor.15:3,4 Peter, at Pentecost, preached a resurrected Christ: ‘ Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs...God raised him u...

  The Watch Tower Society teaches that when Jesus died he went out of existence. It required Jehovah God to raise him because he was only in God’s memory: ‘ Resurrection involves a reactivating of the life patter n of the individual, which life pattern God has retained in his memory.’ Reasoning from the Scriptures, 1985, p.333 They also say Jesus was resurrected as a spirit, having no physical body. He simply materialised bodies to suit the occasion: ‘ It is true that Jesus appeared in physical form to his disciples after his resurrection. But on certain occasions, why did they not at first recognise him?...Jesus evidently materialised bodies on these occasions, as angels had done in the past when appearing to humans. Disposing of Jesus’ physical body at the time of his resurrection presented no problem for God. Interestingly, although the physical body was not left by God in the tomb (evidently to strengthen the conviction of the disciples that Jesus had actually been raised)...

As we are in Easter week here is a sermon from John Chrysostom (the golden mouthed) Read it and you will see why he was called John the Golden Mouthed. These are eloquent truths couched in honest and inspiring invitation. This is the invitation we bring to those to whom we witness and we should never forget the power in it. Are there any who are devout lovers of God? Let them enjoy this beautiful bright festival! Are there any who are grateful servants? Let them rejoice and enter into the joy of their Lord! Are there any weary with fasting? Let them now receive their wages! If any have toiled from the first hour, let them receive their due reward; If any have come after the third hour, let him with gratitude join in the Feast! And he that arrived after the sixth hour, let him not doubt; for he too shall sustain no loss. And if any delayed until the ninth hour, let him not hesitate; but let him come too. And he who arrived only at the eleventh hour, let him not be afr...