2 Corinthians 12:7“...even because of the extraordinary character of the revelations. Therefore, so that I would not become arrogant, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to trouble me—so that I would not become arrogant.” —2 Corinthians 12:7 NETPaul's Thorn has been speculated about in every theological circle that I've come across, however, not many theologians

My First Visit to a Kingdom Hall I had always been very leery of places with no windows.  The only places that I saw in my community with no windows were porno shops and Kingdom Halls.  As you know, I have been participating in a bible study with Jehovah Witnesses for several months now and have been trying to develop a relationship with the guys that come by each week - a relationship outside

Meeting Number 3, Dec. 14, 2009: SummaryOn this meeting Frank brought a young "friend" along with him.  We'll call him "Skeet" to protect his identity.  Since the last meeting, I've added the New World Translation into my Accordance software to be able to compare their version with other versions.  I've also had a chance to read a couple of really decent books to better understand the

Meeting Number 3, Dec. 14, 2009: Rough Transcript On this meeting Frank brought a young "friend" along with him.  We'll call him "Skeet" to protect his identity.  Since the last meeting, I've added the New World Translation into my Accordance software to be able to compare their version with other versions.  I've also had a chance to read a couple of really decent books to better understand

What the heck is 'Thy Father's Nakedness'?Genesis 9:22-26There has been a lot of confusion about this seemingly over-reaction of Noah, just because his son Ham saw him naked. However, few translators of the bible seem to want to consider or recognize what the bible seems to point to as really happening.The first thing we have to ask the bible is, "What is 'thy father's nakedness' ". Leviticus 18:8

Meeting 2, December 07, 2009: Rough Transcript (Note:  Everything in block quotes are quotes either from the Watchtower Publication "What Does the Bible Really Teach", or quotes from the bible text used in my copy of Accordance Bible Software.  Additionally, I ask that when you read the exchange from Frank and Dank (names changed to protect the innocent) don't prejudge them as representing

The way I will try to present this material is to provide an overview post and later provide the actual quick transcript of the meeting, as I made sure I recorded all of the subsequent sessions with my iPhone. After our last meeting, although I can genuinely appreciate the fact that JW's go door to door on a regular basis spreading (what I thought was the gospel), I was troubled that it wasn't the

Initial Knock at the door, November 30, 2009:I was working from home and had been at home all day while my wife, Tracey, had just gotten home from work.  As per our routine, we settled into the bedroom and closed the door while we watched TV and contemplated the daily question, "What's for dinner?".  Our daughter, Naomi, was still living with us and had not left to go to school in Delaware

Thoughts on the WTBS and Jehovah's Witnessesby Chris E. EcholsBefore I started studying with the Jehovah Witnesses in December 2009, I had never had a desire to even converse with them, because our society, expecially in the modern Christian  church, tends to cause us to shun the Jehovah Witnesses, just like evangelists of the Mormon faith.  However, recently, I worked up the courage

My thoughts on the "Trinity Doctrine"While I see in scripture that there are indeed 3 distinct manifistations of God (YHWH) in the persons of God the spirit, his Son Jesus, and Holy Spirit, the Comforter, I don't agree that Jesus was God OR Divine during his time here on earth. The verse in John 1:14 that Christians quote clearly reads that The Word (Jesus) became flesh.  Jesus was