Greetings JBL,My heart and prayers go out for you in this time of trial.  I went through a similar thing with my sister 3 years ago this month, when she killed herself.  The Jehovah's Witnesses have put together a wonderful book that addresses the issues and questions you are facing.Three years ago, I didn't believe in God.  This one book op…[Read more]

Quote (Ed J @ Mar. 13 2011,09:36)Hi Gene,This 'I was right' stuff ' DOESN'T HELP ONE BIT HERE!Here or anywhere, Ed.Gene, to support your brother is commendable.  But don't you think it would be better to point us to the thing he said that hits home for you rather than always just repeating, “You're right on brother.  They just don't u…[Read more]

Quote (Paladin @ Mar. 13 2011,03:21)Tell me Mike, what do you understand to be the story told here?  I understand it to be a metaphoric and poetic way of speaking.  In fact, many translations word it in such a way to emphasize the poetic nature more than the KJV which you quoted:NET © And it could be said that Levi himself, who receives tithes, pa…[Read more]

Keith,Are you just not hearing me?  Have you checked out the Greek words?  Paul doesn't say “so-called gods”.  Paul says there are those who are called gods in both heaven and on earth, for there are many gods and many lords.His point is not to contradict scripture in which we learn of many gods and that Jehovah is the God OF all these other go…[Read more]

Quote (WorshippingJesus @ Mar. 12 2011,14:12)Jesus.So how does that negate Mattew 28:19 as being scripture Mike?Is Jesus wrong or the Apostles? Will you continue to pit the scriptures against each other in an effort to discredit their authenticity because of your own falied doctine rather than finding harmony with the scriptures as Jack and I have…[Read more]

I said:Quote Why in the world would you think to come FROM the DNA of Eve, Abraham, David and Mary, Jesus would have had to been a part OF that DNA as it moved down the generations?  After all, YOU weren't a part of your own DNA as it moved down the generations from Adam and Eve, were you?Paladin said:Quote You have it Backwards, my friend. The…[Read more]

Last time Ed, and then I'm done.I didn't ask for cute comments about “spinning” things, as if someone would have to be devious to add the “a” in 1:1c. I'm asking if, based on your knowledge of the Greek language and how it is translated into English, there is a rule prohibiting the addition of the indefinite article in 1:1c. I'm not asking…[Read more]

Hi Gene,Also, what do you make of the phrase “heart and soul”? Why the distinction if the soul actually INCLUDES the heart?mike

Hi Gene, I'm going to do this only once, because I know how your posts are.  I will DIRECTLY address each issue you've brought up.  Don't bring the same issue up again and again without adding more thoughts to it……..okay?Quote (Gene Balthrop @ Mar. 12 2011,20:29)Mike………..The body departs into the grave and the Spirit departs to God who g…[Read more]

To Jack, Keith and Ed,English translators add the indefinite article into over 8000 scriptures to make them understandable to us in English. There is no special Greek wording, circumstance, or rule of Greek grammar that would prohibit a translator from adding the indefinite article in 1:1c.Am I lying? Have I spoken inaccurately? Or is what I've…[Read more]

No Ed,You haven't answered if it is grammatically possible to add the “a” in 1:1c. You couldn't even answer the “sample question” about John 20:28.When you are ready to answer questions, I will be ready to discuss things with you again.mike

Follow your statement through in this particular case, Gene.We know her body didn't depart, because except for Elijah, that just doesn't happen when one dies.So that only leaves her spirit as the part that departed. If so, then why did they not say her spirit departed? Why say “soul”?Also, if spirit+body=soul, then unless BOTH the spirit AND the…[Read more]

Quote (WorshippingJesus @ Mar. 12 2011,14:34)Quote (mikeboll64 @ Mar. 12 2011,15:18)Keith, if the word “god” meant to us today what it meant to the people of Biblical times, I would gladly call Jesus “my god”.But you already called him “your god” for you said “he is the god of all believers in heaven and in earth”.Do you let the present day world…[Read more]

Quote (Gene Balthrop @ Mar. 11 2011,08:47)Terricca………Wrong, Spirits ARE Not Souls. Do you see the word Soul there? peace and love…………………………geneGene,I'm almost choking on the words, but I agree with you on this one. But David and I were discussing Gen 35 where a soul was said to “DEPART” from a woman. We know her dead…[Read more]

Quote (Ed J @ Mar. 12 2011,19:24)Hi Mike,What you are asking me to do is much like what Stuart asks.Stuart says he is willing to admit there is a possibility God exists,and then asks if I would be willing to admit that maybe he doesn't.Since I know better, I cannot agree to what you ask! I hope I have explained sufficiently enough why I…[Read more]

Quote (t8 @ Mar. 12 2011,15:20)How sad for you that you cannot be honest about it.I'm having the same problem getting people to honestly and directly answer questions.  If we started from a base of honesty, we could get somewhere in these discussions.The people who divert and flood and do anything possible to keep from actually answering a…[Read more]

Quote (Ed J @ Mar. 12 2011,18:53)Quote (mikeboll64 @ Mar. 13 2011,12:23)Yes Ed,You must put your own personal beliefs and preferrences aside and just be HONEST.  peace and love to you my friend,mikeHi Mike,You mean I'm only honest if I agree with your view of God?God blessEd J (Joshua 22:34)http://www.holycitybiblecode.orgNO Ed,I mean the HONEST…[Read more]

Quote (Kangaroo Jack Jr. @ Mar. 12 2011,16:08)Keith,I am the only person here who gets tiled for making accusations. And Mike is the only person here who tiles me. I think it's because my accusations hit a nerve because they have substance and are well thought out.JackJack,Post my last pm to you. Show everyone what you've accused me of, and how…[Read more]

Quote (Kangaroo Jack Jr. @ Mar. 12 2011,15:59)Mike said:Quote I apologize for the dishonesty claim.  I'm pretty sure I'm aware of your intent, but I can't claim to KNOW that for sure, and so I shouldn't have implied dishonesty or lying.Mike,Apology accepted but where is your tile?If you would have apologized one of the 6 times you did it and I…[Read more]

Quote (Ed J @ Mar. 12 2011,14:53)Hi Mike,A simple “yes” or “no” WILL NOT DO!I answered this twice so far, but here's goes a third.Many modern translators translate the bible to fit their personal biases.So based on translators bias, like the JW's, you have the indefinite article “a” in the N.W.T..Yes Ed,A simple yes or no WILL DO.  These are the…[Read more]