JW's Preach A Different Gospel

[katiemygirl]

Perhaps I am going off-topic, but know that I was merely responding to you.

Anyways, for the sake of this thread, indeed let us no longer debate with one-another.

Perhaps??? lol

Your comments about this thread topic would be most welcome, but a debate about whether the Bible is the word of God, or whether God exists are topics for another thread. Thank you for understanding.

 

[katiemygirl]

View attachment 10101
I can and will post more. But this is just one of them, and an easy one to show.
The New World Translation renders Luke 23:43, "And he said to him: 'Truly I tell you today, you will be with me in Paradise.'" This is contrast to most, if not all other translations which render the verse: "Truly I say, Today you will be with me in Paradise."
It is helpful to observe how the phrase "Truly I say to you" is used elsewhere in Scripture. This phrase, which translates the Greek words "amen soy lego" occurs 74 times in the Gospels and is always used as an introductory expression. It is somewhat similar to the Old Testament phrase "Thus says The Lord." Jesus used this phrase to introduce a truth that was very important.
In 73 out of 74 times the phrase occurred in the Gospels, the New World Translation places a break (such as a comma) immediately after the phrase, "Truly, I tell you." Luke 23:43 is the only occurrence of this phrase in which the New World Translation does not place a break after it. Why? Because if a break, such as a comma, was placed after "Truly I say to you" the word "today" would then belong to the second half of the sentence, indicating that "today" the thief would be with Jesus in Paradise. But this would go against Watchtower theology. Hence they relocated the comma.
Any Jehovahs Witness can see for themselves by looking at all the "Truly I say to you" phrases Jesus said and that in only one place does the NWT not put it directly after the phrase. One must wonder why?
"Truly I say to you today" does not even make good sense: it would have been needless to say, "Today, I am telling this to you." Of course He was! What other day would He have been speaking to the thief on? Jesus never added the word 'today' when speaking to anyone. Would Jesus ever say anything so redundant?
This thief believed that Jesus would eventually come into His Kingdom at the end of the world. He therefor asked to be remembered by Jesus at that time. Jesus' reply however, promised him more than he had asked for: "Today (not just at the end of the world) you will be with me in Paradise."
It is clear that Luke 23:43 argues strongly against the Watchtower position that there is no immaterial nature that consciously survives death. As true with other Bible verses, a thorough look at the text unmasks the Watchtower deception.

Thank you for that information. I did not know that only 1/74 times does the NWT place a comma after the word "today" as opposed to, "Truly I tell you," every other time.

I would like JW's to respond to this inconsistency.

 

[katiemygirl]

[GALLERY=media, 5390]Letter by djhwoodwerks posted Jun 10, 2015 at 8:16 PM[/GALLERY]

Hey dj, your link will not open. Everytime I try to open it, I get an error message.

 

[katiemygirl]

I have many objections to the JW regime, however I think this verse in Galatians is written against circumcision. JW's do not preach circumcision. Then because they don't preach circumcision its not directly applicable, and you are just saying your understanding of the gospel is better than theirs. Really I think the main objections are that 1. JW's do not recognize other Christians and churches. 2. They appear to control membership in a top-down kind of way. 3. They have predictions that they say are from God but which have not come to pass. 4. Despite these things they persist in trying to get other Christians to leave other churches and join theirs. Overall the main objection is that its like an extremely isolated branch that is very different from most other branches, but this 'Other gospel' is really talking about circumcision not about variances in beliefs. Its about not keeping the Torah and not requiring strict discipleship as Jews do. To some degree its applicable to any church that attempts to corral people through defining appropriate beliefs, times and seasons, particular methods of instruction, make particular people more spiritual than others (priests for example) and so forth. Unfortunately Galations is itself sometimes hard to relate to some of Paul's other writings such as Romans, because its hard to follow and there could be other reasons.

What makes you think Galatians 1:6 is against circumcision? I do not understand. Can you explain?

I do agree with your 1-4 list. I object to each of those things. But they are not my main objection.

My main objection is that they do not preach the same gospel as the apostles did.

The gospel of the JW's is this. Jesus' second coming occurred in 1914. He came to inspect and cleanse the Watchtower Society. The year 1914 marks the beginning of Christ's invisible reign. The battle of Armageddon is right around the corner. Salvation is found only through the Watchtower organization. All who refuse to embrace the doctrines of the Jehovah's Witness sect will be utterly annihilated. The Kingdom of God will be fully established on a restored Paradise Earth. Jesus, as Jehovah's authorized representative, will continue to reign invisibly from heaven over this restored Earthly Paradise throughout all eternity. He will reign through his Visible Organization, the worldwide organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. All who wish to serve God and his son Jesus Christ must submit to the authority of God's chosen earthly representatives, the leaders of the Jehovah's Witness sect, the Governing Body.

Is this the gospel the apostles preached?

 

[Brickjectivity]

What makes you think Galatians 1:6 is against circumcision? I do not understand. Can you explain?

Its very short, only about 5 pages; and it begins and ends with talking about circumcision and those who would insist that Christians be circumcised. Also circumcision was hotly contested by Paul in Galatians (though not in Romans). When Christians start out we are Jews who are opening our arms to everyone else. We start taking care of everyone's poor, everyone's orphans and extending the 'Household of faith' to everyone who will come to our communion fests. We offer a bright alternative to a bunch of distant, dysfunctional, increasingly incompetent systems of temples. Instead of leaving the weak to die, we embrace and strengthen them. The Christians start all sorts of helps programs for those in need and basically start trying to extend all the warmth that was previously for just Jews for each other. The question that naturally arises is "Do we require circumcision?" Galatians says 'No'.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Do you want to discuss or do you just want to rubbish without listening?

I'm not wanting to or trying to rubbish. I would like to discuss.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Hey dj, your link will not open. Everytime I try to open it, I get an error message.

Yeah, I don't know what happened to that one. Try post #108

 

[djhwoodwerks]

How could it be that there is only one Christian group called by Jehovahs name when it was so prominent a belief of the Apostles? I believe there is good reason for that.

Do you personally believe, that when anyone from the time of Adam to the time of Paul said God's name they actually said Jehovah? Have you ever researched the origin of the word Jehovah?

 

[Wharton]

Look at the Greek, not the English. It literally reads "in the beginning was the word (ho logos) and the word was with the god (ho theos) and the word was god (theos)." The second "theos" has no definite article, meaning that there is a differentiation between God and his son. Both are divine but only one is "the God".
There is no punctuation or capital letters in Greek either.

In the Interlinears I looked up online, "ton" (ho, the) before the first "theos" is left untranslated. This means that they leave out "ho theos" and just translate "theos". It is Trinitarians bias, pure and simple.

I couldn't get any of them to copy so I could paste them but your link shows the little dash where the "ton" is left out.

Differentiation as to POSITION only. Not substance. It's so easy to see. You've been blinded by that ever increasing "new light." Even Russell had Trinitarian articles in the Watchtower.

 

[Wharton]

Do you personally believe, that when anyone from the time of Adam to the time of Paul said God's name they actually said Jehovah? Have you ever researched the origin of the word Jehovah?

The Jews don't know God's name but they do??? Actually, I believe the Jews call them the "People of the Name" not Jehovah's Witnesses.

 

[Brickjectivity]

What makes you think Galatians 1:6 is against circumcision? I do not understand. Can you explain?

I do agree with your 1-4 list. I object to each of those things. But they are not my main objection.

My main objection is that they do not preach the same gospel as the apostles did.

The gospel of the JW's is this. Jesus' second coming occurred in 1914. He came to inspect and cleanse the Watchtower Society. The year 1914 marks the beginning of Christ's invisible reign. The battle of Armageddon is right around the corner. Salvation is found only through the Watchtower organization. All who refuse to embrace the doctrines of the Jehovah's Witness sect will be utterly annihilated. The Kingdom of God will be fully established on a restored Paradise Earth. Jesus, as Jehovah's authorized representative, will continue to reign invisibly from heaven over this restored Earthly Paradise throughout all eternity. He will reign through his Visible Organization, the worldwide organization of Jehovah's Witnesses. All who wish to serve God and his son Jesus Christ must submit to the authority of God's chosen earthly representatives, the leaders of the Jehovah's Witness sect, the Governing Body.

Is this the gospel the apostles preached?

Sorry about the late reply to this half of your post. (See previous post for reply to query about Galatians 1:6)

JW's are an ecumenical fellowship whose strength of unity appears to come through strict adherence to common doctrine. That is a very human, failed approach. If you ask me a liberal approach is much more Biblical, reasonable and honors God better. Its easier to turn a running horse than to start one that's not moving. The running horse is a group of people who love and are willing to put up with each other. That is something to work with, but people who discuss endlessly instead of just doing good works are like a horse that isn't moving. There's no point in worrying about what direction its pointed in.

I refer you to I Corinthians 3:18 "Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise."

and

I Corinthians 11:19 "No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk."

That is the picture of JW's and Evangelicals. The JW's started it, and the Evangelicals are going to finish it. Neither will break bread with the other.

 

[katiemygirl]

Its very short, only about 5 pages; and it begins and ends with talking about circumcision and those who would insist that Christians be circumcised. Also circumcision was hotly contested by Paul in Galatians (though not in Romans). When Christians start out we are Jews who are opening our arms to everyone else. We start taking care of everyone's poor, everyone's orphans and extending the 'Household of faith' to everyone who will come to our communion fests. We offer a bright alternative to a bunch of distant, dysfunctional, increasingly incompetent systems of temples. Instead of leaving the weak to die, we embrace and strengthen them. The Christians start all sorts of helps programs for those in need and basically start trying to extend all the warmth that was previously for just Jews for each other. The question that naturally arises is "Do we require circumcision?" Galatians says 'No'.

The overall context of Galatians is about circumcision and the Jewish christians who are trying to bind the law of Moses on the new Gentile christians.

However, chapter 1 is not about circumcision. It is about the gospel, which Paul received personally from Jesus.

Paul expresses his amazement that the Galatians are so soon turning to a different gospel being offered by those who wish to pervert the gospel of Christ (6-7). This is followed by a condemnation repeated for emphasis of anyone, even an apostle or angel, who would preach a different gospel than they had already received (8-9). Strong words, yes, but as a servant of Christ Paul is seeking to please God, not man (10). The gospel preached by Paul was being twisted by those who challenged his authority as an apostle. Therefore Paul proceeds to defend both the gospel and his apostleship by stressing that his gospel was by revelation, and not from man (11-12). As evidence, Paul relates his conduct prior to his conversion, and how by the grace of God he was called to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (13-14).

I am saying that JW's preach another gospel. I've shown that in post #1. Anyone who preaches another gospel is accursed.

Yes, the gospel the Jews were preaching (you must be circumcised and keep the law) was another gospel. JW's are also preaching another gospel. Their gospel is not about circumcision, nor should it be. I never suggested it was.

Their gospel teaches that Jesus has come already, in 1914, and he has chosen the WTO as the only organization by which one can be saved. If you don't buy into their doctrine, you will be annihalated at armageddon, which is right around the corner. If you are a good little JW, and you put your hours in each Saturday knocking on doors, spreading this false gospel, then you can live happily ever on paradise earth.

JW's preach another gospel!

 

[katiemygirl]

Sorry about the late reply to this half of your post. (See previous post for reply to query about Galatians 1:6)

JW's are an ecumenical fellowship whose strength of unity appears to come through strict adherence to common doctrine. That is a very human, failed approach. If you ask me a liberal approach is much more Biblical, reasonable and honors God better. Its easier to turn a running horse than to start one that's not moving. The running horse is a group of people who love and are willing to put up with each other. That is something to work with, but people who discuss endlessly instead of just doing good works are like a horse that isn't moving. There's no point in worrying about what direction its pointed in.

I refer you to I Corinthians 3:18 "Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise by the standards of this age, you should become “fools” so that you may become wise."

and

I Corinthians 11:19 "No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk."

That is the picture of JW's and Evangelicals. The JW's started it, and the Evangelicals are going to finish it. Neither will break bread with the other.

I am neither a JW or evangelical. Nor am I RC or protestant.

I would not break bread with JW's simply because they teach another Jesus. Their Jesus is Michael the archangel. JW's do not believe Jesus resurrected in the flesh. That is not my Jesus, or the Jesus we read about in the Scriptures. My Jesus was seen by more than 500 witnesses. He was touched by many. He ate with His disciples. He told them He was not a spirit, but had flesh and bones.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Jesus vs the WTO

John 14:26 (ESVST) 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

*** w81 2/15 p. 19 Do We Need Help to Understand the Bible? ***
Rather, the record that the “faithful and discreet slave” organization has made for the past more than 100 years forces us to the conclusion that Peter expressed when Jesus asked if his apostles also wanted to leave him, namely, “Whom shall we go away to?” (John 6:66-69) No question about it. We all need help to understand the Bible, and we cannot find the Scriptural guidance we need outside the “faithful and discreet slave” organization.



John 14:6 (ESVST) 6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

*** w13 7/15 p. 20 par. 2 “Who Really Is the Faithful and Discreet Slave?” ***
That faithful slave is the channel through which Jesus is feeding his true followers in this time of the end. It is vital that we recognize the faithful slave. Our spiritual health and our relationship with God depend on this channel.—Matt. 4:4; John 17:3.



Luke 11:13 (ESVST) 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

*** w73 7/1 p. 402 par. 4 Praise Jehovah with His People ***
4 Consider, too, the fact that Jehovah’s organization alone, in all the earth, is directed by God’s holy spirit or active force.


Jam 4:6-7 (ESVST) ." 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

*** w08 1/15 p. 26 par. 8 Counted Worthy to Be Guided to Fountains of Waters of Life ***
Second, they willingly submit themselves to the direction provided by the Governing Body.—Heb. 13:17; read Zechariah 8:23.


1Ti 2:4-6 (ESVST) 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, "the man" Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all. (I just wanted to point out that this verse says, "the MAN" Christ Jesus! Not the Spirit person Christ Jesus)

*** ws chap. 1 p. 10 par. 16 The Desire for Peace and Security Worldwide ***
Jesus Christ, is not the Mediator between Jehovah God and all mankind. He is the Mediator between his heavenly Father, Jehovah God, and the nation of spiritual Israel, which is limited to only 144,000 members.


1Th 5:8-10 (ESVST) 9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

*** w81 11/15 p. 21 par. 18 ‘Stay Awake and Keep Your Senses’ ***
And while now the witness yet includes the invitation to come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation,


Act 4:11-12 (ESVST) 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

*** w93 9/15 p. 22 They Compassionately Shepherd the Little Sheep ***
But if we were to draw away from Jehovah’s organization, there would be no place else to go for salvation and true joy.


Jer 17:5 (ESVST) 5 Thus says the Lord: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man" and makes flesh his strength.

*** w09 2/15 p. 27 par. 12 They “Keep Following the Lamb” ***
The slave thus deserves our complete trust.

Just so everyone knows, these are all taken from the Bible and from the WT publications. They are the only sources used for this post.

 

[JFish123]

Marie's True Witness
Christian Testimony of an Ex-Jehovah's Witness

Marie was raised in a family of Jehovah's Witnesses. After years of following legalistic rules, she came to feel a sense of hopelessness as she tried to earn salvation. At age 32 Marie left this religion and abandoned God, until one day when a small group of Christians introduced her to the real Christ. Marie suddenly felt God running to her.
Marie's True Witness

I was raised in a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I was baptized at 14, and was considered the perfect example of what a Witness teen should be. I spent every Saturday and every day of my school vacations knocking on doors.

Yes, they do give their members cards to prove they are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I carried one. I truly believed what I preached. I believed all the rules, and all the requirements, even though they were strangling the very life out of me. Over time "following the rules" created in me an empty sense of hopeless worthlessness, a natural result of attempting to earn salvation.
Through a series of events my eyes were opened, and I left that religion at about the age of 32. I discovered that legalistic rules do not reflect the love of Christ. For six years I was bitter and blamed God for everything that was wrong in my life. I thought all religion was a lie.

Something I Wanted

Then the Lord began to set me up to be introduced to the real Christ. I was working at a travel agency. I met several people that came into the agency who seemed to have a certain "glow" about them, but I did not know what it was or what it meant.
I just saw these people as being different in a way that I wanted to be, but did not understand. Later I found out they all went to the same "small group," and they all knew each other. I guess that is why they all used the same travel agency.

Anyway, I knew they had something I wanted.

One of these people kept inviting me to his home to visit with his family while they had friends in to discuss God and share a meal. After a year I finally gave in and went. I began to see what being a Christian really means, and what the love of Christ truly is.

Another year passed before I finally dared to risk going to church. I believed I would encounter the wrath of God. You see, Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that a Good Witness should not set foot in a Christian church for any reason.

Instead, I was shocked to walk into the sanctuary and run smack dab into the Holy Spirit. I had a conscious realization of the presence of God in that place!

A Call to the Altar

Shortly after, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Then about 3 months later, I was attending a women’s seminar at the church, when the teacher stopped in the middle of the lesson and said, "I have to do an altar call. I don’t usually at this point in the study, but the Holy Spirit is telling me to do an altar call right now." Well, I had been praying for an altar call, and she did not have to invite me twice.

I knelt at the altar and silently began to pray for the Lord to touch me and to heal me of the emotional and spiritual injury I'd experienced growing up as a Jehovah's Witness. I wanted to be close to him. I had only gotten part of the first sentence out when the woman next to me grabbed both of my hands and began to pray for me--for healing. I knew that the Lord used this woman to touch me, just as he had touched lepers and healed them (Matthew 1:40-42). And just as the Lord had sent the angel to Daniel before his prayer was even finished, the Lord answered my prayer before I could even get it out (Daniel 9:20-23).

He Ran to Me

It seemed like God ran to me. He had been waiting since Calvary for me to surrender my fear to him, so that he could reveal who he really is to me.

We serve a risen King--One who is able to heal us, lead us, and love us (Matthew 28:5-6, John 10:3-5, Romans 8:35-39). Will we let him? I would like to challenge each person reading this to walk into the open arms of the Lord and Savior. He wants to heal you and lead you to a truly victorious life in him.

 

[djhwoodwerks]

Marie's True Witness
Christian Testimony of an Ex-Jehovah's Witness
View attachment 10112
Marie was raised in a family of Jehovah's Witnesses. After years of following legalistic rules, she came to feel a sense of hopelessness as she tried to earn salvation. At age 32 Marie left this religion and abandoned God, until one day when a small group of Christians introduced her to the real Christ. Marie suddenly felt God running to her.
Marie's True Witness

I was raised in a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
I was baptized at 14, and was considered the perfect example of what a Witness teen should be. I spent every Saturday and every day of my school vacations knocking on doors.

Yes, they do give their members cards to prove they are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and I carried one. I truly believed what I preached. I believed all the rules, and all the requirements, even though they were strangling the very life out of me. Over time "following the rules" created in me an empty sense of hopeless worthlessness, a natural result of attempting to earn salvation.
Through a series of events my eyes were opened, and I left that religion at about the age of 32. I discovered that legalistic rules do not reflect the love of Christ. For six years I was bitter and blamed God for everything that was wrong in my life. I thought all religion was a lie.

Something I Wanted

Then the Lord began to set me up to be introduced to the real Christ. I was working at a travel agency. I met several people that came into the agency who seemed to have a certain "glow" about them, but I did not know what it was or what it meant.
I just saw these people as being different in a way that I wanted to be, but did not understand. Later I found out they all went to the same "small group," and they all knew each other. I guess that is why they all used the same travel agency.

Anyway, I knew they had something I wanted.

One of these people kept inviting me to his home to visit with his family while they had friends in to discuss God and share a meal. After a year I finally gave in and went. I began to see what being a Christian really means, and what the love of Christ truly is.

Another year passed before I finally dared to risk going to church. I believed I would encounter the wrath of God. You see, Jehovah’s Witnesses teach that a Good Witness should not set foot in a Christian church for any reason.

Instead, I was shocked to walk into the sanctuary and run smack dab into the Holy Spirit. I had a conscious realization of the presence of God in that place!

A Call to the Altar

Shortly after, I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. Then about 3 months later, I was attending a women’s seminar at the church, when the teacher stopped in the middle of the lesson and said, "I have to do an altar call. I don’t usually at this point in the study, but the Holy Spirit is telling me to do an altar call right now." Well, I had been praying for an altar call, and she did not have to invite me twice.

I knelt at the altar and silently began to pray for the Lord to touch me and to heal me of the emotional and spiritual injury I'd experienced growing up as a Jehovah's Witness. I wanted to be close to him. I had only gotten part of the first sentence out when the woman next to me grabbed both of my hands and began to pray for me--for healing. I knew that the Lord used this woman to touch me, just as he had touched lepers and healed them (Matthew 1:40-42). And just as the Lord had sent the angel to Daniel before his prayer was even finished, the Lord answered my prayer before I could even get it out (Daniel 9:20-23).

He Ran to Me

It seemed like God ran to me. He had been waiting since Calvary for me to surrender my fear to him, so that he could reveal who he really is to me.

We serve a risen King--One who is able to heal us, lead us, and love us (Matthew 28:5-6, John 10:3-5, Romans 8:35-39). Will we let him? I would like to challenge each person reading this to walk into the open arms of the Lord and Savior. He wants to heal you and lead you to a truly victorious life in him.

You know they won't read this apostate stuff!

 

[JFish123]

You know they won't read this apostate stuff!

Who knows, maybe the Holy Spirit will convict them

 

[savagewind]

Who knows, maybe the Holy Spirit will convict them

Do you mean convince?

 

[Brickjectivity]

Their gospel teaches that Jesus has come already, in 1914, and he has chosen the WTO as the only organization by which one can be saved. If you don't buy into their doctrine, you will be annihalated at armageddon, which is right around the corner. If you are a good little JW, and you put your hours in each Saturday knocking on doors, spreading this false gospel, then you can live happily ever on paradise earth.

This is an example of where they don't break bread with anyone who disagrees. Its a power-play, but if the issue were only a disagreement -- that they thought Jesus had come already but were willing to deal with and work with other Christians then that issue would take care of itself. No Christian should object to breaking break over that, because that is merely one person's understanding. Nobody is better than anyone else compared to God and that includes cases of doctrinal confusion. There is a saying in the Psalms that Paul quotes "Let God be true and every man a liar" which is not suggesting that we lie but that we are all untrue compared to God. Jesus says he is the vine, and we are branches. Psalm 100:3 says "...it is he who made us, and we are his..." KJV renders it "...it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves..."

However, chapter 1 is not about circumcision. It is about the gospel, which Paul received personally from Jesus.

That is a central aspect of the gospel for Paul, an extension of the family of God to everyone. To him those 'Other gospels' made exceptions to that by trying to verify and limit that extension. Paul believed all were to be included regardless of circumcision, caste or education. Education was a seriously difficult thing to get in those days, reserved for the wealthy; but in Christ there is neither rich nor poor. This was hard to accept. The difference between a person reared as a Jew and trained in the scriptures from someone reared as a Roman who could not read or write was very great -- it was a huge difference in knowledge, behavior, etiquette, roots etc. 'Circumcision' is a word that encompasses all the various exceptions to allowing the gentiles into the family.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I am saying that JW's preach another gospel. I've shown that in post #1. Anyone who preaches another gospel is accursed.

I grok what you're saying, and I'm saying that the gospel begins at the preaching of John the Baptist who is the 'Voice in the Wilderness'. Basically the gospel is the gospel of peace. Instead of resisting evil people, love your enemies. Instead of requiring conversion, open the doors. Instead of squabbling, let those who are wise live meekly. Instead of showering others with words of wisdom, let anyone in need of wisdom ask God directly. etc etc.