When I visit my mother-in-law, she generally will give me the latest Watchtower or Awake! magazine that Jehovah's Witnesses study from and pass out. She knows I'm interested in learning about other religions and tries to give me ones that are relevant to what I want to learn about. The latest one regarded the Bible and how it is translated and who it was written by (Authored by God of course, but written by others).
As I read through the latest magazine several questions were raised (by me). But the most interesting and thought provoking ones were these that I asked my husband:
Jewish people believe in the Old Testament only (this is how *I* was raised). Christians in the Old and New Testament. Do you think there is a chance that a THIRD testament will ever be written? And if so, could it be in the process of being written now?
It took several centuries to write the first two. So is it plausible that a third is being written now so that our future families will see it?
I am not a religious person, but I consider myself to be open minded. So ponder that. Let me know what you think! I truly am interested to hear your thoughts (whoever you may be!).
Smiles, lulu
Smiles, lulu
5 comments:
The Third Testament.
IMHO, no, nothing more can be written and accepted by the masses. People became too educated in the past 2,000 years and the media was created, which brings on cynicism.
We are just too scientific and realize that the Virgin Mary's face found on a grilled cheese sandwich can be sold online. I think religion is losing to the Internet!
Seeing as I am an Orthodox Jew, I don't consider the New Testament to be a valid replacement for what you refer to as the Old Testament.
I believe that there only has been one Testament so far.
In regards to your original question, what if another segment or revelation of the Bible could come about...it can not. Scripture itself (Gospel of St. John 17) Christ says Himself ALL scripture has been revealed...until the end of time[!]. All we need for salvation and leading to everlasting life has been given us in the Scripture we have before us. That another revelation may come to light? Its purely man's idea, not God's. I could go on regarding how Scripture was inspired and it is the true inerrant (infallible) Word of God. Judas' Gospel? Written nearly 400 years after Christ...man's words, not God's. If you've more questions, I'd be happy to write back. P.S. I'm currently completing my Master's in Theology. My view points aren't my own, they're those of the catholic church (that's the universal Christian Church, i.e. all Christians.)
Your question about a third book is an interesting one. In Revelation 20 Verse 12 speaks of scrolls being opened after Armageddon. It seems
reasonable that Jehovah would give instructions and directions for this totally new situation that worshipers would find themselves in, especially as the prospect is that humans would live ndefinitely. As for the present time, it appears that the holy writings are complete as indicated by Rev.22:18&19. We don't have all of the details that we as humans would like to have but we do have all the information that we need right now in order to live our lives acceptably, serve Jehovah and survive Armageddon. It's a fascinating subject.
I think many many more testaments have been written but never
accepted so widely as to establish a new religion; rather, the
'new' had come in the form of new readings of the jesus narratives, which led to Protestantism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnessism, etc. -- some of these have taken root while many others are lost to history. I think the THIRD testament -- speaking outside of religion, and in keeping with what is suggested in the above comment, is science. SCIENCE became the
belief system that supplanted religion altogether; or so it
seemed.
Now, as we look backward at modernism and deconstruct science a
bit, we can see that it, too, is a political narrative played
out through strategies that empower and enrich those with the
keys to the kingdom of knowledge just as religion empowered and
enriched popes and preachers since forever and for forevermore
it would seem.
At its base, religion wants to seek the truth; science does too.
the languages are radically different but the aims are the
same.
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