Thank you Brolga for that breakdown and analysis of love. How does phileo apply then according to your understanding of the Greek in that age? Can you clarify the 'affection, personal sentiment' where it appears in the NT and when we are told to phileo the LORD. Also where it says the LORD has phileo for us.

Jojo, the assemblies do vary in strictness. PP is still the man who people love to fear. There are some very miserable assemblies and also some which still have the joy. The Czech assembly is full of joy and also the Hugarian one (from what I could see). The Irish are quite a cool gang, but then I would say that being from Yorkshire ;) I am told that the east coast of Australia is quite 'penetcostal' with the introduction of new songs (crikey!) PP has a lot of control and they continually 'skype' and every meeting is ultra rigid.

I never knew of any problems with PW, I always found him to be very approachable and he also discussed things with me which weren't part of TRF, but out of respect to him, I'll not say what topics they were. PM was always friendly.

In each assembly, you would have a good number of robots and cardboard suits who were part of the furniture. Plenty who you could see did not read their Bible, but accepted the interpretation of PP who disgracefully accepted the 'Big Bang with God, is fine' stance just to compromise with secular religion.

I don't think it will be long before the euro division cuts off from Australia. PP is too caught up in his own legalism. They dangerously teach 'God gave the pastors their office and in the council of many, there is Wisdom'.

DW when I met him was much different to the audio recording i heard on the net. maybe he simmered down? don't know, but it's difficult to judge people 'at camp'. I went to a meeting in holland after the German camp *eeek* Some individuals did seem to have a double personality. One in front of the other europeans, and then one ultra-repressive 'home' one.

'Shine Jesus Shine' is now an outlawed song along with quite a few others. Many strange formalities and laws occured. AT camp, if you didnt wear a tie when giving out the communion, then 'you weren't showing respect to God' INCREDIBLE!
 
I had to leave after particular interpretations and doctrines were promoted.

I must say prior to looking at this site, I never knew of the controversy surrounding the Godhead and Jesus. When I first went there I spoke about it often due to my 'run-ins' with JWs and no-one stood up and commented on what I said. (ie standard Christian belief in the Godhead.)

I was brought up as a JW, so the cult's control methods stood out quite easily since 'I had been there before'.

Now in God's grace and mercy, I continue on as a Christian and will rejoice in the LORD.

Wish I was available to attend. Would be good to watch some overdue squirming.

Chippy

Fww I withdraw my statement that you where full of “ego”. This is how I used to be until I, after gaining correct knowledge, discovered that I knew very little about what the real meaning of things in scripture was all about.

A little knowledge of the structure of the Greek language is necessary in understanding how the bible is presented; basically, it is knowing that a same word can change it’s meaning according to how the grammatical context of the sentence or verse is written. Reading a whole chapter in it’s context can bring a whole different concept on what we think we may see by just using proof texting of scripture, as the content of what we are seeking changes from verse to verse etc. (Ian has an essay on ‘Greek Grammar in Overview’, in ‘Please Consider’, well worth the read)

Eerdman defines love as; An inner quality expressed outwardly as a commitment to seek the well- being of the other through concrete acts of service. Love is a central biblical concept for defining the relationship between God and humans.

In the NT God’s love (Gk.agápē) for humans is enacted through Christ, and made effective through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

God’s love is evident through the work of Jesus, who does acts of mercy such as healing the sick and accepting the unacceptable by eating with tax collectors and sinners, and forgiving their sins. In the parables Jesus presents God as one who bestows his love, mercy, and forgiveness as acts of undeserved grace (e.g., Matt. 18:23-35; Luke 15:11-32). Those who receive God’s compassionate forgiveness are also expected to treat others with the same love.

In the parable of the good Samaritan Jesus defines the neighbour as one  who shows compassion beyond religious and ethnic boundaries (Luke 10:29-37). Love is doing good even to those who do not love you, even to your enemy (Luke 6:27-36)

What would happen if someone committed an offence toward you, e.g. stole your wife’s car and you found it trashed and smashed beyond repair and no insurance to cover it. I’m sure your first reaction would be to get hold of the offenders and wring their necks or something, but then you hear that “voice” whispering in your ear, don’t worry about it, you have been given more than that person/persons will ever receive from Me, your thoughts then change and you feel sorry for them because it is them that have a problem. That is example of the love of God working in you by the Holy Spirit.

In summary, God’s love is the unmerited acceptance of all people expressed in concrete acts of providence and salvation. Through faith in Christ the Christian is enabled to love with the love of God through the work of the Holy Spirit.

brolga