waysider

"I am currently reading undertow but I am not one to be convinced from one perspective." Here it is from another perspective: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/2251610 It's an easy read.

His whole "freedom from condemnation" doctrine was crafted to fit this premise. "Do what you like, as long as you like what you do."---VPW

Good advice. If I ever write a history of Jack The Ripper, I'll be sure to paint him as a real swell guy.

I don't recall a time when he DIDN'T push this idea, starting very early in PFAL. He rephrased it many different ways and used it as a way to say the 10 commandments didn't apply to the Grace Administration. (They're for spiritual sissies.)

So, you weren't taught about dispensationalism like the rest of us? How the epistle were exalted above the gospels because of the administration difference? You don't remember being shamed for seeking the milk of the word instead of the meat? Who wanted their spiritual prowess to be questioned for seeking something less spiritually enlightening? Yeah, sure. Nobody outright said "Don't read the gospels!" The discouragement was undeniable there and it was obvious to anyone who was paying attention..

Could that be because we were actively discouraged from doing so? Were you paying attention? Maybe you've just forgotten that part. It's alright. Lots of old grads have, too.

"If you ever have a question, write: The Teacher P.O. Box 347 ............."

I wish I had been paying better attention. This stuff is really complicated.

Only 2 choices? I never said or implied any such thing. Period.

Did I suggest the scriptures should be read willy nilly? I'm pretty sure I never said that.

Is the Advanced Class considered part of the collaterals?

Well, that's your opinion (private interpretation) and you're certainly entitled to it. That doesn't guarantee your opinion is correct, though.

Can confirm But, of course, it's secret knowledge that's only revealed to those who are spiritually mature enough to receive it. /s

I think, maybe, we invented the secret decoder ring, ourselves, by perhaps trying to read something into the scriptures that the original authors never intended to convey.

Here's my take, though I'm surely not insisting I'm correct. Flying Spaghetti Monster is disrespectful to God and, thus, people who have Him at the core of their belief system, as well. Ditto for Sky Daddy. Secret Decoder ring is different, in that it doesn't attack God or people, it attacks a concept. That concept is expressed in I Corinthians 2:14 . Reason is the vaccine that attacks the concept.

This is a wild guess, but I wouldn't be surprised to find that someone or some group with a vested financial interest in the fishing industry lobbied the Vatican at some point in time.

Yeah, it's a real cliff-hanger.

Do you still remember when PFAL promised to answer these questions? Pepperidge Farms remembers.

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was Penworks fault because of ...uhhhm...location.

It's a long book, T-Bone. Cut him some slack.

Well that sure didn't take long. All discussions lead back to Wierwille, The Magnificent. All hail the Mighty Wizard!

Beautifully articulated.

"You just stand, Baby! Stand and don't budge." Can you hear it in Wierwille's voice?

Righteous anger is another one of those nonsensical ideas that has no real valid meaning. It's simply a self deluded justification people used to excuse unacceptable, irrational reactions and behavior.

I can only speak for myself. I have stated many times that I regret having led people into that horrible mess and have apologized many times, as well. Beyond that, there is not much I can really do.