Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 06-14-2013, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outhouse

I agree, YES.

If anyone has seen pastor Scott going into Greek and details, She makes it seem like another context alltogether then what is read normally by the average layman.

Pastor Melissa Scott?

Carrying on the traditions of Gene Scott, noted TV entrepreneurial pastor?

Pastor Melissa Scott appears to be completely self taught, according to this somewhat NSFW interview. (Comments on the more risque portions of this will be removed.)

Quote:

Dr. Scott ordained her his administrative pastor, though she had no formal theological training. Two years later, they wed in Reno. He was 70; she was 32. A month later, he was diagnosed with cancer. "I'm the fruit of his lifelong ministry. He birthed me," Scott says, choking up.

Scott is a markedly different preacher from Dr. Scott, who was prone to off-color rants about everything from UFOs to his ex-wife ("the devil's sister," he called her). Her sermons are more pedagogical, often involving whiteboards crammed with Hebrew and Aramaic — Scott claims she's taught herself 20 languages. The academic approach resonates with her supporters. "I've just begun listening to Pastor Melissa Scott, and it feels like I'm finally being fed real food after starving for so long," one fan commented on a Christian newsgroup. "As for those who would criticize her for any transgressions in her past, who are you to judge her?"

outhouse · 06-14-2013, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Pastor Melissa Scott?

That her! I'm in lust!

You forgot ex porn star, and millionaire, and she speaks 26 different languages, not 20.

and single.

But you sort of missed my point I think.

Knowing Greek at any level, can place things in a better context then the average layman.

Personally I would run with Spin or Legion before her Greek interpretation.

Chili · 06-14-2013, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outhouse

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Pastor Melissa Scott?

That her! I'm in lust!

You forgot ex porn star, and millionaire, and she speaks 26 different languages, not 20.

and single.

But you sort of missed my point I think.

Knowing Greek at any level, can place things in a better context then the average layman.

Personally I would run with Spin or Legion before her Greek interpretation.

Oh she could very well be empowered, but she is a female, is she not, and they do not get crucified, do they?

Sorry to say this but I think it is funny.

DCHindley · 06-14-2013, 10:13 PM

I don't know if any of the old fogies here remember Dr Victor Paul Wierwille and The Way. Back somewhere around 1976 I attended a Twig house bible study out of curiosity (mainly because this nice looking girl with whom I shared a class at the local Community College had lured me into going).

The various folks there described to me with great enthusiasm some of the super literalist teachings of the leader of the organization, and how he knew all about the Bible in its original languages.

VPW had earned a Masters of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and claimed to have received a Doctorate in Theology from the non-accredited correspondence school Pikes Peak Bible College. He was an ordained minister in the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now the United Church of Christ) from 1941 until resigning as a minister in 1957 two years after incorporating his own organization, The Way Inc, in 1955.

Apparently he had a bit of an ego and tended to exaggerate. Several things he used to say he had done could never be independently verified. For instance, he once claimed to have hauled "3,000 volumes of theological books to the city dump" when he abandoned formal theology for the bible alone. Perhaps the dump in the city of Van Wert, where he lived at the time, will become NW Ohio's version of Oxyrhynchus Egypt about two thousand years from then. However, despite this kind of thing, he attracted thousands of fanatical followers.

Individual "Leaves" (members) tithed 10% of their income to the organization. Members were also expected to take a series of 6 or so special film or cassette courses which cost like $100-$200 each to attend. At this point a little warning flag popped up.

One kid there at the meeting kept repeating how the course "just blew me away!" I think I met him once or twice again as the head groundskeeper in charge of their missile solos, I mean dormitories for missionaries in training, at their super secret international headquarters in New Knoxville OH in the late 1990s (I was there for business, I swear).

VPM was especially keen on "Estrangelo" Aramaic (a branch of Syriac) as the original tongue of the first Christians (George Lamsa finished his translation of the Syriac bible at VPM's home before going on to become Stephan Huller's sensei). VPM, then, was able to read Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. He also spoke in tongues, so perhaps he could claim he was conversant in many unknown languages as well (he did not make such a claim, AFAIK).

The girl proved to be a little too strange for me (Wednesday Adams with tight clothes), so I moved on, although when I met new president Rosalie F. Rivenbark in 2000 or 2001 (again, on business) I did notice that she also bore a resemblance to Wednesday Adams, except in a woman's "Power Suit." For a brief moment the impossible thought came to me ... Could she be that girl? Naaaaw!

This is related in all seriousness :melodramatic: to show that anyone can put on airs and attract followers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

Quote:

Originally Posted by outhouse

... If anyone has seen pastor Scott going into Greek and details, She makes it seem like another context alltogether then what is read normally by the average layman.

... Pastor Melissa Scott appears to be completely self taught ...

Quote:

... Scott is a markedly different preacher from Dr. Scott ... Her sermons are more pedagogical, often involving whiteboards crammed with Hebrew and Aramaic — Scott claims she's taught herself 20 languages. The academic approach resonates with her supporters. "I've just begun listening to Pastor Melissa Scott, and it feels like I'm finally being fed real food after starving for so long," one fan commented on a Christian newsgroup. "As for those who would criticize her for any transgressions in her past, who are you to judge her?"

outhouse · 06-14-2013, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DCHindley

I don't know if any of the old fogies here remember Dr Victor Paul Wierwille and The Way. Back somewhere around 1976 I attended a Twig house bible study out of curiosity (mainly because this nice looking girl with whom I shared a class at the local Community College had lured me into going).

The various folks there described to me with great enthusiasm some of the super literalist teachings of the leader of the organization, and how he knew all about the Bible in its original languages.

VPW had earned a Masters of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and claimed to have received a Doctorate in Theology from the non-accredited correspondence school Pikes Peak Bible College. He was an ordained minister in the Evangelical and Reformed Church (now the United Church of Christ) from 1941 until resigning as a minister in 1957 two years after incorporating his own organization, The Way Inc, in 1955.

Apparently he had a bit of an ego and tended to exaggerate. Several things he used to say he had done could never be independently verified. For instance, he once claimed to have hauled "3,000 volumes of theological books to the city dump" when he abandoned formal theology for the bible alone. Perhaps the dump in the city of Van Wert, where he lived at the time, will become NW Ohio's version of Oxyrhynchus Egypt about two thousand years from then. However, despite this kind of thing, he attracted thousands of fanatical followers.

Individual "Leaves" (members) tithed 10% of their income to the organization. Members were also expected to take a series of 6 or so special film or cassette courses which cost like $100-$200 each to attend. At this point a little warning flag popped up.

One kid there at the meeting kept repeating how the course "just blew me away!" I think I met him once or twice again as the head groundskeeper in charge of their missile solos, I mean dormitories for missionaries in training, at their super secret international headquarters in New Knoxville OH in the late 1990s (I was there for business, I swear).

VPM was especially keen on "Estrangelo" Aramaic (a branch of Syriac) as the original tongue of the first Christians (George Lamsa finished his translation of the Syriac bible at VPM's home before going on to become Stephan Huller's sensei). VPM, then, was able to read Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. He also spoke in tongues, so perhaps he could claim he was conversant in many unknown languages as well (he did not make such a claim, AFAIK).

The girl proved to be a little too strange for me (Wednesday Adams with tight clothes), so I moved on, although when I met new president Rosalie F. Rivenbark in 2000 or 2001 (again, on business) I did notice that she also bore a resemblance to Wednesday Adams, except in a woman's "Power Suit." For a brief moment the impossible thought came to me ... Could she be that girl? Naaaaw!

This is related in all seriousness :melodramatic: to show that anyone can put on airs and attract followers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

... Pastor Melissa Scott appears to be completely self taught ...

Agreed.

You read her bio and its obvious her motives are cash, but compared to most apologetic teachings, she is fun to watch. Ive seen about 15 minutes total time of her shows on a few different occasions. It was about all I could take. She does know Greek and is a expert at reeling the cash in from simpletons.

makes me think im in the wrong business

jgreen44 · 06-15-2013, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto

James McGrath says yes.

Yes you do.

Perhaps McGrath says we need a PhD to understand the Bible because McGrath has a PhD?

jgreen44 · 06-15-2013, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outhouse

Personally I would run with Spin or Legion before her Greek interpretation.

Wait a minute Melissa Scott was an expert in Greek before she even met her mentor.

Sorry. Couldn't resist.

Jaybees · 06-15-2013, 08:05 AM

OP: Do you need a Ph.D. to understand the Bible?

All that's necessary is a vivid imagination.

Chili · 06-15-2013, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaybees

OP: Do you need a Ph.D. to understand the Bible?

All that's necessary is a vivid imagination.

<edit>

Minimalist · 06-16-2013, 11:49 AM

http://www.helium.com/items/2085834-...ged-the-church

Quote:

Luther, however, firmly believed that people should be able to read and interpret the Bible for themselves.

Odd that these so-called xtian preachers disagree with their founder, huh? Then again, Ph. D.s always seem to think they are "god's gift."

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06-15-2013, 08:05 AM	#18
Jaybees Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Hawaii Posts: 9,233	OP: Do you need a Ph.D. to understand the Bible? All that's necessary is a vivid imagination.

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