Quote:
Originally Posted by John
QUOTE from UntoHim in post #22:
[INDENT][COLOR="Navy"]I will not bother much with the meaning of “training,” since you have dropped it from your latest thesis. Suffice it to say that it does have negative connotations for some of us, especially for any of us who attended Witness Lee Living Stream Ministry trainings and were coerced into giving over control of our free wills to him. Please note that, at least in my opinion, the word is not used much in Bible translations (KJV, NASB, or NIV) and doesn’t appear to me to be used in the way in which you tried to apply it.
Next, when I read the word, “mentoring,” I automatically think of the business world where I work and someone older helping someone younger move upward in the pecking order. (I know that this is not the exact meaning of the word.) I’ve also heard the word applied to clubs in which someone older helps someone younger with life choices. One way to reduce these kinds of problems is to stick with words used in generally-accepted English translations, such as those noted above. (I don’t personally rely on the NIV, since it is more liberal than the NASB, for example, but used it for the purpose of this response to be as fair as I could.) A quick search for “mentor,” “mentored,” and “mentoring” in these versions did not turn up any hits.
In my opinion, it is much safer to use the language in versions like the ones mentioned to say something like, “Jesus taught the disciples.” We should be able to agree on this. We can also write that others taught, such as Paul and Peter; and, in addition, we can say that we all teach at one time or another. Also, by using “teach,” we can avoid the whole theological discussion that could ensue over whether or not Jesus mentored anyone. In other words, the connotations associated with a mentor may not be what we should associate with God.
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I would agree that using NT language is a safe way to navigate a murky issue. I have always felt the verb "to disciple" was the NT equivalent of "to train". Not that the two words are identical in meaning but that the use of the word "to disciple" though quite scriptural does have a very strange sound and so some feel compelled to find substitute words. Just as "trainee" has a more modern sound than the noun "disciple". Especially for a group that has been very openly accused of being a cult in numerous publications.
If you accept the definition of "to disciple" as being similar to "to train", then the 4 gospels are a record of the Lord's training of His trainees and then they conclude with the charge
Matt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: (American Standard 1901 version)