The Gospel of Mark
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Could God have given the same message using a parable? Sure, I believe he could have - God can do anything.
Some day Jesus is going to judge millions of people. A large herd of pigs is nothing.
unsafe
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paradox3 ---your quote ----- The demons wished to enter the swine in this story so maybe they did not like being who they were.
unsafe says ----more likely they knew Jesus could sent them all to Hell and they would be out of the way of mankind so they ask to be sent into the pigs so they could still be present in this world to possess another soul ------You see spirits don't die so the pigs would die when they went over the cliff which would release the spirits back into this world ------
unsafe says ----more likely they knew Jesus could sent them all to Hell and they would be out of the way of mankind so they ask to be sent into the pigs so they could still be present in this world to possess another soul ------You see spirits don't die so the pigs would die when they went over the cliff which would release the spirits back into this world ------
paradox3
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If you are correct, unsafe, we are dealing with very sneaky demons here!paradox3 ---your quote ----- The demons wished to enter the swine in this story so maybe they did not like being who they were.
unsafe says ----more likely they knew Jesus could sent them all to Hell and they would be out of the way of mankind so they ask to be sent into the pigs so they could still be present in this world to possess another soul ------You see spirits don't die so the pigs would die when they went over the cliff which would release the spirits back into this world ------
Mendalla
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My answer: It does because if it is historically accurate, one starts questioning what really happened. Were there really demons? Did the pigs stampede for some natural reason that got explained as "demons"? Where the hell did that many pigs come from anyway? And so on. The facts become the focus.
If it is a parable, we can dispense with all that and cut right to what the story means. What was being taught here?
Not sure what you're getting at here paradox3. The account is that which it is.
paradox3
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This gets back to Marcus Borg . . . the idea that metaphorical understandings of scripture are richer than literal interpretations.
It just is. I believe that the Spirit of God has given me trust in these things being accurate accounts. I could turn the question around - why do you and others here doubt so much that they are accurate accounts?
Mendalla
Happy headbanging ape!!
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Reading the Bible Again for the First Time is on my shelf.
Even used some of it in UU sermon on scripture (the second time I gave it, hadn't read the book yet the first time).
paradox3
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The one which really spoke to me was Heart of Christianity.Reading the Bible Again for the First Time is on my shelf.
Even used some of it in UU sermon on scripture (the second time I gave it, hadn't read the book yet the first time).
That is, in my experience, a normative way in which she operates.
paradox3
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As I read through the gospels for this WC2 study, I am not especially focused on whether the stories are literally true or metaphor. I am approaching them with a willing suspension of disbelief, I would say. At times I am finding myself quite cynical about the narratives but at other times I am experiencing a deepened sense of faith.
This is a most interesting exercise. On a few occasions I have become very aware of my liberal bias in reading scripture. . . most often when the text does not seem to support some of my ideas. My view of Jesus is changing somewhat.
It is great to have a variety of perspectives here in our discussion.
This is a most interesting exercise. On a few occasions I have become very aware of my liberal bias in reading scripture. . . most often when the text does not seem to support some of my ideas. My view of Jesus is changing somewhat.
It is great to have a variety of perspectives here in our discussion.
Well, as I've shared - I believe God could have given the same message using parable. However, I trust that the accounts in the Bible are accurate - that when something is meant to be a parable it is identified as such. I will also echo what you've said - the Spirit of God guides me to use reason, perhaps.
Perhaps a real sense of God's power and love. I want to know the God I'm in relationship with, and to know God truly and more fully. That there are true accounts of how God has worked in the past gives assurance that God can still work in powerful, loving ways today.