Bible Study Thread: Luke

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Carolla said:
This piece of it is interesting to me. It was not the host's first inclination to invite this group of people - they were the second choice when others on the guest list failed to accept the invitation & angered the host. It is important to have his table full (why?) - so he casts his net wider, wanting to fill the seats. We don't really know his motivation for doing so - could be so many reasons. I draw some comparison to the approach some churches have to filling their pews (and their coffers) today - the affluent are often first on the list, and perhaps only when they decline do we open our invitation more broadly.
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The problem in both cases is that the poor, etc. rarely have something to offer back. Too often, these sorts of invitations are self-serving. For instance, the host may have been using the dinner to puff up his social status and do some networking so he didn't see any value in people who weren't socially important or well-connected. In the case of a church, of course, it's more about money and trying to bring in "big givers".
 
I know you are not quite there yet, but I would like to suggest for anyone following along to watch the following video prior to reading Luke 15. Instead of trying to figure it out for today, how about what Jesus was saying in that day.

I believe there is one truth. All interpretations of scripture are not equal.

When you order something and have it delivered, you give your address. That address is specific to you alone, it is the one truth of where to find you, and you alone.

We do not allow postal workers to interpret addresses however they want. There is one correct interpretation of an address.
 
[U]Pontifex Geronimo 13[/U] ----your quote --- I believe there is one truth. All interpretations of scripture are not equal.


Image result for amen to that
 
Pontifex Geronimo 13 said:
I know you are not quite there yet, but I would like to suggest for anyone following along to watch the following video prior to reading Luke 15. Instead of trying to figure it out for today, how about what Jesus was saying in that day.

I believe there is one truth. All interpretations of scripture are not equal.

When you order something and have it delivered, you give your address. That address is specific to you alone, it is the one truth of where to find you, and you alone.

We do not allow postal workers to interpret addresses however they want. There is one correct interpretation of an address.
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and many people, including Christians, do not realize that being the Truth is a claim to Divinity as well
 
Summary: Luke 14: 25 - 35

Large crowds are now traveling with Jesus. He turns to them and speaks of discipleship.

Whoever does not hate his entire family and even life itself cannot be His disciple.

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow Jesus cannot be His disciple.

Who would not determine the cost of a tower before building it? What king would not wage war without planning a strategy?

If the king figures out he cannot win the war, he will send a delegation and ask for the terms of peace.

No one can become a disciple of Jesus without giving up all of their possessions.

Salt is good but if it loses its taste, it cannot be restored. It will be fit for neither the soil nor the manure pile.
 
Reflection: Luke 14: 25 - 35

Someone here remarked recently that Jesus used a lot of hyperbole. Would that explain this passage? Has Jesus grown frustrated with the crowds who are following Him?

What can we make of His call to hate our families, carry the cross and give up all our possessions?

The words about planning ahead seem sensible enough. But it is disappointing to see Jesus advocating peace talks only after it is determined the king cannot win the war.

And what about the salt that has to be discarded? Could the salt represent the unworthy ones in the crowd?

This text appears in the midst of many parables about the kingdom of God.
 
paradox3 said:
Salt is good but if it loses its taste, it cannot be restored. It will be fit for neither the soil nor the manure pile.
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This is a wyrd statement.

Salt is NaCl. Does not get unsalty. And never good for either the soil or the compost.
 
paradox3 ----Question for you and others ----what does the word hate mean to you all in the scripture today -?----

verse 26 of todays scripture -----26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
 
BetteTheRed said:
This is a wyrd statement.

Salt is NaCl. Does not get unsalty. And never good for either the soil or the compost.
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Jesus wasn't much of a chemist, I guess. :)

On one of the other bible study threads we talked about the properties of salt. It preserves & flavors food and it can be used as an antiseptic. It was highly valuable in biblical times and it is hard to imagine anyone throwing it away.

I suspect salt is being used symbolically here, but I too, find this text "wyrd".
 
The passage certainly seems to fly in the face of the so called 'prosperity gospel' delivered by Creflo Dollar and Joel Osteen and others. They seem to focus on what you get. Here Luke has Jesus talking about what you give up. Jesus seems to be asking where one's ultimate loyalties are. Would family matters stop you from following? What would it cost you to follow, besides everything? To paraphrase Bonhoeffer, grace may be free, but it isn't cheap.
 
unsafe said:
paradox3 ----Question for you and others ----what does the word hate mean to you all in the scripture today -?----

verse 26 of todays scripture -----26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
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The NRSV has Jesus saying the person must hate life itself (not his own life). A subtle difference, I think.

I take "hate" to mean what it commonly means. Why do I suspect you have another definition? :unsure:
 
paradox3 ---your quote -----I take "hate" to mean what it commonly means

unsafe says ----and what is that --that you take hate to mean commonly -------trying to show you something here so bear with me ---------
 
Pontifex Geronimo 13 said:
I know you are not quite there yet, but I would like to suggest for anyone following along to watch the following video prior to reading Luke 15. Instead of trying to figure it out for today, how about what Jesus was saying in that day.

I believe there is one truth. All interpretations of scripture are not equal.

When you order something and have it delivered, you give your address. That address is specific to you alone, it is the one truth of where to find you, and you alone.

We do not allow postal workers to interpret addresses however they want. There is one correct interpretation of an address.
Click to expand...
Does the shepherd own the sheep or is he tending the sheep for the sheeps owner?
 
unsafe said:
paradox3 ---your quote -----I take "hate" to mean what it commonly means

unsafe says ----and what is that --that you take hate to mean commonly -------trying to show you something here so bear with me ---------
Click to expand...
Yes, I know you are trying to show me something. Are you hoping to demonstrate that the scriptural meaning of "hate" is not what we expect? Sorry, I am not playing this little game.

Go ahead and give us your interpretation of the text if you like.
 
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