Radorth

Two swords actually, apparently used for making salads. (Luke 22:38)

Rad

Toto

Did you get as far as reading the links to Walter Wink's work? I have not tracked down everything he says, but Wink is a legitimate scholar with linguistic and historic training, and while his own political stance undoubtedly colors his interpretation, he is not repeating urban legends. What kind of proof were you looking for?


luvluv - this is a game. Sure, they are metaphors. But once you admit that some of the Bible contains metaphors, when do you stop? Maybe the whole thing is a metaphor. Maybe Jesus never existed, but the gospel stories were made up by metaphorically minded people to dramatize their moral lessons.

and Rad (oh forget it, anything I could say would not help the dignity of this thread, which was actually quite a good one until you tried to hijack it with your personal vendettas.)

Radorth

Oh my. How about stopping when Jesus says "It is enough" to carry two swords? Obviously that was a metaphor, which Jesus tells us, and which I've pointed out at least five times at II. And there are plenty of clues for those interested in making intelligent distinctions.

Just calling you on your own preaching Toto, a great favor I think, since you are a moderator. You apparently have me confused with Fenton Mulley, Daggah or now, Celsus.

Rad

Toto

Why stop there? Is the virgin birth a metaphor? How about the baptism by John? Were there 12 disciples or is that just a symbolic number? Is the crucifixion itself a metaphor? Was the Garden of Eden a metaphor?

This thread should not be hijacked by this side issue or by Rad's personal problems

==Toto (not a moderator in this forum and I will never confuse you with any other poster.)

Family Man

Yes, they are metaphors. But metaphors for what? One speaks of self-mutilation, another the rejection of family, the third war and violence. This is not suggestive of a kind, gentle personality. As for the blasting of the fig tree -- that's just plain looney.

Proclaiming them metaphors hardly turns them into harmless little anecdotes.

Radorth

If he was, Christians would be busy mutilating themselves. He is obviously speaking about the seriousness of sin and hell.

It is generally the family which rejects the Christian, but he is saying we should hate the world there, I believe.


With 2 swords? Apparently the apostles obeyed all his recommendations except that one. Or perhaps they could grasp metaphors. That one is easy, when you read the context, and I think complaints about it show how pedantic some people get here.

Maybe you have Jesus mixed up with Muhammed.

Rad

Gurdur

St. Origen

beyelzu

toto,

no i did not get as far as your post. sorry. but the specific examples given in the op, did you see proof of those? i havent gone to the link yet.

Toto

Then go to the links.

Family Man

No, they wouldn't be mutilating themselves if they were metaphors. He was making his point of the seriousness of sin and hell through the metaphor of self-mutilation. That's what metaphors do.

Are you kidding? Try telling your Christian family that you don't believe anymore, then come bace here and repeat this absurdity again. Again, it's a metaphor.

Now you treat the passage literally after talking about metaphors, and then complain that others are pedantic? What do you think the swords are metaphors for?

Nope. I think you're so mixed up you don't seem to realize what metaphors do.

And frankly threatening people with hell, hating the world, and suggesting violence are not admirable teachings, so I'm not sure how you've helped your cause here.