Kevin Rector
27th February 2007, 03:56 PM (15:56)
I've started this thread from the "Politically Correct" thread because it was getting way off topic.
Jesus is the gate - no one gets the Father except by Him.
When I read this I didn't like it.
But that doesn't make it a lie.
Randy
Analogies are not true or false in any sort of black and white way. So you are correct in saying it is not a "lie". But even with the measure of truthfulness it contains it may still be a very bad analogy for the reasons I mentioned in the other thread, none of which you addressed.
Images and analogies are very powerful. They are literally the only means we have of conceptualizing God. This is why narrative theology and narrative preaching has become so popular and important is that it recognizes the way that people think and process information.
Because of this it becomes incredibly important that we analyze the images and analogies that we use to refer to God to ensure that they conjure up in hearers minds as good representation of the God that we are trying to describe.
We can use any analogy to describe Jesus. For instance, the image of Jesus as shepherd is not a very good one for a 21st century American. I've never met a shepherd let alone have a very good idea what they are like, so had I not been raised in the church I'm sure it would have little meaning to me. Perhaps a better analogy to express similar ideas for today is that of Jesus as nurse.
So the image of gate might not necessarily be bad if it is qualified (I just think it is really open to abuse by Christians). Also to be fair there is the distinct possibility that I was reacting less against the analogy and more against your soteriology and Christology which I think it probably pretty dramatically different from mine.
For fun I've done a remix of Psalm 23 with a modern analogy:
The Lord is my nurse, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie in a comfortable bed,
He helps me to eat my meals.
He restores my soul
He brings me to places of healing
for his names sake.
Even though I face the dark pallor of death;
I shall fear no evil,
for you are with me,
your stethoscope and your smile,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me
in the presence of my affliction,
you anoint my head with oil;
I am truly blessed.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
Jesus is the gate - no one gets the Father except by Him.
When I read this I didn't like it.
But that doesn't make it a lie.
Randy
Analogies are not true or false in any sort of black and white way. So you are correct in saying it is not a "lie". But even with the measure of truthfulness it contains it may still be a very bad analogy for the reasons I mentioned in the other thread, none of which you addressed.
Images and analogies are very powerful. They are literally the only means we have of conceptualizing God. This is why narrative theology and narrative preaching has become so popular and important is that it recognizes the way that people think and process information.
Because of this it becomes incredibly important that we analyze the images and analogies that we use to refer to God to ensure that they conjure up in hearers minds as good representation of the God that we are trying to describe.
We can use any analogy to describe Jesus. For instance, the image of Jesus as shepherd is not a very good one for a 21st century American. I've never met a shepherd let alone have a very good idea what they are like, so had I not been raised in the church I'm sure it would have little meaning to me. Perhaps a better analogy to express similar ideas for today is that of Jesus as nurse.
So the image of gate might not necessarily be bad if it is qualified (I just think it is really open to abuse by Christians). Also to be fair there is the distinct possibility that I was reacting less against the analogy and more against your soteriology and Christology which I think it probably pretty dramatically different from mine.
For fun I've done a remix of Psalm 23 with a modern analogy:
The Lord is my nurse, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie in a comfortable bed,
He helps me to eat my meals.
He restores my soul
He brings me to places of healing
for his names sake.
Even though I face the dark pallor of death;
I shall fear no evil,
for you are with me,
your stethoscope and your smile,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me
in the presence of my affliction,
you anoint my head with oil;
I am truly blessed.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.