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| God must be a really big bird! |
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…well, that is what we must conclude if we take the words of Psalm 91 literally.
91:4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
The Bible literally says that God has wings, feathers and all! Truth is, this is simply a metaphor, a literary device. In order to make a point, the writer (inspired by the Holy Spirit) painted a picture of God using familiar imagery from the animal kingdom. In fact, the Bible is FULL of such literary devices. The Lord Jesus himself used them!
5:29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and through it away... 5:30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.
How many one-eyed Christians do we know? Or one-armed Christians? If none, is it because we’re disobeying the words of Jesus? No, it’s because the literary device he used has been correctly interpreted! The apostle Paul used them too in his great epistles. 4:7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
Anyone storing gold coins or valuable jewelry in jars made of clay? No, of course not!! WE are the jars of clay Paul is referring to! Again, can’t take the words literally, or we miss the author’s (Holy Spirit’s) point completely!
These are just three of countless examples in the Bible where the language used cannot be taken literally. In scripture we find imagery, metaphors, similies, parables, poetry…all used to help our finite minds understand eternal truths. I would suggest that the language of literalism often can’t do justice to the unseen and eternal. I just find it absolutely amazing that infinite God has used our miniscule human vocabularies to reveal himself to us in understandable ways, even if that understanding sometimes comes at the cost of years of search and study. Glorious, isn’t it?!
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| To add a comment to "God must be a really big bird!" |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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Oh, Brother Mike--I have built a whole high school elective course around this very premise! It is God who is the Author of the Ages--He is the Creator of literature, and the Creator of literary devices! They're all there in His word! How you have touched the heart of this English teacher by bringing this up and I could write on and on about it. Instead, I'll just say for anyone interested: How to Read the Bible as Literature . . . and get more out of it by Leland Ryken, Zondervan, 1984. ISBN 0-310-39021-4. |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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Problem is when ppl try to say things like hell are metephorical. I would heartily agree with you in what you are using as metaphors here, though. Some ppl try to say that up til Moses, those stories were all metaphors. Hmmm.... |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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What truly amazes me is that God has placed His treasure in my fractured little jar of clay. Once again Mike you point us to another wonderful truth in His word.
peace |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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God is a BIG MIGHTY AWSOME POWERFUL GOD Mr. Mike.
He covers me with his feathers and under his wings I find refuge....
WhoooHooo!!!!!!!!!! |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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Hahaha! What a great blog!! I love it! :D Yeah... about those metaphors... there are some crazy ones... like this...
"Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him." --John 6:56. Sounds a little like vampironism if you ask me! But of course, it's just a metaphor. *phew* :) |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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Bev...THANKS for that book recommendation! If I can find room in my reading list, I'll fit it in!! Lara, yep, some ppl go to the opposite extreme. Guess that's what the "years of search and study" can help us overcome, right? Actually, there's the problem. Laziness breeds both extremes! Glenn, that realization leaves me in awe as well. Maybe moreso, cuz I'm really not as smart as I look! :-) Amen Crystal -- a mighty God he is, even if he doesn't have any feathers! Sherlock, you're too smart! (and yes, thank goodness your example is just a literary device!) |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| Sharon, thanks for reading :-) |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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Mike I haven't laughed all day but the "One eye, One arm Christians" Nope haven't seen any. Yes I'm reading and this is day 51.....Psalm 91 said I'm covered in feathers, can see them but I sure do feel it and that's the Holy Spirit. Me a clay jar, I guess that's what happend at the "Potters House".
I love this........thanks |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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A great read Mike I also like to think about the not putting new wine in old skins
Lord keep renewing us day by day Amen |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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It certainly is glorious, Mike. God bless you & your family. |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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There definitly are some interesting metaphors in the bible. I enjoyed reading your thoughts on this one and great photo of you, by the way. Oh and Sherlock's comment made me giggle. |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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It is glorious brother Mike and there is so much to learn...
It really takes a lifetime my friend and we can learn many things about the Bible if we study it and search it...
Isn't it really an interesting book about life? PTL!
Blessings In Him... :o)
Herman |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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Another great post Mike. If not for grace..........I would be blind and armless. LOL
Blessings to you my friend. |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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That is one of my favorite scriptures...for it is God who commanded that out of darkness light shall shine...some translations say "earthen vessels"... instead of "jars of clay" and vessels we are. |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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| Yes, it is glorious that God would stoop to communicate .... COMMUNICATE .... w/me! (with any of us!) Let's not be lazy! Let's take the time to really try to understand what his words were meant to say to us! :-D |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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Tim, thanks bro! And I'm glad you aren't blind/armless! lol Patrick...we're so fragile! (but no, we aren't made of clay...or earth lol) That is a great verse, highlights for me the wide gulf between his greatness and my fragility. Thank you Herman, and blessings to you too! Having read your blogs, I can see an awe and respect for God's words. Prayer Warrior...you bet! Makes the bible even more interesting to read, don't you think?? |
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| September 30, 2009 |
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I admire your writings, food for thought as Herman puts it. Thank you for always sharing in obedience. |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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| aw thx Jewlz...you are appropriately named......a true Jewel sister! |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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What if I just starred the blog? |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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Who we kidding? I would disappoint the masses, lol.
That is the very reason the Holy Spirit MUST lead us in the interpretation because of the deeper truths, literal descriptions, and metaphors. How are we to know what to take literally? The bible is a collection of books written by poets, song writers, historians, and prophets. It is not man made, but God inspired, so we need God to help us (which He will) to decipher His word. Let those with ears, hear! With my mind being led by the Holy Spirit, God will show devine wisdom for me to use and share, much like you, Bro. Mike! Thank you. |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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I wonder how many denominations and doctrines were founded because of taking imagery, metaphors, similes, parables or poetry literally. |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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| By the way, I really miss Lucy and Richardo!!!!! |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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| Important comment, thanks Mule. Sometimes the prob is ppl think the Holy Spirit alone will lead them into all truth, when in reality, the Spirit uses other Spirit-led people (more mature believers, or better educated, or older in age, etc.) to shed light on things. Why would God give the gift of teaching if teachers weren't needed??? (Not that you're saying that, Mule. You just triggered the thought is all.) I have heard it said, "All I need is the Holy Spirit and a Bible to know all I need to know". I just have a tiny problem w/that approach. :-) |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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Good point Gary! (Regarding R&L, should we vote? All in favor of bringin em back say "aye", and those in favor of truth and openness, say "nay". LOL) |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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| aye!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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| Amen Mike. That is a gift to be able to teach, which is what I was alluding to on the last sentence. Thank you for some good Spirit-led teachin'. I think we can all learn for somebody. I can learn from just about anybody. |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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| Thanks bro. I too can learn from almost anyone. I learn from you too! |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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Mike, (you will recognize this as I posted it to another blog on the same subject, but posting here for others)
I have a deep faith in Christ. I use the Bible as a tool. I trust that Christ will help with interpretation, when needed, and therefor I trust the Bible.
Many men have, and will continue, to tell folks what the Bible says. What it said to me twenty years ago is not what it says today. And if He allows me another 20 years, I am guessing it will say something different then vs. today. My point is that I don't rely on anyones interpretation other than mine and His. He said, Follow Me; He said, No one will enter the gates except through me. He did NOT say, Follow the Bible, nor did He say, no one will enter the gates except through the Bible.
The Bible is an important tool...it is not 'the truth and the way to salvation' as so many Christians declare...and it's interpretation, when read with a foundation of having accepted Christ, is different for each of us.
His Blessings to All,
pa |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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Quick response to Gary R. A few years ago I was doing some white-water rafting in N. Ga/S. TN. At a local diner we overheard some folks talking about last weeks service and how Billy seemed afraid of the snake. Had to go over and ask. And yes, they handle deadly snakes in 'fulfillment of the scripture'.
pa |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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This is so funny! I'm still laughing at some of the images that you've conjured up if we took the literal interpretation of some of these scriptures. Thanks for the gigle, Mike! |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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Birdie, always happy to make someone smile :-)
Patrick, I always appreciate your well thought out comments. Excellent point, the Bible will speak differently to me too in 20 yrs. Though I assume you do agree that we need scripture (because God has given it to us, for a purpose and for our benefit) AND we need teachers (b/c God has specifically gifted certain ppl to be teachers, for a purpose and for our benefit). At the root of all that though is God. So at the most basic level, all we really need is God. |
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| October 01, 2009 |
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At times, when I pray... I ask God to blanket the person with His love, mercy, grace, comfort... so many things that our Master does for us. In a manner of speaking, that is exactly what He does for us.
Amen...
And Mike? Yup, God is the biggest One of all! |
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| October 02, 2009 |
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| Joey, I think that is literally true! |
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| October 02, 2009 |
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Amen, Glorious,!!
Good post, great point. And wonderful follow up comments.Thank you.
Just a note, I always think of my Bible as a toy
I had when I was little. Haven't seen one since my kids were little.
A kaleidoscope. The same book, same words, but sometimes as I have gone deeper, in reading or reading the same scripture at a different time.
God opens up my understanding and the meaning has changed! And it has continued to do this, through the enlightment of the Holy Spirit of couse,
God is awesome!! |
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| October 03, 2009 |
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| I love you, Mike. You are so dear to me. |
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| October 05, 2009 |
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| I would just like to say that anyone who refers to himself as the "talking mule" should automatically be granted a listening ear. I love the name! |
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| October 05, 2009 |
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| hahaha..!! Patrick, I agree!! |
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| October 06, 2009 |
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How timely to have received this email! pa
After a forest fire in Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage. One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick. When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise. She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast...because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live. 'He will cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you will find refuge.'
(Psalm 91:4)
Being loved this much should make a difference in your life. Remember the One who loves you, and then be different because of it.
My instructions were to send this to people that I wanted God to bless and I picked you. Please pass this on to people you want to be blessed.
Time waits for no one. Treasure every moment you have. You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone Special. To realize the value of a Friend...lose one. |
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| October 06, 2009 |
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| Thank you, Patrick #2! |
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| October 13, 2009 |
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I suppose one of the points of this blog was, the scriptures are not so simple that little kids and new believers can easily understand what they read. Commentaries, teachers and other learning resources, and even tradition can be valuable in understanding what we read in scripture. Does this contradict my latest blog, where I claim that our spiritual food is found in Christ (the bread of life) rather than our pastor or other teacher(s)? I don't believe so, b/c the issue raised in the latter blog concerns what criteria we use in justifying leaving our church body. I don't argue against all forms of teaching in that blog. I use commentaries and other teaching resources in my studies of scripture and quiet times too, though I'm very careful to include plenty of meditation on scripture alone, while listening for God's voice. I believe one of the strengths of my approach to scripture is humility. |
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| October 13, 2009 |
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| Yes it is, Mike. I read Jesus went to His place of solitude (Gethsemane) often which is why Judas knew where to find Him. If He needed meditation, what does that say about me? How much more should I meditate? In humbleness and awe, I seek Him. Divine intervention in my life has happened because of it. He answers faith prayers which, to me, is expecting a response. Really waiting for the expectant answer. Not knowing the answer but knowing the answer will come. He said so. So it does.....Amen? |
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| October 13, 2009 |
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| Amen mule. Love your comments bro! |
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| October 21, 2009 |
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Good Hermenutics brother. Study to show yourself approved unto God. |
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