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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | More thoughts and questions on the boy | John 6:9 | Hank | 98171 | ||
Dave - There are none of the accounts of Jesus' miracles or parables into which one could not insert imaginative 'what if' questions. Concerning the boy who had the fish and bread, one could ask, "What if the fish had been toxic and the bread molded? What if the boy had refused to hand over his wares, or had asked an outrageous price for them? What if he had stolen the fish and bread from his sick grand-mother? ..... We ask ourselves who is the focus on in this passage? On the boy, the crowds, or on Jesus? And what is the central point of the discourse? The generosity of the boy, the hunger of the crowd, or the compassion of Jesus? ...... Would it add anything of real value to the narrative if we knew the background of the boy, where he got his fish, what species they were, and whether they were cooked or raw; and of the bread, who baked it, when they baked it, and how the boy happened to come into possession of it? .... The point I am trying to make, however poorly, is that the Bible may not always give us all the details. There are things we'd perhaps like to be able to read more about for our own enjoyment and to satisfy our own bump of curiosity. But it may be better that it doesn't. Too much detail has a way of obscuring the main points sometimes. And it's the main points of Scripture that are so vitally important to us. --Hank | ||||||
2 | Thanks | John 6:9 | Dave Wegley | 98182 | ||
So, I take it that you feel it is a waste of time to study the history, people, culture and events that surround the events in the gospel story? There is no meaning to be gained by understanding the traditions and lifestyles of the day. Understanding the background and setting of the story adds no meaning to the story. Additional information simply distracts from the main theme of the gospel. I agree it really doesn’t matter what the boy had originally planned for the fish and bread. Eat or sell, it does not matter. I also agree that the boy is not the central character in the story. You are right – asking “what if” can go on forever and lead nowhere. “What if” I had not stumbled into the “StudyBibleForum” website today before finding Adam Clarke’s commentary on the topic? | ||||||
3 | Thanks | John 6:9 | John Reformed | 98184 | ||
Hi Dave, I think the danger lies in reading into the text a set of circumstances that cannot be proven (by the text itself or from other related verses). Many a false doctrine has found itself into the world through faulty and immaginitive speculating. As far as your "stumbling" on to the forum... I don't believe in chance happenings. :-) Welcome! John Reformed |
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