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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214097 | ||
Hi bibleman... First of all, I'd like to point out that I didn't say it was allegory, but only that some interpret it that way. I actually would tend to lean more toward a literal interpretation, but I really don't know for sure, thats just my humble opinion. As far as why it is sometimes interpreted that way (i.e. as allegory)... I don't think I could improve on sister Val's answer so I'll let it be as it is. (Thank you Val) Just musing a bit here if I may... And to get back to the original question. I would personally be hard pressed (again, just my opinion) to call what is going on with the soul's under the alter and the rich man as literal prayer. For the rich man to call out to Abraham, is, to me at least, just a call from someone, to someone, for help. I would not necessarily call that prayer. If I fell into a ditch, and called out to someone, to tell my brethren to be careful of the ditch; I wouldn't call that a prayer, but just a request for assistance to do something I was not able to do for myself. In the case of the souls under the alter, it would appear, (though it may be literal or allegorical) that they are having a face-to-face conversation. But thats a tough one too, because who's to say if a soul has a face. :-) So I don't think I could call that prayer for sure, though again, I would stress, that I don't know for sure. So my point is, we need to be careful when we make assertions, when we are answering questions. There are many who come here, looking for truth, and with a trusting heart. So, I think, it's better be very careful. We don't want to lead someone to believe something should be taken as doctrine, when we cannot really be sure about it ourselves. Those who are called to teach are held to a higher standard, and I believe we will have to account for every idol word, whether it be spoken or written. John |
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2 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | bibleman12 | 214105 | ||
Hi John, Thanks for your clarification. I would agree with you that the Revelation 6:9-11 passage is literal. I do not see any reason within the text that would call for it to be understood any other way. And in regard to souls having faces. John said he "saw" "under the altar the souls." So without doubt souls can be seen - that is if John was telling the truth and I of course believe that he was. In the next verse 10 John said "they cried with a loud voice, saying,..." Well since humans on earth speak through their mouth on their face and since these were souls of humans who had died for the Lord then I see no reason why they would not have had faces. I mean after all where else would their mouth be? On their feet? On their legs? On their arms? Most likely their mouth would have been on their face! Wouldn't you agree? |
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3 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214106 | ||
bibleman... John said he saw souls. I have no idea what a soul looks like! I can speculate till the cows come home. But I seriously doubt that I can add to anyones intellect what the foggiest notion is of the image of a soul or what it may resemble at all. I just don't know. Nor does the Bible tell me. Evidently, sir, you missed my point. Let me please restate it... My point was, we need to be careful when we make assertions, when we are answering questions or issuing some kind of statement we may perceive as truth. There are many, many who come here, looking for truth, and with a trusting heart. So, I think, it's better be very careful. We don't want to lead someone to believe something should be taken as doctrine, when we cannot really be sure about it ourselves. Those who are called to teach are held to a higher standard, and I believe we will have to account for every idol word, whether it be spoken or written-!! Sorry, bibleman, but I can see nothing substantive or enlightening about continuing this discussion without deviling into subjective speculation. Thanks anyway. A personal note: I found out early on in my tenure here at SBF that speculation and subjective interpretation is not really very welcome. I'm not saying of course that you are not welcome. You are! But please be advised that this a serious Bible study forum. I do hope you don't take this the wrong way, it is not intended to put you down in any way. This is a truly wonderful place to learn and/or teach God's Holy Word, and I sincerely hope to see you continue to study with us. Thank you. Shalom and God bless John |
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4 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | bibleman12 | 214107 | ||
Hi John, Thank you for your reply. I don't think I understand what you are saying. Are you saying that when John said he saw souls... that for me to say a soul can be seen is subjective? How can saying what the Bible says be subjective? Am I missing something here? |
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5 | What would make this allogory? | 1 John 3:2 | stjohn | 214108 | ||
To the first, no... to the second, I am not saying that at all... to the last, yes! Let me just give you an edited quote from a man that I greatly love, respect, and admire, who has taught me a thing or two about what is is and is not important when it comes to studying the word of our gracious Father. And I echo these sentiments without equivocation, or any reservation, whatsoever. “I lay no claim whatever to any expertise on matters involving High Theology or anything of the kind, so I'm fairly well limited when it comes to trying to connect the dots. And that is good! It forces me to attempt to speak only where the Bible speaks and to keep my mouth shut where the Bible is silent. I have enough trouble learning and digesting what the Bible clearly reveals, and so it leaves me no time to speculate and ruminate on the things which our loving and all-wise Father chose not to elaborate. God's eternal and unchanging word will be around long after I'm gone. Few indeed are they who care about my opinions now and fewer still will remember them after I've gone. So my candid view about questions such as call for speculations is this: If God did not choose to reveal details, is it our business to worry very much about them? I really don't believe that God expects us to fill in the blanks ourselves nor needs man to take over where He left off, do you? Just how important is it to know about such things? The narrative has endured and imparted the message it was intended to impart for centuries as it is, without being gussied up with all these minute frills and details. Let's be content to learn from it all that it clearly reveals without tarnishing the sacred record by adding our worthless speculation and groundless guesses.” –Hank Hallmark |
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