Bible Question:
Have you ever heard the story of how a shepard suposidly will break the leg of a lamb that strays then carry it on his neck? Where does that come from? I have heard it related to what our Good Shepard will do to us, and I just don't agree with that at all. I just wondered if anyone knows where it started? Thanks. |
Bible Answer: Tlcsal I have heard the story also. I can find not clear reference to any account where a shepherd intentionally broke a leg for any purpose. Sheep by nature follow leaders, they also by nature learn to follow their shepherd. While sheep do wonder off it is more a part of something other than a rebellious nature. Sheep aren’t the brightest bulb in the animal kingdom and it requires an attentive and alert shepherd to care for them and keep them from wandering off. I think the story of breaking a leg to make the sheep dependant therefore teaching him to stick close to the master is nonsense especially when applied to Jesus or to a Pastor of a church. If we come to Jesus for any other reason than love, love of the things of this world will quickly draws us away. Fear might bring you to Jesus but fear will not keep you in the fold. I think the story probably originated by a person that may have observed a sheep with a broken leg being cared for by a shepherd and saw a special bond develop as the shepherd lovingly helped restore the sheep back to health. The story evolved over time to the shepherd actually breaking the leg. Personally I could only see this story used by a pastor that would go to any extreme to increase or maintain his church. He would probably make a good example to be written about in the book “Churches That Abuse.” EdB |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Bible general Archive 1 | Author | ||
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FTimA | ||
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ronaldculleton | ||
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Timothy Paul | ||
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SalvoPete | ||
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tlcsal | ||
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justme | ||
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glory777 | ||
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EdB | ||
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justme | ||
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EdB | ||
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justme | ||
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dave4him2002 | ||
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dave4him2002 | ||
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Hank | ||
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zerotheory |