Quote:
Originally Posted by UntoHim
Box, please tell us about the "symbolism" of:
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God."
I know that folks like you would desperately like to take the Gospel of John out of the biblical canon. (Just like Lee desperately wanted James out of the canon) I'm sure you would also like to take out some other of John's other writings...like where the Lord Jesus is called "King of kings and Lord of lords!" and "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end"
Box, who is greater than the temple? Only the one who dwells in the temple is greater than the temple. You read the Old Testament, right? So you should know this. Hear the words of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ: "I tell you, something greater than the temple is here." Yes, something greater than the temple was there, because the Word of God was made flesh. And the Word was God. Praise Him for the wonderful and glorious fact!
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Untohim, you are using the old Untohim is a liar and never tells the truth persuasion. Now everything you say, the hearers would question your veracity. This is done quite a bit in politics, and in cases where people really don’t want to discuss the point but shoot the messenger. I think, if you look at my posts, I quote John quite a bit.
Concerning symbolism consider He who eats me shall live by me, Unless you eat the flesh of the... This is my body. We know that the R Catholic Church, and the Lutherans to some degree say that communion is actually the taking of Jesus body and blood. Trans substantiation! It was these same people who brought you Trinity, and fully God and fully man. John was quite a user of symbolism, such as in Revelation- every commentator on Rev. seems to have a different take on his meanings. 1st John- do you feel there is adequate understanding of many things John says there? John’s opening gospel lines, what beginning are we talking about, word /logos/ idea/ thought/ plan and it all became real when Jesus came to his own! Light, darkness, comprehend, with/ toward God was God/was divine, he/this/that etc. Many interpretations of John’s opening words used by many to create a plethora of teachings, sects, cults. Do we know who John was writing to and why? Johns writings do not have a history/context to get a good grasp as do the other gospels and Paul’s writings, so it’s hard to wrap your head around them in that they are so different. I think the last time we hear about John in scripture context is when Paul goes to Jerusalem and says Peter, James and John, who seemed like pillars. I love reading John’s works- right now in my daily reading, I’m on Genesis 37 and Rev.8. As a point of consideration, lay aside your trinitarian glasses (there, I used your argument tactics) and read Rev 7 and look carefully how God and the Lamb are talked about- I don’t see a mingle, mingle hallelujah moment here.
I think if you really consider the whole NT you will find the Holy Spirit leading the people of God into a Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus understanding and will NOT find a triune god. That whole thing belongs in the trans substantiation crowd.