I’m a bit confused here. What do you mean when you use the word “metaphor”? What is your definition of the word?
I’m trying to draw an analogy here. God is the Universe’s view of what is fair and just and not just Mankind’s view.
However, Mankind because of our limitations see God as a physical or spiritual entity.
and how, exactly, does teh universe impose “what is fair and just” ? whatever happens, happens?
That in no way answers the questions I asked. Please give us your definition of “metaphor”.
No. That is why the metaphor of the Second Coming is important. It is the day we are all judged by God. I suppose an atheist would say it’s the day you become fully conscious of the fairness or unfairness of your own decision. However, to me it is the day in the future when God tells me whether I acted properly.
Wow, let me write down these nuggets of wisdom down:
1.Many things happen just because they do…like storms, etc.
2.We need plants and animals to survive.
3.Our being born was because our ancestors had sex.
4.Animals came into existence the same way.
A Zen Master you are not, but keep working on it. 
You know, for the longest of time you’ve been interpreting pretty much everything as metaphor. So If the Bible is to be put into a historical context, which parts? Be specific what parts are historical, because so far you have been interpreting much of it as metaphor.
And yes or no, was Paul right, when he said that if Christ hasn’t risen, our faith is in vain? Did Christ actually rise, was this actual history, or should it be interpreted as another allegoric, metaphoric, symbolic type story that shouldn’t be taken literally?
Other than this brief detour about how the Bible makes sense by putting it in a historical sense, you’ve basically went back to it mostly being metaphor again. You seem to talk to where your words really can’t have any meaning.
[quote=“razncain, post:126, topic:645576”]
Wow, let me write down these nuggets of wisdom down:
1.Many things happen just because they do…like storms, etc.
2.We need plants and animals to survive.
3.Our being born was because our ancestors had sex.
4.Animals came into existence the same way.
I don’t know why the computer shows the first quote is from me, it is not something I would say. The second quote is accurate.
Yes, perhaps up to 20% of the Bible appears to be an extended metaphor or a parable of some type.
[quote=“pchaos, post:127, topic:645576”]
Which parts aren’t?
and ‘God’ is the universe, so exactly how does it tell you? if you live or die? how you live or die?
From my vantage point - I see no reason to “believe” that the universe is either fair or just in its dealings, as that requires a ‘conscious’ - the universe just is - things happen - how does a mere human get to decide what is fair or just in all of that? seems very subjective - and if there is a ‘God like conscious’ that can decide that, it’s doing a piss poor job of managment of its universe.
If there is a ‘God’ that will ‘judge’ everyone - an Atheist not believing in it will not change that fact - so, how does that work out? Or does the Atheist get a free pass if they (unto themselves) decide that they acted justly and in fairness at all times?
You’re not making alot of sense here with your “metaphor”.
Well, you would know, and I can’t find the post number just yet, so I may need to make a correction. I’m doing several threads at once, and put several posts onto one page, and may have mistakenly attributed it to you, so my apologies if that turns out to be the case.
You consider up to 20% as extended metaphor or parable of some type. So did Jesus rise in a literal sense?
Okay, I did a search engine and found it in post 100 of this thread, and it wasn’t you. In the post and entire context monavis said it, it was plausible, so my apologies for the hatchet job to both of you on my misplaced sarcasm. I’d edit it out but the window is closed now. I’ll try to be more careful.
Once again, I need to repeat I’m not an expert in the Bible by any means. But Jesus did arise from the dead, but the God part of him went to heaven at his death or shortly thereafter.
No, no, that’s just a metaphore.
If your God is all knowing then why does he need to judge? He should have known ahead of time what woulf happen so there should be no need to judge,
why he allowed Satan to exist or punish two innocent humans and their offspring when he could have made them differenly, then punished them for his mistake (or desire for them to disobey) so he could punish them, doesn’t make your idea of God a very loving, kind ,just, being.
How do you explain the quote that Jesus is said to have made to those listening to him at the time that he would return in His father’s glory,with is angels before some of them saw death? Why wasn’t such an event recorded?
If you tried to act properly ad didn’t why should you be judged? You may have not known but if God is all knowing he should have?
You have quoted what I wrote. Can you prove that isn’t true?
How are you doing this morning. I’ve quoted so many things, what specifically are you referring to.
It’s all good, monavis, and actually enjoy your posts. I did a sloppy job of cutting and pasting multiple posts from several people and putting them onto one page without seeing all of your full post and the context of the poster you were replying too. It’s my bad. :smack: Carry on, and I’ll try not to get in anybody’s way next time.
Do you think you reached this decision based on sound logic, or mostly through emotions?
It’s basically what Jesus himself said when He appeared to his disciples after He rose from the dead.