Does Anyone Else See Irony in Shepherd Metaphor?

[inuteroteen]

I find it ironic that the Christian faith so openly welcomes the shepherd metaphor. Isn't being called a sheep an insult? Also isn't the purpose of the sheep to be exploited by the shepherd? Wool, meat, etc.

[prowler]

quote:Originally posted by inuteroteen:

I find it ironic that the Christian faith so openly welcomes the shepherd metaphor. Isn't being called a sheep an insult? Also isn't the purpose of the sheep to be exploited by the shepherd? Wool, meat, etc.

yeah and the "tree of knowledge" thing, too. God wants you to be dumb, genesis.

[JesuitArtiste]

quote:Originally posted by inuteroteen:

I find it ironic that the Christian faith so openly welcomes the shepherd metaphor. Isn't being called a sheep an insult? Also isn't the purpose of the sheep to be exploited by the shepherd? Wool, meat, etc.

I'm pretty sure it's pointing more towards the strength of faith. People are compared to Goats and Sheep, in this case it is a compliment to be called a sheep because you believe that the shepherd will save you (and in this case he is supposed to). The sheep will willingly follow the shepherd, it has nothing to do with being stupid and tasty. However, the Goat needs to be forced along, a goat in this case symbolises having no true faith, being divergent from God, and requiring constant attention.

Or at least that is My take on it.

[AngryFemme]

Sheep are compliant and ask where to be led. Goats are independent and prefer to find their own way.

Why the hell are we comparing ourselves to barnyard animals?! ... should be the question. We have much more complex brains and abilities. Let's give ourselves a little credit, where credit is due.

[ArgonPlasma2000]

quote:Originally posted by AngryFemme:

Sheep are compliant and ask where to be led. Goats are independent and prefer to find their own way.

Why the hell are we comparing ourselves to barnyard animals?! ... should be the question. We have much more complex brains and abilities. Let's give ourselves a little credit, where credit is due.

But we do basic things as animals. We ask for guidance, and we are given it.

The use of the sheep metaphor is to simplify the role of God towards his children. But, be it far from me to call myself a sheep or goat.

As to the OP, the Christian lives to be exploited of his master, so that strike is irrelevant. The Christian is supposed to be obedient and do what the Shepherd wants, be it service, hardship, or death.

[shitty wok]

I am a wolf to your sheep

[AngryFemme]

quote:Originally posted by ArgonPlasma2000:

The use of the sheep metaphor is to ...

And the heaven metaphor?

And the hell metaphor?

And the virgin birth metaphor?

And the resurrection metaphor?

And the rapture metaphor?

And the ... God metaphor?

You get my drift.

[Digital_Savior]

Originally Posted by inuteroteen

I find it ironic that the Christian faith so openly welcomes the shepherd metaphor. Isn't being called a sheep an insult? Also isn't the purpose of the sheep to be exploited by the shepherd? Wool, meat, etc.

I find it ironic that you spend so much time devoting thought to that which you despise.

[glutamate antagonist]

Originally Posted by Digital_Savior

I find it ironic that you spend so much time devoting thought to that which you despise.

1) That's not ironic at all. The only irony in your post is you calling something non-ironic ironic, which doesn't even count. It would be ironic if he devoted much time to thinking about, say, why he has nothing to think about.

2) What's wrong with thinking about what you despise? If you had a thorn in your toe, and you spent some time thinking about it, experiencing the pain, would that be at all wrong? Think on the same level, but the thorn is a mental thorn and the toe is humanity.

[kurdt318]

omg I just thought of this: christians are compared to sheep (faith, followers) with a shepard (god, jesus) but when we think of satan we think of a horned figure based off the pagan god of Bahamut who has the head of a goat (or a smart, free thinking, leader)

pic of Bahamut's (satan's) head:http://www.religion-cults.com/Occult/Satanism/satan.gif