Isn't being called "sheep" demeaning?

[RuthJoseph]

One of the problems I have with the christian faith, even though I have come to accept god, is that to follow him I have to accept being called "one of the flock", or in other words, a sheep. To me, that epithet is an insult, implying you unthinkingly follow what others do, which is no way to worship in my opinion - I've always been taught to question and make my own decisions when I have more knowledge.

Could someone please explain to me what god means by inviting us to be part of his flock?

Thank you as ever

 

[.Iona.]

It's more about needing direction - sheep are herded to safety by shepherds, and Jesus 'herds' people to safety through Him.

I have always seen as love and concern for people, rather than saying that you have to unthinkingly follow.

 

[elman]

One of the problems I have with the christian faith, even though I have come to accept god, is that to follow him I have to accept being called "one of the flock", or in other words, a sheep. To me, that epithet is an insult, implying you unthinkingly follow what others do, which is no way to worship in my opinion - I've always been taught to question and make my own decisions when I have more knowledge.

Could someone please explain to me what god means by inviting us to be part of his flock?

Thank you as ever

There are many qualities of a sheep that are attractive. I think the passage that is most attractive for being a sheep is Matt 25:31 and following where it is the sheep that love others and the goats that do not. Sheep are not vicious and dangerous animals. They are gentle and vulnerable and need a shepherd and protector. People are a lot like sheep in that they follow the leader and travel in groups but I think that is not the traits God is wanting. He does want us to use the mind we have been created with and the ability we have to be loving rather than act like wild animals with each other.

 

[1watchman]

Yes, the world teaches us to be very confident of self and trust self (humanism), but God says we are really like sheep and need a Shepherd (the Lord Jesus). What a blessing it is to have the Shepherd. He knows the end from the beginning --we do not. He knows the way of blessing and success --we do not. He knows the way to honor and obey God --we do not. He is the only way to salvation --we are not.

The more like sheep we become (only in faith in Christ) the more blessed and content we will be in this world; and the greater our reward in Heaven will be.

- 1 Watchman

 

[elman]

Yes, the world teaches us to be very confident of self and trust self (humanism), but God says we are really like sheep and need a Shepherd (the Lord Jesus). What a blessing it is to have the Shepherd. He knows the end from the beginning --we do not. He knows the way of blessing and success --we do not. He knows the way to honor and obey God --we do not. He is the only way to salvation --we are not.

The more like sheep we become (only in faith in Christ) the more blessed and content we will be in this world; and the greater our reward in Heaven will be.

- 1 Watchman

Much of this I agree with, but we do know how to honor and obey God--the parable of the good Samaritan. Also faith without love as in acting for the benefit of others in need is worthless. 1 Cor 13:2 Matt 25:31 and following.

 

[CryptoLutheran]

It's more about needing direction - sheep are herded to safety by shepherds, and Jesus 'herds' people to safety through Him.

I have always seen as love and concern for people, rather than saying that you have to unthinkingly follow.

This. The metaphor isn't about sheep being unthinking blind followers, but about Jesus as a loving shepherd.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Chesterton]

Christ also said we must be like children.

 

[CryptoLutheran]

And then there's the whole gentle as doves, wise as serpents thing.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Walter Kovacs]

Not to mention the military/athletic metaphors.

 

[solarwave]

I would say that symbols mean different things in different cultures. In our culture 'sheep' tends to mean not thinking and following others, but in other cultures is could be other elements of the sheep which is mostly represents.

 

[LWB]

If the analogy isn't helpful, no need to worry. I prefer the imagery of being like a branch on the True Vine, or being a member of Christ's own body. They aren't literal, but are pointing to a reality beyond our wildest imagination.

 

[drich0150]

One of the problems I have with the Christian faith, even though I have come to accept god, is that to follow him I have to accept being called "one of the flock", or in other words, a sheep. To me, that epithet is an insult, implying you unthinkingly follow what others do, which is no way to worship in my opinion - I've always been taught to question and make my own decisions when I have more knowledge.

you are already a sheep, no matter what you do or believe. Unless you claim to be a prophetess and carve out your own religion you are ultimately following (blindly in most cases) what you claim to believe or not believe in.

Could someone please explain to me what god means by inviting us to be part of his flock?

Psalms 23 frames it out nicely.
A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

 

[Chesterton]

staff edit

And sheep use the shepherd for what He has to provide. And stars use hydrogen. And poets use language for poetry. And lovers use each other for love. But you only protect what is valuable.

P.S. You need to read the FSG here. You already have a similar thread.

 

[elman]

staff edit

When someone uses a story or a metaphor to teach something, it can always be misunderstood if one emphsizes the details rather than the principle being taught.

 

[zaksmummy]

Many of the people who Jesus spoke to, and in fact many of the people in the bible were shepherds, or had business related to agriculture, so they would have understood exactly what he was saying because it was part of their everyday life.

 

[PintoBean]

Only by pride cometh contention...

I'd rather be His sheep than His enemy.

 

[razeontherock]

One of the problems I have with the christian faith, even though I have come to accept god, is that to follow him I have to accept being called "one of the flock", or in other words, a sheep. To me, that epithet is an insult, implying you unthinkingly follow what others do, which is no way to worship in my opinion - I've always been taught to question and make my own decisions when I have more knowledge.

Could someone please explain to me what god means by inviting us to be part of his flock?

Thank you as ever

What do you know about sheep? They are loyal, affectionate, but DUMB. The smartest of us are DUMB compared to G-d. We are the sheep of His pasture - yes, very demeaning / humiliating, indeed. By design.

None of this implies blindly following! At our BEST, the smartest of us are as sheep compared to Him. That means we'd better use all the wits we've got!

 

[drich0150]

staff edit

So it is your belief that an enemy is one that shares a mutual hate that stems from physical harm?

Well some good new for you is that the dictionary Include scraps of your definition but in no way limits itself to it:
Enemy | Define Enemy at Dictionary.com

Infact the first definition the dictionary shares has little to do with how you have personally decided to define an enemy.
1.
a person who feels hatred for, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another; an adversary or opponent.

As you can see physical harm inflicted on another nor mutual hate is not at the core of this definition. Infact one could easily surmise that your current activities here more closely mirrors this definition, which could easily classify you as an enemy of God and or His people.

You seem to be purposefully limiting your understanding of an enemy to the reason why one could obtain an enemy, rather that the actual efforts one's enemy will produce, thus defining his actual status..

The way you headlined my boggy man error one would think that you are indeed a man of serious education, but when I look at your presented understanding of what an enemy is, it makes me wonder. Are you simply bending the definition of the word so you do not have to personally except your status as an enemy of God? -or- are you just not as smart as you have made yourself out to be?

Also know "there" will be other errors in all my message if you wish to concentrate on them rather than the substance in my text. If you always leave your opponent a way to win (In this case a discussion) then anyone can see "he" is not your enemy.

 

[elman]

staff edit

I can see how religion has been the cause of much suffering and wrong in the world, but what about a belief in a loving Creator that wants us to love each other. Do you hate that concept? The only way that concept can lead to unnecessary death and suffering is for someone to not follow the concept.

 

[elman]

staff edit

I believe God set up this universe as it is with life being limited. I don't think God sent or caused the recent tsunami or any other disasters. I believe God created us with the ability to become loving beings. If we do we fulfill the reason for our existence. We do not need a loving Creator to love each other, but if our love for each other is to have meaning that lasts beyond our puny lifetime, we do need a loving Creator and the potential for living beyond the grave. Otherwise everything ultimately becomes meaningless when humans are extinct.