Matt. 4:19 (Fishers of men)

[Jon_]

Do fishers ply their trade by wooing fish into the boat? Do they make promises of love and wonderful offers of future glory on top of rice at a sushi bar in order to entice them into their nets? Do fishermen respect the free will of the fish and allow them to choose to be caught or not?



Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[Beoga]

Well you see, it is not like actual fishing because um...yeah...

 

[James1979]

The fishermen should not do any of those things you provided. The fishermen should bring the whole counsel of God meaning salvation/damnation (they go hand and hand, can't leave one without the other) and leave the rest up to God if they are one of God's elect then one or however many will be saved or if they're not then they're still eternally condemned. That's my answer to your multiple questions

 

[StAnselm]

No, but they do entice the fish with a nice, juicy worm...

 

[cygnusx1]

I was once told by a wiser man than me , that the Lord made us Fishes of men not hunters!

 

[Knight]

Do fishers ply their trade by wooing fish into the boat? Do they make promises of love and wonderful offers of future glory on top of rice at a sushi bar in order to entice them into their nets? Do fishermen respect the free will of the fish and allow them to choose to be caught or not?



Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

While I believe it is possible to over-extend that analogy, I agree with the sentiment behind your post.

However, as a former fisherman (hobby not profession), let me add that the fisherman's greatest asset and tool in catching fish is not his net/ploe, bait, or technique. A fisherman's greatest asset is patience. No matter what he does he cannot make the fish bite on the hook.

Lest we stretch this too far let us also remember that a fisherman catches a fish to the fish's doom. The gospel is for salvation.

 

[Jon_]

While I believe it is possible to over-extend that analogy, I agree with the sentiment behind your post.

However, as a former fisherman (hobby not profession), let me add that the fisherman's greatest asset and tool in catching fish is not his net/ploe, bait, or technique. A fisherman's greatest asset is patience. No matter what he does he cannot make the fish bite on the hook.

Lest we stretch this too far let us also remember that a fisherman catches a fish to the fish's doom. The gospel is for salvation.

Indeed. As all other analogies break down, so does this one. But I am glad that most were able to discern the spirit behind it. Twas something I was considering when I posted Matt. 4:19 as the verse of the day.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jon

 

[CoffeeSwirls]

No, but they do entice the fish with a nice, juicy worm...

Let us not forget the context in which Jesus made this statement. Fishing was not an easy going pastime or excuse to drink beer with your friends. It was long hard work as the men would row in the water, let down the net, drag it a ways and bring it up. Then they would remove any fish they would find, do any needed cleaning of the net, and lower it again. Look to the accounting of the diciples fishing all night with nothing to show for it. Then Jesus told them to cast their net and it was overflowing!

To be a fisher of men is to fish according to the instruction of Christ.

 

[JJB]

Fishing for a living is very hard work indeed. It requires power and strength.

Fishing for the souls of men requires the same, however it also requires the Lord's Spirit.

Zechariah 4:6 So he said to me, "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the Lord Almighty.