Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekecs.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!houxm!mtuxo!mtunh!mtung!mtunf!ariel!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!orca!tekecs!kene From: kene@tekecs.UUCP (Ken Ewing) Newsgroups: net.religion.christian Subject: Re: Hogs and Dogs Message-ID: <5510@tekecs.UUCP> Date: Fri, 12-Jul-85 20:40:28 EDT Article-I.D.: tekecs.5510 Posted: Fri Jul 12 20:40:28 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 14-Jul-85 08:49:02 EDT References: <209@ihlpl.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Tektronix, Wilsonville OR Lines: 53 > Matthew 7:6 Jesus says: > > "Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before > swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you > to pieces." > > What did Jesus mean? > Who are the dogs and swine? > What are the pearls? > > I would appreciate any light shed upon this subject. > > Paul Rupsis This is a passage that I struggled over for a long time. Normally, when investigating a passage, I do lots of research into commentaries and other study aids. However, with this particular passage, my understanding does not come from any documented source, but from my own reflection. Therefore, I claim no established authority, but just throw in my ideas to stimulate discussion. I take this passage more like a proverb than a parable, and one that applies universally (not just to religious connotations). To me, Jesus is telling us to be discerning about with whom we share the things that are personally precious to us. PEARLS is a poetic symbol for anything that is personally precious to you (you fill in the blanks: movies you enjoyed, hobbies, interests, friends, religious experiences....). DOGS and SWINE are symbols for those cynical and captious types of people who show no regard for the values and feelings of others, but rather seem bent on tearing down and ripping apart the things that those around them enjoy. If I were to paraphrase Jesus' words to show clearly what I mean, this is what I would say: "Be discerning about the people with whom you share. Do not share with people who have no appreciation for the value of what you have. If you do, they will tear apart what you have, and even attack you personally as well. " I often think of this passage while reading articles on the net. :-) I anticipate that some might think I am trying to say that people should be sheltered from criticism in general. I am not trying to say that, and I don't think Jesus is saying that either. There is a difference between those who call things into question in order to stimulate growth (i.e.; showing concern for the ones being criticized), and those who cynically tear down other people simply to argue, or to be arrogant, or to divert attention away from something that is threatening to them. Ken Ewing [decvax,ucbvax]!tektronix!tekecs!kene