Jonah and the Whale.. a question.

In recent discussion with a friend, a question arouse.The Question: What was so fantastic about the story Jonah and the whale?Any thoughts?This message has been edited by lar, 08-11-2004 08:38 AM

Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

Hi Lar,We had a discussion HERE about Jonah and his 'whale' it may answer some of your questions.Take some headache tabs BEFORE you read Demeyer's stuff Brian.

The story of Jonah is clearly a fable. Nineveh never converted; there's just no evidence of that. The moral of the story is that God's will is immutable, and Jonah shouldn't have fought what God told him to do.No biggie. Except to people who have to believe literally in every word of the Bible.

Hi,The story is a great piece of literature, but the events in it really didnt happen. You are correct it is a didactic tale.I am amazed that people go to such crazy lengths to squeeze someone inside a dead shark or a dead whale, you wouldn't believe some of the mental gymnastics that some people go through to try and make Jonah's adventure an actual historical event.brian.

Hey, Kam. I agree with you (except for the existence of god, of course). ;-)Just wanted to say hi. Finally had some time to get me feet wet in this message board.

"I am amazed that people go to such crazy lengths to squeeze someone inside a dead shark or a dead whale, you wouldn't believe some of the mental gymnastics that some people go through to try and make Jonah's adventure an actual historical event"I wouldn't believe? I've been on the bulletin boards for about 6 years now and I have seen mental gymnastics that boggle my mind!

Hey, Michael! Thanks for the greeting.I'm married to an agnostic who sired (by me) an atheist, so I'm happy to greet you here!Tonight on the way home from visiting David's mother for her birthday, we had a long talk clarifying that I don't believe (as most Christians seem to) that belief in Jesus is the only foundation for moral and ethical thought. David and my son are two of the most moral and ethical people I know and neither have any religious beliefs. We wondered where this common misconception comes from. Any thoughts?

Hi, I take it back LOL, you must have seen a lot more than I have!Cheers.Brian.

An unconventional method of travel?
Method of transportation designed specifically for the purpose of its cargo?
That never happens.

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"Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit!"
2 Cor. 7:1

Lar wrote: The story of Jonah demonstrates God's mercy (with a wicked city called Nineveh): Jonah 3:10The story also shows the attitude of anger/resentment that people may have at the thought of God being merciful to certain people(s): Jonah 4:1-2It appears that Jonah did not want the people of Nineveh to be spared.kam1953f wrote: Jonah 3:10 above states that "they turned from their evil way". For how long? I don't know. It was atleast long enough to spare them from: Jonah 3:4

Just to let you know that people have found full human skeletons inside of whales. So it can happen

what he's saying is that there is no supporting evidence that nineveh ever adopted judaism.unfortunately, the bible is just not very trusted as a history even at it's more historical (kings+chronicles). and jonah is just not history. it's a fable, with a clear moral to demonstrate. it's literature, not documentary.

Reference, please?

references: Little Talkers - The Tale of a Whale
http://www.seekerschurch.org/sermons/19980104
If you need more I can research some up. god bless