Biblical Motifs of Shepherd, Builder, and Parent in Pastoral Theology and Ministry Practice - Coursework Example

Introduction Motifs indicates occurrence of an element within an author’s work. It can possess symbolic meaning or literal meaning. Motifs have use during writing as they enhance connection in different parts of the author’s work. They also collect the story in one piece and enhances promotion of author’s intensions to the readers. In this study, biblical motif of ‘shepherd’, ‘builder’, and ‘parent’ has consideration. In each case, the strength and limitation will have analysis. (Richard, 2004) Literally, a shepherd remains one who looks after the cattle. He has the responsibility of ensuring that the cattle have food, water, and good shelter. Any time the cattle have trouble, he has to be present to respond as expected. Builders on the other hand possess the responsibility of constructing structures. The structures in this case vary in size and type, and an example may be a house. The builder should ensure that the structure remains firm and in good condition. Lastly, a parent remains one who has his/her biological children and has the responsibility of providing for them in terms of food, shelter, and clothing among other necessary needs. (Richard s. , 2012) The three words have use in the bible repeatedly at different situations. Their use at some parts remains literal while at other parts they remain symbolic. All the three words refer to God and Jesus symbolically at some points. For instance, shepherd as used in the book of Genesis chapter fourty nine verse twenty-four refers to God. Parent as used in the bible majorly appears as father. In the book of John chapter seventeen verses eleven, the word refers to God. Builder also refers to God in the book of Hebrews chapter eleven verses ten. (Jeffry, 1999) ‘Shepherd’ The meaning of the word ‘shepherd’ as used in the Bible remains more symbolic than the literal meaning. Few cases that have the literal meaning include the book of Genesis chapter fourty six verses thirty-two, Jeremiah chapter fifty-one verses twenty-three, and Isaiah chapter thirteen verses twenty among others. In Genesis, the author refers to the shepherds who Joseph wanted to inform Pharaoh. This had emphasis by the fact that they had cattle with the. In verses thirty of the same chapter of Genesis, the people receive information from Joseph to identify themselves as shepherds. (Derek, 1997) In Jeremiah chapter fifty-one verses twenty-three, the author uses the word again. In this context, a battle-ax will have use in breaking some things. That appears from verses twenty. In verses, twenty-three, among the things to be broken, include the shepherds and their cattle. The battle-ax referred to in this case remains Babylon. (Timothy, 2006) Finally, concerning literal meaning of the word shepherd, it appears in Isaiah chapter thirteen verses twenty. In this case, the context still talks about Babylon, where many things will not occur in Babylon, e.g. building of tents. Other than that, shepherds also will not feed their cattle in Babylon. This shows how the Lord God has cursed Babylon and no good thing shall come from that land. In the New Testament, literal meaning appears in Luke chapter two verses eight and eighteen. Symbolically the word shepherd has use much more number of times compared to the literal meaning. It has mainly symbolizes Jesus. This appears more in the New Testament compared to the Old Testament. Some verses related to this include; John chapter ten where it refers to Jesus as a good shepherd. It has occurred five times in this chapter ten. That remains, in verse eleven twice, verse twelve, fourteen, and sixteen each once. This has really expressed the fact that Jesus has the best quality of a shepherd and this flock remains the Christians who He cares for and knows Him and follows Him. (Bruce, 1999) In the first letter of Peter chapter two verse twenty-five, the word shepherd symbolizes Jesus. In the context, Christians to which Peter writes to remains the flock who at a time went away wandering. Jesus the shepherd enabled them to come back to Him. In the same book, chapter five verses four, Jesus still has reference has the chief shepherd. His flock the Christians expects Him to appear some time in the sky to give them the crowns of glory. This still emphasizes the fact that Jesus remains an everlasting shepherd not temporary. Lastly, in relation to symbolic meaning of the word shepherd, Moses has reference. This appears in chapter sixty-three verses eleven of the book of Isaiah. In this context, Isaiah writes as he expresses God’s blessings to the Israelites. They remain happy when they recall the old days. The days refer to periods when Moses, as the shepherd, led God’s flock that refers to the Israelites. This gives confidence to the readers, as they believe that God has capability of giving power to an individual to lead His people. Theologians, as they pursue their profession, should always purpose to bring the meanings expected, of the word shepherd as used in the bible. In the literal meaning, they should explain to the congregation according to the words in the bible without changing their meaning. In cases of symbolic meaning, they should give the expected interpretation, expressing exactly the picture the author wanted to give to the readers. Strength and Limitation of motifs of ‘shepherd’ In cases where the word shepherd has use with the literal meaning, the author gives emphasis of human relation with the cattle. What they do that enhances the better life of the cattle also remains emphasized. This acts as strength as it gives the picture well. In addition to this, the symbolic meaning also enables the reader to understand fully the close relationship between Jesus and the Christians. Repetition of the word may enhance boredom to the reader and this remains the only limitation. The author therefore can use another word e.g. leader, to break the monotony. ‘Parent’ The word ‘father’ appears in the bible many times. This word represents the word ‘parent’. It gives the responsibility of any one who has biological children. I the bible, it has use, literally to show biological father of some individuals. For instance, in the book of Joshua chapter twenty-four verses two, it shows the biological relationship between Terah and Abraham. In thus case, Terah gave birth to Abraham hence his biological father. In Genesis chapter seventeen, the biological father, that remains Lot, has reference. In this case, the daughters plan to lie with him while he remains drunk and unconscious. In Mark chapter, seven verse ten the biological father and mother should have obedience. This remains instructions given by Moses. The literal meaning has strength in cases like in Mark chapter seven verses ten, where moral standards have enhancement. This refers to the relationship between parents and their children, where obedience has expectation. Other than that strength, one limitation occurs in Genesis chapter nineteen where the relation, between the parent and daughters involves immorality. In the end, the children resulting from this act of immorality, receives curses from God. The children refer to Benammi and Moab. Symbolically the word father has use in the bible majorly referring to God and the ancestors. These appear in very many occasions where the word symbolizes God compared to ancestors. For instance, in John chapter twenty verses seventeen, the word appears thrice. In the first two, Jesus refers to God as his father, and lastly He calls Him the father of the readers. In chapter seventeen verses eleven, Jesus speaks to God, calling Him Holy Father and telling Him to transform Christians to be holy. In the symbolic use of the word ‘father’, it has the strength of emphasis. The relationship between God and human beings as a father, gives a lot of security to the people. They have assurance of protection, providence, and good future. The symbolic use also encourages the people such that they believe much more in God, when they call Him a father. In the book of second Kings Chapter fifteen verse thirty-eight, the word ‘father’ appears as a representative of the ancestors. It refers to the fact that, when one dies he/she joins his/her fore fathers (ancestors). This appears as spiritualism. The belief here refers to the fact that the dead exist and their number increases. This also indicates the relationship between the dead and the living. Parenthood also appears in the book of Ezra chapter two and Nehemiah Chapter Seven. In both cases, biological children of specific people appear. The repetition occurs many times such that the reader may become bored in the process of reading. This therefore forms the limitation of this image. ‘Builder’ The word ‘builder’ appears not as frequent as the other two. Similarly, its use also has literal and symbolic meaning. Literally, it has use in second Kings Chapter twenty-two verses six. In this context, there exist people who had done some work and they needed payment. Among them included the builders. Another literal meaning appears in the book of second Chronicles Chapter thirty-four verses eleven. This case remains similar to the case in second Kings above. The builder receives the money to use in purchasing some other things. (Derek, Builders & Fools, 1999) One of the strengths that appear in the literal use of the word ‘builder’ indicates that the builders do their work some times for payment. It acts as a source of earning. One limitation occurs where by the word as used literally, appears occasionally. The reader therefore, may lack ability of understanding much, the other applications of the literal meaning of the word. Apart from the literal use, symbolic use of the same word appears in the books such as, the first letter of Peter chapter two verse seven. In this case, God has reference as the stone that the builders rejected. The builders here represents God’s people, specifically, those who lack belief in Him. Therefore, they believed in the temporary issues, which failed, but those who believed in God experienced everlasting success. The symbolic meaning actually, emphasizes on the fact that, there exist hope when one believes in God. The hope of seeing God and staying with Him in heaven. The symbolic meaning explains the fact that belief in the worldly success remains temporary and should not occur. It therefore, remains the work of the theologians to express the necessary meaning to their congregation. This remains possible when they have the capability of understanding the bible first. After pre reading then they will have that ability. Conclusion The three words appear more than mentioned above, in the bible. This remains just but few examples. Generally repetition of the words at some points enhances emphasis, and at other parts, rhythm. The rhythmical enhancement appears where poetic language has use. This encourages the reader to read more as it sounds fun to read in certain poetic language. On the contrary, in other parts boredom may have enhancement as the same word appears several times. This may discourage the reader as the monotony prolongs. (Andrew, 2001) References Andrew, P. (2001). Pastoral theology in the classical tradition. Westminster John Knox press. Bruce, L. (1999). Foundation of pastoral care. Beacon nill press. Derek, J. (1999). Builders & Fools. Inter-vasity Press. Derek, J. (1997). skillful shepherds. Apollos. Jeffry, R. (1999). Pastoral visitation. Fortress press. Richard, N. (2004). Motif. University of missouri press. Richard, s. (2012). Motif: Definition. Computer society. Timothy, S. (2006). Shepherd after my own heart. apollos. Read More