Ziggamafu Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Remember how Peter's shadow healed people? It seems to me that the [i]shadow[/i] of someone bestowing Grace really points to a message beneath the surface...I was wondering if any of you knew of a shadow's meanging or importance in the culture of that time. Would people back then have clearly seen something stated in that miracle (over and above Paul's handkerchief) that we might not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 from the [url="http://www.studylight.org/dic/hbd/view.cgi?number=T5626"][b]Holman Bible Dictionary[/b][/url][list] [*][b]SHADOW[/b] A dark image of an object created when the object interrupts rays of light. The Bible uses the term in both literal and figurative senses. Old Testament The Hebrew tsel speaks of shadow as protection and as transitory, short-lived, and changing. The intensive heat, particularly in the summer, made shade and shadows important in Palestine. Travelers sought rest under a tree (Genesis 18:4; compare Job 40:22) or in a house (Genesis 19:8). Especially at midday when shade virtually vanished, people looked for a shadow (Isaiah 16:3; compare Genesis 21:15; Jonah 4; Job 7:2). In the afternoon shadows lengthen (Jeremiah 6:4; compare Nehemiah 13:19 NIV). In the evening cool, shadows disappear (Song of Solomon 2:17). In the desert wilderness the traveler found little hope for shade but looked for shade or shadow from hills (Judges 9:36), large rocks (Isaiah 32:2), a cave (Exodus 33:1: 22; 1 Kings 19:9), or a cloud (Isaiah 25:5). Powerful people offer the shadow of protection and security (Song of Solomon 2:3). So does a king (Lamentations 4:20; Ezekiel 31:6). Still, Israel knew the false claims of kings to provide such protection (Judges 9:15; compare Isaiah 30:2; Ezekiel 31:1). Biblical writers looked to the Messiah for needed shade or shadow (Isaiah 32:2; Ezekiel 17:23). God was the ultimate shadow of protection for His people (Psalms 36:7; Psalms 91:1; Psalms 121:5; Isaiah 25:4; Isaiah 49:2; Isaiah 51:16). Human life itself is only a brief shadow (Job 8:9; Job 14:2; Psalms 102:11; Psalms 144:4; Ecclesiastes 6:12; Ecclesiastes 8:13). New Testament The Greek skia can refer to a literal shadow (Mark 4:32; Acts 5:15). More often it refers to death or to an indication of something to come, a foreshadowing. References to death come from Old Testament prophecy—Matthew 4:16 and Luke 1:79 picking up Isaiah 9:2. Dietary laws and religious festivals were only a shadow preparing Israel for the reality made known in Christ (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5; Hebrews 10:1). James used a related Greek word to say that God is not a fleeting, changing shadow (James 1:17). [/list] more to come later today..... pax christi, phatcatholic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thy Geekdom Come Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 I always use this as a proof against "pope-worship" claims. I mean...this sounds exactly like what so many anti-Catholics consider to be worship of the pope. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiat_Voluntas_Tua Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 The handcerchief healing reminds me of 2nd class Relics...And how powerful relics are...this is a very good way to approach relics with Biblical references. Ave Maria, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 [b]Thompson Chain Reference[/b] [b][url="http://studylight.org/con/tcr/view.cgi?number=T2979"]Shadow, the Lord as a[/url][/b][list] [*]Shelters God's People[list] [*]In the Rock of Ages[list] [*]Exodus 33:22 [*]Deuteronomy 32:11 [/list] [*]In Time of Trouble[list] [*]Psalms 57:1 [*]Psalms 63:7 [*]Psalms 91:1 [*]Psalms 121:5 [*]Song of Solomon 2:3 [/list] [*]A Refuge from the Storm[list] [*]Isaiah 25:4 [*]Isaiah 32:2 [/list] [*]In the Shadow of His Hand[list] [*]Isaiah 51:16 [/list] [*]Under the Shadow of His Wings[list] [*]Matthew 23:37 [/list] [/list] [b][url="http://studylight.org/con/tcr/view.cgi?number=T2977"]Shadow of Death[/url][/b][list] [*]Job 12:22 [*]Job 16:16 [*]Psalms 23:4 [*]Psalms 44:19 [*]Psalms 107:10 [*]Matthew 4:16 [/list] [b]ATS Bible Dictionary[/b] [url="http://studylight.org/dic/ats/view.cgi?number=T1873"][b]Shadow[/b][/url][list] [*]Sometimes denotes intense darkness and gloom, Psalms 23:4, and sometimes a cool retreat, Isaiah 33:2, or perfect protection, Psalms 17:8 Isaiah 49:2 Daniel 4:12. The long shadows cast by the declining sun are alluded to in Job 7:2 Jeremiah 6:4. The swift, never ceasing motion of a shadow is an emblem of human life, 1 Chronicles 29:15 Psalms 102:11. [/list] [b]Easton's Bible Dictionary[/b] [url="http://studylight.org/dic/ebd/view.cgi?number=T3300"][b]Shadow[/b][/url][list] [*]Used in Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 8:5; 10:1 to denote the typical relation of the Jewish to the Christian dispensation. [/list] [b]International Standard Bible Encyclopedia[/b] [b][url="http://studylight.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T7879"]SHADE, SHADOW, SHADOWING[/url][/b][list] [*]shad, shad'-o, shad'-o-ing (tsel; skia): A shadow is any obscuration of the light and heat with the form of the intervening object, obscurely projected, constantly changing and passing away. "Shadow" is used literally of a roof (Genesis 19:8), of mountains (Judges 9:36), of trees (Judges 9:15, etc.), of wings (Psalms 17:8, etc.), of a cloud (Isaiah 25:5), of a great rock (Isaiah 32:2), of a man (Peter, Acts 5:15), of the shadow on the dial (2 Kings 20:9, etc.), of Jonah's gourd (Jonah 4:5). It is used also figuratively (1) of shelter and protection (of man, Genesis 19:8; Song of Solomon 2:3; Isaiah 16:3, etc.; of God, Psalms 36:7; 91:1; Isaiah 4:6, etc.); (2) of anything fleeting or transient, as of the days of man's life on earth (1 Chronicles 29:15; Job 8:9; Psalms 109:23); (3) with the idea of obscurity or imperfection (in Hebrews 8:5; 10:1, of the Law; compare Colossians 2:17); (4) of darkness, gloom; see SHADOW OF DEATH. In James 1:17, we have in the King James Version, "the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (aposkiasma); the Revised Version (British and American) "shadow that is cast by turning"; the reference is to the unchangeableness of God as contrasted with the changes of the heavenly bodies. the Revised Version (British and American) has "of the rustling of wings" for "shadowing with wings" in Isaiah 18:1; the American Standard Revised Version has "shade" for "shadow" in various places (Judges 9:15; Job 40:22; Isaiah 4:6, etc.). In Job 40:21,22, for "shady trees" the Revised Version (British and American) has "lotus-trees." [/list] [b][url="http://studylight.org/enc/isb/view.cgi?number=T7880"]SHADOW OF DEATH[/url][/b][list] [*](tsalmaweth): The Hebrew word translated "shadow of death" is used poetically for thick darkness (Job 3:5), as descriptive of Sheol (Job 10:21; 12:22; 38:17); figuratively of deep distress (Job 12:22; 16:16; 24:17; 28:3; 34:22 (in the last three passages the American Standard Revised Version has "thick darkness" and "thick gloom"); Psalms 23:4, the Revised Version margin "deep darkness (and so elsewhere)"; 44:19; 107:10,14; Isaiah 9:2; Jeremiah 2:6; 13:16; Amos 5:8; Matthew 4:16; Luke 1:79, skia thanatou). The Hebrew word is perhaps composed of tsel, "shadow," and maweth, "death," and the idea of "the valley of the shadow of death" was most probably derived from the deep ravines, darkened by over-hanging briars, etc., through which the shepherd had sometimes to lead or drive his sheep to new and better pastures. [/list] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 also, when it comes to Catholic apologetics, Peter's shadow is often mentioned along w/ things like spit, mud, water, Paul's hankerchief to show how the material world has a sacramental quality, that God works through [i]things[/i] in order to effect our lives in spiritual ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cure of Ars Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Very cool phatcatholic I did not think there would be that much info on shadows in the bible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StColette Posted September 14, 2004 Share Posted September 14, 2004 Awesome job Phat !! And I agree that Peter's shadow and Paul's hankerchief are very useful in Apologetics when discussing relics and how material things can have sacramental qualities. Another example in the Bible is Christ's cloak when the woman touched it she was healed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggamafu Posted September 14, 2004 Author Share Posted September 14, 2004 Thanks. What I'm trying to perceive is whether or not Peter's shadow miracle suggests something more about his authority... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 [quote name='Ziggamafu' date='Sep 14 2004, 05:03 PM'] Thanks. What I'm trying to perceive is whether or not Peter's shadow miracle suggests something more about his authority... [/quote] one could say that this example speaks of his authority as one of the twelve apostles. afterall, Jesus gave only to them the power to heal and preach in his name. however, i dont think this could be used to defend Peter's singular authority or his primacy among the twelve b/c other members of the twelve healed the people (phsyically and/or spiritually) through means of the material world. (Paul's hankerchief, Philip baptizing the enuch in the water, the apostles placing their hands on people to grant them the Spirit) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StColette Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 [quote name='Ziggamafu' date='Sep 14 2004, 05:03 PM'] Thanks. What I'm trying to perceive is whether or not Peter's shadow miracle suggests something more about his authority... [/quote] Well, I know that in Acts we see the first miracle worked by an Apostle of Jesus and it is in fact Peter. Peter works the first miracle Acts 3:2-10 2 And a man crippled from birth was carried and placed at the gate of the temple called "the Beautiful Gate" every day to beg for alms from the people who entered the temple. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked for alms. 4 But Peter looked intently at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us." 5 He paid attention to them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said: Silver and gold I have none; but what I have, I give thee. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, arise and walk. 7 And taking him by the right hand, he lifted him up: and forthwith his feet and soles received strength. 8 He leaped up, stood, and walked around, and went into the temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the one who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with amazement and astonishment at what had happened to him. The working of the first miracle by Peter can be seen as an example of his authority. He is viewed as the first in many instances in the Bible, such as, when listing the Apostles by name Peter is always listed first, Peter was the first to preach at the Pentecost, and Peter was to be the first Apostle to work a miracle. Also if one reads certain passages in the Bible you will see that Peter is always the one who answers Christ for the other Apostles. God Bless, Jennie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phatcatholic Posted September 15, 2004 Share Posted September 15, 2004 [quote name='StColette' date='Sep 15 2004, 01:55 AM'] The working of the first miracle by Peter can be seen as an example of his authority. He is viewed as the first in many instances in the Bible, such as, when listing the Apostles by name Peter is always listed first, Peter was the first to preach at the Pentecost, and Peter was to be the first Apostle to work a miracle. Also if one reads certain passages in the Bible you will see that Peter is always the one who answers Christ for the other Apostles. God Bless, Jennie [/quote] right, but the specific example of his shadow healing people does not prove his singular authority. just a clarification Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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