Hemidakota Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 Sherrie Mills Johnson, who teaches in the department of ancient scripture at BYU, spoke on Aug. 16 at BYU's 88th annual Campus Education Week. She spoke on miracles and the symbolism of Jesus turning water into wine.Photo by Michael De GrooteEXCERPT: "The people that were observing (Jesus') miracles … were trained in symbolism," Johnson said. "Symbolism has dropped out of American culture pretty much. There are still a lot of symbols that we use, but for the most part it isn't part of our daily life."The word translated as "miracle" in John gives clues to the symbolic purpose of the story. Johnson said that the original Greek word used to describe Jesus' miracles is semeion. Semeion means "sign or indication." Johnson said this demonstrates that the important thing about miracles is their symbolic teachings. "There are messages in these miracles."Some messages can also become obscured if we don't understand the culture. In John's story of this miracle, after Mary tells her son there is no wine, Jesus responds: "Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come" (John 2:4)."I tell my students at the university not to speak to their mothers like this … it would be very rude," Johnson said. "But in the culture of the time, what Jesus is saying there is 'Woman' meaning 'Of all the women in the world, you are THE woman to me.' … In the culture Jesus is coming from, this is an incredible show of reverence."LINK: Education Week: Why Jesus turned water into wine | Mormon Times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanhin Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 That sounds like me when I talk to my wife. "Woman, make me a sandwich!" In our culture at my house, it is an incredible sign of respect... for the woman to make me a sandwich. Which is exactly why she just rolls her eyes, shakes her head, and walks away. Vanhin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hordak Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 Why would a college have an EDUCATION week? What are they doing the the other 51 weeks of the year? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dravin Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 Why would a college have an EDUCATION week?What are they doing the the other 51 weeks of the year?Campus Education Week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidakota Posted August 19, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 That sounds like me when I talk to my wife. "Woman, make me a sandwich!" In our culture at my house, it is an incredible sign of respect... for the woman to make me a sandwich. Which is exactly why she just rolls her eyes, shakes her head, and walks away.Vanhin:lol:I state the same when I home, "WOMAN???? WHERE'S DINNER?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarnished Posted August 19, 2010 Report Share Posted August 19, 2010 I state the same when I home, "WOMAN???? WHERE'S DINNER?"And in my house that question is always answered with, "BOY, GET YOUR OWN!" Followed by laughing on both sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moksha Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 We would refuse to drink his wine, so don't even try that here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidakota Posted August 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 oh man, this thread went south. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain_Curmudgeon Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 oh man, this thread went south.Yeah. I've been waiting for "because it tastes good." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyRudick Posted August 20, 2010 Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 Yeah. I've been waiting for "because it tastes good."I think along these lines.The "Water" is a symbol; of the Spirit.The "Wine" is a symbol; of our Blood.Through the fall our bodily systems became corrupted and our circular system came to pumping blood.Jesus I believe was showing at the beginning of His mission whathappened in the start of our history and at His Resurrection, -He changed the wine into water.Yeah, I know:mellow:The reasoning needs some work but -Just a thought along those lines:cool: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hemidakota Posted August 20, 2010 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2010 One thing I did learn from this professor, the Savior had already been doing miracles long before this day recorded event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.