If you want to ask a question

Absent some of those who study these things believe that, during the years that are not reported in bible, from when Jesus was about 12 to about 30, he may have spent time in India. In which case the knowledge available (Buddhism started in 6th Century BC) may well have been something he would have studied ... or not

I don't understand your answer Lilygran.

I recall reading something about Jesus going to India now, Gracesgran.

I still don't know why spirits in the afterlife would need mansions with rooms - surely spirits can pass through walls?

He is also reputed to have come here with his uncle Joseph of Arimathea.

'And did those feet
in ancient time?'

I can't stop thinking about the mansion question now...

Will there be a mansion tax .....

I posted a link to a commentary which tried to explain the mansions. www.craigkeener.com/tag/in-my-fathers-house-are-many-mansions/

“mansions” comes from the Latin translation–it is not in the original Greek text - translating from one language to another can introduce meanings that were not there to start with. The Greek word seems to have meant "dwelling-places" Perhaps the original meant something like "God can dwell in many people and places" - not just in one narrow interpretation. Actual physical mansions don't seem likely.

Craig Keener says -

"In the context of John’s entire Gospel, there is no reason to assume that the “Father’s house” refers to heaven, though it might be an allusion to the Temple (John 2:16) or to the Father’s household (John 8:35; and we are His new temple and His household). More helpfully, Jesus goes on to explain the “dwelling-places”* (NIV: “rooms”) explicitly in the following context. The Greek word for “dwelling-place” used in 14:2 occurs in only one other verse in the New Testament—in this very context, in 14:23, part of Jesus’ continuing explanation of 14:2-4. “The one who loves Me will obey Me, and My Father will love that one and we will come make our ‘dwelling-place’ with that person” (14:23). The related verb appears throughout John 15:1-10: “Dwell [abide]” in Christ, and let Christ “dwell” in you.

I didn't really think there were millions of mansions floating around somewhere 'up there', but was (and still am) rather puzzled as to the meaning of the quote.

I think I see what Craig Keener's getting at, but why couldn't Jesus just say what he meant instead of being so mysterious and obscure?

Thanks, Elegran.

Ana - I agree about mysterious and obscure - it does seem a bit unnecessary.

I think that the camel going through the eye of the needle also suffers in translation. In its original I think it reads "rope", not camel.

Don't Jehovah's Witnesses believe that every true witness has his/her own island when Armageddon comes? That must be even lonelier than the mansion, particularly if you are the only person on the island of Australia, or Greenland.

He is also reputed to have come here with his uncle Joseph of Arimathea.

'And did those feet in ancient time?'

Although there are other religious historians who would say this was Jesus' son also called Jesus rosequartz.

This is all a bit odd!?

I am still puzzled by the idea that Christianity is a peaceful religion.

"Do you suppose that I came to bring peace to the world? No, not peace, but division. From now on a family of five will be divided, three against two and two against three. Fathers will be against their sons, and sons against their fathers; mothers will be against their daughters and daughters against their mothers; mothers-in-law will be against their daughters-in-law, and daughters-in-law against their mothers-in-law."

The Gospel According to Matthew says much the same thing. (The above was Luke.)

Sounds like some of the families that unfortunately some of the GN's have to love with. Dear oh dear

Djen A desert island all to myself?

Bliss for a week or so (with plenty of food and wine that is ...)

'And in God's house for evermore. My dwelling-place shall be.'

but why couldn't Jesus just say what he meant instead of being so mysterious and obscure?
ana We can't be sure what he said, as it wasn't written down contemporaneously.

Ah, but you have to become a Jehovah's Witness first, rose, to qualify for your island.

Ooh er, perhaps a step too far.

I will settle for a mansion. Better behave myself from now on

Haven't all the islands already been allocated so converting now would be too late?

Do not know, absent. I only know what I do about Jehovah's Witnesses because I had one working for me over 20 years ago. My ex daughter in law's mother is one, but we never talked religion.

People can convert right up to the moment they die.
Of course, people dont always know when they will die.
Quite a number of people dont convert until they are quite near death, and realise their end of life may be soon- my dad was one such person.

Heaven is never going to say it cannot take anymore people.

absent - your post 19.07pm

I have been thinking quite a lot about that recently myself.
And I havent fully formed all my thoughts about it.

But this is what I think so far.
God himself is about peace. Christians are taught to be peaceful.
But as you know, christians and Christ Himself was not received or accepted by the general public peacefully.
And some families, when one member decides to become a christian, it can throw the family dynamic into disarray, and sometimes permanent disharmony.

I have to ask durhamjen, what has religion got to do with being a vegetarian? I can't imagine why you asked soontobe.

Can you tell me why religious people hate reiki healing. It is always done with the intent to heal and never to harm. We are trained to be professional and caring and we always ask detailed medical questions and if the person seeking help if either not physically fit or mentally able, then we will not treat them as there could be harm done to them.

What about the old religion, although I don't disbelieve and am a Christian but I still think there is something in the worship of the earth.
If we don't look after mother earth then she will not support life on it.
Has anyone felt the sheer power of a tree, I tree hug and can feel the vibes. The druids had the right idea.

Also if there is a god why does he send illnesses and suffering.
Answer that and I might be on the way to being a better Christian.

The devil has powers. Even christians steer as clear form the devil as we can.
God is more powerful than the devil, but the devil does have some power.