Finding Jesus' bones?

[Kibet Hillary]

It really does sound as though it was a metaphor and if this holds true, then he did. Otherwise, literally taking the statement would mean that he was bound to fail from step 1.

[nooregano]

It sounds like a metaphor for some kind of religious experience, although it is an odd-sounding one! What it means is not immediately apparent. "Bones" have a myriad of symbolic implications.

[Vlinstry]

I agree that it was most likely used to be a metaphor for mental enlightenment and having a greater understanding of Faith in general.

[cpru68]

The bones represented what holds up the “body”. The church is often referred to as the body of Christ. So as Jesus directs him to find his “bones” to me it meant to build people back up in faith and to restore what has been broken by false information. So the author is seemingly doing that by learning and sharing his spiritual experiences with others.

[Karen Crumley]

I agree that he is metaphorically referring to the core of the teachings of Jesus, rather than the man-made belief systems that denominations have built around it. At least that's what I think so far--haven't finished the book.

[briellejee]

For me, I think it refers to the core of Jesus' values. It is mentioned in the Bible that we have to walk in Jesus' ways, that is to have the fruits of the Holy Spirit. Finding the "bones" may be finally walking in the way as Jesus did, not literally, but his traits. I think the author achieved it in some ays. Mental enlightenment could produce a lot of those good things in your character.

[briellejee]

There quite literally has been attempts at finding the bones of Jesus, so it has to be metaphorical. We use the term "bare bones" when we mean only the most essential, so perhaps he means something along those lines.

Hmm. Maybe the author used the term "Jesus' bones" for this exact reason that people have been trying to find it. Something that would prove impossible or futile at some point. However, his connection to it metaphorically is that people may not find a shred of physical evidence but that doesn't mean he didn't exist; more kinda like our faith in Him, and of course, for the author, mental enlightenment of everything.

[Christinabooklover]

I also believe that he uses the expression metaphorically. Jesus resurrected from death, could not have said to anyone to literally find his bones.

As rssllue writes above:

"I think that only way to really know God is to trust that His Word is entirely true from beginning to end."

[Kibet Hillary]

There quite literally has been attempts at finding the bones of Jesus, so it has to be metaphorical. We use the term "bare bones" when we mean only the most essential, so perhaps he means something along those lines.

This has to hold true because if the author's attempt indeed was to find Jesus' bones then this would have been a futile attempt. It can only be compared to thinking of something that is completely unachievable.

[Maríe Wamakima]

I think this may have been a metaphor for finding his mental enlightenment, so to speak. I thought it was an odd part though and didn't fully understand what he meant by it.

I believe this to be true. Most modern Christian teachings have been diluted and do not contain any real tangible information. In search of bones means in search of the true meaning of being a Christian.

[Kibet Hillary]

This is a wonderful insight too. It is true that the dilution brought about by some modern teachings may not truly reflect the truth as it is supposed to be. But I am led o question whether the whole concept of the book would best describe basic christian doctrines.

[Kibet Hillary]

I also believe that he uses the expression metaphorically. Jesus resurrected from death, could not have said to anyone to literally find his bones.

As rssllue writes above:

"I think that only way to really know God is to trust that His Word is entirely true from beginning to end."

I like the quote that indeed, the only way to really know God is to trust that His Word is entirely true. It also implies that the word would need no extra sources to prove its credibility. Hence, the title indeed cannot be taken literally.

[MissAndi]

I think the author was looking for something that made him special subconsciously, and it came to him consciously as a dream of Jesus telling him to find his bones. It's entirely up to the author to "find the bones" he was looking for.

[briellejee]

The bones represented what holds up the “body”. The church is often referred to as the body of Christ. So as Jesus directs him to find his “bones” to me it meant to build people back up in faith and to restore what has been broken by false information. So the author is seemingly doing that by learning and sharing his spiritual experiences with others.

This is an interesting and much closer take on that metaphor. Thanks for this!

[Job Njoroge]

These words cannot be taken literally since they would not make sense. They must have a deeper meaning like finding oneself.