Interaction of the Soul and Body#20
20. I was once asked how, from a philosopher, I became a theologian; and I answered, "In the same manner that fishermen were made disciples and apostles by the Lord: and that I also had from early youth been a spiritual fisherman." On this, my questioner asked, "What is a spiritual fisherman?" I replied, "A fisherman, in the Word, in its spiritual sense, signifies a man who investigates and teaches natural truths, and afterwards spiritual truths, in a rational manner."
[2] On his inquiring, "How is this demonstrated?" I said, "From these passages of the Word: 'Then the waters shall fail from the sea, and the river shall be wasted and dried up. Therefore the fishers shall mourn, and all they that cast a hook into the sea shall be sad' (Isaiah 19:5, 8). In another place it is said: 'On the river, the waters whereof were healed, stood fishers from Engedi; they were present at the spreading forth of nets; their fish was according to its kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many' (Ezekiel 47:9-10). And in another place: 'Behold I will send for many fishers, saith Jehovah, and they shall fish the sons of Israel' (Jeremiah 16:16). Hence it is evident why the Lord chose fishermen for His disciples, and said 'Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matthew 4:18-19; Mark 1:16-17): and why He said to Peter, after he had caught the multitude of fishes, 'Henceforth thou shalt catch men' (Luke 5:9-10)."
[3] I afterwards demonstrated the origin of this signification of fishermen from THE APOCALYPSE REVEALED: namely, that since water signifies natural truths (50, 932), as does also a river (409, 932), a fish signifies those who are in natural truths (405); and thence that fishermen signify those who investigate and teach truths.
[4] On hearing this, my questioner raised his voice and said, "Now I can understand why the Lord called and chose fishermen to be His disciples; and therefore I do not wonder that He has also chosen you, since, as you have observed, you were from early youth a fisherman in a spiritual sense, that is, an investigator of natural truths: and the reason that you are now become an investigator of spiritual truths is because these are founded on the former." To this he added, being a man of reason, that "the Lord alone knows who is the proper person to apprehend and teach those things which belong to His New Church; whether one of the Primates, or one of their domestic servants." "Besides," he continued, "what Christian theologian does not study philosophy in the schools, before he graduates as a theologian? From what other source has he intelligence?"
[5] At length he said, "Since you are become a theologian, explain what is your theology?" I answered, "These are its two principles, THERE IS ONE GOD, and THERE IS A CONJUNCTION OF CHARITY AND FAITH." To which he replied, "Who denies these principles?" I rejoined, "The theology of the present day, when interiorly examined."
Matthew第4章
1
Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
2
When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward.
3
The tempter came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread."
4
But he answered, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.'"
5
Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple,
6
and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, 'He will put his angels in charge of you.' and, 'On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don't dash your foot against a stone.'"
7
Jesus said to him, "Again, it is written, 'You shall not test the Lord, your God.'"
8
Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory.
9
He said to him, "I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me."
10
Then Jesus said to him, "Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.'"
11
Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him.
12
Now when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, he withdrew into Galilee.
13
Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali,
14
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
15
"The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, toward the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,
16
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light, to those who sat in the region and shadow of death, to them light has dawned."
17
From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
18
Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19
He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men."
20
They immediately left their nets and followed him.
21
Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them.
22
They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23
Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.
24
The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.
25
Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
