"just as the sheep's nature of a Christian is shown in his resemblance to the Lamb of God", I read it on a book and I really don't know what it mean. Seeking help here.
Thanks for all the answers
Haha, actually the original line comes from "Das Kapital" by Marx, not precisely the most religious text you will find (at least in a traditional sense).
I looked up the original passage in German using Google Books. In the preceding page, Marx strives to explain how to equate the value of two products of labor, like a coat vs. a piece of cloth. Being a bit polemic in nature, or so it seems, he ends each paragraph with an aside that criticizes authority, status, or - in this passage - religion. The original reads: "Ihr Werthsein erscheint in ihrer Gleichheit mit dem Rock, wie die Schaafsnatur des Christen in seiner Gleichheit mit dem Lamm Gottes", which translates into: "the cloth's value is apparent in its equivalence to the coat, just as the sheep-nature of the Christian in his likeness to the Lamb of God" - which basically means Marx thinks that Christians are sheep(le), and that's all.
Considering that this is just one of many side remarks (or witticisms) in a long passage, I would not spent too much time analyzing it. One thing that can be learned, however, from this is: include the context when asking for clarification, otherwise the answers may be dead wrong ;-).
Cheers
The whole point is purely practical: is a particualr question likely to lead to....? THis one seems perfectly innocent, and I can't imagine it derailing.
It is a religious/theological question and therefore not really appropriate for italki. However since you are asking about understanding a translation and not in terms of religious opinion I will try to help. Please understand religious discussions can derail pretty quickly so lets keep this simply as understanding the phrase.
"just as the sheep's nature of a Christian is shown in his resemblance to the Lamb of God"
In Christian theology the sheep are those who believe in Jesus Christ and his teachings -- they are His sheep. Jesus is the 'Lamb of God'.
The above phrase refers to the nature of the Christian and how it is supposed to be similar to Jesus' own nature. I think the phrase refers to Christ's submission to and obedience to the will of God the Father.
Submitted respectfully to all religious viewpoints :-)
@ Aurelio. Wow! Context is indeed King!
@KP I have seen more innocent than this derail here :-)
