Okay, a definition of a parable is a story taken from real life, earthly, and commonplace situations or universal occurrence to symbolize spiritual situations or truths. Often the parable's meaning is hidden and the person telling the parable has to give the key to understanding the parable's meaning.
For those who don't know the story, look below.
Anyway, this is the reason why it is NOT a parable:
1) It actually has a fellow in hell, a spiritual place -- which certainly is not an everyday Earthly occurrence. Certainly not one I'm familiar with. In fact, most of this story takes place in hell. It is a story about a spiritual non-physical place so how can a story about a spiritual place -- the ultimate reality-- be symbolic of a hidden spiritual truth?
2) There is an actual named character in the story. Parables do not use names. None of the characters in Jesus's other parables had names. Moses and Abraham are also mentioned. Even if they supposedly "represent" the law and the patriach, this is not a parable that everyone everywhere in the world would understand. If this is a parable, it is suited only for those who understand Jewish culture.
3) There is a big spiritual discussion in the story...a discussion where everything is spelled out. Things are so spelled out in this story that the only way one can misunderstand what is going on is to set out purposely to find some other spiritual truth the story is referring to. Parables generally do not have big spiritual discussions. No one in Jesus parables ever talk about religious matters.
This refusal to see that Jesus spoke of hell goes so far as to my adventist friends saying that when JEsus told the theif he (the theif) "Verily, I tell you, this day you will be with me in paradise, that either A) Jesus meant soul sleep where he guards and keeps those he love or B) that Jesus said "I am telling you this day, you will be with me in paradise." Honestly! When one looks at the index of verses with "Verily, I say unto you" in certain Seventh Day Adventists books one readily sees that the other commas are not moved around to suit theological situations. Only in this verse is this comma switched around.
I don't know how they explain the transfiguration on the mount. Mainstream Christians understand it to mean A) JEsus spoke with the Elias and Moses (representative of the law and the prophets) about fulfilling all that was written about him B) The presence of the three aspects of the Godhead supporting Jesus's sacrifice (father, son, and holy spirit all present) C) The idea that spirit has substance and that spirit transforms bodies, even clothes D), JEsus was honored above all other humans and was not equal to Elias and Moses and E) The disciples were given a view of the Saviour's glory. But there is also the simple matter that Elias and Moses had died and were now very much alive and talking to JEsus. What? Did God wake them out of soul sleep then put them back to sleep again? Not possible. God creates people once and only once. HE doesn't blink them out of existence and in again at his whims. Yes, yes, I know...some will say that Elias and Moses did not die, just like Enoch. But if that is true -- and the Bible says that Moses DID die-- why didn't God include Enoch in the mix to represent the folks who lived before the law and the prophets?
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day; and there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores.
"And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom. The rich man also died, and was buried: and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried, and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you, cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
"Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." --Luke 16:19-31.
Charles Finney does a really great exegesis on it
It is funny how many, many, many times a sect with issues will say that everyone else has misunderstood this parable. What is it about this parable that makes it so (supposedly) easily misunderstood by everyone else by them? Because it challenges one of their main tenets.
5 comments:
Hi Carole! I have something to tell ya:
Bible study on Wednesday was about keys being taken from Satan by Jesus and how we should know we have power, or keys to living a model life...Well, before going to bible study, I was reading some lyrics by Brit Rock group Coldplay and there was a lyric which said something like: "I once held the key and now wall is closed on me and my castle now stands on pillars of salt and sand." Some people have said they may be talking about Lucifer of the bible or some other figure. So I was bold enough to tell pastor that after I read this lyric I went to the bible and began reading, etc. etc. she looked weird for a moment. I guess because I asked her first: Does it matter where the message comes from? What I was aiming at, is that everything works in one accord, because usually I know what a topic will be about before heading off to fellowshipping with others...She wanted to talk to me more, but everyone bothers her and after bible study she wanted to talk to the girl who can "See" things I felt kind of offed like no one wanted to listen, oh well...
Ah gee! I know the feeling. Sometimes people don't think God can work through a rock star or someone "secular" but God's grace is present everywhere and sometimes God uses strange things to just give us a little godwink to make us aware he's peeking over our shoulder...or to prepare us for something.
The church often claims to not be judgmental but they often judge on some weird things like externals, reputations, etc. It's amazing. How many prophetesses have I met who thought they "knew" something because they were prophetesses. And really they were sooo wrong. Or they judged by externals.
I had one friend for instance whose daughter got pregnant out of wedlock. She decided she had heard from the lord that her daughter's child should be given up for adoption. I said not to do it, that there's something called the empty arms syndrome that happens with women who lose babies or have abortions. But did she listen? No!!! She took the baby from her crying daughter and gave the baby away. A year later her daughter was pregnant again -- which I figured would happen-- and this time she figured her daughter had a job and should keep the baby. Although the baby was out of wedlock, her daughter had a fiance. But fiance turned out to be a creep and her daughter left him. Then fiance's mom came one day and stole the baby. Upshot, now my prophetess friend has a daughter who has no children. And my prophetess friend keeps thinking she was right.
People always think they're being led by God when they aren't. Consider some of the greedy folks you see on Christian television. And some of the pastors. There are some pretty smug, arrogant, proud folks on there.
BTW, guess what showed up in my google list?? Your review of Wind Follower. Thank you sooo much.
It showed up there!! Cool :)
Yeah, I did feel really down about that Wednesday night. There are so many seers at the church and well, you know how I feel about that. My thing is writing. I write my lil' heart out everyday. Lately, I've just been making Godwink connections(as you call them:) to things, whether from a book, a poem, or a song. I feel good knowing someone believes God works in strange ways too.
yes, thanks sooo much for the review. It made my day. It really did. -C
Glad to help...just waitin' on more writings from ya:)
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