Newfie

But how do we know that the parabels are not meant to be taken literally? The gospels' parabels serve as the prototype for most people. Maybe Jesus' original audience understood differently? Maybe some of his other teachings were not meant to be taken literally too. We just can't assume to know what Jesus meant as literally true and what were just teaching tools.

atimetorend

I read somewhere where a person believed the parables were actually true stories, albeit ones Jesus told in order to convey a message. Their reasoning was that Jesus was God, God is omniscient, there had been a vast multitude of human lives lived up to the point Jesus told the parables, so why wouldn't he be drawing upon observation of actual events?

The strangest part of that for me is wondering why someone would feel compelled to think that. Maybe they felt most comfortable going with the most literal reading possible, and they felt that was a logical possibility to fit their desired reading.

storytime

I was pointing out how Jesus deceived the multitude using parables.

Joan of Bark

Yes! This is the first fundamental truth of the relationship of Christians with the Bible.

The second fundamental truth is: Everyone's a Biblical literalist ... when they agree with a Biblical passage.

Newfie

Ever read A.J. Jacobs The Year of Living Biblically? It's pretty funny, and a good illustration of your point.

Vinnie

You shouldn't read books intended for grown-ups if you can't yet make that distinction.

Vinnie

Newfie

Many of us come to this forum ready to question long-held assumptions. Lots of people assume that Jesus' parabels were not historical, and lots of others believe they were. I think you can be grown up and still seriously debate the issue.

Vinnie

If you do not believe Jesus said certain parables that is fine. If you are being pedantic and saying Jesus meant his parables as literal history or he was a lier, per the opening post in this thread, I will not retract my advisement.

The literal truth about a parable is that it is a story, by definition, a pragmatic example using everyday life to illustrate a point.

Vinnie

Newfie

Just trying to have a friendly discussion, Vinnie.

I know what a modern-day parable is, but how do we know if Jesus was telling the same kind of stories? He would have had access to sources of information we do not have, correct? Do you know for certain that Jesus was not recalling actual events in his parables, and would that have made them any less useful as teaching aides?

The literal truth of which you speak would have been dependent upon many things cultural to that period, correct? Can it be said that they are universally true without some research into this context? Some knowledge of who the Samaritans were is necessary to get a more genuine feeling of that particular story, for example. So, isn't any and all discussion about the form of parable Jesus employs important in understanding them?

Vinnie

If you know of another definition of a parable please state it.

Vinnie