Another question

[DeaconDean]

Who here, would agree with this statement:

But with amost every parable, some brief introductory or concluding remarks by either Jesus or the evangelist narrating the story imply that main characters in the passage carry allegorical freight. For example, the prodigal son clearly stands for tax collectors and "sinners" with the Pharisees and scribes as the older brother (Lk. 15:1-2). Or in the parable of the children in the marketplace, the playmates proposing the different games probably stand for Jesus and John, while their recalcitrant friends represent Jesus' and John's contemporaries who rejected them (Mt. 11:16-19).

Discuss

God Bless

Till all are one.

 

[Bluelion]

I don't think the older brother was the Pharisees, they were hypocrites. the father says to the oldest son everything I have is yours, but it is right to celebrate. He is speaking of those saved who have remained faithful and the son returning is those getting saved. telling us don't be jealous of the celebrations. The older brother could also be the Jews who are saved, and speaking of Gentiles entering the family tree.

Just my thoughts.

 

[jamantc]

Yep, I see the older son being the Pharisees and Scribes while the younger son is portrayed as the gentiles. The younger son represents the gentiles in that they are part of God's creation, but not part of His flock (at the moment) while the older son shows loyalty to the father and stays with him as though he is of the flock waiting for his inheritance (all the father has). The younger son is separated from the father but one day realizes the disparity of his life (renewing of the heart by the Spirit) and is led to the father to seek forgiveness. In love, the father sees him coming and not just greets him, but rejoices in his greeting him (for if one has 100 sheep and 1 is lost, will not the shepherd search for the 1 that is lost and when the 1 is found he rejoices and celebrates the lost being found. the angels rejoice as one lost soul is brought into the kingdom as if it were a thousand...paraphrasing). A celebration is thrown for the lost son coming home. The older brother (who like the Pharisees deemed himself righteous and the only heir to the father's glory and riches) was upset because the father chose to celebrate the lost son returning. He did not even refer to his brother, but to him as his father's son (which that is what we, as believers, who have been chosen by God for redemption are, the Father's children). As a representation of the Pharisees, the older son showed the same displeasure with the father for showing mercy to the outrageous sinner, his brother (the gentiles). Jesus told the Pharisees and Scribes that the well had no need of a physician only the sick. The older brother, like the Pharisees and Scribes, deemed himself unrighteous of the father's blessings. Like the Pharisees and Scribes, the older brother was blinded by pride that father chose whom he would have mercy on without asking his permission. Scripture is clear that what God does is simply for His Own glory and good pleasure and He does not seek the approval of any created being, especially when it comes to whom He will have mercy upon. Joy is connected with the restoration of one lost, one whose heart has been turned from stone to flesh, one who now is grafted into the family of Christ and redeemed by the propitiation which he suffered on the cross which extended to those whom God chose to have mercy upon (the gentiles).

 

[98cwitr]

^^^Id have to agree

 

[SpiritualAntiseptic]

Who here, would agree with this statement:



Discuss

God Bless

Till all are one.

I would think that the parables are about universal issues with far reaching implications that deal with real human needs such as forgiveness from sin that perhaps are best not condensed down to only one way of viewing the teaching.

 

[Bluelion]

I would think that the parables are about universal issues with far reaching implications that deal with real human needs such as forgiveness from sin that perhaps are best not condensed down to only one way of viewing the teaching.

can I ask if that is an anarchy symbol on your avatar?

 

[jamantc]

I would think that the parables are about universal issues with far reaching implications that deal with real human needs such as forgiveness from sin that perhaps are best not condensed down to only one way of viewing the teaching.

If it's a representation of the Pharisees and Gentiles in the Prodigal Son, it is dealing with sin, forgiveness, and righteousness. Why when someone has a view that reaches back thousands of years and not inline with "today's" views do they get condemned or told they shouldn't think a certain way? Many scriptures are narrowed down to specific views and have only one thing that can be taught from them. The bible isn't about us, contrary to popular believe. The bible is about what God has done for His Own glory and about what Jesus has done for those whom He loves. We just happen to be a by product of God's glory, but not that we may be self-centered, but that we may continue to give Him the glory which He deserves. Man-centered gospel is heresy to say the least, but common in today's world, especially after the liberating freedom that came with America the second great harlot in history