Jan 18 2008
how to read a parable
Parables can be tricky. It is hard to know where to focus and what parts matter most. Sometimes it is even hard to know what they mean. Part of this difficulty is inherent to any teaching that happens through stories.
When one tells a story to teach a point, there are necessarily lots of details that flesh out the narrative but are not necessarily essential to the point narrative teaching works for lots of important reasons but not because it is efficient. This means that when we approach a story that is used to teach, (such as a parable) we need to be careful that we are not distracted by the details.
I remember being in a Sunday School class with a man who was so concerned about the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15). He was sure that this parable taught that Jesus abandoned the church to go looking for other people. Despite dozens of texts that demonstrated otherwise, he was letting the details of the narrative prevent him from seeing the main point.
So in light of this, how do we read a parable. I recommend three steps.
1. Look at the context. Try to keep in mind who was hearing Jesus when he told this parable. Be sure to notice what events led up to or follow from the telling of a parable. Notice if the parable is in a group of parables that help explain each other. (Luke 15 is a good example of this.)
2. Look for summary statements. Lots of the parables include summary statements that are either provided by Jesus or the gospel writer. Often these summary statements give us the principle that the parable intends to teach. (Again, the first two parables of Luke 15 are examples of this, as are most of the parables in Luke.) I think that we must take these summary statements seriously. If our reading of a parable is not consistent with the summary statement, then we probably are missing the forest because of the trees.
3. Look for the main point. Some parables are allegories and they explore extended metaphors. Most are not. Most (regardless of the complexity of the narrative) are designed to make a fairly simple theological point. When we try to force more on the parable then is really there we open ourselves up for serious error.
So that’s it. It isn’t rocket science, but it is a helpful tool. If you have a favorite parable or a parable that completely stumps you, why don’t you share it in the comments sections and we can talk about it. I promise, if you post a parable that stumps you I will be eager to discuss it with you.
on the walk
-Ethan
ok so it’s not a parable but the rich young ruler who follows all the law. What is Jesus’ message to him. Wealth is a hindrance to salvation. Or is he suggesting that the rich man loves money and while he can follow the law his heart is not in it.
We are having a series on $ at church and I wondered where this fit in to the message of it’s ok to be wealthy.
-kire
ps clearly the young man must already tithe
Your right, it is not a parable, but since I love that text, I will give the short version.
First we have to read the text in its context. In its context, to follow Jesus meant to actually follow him. We use the language of follow as a metaphor, but in that context it would have meant wandering form town to town, etc. Jesus of course had “followers” (as we use the term) who didn’t actually follow him, such as Lazarus and his sisters. But in the gospels the call to follow was (as far as I can tell) a call to actually follow.
So this man comes to Jesus and asks about inheriting eternal life. He has a pretty good life but wonders what his is missing. Jesus gives him a command that ends with, “And come follow me.” (It starts differently depending on the gospel but in every case the point is about being whole.) I used to always focus on the beginning of the command and get shocked but the climax of the command is, “Then come follow me.” That is a huge offer but it doesn’t surprise me, it was his standard call. (Take a look at Luke 5:11, 5:27, 9:23, 9:59, 9:61, 14:27, 18:22 to see how this call looks in Luke.)
So if the climax is, “Follow Me” and I remember that in this case we are talking about actual following then the prelude make more sense. This young man simply could not manage his household and wander after this remarkable Rabbi and his rag tag band. I suppose he could hire a manager, but Jesus seemed to have no time for those kinds of mixed loyalties. Even with a manager, the man would always be distracted, so if he is going to follow Jesus he would have to sell his stuff. Then he would have all these huge bags of money. They would be two heavy to carry. So why not give it to the poor.
Peter and John dropped their nets, Matthew left the tables. In light of those calls, this call is not more radical. Apparently the big difference is that this guys had more to lose. Maybe it is easier to quit your job for Jesus if you are a struggling fisherman than is you are very wealthy nobleman.
So for this guy the reality of his life is that he can’t follow Jesus and keep his wealth. Just as Peter couldn’t keep fishing and follow Jesus.
So I think that the rules are basically the same for us. We live in submission to God and submit to his call. Many of us will receive a call like Lazarus. He kept his home and gave generously to support the ministry of Jesus. He hosted them in what must have been a large home. He was never (as far as we know) called to follow.
So I think that the basic question is are we begin faithful to our call. There is a universal call on our wealth that is there for all Christians. I think that 2 Cor 8 and 9 is a pretty good articulation of this call. There short version is that all things have been given to us for the benefit of others.
In addition, many will receive a call that is beyond the universal call. Perhaps you will called to follow Christ is work among the poor. In that case you would need to sell all you have and give it to the poor. Not because God hates couches and TV’s and wants us all to sell our couches, but because you simply can’t take it all with you if you are truly following Christ’s call to go and live among the poor and care for them.
There is a lot more to be said on this. But this is already pretty long. I will summarize by saying that I think the contemporary American church is generally way to easy on our lifestyle of consumption. We need a few more prophets.