Churches Of Christ/Is it a parable?

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Expert: - 5/31/2011


Question
Good Day to you Marvin,
 Could you please explain Luke 12: 13-15, 21 to me and are these verses another parable of jesus?
 Thank you ever so much.

Barry

Answer
Hi!

Barry, I will be happy to answer this for you. Jesus used parables to explain ordinary things in spiritual terms. The verses you cite are not a parable. These verses are the reason for the parable contained between them. Basically, some of the people following Him got into an argument. So, Jesus essentially said, "Let me tell you about your arguing." He then told the parable in verses 16-20. After the parable, He warned them again about quarreling over physical wealth because it would distract them from Heaven; just like in the parable.

There is an easy way to spot the parables. When Jesus uses the words, "like" and "as," He is describing circumstances for a real event in a way that is understandable to the hearer. He simplifies a complicated concept. However, when He uses words such as, "certain" and "is," He is saying things that are factual rather than descriptive. These passages are not parables.

Parable comes from the same Greek word for the mathematical term, "hyperbole." The basic definition is to "toss at a distance." In other words, Jesus takes a situation that is too close to be seen well, and tosses it in a hyperbolic arc to a distance where the whole picture can be seen. In literature, the figure of speech known as hyperbole is "a blatant exaggeration to make a point." So, a parable is a blatant exaggeration contained in its own set of circumstances.

Barry, I hope this has helped you to understand. If I can be of any further assistance, please let me know.

In His Service,
Marvin Howard

Churches Of Christ

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Marvin Howard

Expertise

I consider myself to be a "doctrine specialist" if there is such a thing. I offer scripture to support or refute (as needed) any doctrine practiced within what is commonly termed "Christianity" today. I am willing to try questions on prophecy and history, though they are weak points. I have learned a little, however. Also, as I am disabled, I have time to research many things. For example, I can find a congregation of the church within twenty miles of your ZIP Code if one exists. If traveling, I can locate a congregation for your visit. I am accountable in this ministry to a group of Christians. I will share my answers with them for review. If a question is private, I will redact the names for privacy.

Experience

I became a Christian on April 7, 1969. I have been a substitute, spur-of-the-moment preacher for thirty years. My last pulpit was with the congregation in Braswell, GA. My sermons have always contained at least fifty percent scripture. On occasion, I have preached in seven states, and four foreign nations. This is beside my online ministry. I am now, officially retired.

I hope to never mislead anyone saying I'm a member of one group, when I'm really in another as one here does. By his own admission, he isn't a member of the church, but of the "Christian Church" (sic) denomination. If I can be honest, I don't know why others would want to lie.

Education/Credentials
Having already acquired significant Bible education from self-study, I attended 1.5 years of Bible college through the church at Dyersburg, TN (before my health waned) in an attempt to get paper to say I know what I know.

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