Wednesday 2 April 2008

Questionable Parables

David and Goliath: At first glance this seems to be a heartwarming story where the underdog wins; however, the defeat of a larger enemy through superior weapons technology isn't always praiseworthy - look at Hiroshima. Maybe that was a bad example. If I suckerpunched a boxer would that make me pure of heart?

The Prodigal Son: Why work hard? The son who was loyal to his father was stepped upon whereas the son who stole money and acted morally was treated like a saint. Jesus told us that anything goes as long as there is an apology afterwards. The Lost Sheep: "I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance". So why are Christians so uptight about sinning?

Ten virgins: If anyone understands this give me a note.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

i like your analogies. I would be interested to know our religious history. Did your family try to shove religion down your throat? how did you come to your opinions? When you comment on my blog though it makes no sense to me. i don't know who Pascal is.and you even called me Mr. Pussy! was that a typo?

Anonymous said...

It is funny that you try to criticize a parable that you don't even understand... I am glad you are really looking what the message of Scripture is and understanding what it says to see if it is even liable. Oh wait, you aren't.

Atheists that are mad at God are always funny. So are people who hate Jesus, but don't even understand Him.

Start a real blog. Something with meaning. Don't waste your life bashing something you hate. Devote your life to something you love.

MR. X said...

I've only been doing it for a week.

Carol said...

We can't sin and do whatever we want, then say a quick prayer and be forgiven. It doesn't work that way. He only forgives if we truly mean it and repent. If you keep sinning, and keep asking for forgiveness without repentance, and in fact plan on sinning some more, then your sins are not forgiven and you will have to pay that debt yourself, which is death. Paul says 'Do we go on sinning that grace may abound? Of course not?" So those people had the same idea that you did.

When a person is born again, they take on the nature of Christ - hating sin. That does not mean we become sinless because that's impossible. We are still sinful creatures. But we have another nature in us - one that strives for holiness, and purity, and a desire to obey the Father. And when we sin, we are truly sorry and repentant - so we ask for forgiveness and we stop whatever it is we were doing.

Regarding the Prodigal son. The other son was not treated badly at all - he did everything that was right in the first place so of course there was no fanfare for him. But it is a wonderful thing for the one who has gone astray, and has come back to what is right. The Prodigal son reeped the repercussions of his sins - he lost everything and he knew that he had made poor choices. He knew he destroyed his inheritance and put himself in dangerous spiritual grounds. But he came back. Many of us has experienced this - we call this "backsliding." Being the 'dumb sheep' that we are, we stray away form the Lord. We become caught up in the things of the world, the pleasures of the world only to find out that we have damaged ourselves spritually. (broken fellowship with the Father) Some of our sins have their own natural consequences and so we learn from that. But it is a wonderful thing to be brought back into God's presence and to have our fellowship restored, to repent of those sins and live rightly. That calls for rejoicing because if we had continued, and not heed the calling to come back, then we would have destroyed ourselves for an eternity. so yes, that is a cause for celebration. But the Prodigal son's brother was already safe and living rightly. He didn't 'come back' from anything which is a good thing because he remained steady, on the right path the entire time.

Anonymous said...

Wow, Mr. X. Until just now, I might have disagreed with you, but I thought you seemed like a fairly reasonable guy. What the heck was that? Next time you accuse an intellectual opponent of not responding to you, get ready for that last post to be thrown back at you.

MR. X said...

It was a joke though...

But everyone's a bit fundamentalist sometimes.

pilgrim said...

Brothers and Sisters in Christ

The goal of these men are obvious--Let us not waste time with foolish arguments and long defenses. This has been going on for nearly 2000 years. Let us continue to build each other up in our most holy faith, keeping our eyes upward and our minds on things above. Those who are drawn to Christ will find him, for He finds all of His lost sheep.

But these men are not open to dialogue, only ridicule and persecution. Indeed, their knowledge puffs them up, and they will only continue to try and put us to shame with their tests, their questions and their fine sounding arguments. Let us be like sheep and remain silent and dumb.

Brothers and sisters, the Son of Man is coming--let no man tell you otherwise--and when He is revealed from the heavens with power and glory, our hope and vindication will be made manifest. Keep your eyes on the shepherd of your souls.

Grace and peace...