Is Luke 16:19-31 a parable? (Gospel, hell, allegory, believe)

[Fundamentalist]

Luke 16:19-31 has been the focus of much controversy. Some take the story of the "rich man and Lazarus" to be a true, historical account of events that actually occurred; others consider it a parable or allegory.

First, the story is never called a parable. Many other of Jesus' stories are designated as parables.

Second, the story of the rich man and Lazarus uses the actual name of a person. Such specificity would set it apart from ordinary parables.

Third, this particular story does not seem to fit the definition of a parable, which is a presentation of a spiritual truth using an earthly illustration. The story of the rich man and Lazarus presents spiritual truth directly, with no earthly metaphor. The setting for most of the story is the afterlife, as opposed to the parables, which unfold in earthly contexts.

The important thing is that whether the story is a true incident or a parable, the teaching behind it remains the same. Even if it is not a "real" story, it is realistic. Parable or not, Jesus plainly used this story to teach that after death the unrighteous are eternally separated from God, that they remember their rejection of the Gospel, that they are in torment, that their condition cannot be remedied and taught the existence of heaven and hell.

Jesus showed the downfall of the rich man was his money, which reminds me of the rich young ruler when Jesus said, Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

[alicenevada]

Yes, it is.

The illustrative way in which Jesus tells the story leads most people to this conclusion.

[Fundamentalist]

Originally Posted by alicenavada

Yes, it is.

The illustrative way in which Jesus tells the story leads most people to this conclusion.

Doesn't follow the guidelines of a parable.

[Meerkat2]

Originally Posted by Reformed Liberal

Luke 16:19-31 has been the focus of much controversy. Some take the story of the "rich man and Lazarus" to be a true, historical account of events that actually occurred; others consider it a parable or allegory.

First, the story is never called a parable. Many other of Jesus' stories are designated as parables.

Second, the story of the rich man and Lazarus uses the actual name of a person. Such specificity would set it apart from ordinary parables.

Third, this particular story does not seem to fit the definition of a parable, which is a presentation of a spiritual truth using an earthly illustration. The story of the rich man and Lazarus presents spiritual truth directly, with no earthly metaphor. The setting for most of the story is the afterlife, as opposed to the parables, which unfold in earthly contexts.

The important thing is that whether the story is a true incident or a parable, the teaching behind it remains the same. Even if it is not a "real" story, it is realistic. Parable or not, Jesus plainly used this story to teach that after death the unrighteous are eternally separated from God, that they remember their rejection of the Gospel, that they are in torment, that their condition cannot be remedied and taught the existence of heaven and hell.

Jesus showed the downfall of the rich man was his money, which reminds me of the rich young ruler when Jesus said, Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

It also clearly says that because the richman lived sumptuously that he will go to hell and Lazarus being a beggar will go to heaven - there is no need to believe in Christ and be faithful - you just need to be poor and be treated badly and you will go to heaven.

The "hell" that the "richman" was in was "genhenna" which is national disinheritance of the Jews post 70AD they are the children of the kingdom which are cast out.

[Meerkat2]

Reformed Liberal,

Here is an article that describes this parable.

http://www.auburn.edu/~allenkc/lazarus.html

[firstborn888]

Do you believe that Abraham's literal chest is big enough to support a bunch of people? And that he does that and holds conversations simultaneously?

Most apologists will say "Well, Abraham symbolizes the covenant".

So is the symbolic Abraham literally holding conversations with literal dead rich people?

Interesting too is that this is Hades, not Gahenna and it contradicts all other scripture concerning Sheol/Hades.

[ShanaBrown]

Parable or not, Jesus plainly used this story to teach that after death the unrighteous are eternally separated from God,

Where does Jesus teach this in this story or parable?





http://bible-truths.com/lazarus.html

http://www.mercifultruth.com/lazarus.htm (broken link)

God bless.

[alicenevada]

So we are to assume that those in heaven and those in hell will be able to freely converse?

That one drop of water will be able to quench the fires of an everlasting fire?

This is a parable that conveys the spiritual position of those who fall out of God's favor. Eternal seperation from God is torment enough. I have never assumed that the 'fires' were supposed to be literal.

[firstborn888]

Originally Posted by alicenavada

Eternal seperation from God is torment enough.

Nothing can exist separated from God as "He is before all things, and in Him all things consist"

[ShanaBrown]

Amen. God bless.