Similes and parables are related. When a simile is expanded into a story, the result is a parable. 5) Metaphor An implicit comparison between two essentially unlike things not introduced by a connective such as--as..or like... Examples: to pigeon-hole=to categorize To buttonhole=to pin down To weasel (worm) out of a situation=to escape from a situation Example Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. (NIV) Other examples include the I am sayings of John Example: John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (NIV) 6) Proverb Jesus followed in the wisdom tradition of the Middle East. This is especially apparent in his use of proverbs.. -a memorable statement, a terse, pithy statement, must be one sentence sort of a sentence-sermon Examples: Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (NIV) Mark 3:24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. (NIV) 7) Riddle Jesus: Mark 14:58 We heard him say, `I will destroy this man- made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man. (NIV) 8) Paradox (these are proverbs too) -a statement that may appear to be self-contradictory, absurd, or at variance with common sense but that, upon investigation or when explained, may prove to be logical (Some of these may not appear paradoxical to us in a culture shaped by Christian values, but in their original situation, they did) Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. (NIV) Mark 10:43- 44 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. (NIV) 9) The Use of Questions Several centuries before the time of Jesus, Socrates made famous the use of questions as a method of instruction. Socrates was well aware that by his use of questions he forced his audience to become involved in the learning process. Jesus frequently used questions in his teaching. One way was by drawing his audience in to give the correct answer he sought. By being drawn out from the listeners rather than by simply being declared by Jesus, the correct answer was more convincingly and permanently impressed upon their minds. The turning point of his entire ministry centered around an incident in Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus asked his disciples: Mark 8:27- 32 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, Who do people say I am?... Counter-question: used in possibly hostile situations (Luke 7:39-42; 10:26 (?); 13:15-16; 14:1-5) Luke 13:15- 16 The Lord answered him, You hypocrites! Doesnt each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? 16 (NIV)Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her? Rhetorical Question: not just to get an answer, but to produce an effect. Luke 6:39 He also told them this parable: Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? (NIV) 10) Parabolic or Figurative Actions A teaching contained in the action itself. This was nonverbal teaching. The action of Jesus in these instances was often carefully planned and thought out in order to serve as an instructive tool for his disciples and his audience. A verbal commentary or explanation might follow, but the action itself was parabolic and was meant to teach. Luke 19:1- 7 The protest of the crowd indicates that they saw in Jesus action symbolic significance. 11) Parables 35% of Jesus teaching recorded in the Synoptics is parable. Parables are well known even to secular people today. We speak of being a good Samaritan, wheat and tares, counting the cost, being a prodigal son, hiding ones light under a bushel, frequently without realizing we are actually quoting from the Bible. Defined: a comparison, an analogy, a story: An earthly story with a heavenly meaning. A parable is an expanded simile or metaphor The kingdom of God is like... (Followed by a story/parable) Examples: The Good Samaritan The Four Soils The Lost (Prodigal) Son The parables are not allegories, where each element has a meaning foreign to the story itself. (Augustines allegorical interpretation of The Good Samaritan: certain man = Adam thieves = Satan priest and Levite= the ministry of the OT Samaritan = Jesus Christ Inn = The church Innkeeper = Paul, etc. Parables are simple stories told to make ONE MAIN point (usually). Function: to call forth a response in the hearer. Therefore, do not try to derive too much theology from the parables. Parables were not meant necessarily to convey truth, or even illustrate it, but to call forth a response. Interpreting a parable is like interpreting a joke: you lose the punch. The two things that capture the hearer of a joke and elicit a response of laughter are the same two things that captured the hearers of Jesus parables, namely their knowledge of the points of reference and the unexpected turn in the story. -Fee and Stuart, p. 127 Keys to understanding the Parables 1) Identify the audience. (a teacher of the law in the Good Samaritan), (Luke 15) 2) Understand the points of reference (Samaritan in the Good Samaritan) 3) It may help to re-tell the story with current points of reference (Example: Fee, p. 133) 4) RESPOND! Why did Jesus teach in parables? 1) To confuse (those on the outside) -for his own protection against those who would use his teachings to get him in trouble with Roman rule. -to hide the gospel from those on the outside or -to provoke more interest, discussion (relevant to our discussion method of Bible study) 2) To make his message more clear (for those on the inside) Some were self explanatory. Others he explained (the 4 soils) 3) To disarm, to catch someone short Example: Nathans classic with David. Conclusions The form or vehicle that Jesus used to convey his message is clearly not the language of twentieth-century science but rather the metaphorical, exaggerating, impressionistic language of a culture that loved to tell stories. The vehicle that Jesus used to convey his message is, however, not an end in itself. It is the message far more than the medium that is paramount, for that message was and is the Word of God. To understand that Word correctly, however, requires us to understand the vehicle that Jesus used. (Stein, pp. 32-33) We are a scientific culture, more used to scientific language--say what you mean and mean what you say. Dont get cutesy. Jesus language is far more impressionistic. Its the difference between a photograph and a painting. We use both. Stuart Briscoe says todays preachers must preach to the mind, the will and the emotions. Jesus is a great example of one who does all three. Stories and figures of speech go beyond the mind and hit us in our emotions. That opens the door of our will. Theres a pendulum swing (metaphor) in our culture back to storytelling. Logic is less convincing. If its emotionally compelling, its more convincing. Types of Biblical Literature: Old Testament -Reneau Peurifoy From Lesson 2 of the Old Testament Bethel Bible Series Heres The Same Story Written in Four Different Literary Styles: Historical Reporting A great fire raged through the Northeast residential area of Centerville today, taking hundreds of lives and destroying millions of dollars worth of property. A strong north wind hampered the efforts of the fire fighters to bring the flames under control. Tonight, hundreds of Red Cross workers converged on the charred city to bring aid to the stricken citizens. Personification The loud voices of flames bid the winds welcome, while trees mourned and hills grimaced in pain. A remnant of the living tried valiantly to silence the mouths of the flames but fell useless under the belching breath of the conqueror. While midst the chaos stood a band of angels, binding up the wounds of the fallen. Imagery and Symbolism Remember the garden in the days of its splendor, before the evil days came; when the sky was reddened, and shrieks came up from the streets; when an enemy came upon us and joined forces with natures breath. Ah, cursed hour, thou hast left behind thee scores of open pits, each claiming its dead. Men and women are cast down in ashes. Mourners go about the streets and red angels stretch out loving arms, to lift up the fallen. Poetic Form O torturous memory of searing flames and the cries of the dying Begone and let us rest; What bleakness thou has cast upon us, And cruel wind, why didst thou visit us in this ill-appointed hour? Why didst thou choose to heap sorrow upon sorrow? But for the angels of mercy crossed in red, We might all have gone down in pits. O torturous memory of searing flames and the cries of the dying, Begone and let us rest. Historical Reporting of an Event (Luke 2:1-7) 1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to his own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Historical event in poetic media (Judges 5:15b-18) In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Why did you stay among the campfires to hear the whistling for the flocks? In the districts of Reuben there was much searching of heart. Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan. And Dan, why did he linger by the ships? Asher remained on the coast and stayed in his coves. The people of Zebulun risked their very lives; so did Naphtali on the heights of the field. Imagery and Symbolism (Ecclesiastes 12:1-7) 1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, I find no pleasure in them— 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; 3 when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; 4 when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; 5 when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. 6 Remember him -- before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, 7 and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Personification (Isaiah 55:12b) . . . the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Historical Allusion Through Fable (Judges 9:8-15) 8 One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, Be our king. 9 But the olive tree answered, Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and men are honored, to hold sway over the trees 10 Next, the trees said to the fig tree, Come and be our king. 11 But the fig tree replied, Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees 12 Then the trees said to the vine, Come and be our king. 13 But the vine answered, Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and men, to hold sway over the trees 14 Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, Come and be our king. 15 The thornbush said to the trees, If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon! Allegory (Psalm 80:8-12) 8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. 10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. 11 It sent out its boughs to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River. 12 Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes?
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 05:52:12 +0000
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