Exploring Aspects of Parables

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Exploring Aspects of Parables

This coursework will look at some of the parables from Luke's gospel

and how Jesus used this method of teaching. I will consider why he

used parables and how they are different from other stories.

I will look at Jesus teaching through some parables which will include

The Good Samaritan, The Lost Son and The Rich Man and Lazarus. I will

examine what message he was putting across to the people and how he

did this through using parables.

Then I will discuss what effect and significance they have on the

belief and life of Christians now. In doing this I will look at how

these teachings can influence people's lives and work and how they can

help us learn how to deal with one another.

Then I will discuss whether these teachings are relevant today.

Part A (i)

What is a parable?

A "parable" is a simple story with a single meaning to it compared to

other stories which may be difficult to understand and may have many

meanings.. The word parable came from the Greek word "parabole" which

means a comparison or an analogy of things. The dictionary definition

of the word parable is "narrative of imagined events used to typify

moral or spiritual relations".1 It is also referred to as "a short

fictitious narrative of something which might really occur in life or

nature, by means of which a moral is drawn; as, the parables of

Christ. - Chaucer."2

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Jesus taught by using parables, because they are lifelike and the

people could relate to them through everyday life situations. He used

parables to encourage the people he was t...

... middle of paper ...

...as used to show people they should care for others and

not store up riches on earth.

In conclusion no one today would argue against the benefits from

teaching such things as children's fables nor would they argue that

the use of illustrations in the modern work place is out of date, so

why discard parables because they are from the scriptures. Therefore

the parables of the bible are as relevant today as they were 2000

years ago because it is the essence of the message which is important

not the minute detail which obviously has more relevance to ancient

people.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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1. JB Sykes - The Concise Oxford Dictionary - Oxford University Press

- Seventh Edition - 1982

2. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc

3. http://www.carm.org/parables/parableprodigal.htm

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