RE: The Rich man and Lazarus
Is it a parable?
First, the story is never called a parable. Many other of Jesus’ stories are designated as parables, such as the sower and the seed (Luke 8:4); the prosperous farmer (Luke 12:16); the barren fig tree (Luke 13:6); and the wedding feast (Luke 14:7).
Second, the story of the rich man and Lazarus uses the actual name of persons — Abraham and Lazarus
Such specificity would set it apart from ordinary parables, in which the characters are not named.
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.
And even, for arguments sake, if it is a parable, surely it is a picture of what happens to people who are like the rich man...
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, and that their condition cannot be remedied. In Luke 16:19-31, whether parable or literal account, Jesus clearly taught the existence of heaven and hell as well as the deceitfulness of riches to those who trust in material wealth.
I think you’re right about the ultimate moral lesson concerning riches, but the details of this parable (yes, parable) are anything but realistic. Will all of the redeemed be placed by angels in Abraham’s capacious bosom? Are heaven and hell in immediate proximity to each other? Is heaven below the earth, or is hell in the sky? Do we have to get carried past hell to heaven, or is hell above heaven? Are are they next to each other? Will we be having conversations between heaven and hell? Really now, what could be more of a story than this? :-)
It’s a parable.
Just my opinion, of course. But I feel that those that say it is not a parable say so because they have a vested interest in it NOT being a parable. I figured out it was a parable before I even got into this “what is hell?” discussion.
BTW, what is the rich man’s name? Why is he where he is? Why is Lazarus where he is?
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.
Today he may use a scene from Iron Man.
And even, for arguments sake, if it is a parable, surely it is a picture of what happens to people who are like the rich man...
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, and that their condition cannot be remedied. In Luke 16:19-31, whether parable or literal account, Jesus clearly taught the existence of heaven and hell as well as the deceitfulness of riches to those who trust in material wealth.