[[In the parable of the mustard seed, the context is agricultural,]]
Only I nthe sense that farmers plant mustard seeds- As pointed out- there is also no qualifier that states that ‘smallest of seeds’ was referring only to what farmers would plant- the verse simply states that farmers do plant mustard seeds, and that they are the ‘smallest of seeds’- the verse does not go on to state ‘that farmers plant’
[[it is not necessarily the case that “all” is absolute either.]]
Except when it is-
as noted in my previous post- the point beign that Jesus used thigns that were not literally true (and there is no compelling reason to think Jesus was singling out just farm seeds simply because He said farmers do infact plant them) in order to make points that needed to be made-
The parable of the rich man is just such an example- Many major commentators, and noted theologians all down through the ages do not consider the parable an actual event for many of the reasons I’ve posted-
[[This, BTW, is a mark of sophisticated thought. The reader is expected to accept the factual nature of these statements, even though they are not true in an absolute sense.]]
What is the factual nature I n this passage? That because farmers plant mustard seeds, Christ MUST only be comparing seed sizes to seeds that farmers plant? Is that what you are suggesting?
Your objections duly noted. I leave it to the reader to make up their own minds. I have seen the great length of these posts back and forth and from their nature determined I will make little difference in the outcome. As I have so much else to do where I can and must make a difference, that is where I will put my effort.
Peace,
SR