Are parables literal or not?

by RULES & REGULATIONS 14 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  “Bible illustrations [parables] have more than one aspect. They … often have a prophetic meaning and application. Moreover, some had a prophetic meaning for the time when they were spoken or shortly thereafter, and some were to have, in addition, a fulfillment in the distant future.” (Insight on the Scriptures (1988), WTBTS, Vol 1, pp. 1176)

  In the 10/1 1998 Watchtower study article titled, ''Jehovah, a God Merciful and Gracious'' there is a footnote that reads:
  

  Parables and other illustrations related in the Bible did not necessarily take place in actuality. Furthermore, since the purpose of these stories is to teach a moral lesson, there is no need to seek a symbolic meaning in every detail.

  In one breath they teach that the parables are not literal, but in the Matthew 24:45-47 parable, there are actual "faithful and discreet slaves'' on earth today. Why is this parable taken literal when others are not? How do they explain this one?
  
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  FedUpJW

  Why is this parable taken literal when others are not? How do they explain this one?

  Here is a chart that may explain it better than I.

  
  
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  Vanderhoven7

  Seems to me that most of Jesus' parables have some sort of historical or literal application. For example, the vineyard parables apply to Israel and Jerusalem's impending destruction for rejecting their Messiah, while the kingdom of heaven parables relate to the development of the church right up to the harvest; while the eschatological parables point to the return of Christ and the judgment of the world. There are other stories that appear to be parables but are really parodies designed to undermine Pharisaic authority.
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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  Vanderhoven7

  If we are to believe that all the parables were either historical or literal, wouldn't the Matthew 24:45-47 apply only in Jesus's time?
  

  How can the Matthew 24:45-47 parable that the Watchtower Society has been teaching for the last 140 years, really point to the modern ''faithful and discreet slave''?
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  Vanderhoven7

  Hi R&R,

  With regard to the eschatological (second coming) parables such as those found in Matthew 24 and 25, there is a pattern of preparation or readiness for this grand event. The one who is ready for his master's return is the wise servant who feeds his brothers, the virgin who has sufficient oil (symbol of Spirit) in her lamp; the servant who invests the talents he is given by his Lord, and the servant who visits those in prison and clothes the naked. These all picture those who are ready for the master to return. So it seems to me these parables are meant to be prophetic of real events that are to occur with the return of Christ at the end of history.

  I see Matthew 24:1-35 as being fulfilled in the first century with the destruction of Jerusalem, whereas verse 36 on appears to be dealing with the parousia or second coming of Christ to judge all nations.

  36. BUT OF THAT DAY AND HOUR KNOWETH NO MAN,
  NO, NOT THE ANGELS OF HEAVEN, BUT MY FATHER
  ONLY.

  I believe that this verse and "THAT DAY" signal a change in topic
  to the second coming (parousia) of Christ. Mt.7: 20-22
  Mt.11:22 Jn.5:25,29

  Jesus has already explained what would happen to His own
  generation. Now He contrasts that which would relate to His
  second coming (parousia) or presence on earth. Notice the
  contrasts:

  Matt 24:1-35 Matt 24: 36 - end
  __________ __________________

  Local, Jerusalem,Judea,Temple Worldwide: Lu.21:35

  Abnormal Times: calamities Normal Times: Marrying etc.

  Specific signs precede No Signs Given

  Timing Anticipated Lu.24:33 Anticipation Impossible 24:44

  These Days Mt.24:22 That Day Mt.24:36

  Saints to flee No Running; Saints taken
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  Anony Mous

  I heard somewhere recently that a lot of ancient stories, such as those written in a book like the Bible often were written to avoid scrutiny of the ruling class. Likewise you would tell stories where the primary point was not the facts or accuracy thereof, but the moral of the story. The entire Old Testament was written during a time where the facts were not as important as the meaning. Thus you had devices such as parables and revelation to actually comment, discuss and criticize the politics and issues of the day.

  For example the Book of Revelation by John of of Patmos is a thinly veiled critique of the Romans, religion and in particular Nero. Jesus told a lot of parables but they all can be interpreted to criticize the Jewish leadership and religious practices and promote more Roman and Greek ideals and reinterpretations of Judaism.

  And yes, a lot of those were prophetic, but anyone alive back then knew the way Romans dealt with rebellions and rebellion was seething amongst the Jews at the time, hence why Jesus said to pay back to Caesar etc. The whole region was a powder keg, “of that day and hour knoweth no man” is easily interpreted as “the Romans are coming at some point [to put down this rebellion], only God knows when”. It seems Jesus across all those parables is telling people to prepare for a siege and to stop putting faith in the old Judaic ways since God won’t save them, the stories of the Old Testament were just moral stories and people understood that.
  
  
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  waton

  It was very surprising, that wt writers used the inclusion of the question: " who then is the faithful and wise servant--" NIV in the end time prophecy, - as an excuse to appoint themselves as god's mouthpiece. of 1919 vintage.

  In the process they disinherited such greats as Paul, James, John and Luther, Kepler, Copernicus, Galilei, amd yes, I. Newron the bible researcher.. Partakers all, part of the previous "slave class"

  May be these parables are planted to separate the wheat from the chaff.

  The heavies mentioned above from the peripheral light weights like wt, with their so called new light. Very light, with little substance - indeed, blown away by the wind, blowing, changing direction, from the "4 corners of the earth."

  should these parables by treated as strained / sustained metaphors?
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  FFGhost

  JWs follow the Golden Rule of Biblical Exegesis for Fundamentalist Religions:

  If a particular Biblical text supports your preferred doctrine, it is absolutely literally true. If a particular Biblical text contradicts your preferred doctrine, it is absolutely figurative and/or symbolic.

  The GB enjoys the power of having control over the actions of their adherents, so to better achieve that aim, they have decreed that Matthew 24:45-47 is literal - it is a prophecy of actual, true, concrete reality.
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  RULES & REGULATIONS

  If a particular Biblical text supports your preferred doctrine, it is absolutely literally true. If a particular Biblical text contradicts your preferred doctrine, it is absolutely figurative and/or symbolic.

  Here is an example of a parable that is glossed over because it does not have any control over the Watchtower Society members:

  Matthew 13:31-32: “Another parable He put forth to them, saying: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.’'

  The GB enjoys the power of having control over the actions of their adherents, so to better achieve that aim, they have decreed that Matthew 24:45-47 is literal

  Exactly! This parable is the only reason the Watchtower Society have controlled their members for close to 140 years. Out of the nearly 30 parables, this is the only parable that is read over and over.
  
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  waton

  they have decreed that Matthew 24:45-47 is literal FFG

  The parable starts with a question about the quality of the "food". which implies a competition for weeding out erroneous and untimely ideas. demoting those that have and teach them.

  Jesus might have in mind his own experiences in the synagogue, where he was allowed, invited to interpret scripture. Paul too was using that open forum concept of worship, where the Bereans had the right to research and question competing ideas, aka "spiritual food".

  Wt's assertion that they satisfied that requirement of quality food in 1919, shows how detached from reality they are.

  wt you are no Galileo, Kepler, Copernicus, Newton. or Joseph.