Parables

Chapter 8 Notes from How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth

A good place to start with parable is to determine what their primary purpose is. Contrary to many individual's belief, parables do not function primarily for theology. Their primary function, instead, is to call forth a response from the hearer.

Parables are stories. They are not allegories, in which every element has some direct symbolism. The point of the story is can be found in the intended response.

The difficulty? Ever been around someone who had to explain a joke to you? Sure, you understand it, and can even say "Wow, that would have been funny," but it looses the original punch had you heard it and understood it simultaneously. Thus is our dilemma. As we search for the intended meaning of a parable, it can be much like someone explaining a joke to us. We can understand, but can find it harder to relate to that same original punch. Thus it takes that much more effort to place ourselves in the shoes of the original audience.

Let's use the classic example of the Prodigal Son. Most people read it and immediately identify with the prodigal, extracting God's mercy and love. Though that may be true, that wasn't the primary force of the original parable, as it was more focused to "sting" or "catch" those who were self-righteous and judging the love shown by Christ to others.

Continuous effort is needed to place ourselves in the original audience, as well as to hermeneutically translate the same point into our own context.