Christianity, Part II
Christianity, Part II
For our sacred text reading, again we are using the Bible as a source. It is an important text in Judaism and Christianity. The excerpt is from the New Testament. In the latter portion of the Bible, there are many stories called parable given. These are basically teaching stories used or told by Jesus to make a point, usually a spiritual one. Your textbook offers a very famous one known as “The Good Samaritan” (pages 313). However, I decided on another well-known story, “Prodigal Son.” Please read the following text and answer the discussion question below. Do not forget to respond to two of your classmates' posts!
The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
11 Then Jesus[aLinks to an external site.] said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with[bLinks to an external site.] the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ 20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’[cLinks to an external site.] 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then the father[dLinks to an external site.] said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
Footnotes:
- Luke 15:11Links to an external site. Gk he
- Luke 15:16Links to an external site. Other ancient authorities read filled his stomach with
- Luke 15:21Links to an external site. Other ancient authorities add Treat me like one of your hired servants
- Luke 15:31Links to an external site. Gk he
This is again coming from the NRSV Bible.
Post Question: In this parable, a son has requested his future inheritance, received it, squandered it, and now returns to with sorrow hoping to be a servant in his father’s house. What do you think about the father’s reaction and, being that this is a teaching story, how is this supposed to reflect the teachings of Jesus—what is the lesson that is expected to be learned? Who is the father supposed to represent, the older son, the younger son? Do you think parable teaching can be a useful method in explaining religious doctrine? Explain your answer. Also, does the oldest son, make a good case about his own behavior as well as his younger brothers? Why or why not?