Four teachings from Jesus that everybody gets wrong

[thorny locust]

Jesus’ parables – short stories with moral lessons – were likewise designed to afflict, to draw us in but leave us uncomfortable.

These teachings can be read as being about divine love and salvation, sure. But, their first listeners – first century Jews in Galilee and Judea – heard much more challenging messages.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/0...dy-gets-wrong/

[crocoduck_hunter]

I think that none of the "what people think these teachings mean" are things that I was taught when I was in church as a kid. Both the Presbyterian church my mom dragged me to on Sundays and the Catholic elementary school she dragged me to Mondays through Fridays were already teaching that the lessons were the ones the author of this piece claimed people weren't teaching.

Also, standard atheist disclaimer about how open the bible is to whatever interpretations you're looking for, so who's to say which one is really the correct one?

[Little Pink Pill]

Well the picture from that article certainly left me uncomfortable. Jesus looks like he's taking a time out from his whipping to glare at me. Not sure that was the point of the original story, either.

[Dasla]

Originally Posted by crocoduck_hunter

Also, standard atheist disclaimer about how open the bible is to whatever interpretations you're looking for, so who's to say which one is really the correct one?

Well there have been so many translation and version, who would know what has been lost.

[thorny locust]

Oh, I'm not asking for a definitive interpretation; and don't personally think such a thing is possible. I was just wondering what people's perspectives are on this, and whether the OP author's explanations seem to make historical sense. As I've spent almost no time in any churches, I didn't know that the version in the OP is actually commonly taught in at least some; so that's interesting to me in itself.

I found the choice of illustration confusing. The article's about the parables -- why not use an illustration of Jesus preaching, instead?

[Lainie]

IIRC, there are a lot more parables than sermons in the New Testament.

[catty5nutz]

I imagine a parable would have gone down much better than a sermon with people in those days.

When I saw the title thread, I thought that it had to be a Cracked article.

[Elkhound]

Most parables don't have one and only one correct meaning. One must engage with them to discern what they are saying to you.