Parables of Reversal (and some other stuff)
Of course my favorite is The Parable of the Talents. Crossan developed this idea that parables of reversal are more concerned with the end of history than any other kind of parable. What makes parables of reversal more difficult to analyze -- including, Crossan asserts, determining how much tradition has affected the meaning -- is that the tone and message are fundamentally ironic.
Like much of Jesus' supposedly original / essential sayings, there tends to be a focus on the prodigal child, the one who leaves and then returns to the garden, palace, or hands of God. What I find interesting about this parable is how the Master, often interpreted to be God, is depicted in a realy frightening way.
At least, so the wicked servant claims, and the master agrees. I have argued about this before, and so what I'm about to say isn't the matter of discussion. But I have, for quite a while now, read into this parable that the Master isn't God at all, but Caesar. Which marks two reversals: first, that of the third (and wicked) servant's decision to bury the money; second, that of the ambiguous "master".
1) What other types of parables are there? Provide examples.
2) Why do parables work so well at communicating meaning, assuming they do?
3) What distinguishes parable from allegory?
4) Maybe we can discuss another parable of reversal, from any number of perspectives.
This should go without saying, but I will say it anyhow: We're not talking about the validity of beliefs here. OK?
AMC
Of course my favorite is The Parable of the Talents. Crossan developed this idea that parables of reversal are more concerned with the end of history than any other kind of parable. What makes parables of reversal more difficult to analyze -- including, Crossan asserts, determining how much tradition has affected the meaning -- is that the tone and message are fundamentally ironic.
Like much of Jesus' supposedly original / essential sayings, there tends to be a focus on the prodigal child, the one who leaves and then returns to the garden, palace, or hands of God. What I find interesting about this parable is how the Master, often interpreted to be God, is depicted in a realy frightening way.
At least, so the wicked servant claims, and the master agrees. I have argued about this before, and so what I'm about to say isn't the matter of discussion. But I have, for quite a while now, read into this parable that the Master isn't God at all, but Caesar. Which marks two reversals: first, that of the third (and wicked) servant's decision to bury the money; second, that of the ambiguous "master".
1) What other types of parables are there? Provide examples.
2) Why do parables work so well at communicating meaning, assuming they do?
3) What distinguishes parable from allegory?
4) Maybe we can discuss another parable of reversal, from any number of perspectives.
This should go without saying, but I will say it anyhow: We're not talking about the validity of beliefs here. OK?
AMC
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