2007-09-10 11:21:41 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Then why do Jehovah's Witnessess condem the faiths who believe in Hellfire for doing so with the parable of Lazarus and the rich man and point out is not to be taken literally?
2007-09-10 11:34:17 · update #1
This seems a remarkably odd question, for Jehovah's Witnesses generally understand bible parables as parables, rather than literal.
As a parable, the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is an allegory with no connection to the concept of hellfire. The bible plainly teaches that the soul is not immortal, that there is no thought or communication in "hell", and that Jesus was the first to be resurrected to heaven. "Hell" will be emptied and destroyed forever.
(Ezekiel 18:4) The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.
(Ecclesiastes 9:5,10) As for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all...for there is no work nor devising nor knowledge nor wisdom in Sheol ["hell"]
(Hebrews 10:19-20) We have boldness for the way of entry into the holy place [heaven] by the blood of Jesus, which he inaugurated for us
(John 14:2-3) I am going my way to prepare a place for you [disciples of Christ]. ...I go my way and prepare a place for you, I am coming again and will receive you home to myself, that where I am you also may be.
(Revelation 20:14) And death and Hades ["hell"] were hurled into ...the second death
A leading Protestant commentary, The Interpreter’s Bible, discusses the account of Lazarus and the Rich Man:
[quote]
[Many interpreters believe Jesus’ words to be] an allegorical appendix that presupposes the conflict between early Christianity and orthodox Judaism. The rich man and his brothers represent the unbelieving Jews. Jesus is made to assert that they have stubbornly refused to repent in spite of the obvious testimony to himself in Scripture and to predict that they will fail to be impressed by his resurrection. It is conceivable that Luke and his readers imposed some such interpretation on these verses.
[end quote]
Learn more:
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/we/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20020715/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.co.uk/e/20020601/article_02.htm
2007-09-10 12:07:20 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 10⤊ 1⤋
It seems like you've been misinformed. We take the parables as parables, not as literal, including the parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus. Other religions claim this parable is literal to try and prove hellfire. Which is ridiculous because, as you said, it's a parable.
2007-09-12 17:14:27 · answer #2 · answered by Octavia 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Jerusalem Bible, in a footnote, acknowledges that it is a "parable in story form without reference to any historical personage."
If taken literally, it would mean that those enjoying divine favor could all fit at the bosom of one man, Abraham; that the water on ones fingertip would not be evaporated by the fire of Hades; that a mere drop of water would bring relief to one suffering there.
What does the parable mean? The "rich man" represented the Pharisees. (see verse 14) The beggar Lazarus represented the common Jewish people who were despised by the Pharisees but who repented and became followers of Jesus. (See Luke 18:11; John 7:49; Matt 21: 31 & 32) Their deaths were also symbolic, representing a change in circumstances. Thus, the formerly despised ones came into a postion of divine favor, and the formerly seemingly favored ones were rejected by God, while being tormented by teh judgment messages delivered by the ones whom they had despised. Acts 5:33; 7:54
Jehovah's Witnesses do not apply all parables as literal.
A parable is a parable. A story with a moral. Jesus used many parables and illustrations to make a point. That was his way of teaching. A very effective way of making one think and understand what he was trying to get across.
2007-09-11 11:54:34 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
A parable is a parable. Period
JWs don't take them all literaly, I don't know where you got that idea from.
The parable of Lazarus & the rich man is an illustration or parable, like you reffered to it as.
If Jesus' parable wasn't just a parable or illustration then ask yourself:
Is hell literally within speaking distance of heaven so that such a real conversation could be carried on?
If the rich man were in a literal burning lake, how could Abraham send Lazarus to cool his tongue with just a drop of water on the tip of his finger?
Luke 16:19-31
2007-09-11 10:34:12 · answer #4 · answered by Paul S 4 · 8⤊ 0⤋
Um, sorry sounds like you have been misinformed. We view the various parables in the Bible, as just that, not history. While the book it self tells actual history accounts. Example, the parable of the various seeds landing the various fields. The doctrine of Hellfire, as near as we can tell, isn't Biblical.
2007-09-11 16:38:43 · answer #5 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Merriam Webster defines it as [quote]"a usually short *FICTICIOUS* story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle"(emphasis added to caps)
[unquote]
Please send these parables that Jw's have taken literal.
The parable of Luke is just that, a fable illustration with a moral conduct behind it.
No Hellfire
No Immortal Soul
No Spirit living in our body's
Thats it.
Take Care Everyone.
2007-09-11 11:35:50 · answer #6 · answered by YXM84 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Being a Top Contributor I find it HARD 2 BELIEVE that you Believe this TOTALLY FALSE idea on what JW's ACTUALLY BELIEVE ! ! !
Jehovah's CHRISTIAN Witnesses Believe that a Parable IS A PARABLE; which means that it "IS Not TO BE TAKEN" literally !
WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN !
2007-09-10 18:51:28 · answer #7 · answered by . 7 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Apply all parables as literal? No. Do you really think a camel can pass through the eye of a needle?
2007-09-10 18:28:52 · answer #8 · answered by NMB 5 · 8⤊ 2⤋
No we don't
We are not trying to teach literal sheep.
We are not harvesting wheat
The parables are stories to teach spiritual truth.
Jesus said the soul is destroyed in "Hell" not burned forever.
Matt 10:28 but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
John 3:16 that whoever believes in Him shall not perish.
If you don't believe you perish or are destroyed.
.
2007-09-10 18:50:13 · answer #9 · answered by TeeM 7 · 11⤊ 1⤋
for nmb I thought the eye of a needle was the entrance of a arabs tent house back in their day
you know, it overlays to get in you have into go one side then your in front of the next layer go left right then anotherlayer then your in.
so it is possible for a camel for other animal to get in; but with lots of help opening the flaps of the entrance its like passing through the eye of a needle it hard.
and about the jw= they dont have windows on the church here...whats up with that? once you in they dont let you out?
2007-09-10 18:39:07 · answer #10 · answered by camero 4 · 2⤊ 5⤋