Parables - Introduction
Parables - Introduction
Of all the 'divers manners' [1] that God has revealed himself to man, parables [2] are one of the most misunderstood. Theologians have been unable to agree on the interpretation of them. Parables of confusion demonstrates the problem where the meanings imposed by various pastors and theologians are compared. [3]
Many teachings about interpreting parables mistakenly assume that parables of scripture are similar to the parables in secular writings. A few chapters of this work are dedicated to understanding the nature of Hebrew parables.
If you haven't already, you will be tempted to jump ahead and read the interpretation of specific parables. You are certainly free to do that. If you have decided that the interpretations are just another among many, or that the interpretation is false because it is different than one that Jesus gave the apostles, be sure to return to these chapters, to find out how you cheated yourself. For many, they will ring consistently true; being exegeted using a first century hermeneutic.
In the exegesis of the parables, the methods used will be unfamiliar. This work is not intended to go into the proofs of such methods. They will simply be used as the apostles used them. Other works explain them in detail.
The interpretation of parables follow the same rules as the exegesis of the 'mystery' which has been hidden from the beginning. They can be seen in the chapter on Rules.