The following articles are related to the topic of PARABLE

Matthew 18:26 – An Unpayable Debt

In one of his parables, Jesus told of a certain king, who, examining his financial records, discovered a debtor who owed him the staggering sum of ten thousand talents (Matthew 18:24). According to the footnote in the ASV, a talent was worth about $1,000, hence, this servant was in debt to the tune of $10 million. When the servant was ... read more »

Did Jesus Christ Endorse Dishonesty?

In one of his parables, Jesus commended a man who swindled his employer (Luke 16:1-8). How is this compatible with Christian ethics? The parable in question reads as follows: "There was a certain rich man, who had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he was wasting his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, ... read more »

The Value of the Kingdom of Heaven

As the Lord's ministry progressed, the hostility of the Jewish leaders intensified. Accordingly, at a certain point in time, Jesus began to teach in parables. Christ's parables were human stories with a heavenly meaning. Their design was two-fold. First, his parables effectively communicated divine truths to those who were honest of heart. Second, the story form concealed those truths from ... read more »

Are the Dead Conscious?

There is an ongoing controversy in the religious community as to whether or not human beings, after death, exist in a state of consciousness. The Watchtower movement claims: "The dead are shown to be 'conscious of nothing at all' and the death state to be one of complete inactivity" (Aid to Bible Understanding 1971, 431). Unquestionably, the Bible teaches otherwise. ... read more »

Matthew 13:8 – Seed Sown in “Good Ground”

In his parable about the man who sowed seed, Jesus said that some of the seed "fell upon the good ground, and yielded fruit, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty" (Mt. 13:8). Later, in explaining the parable to his disciples, the Lord told what he meant by "good" soil.This type of ground represented a certain quality of person-the one ... read more »

The Benevolent Influence of Christianity

In one of his delightfully instructive parables, Jesus set forth the following concept regarding his approaching reign: "The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till it was all leavened" (Matthew 13:33). It is agreed among Bible expositors that the "leaven" of this parable signifies the pervasive and benevolent ... read more »

The Land Where God Is Not

They meant it as a hateful insult. It turns out to be a thrilling truth. During the personal ministry of Jesus, as the leaders of the Jewish community (e.g., the Pharisees and the scribes) became increasingly perceptive as to the nature of the Lord's teaching, they concocted various malicious rumors in their attempts to negate his gracious influence. Some charged ... read more »

Christianity Today Editor Just Doesn’t Understand

Rob Moll is the associate editor of ChristianityToday.com, the weekly newsletter of Christianity Today International, likely the most popular journal in the "evangelical" circles of "Christendom." In the August 14 edition, Mr. Moll wrote: I find Jesus a difficult person to understand. He calls his boldest disciple Satan. He furiously cleanses the temple. He tells ambiguous parables that confuse even ... read more »

Jesus: The Master Teacher

Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, conceded that Jesus of Nazareth was "a teacher" from God, as documented by the "signs" which he did (John 3:2). A wealthy young ruler approached the Lord asking, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16). Even Jesus' enemies addressed him as "Teacher" (Matthew 22:16, 24), though ... read more »

Did You Vote?

The nation's eyes and ears have been tuned in to the state of Florida in recent days. The direction of our nation's leadership is in question, and Americans are deeply divided. There are difficult problems to be faced by our nation: abortion, taxation, family values, homosexual legitimacy, care for seniors, free markets, moral and cultural decay, etc. These problems, and ... read more »