Parable or Literal Narrative

The account of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is the principal stronghold of the popular belief [in the immortality of the soul and a conscious intermediate state]. It is brought forward with great confidence on every occasion on which the popular belief is assailed. A little consideration, however, will reveal its unsuitability to the purpose for which it is used. We must first realise, if we can, the nature of the passage of Scripture in question. It is either a literal narrative or a parable. If it is a literal narrative-that is, an account of things that actually happened, given by Christ as a guide to our conception of the “disembodied” state-then it is perfectly legitimate to bring it forward in confutation of the view advanced in this lecture. But in that case it would not only upset that view, but it would upset the popular view also, and establish the view that was entertained by the Pharisees, to whom the parable was addressed; for it will be found on investigation that it is the tradition of the Pharisees that forms the basis of the parable; a tradition which clashes with the popular theory of the death state in many particulars.

Look at the incidents of the parable: see how incompatible they are with the popular theory. The rich man lifts up his eyes, being in torment, and sees Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom; and cries, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue.” Does popular theology allow of the wicked in hell seeing the righteous in heaven? or admit of the possibility of conversation passing between the occupants of the two places? And has the popular immortal soul, fingertips, tongue, and other material members, on which water would have a material cooling effect? Abraham denied the rich man’s request, adding as a supplementary reason, “Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from hence to you CANNOT.” (Is a “gulf” any obstacle to the transit of an immaterial soul?) The rich man asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his five brethren, to testify to them lest they should come to the same place of torment; Abraham answered, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one ROSE FROM THE DEAD.” (What need, according to the popular view, for a rising from the dead, since a spirit commissioned from the “vasty deep” would have been sufficient to communicate the warning?) The whole narrative has an air of tangibility about it which is inconsistent with the common view of the state of the dead. Besides, think of heaven and hell being within sight of each other, and of conversation passing between the two places! If we insist upon the story as a literal narrative, we are committed to all these particulars, which are so thoroughly at variance with the popular theory.

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Author: Robert Roberts

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Bible reference(s): Luke 16:19-31

Source: Christendom Astray from the Bible (West Beach, South Australia: Logos Publications, 1984), 61-2.

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