Prodigal Son Distorted by FB Pastor

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

Who is "screaming?"

My tone in this discussion has been nothing resembling emotional.

And when it comes to the Bible, I really don't "play."

This isn't just an intellectual journey for me.

Sorry you are sad.

I urge you to consider wading into the waters, going a little deeper...

The fact is, no one is objective. You are reading the text, and if you ignore hermeneutics, with your own agenda in mind (we all have one), attempting to understand documents written thousands of years ago and calling it simple just doesn't work. There's already a hermeneutic, whether proper or improper at work. Eisegesis or exegesis. It's happening every time we read the Text.

The Word can be candy or meat. It's up to us.

I also care deeply about Truth and the Word of God. And I care enough to concern myself with going through the labors of at least attempting to understand authorial intent. (Maxi's older posts on this thread would further explain that)

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

And by the way, I was a prodigal who came home.

Originally Posted by notofworks

Just out of curiosity, did you encounter any "Older brothers"?

Whether or not the older brother should be considered "Lost", I'm not sure but how he's labeled seems a bit beside the point, to me. From what I'm able to pull from Luke chapter 15, it appears to me, considering how the chapter begins which details the audience Jesus had, that the three parables are all a lengthy journey that Jesus took to lead the audience to the final point, which was, the reaction of the older brother. Am I wrong about that?

And by the way, CS, I'm not picking a fight here. I'll play nicer than Socialite. Don't mind him...he's too big for his britches occasionally! I've heard Luke 15 take so many different directions, and to a point, I think that's good. One of the beauties of the parables of Jesus is the ability to apply them to so many areas of our lives. But it seems there's always a more direct point that Jesus is trying to make, and after waffling myself on Luke 15 for a lengthy period of time, when I realized (to me, anyway) that Jesus was actually making a point about the older son, the 3 parables really came to life for me.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Coonskinner

I think you are confusing who the author is.

It isn't Luke.

You have accused me of "screaming," and now I am lazy.

Why get personal?

The author is most assuredly Luke. That's why his name is on the Gospel letter

Luke was inspired (we should do a separate thread on what that means -- hint: it doesn't mean word fell from heaven like manna on his lap and it became Gospel), and with intentionality wrote his Gospel account. He had an intent. Matthew focused on the Messiahship of Jesus and one of his purposes was to show from Jesus' genealogy and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies that He was the long-expected Messiah, and thus should be believed in. Matthew's emphasis is that Jesus is the promised King, the “Son of David,” who would forever sit upon the throne of Israel (Matthew 9:27; 21:9)

Mark wrote for a Gentile audience, as is brought out by his not including things important to Jewish readers (genealogies, Christ's controversies with Jewish leaders of His day, frequent references to the Old Testament, etc.). Mark emphasizes Christ as the suffering Servant, the One who came not to be served, but to serve and give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).

Luke, the “beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14 KJV), evangelist, and companion of the apostle Paul, wrote both the gospel of Luke and the Acts of the apostles. Luke is the only Gentile author of the New Testament. He has long been accepted as a diligent master historian by those who have used his writings in geological and historical studies. As a historian, he states that it is his intent to write down an orderly account of the life of Christ based on the reports of those who were eyewitnesses (Luke 1:1-4). Because he specifically wrote for the benefit of Theophilus, apparently a Gentile of some stature, his gospel was composed with a Gentile audience in mind, and his intent is to show that a Christian's faith is based upon historically reliable and verifiable events. Luke often refers to Christ as the “Son of Man,” emphasizing His humanity, and he shares many details that are not found in the other gospel accounts.

The gospel of John, written by John the apostle, is distinct from the other three Gospels and contains much theological content in regard to the person of Christ and the meaning of faith. Matthew, Mark, and Luke are referred to as the “Synoptic Gospels” because of their similar styles and content and because they give a synopsis of the life of Christ. The gospel of John begins not with Jesus' birth or earthly ministry but with the activity and characteristics of the Son of God before He became man (John 1:14). The gospel of John emphasizes the deity of Christ, as is seen in his use of such phrases as “the Word was God” (John 1:1), “the Savior of the World” (John 4:42), the “Son of God” (used repeatedly), and “Lord and...God” (John 20:28). In John's gospel, Jesus also affirms His deity with several “I Am” statements; most notable among them is John 8:58, in which He states that “...before Abraham was, I Am” (compare to Exodus 3:13-14). But John also emphasizes the fact of Jesus' humanity, desiring to show the error of a religious sect of his day, the Gnostics, who did not believe in Christ’s humanity. John's gospel spells out his overall purpose for writing: “Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30-31).

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by notofworks

And by the way, CS, I'm not picking a fight here. I'll play nicer than Socialite. Don't mind him...he's too big for his britches occasionally! I've heard Luke 15 take so many different directions, and to a point, I think that's good. One of the beauties of the parables of Jesus is the ability to apply them to so many areas of our lives. But it seems there's always a more direct point that Jesus is trying to make, and after waffling myself on Luke 15 for a lengthy period of time, when I realized (to me, anyway) that Jesus was actually making a point about the older son, the 3 parables really came to life for me.

Don't mind my postmodern interpreting friend, NOW, either

[Apprehended]

Aaaaaahhhhhh those PESKY rules.

They seem to always get in the way. Just the very thought of having to repent and turn away from my partying, fornication, stealing and doing all of the things I love doing disturbs my solace and deep peace that I find in the grace of God that just seems to cover all of my sins...which are not really sin at all since God does not impute them to me anymore.

Just wish those commandment keeping preachers would just go away and let the rest of us fornicators, liars, sorcerers, idolaters, and perverts alone, just for ONCE.

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by Apprehended

Aaaaaahhhhhh those PESKY rules.

They seem to always get in the way. Just the very thought of having to repent and turn away from my partying, fornication, stealing and doing all of the things I love doing disturbs my solace and deep peace that I find in the grace of God that just seems to cover all of my sins...which are not really sin at all since God does not impute them to me anymore.

Just wish those commandment keeping preachers would just go away and let the rest of us fornicators, liars, sorcerers, isolators, and perverts alone, just for ONCE.

Another disturbed elder brother? Thanks for showing up

You are about half-right in your sarcastic, mocking portrayal of grace.

And the bolded? You are off your old man rocking chair on that one. (but what is an isolator? I mean, I thought that's what Con's contended for, Isolation!)

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Apprehended

Aaaaaahhhhhh those PESKY rules.

They seem to always get in the way. Just the very thought of having to repent and turn away from my partying, fornication, stealing and doing all of the things I love doing disturbs my solace and deep peace that I find in the grace of God that just seems to cover all of my sins...which are not really sin at all since God does not impute them to me anymore.

Just wish those commandment keeping preachers would just go away and let the rest of us fornicators, liars, sorcerers, isolators, and perverts alone, just for ONCE.

Did I miss something? Did someone say that partying, fornication, and stealing were acceptable?

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Did I miss something? Did someone say that partying, fornication, and stealing were acceptable?

No. But naturally, because we don't believe the story of the Lost Son features rules, laws and standards as a primary subject, we MUST be one of those greasy gracers that have sex with other men's wife's while reciting the Lord's prayer. I mean... we must!

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Socialite

No. But naturally, because we don't believe the story of the Lost Son features rules, laws and standards as a primary subject, we MUST be one of those greasy gracers that have sex with other men's wife's while reciting the Lord's prayer. I mean... we must!

I'll never understand how one position automatically equivocates a certain other. So...a person who greatly promotes grace MUST approve of sinful lifestyles. It's automatic, right?

[Apprehended]

Originally Posted by Socialite

Another disturbed elder brother? Thanks for showing up

You are about half-right in your sarcastic, mocking portrayal of grace.

And the bolded? You are off your old man rocking chair on that one. (but what is an isolator? I mean, I thought that's what Con's contended for, Isolation!)

Meant to say idolater. Sorry....

Only half right?

What kind of a low-down, sorry, good-for-nothing father would even THINK of having order in his own home by establishing some rules by which that order is maintained. Such a father has to be out of his mind. Where did grace that allows for the disregard of commandments, (read rules) go? Isn't it a kind of a perverted outlook to even think that rules provide safety and comfort for those who keep them? It is quite disturbing to imagine that there are negative consequences for those who are not keeping them.