There are two unbreakable rules in biblical interpretation. First is that genre determines interpretive method. As Stein has written, there are rules to the game and genre determines the rules. The second is context determines meaning. Preachers break both rules all too often. A simple lesson in the rules is found in Luke 15, a series of parables Jesus tells the most famous of which is the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Most people believe the primary point of the story is but miss Jesus' point. I'll get to that below. First let's deal with context. Remember there are three parables in the chapter. All three are told by the Lord against the background of vv. 1-2: Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, 'This Man receives sinners and eats with them.' Then Jesus tells three stories (parables): the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and then the Lost Son.
Context determines meaning. Jesus is eating with undesirables and the pious religious establishment cannot believe it. In the first two parables Jesus plainly says that is why He came—to seek those who do not profess to be religious and lead them to repentance. There is joy in heaven when a sinner repents (there ought to be on earth). The third parable, the most famous one, starts out the same way. There is a son who is lost. However, the father does not seek him out as the shepherd and the woman seek out the lost sheep and coin. Instead he allows him to go out and experience what it's like to be on his own. He finds out to be sure. When the lost boy comes home his father is runs to meet him and throws a party.
Then we come to the part of the story that is not found in the other parables. The elder son who has stayed home and kept the father's commandments is upset that the prodigal is getting a party. He's never had a party. He's jealous. He's angry. Note the father's response: Son you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found. Why doesn't the parable stop with the lost boy coming home? Why is there a pointed conversation between the elder son and his father? Remember the context? The religious leaders are criticizing Jesus for fellowshipping with sinners. They can be found in the elder son. Jesus is telling them that they should be glad He is there to fellowship with sinners. In fact that's what they should be doing. They should be seeking the lost as the shepherd and woman sought the lost sheep and coin. They should be as joyful as heaven that a lost son comes home.
In fact the point of all three parables comes down to this final conversation between the father and his eldest son. This leads to genre, which determines the rules of interpretation. This is a parable. There are not many rules to this game, but one of them is the principle of end stress. In other words, like any good story, the point is found at the end. The primary purpose of all three parables is not to bless lost sinners (although they obviously do) but to confront self-proclaimed religious folks with their hypocrisy. The final plea of the father to the elder son I'm convinced is a plea from Jesus for the religious to see their hypocrisy and repent themselves.
Obviously the parables of Luke 15, especially the last one, have been a blessing to sinners. The Father not only waits for sinners, but runs to meet them. Indeed He even seeks them out. However, context and genre demand that the interpreter pay more attention to that last conversation. In fact, when we speak of the Parable of the Lost Son my question is which one is lost? Isn't it the elder brother?
In any biblical passage genre and context are keys. Preachers often do not understand the former and dismiss the latter. They do so to the detriment of the people in the pew. To preach in biblical authority means to keep both in mind. Only by doing so does one really preach God's Word.
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