Friday, May 29, 2015

(05/29/2015) Using Parables to Obscure the Gospel?

Today, answer is made to the charge that Christ used parables to deny and frustrate those desiring to receive the Gospel.  The “Yahoo! Answers” fighter using ID “rrocketmangurung” (Level 3 with 1,873 points, a member since April 06, 2015) accuses the Savior of error using the following challenge:


Why would Jesus deliberately obscure the gospel by speaking in parables so that people would not understand, turn, and be forgiven?

(Mark 4:11-12) Did he not come that all men might be saved?


THE GOLDEN ARROW:  I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it.  He hath made every thing beautiful in his time:  also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.  (Ecclesiastes 3:  10-11, KJV)


THE DOUBLE DAGGER:  Parables About the Kingdom? (05/02/2014); Loving Someone Unseen? (05/05/2014); Why Jesus Authored No Books (05/01/2013); Recognizing True Prophets (05/02/2013); Why Jesus Used Parables (11/03/2013); Denying Baptism to Others (11/04/2013)


“rrocketmangurung”, while Christian belief may be shared as plain, it is no less a comprehensive system of sacred knowledge and practices.  Here are a few points every Christian must take into account for complete, correct understanding:
 

(1.)  The revelation of divinity to all created beings and living creatures is an eternal and profound sacred process.  While all may seek to approach GOD using simple acts and expressions intended to convey such awareness as awe, humility, material needs, respect, trust, and truth, full acknowledgment, obedience and worship must occur all at the same time, and upon multiple levels.

(2.)  The divine operations to proclaim divine forbearance and forgiveness for sin, and the work to make visible the kingdom of GOD in the earth can not be separated from that focused upon discovering and permanently binding together the elect (we say, the work of assigning value and judgment).  The Immortal, Invisible GOD appeared using flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (the Incarnation); a further indication that, men are to be drawn to Deity, not driven and subjugated through violence.

(3.)  GOD is not the author of confusion; consider again:  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth:  for the Father seeketh such to worship him.  (John 4:  23, King James Version, KJV).  But without faith it is impossible to please him:  for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  (Hebrews 11:  6, KJV).  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;  To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.  (Psalm 103:  17-18, KJV)

(4.)  When ministering to the multitudes, the Savior used doctrine, parables (we say, object lessons), praise, prayer, precepts, principles and the law to establish shared awareness of the spiritual condition, needs, readiness, and true commitment of Israel, and all Creation (e.g., the dead, the sick, unclean spirits, the wind).

There is far more to be said, correctly understood, and spiritually taken into account.  (For example, (5.)  Christ had to be identified to Israel through the ministry of John the Baptist.  A new covenant relationship with Deity was introduced that would provide more than preaching, prophecy, sacrifices in the temple at Jerusalem, and study in the synagogues.  The presence and operations of the indwelling Spirit promised from GOD would be demonstrated through water and fire baptism.)  Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful.  Be it unto you according to your faith and spiritual maturity.


THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC

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