Kingdom Parables

THE KINGDOM PARABLES
oil = comfort of good hope
wine = exhortation to work with a fervent spirit
beast = the flesh of Christ's incarnation
inn = the church
innkeeper = Paul
the morrow = after the Resurrection
two-pence = promise of this life and the life to come
Brilliant as it may be and also interesting, we can be sure that this is not
what Jesus meant when he told the parable. In this context the parable
was given to explain who is a Good Neighbor and not to conceal the
truth. This was a teaching tool and not a coded message.
The problem with the allegorical method is that it is highly subjective in
identifying what each thing in the parable really means. As a result the
same parable could be interpreted in different ways with widely different
meanings. This then becomes a good tool in the hands of the cults to
hang on a doctrine very easily. This is exactly what a hidden message
wants. Unless the code is given it will go astray in interpretation - a
perfect way of concealing while transmitting.
While spiritually such allegorical interpretation may give us some
inspiration and insight, it is a dangerous procedure and is highly
subjective. This is because symbols have meaning only in a cultural
context. Taken out of context it will be disastrous.
1.2. WHY DO YOU SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE IN PARABLES?
While we acknowledge the basic principles of interpretation of central
theme as standard, the kingdom parables stand separate. The simple
reason is that it is not meant to be a simple teaching tool. Let us hear the
Master himself.
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