I was reading in Christianity Today earlier today. An article there challenged my understanding of the parables in Luke 14. The heading (in NIV), "The Cost of Discipleship," is inaccurate, according to the columnist. If we really look, he said, we'd notice that Jesus was pointing out fools rather than disciples. If the original listeners were familiar with Hebrew tradition (arguably a good point), then the person who didn't finish the tower would be considered a fool (Babel), as would the king who fought without the real hope of winning (Israeli and Judean history).
If Luke was written to a Gentile audience, as some suggest, then can the columnist have his history straight? This passage, obviously calling people from folly into godly wisdom, is about discipleship. However, is this really a way of pointing out spiritual fools?
3 comments:
On my site I have written about "Pastor's Poison". It's my theory that Pastor's eventually run out of things to speak about because there are only a limited amount of topics in the Bible and they feel pressure to create something new. I think this is one of those instances.
The topic is definately what should one expect if one follows Jesus. If we follow him- we'll potentially lose family and friends and probably a lot more. If we follow him and then turn back then we'll look like idiots.
Jesus was just being a good guy and essentially saying, "being my follower isn't fun and games."
So the main topic is what are the cons of following Jesus, and the sub topic is "turning back (once you've started) from following Jesus is stupid.
Opening statement is about what you have to let go to be a disciple and the closing statement is "So then, none of you can be my disciple who does not give up his own possessions."
So while I sound harsh about it- the sub topic is about fools but the main idea is "the cost of discipleship".
What I decided to write all that= I have no idea...
This very well may be, my friend. I'm not sure that the main point has anything to do with pros or cons of following Jesus, but I think you're right about the author digging for something. Truly, someone who doesn't consider the cost before doing something is a fool. On the other hand, isn't this Scripture calling us all to count said cost?
after reading the article, it makes sense to me. the emphasis is on the choice: the fool who builds the tower still is faced with the choice; the fool who wages war is still faced with the choice. the war wager comes to his senses and does not continue. strong use of irony in the passage leads me to think that the listeners of Jesus are faced with the choice: continue their own lives in tower building or war making, or give it up and follow. the tower builder and the king didn't have enough; neither do you, says Jesus.
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