Original Research

Jesus' kingdom parables as metaphorical stories: A challenge to a conventional worldview

Dieter Reinstorf, Andries van Aarde
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies | Vol 54, No 3/4 | a1436 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/hts.v54i3/4.1436 | © 1998 Dieter Reinstorf, Andries van Aarde | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 11 December 1998 | Published: 12 December 1998

About the author(s)

Dieter Reinstorf, Department of New Testament Studies (Sec A), University of Pretoria, South Africa
Andries van Aarde, Department of New Testament Studies (Sec A), University of Pretoria, South Africa

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Abstract

Jesus' parables are to be read as metaphorical stories. Parable as metaphor demands that the parable remains open-ended and polyvalent, with the reader always involved in a participatory role. This article aims at showing that Jesus' kingdom parables are of a diaphoric, nature challenging the conventional worldview. It focuses on the parable 'A Man Had Two Sons' (Lk 15:11-22). This parable is interpreted from the Lucan perspective. It shows how the mytheme of the 'two-sons stories' is used as a tensive symbol in order to establish the Lucan notion of the all-inclusiveness of God's kingdom.

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Crossref Citations

1. Pragmatic dimensions in parable research and the divine economy of the basileia
Andries G. Van Aarde
HTS Teologiese Studies / Theological Studies  vol: 70  issue: 1  year: 2014  
doi: 10.4102/hts.v70i1.2688