Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 13:3 (Fall 1970)
Article: The Parabolic Teaching Of Christ On Economics
Author: Larry R. Thornton

CenQ 13:3 (Fall 1970) p. 20

The Parabolic Teaching Of Christ On Economics

Second in a series

Larry R. Thornton

Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis

A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. As this method of teaching was used by Jesus Christ it was elevated to a new plane of importance. Christ used the parable in His teaching for the following reasons: to hide truth from unbelievers, to make clear the truth to receptive hearts, to illustrate truth, to challenge the minds of His disciples, to hold the attention of His listeners, and to rebuke the self—righteousness of the religious leaders.

Each parable used by Christ has a central truth pertaining to spiritual matters though conveyed by the use of the historical materials and practices of Jesus’ day. Credit for identification of these central truths must be given to Professor Gordon Lovik of Central Baptist Theological Seminary of Minneapolis. It is of particular interest that Christ used parables of matters and relationships well understood by His hearers without indication that these relationships were in any way repugnant to Him. He used the words—trade, gain, invest, banker, interest, lend and others. Those words or phrases relating to economics used by Christ in the parables are of great importance. In order to arrive at the correct meaning of these words and phrases, one must study them in the context in which they appear.

Since it was a purpose of parables to illustrate truth, any truths relating to economics will probably have appeared in the direct teachings of Christ on economics (see the previous article). For purposes of convenience the parables will be studied as they appear in Matthew or Luke. The use of parables in Mark is slight, and John uses only metaphors and similies as a means of illustrating rather than parables. The following will be considered: the parabolic teaching of Christ on economics in Matthew, the parabolic teaching of Christ on economics in Luke, and conclusions on the parabolic teaching of Christ on economics.

CenQ 13:3 (Fall 1970) p. 21

The Parabolic Teaching Of Christ On Economics In Matthew

The book of Matthew was written by a Jew who presented Christ as King of the Jews. The use of the parables in his book relates to his purpose for writing by presenting kingdom truths. Matthew readily recognizes the Messianic hope of the Jews and clearly sets forth Christ as the fulfillment of that hope, but sufficient instruction is given to show why the millennial kingdom was not set up. Many of the parables of Matthew disclose the reason for the postponement of the kingdom and the existing conditions of the day. In conveying these truths Matthew records some of the parables...