Ronald David Bruno
Well-Known Member
Luke 16:19-31Life after Death
Before attempting any serious interpretation of this remarkable parable, it is essential to establish clearly that it does not present an actual depiction of life after death. Anyone reading this story literally, as a believer in the immortality of the soul, is likely to be led astray.
While Luke’s Gospel does not explicitly label it a parable, the same is true of the story of the unjust steward. Both begin with the words, “There was a certain rich man…” Yet who would insist that the unjust steward was a real person known to Jesus? Indeed, verse 15 requires interpretation in the context of the Pharisees.
Detail after detail in the story becomes absurd if taken literally: “In hell the rich man lifted up his eyes and saw Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom… Send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue.” Do disembodied souls truly have eyes, fingers, tongues, or bosoms? And what use would one drop of water be in a place of unquenchable fire?Clearly, Jesus crafted these details to impress the audience with their impossibility.
Consider, too, the idea that part of the joy of the blessed hereafter would consist of constantly observing the damned in torment. What kind of everlasting happiness could this be?Lazarus is described as resting in Abraham’s bosom, yet is this meant to be taken literally as the eternal state of all righteous people? The parable provides no indication that the rich man was wicked or Lazarus inherently virtuous. In fact, the rich man is shown as loving toward his brothers. Should we then conclude that wealth in this life leads automatically to hell, and misery guarantees eternal bliss? Such reasoning is absurd, Abraham himself enjoyed considerable wealth in life (Gen. 13:2, etc.).
Finally, the parable concludes with a strong emphasis on the teaching of Moses and the prophets. What do they say about the state of the dead? “Abraham… was gathered to his people” (Gen. 25:8), yet his people were idol-worshippers (Josh. 24:2). Regarding Joseph’s death, Jacob lamented: “I shall go down to the grave (Hades) unto my son mourning” (Gen. 37:35). Similarly, Jonah cried from the belly of the fish (Jonah 2:1-2), which he mistakenly believed to be a kind of hell. Hezekiah, facing death, acknowledged: “The grave (Hades) cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee… the living, the living, he shall praise thee” (Isa. 38:10, 18-19).
Taken literally, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus is one of the most fragile foundations for belief in disembodied immortality.
So why, then, did Jesus frame his teaching around such an obviously false concept?
THIS IS NOT A PARABLE!
This is not symbolic language, and is to be taken literally. Why?
Parables DO NOT include specific names of real people, like Abraham, nor his spiritual location. It is also clear that the Rich man and Lazarus are real souls!
Prior to Christ's death and resurrection, Sheol was divided into two locations, one for the faithful to God and the other for the unfaithful, wicked reprobates.
The Rich man's location is therefore real.
>Why describe two separate and distinct locations that exist after death _ in detail _ to symbolize something else if they did not exist?
>What moral truth would be gained from something or some place that was not real?
Jesus' parables were always about common experiences that people could relate to and draw meaning out of. His parables did not use detailed descriptions of fictional, abstract territories!
The message to all is a stark warning. This Rich man died and went to a place of loneliness, fire and torment. This wasn't his grave or tomb. He didn't become extinct when he died nor was he asleep. He was conscious! He asks for water, a drop, because when Lazarus was alive, he begged for scraps of food. Notice how the Rich man's pride is no longer with him - he is humbled. I don't know, if it is real humility or just an act of manipulation? He was hoping for mercy, to receive more than a drop. When he realized there would be no relief for him, he asked Abraham to send Lazarus to his brothers ( who were also real people) to warn them of this place.
> Abraham also made it clear that these two locations were separated by a gulf (chasm) that no one from either location could pass over!
> The last line of the story points to another reality and parallel to this story, Jesus' death and resurrection.
This whole story alludes also to judgments throughout the Bible that speak of fire and torment that ultimately leads to destruction. There is no hope for that Rich man or anyone else who is cast there, no second chance, no Purgatory, no redemption. This is what death means without faith in God, which is the primary reason we have a Savior. But we must believe that He is our Savior.
