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Fiction can be defined as stories about people, places, and events that,
though untrue; are plausible; viz: realistic.
Fantasy can be defined as stories about people, places, and events that are
not only untrue; but implausible; viz: unrealistic.
For example: a story about a boy like Pinocchio is unrealistic; while a story
about a boy with autism is realistic. The difference between Pinocchio and a
boy with autism is that the one is compatible with normal reality; while the
other is far removed from normal reality.
I have yet to read even one of Jesus Christ's parables that could not possibly
be a real-life story. They're all actually quite believable-- farmers sowing
seed, women losing coins, sons leaving home, wineskins bursting, tares
among the wheat, leavened bread, barren fig trees, the blind leading the
blind, et al.
Now; if he had told one that alleged the moon was made of green cheese;
we would have good reason to believe that at least that one was fantasy;
but none of them are like that. At best; Christ's parables might qualify as
fiction; but never fantasy because none of them are so far removed from
normal reality that there is no possible chance of it ever being a real-life
story.
Luke 16:19-31 is commonly alleged to be a parable; which of course implies
that the story is fiction; and some would even say fantasy. But the parable
theory has a fatal flaw.
Abraham, Moses, and the prophets are real-life persons; they are neither
fiction nor fantasy.
Abraham is especially notable because he's held in very high esteem by at
least three of the world's prominent religions: Judaism, Christianity, and
Islam.
Abraham is also the friend of God (2Chrn 20:27, Isa 41:8). I simply cannot
believe that Jesus Christ-- a man famous among Christians for his honesty
and integrity --would say something untrue about a famous real-life man;
especially one of his Father's buddies.
And on top of that, the story quotes Abraham a number of times. Well; if the
story is fiction, then Jesus Christ is on record testifying that Abraham said
things that he didn't really say; which is a clear violation of the
commandment that prohibits bearing false witness.
There is something else to consider.
Luke 16:19:31 didn't originate with Jesus Christ. No, it originated higher up.
In other words: Jesus Christ was micro managed.
● John 3:34 . . He is sent by God. He speaks God's words
● John 8:26 . . He that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those
things which I have heard of Him.
● John 8:28 . . I do nothing on my own initiative, but I speak these things as
the Father taught me.
● John 12:49 . . I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me,
He gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.
● John 14:24 . .The word which you hear is not mine, but the Father's who
sent me.
When people allege that Luke 16:19-31 is not true to life; they insinuate
that God is a person of marginal integrity who can't be trusted to tell the
truth about people, not even about His own friends.
Unless somebody can prove clearly, conclusively, and without ambiguity or a
shadow of sensible doubt, that Christ's Father is a tale-spinner; I pretty
much have to assume the narrative was drawn from real-life; and if not
drawn from real life, then at least based upon real life.
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