27 Mar 05
2 edits
The following parable of "The Pharisee and the publican" is a much discussed parable. What does it want to communicate ?
"9": And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
"10": Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
"11": The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
"12": I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
"13": And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
"14": I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
What is it this parable wants to communicate ?
Only serious debaters please.
27 Mar 05
Originally posted by ivanhoeThis parable wishes to communicate that grace will accrue to those that are poor in spirit; that humility is the primary virtue.
The following parable of "The Pharisee and the publican" is a much discussed parable. What does it want to communicate ?
"9": And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
"10": Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
"11": ...[text shortened]... be exalted.
What is it this parable wants to communicate ?
Only serious debaters please.
27 Mar 05
Originally posted by ivanhoeYes, they do so in an obvious way. Arrogance and self-righteousness are incompatible with poorness of spirit, and thus preclude the bestowal of grace. Since grace is necessary for salvation, arrogance and self-righteousness preclude salvation.
Does arrogance and self-rightiousness come into the picture here ? How ?
27 Mar 05
Originally posted by bbarrBut is not the pharisee the one who is truly impovrished in spirit. Jesus, in the beatitude, calls the "poor in spirit "blessed." I think we need to distinguish between the "poor in spirit" and those in a "spiritual ghetto."
Yes, they do so in an obvious way. Arrogance and self-righteousness are incompatible with poorness of spirit, and thus preclude the bestowal of grace. Since grace is necessary for salvation, arrogance and self-righteousness preclude salvation.
28 Mar 05
1 edit
Originally posted by kirksey957.... and who is the one in the parable being in a "spiritual ghetto" and why ?
But is not the pharisee the one who is truly impovrished in spirit. Jesus, in the beatitude, calls the "poor in spirit "blessed." I think we need to distinguish between the "poor in spirit" and those in a "spiritual ghetto."
28 Mar 05
Originally posted by ivanhoeI like the expression from the recovery communities- "a fearless moral inventory" not of the other person, but of myself. I'm not sure there is a "cure" as everyone has the potential to be judgmental of others.
What does it take to acknowledge to oneself one is a "Pharisee" ?
.... and what is the cure ?
28 Mar 05
Originally posted by kirksey957Kirk: " I'm not sure there is a "cure" .... "
I like the expression from the recovery communities- "a fearless moral inventory" not of the other person, but of myself. I'm not sure there is a "cure" as everyone has the potential to be judgmental of others.
Doesn't the parable give an answer to that ?
28 Mar 05
Originally posted by ivanhoeThis is one of my most favorite parables. (St Luke 18:9-14)
The following parable of "The Pharisee and the publican" is a much discussed parable. What does it want to communicate ?
...
What is it this parable wants to communicate ?
Only serious debaters please.
It seeks to communicate that piety does not arise from what one does in and
of themselves, but the sincerity with which one strives to do what is right.
In it, the Pharisee attests to a litany of demonstrably good works: he fasts,
he tithes; he is not greedy, dishonest, or adulterous (i.e., presumably he keeps
the Commandments). He is a person who is following all the rules and doing
all the right things.
But, as we see, his motivation is insincere. He is driven for following rules
and doing works because he is told to do so, not because of a sincere heart,
not because of appreciating the intrinsic goodness of his actions. Indeed, if
he was motivated by goodness alone and not conformity -- if he believed
sincerely -- then he would not malign the Publican. He is arrogant about his
accomplishments, bragging to God that which God already knows.
The Publican, who very likely had a difficult life, filled with temptation and,
in all likelihood sin, recognized his 'depraved' condition. He asks only for mercy,
and he asks for it in sincerity. He does not enumerate how great he is or how
he is following God's commands. He simply recognizes that he is imperfect
and that he needs God's guidance to set himself aright.
I've met few Publicans in my time.
Nemesio
28 Mar 05
Originally posted by kirksey957Indeed. We can imagine the publican realizing that compared to those around him he is poor of spirit, taking pride in this humility, and thereby becoming more like the Pharisee. Spritual pride is perhaps the most insidious sort of pride, and the most difficult to combat. You recognize that you are spiritually proud, fight against, recognize that you are fighting against it, feel good about yourself for fighting against it, and then you are back where you began. True poorness of spirit requires vigilant self-examination, not the smiting of one's breast.
I see it as a daily doese of medicine as opposed to a cure.