I know I had suggested we'd finished the parable of the talents today...
Added 2022-04-18 23:35:43 +0000 UTC...buuuuuuuut it's going to take a little longer than that to sort it through. It just raises so dang many questions, about what I'm doing with my life, that it merits some extra attention.
Comments
I think the reason we don't get that example is because primarily this parable is a cautionary warning to the disciples using the bad character of the religious leaders as a negative example, and demonstrating God's justification in punishing them. Now that the first century religious issues are settled for most modern readers, we can't help but shift to reflecting on our own lives and what we're doing with our them when we read the parable of the talents. Fortunately we've got more than enough in the rest of the New Testament to piece together what a hypothetical fourth servant would look like, and such a servant would speak to the good and righteous character of the master as well.
Matt Whitman
2022-05-01 20:25:07 +0000 UTCThank you, Matt, for tackling the “fourth” talent scenario. When I speak and lead bible studies, I often say I wish there was a 4th servant who lost everything to learn the Master’s response.
Scott Ward
2022-04-21 16:04:49 +0000 UTCToday’s podcast seems to imply that we should at least do something even if it’s not successful—just don’t bury the talent. I think it fits with Rev. 3.15–“Would that you were either hot or cold!” Paraphrase: at least you took a stand and did something. Are there other hints from the letters to the churches that might help us with the parable of the talents?
Scott Ward
2022-04-21 16:03:20 +0000 UTC
