[ArGee]

Friends, If you see a problem in this little story, please let me know what it is so that I can correct it. If you think it is accurate and useful, please invite your non-Christian friends to the thread. I'd like to know what they think.

Shalom.

[kezekiel]

It's a nice parable, drawing on Jesus's parable of the wedding feast and the invited/uninvited guests. The problem for non-believers is that the story presumes a direct encounter between all the potential guests and the rich patron. The guests have the opportunity to hear about the baquet, come down to the hall, and talk to the patron. Since the banquet is heaven and the rich man is the Father, for the story to be analagous for non-believers, God would have to reveal himself, reveal heaven, and dialog with humanity in a direct sense. Seeing as how He hasn't chosen to do it quite that way, we're left with imperfect parables to describe the perfect. Absent faith, the parables can be easily misunderstood and unappreciated ("He who has ears, let him hear..."). But nice job, anyway. :)

[tom h]

Very good parable. But the non-participants in the meal can perhaps be divided into two groups: (1) Those who want to eat but will not use the designated door; and (2) those who know in their hearts that the banquet food is the best meal they can have but refuse to partake at all.

There is no shortage of people who refuse to believe the gospel because it is inconvenient to their lifestyle.

[tom h]

A couple more comments: the title is misleading because before reading the parable it sounds like it was composed by an unbeliever. Also, some of the earlier posters had it right -- God will not give up on the outsiders, but when the banquet is over He will, with great resignation, consign them in perpetuity to a place outside the banquet hall.

You can also stress the notion that all they have to do is choose the correct door and they are admitted, and that it is their poor choice that makes them so hapless.

[ConservativeNJdad]

The story could also include a group of people with Megaphones standing at the proper entrance, urging people to go to the locked door, and a group of people warning everyone not to go anywhere near the tent.

[Khepera]

I'm sorry I thought Jim Robinson said no Religious Discussions.

We are BRAAD

WE'RE HERE. WE'RE INTOLERANT. GET USED TO IT!

[Pablo64]

Excellent post.

Our local Christian radio station ran an add about a year ago with much the same story. It was played out as a deadly disease that was killing everyone (sin) but the King had a cure and, although it was a very costly cure, He offered to pay it for everyone who would come and receive it. All they had to do was come through the door He designated. As in your story, there were those who complained loudly to anyone who would hear how "unfair" it was that the King who was providing the cure for the fatal disease wouldn't just let them enter His courts any old way they pleased.

There is only one road to heaven and God has been gracious enough to point it out clearly to us.

Peace.

[semaj]

No modifications required. Es muy perfecto senor(a).

[RightOnline]

"At that the rich man was enraged and he shouted, "Enough." Then he called a police officer to have them thrown off of the property and ordered that they not be allowed to return until the banquet was over and all the scraps had been hauled away. Then, mourning for their loss, he turned to visit with other guests."

"Friends, If you see a problem in this little story, please let me know what it is so that I can correct it. If you think it is accurate and useful, please invite your non-Christian friends to the thread. I'd like to know what they think.

Shalom."

I appreciate such a fine effort, my friend, but I would definitely have changed the ending.

The "rich man", assuming this is meant to portray a Christian who is anxious to share the joy of Christ's love, wouldn't have become enraged, have 'em tossed out, etc.

The "rich man" would have been very happy for those who entered and enjoyed the banquet (a banquet that "fills" the "guests" forever) but would have been profoundly sad for those who refused the invitation. I would have had the "refuseniks" standing outside the open door, simply refusing to go in because............well, pick your reason ("There's a catch, I just know it!"; "Who are YOU to tell us what to eat??"; "Why did you make us walk all the way over here to get this meal?"; "I don't like what you're serving; I think you left out my favorite foods deliberately.", etc. , etc.). This would not have dissuaded the rich man, and he would have wept inside for he knew how truly hungry these people were, even if they didn't.............yet he also knew that it would NEVER be proper or appropriate to force them to enter and partake of the meal.

He would have told them "I am sorry that you do not wish to come in, but know that you are welcome........at any time. We want you here, and you will enjoy the meal unlike any meal you've had in your life. You are loved by all of us, and I only wish I had better words to convince you. We'll see to it that there is plenty of food if you decide to join us after all; it will be warm, very tasty, satisfying, and plentiful."

[azhenfud]

Thanks ArGee. Good post - well pointed meaning.
Again, thanks,
Az

[Grig]

It's good in the idea of God wanting everyone to come to Him, and in that He makes if possible for all to make it, but to me it breaks down a bit in that returning to God requires some effort and dedication on our part, where the story makes it seem too easy and passive to join the feast.

If we fail to make it, it will be as a result of our own choices, not because He gets annoyed with us and gives up on us.