The Rich Man and Lazarus

Much continues to be discussed concerning the rich man and Lazarus from chapter 16 of Luke. Scholars on both sides disagree as to whether or not this is a true narrative account or a parable. In either case, the message is the same, and the meaning clear. All have a need to repent. Secondarily, that repentance should show itself in how we treat others, among other aspects of being rightly related to God.

But if we hold this story to being an actual narrative, a true historical account, then we are presented with some theological difficulties, at least from my perspective. If we understand this as a parable, then we can apply the heavenly meanings taught and affirmed, using an earthly story to draw out thought. The continual challenge when reading Scripture daily is to keep in mind what ALL of Scripture says and teaches. We call that the “whole counsel of God.”

So, here are some observations, and it will be worthwhile (I hope) to go back and read the parable again. Abraham’s bosom (or side) is Heaven, Hades would have been understood as Hell.

The beggar, Lazarus, is carried off by angels, he is not even buried in the story. Such an inclusion in the story would have prompted the listeners that this would be a parable with a moral lesson at the end, as a poor man would have been unceremoniously buried somewhere with little fuss. The rich man, however, is simply noted to have been buried. Note the contrast between the two, and how their “fates” are already showing reversal from their earthly lives.

Luke has the rich man in a place where he is tormented. He is not annihilated, It would have made no sense for the story to include continual suffering if it would not have made sense to the audience.

To make the parable work, Luke has those in Heaven and Hades able to see each other, to converse with each other, and there is no corresponding reality to this elsewhere. We do read of a great chasm between the two, and this is included only to illustrate that going to either place is irreversible. No changing your mind later.

The rich man is called “child” by Abraham, indicating that he could have been a child of Abraham, meaning he was Jewish. Obviously, simply being Jewish did not secure a place in Heaven, and this would have come as a shock to the Jewish listeners. Relationship to God was to be personal.

Remember the “blesseds” and the “woes” back in chapter 6? With this telling of the story, they are now fulfilled.

The rich man requests of Abraham to send Lazarus back to warn his brothers, thinking that if one comes back from the dead, they will take notice and listen. The rich man says “then they will repent”, giving a clear teaching lesson that repentance is the key, not the works. Those who end up in Hell do so because they never repented.

One main and improper implication of making this account out to be a literal historical account is that of the disposition of bodies after death. The suffering in this story is physical, which would imply a body for the rich man to feel physical pain. We know from corresponding writings in Daniel 12:2-3 and Revelation 20:13-14 that those in the Lake of Fire do not have resurrected bodies until after the 1000-year, or Millennial, Kingdom. Believers do not receive such a body until the the Rapture. At the time of this gospel writing, and even now, neither has not yet occurred. So to believe the physical suffering in this story to be an actual account, one must have an “intermediate state” before receiving one’s final resurrected body. Scripture simply does not support this. Scripture DOES support judgment after death (Hebrews 9:27), and for a believer’s soul to be with the Lord after death (2 Corinthians 5:8).

SO WHAT...?

So, Scripture is always sufficient for witnessing, just as Abraham points out to the rich man in this parable.

So, such witnessing, also includes warning, just as the rich man wants his brothers to be warned.

So, I should take my believing faith, tell and warn others, and then let my belief show forth through my actions.