Author Question: Theologians have discussed this parables religious significance for twothousand years. What, in your ... (Read 598 times)

geodog55 · **on:** Jul 20, 2018

Theologians have discussed this parables religious significance for twothousand years. What, in your own words, is the human theme of the story?

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

When the older brother sees the celebration for his younger brothersreturn, he grows angry. He makes a very reasonable set of complaints to his father. He has indeed been a loyal and moral son, but what virtue does the older brother lack?

What will be an ideal response?

taylorsonier · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 20, 2018

Answer to Question 1

The human theme of the parable might be summarized as genuine virtue includes the power to forgive or true goodness requires love and compassion, not just outward virtue. The elder son has led an outwardly virtuous life, but when his prodigal brother returns home in disgrace, he cannot put aside his disapproval and jealousy to greet him. He resents his fathers joy as well as his brothers behavior. His external righteousness has not nourished his heart: he feels neither joy nor compassion. The father, however, rejoices in the younger sons safe return. Santayana thought that the parable also had a psychological theme: There is more joy in finding what was lost than there would be in merely keeping it.

Answer to Question 2

The older brother lacks forgiveness and compassion for his younger brother. This parables theme would be less dramatically presented if we did not see and probably feel some sympathy withthe older brothers uncharitable reaction to the prodigals return. We know nothing of his past relationship with his brother. But we do know that his anger is so inflamed that he does not join his fathers party; as this passage says, referring to the older son: and he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.

Perhaps he is embittered because Jewish cultural expectations require elder sons to take care of their younger siblings. Perhaps part of his bitterness stems from the reality that the youngers return means that the elder will have to share his future inheritance. Perhaps the older brother also feels jealous because he missed out on his chance to have fun. Whatever the motive, this elder son is now the one acting shamefully: his unwillingness to greet his brother, his refusal to attend the party, and his public disrespect of his father all demonstrate that the eldest son may be more lost than the youngest ever was.