(which outdoes the Spiritists' invention of an "Astral body")

harmony with them: and in such a way that it shall be necessary

which has no foundation whatever in fact: and is absolutely

for the better understanding of the whole context in which it

destitute of anything worthy of the name "evidence" of any kind

stands. That is to say, we must not explain the Parable

whatsoever. Then again, Hades is never elsewhere mentioned as

apologetically, as though we wished it were not there; but as

a place of fire. On the contrary, it is itself to be "cast into the

though we could not do without it. We must treat it as being

lake of fire" (Rev. 20:14).

indispensable, when taken with the context.

Moreover, there is this further moral difficulty; in this

Let us look first at some of the inconsistencies of the

parable, which is supposed to treat of the most solemn realities

Traditional Interpreters. Some of them call it a "Parable"; but the

as to the eternal destiny of the righteous and the wicked, there is

Lord does not so designate it. It does not even being by saying

a man who receives all blessing, and his only merit is poverty.

"He said". It commences abruptly - "There was"; without any

That, for ought that is said, is the only title Lazarus has for his

further guide as to the reason or meaning of what is said. Then

reward. It is useless to assume that he might have been righteous

they follow their own arbitrary will, picking out one word or

as well as poor. The answer is that the parable does not say a

expression, which they say is literal; and another, which they say

word about it; and it is perfectly arbitrary for anyone to insert

is parabolic. For example, "Abraham's bosom" is, according to

either the words or the thought. On the other hand, the only sin

them, parabolic; and denotes Paradise. They are bound so to take

for which the rich man was punished with those torments was

it, because if literal, "Abraham's bosom" would hold only one

his previous enjoyment of "good things" and his neglect of

person! It refers to the act of reclining at meals, where any one

Lazarus. But for this neglect, and his style of living, he might

person, if he leaned back, would be "in the bosom" of the other.

have been as good and moral a man as Lazarus.

John was so placed with regard to the Lord Jesus (John 13:23;

Again, if "Abraham's bosom" is the same as Paradise, then

21:20), and it was a token of favor and love (John 19:26; 20:2;

we ask, "Is that where Christ and the thief went according to the

21:7). Then they take the "fire" and the "water", the "tongue"

popular interpretation of Luke 23:43? Did they go to "Abraham's

and the "flame", etc., as being literal; but when the Lord

bosom"? The fact is, the more closely we look at Tradition, the

elsewhere speaks of "the worm that dieth not", they take that as

more glaring are the inconsistencies which it creates.

parabolic, and say it does not mean "a worm" but conscience. In

The teaching of the Pharisees had much in common with the

all this they draw only on their imagination, and interpret

teaching of Romanists and Spiritists in the present day. We have

according to their own arbitrary will.

only to refer to the Lord's words to see what He thought of the

If we follow out this illogical principle, then according to

Pharisees and their teachings. He reserved for them His severest

them Lazarus was never buried at all; while the rich man was.

denunciations and woes; and administered to them His most

For "the rich man also died and was buried" (v. 22); while

scathing judgments. It was the teaching of the Pharisees, which

Lazarus, instead of being buried, was "carried by the angels into

had made the Word of God of none effect, that was the very

Abraham's bosom". There is the further difficulty as to how a

essence of their sin and its condemnation. Everywhere the Lord

man who has been actually buried, could think without a brain,

refers to this as bringing down His wrath; and calling forth His

or speak without a tongue. How can the spirit speak, or act apart

"woes". The Word of God said one thing, and the Pharisees said

from the physical organs of the body? This is a difficulty our

another; they thus contracted themselves out of the Law of God

friends cannot get over: and so they have to invent some theory

by their traditions. The context shows that the Lord's controversy