Comments on: A Parable of Four Fathers http://pastoralia.org/stories/a-parable-of-four-fathers Welcome. I'm a husband, a father, an ordained minister, and a postmodern pilgrim. You can check out some of the projects I'm involved with below. In this space I mostly write about the intersections of Christianity and culture. Wed, 16 May 2012 14:35:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Julie Waters http://pastoralia.org/stories/a-parable-of-four-fathers/comment-page-1#comment-120 Julie Waters Sat, 29 Aug 2009 07:07:08 +0000 http://pastoralia.org/?p=509#comment-120 Personally, I think both the 4th and 1st were the strongest (yeah, ok - so I can't just pick one). The 1st father wanted to scream at his son but instead - although he loved him - allowed his son to fail. Unfortunately because of the son's arrogance and shame, the son didn't pick himself up to try hard to succeed but instead fell into more bad choices. The 4th father ignored his impulse to step back from the situation and stepped up to the plate that was clearly his son's responsibility to step up to (but didn't). Although the father comes off babying his son (in a way), he also knows the horrible ramifications if he doesn't go ahead and take care of business. However, because the father doesn't do more to maintain the car, he shows strength by stepping back a little even though he knows his son will ignore his warnings. In the end, I do agree that he showed the most TRUE, unconditional (and without stipulations) forgiveness. Well, that's my input. Personally, I think both the 4th and 1st were the strongest (yeah, ok – so I can’t just pick one). The 1st father wanted to scream at his son but instead – although he loved him – allowed his son to fail. Unfortunately because of the son’s arrogance and shame, the son didn’t pick himself up to try hard to succeed but instead fell into more bad choices.

The 4th father ignored his impulse to step back from the situation and stepped up to the plate that was clearly his son’s responsibility to step up to (but didn’t). Although the father comes off babying his son (in a way), he also knows the horrible ramifications if he doesn’t go ahead and take care of business. However, because the father doesn’t do more to maintain the car, he shows strength by stepping back a little even though he knows his son will ignore his warnings. In the end, I do agree that he showed the most TRUE, unconditional (and without stipulations) forgiveness.

Well, that’s my input.

]]> By: Jason Coker http://pastoralia.org/stories/a-parable-of-four-fathers/comment-page-1#comment-119 Jason Coker Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:45:07 +0000 http://pastoralia.org/?p=509#comment-119 Thanks for your comments guys. I'm sure it's fairly obvious that this parable is written to address the sovereignty question, but what I think is interesting is that we have a tough time making the connection between love and forgiveness on the one hand and strength on the other. Thanks for your comments guys. I’m sure it’s fairly obvious that this parable is written to address the sovereignty question, but what I think is interesting is that we have a tough time making the connection between love and forgiveness on the one hand and strength on the other.

]]> By: Steve Watson http://pastoralia.org/stories/a-parable-of-four-fathers/comment-page-1#comment-118 Steve Watson Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:24:34 +0000 http://pastoralia.org/?p=509#comment-118 Father #4 had the most loving and forgiving response. It's humbling to consider all the pitfalls God will remove from us in spite of our sin and still be there to take us back after our self-inflicted catastrophes! Father #4 had the most loving and forgiving response. It’s humbling to consider all the pitfalls God will remove from us in spite of our sin and still be there to take us back after our self-inflicted catastrophes!

]]> By: Denise http://pastoralia.org/stories/a-parable-of-four-fathers/comment-page-1#comment-117 Denise Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:23:35 +0000 http://pastoralia.org/?p=509#comment-117 I don't know who was the "strongest" but I think the fourth father did the right thing. I don’t know who was the “strongest” but I think the fourth father did the right thing.

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