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The Interpretation of the Concept Hades Described in Luke 16:19-31 -- the Rich Man and Lazarus in the Light of the Historical-grammatical Method

出版	Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies, 2008
URL	http://books.google.com.hk/books?id=LvPgZwEACAAJ&hl=&source=gbs_api

註釋Biblical scholars and theologians propose divergent interpretations of the concept of hades in Luke 16:19-31. In view of this non-consensus, what is really the interpretation of the concept of hades in this narrative? This study extensively exegetes Luke 16:19-31 using historical-grammatical method in order to suggest an interpretation of the concept of hades that may reflect primarily Jesus' intent, and secondarily Luke's. The analysis of the genre of Luke 16:19-31 considering the OT masal, NT parabole, and the passage itself indicates that the story of the rich man and Lazarus like other OT and narrative parables is fictitious. It functions as a parable stressing a spiritual truth. The study of the background of the concept of hades in ANET, Greek literature, inter-testamental Rabbinic literature, and early Church Fathers shows that hades is the abode of souls in the intermediate state. However, OT and NT biblical literature may only mean death, both physical and spiritual, and grave, the abode of the dead below the earth. It does not say that souls are conscious in hades except in this parable. The structural-thematic analysis of Luke in general, and Luke 16:1-31 in particular, suggests that Jesus' and Luke's emphasis is not the concept of hades. Caring for the poor of the community is one of Luke's structural-thematic focus. The use/abuse of wealth is the theme of Luke 16:1-31. In the exegetical analysis of the narrative, it shows that hades in Luke-Acts, and in the Synoptic Gospels may mean death, grave, pit, abode of the dead below the earth. Its synonym gehenna refers to the place of punishmnet of the wicked after the Parousia. In the literary analysis, the story serves as a parable used by Jesus to emphasize the perpetuity of the Law and the Prophets as the rule of life in the era of the kingdom of God, which began at the coming of the Messiah Jesus Christ. Jesus does not teach the doctrine of punishment or reward of the dead in the intermediate state in using the parable. The eschatology of the Synoptic Gospels and the rest of the NT does not warrant such doctrine. This study provides an extensive exegetical analysis using the historical-grammatical method. Specifically, the genre analysis and the structural-thematic analysis may contribute on the method in the interpretation of the parables of Jesus.