2nd Paper

Andrei L.
Maghirang
Seminar 3
2D
2015400032
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
The parable of the prodigal son is one of the popular parables which tells the story of a
father and his two sons. In this story, the younger son asked for his inheritance and left his home.
He wasted his inheritance and became a destitute. When he returned home, he expected to have
to beg to even work as a servant, however, his father welcomed with open arms and celebrated
his return. However, his older brother refused to participate. The father told his older son that
they should celebrate because the son he lost was now found.
Justice is seen this parable in the form of equality in treatment between his two sons. It
may seem counter-intuitive since in the older son’s eyes there was inequality and injustice.
However, the parable must be seen in a way that everyone is loved by God, as represented by the
father, equally. The scene where the son returned and was immediately forgiven by the father
may have been meant to portray how God would forgive sinners. It just goes to show how
sinners will be forgiven by God completely if they are truly sorry for their sins and have whole-
heartedly came back to the arms of God. It matters not that the sinner have sinned for as long as
they have realized their mistakes and have returned to the Lord.
The older brother represents those who live a life of self-righteousness. They only view
the sinners in light of their sins and judges them for it. They can not understand how the father
could forgive such sinners for what they have done and refuses to acknowledge them as family.
However, in the parable despite the criticisms of the older son the father patiently listens to him
with compassion because everyone is loved by the father equally.
[1]"“Equality” In Paul’S Letters". New Life. N.p., 2011. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.
[2]"A Brief Look At St Pauls Life And Teachings". Loyolapress.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 19 Sept. 2016.
[4]"An Introduction To The Pauline Letters". Users.ox.ac.uk. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.
[5}"What Is The Meaning Of The Parable Of The Prodigal Son?". GotQuestions.org. N.p., 2016. Web. 20 Sept. 2016.
[6]"1 And 2 Thessalonians". Cliffsnotes.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Sept. 2016.
Pauline letters
The Pauline letters consists of the 13 New Testament Books which contained most of the
concepts which served as the foundations upon which Christian faith was established. The
Pauline letters are the Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
Justice was discussed by St. Paul in the form of equality or fairness. The different letters seem to
resonate this theme. Some verses are more explicit in expressing this theme than others [1]. In
general, the teachings of Paul with describe to the justice of God as a salvific justice. It expresses
the fact that it is only God who reconciles humankind. This is done through Christ because
people are not able justify themselves except they are integrated in faith with Jesus Christ. [2].
The letter of Paul to the Romans are very important because it talked about the justice of
God. It talk about how God’s justice as a more deliberate concept as compared to God’s wrath.
In the bible the justice of God shares a positive relationship with His promises rather than the
Law. It is based on the fact that God keeps his promises. It is also important to note the place of
God’s anger in his justice. Paul discussed the universal liability of humans to God’s anger or
punitive retribution. After all, God, even during the time of David, never promised not to punish.
What he promised was not to punish absolutely. He also tackled in his letters to the Romans that
Humans are incapable of achieving their own justice. It is through Christ that there can be
reconciliation [4].
The letters tackled the idea of equity between the poor and the rich. This concept is seen
in 2 Corinthians 8:23 and 14 . It talks about supplying the need of those who are in need for the
end goal of equality. It is a justice in the sense of economic justice wherein everyone is given
what they need. St. Paul wanted to avoid the economic situation where there are some Christians
who were well-off while their were those who were suffering from financial problems [3].
The letters tackled the equality between slaves and masters. This concept was discussed
in Colossians. The message of St. Paul was that slaves should be treated as fairly as possible. He
reasoned that Christians should understand the feelings of being a slave considering that they
also had a master of their own, which was God. They should know that God is very merciful as a
master and so should they be to their slaves. Paul would even describe a slave as a faithful and
beloved brother. The sense of acceptance and warmth can be felt while reading the passages. It
talks about justice in such a way that everyone should treat each other justly without regards to
social class. An acknowledgement of the respect we owe each other and how we should act
towards each other despite our positions in society because we are loved by God equally [3].
In the first letter of Paul to the Thessalonians it talks about the coming of the Lord and
the rapture of the believers. Paul assured the Thessalonians that God will deal justly with the
persecutors. It was for the purpose to give them hope because of the persecution they were
experiencing [6].

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Andrei L.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

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