Don't know why that last one posted twice.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we should dismiss this story as a fictional parable, and therefore derive no factual truth from it, I'm just saying that it doesn't have to have been an actual person in order for Jesus to have made his point, namely that what men esteem (glory, honor, etc.) is not at all what God esteems (compassion, care for fellow man, etc.). The parable serves as further illustration for Jesus' point in 16:15.

I do not, however, think that Jesus would mislead us about anything. Even in his other parables, grain really does grow better in fertile soil, the mustard plant is really tall, and weeds really do grow in wheat fields.

My point is not that Lazarus was not a real person, just that it doesn't matter to the story one way or the other.

__________________
Jacob Mearse
Reformation Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Olympia, WA
Student, Reformed Theological Seminary (Virtual)
Lieutenant, U.S. Navy
Husband to April; Daddy to Wesley, Cyrus, and FaithMarie.