Are parables a lie, truth or a grey area?

[NothingIsImpossible]

So as we know there are parables in the bible that pertain to many things. All of which are basically telling us things to help us so we can learn. So my question is when we use a parable that we make up, is it technically a lie, a truth or a grey area that has no real answer?

I imagine one response may be "Well what is the situation?". And its a good point. Lets say someone is suicidal, you could use a parable about another person who committed suicide and all that happened to those left on earth to grieve and the person life after he committed suicide. In short the parable would show how suicide is not the way to end things because it leaves even more pain behind to those alive and it risks you not entering heaven. Now ignoring the argument about suicide=hell and what not, is this parable a lie or a truth?

I only today thought of this question while watching a documentary. Some would say parables are a lie because making up a story is a lie. But the bible has parables to right? I mean if we were to be technical then even stories we make up are lies? For example often when it comes to kids I will see parents make up stories to try to get their child to do/not do something. For example "You have to eat your broccoli son, if you don't you won't grow up super strong and healthy like Superman! He eats veggies!"

Again this is just for curiousty sake. I personally prefer truth such as my own experience or from observing other people and how things went for them. I don't really use parables (made up ones) because I do feel a bit akward since I guess in my heart I feel its stretched truth really.

 

[Godlovesmetwo]

Once there was an Aussie and he meant well by joining a Christian Forum and starting countless threads ...........
Sorry I'm just trying to think of a parable that gets the point across. How about telling atheists that my brain is as big as a mustard seed?
I don't see any harm in parables,as long as they have a religious truth, showing us how to be obedient and loving to God.
I'd even go so far as to say lies or stretching the truth, have value if they have good intentions. The problem would be, do they have good and noble intention? If they pass that criteria, no worries mate!

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Never lie. Love the Truth. When you tell a parable, do so only as the Father's Words from heaven - truth and as a parable, or as a "for instance" example;
not ever, never, as if a story to deceive anyone nor to harm anyone, but clearly as a "for instance" stated clearly and plainly so the audience knows it is not an actual event or happening.

 

[Tolworth John]

A lie is a story that is told as truth, usualy to gain an advantage. i.e.
The classic ' My dog ate my homework.' is a lie told to explain why there is no homework for the teacher to mark. However a teacher might use this as an illistration of what a lie is.

In the same way to illistrate a point one can invent a story to help get a truth across, it is always an illistration not a true historical fact.

 

[Dave-W]

So as we know there are parables in the bible that pertain to many things. All of which are basically telling us things to help us so we can learn. So my question is when we use a parable that we make up, is it technically a lie, a truth or a grey area that has no real answer?

I guess that would depend on how you define "lie." Some define it as anything less than "the truth, the WHOLE truth and nothing but the truth." (with "truth" defined as physical facts) Under that definition saying pi is 3.14159 is a lie because it does not include the next few million decimal places.

But that is our godless secular (scientific) western mindset; which is NOT the mindset nor the logic of the bible. I submit that is a faulty framework to judge what is a lie (and not) and insufficient to truly appreciate the parables.