By Jeremy Myers Filed Under Discipleship, Evangelism Written on September 14, 2007

Lost and Found

In Luke 15, there are three famous parables: The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Lost Son (also known as The Prodigal Son).

The most common view on these passages it that the lost items in these parables refers to unbelievers, and Jesus goes out and finds them, and brings them back to Himself.

The Lost are Not Unbelievers, but Believers

However, it is becoming increasingly understood that these parables are not about unbelievers becoming Christians, but about straying Christians repenting and being restored back into fellowship with God. In light of the context and the terms uses in the passage, this second interpretation seems to be what Jesus is saying in these parables.

Furthermore, the traditional interpretation of this passage leads to some dangerous theological results.

The Traditional View Leads to Universalism

For example, if these three parables are talking about how Jesus goes out to find unsaved people, and the sheep, coins, and sons therefore represent all the people of the world, what is keeping us from a universalist interpretation of this passage, since Jesus doesn’t stop searching until he has gathered all 100 back into his fold?

I recently discussed this online with a person who had come to this exact conclusion. He wrote:

I’m living for the Shepherd who will leave ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost. If the entire world was lost, I expect He found every last one.

Certainly, not everyone who holds the view that the lost in these parables refers to unbelievers are universalists, but this man did arrive at a universalist position partly as a result of viewing the sheep, the coins, and the sons as unbelievers.

So, what evidences do you see one way or the other in this passage which helps you understand who the “lost” are and how does this interpreation affect your evangelism and discipleship?

Check out these related posts on Scripture, Theology, and Church:

The Most Beautiful Words in the Gospels

What if Jesus did not rise?

The Widows Mite

The Teaching Method of Jesus

Reveling in Pagan Holidays

Want to read more about Bible and Theology? Try one of these:

Church Planter

Well, I’m certainly not a universalist, but I do believe that the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son refer to unbelievers, not straying believers. The primary reason is because Jesus seems to be addressing the self-righteous pharisees about how God goes out to reach “sinners” (15:2, 7, 10).

While Christians can and do sin, they are not characterized as “sinners.”

William
Pingback: Ephedra.
Mark of Faith

Thank you for that Jeremy.

I used to believe that these passages referred to unbelievers, but my eyes were opened when I considered the position of the lost items.

The lost sheep was not one that hadn’t been with the Shepherd. The sheep was known to the Shepherd and the Shepherd had noticed he was missing. He belonged to the fold and had previously been in the fold.

Likewise the coin was not one that was to be added to the ten coins, but was an integral part of the ten coin necklace. (It should be noted that the ten coins refers to a wedding gift of a necklace of ten coins, therefore it can be regarded to be a full part of the group and not in any way separate.)

Likewise the lost son. He wasn’t a stranger to be found and then adopted. He was already a son.

I believe these verses speak of the faithfulness of God to the saints rather than the salvation of every one, although I understand that some could argue that they only refer to those unbelievers who are predestined to be found.

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Mark,
You have nailed it! Yes, these verses speak to the faithfulness of God in keeping and protecting His own. Even when we stray, He goes to great lengths to bring us home.

http://www.bonarcrump.com B Crump

Tried to work my way through a concept of casting the “church” (Western organized religion)in the role of the prodigal son awhile back. Maybe I need to revisit that one. I never could quite wrestle it down to the ground long enough to write about it.

The interesting part of the idea to me was that if the “church” is the prodigal son then those of us that feel we are staying true to the gospel and serving the Father through tolerance, objectivity, and humanitarian efforts might be pissy when the “church” comes back home to the Father. Easy to cast stones at Evangelical Fundamentalists now, but what happens once God’s Spirit restores unity?

Either way, the lesson seems to be that I don’t get to punch Mark Driscoll in the mouth once God restores his spiritual sanity. In other words, I don’t get to pout when all the dumbasses I rail about come home and Pops throws them a party. Dammit!

http://www.tillhecomes.org Jeremy Myers

Bonar,

Eventually I want to write a lot more about the Prodigal Son. I don’t think the older son truly exists….

http://www.donewithreligion.com Mike Donahoe

I believe the prodigal son is referring to those of us who are already saved through faith, but have strayed away from our first love. Just as Revelation 3:20 could be interpreted to be speaking to believers who have strayed from a close fellowship with their Father, or to those who have not come to a saving faith yet. Best thing is, either way we interpret these verses, it shows that we have a loving Father who is interested in us and wants a close daily fellowship with each of us.