An Atheistic Bible Study Of The Gospel Parables Counting The Cost

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Luke 14: 25-33 has the only version of this troubling, perhaps even vile parable. Jesus was finding that the provision of food and drink at his sermons and the promise of miracles, was drawing hangers on and spectators who were not really prepared for the harsh discipline of becoming true Christians. Many just enjoyed the spectacle and freebies on offer. Who could blame them? Jesus apparently. Jesus now berates those insincere followers, insisting that if they were not willing to suffer, carry their cross (burden) and leave home, even hating their own wives, mothers, fathers, children and communities, they have no right to call themselves his disciples. It is a classic hallmark of modern cults to split up families and demand great sacrifices of money and materialism by followers and here, Jesus does just that too. Jesus adds two parable examples to illustrate his point. He talks of a man building a tower without first planning costs, design, and how much material (tone, mortar, etc.) the structure will need. This tower is doomed to fail to be completed or fall down. The second example he shares is that of a military general sending his men into battle without planning, strategy or awareness of the enemy numbers and strengths. Again, the venture will fail, most likely with great tragedy. Jesus sees the Christian unwilling to leave his family or suffer as similarly unprepared and doomed to fail. He may have a point if that is what his creed demands, but for me it is grounds to plan to protect family by not going near such divisive teachings in the first place. Arthur Chappell