An Atheistic Bible Study Of The Gospel Parables Of Jesus The Lost Sheep

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Luke 15:3-7 and Matthew 18:12–14 touch on this simple parable in which Jesus talks of a shepherd tending a flock of 100 sheep. Counting them, he finds that one is missing and leaving the others he goes searching for it. Finding the lot sheep safe he rejoices, makes a great fuss of it and carries it on his shoulders back to the others. The parable was in responses to a Pharisee & scholar criticism of Jesus associating with and welcoming sinners such as prostitutes into his circle of followers, and giving them special preferential treatment. Jesus reasons that like the 99 safe sheep, the scholars need less teaching or saving than the people who could go astray. Reformed, apologetic, absolved sinners, lie lost sheep found safe and sound, deserve the fuss and praise. For a shepherd, losing sheep I an occupational hazard, but for a God, losing control of his potential and actual followers is just bad shepherding. With no God to guide me, I might well get in trouble, but my belief that there is no God, and any other sins, if he does exist, are his fault for not stopping me going astray. Arthur Chappell