Who Is My Neighbor? A Challenge In Our Modern Society. A Study of the Parable Of The Good Samaritan (Lk. 10: 25-37).
Date
2001-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
"Who is my neighbor?" If this question was asked to an average Christian about
tthe meaning of the parable of the Good Samaritan, perhaps they would answer straight
away, "You should love your neighbor". At the surface level, this parable may not be
problematic to most people. But if one goes deeper into it, one may be surprised by its
twofold meaning. The challenge now before us is to try to answer that same question:
"Who is my neigbor?".
The major aim of this essay is an endeavor to show that the widespread inability to
show authentic love remains a big challenge today. A close look in our society reveals that
human nature has not changed much. All cultures, modem and ancient tend to draw
boundaries between themselves and others. The temptation to draw the line, to dare
someone to step across it, seems to be a universal human phenomenon. But can this
stereotype sort of 'mentality' perpetuated by humankind since ages be allowed to continue?.
It is this type of behavior that will be challenged in this essay.
The pious Jews of Jesus' time were complacent as far as to whom they had to
regard as the 'neighbor'. When Jesus comes along and as it was normal for him to be asked
difficult questions, the question about the neighbor arose. It is in this parable of the Good
Samaritan that the values of Jewish people are challenged to the core. Can this parable
today challenge our established values?.
For the Jews of old, the term "Neighbor" was not inclusive, for they regarded the
neighbor as a term of limited liability. What about us today?. Where and to what extent have
we drawn the line?. The answer to this question can be understood if we consider two
things: The first is, when Luke the evangelist wrote this parable what was his point?. Secondly, We know that this parable had its origin in Jesus and it would be appropriate to
ask ourselves: What was Jesus' view or what lesson did he want to teach?.
Every evangelist has his audience or readers. When he writes his Gospel, his
theology has certain perspectives. Therefore, in this essay, the theological significance of Lk
10:25-37 will be highlighted. It is in it that we will see a kind of response that is expected of
the readers. A kind of choice that one makes determines whether one is on the side of Jesus
or against him. We should also allow this parable to interpret us together with our situation
and challenge us into action.
The author has employed a kind of methodology that will render the Gospel
message of Good News to be intelligible to those Christians who take seriously the practice
of reading and studying the Bible. This methodology will be descriptive, comparative, and
exegetical in nature.
In order to make the Gospel message of Good News a reality, we have to present it
in a way that it can take deep root in the African soil. In our application section we will
employ a kind of theological method of adaptation and inailturation.
Description
Keywords
Neighbour, Society, Parable, Good Samaritan, Luke. 10: 25-37