In the earlier parables, Jesus left people wondering what he meant. In the latter parables, Jesus was often very direct. For example, in Matthew 21:33-46, Jesus spoke a parable directly against the leaders of the Temple in Jerusalem. They had no problem understanding the parable, but they trapped themselves by their reaction to it. We too need to be careful not to fall into the same trap.
There are two basic principles that enable Christians with differing convictions on debatable matters to live together in harmony in the church.
God fulfills his plan against human opposition and even through human suffering.
Irony occurs when a situation turns out to be the opposite of what is expected. Dramatic irony is when the author and the audience...