In general, we could state the world is still very similar to what it is today in the time of Christ in many ways when it comes to moral and civil matters in more respects than we may expect although there were obvious differences in the freedoms of women (although that varied back and forth through different centuries); and the acceptance of slavery to name two things. We could; for example take Christ's parables and say why not substitute it for similar moral precepts today? We certainly don't need to use the old British coinage of "talents" and "mites" and other obscure descriptions of money to get the concept of these Parables.
The eternal truths of the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man means it is not allegorical but literal; therefore more like forensic evidence for realities of the afterlife than a story about moral principles. At any rate taking latitudes to change the story or come up with other tales that show the same principle aren't necessarily wrong but also it doesn't rise to the level of scripture which always supplements earlier materials (such as talking about the "bosom" of Abraham; again a real life event just as what happened at the Transfiguration where Moses and Elijah appeared).
Such ideas could expand to subjects such as Christian music as well. There are those who rightly espouse singing Psalms who are worshipping God straight out of scriptures; something which we don't see today with most "Christian" music with a few exceptions; mainly with Messianic Jewish groups. The exclusion of any other styles; or using instruments may have some merit but as a rule I cannot hold to such strict boundaries. The same can be said for "intentionality" here though; why are these artists singing about Christ is it to promote their own careers by never challenging anyone in their lyrics or personal appearances about sin and only stalking about God's love in some sappy lyrics?
In general, we could state the world is still very similar to what it is today in the time of Christ in many ways when it comes to moral and civil matters in more respects than we may expect although there were obvious differences in the freedoms of women (although that varied back and forth through different centuries); and the acceptance of slavery to name two things. We could; for example take Christ's parables and say why not substitute it for similar moral precepts today? We certainly don't need to use the old British coinage of "talents" and "mites" and other obscure descriptions of money to get the concept of these Parables.
The eternal truths of the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man means it is not allegorical but literal; therefore more like forensic evidence for realities of the afterlife than a story about moral principles. At any rate taking latitudes to change the story or come up with other tales that show the same principle aren't necessarily wrong but also it doesn't rise to the level of scripture which always supplements earlier materials (such as talking about the "bosom" of Abraham; again a real life event just as what happened at the Transfiguration where Moses and Elijah appeared).
Such ideas could expand to subjects such as Christian music as well. There are those who rightly espouse singing Psalms who are worshipping God straight out of scriptures; something which we don't see today with most "Christian" music with a few exceptions; mainly with Messianic Jewish groups. The exclusion of any other styles; or using instruments may have some merit but as a rule I cannot hold to such strict boundaries. The same can be said for "intentionality" here though; why are these artists singing about Christ is it to promote their own careers by never challenging anyone in their lyrics or personal appearances about sin and only stalking about God's love in some sappy lyrics?
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