I’ve had an ongoing interest of late in the parables of Jesus. I find many books about the parables catching my attention. I’ve also been wondering how much the parables related to the specific political situation in Jesus’ time, whether they were meant for practical application for us, or perhaps both. So, I’m going to do some reading in that direction this year.
At this time, the plan is to collect a few books, and then see the different perspectives each has to offer as I go through the parables one at a time. Hopefully, some of my conclusions will make their way here, but I’m making no ambitious plans for a parable a week or anything like that. (I leave the ambitious plans to guys like Will.)
All that to say, if you have any recommendations for good books on the parables, please post them in the comments. Right now, I have The Parables: Jewish Tradition and Christian Interpretation by Brad Young on my wish list, so I will probably get that one. We unemployed types aren’t exactly swimming in cash, so my reading won’t be overly extensive, but I should be able to swing a couple books. All that to say, please recommend only those that you think are must-reads.
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Ahhh…Libraries
One book you might see if you can buy used (it is an older book but I found it helpful) is:
The Parables of the Kingdom
by Robert Farrar Capon
Eerdmans Pub Co (July 1, 1991)
ISBN: 0802806058
While reading the first part of your post, I was pondering suggesting a certain book by Brad Young… enough said
dean, what’s a ‘library’?
I’m with Will… make sure you find Capon’s stuff. He’s great! The other MUST READ on parables is Kenneth Bailey.
I’m in the middle of reading Kenneth Bailey’s “Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes” An amalgamation of two of his books, looking at the parables in the Book of Luke. Only word for the book is brilliant.