The parables of Jesus appear to be simple, and yet they can become difficult for preachers to understand and apply. This book wrestles with the unique challenges of preaching the parables. It provides in-depth and practical tools for studying, interpreting, and applying the parables within the reader's own setting, while remaining true to the intentions of Scripture. Offering a four-step approach, preachers are invited to consider how a parable operates as a picture, then a mirror, then a window, and then a door.
Containing contributions from a diverse group of authors, this book provides rich and varied examples of how to put its teaching into practice. Immensely accessible, it empowers preachers, teachers, and readers to encounter the parables in all their simplicity and depth, as if reading them for the first time.
Preaching the Parables has shown me how to go deeper in my personal study and preaching of Jesus's parables. The four authors, from New Zealand and Latin America, show the relevance of Jesus's beautiful parables across time and cultures.
Rev. Lynne Baab, PhD
Adjunct Associate Professor of Ministry and Biblical Studies,
Hope International University, California, USA
Easy to read and understand, this book should bless many preachers - and other readers - around the world.
Craig L. Blomberg, PhD
Emeritus Professor of New Testament,
Denver Seminary, Colorado, USA
Preaching the Parables is a treasure trove of wisdom and practical advice for the disciple and preacher. Written by pastors and teachers from across the world, this will become a valuable resource for the church today.
Sarah Harris, PhD
Research Fellow, Carey Baptist College, New Zealand
This book is a remarkable addition to the resources for preachers and teachers to understand the genre of parables with a simple and innovative approach. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the parables of Jesus in an engaging and thorough manner.
Qaiser Julius, PhD
Director,
Open Theological Seminary, Lahore, Pakistan
How fit are the confines of traditional exegetical approaches for understanding and preaching Jesus's parables in the Scriptures? Preaching the Parables responds to this task by offering its readers a solid structure where there is enough room for each reader, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to work with their creativity and contextual approach for preaching the parables.
César Lopes, PhD
Comunidad de Estudios Teologicos Interdisciplinarios (CETI), San José, Costa Rica
Clearly and confidently, Preaching the Parables helps us study and preach the parables, without compromising the depth and beauty of their teaching. What a joy to have a book like this!
Ziel J. O. Machado
Seminário Teológico Servo de Cristo, São Paulo, Brazil
This book is an inspiring handbook for preaching the parables. It is also a model for intercultural humility and awareness, illustrating that a hearer's culture influences aspects of interpretation and therefore each culture can uniquely contribute to improving the global church's appreciation of how the parables work to inform, involve, shock, and shape us.
Ian W. Payne
Theologians Without Borders
This book skillfully guides us along the paths of parables, without avoiding their complexity. It teaches how to approach them, indicates the intricacies of their exegesis, and provides guidelines for getting treasures out of them, offering a practical guide to impart them from our pulpits.
Harold Segura
World Vision, Latin American and the Caribbean
The cooperative work from different cultural backgrounds which has led to this accessible book on preaching the parables is to be warmly welcomed. I trust it will be an inspiration to many across the world.
Stephen I. Wright, PhD
Spurgeon's College, UK
The charm and art of parables lies in communicating profound theology with great simplicity. This book helps to follow this path in preaching too: the fourfold structure of the approach (picture, mirror, window, door) is easy to remember, but it is broad enough to bring out the complexity of the texts.
Ruben Zimmermann, PhD
Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany