How I Got Interested in the Parables…

Speaking with a Romaniote Jewish friend about spiritual things at a Greek restaurant in London in the late-1980’s, it was difficult to hear everything he said due to the smashing of plates around us.  But at least I heard him say something like, “Well, yes, the sayings of Jesus in His parables are particularly fascinating, don’t you think?”.  He proceeded to give me a thorough analysis of the parables!  A Jewish friend!

I was caught flat-footed. 

I made a decision right then that I would study the parables, asking the Lord to speak to me through them. 

Over thirty years later, and having taught the parables a few times over the years, I am excited about sharing again what the Lord has for humankind that can be found in the parables. 

My friend was correct: the parables are particularly fascinating, but it goes further than just “fascinating”.    We learn more about God, His kingdom and about how humankind is to relate to God.  No wonder the Gospels record that Jesus “did not say anything to them without using a parable” (Matthew 13.34).

So while there will be no smashing of plates, I am nevertheless excited about teaching the parables again! 

Three Term Plan and Books We’ll Follow

Black Rock (in the person of Dan McCandless) has tentatively agreed to offer the parables in three sections, starting in the Winter, 2020. I suppose they’ll see how it goes with the “Kingdom” before they really commit to do the others! :)

Kingdom

When Jesus spoke of the Kingdom, did He mean Heaven? What are the characteristics of the Kingdom? Why does any of this matter to me in the here and now?

Grace

How extensive is God’s grace? How should I live my life as a result?

judgment

Finally, we get to the part where Jesus spoke about getting back at the baddies of this world. If that is what you expect here, you might be a bit disappointed. Again, what does this mean as to how I may live my life?

About the Author

Robert Farrar Capon (1925 – 2013) was an American Episcopal priest [and] for almost thirty years, a full-time parish priest in Port Jefferson, NY. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Farrar_Capon

If you are concerned about using at Black Rock commentaries by a priest, the following statement by Capon regarding his views should mitigate those concerns:

“’I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God and to contain all things necessary to salvation....’ So read the words of the ordination oath that I took many years ago and that I am still happy to keep as …it was and still is the essential precondition of my biblical study. Precisely because it forbids the neglect of even the oddest bit of Scripture, I find it nothing less than the taproot of an endlessly refreshing openness to all the wonderful, perplexing, and intriguing words by which the Word himself has spoken.”

The Parables in Context of Pivotal Events in the Gospels

 Conduct of the Class

Powerpoint.  I’ll use a Powerpoint presentation each class.  My Powerpoints tend to have only 2-3  thoughts on each page, are always animated and are usually illustrated with a graphic or picture.  I’ll post these online both here and on Realm after class so you can download them.   

Supplemental Reading.  When I was in college, I laughed at the thought of reading the Supplemental Reading List.  My view was that if the minimum wasn’t good enough, it wouldn’t be the minimum!  But then I took a theology course a few years back and I found myself reading the entire supplemental reading assignment.  For those of you who are like the post-theology-course me, I’ll post online a supplemental reading list both here and on Realm.   

Online Discussion.  We already have a Realm Group: Parables - Winter 2020.  I’ll post both Powerpoints and supplemental reading there, but I’ll also ask questions and invite discussion among the class members.  (We’ll limit the discussion forum to the one on Realm, not here). It would be great to have some class participation both in and outside the classroom!