Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller

by Gary M. Burge

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2009

Overview

Communication in Jesus’ world involved the use of word pictures, dramatic actions, metaphors, and stories. Rather than lecture about religious corruption, Jesus refers to the Pharisees as “whitewashed tombs.” Rather than outline the failings of the Temple, he cures a fig tree. Without a perceptive and careful use of the culture of the ancient world, we read the stories of Jesus as foreigners.

Key Features

• Context of Old and New Testament stories, parables, and events
• Maps, photos, and illustrations

Contents

Top Highlights

“The Middle East for centuries has been a world that shelters honor by permitting the manufacture of excuses.” (Page 27)

“The parable is focused entirely on the neighbor in bed!” (Page 39)

“Jesus likely stood out in two respects: he prayed in Aramaic and he prayed casually, even conversationally. His prayers do not reflect any of the set forms of his day (no blessing of the nation, land, or temple); they are instead expressions of personal concern.” (Page 32)

“In Jesus’ world, communication involved the use of word pictures, dramatic actions, metaphors, and stories” (Pages 15–16)

“Almost one-third of Jesus’ teachings are in the form of parables” (Page 19)

Product Details

• Title: Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller
• Author: Gary M. Burge
• Series: Ancient Context, Ancient Faith
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2012
• Pages: 112
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Jesus Christ › Parables; Bible. N.T. Luke › Criticism, interpretation, etc; Storytelling › Religious aspects--Christianity; Middle East › Civilization
• ISBNs: 9780310496694, 9780310280453, 0310496691, 0310280451
• Resource ID: LLS:JESMDDLEASTRN
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:50:54Z

About Gary M. Burge

Gary M. Burge (PhD, University of Aberdeen) is dean of the faculty and professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary. He previously taught for twenty-five years at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. Among his many published books are The New Testament in Seven Sentences, Theology Questions Everyone Asks (with coeditor David Lauber), A Week in the Life of a Roman Centurion, Mapping Your Academic Career, The New Testament in Antiquity (coauthored with Gene Green), and the award-winning Whose Land? Whose Promise? What Christians Are Not Being Told About Israel and the Palestinians.