Opening the Parables
Ebook
For centuries, Jesus' parables have been--and still are--extensively interpreted by those who impose Christian dogma and tradition on a parable told decades before Christianity per se even existed. There was no Christian tradition when Jesus was teaching his followers, and he was teaching regular people, not theologians. No wonder then that after two millennia, Jesus' parables, coated with a confusing overlay of Christian dogma, still puzzle readers of the New Testament.
Opening the Parables is based on the premise that Jesus taught a singular spiritual truth which--once the clutter of others' words and interpretations is cleared away--appears consistently in all his teachings, even in his parables. In the best-possible way, Jesus was a one-subject teacher (one subject, using various teaching techniques, both deductive and inductive), a one-sermon preacher (one message, told in various ways). Everything he taught or preached was about love in the infinite, here-and-now Kingdom of God. All his parables, proverbs, aphorisms, and direct statements teach one lesson: in the highest realm we can imagine, compassionate love is all that matters.
“Every now and then I read a book that truly does open the parables, shedding light in sometimes murky circumstances. As a long-time admirer of M. D. Hayden, I am pleased for you to learn what I have known for years, that Hayden is a rare voice of wisdom and insight. I know you’ll treasure it as much as I do.”
—Philip Gulley, author of If Grace Is True
“This book is a warm invitation to read or to re-read the parables of Jesus. M. D. Hayden offers the reader a fresh perspective and interpretation, drawing on the deep well of her Quaker faith for guidance. I highly recommend this book for group or individual study, knowing that it will not only challenge the reader’s mind and heart, but will also lead to spiritual growth.”
—Jim Newby, author of Reflections from the Inner Light
“Opening the Parables embarks on a refreshing journey into the heart of Jesus’ teachings, stripping away the layers of theological interpretation to reveal the raw essence of his words. This book serves as a vital reminder of the radical simplicity of Jesus’ message. I cherish what M. D. Hayden is highlighting, and I’m confident many people will be enlightened, encouraged, and challenged by it. Her words are both beautiful and accessible. This is a book that anyone who follows or has interest in Jesus should read.”
—Isaac Stambaugh, owner, producer, and director, Boonrise
- Title: Opening the Parables
- Author: Micah Hayden
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Print Publication Date: 2024
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9798385200320, 9798385200313, 9798385200306
- Resource ID: LLS:9798385200320
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-07-16T20:38:16Z
M. D. Hayden has an MDiv from Earlham School of Religion and is a retired teacher and minister living in Cincinnati.