Jesus' Parables Speak to Power and Greed: Confronting Climate Change Denial

by Richard Ford

Publisher:

Cascade Books

, 2022

Overview

The psychological process of denial involves refusing to see what is in front of us, and for some time we have been struggling to shape master narratives to encompass climate breakdown. Jesus’ longer parables offer insight into the possibilities that are hidden within the hierarchies of power. Through the work of understanding the experiences of all the parable actors, we are invited to practice the empathy required to face the global challenges of the twenty-first century.

Praise for Jesus' Parables Speak to Power and Greed

“How can Jesus’ parables possibly relate to climate change without seriously misreading them? But make no mistake: Ford expertly shows that it is our assumption that the powerful characters in the parables represent God that leads to seriously misreading these subtle scenarios about superiors and subordinates. With astute psychological insights, Ford helps us to see how these power imbalances relate to the terrifying threat confronting our species.”

—Robert J. Miller, author of Helping Jesus Fulfill Prophecy



“Many of Jesus’ parables tell short stories about a wealthy and powerful lord manipulating a poor peasant or laborer or servant. Ford juxtaposes these stories with the wealthy and powerful fossil-fuels execs and capitalist corporations who deny the climate catastrophe of which they are the prime agents. Applying these parables helps us discern the disguised malevolence of power and privilege.”

—Richard Horsley, author of Empowering the People: Jesus, Healing, and Exorcism

Product Details

• Title: Jesus' Parables Speak to Power and Greed: Confronting Climate Change Denial
• Author: Richard Ford
• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9781666794526, 9781666794519, 1666794511, 9781666736359, 166673635X, 166679452X
• Resource ID: LLS:9781666794526
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-10-23T08:11:54Z

About the Author

Richard Q. Ford (1936–2019) worked as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist for over forty years. He is coauthor with Sidney J. Blatt of Therapeutic Change (1994) and author of The Parables of Jesus (1997) and The Parables of Jesus and the Problems of the World (Cascade, 2016).