Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes: A Literary-Cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke
Overview
This volume is a combined edition of Kenneth Bailey’s intensive studies of the parables in the Gospel of Luke, Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes.
Bailey begins by surveying the development of allegorical, historical-eschatological, aesthetic, and existential methods of interpretation. Bailey combines an examination of the poetic structures of the parables with information about the cultural contexts in which the parables were told. Through its combination of literary and cultural analyses, Bailey’s study makes a number of profound advances in parabolic interpretation.
Interested in more? Be sure to check out the Eerdmans Gospel Studies Collection (19 vols.).
- Provides an overview of the parables
- Surveys the history of allegorical interpretation
- Pays close attention to the cultural context of the parables
Top Highlights
“In summary, clearly the most probable cultural setting for the parable is that of a landed estate with a manager who had authority to carry out the business of the estate. The debtors were most likely renters, hakirīn, who had agreed to pay a fixed amount of produce for the yearly rent. The steward was no doubt making extras ‘under the table,’ but these amounts were not reflected in the signed bills. He was a salaried official who, in addition, was paid a specific fee by the renter for each contract. The master was a man of noble character respected in the community who cared enough about his own wealth to fire a wasteful manager.” (Volume 1, Page 94)
“At the same time, the steward discovers at this point something else about his master that is supremely significant. He is fired but not jailed. The Mishna makes quite clear that an agent was expected to pay for any loss of goods for which he was responsible. The steward can be tried and jailed. Rather, he is not even scolded. The master, under the circumstances, has been unusually merciful toward him.46 Thus, in one scene, this servant has experienced two aspects of his master’s nature. He is a master who expects obedience and acts in judgment on the disobedient servant. He is also a master who shows unusual mercy and generosity even to a dishonest steward. The thoughtful listener/reader of the parable would not miss either of these facts.” (Volume 1, Page 98)
“The prodigal is shown as wishing for his father’s death in his request for his portion. The father demonstrates almost unbelievable love by granting the request. The older son’s silence indicates a rejection of his responsibility to reconcile his brother to his father.” (Volume 1, Page 161)
- Title: Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes: A Literary-Cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke
- Author: Kenneth E. Bailey
- Publisher: Eerdmans
- Publication Date: 1983
- Pages: 448
- Resource Type: Topical
- Topic: Biblical Studies
Kenneth E. Bailey (1930–2016) was an acclaimed author and lecturer in Middle Eastern New Testament studies. An ordained Presbyterian minister, he served as canon theologian of the Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh. The author of more than 150 articles in English and in Arabic, his writings include Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, The Good Shepherd, Open Hearts in Bethlehem (A Christmas Musical), and The Cross and the Prodigal.
Bailey spent forty years living and teaching in seminaries and institutes in Egypt, Lebanon, Jerusalem, and Cyprus. For twenty of those years he was professor of New Testament and head of the biblical department of the Near East School of Theology in Beirut where he also founded and directed the Institute for Middle Eastern New Testament Studies. Bailey was also on the faculty of The Ecumenical Institute for Theological Research in Jerusalem. Traveling around the globe to lecture and teach, Bailey spoke in theological colleges and seminaries in England (Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol) Ireland, Canada, Egypt, Finland, Latvia, Denmark, New Zealand, Australia, and Jerusalem. He was active as a Bible teacher for conferences and continuing education events in the Middle East, Europe, and North America, and he taught at Columbia, Princeton, and Fuller Seminary.