Living in The Story


Book Description

What kind of book is the Bible? Is it a rulebook or a guidebook for moral living? Is it a history book or a book filled with fascinating (and sometimes fantastic) stories? Did humans write the Bible or did God somehow speak a perfect message that the authors transcribed? Many people have asked these questions about the nature of this beautiful, odd, comforting, disturbing book the church calls its “Holy Scripture.” Charlotte Vaughan Coyle shares her own journey to make sense of the Bible in this read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year project. She discovered that the crucial work of asking hard questions and even arguing with the Bible revealed the Scriptures to be a symphony of polyphonic voices, a work of art that paints an alternative vision of reality, a complex novel-like story unavoidably embedded in its own culture and time, and yet able to give witness to the God beyond history who has acted (and continues to act) within history. With the heart of a pastor and the passion of a preacher, Rev. Coyle invites seekers and students (both churched and un-churched) to strap on their scuba gear and join her for a deeper dive beneath the surface of this immense, colorful, mysterious world of the Bible.




The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes


Book Description

Sensitive to both literary form and theological content, Derek Kidner introduces Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes, explaining their basic character and internal structure. He also summarizes and evaluates the wealth of modern criticism focused on each book. Looking at all three books together, Kidner shows how their many voices compare, contrast and ultimately give a unified view of life.




Woven Parables of Wisdom


Book Description

In a world that often glorifies busyness and relentless pursuit, we find ourselves caught in an endless cycle of overwhelm, striving to juggle countless responsibilities while feeling perpetually behind. In "The Balance of Effort," Alander Lee Pulliam Jr. invites readers to step back and reevaluate the age-old adage: "less is more." This book explores the wisdom in prioritizing what truly matters over the frantic hustle that society champions. Drawing from timeless parables and rich life experiences, Pulliam underscores the significance of understanding our limits and embracing the power of collaboration. He offers profound insights through the tale of the Busy Ant and the Slow Tortoise—two creatures representing contrasting approaches to work and life. The Busy Ant tirelessly takes on too much, struggling to keep her head above water, while the Slow Tortoise chooses a more deliberate, measured path, recognizing that true success stems from balance and support. As you journey through these pages, you'll discover not only the pitfalls of overcommitment but also the strength that comes from asking for help, working thoughtfully, and celebrating the incremental progress. Let this book be your guide toward a more fulfilling and harmonious existence, one where you can embrace your responsibilities without sacrificing your well-being. Join Alander Lee Pulliam Jr. on a transformative path towards clarity, purpose, and the realization that sometimes, to truly move forward, we may need to slow down. Welcome to a new perspective on life, work, and the beauty of finding balance.




Proclaiming the Parables


Book Description

In Proclaiming the Parables, noted preacher and scholar Thomas G. Long moves away from past treatment of the parables primarily as literary devices and moves toward an emphasis on their theological impact as pointers to the kingdom of God. While the parables are indeed significant poetic literary creations that have enchanted readers over the centuries, their main power, he claims, lies in their disclosure of the kingdom of God, which is not merely an idea, nor even just a complex symbol with generative and centrifugal force, but an event: the inbreaking of the life of God into human history and experience. Long sees parables not merely as creative figures of speech but as GPS devices taking hearers to those places where the event of God is happening all around us. This book provides two chapters for each synoptic Gospel. The first focuses on the Gospel as a whole and the parables’ place in it, and the second provides preachers and teachers with detailed exegetical and homiletical commentary for each major parable in that Gospel. Two introductory chapters additionally situate this book in the history and theology of the parables’ interpretation and address questions that preachers have about preaching the parables. Preachers who consult this volume will be informed about each major parable, guided through the controversies regarding interpretation, and stimulated to preach on the parable in fresh, faithful, and creative ways.




Woven Stories


Book Description

The Quechua people of southern Peru are both agriculturalists and herders who maintain large herds of alpacas and llamas. But they are also weavers, and it is through weaving that their cultural traditions are passed down over the generations. Owing to the region's isolation, the textile symbols, forms of clothing, and technical processes remain strongly linked to the people's environment and their ancestors. Heckman's photographs convey the warmth and vitality of the Quechua people and illustrate how the land is intricately woven into their lives and their beliefs. Quechua weavers in the mountainous regions near Cuzco, Peru, produce certain textile forms and designs not found elsewhere in the Andes. Their textiles are a legacy of their Andean ancestors. Andrea Heckman has devoted more than twenty years to documenting and analyzing the ways Andean beliefs persist over time in visual symbols embedded in textiles and portrayed in rituals. Her primary focus is the area around the sacred peak of Ausangate, in southern Peru, some eighty-five miles southeast of the former Inca capital of Cuzco. The core of this book is an ethnographic account of the textiles and their place in daily life that considers how the form and content of Quechua patterns and designs pass stories down and preserve traditions as well as how the ritual use of textiles sustain a sense of community and a connection to the past. Heckman concludes by assessing the influences of the global economy on indigenous Quechua, who maintain their own worldview within the larger fabric of twentieth-century cultural values and hence have survived everything from Latin American militarism to a tidal wave of post-modern change.




The Matthean Parables


Book Description

The Matthean Parables offers a fresh approach to the origin of Matthew's Gospel. It builds on current historical, literary, rhetorical and sociological studies of Matthew's Gospel to show how the Matthean parables illuminate the structure, purpose and theology of that gospel. The first part of the book establishes the need for a new attempt to define the genre of Matthew's Gospel, examines what is meant by a parable, and summarises the contribution made by the parables to that new attempt. The second part is a thorough exegetical, historical critical and literary study of all the Matthean parables in the context of the whole gospel and in the light of all the Matthean figurative material. An appendix illustrates the use of syntactical material in defining the character and style of a biblical text.




When Leadership and Spiritual Direction Meet


Book Description

Modern church leaders need to cultivate innovative and creative leadership skills, as they navigate today’s post-Christian world, and as their congregations look to them for insight and guidance. Gil Stafford takes a fresh look at this vital need, drawing upon his experience as a college coach, university president, and parish priest, and interweaving them with ancient spiritual practices found within the discipline of spiritual direction. Personal anecdotes help the reader envision their own life-transforming pilgrimage, as they develop into the type of adaptive leader that churches need in today’s rapidly changing world. This book challenges church leaders to foster sacred safe space, holy listening, silence, and wisdom storytelling, in order to create a discerning church community. These techniques of spiritual direction can be applied to every aspect of the church, from small group studies to conducting parish business. Gradually the leader will be able to delegate some of his responsibilities to the congregation, liberating them to be leaders, and rescuing him from trying to be all things to all people.




Meditations on the Parables of Jesus


Book Description

Revising much of the content originally published in The Kingdom of God Is Like, and adding selected material from Awakenings and Reawakenings, Thomas Keating continues to stir the Christian imagination with insightful commentary on the parables of the Bible. Including the Mustard Seed, the Narrow Door, the Penitent Woman, the Sower, the Prodigal Son, and others, this collection of corresponding meditations renews the voice and vigor of each parable's deeper meaning--so often overlooked through familiarity and fame. Originally told to seekers in an ancient land, each parable--packed with clues about the meaning of life, the nature of God, and the purpose of creation--has as much relevance and resonance as ever for both teaching the lessons of God and his mercy and for understanding the daily struggles of today's fast-paced world.




The Book of Parables: Christian Apocrypha Series


Book Description

One of numerous texts that were removed from the Bible. This piece was traditionally attributed to Enoch. These Parables are part of the tradition of Apocalyptic Literature, and come to us as the Voice of God.




The Life of Christ in Four Voices: A Synoptic Study of the Gospels


Book Description

This comprehensive study delves into the life and teachings of Jesus Christ through an in-depth analysis of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Each Gospel offers a unique perspective on Jesus' ministry, providing a multifaceted portrayal of his character, message, and impact. The book employs a synoptic approach, carefully comparing and contrasting the accounts in the four Gospels. This meticulous examination reveals the harmonious threads that weave through each narrative, while also highlighting the distinctive emphases and nuances that enrich our understanding of Jesus' life. The book's multi-faceted structure presents Jesus' journey in four distinct voices. The first voice captures the majestic proclamation of Matthew, emphasizing Jesus' role as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and the king of God's kingdom. The second voice, Mark's succinct and fast-paced account, portrays Jesus as the servant of God, tirelessly ministering to the crowds and ultimately sacrificing himself on the cross. Luke's gentle and compassionate voice offers a third perspective, highlighting Jesus' concern for the marginalized and his unwavering love for all. Finally, John's profound and mystical voice presents Jesus as the divine Son of God, revealing his pre-existence and his eternal glory. Through this multi-vocal approach, the book invites readers to engage with Jesus' life from multiple angles, deepening their appreciation of his multifaceted nature and the transformative power of his message. Whether exploring the theological depths of his teachings or witnessing the compassion and miracles that marked his ministry, readers will gain a profound understanding of Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity.