What Are They Saying about the Parables?

From KAIROS JOURNAL Vol 11, Num 13: Many consider the parables of Jesus to be the single most important source for discovering how Jesus himself taught and proclaimed his message. Despite centuries of reflection and discussion of the parables, each generation continues to produce new insights into their meaning and significance. The last few decades have been no exception in this regard, particularly due to new approaches to biblical analysis. However, many of these new methods of reading of the scriptures are unfamiliar to the general reader. This new study presents the results of recent study of the parables and explains their methods. The book is the latest addition to the long-running `What Are They Saying About...' series. This series offers well-written and accessible guides to contemporary theological and biblical scholarship, suitable for new students of theology and those seeking a single-volume refresher course. What Are They Saying About the Parables? is the result of the author's many years of mastering parables research. He has produced an even-handed, succinct and representative guide to the energetic scholarly discussions and debates about the parables taking place today. His opening chapter surveys the `historical-critical' approaches to the parables that characterised most of the 20th-century, including the contributions of C. H. Dodd and Joachim Jeremias. The next chapters examine the literary approaches that have been employed in more decades, less concerned with the historical basis of the parables, than with considering them as literary works of art. There is also a shift to considering the parables within their social, cultural, literary, historical, ideological and rhetorical contexts. These contexts are the subject of the following chapters, particularly their Jewish and Hellenistic contexts. The final chapter examines the relationship of metaphor and allegory to the central symbol of the parables - the kingdom of God. Those wishing to pursue these issues further will be assisted by the detailed end notes and an annotated further-reading list. The book is an excellent introduction to a dynamic part of contemporary biblical scholarship.

A wonderful addition to the unique and well-respected WATSA series, Gowler's What Are They Saying About the Parables? introduces as succinctly as possible the current scholarly thinking about the parables of Jesus. Gowler has spent many years mastering parables research and now shares his knowledge of the whole field in a clear, evenhanded, succinct, and energetic manner for ordinary readers. It is an excellent book for all students of the Bible, for classes as well as private enrichment.The chapter headings are: 1. Historical-Critical Approaches to the Parables. 2. The Emergence of Literary Approaches to the Parables 3. Fully Developed Literary Approaches to the Parables 4. The Parables and Their Jewish Contexts 5. The Parables and Their Hellenistic Contexts 6. The Parables and Their Social Contexts 7. From Simile and Metaphor to Symbol and Emblematic LanguageGowler is the Pierce Professor of Religion at Oxford College of Emory University in Oxford, Georgia.