Right Parables, Wrong Perspectives: A Diverse Reading of Luke's Parables - Softcover

Tsang, Sam

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1498233589 ISBN 13: 9781498233583

Publisher: Wipf and Stock, 2015

Synopsis

Jesus' parables in Luke weren't only addressing his audience. Rather, Luke used them to address his audience. In so doing, the worlds of both Jesus and Luke had many ways to understand these parables. This book explores some of those ways based on the way Jesus and Luke told these stories, as well as the first century backgrounds. The ultimate goal is to help both people who lead Bible studies and preach in the church to grasp firmly Luke's message for us today.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

Readers who are familiar with Dr. Tsang's work on the parables in Matthew will not be disappointed by yet another provocative treatment of Jesus' teaching. Free of academic jargon, yet fully engaged in the best of Lukan scholarship, this volume challenges contemporary readers who have often been convinced that Jesus' parables are no more than morality tales. By first providing his own rewriting of these parables, Dr. Tsang allows us to appreciate the subversive nature of Luke's parables, thereby offering a compelling argument for living a life that reflects the power of the gospel contained in these parables.

David W. Pao
Professor of New Testament and Chair of the New Testament Department
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

Right Parables, Wrong Perspectives does what parables are designed to do- Tell a story and get you to think. With care for culture and context, Sam Tsang's book takes you on a trip through Luke's many parables. He gives you insight into Jesus' teaching and gets you to pause and think. It is exactly what a book on parables should do. Read it, learn, and enjoy.

Darrell L. Bock
Senior Research Professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and Executive Director for Cultural Engagement at Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership and Cultural Engagement

Sam Tsang brings to the parables in Luke a striking and vivid combination of historical background, creative recasting and an intuition for Luke's major concerns as the gospel for the marginalized. He recognizes the difference in the ideal audience, the actual audience and the audience today. He creates a new interest in these stories the meaning of which is mysterious enough to tease the mind into thought.

Joel Gregory
Professor of Preaching George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University

The parables of Jesus are acknowledged classics of moral and religious instruction, and Luke's Gospel includes some undisputed greatest hits (think The Good Samaritan, The Prodigal Son, or The Pharisee and the Publican). Would you like to have a well-informed and sure-footed guide to these wonderful little stories, one that expertly sets them in their ancient literary and historical contexts and then draws out their meaning for the contemporary world, all rendered in clear and accessible language while avoiding dumbing them down? Well then, Dr. Tsang has written just the book for you!
R. Barry Matlock
Lecturer in Religion
Department of Philosophy and Religion
University of Tennessee

Dare to take Luke's parables down from the stained glass windows and open your eyes to these word pictures crafted in first century settings. Rather than snip stories out of context you will find them coming to life in the environment in which they were spoken. Feast on the insights as they travel across the centuries to settle into the landscape of our lives.

Harry Lucenay
Senior Pastor
Kowloon International Baptist Church, Hong Kong

About the Author:

Dr. Sam Tsang (University of Sheffield) teaches preaching and New Testament as in Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary and  Ambrose University. Although he is based out of Seattle, WA, he travels the globe to speak on biblical interpretation, preaching, and many issues of faith. Readers can follow or contact him on his Facebook facebook.com/drsamtsang, his blogs engagescriptures.org, or his instagram @drsamtsang.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wipf and Stock
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1498233589
• ISBN 13: 9781498233583
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 168