Uncovering the Mystery of Jesus' Parables: How Ancient Fiction Became Stories of the Messiah

Jered Mckenna: Of course this book is representative of the interesting subset of Christians who still call themselves Christians but also say that a self applicative mythological understanding of the Bible is more important and powerful than a literal historiographical interpretation only. Like, I think Carl Barth, Crossan says that whether you interpret the resurrection literally, for example, is less important that if you live out a life that has been "resurrected" through compassion, love, kindness. So living out the teachings of Jesus is more important than believing that Jesus literally ascended into the clouds, for example.

Whatever your opinion is on that, this book as some fantastic insights into the parables and life of Jesus and the Roman empire, and life in the 1st Century levant that I had never heard before. Truly beautiful things. Powerful explanations.

The only thing that I "disagree" with Crossan on are when he talks about Jesus' words against the Pharisees and scribes as "rhetorical violence."

Crossan contrast Jesus' teaching on "loving your enemies" and always forgiving with Jesus later words against the religious establishment, calling the Jews "sons of...

United States on Sep 04, 2023

Vernon: This is an approach to understanding the gospels (not just the parables) that I find most persuasive and convincing. It certainly makes incorporation of Jesus' life and teachings into a contemporary theology that fully endorses a modern cosmology far more satisfactory.

United Kingdom on Dec 03, 2015

Mrs Ruth Cornforth: Crossan's style is so smooth and enticing. It was a pleasure to read. The ideas of different types of parables was fascinating and showed the Holy Bible is illuminated by a more sophisticated reading, rather than just face value.

Australia on Sep 01, 2015

Ken Fisher: I found it original, fascinating and illuminating. For example, when Jesus was telling a parable, it could be a two-hour affair with interruptions and debate. Crosson points out the extent of the offense in the parables, such as the nameless rich and pious and the named tax collector. Who knew that the slave who received five talents was being given the equivalent $2,000,000? His audience would be absolutely amazed at the metaphorical juxtapositions. Then when the gospel writers retold the parables, the each would surround the telling with their own specific context. He also deconstructs the stories of Job, Jonah and Ruth as exemplars of faith and obedience, but decidedly not Jewish. How could a xenophobic culture celebrate profound cultural ambiguity? Amazing. As well, he documents the tragic origins of European anti-semitism. It is well worth reading.

Canada on Jun 15, 2014

H. Alan Elmore: Even fans of Crossan say he is hard to read, but he does tell you what he's going to say, say it, and tell you what he said. For Part
one of this book, that's valid. He describes the parables of Jesus as three types ( in the synoptic gospels, riddle, example and mostly challenge.) Then. in Part II's in discussion of the gospel of John he comes on with an attack parable.

His portrayal of the book length Old Testament parables of Jonah, Ruth and Job is helpful to know partial background of Jesus' history of parable telling.

The crux of the book, from my point of view is the Interlude and Part II. Here we find the parables about Jesus, mostly in the gospels. The sequence of Mark, Matthew, Luke and John and how they build on each other, but also differ in a contentious way is new insight for many. Some cannot accept that the four gospels are parable and not literal history. How much of the gospel accounts of the Jesus are parable. Who knows? But faith surely doesn't depend on whether the gospels as literal history or parable. In fact, acceptance of the gospels as parable is likely more condusive to faith than some kind of literal history.

United States on Mar 16, 2013

S Buxton: I bought this book after seeing John Dominic Crossan in the television documentary, Saint Paul, with David Suchet. He was friendly and compelling and I needed to know more about his 'teaching'. I found this book on Amazon, and now within ten days of viewing the programme I am writing my very first book review - I simply cannot stress strongly enough how accessible Crossan is. He speaks our language, he gently and reassuringly brings the reader to a strong, safe refuge. I wish I had encountered him before now. Life is often unnecessarily problematic, but with a life guide to hand like Crossan, it all really seems not quite so difficult or so serious. Reading The Power of Parables is truly compelling and is written as if your very best friend or favourite elderly relative is eager to impart a message which at once instructs and also heals.

Thank you, John Dominic Crossan, for being such an inspiration, thank you for making me see the world in a much more positive light, and thank you for making me say Thank You about a dozen times a day since seeing your documentary.

I lost my faith around the age of about sixteen, now forty years later it has re-emerged, just as...

United Kingdom on Jan 02, 2013

J. Allan Mcintosh: Crossan is one of the foremost New Testament scholars writing today. His new book on the Parables is written in a style easy to read and understand. But this is strong and possibly controversial stuff. The first half of the book looks at the parables of Jesus. These are stories Jesus told, about fictional characters and fictional events. Crossan sees several kinds of parable, riddle, example and challenge parables. The second half of the book looks at the four gospels comparing them as parables about Jesus, a mixture of history and fiction. From the earliest Gospel, Mark, to the latest, John, Crossan sees a progression as Christianity encounters the Roman Empire and begins to alter its view of Jesus. This book will change forever how you read the New Testament.

Canada on Aug 07, 2012

Mr. Orlando R. Barone: With "The Power of Parable" Dr. Crossan has once again plotted a well designed safari through the dense thicket of New Testament parables and has emerged with a large treasure chest of luminous gems and a number of priceless stones cut from a the mind of a peerless searcher after the surprising gifts hidden deep in the jungle we call scripture.

He begins with a daunting experience he had early in his scholarly life when he recalls a singularly disturbing and unconvincing dramatization of the Passion of Jesus. He wondered then if elements of the story were more parable than historical account. He gained a powerful insight. Perhaps the scriptures contained not only parables by Jesus, like the Good Samaritan, but also parables about Jesus, like the "lethal crowd in the Passion play."

As readers, we know by this time that the safari will carve its way into new territory and lead to some extraordinary finds. Crossan whets our appetites by comparing an obvious parable, the Good Samaritan, with apparent history, the post-resurrection encounter of two disciples with Jesus on the road to Emmaus. Could the second story be as much a parable as the first? If so, what is the...

United States on Apr 23, 2012