Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
The Explosive Power of Jesus’ Parables
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- $13.99
Publisher Description
In Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, pastor and theologian R. Albert Mohler Jr. reveals the unique power of Jesus' parables for today's readers, showing how they announce the kingdom, communicate both judgment and grace, and call every human heart toward transformation in the light of God's love.
"He who has ears, let him hear…" The Prodigal Son. The Good Samaritan. The parable of the mustard seed. The stories Jesus told during his earthly ministry are packed with such memorable images and characters that they now permeate our culture's popular imagination. But what if their familiarity has muted their powerful message, causing today's readers to miss their ability to shock and transform?
In Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, renowned pastor and theologian R. Albert Mohler Jr. unlocks the power of Jesus' parables for readers today. Jesus perfected the art of telling parables--short stories with a surprising twist and an explosive message that confronted his listeners with surprising (and often uncomfortable) truths about the human heart and the kingdom of heaven. But two thousand years later, modern readers may not grasp the cultural and historical context that made these stories so compelling for Jesus' original audience. Mohler brings Jesus' stories to life, uncovering the context and allowing readers to hear these stories in all their shocking, paradigm-shifting power.
Readers will:
feel a deeper connection with Jesus by stepping into the shoes of his first-century followers and hearing with fresh ears the stories he shared with his closest followers;gain a deeper understanding of the gospel through Jesus' own words; andsee the parables in a new light, experiencing--perhaps for the first time--their ability to draw people into Jesus' kingdom.
Every parable Jesus told contains judgment and grace. They hold up a mirror that reveals the human heart--and invites everyone to welcome Jesus' kingdom and reign. Will you have ears to hear their vital message?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this provocative interpretation of Jesus's parables, evangelical pastor Mohler (The Prayer That Turns the World Upside Down) examines the moral messages of the stories. "Jesus' parables reveal nothing less than the kingdom of heaven and the power of almighty God expressed in both judgment and grace," Mohler writes, offering commentary on every parable from the well-known (the good Samaritan, the prodigal son) to the more obscure (the 10 virgins). The author contends, for example, that Jesus compares the growth of a humble mustard seed with heaven to imply that small acts of faith can have big consequences: "Never underestimate the kingdom." The parable in which a crooked manager connives his way into keeping his job despite notice of imminent dismissal, Mohler argues, urges Christians to be "as shrewd for the sake of the kingdom of heaven as criminals are for the kingdom of darkness." Mohler lucidly restores the Roman context of these parables, making their meaning accessible to modern readers, but his digressions attacking other churches' theology will limit his appeal. Though evangelical readers may appreciate the historical perspective, Mohler's pugilistic style will alienate others.