Preaching Parables to Postmoderns
Fortress Resources for Preaching
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"Brian Stiller welcomes Jesus' parables not as mild moralisms, but risky, brilliant glimpses of God's love and mercy in a world starved for promise. This book is a workshop for preachers, breaking open one parable after another to the truth of God's great surprise in Jesus." David Tiede, President and Professor of New Testament, Luther Seminary
"Here is a book on the New Testament parables that is both faithful to the biblical texture of these ancient stories and sensitive to the world in which they must be proclaimed today. A timely gift for preachers and evangelical storytellers everwhere. Thanks, Brian!" Timothy George, Beeson Divinity School. Samford University. Executive Editor, Christianity Today "However we understand the 'postmodern' era, we are not 'post' the need to pay careful attention to the parables of Jesus. In this excellent work, Brian Stiller provides us with many profound insights about how to apply these stories to the complexities of our contemporary lives. Many congregations will be blessed by preachers and teachers who draw on the wisdom offered in this book!" Richard J. Mouw, Presdient and Professor of Christian Philosophy, Fuller Theological Seminary. |
Contents
1. Postmodernity
The Nature of Change
The Premodern and Modern Ages
The Postmodern Experiment
Characteristics of Postmodernity
2. Parables: A Window of Truth for Postmoderns
Definition of Parable
Relationship of Jesus' Parables to the Hebrew Tradition
The Purpose of the Parable
Characteristics of the Parables of Jesus
Interpreting the Parables for Preaching
Steps in Developing the Homiletical Text
Preaching Parables to a Postmodern Age
3. A Study of Parables for Sermon Preparation
Parable One: The Sower (Matt. 13:1-23)
Parable Two: The Unforgiving Servant (Matt. 18:21-35)
Parable Three: Laborers in the Vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16)
Parable Four: Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)
Parable Five: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Parable Six: The Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:1-13)
Parable Seven: The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-34)
Parable Eight: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-32)
Parable Nine: The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
Parable Ten: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
Conclusion
Four Sermons
Sermon One: The Unforgiving Servant (Matt. 18:21-35)
Sermon Two: Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)
Sermon Three: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Sermon Four: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
The Nature of Change
The Premodern and Modern Ages
The Postmodern Experiment
Characteristics of Postmodernity
2. Parables: A Window of Truth for Postmoderns
Definition of Parable
Relationship of Jesus' Parables to the Hebrew Tradition
The Purpose of the Parable
Characteristics of the Parables of Jesus
Interpreting the Parables for Preaching
Steps in Developing the Homiletical Text
Preaching Parables to a Postmodern Age
3. A Study of Parables for Sermon Preparation
Parable One: The Sower (Matt. 13:1-23)
Parable Two: The Unforgiving Servant (Matt. 18:21-35)
Parable Three: Laborers in the Vineyard (Matt. 20:1-16)
Parable Four: Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)
Parable Five: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Parable Six: The Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:1-13)
Parable Seven: The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-34)
Parable Eight: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-32)
Parable Nine: The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-8)
Parable Ten: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14)
Conclusion
Four Sermons
Sermon One: The Unforgiving Servant (Matt. 18:21-35)
Sermon Two: Talents (Matt. 25:14-30)
Sermon Three: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37)
Sermon Four: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)
Reviews
Amazon.com: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Preaching Parables to Postmoderns: A Review Nov. 4 2005
By Garry E. Milley
Format: Paperback
I first met Dr. Stiller over 30 years ago and heard him preach about the importance of being "anchored to the Rock but geared to the times." Knowing the gospel and understanding the times, for him, were prerequisites for effective proclamation. He's still there and it comes through in this beneficial work on the parables.
After a brief introductory chapter on the nature of Postmodernity, he focuses, in the second chapter, on "the parable" in terms of definition, purpose, characteristics and principles of interpretation for preaching. He outlines eight valuable steps for developing sermons from the parables. His third chapter covers in some insightful detail ten of the parables of Jesus and the final chapter includes the actual text of four sermons... Read More
Preaching Parables to Postmoderns: A Review Nov. 4 2005
By Garry E. Milley
Format: Paperback
I first met Dr. Stiller over 30 years ago and heard him preach about the importance of being "anchored to the Rock but geared to the times." Knowing the gospel and understanding the times, for him, were prerequisites for effective proclamation. He's still there and it comes through in this beneficial work on the parables.
After a brief introductory chapter on the nature of Postmodernity, he focuses, in the second chapter, on "the parable" in terms of definition, purpose, characteristics and principles of interpretation for preaching. He outlines eight valuable steps for developing sermons from the parables. His third chapter covers in some insightful detail ten of the parables of Jesus and the final chapter includes the actual text of four sermons... Read More
