Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus. .Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus The parables of Jesus, found in the synoptic gospels, embody much of Jesus' teaching. Jesus' parables are quite simple, memorable stories, often with humble imagery, each with a single message. . By Robert Farrar Capon Robert Farrar Capon (born 1925) is an American Episcopal priest and author. A life-long New Yorker, for almost thirty years Capon was a full-time parish priest in Port Jefferson, New York. . Grand Rapids Grand Rapids, city (1990 pop. 189,126), seat of Kent co., SW central Mich., on the Grand River; inc. 1850. The second largest city in the state, it is a distribution, wholesale, and industrial center for an area that yields fruit, dairy products, farm produce, , MI: Eerdmans, 2002. ix and 522 pages. Paper. $26.00. This is an entertaining book. The language is highly contemporary, even "hip." Capon's interpretation of the parables of Jesus is unique, if not downright outrageous. The reader will be forced to reconsider almost every part of the teaching of Jesus and will find everywhere new possibilities for preaching or teaching the parables. This is not a textbook. We might call it an expository exegesis exegesis Scholarly interpretation of religious texts, using linguistic, historical, and other methods. In Judaism and Christianity, it has been used extensively in the study of the Bible. Textual criticism tries to establish the accuracy of biblical texts. of the parables. Nevertheless, Capon capon castrated male fowl, larger than broiler, weighing up to 7 lb; produced either by administration of estrogenic substances or by surgical excision of the testicles. , an Episcopalian priest and noted author, builds a scholarly basis for his interpretations. He utilizes the meaning of the original and often offers his own translation from the Greek. He is constantly aware of context and Synoptic syn·op·tic also syn·op·ti·cal adj. 1. Of or constituting a synopsis; presenting a summary of the principal parts or a general view of the whole. 2. a. Taking the same point of view. b. parallels. Actually this book is a combination of three books on the parables, printed seriatim [Latin, Severally; separately; individually; one by one.] seriatim (sear-ee-ah-tim) prep. Latin for "one after another" as in a series. Thus, issues or facts are discussed seriatim (or "ad seriatim") meaning one by one in order. by Zondervan and Eerdmans: The Parables of the Kingdom, The Parables of Grace, and The Parables of Judgment. Without pressing his method too forcefully, Capon analyzes a parable in terms of its catholicity (universal application), mystery (hidden meaning), actuality (a course of action), and hostility or response (reaction to the parable). Some explanations delight. I found his interpretation of the Weeds among the Wheat marvelous. Anyone speaking on 9/11 and its aftermath should consider what God would have done with terrorists (pp. 83-93). Other interpretations seem puzzling. For example, Capon sees death and resurrection everywhere. He does realize that some of us readers will never grasp the pervasive nature of this theological conviction (p. 223). How he finds death and resurrection in the political parable of the Coin in the Fish's Mouth completely escapes me (pp. 167-78). On the other hand, his approach to the Parables of Judgment is very helpful. For the most part he does not see a condemnation of evil people, but judgment on people who were in the Jesus community but failed to incorporate for themselves the gift of God's grace. He calls it "inclusion before exclusion" (p. 347). A good example would be the Wise and Foolish Maidens (pp. 490-501). For those who pick up Capon's book I cannot promise satisfaction. I can promise considerable stimulation. |
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