Preaching Parables to Postmoderns

Stiller argues that Jesus' parables, through their narrative, personal, and oral dimensions and reversal of expectations, provide unique access to Christianity for those whose experience and hopes we label "postmodern." Aligning contemporary scholarship with today's cultural assumptions, Stiller offers preachers a working knowledge of postmodern sensibilities, an understanding of the parable genre, an analysis of ten parables, and a sample of how one might preach them effectively. "However we understand the 'postmodern' era, we are not 'post' the need to pay careful attention to the parables of Jesus. In this excellent study, 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, President and Professor of Christian Philosophy Fuller Theological Seminary "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 everywhere. Thanks, Brian!" - Timothy George, Beeson Divinity School, Samford University and Executive Editor, Christianity Today Preface Postmodernity The Nature of Change The Premodern and Modern Ages The Postmodern Experiment Characteristics of Postmodernity 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 A Study of Parables for Sermon Preparation Parable One: The Sower (Matthew 13:1-23) Parable Two: The Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35) Parable Three: Laborers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16) Parable Four: Talents (Matthew 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 12:13-14) 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 (Matthew 18:21-35) Sermon Two: Talents (Matthew 25:14-30) Sermon Three: The good Samritan (Luke 10:25-37) Sermon Four: The Prodigal Son (Luke 15-11-32) Notes Bibliography Index