Greek Brain, Hebrew Brain: The Way Parables Worked
Jesus’s parables fit perfectly into a non-Western, Jewish culture that expressed itself through tangible metaphors.
Articles
Jesus, the Metaphorical Theologian – Ken Bailey
Ken Bailey has written a number of fascinating books on Jesus in his Middle Eastern context. In his introduction to Finding the Lost Cultural Keys to Luke 15 (Concordia, 1992), he explains a key difference between how Westerners think and communicate and how Jesus did. Westerners primarily communicate in concepts, but Middle Easterners communicate in […]
Jesus’ Jewish Logic: Measure for Measure
With the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matt 7:2 . In Jesus’ words above about the “measure you use,” he was using a classic rabbinic idea called midah keneged midah (mee-dah kah-NEG-ed mee-dah), which means, literally, “measure corresponding to measure.” Paul also used this style of reasoning. Knowing more about the […]
A Parable for Your New Year’s Resolutions
We’re only a few days into 2013, and the year is still squeaky clean. A lot of us are going strong on our New Year’s resolutions. We’re full of fresh determination to be more thrifty, organized, slim and buff. In about a month or so, the glow will fade. You’ll realize that change is harder […]
Jesus Liked a Little Chutzpah
On a bus in Jerusalem, I encountered the passionate Middle Eastern attitude that colored Jesus’ parables and his attitude toward prayer.
Doing Our Part
How we invest the gifts God gives us really does matter.
A Precious Goblet
A rabbinic parable explains how God balances mercy with justice.
Say Little, Do Much
A rabbi from Jesus’ time pointed out that we can learn a good lesson from Abraham from how he lavished hospitality on strangers.