Right Parables, Wrong Perspectives

Jesus' parables in Luke weren't only addressing his audience. Rather, Luke used them to address his audience. In so doing, the worlds of both Jesus and Luke had many ways to understand these parables. This book explores some of those ways based on the way Jesus and Luke told these stories, as well as the first century backgrounds. The ultimate goal is to help both people who lead Bible studies and preach in the church to grasp firmly Luke's message for us today. ""Readers who are familiar with Dr. Tsang's work on the parables in Matthew will not be disappointed by yet another provocative treatment of Jesus' teaching. Free of academic jargon, yet fully engaged in the best of Lukan scholarship, this volume challenges contemporary readers who have often been convinced that Jesus' parables are no more than morality tales."" --David W. Pao, Professor of New Testament and Chair of the New Testament Department, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School ""Right Parables, Wrong Perspectives does what parables are designed to do: Tell a story and get you to think. With care for culture and context, Tsang's book takes you on a trip through Luke's many parables. . . . Read it, learn, and enjoy."" --Darrell L. Bock, Senior Research Professor, Dallas Theological Seminary ""Sam Tsang brings to the parables in Luke a striking and vivid combination of historical background, creative recasting, and an intuition for Luke's major concerns as the gospel for the marginalized. . . . He creates a new interest in these stories, the meaning of which is mysterious enough to tease the mind into thought."" --Joel Gregory, Professor of Preaching George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University ""Would you like to have a well-informed, sure-footed guide to the wonderful parables of Jesus found in Luke's Gospel, one that expertly sets them in their ancient literary and historical contexts and then draws out their meaning for the contemporary world? Well then, Dr. Tsang has written just the book for you!"" --R. Barry Matlock, Lecturer in Religion, University of Tennessee ""Dare to take Luke's parables down from the stained glass windows and open your eyes to these word pictures crafted in first-century settings. Rather than snip stories out of context you will find them coming to life. Feast on the insights as they travel across the centuries to settle into the landscape of our lives."" --Harry Lucenay, Kowloon International Baptist Church, Hong Kong Sam Tsang (University of Sheffield) teaches preaching and New Testament as the associate professor of Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary, and as the adjunct professor of Ambrose University. Although he is based out of Seattle, WA, he travels the globe to speak on biblical interpretation, preaching, and many issues of faith. Readers can follow him on his Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drsamtsang, his blogs http://www.engagescriptures.org, or his instagram @drsamtsang.