Fortress Press

"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

1. Preface



2. Postmodernity
   The Nature of Change
   The Premodern and Modern Ages
   The Postmodern Experiment
   Characteristics of Postmodernity
    
3. 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
    
4. 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
    
5. 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