Parables of Jesus (The Jesus Library)

Rating:
Summary: The Kingdom did Come! Jesus was right!
Review: An earlier reviewer made the following comment:

"Wenham argues clearly, cogently, and concisely that, according to Jesus, _something_ was supposed to happen very soon. The fact that it _didn't_ happen shows that Christianity is founded upon a tremendous mistake."

How does that reviewer know nothing happened? He just assumes nothing happened. What is more, he states his opinion as if it were a self-evident fact. He has actually stated his anti-Christian opinion (rejecting what Wenham established to be the teaching of Jesus) as dogma. His faith in anti-Christianity, his mere belief that Jesus is wrong, is stated as if it were fact.

The truth is that something did happen, just as Jesus said. The Kingdom of God came, sins were propitiated, atonement was made possible. The Kingdom of God, because of Jesus' ministry (as Wenham shows) has invaded. It's just sad that the earlier reviewer decided to resist and deny the reality of that Kingdom and call Jesus a liar.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent summary of Jesus's parables.
Review: David Wenham provides an excellent summary of the overall meaning and structure of Jesus's parables: that is, as announcing the imminent coming of the Kingdom of God.

In order to accomplish this feat, he has to dispense with one of the silliest claims of modern interpreters of Jesus, namely, that a parable can make just one single overall point. This claim is due to Jeremias -- and, as Wenham rightly notes, it has no support whatsoever. Jesus was a master of the "parable" format and it's ludicrous to tie him down to such a restrictive standard.

Delightfully, Wenham's work has an unintended side effect: it clearly demonstrates that Jesus was dead wrong. Jesus expected a major divine intervention in history, as indicated for example by Mark 9:1; Wenham argues clearly, cogently, and concisely that, according to Jesus, _something_ was supposed to happen very soon. The fact that it _didn't_ happen shows that Christianity is founded upon a tremendous mistake.

But of course Wenham doesn't deal with that issue. Nevertheless his scholarly work on the parables of Jesus should be of great interest to non-Christians.

Rating:
Summary: Great commentary on the parables
Review: This book offers a straight forward discussion of the major parables of Christ. It never strays off from the main theme and launches into irrelevant and long-winded 'sermons'. If it's precise, on-the-dot infomation you are seeking, look no further - this book fits the bill!
All the parables are discussed individually, so there's no need to read the book in sequential order. Just dip straight into the parable that interest you!
A great reference book for those who has a basic acquaintance with the Gospels. Beginners can benefit from it also.