So, on the one hand, it’s important to see other perspectives. There will never be just one way to take the whole Bible. And the Bible can be taken so many different ways, almost as many as there are theologians. When you have a certain perspective (and, let’s face it, most everyone does) you will want to defend that perspective, and you may have to go to great lengths, or completely off the rails, to do so. This is not an uncommon problem in theology books. Reading into the mindset of Jesus, the reactions of the listeners, and even at times the content of the parables themselves is all well and good as long as you freely admit that, in the end, you don’t really know if any of this is real! But this reads like a book of theology (even though Capon seems to want to shy away from such a designation) so assumptions have to be kept in their proper and well-marked space.

But after the initial ascent, the book took a nosedive into some rough waters.Įventually, Capon just makes one too many assumptions to maintain credibility. Although at times it seemed like Capon was having to stretch a bit to defend his conclusions, I appreciated his observations and, overall, felt I could follow his train of thought and I was 100% on board. It started out strong, challenging and breaking down common perceptions and misinterpretations of Jesus parables regarding the Kingdom of God/Heaven, and clearly demonstrating how Jesus was an example of creative, intuitive power (left-handed) versus strong-armed power (right-handed). In that respect, Parables of the Kingdom had a lot to recommend itself. I am all in when it comes to books that help you see the Bible differently. Synopsis: Robert Farrar Capon is taking a fresh look at the parables of Jesus because it’s always a good thing to look at an old favorite with new eyes. Yet, how can he be when he exudes such delight in, and savoring of, and relish for the Word AS the Word? The last few pages of his epilogue are a joyful rhapsody on the wonders and enchantment believers experience as they dig into the inexhaustible treasures found in all the Scriptures. Is he a universalist? I don't know, but he sure does sound like it sometimes.

Have you ever read an author whose writing makes you one moment want to clasp the book to your heart and ecstatically exclaim, 'Yes! Finally! THIS! He/she GETS it! This is so awesome - the best! This is so startlingly fresh and new, and, yet, at the same time, resonates as exactly how I always knew and hoped it should be!', and, in the very next moment, makes you want to sling the book across the room, halfway hoping it lands in something icky in the corner, so you'd be forced to throw the book away, but you'd be sorry if it did and relieved when it didn't, because you know you'd end up lying awake nights, wistful to finish it? Robert Farrar Capon is that author for me.

Capon parables