Parables make up one-third of Jesus’ speech in the New
Testament. In this volume, Richard Lischer provides an expert guide to
these parables and proposes an important distinction between reading
and interpreting the parables.
Emphasizing the importance of
reading the parables versus interpreting them, Lischer asserts that
reading offers a kind of breathing space to explore historical,
literary, theological, and socio-political dimensions of the parables
and their various meanings, whereas interpreting implies an expert and
critical position that must be defended.
Lischer lays out four
theories for reading parables: 1) parables obscure truth; 2) parables
teach many truths; 3) parables teach one truth; and 4) parables
undermine the truth. Ultimately, he concludes that biblical parables
undermine dominant myths called “the truth” to shine light on the
Truth that is Jesus, God’s presence with us.
