Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus

Rating:
Summary: All In One
Review: I have read all three of Capon's books on the Parables and out of sheer enthusiasm given them away to friends. It is so wonderful now to have all three in one volume. As Robert Farrar Capon seems to come at theology and in particular here in this volume, the parables of Jesus, with his own unique vision, it is always pure pleasure to sit down with one of his books again and again for the first time. And then triple that by holding all three of his parable books in one hand. His insights into looking at the parables as descriptive images of God in Christ, rather than homespun advice for us all, is probably one of his greatest contributions to those who find themselves out here in the trenches trying to get back to forgiveness and grace.

Rating:
Summary: All In One
Review: I have read all three of Capon's books on the Parables and out of sheer enthusiasm given them away to friends. It is so wonderful now to have all three in one volume. As Robert Farrar Capon seems to come at theology and in particular here in this volume, the parables of Jesus, with his own unique vision, it is always pure pleasure to sit down with one of his books again and again for the first time. And then triple that by holding all three of his parable books in one hand. His insights into looking at the parables as descriptive images of God in Christ, rather than homespun advice for us all, is probably one of his greatest contributions to those who find themselves out here in the trenches trying to get back to forgiveness and grace.

Rating:
Summary: "Not Your Father's Oldsmobile"
Review: There's an old saying: "Familiarity breeds contempt." So it is with the parables of Jesus. Everyone thinks they know what he is teaching. So much so, that the contempt committed is against the very heart of the gospel message. Instead of radical, liberating, and scandalous good news, we end up with warmed over ethics, served up on a bed of moralistic legalism, and covered with a layer of heavy-handed, rule laden religion. But that isn't what you get with Capon! Instead of showing age old contempt for the gospel of grace, Father Capon leads his readers to a new awareness of the eternal truth of God's generosity in Christ. It is like a rich delightful meal, that you savor along the way. Once you've feasted there, you can never go back to the "greasy spoon" theology so popular in the Christian sub-culture today. This is three books in one. Previously published in three separate volumes, Kingdom, Grace and Judgment was released in 2002 as one marvelous book. You will not find anything better on the parables of Jesus. Capon divides the teaching ministry of Jesus into three periods and correlating subjects: kingdom, grace and judgment. Each volume brings Jesus closer to the cross, and as it does, the intensity, drama and passion of his message grows exponentially. This as the advertisement says, is "not your Father's Oldsmobile." You will find yourself laughing out loud at the author's outrageous sense of humor, praising out loud for the divine author's generous heart, and weeping with gratitude for the mercy and grace of the crucified and risen Christ! This is the best introduction to the genius, wit and scholarship of Father Capon's works. Read this book and you will never see the gospels the same again! (For more Capon reviews and grace-based teaching, check out Real Life Ministries at http://www.rl-ministries.org)

Rating:
Summary: "Not Your Father's Oldsmobile"
Review: There's an old saying: "Familiarity breeds contempt." So it is with the parables of Jesus. Everyone thinks they know what he is teaching. So much so, that the contempt committed is against the very heart of the gospel message. Instead of radical, liberating, and scandalous good news, we end up with warmed over ethics, served up on a bed of moralistic legalism, and covered with a layer of heavy-handed, rule laden religion. But that isn't what you get with Capon! Instead of showing age old contempt for the gospel of grace, Father Capon leads his readers to a new awareness of the eternal truth of God's generosity in Christ. It is like a rich delightful meal, that you savor along the way. Once you've feasted there, you can never go back to the "greasy spoon" theology so popular in the Christian sub-culture today. This is three books in one. Previously published in three separate volumes, Kingdom, Grace and Judgment was released in 2002 as one marvelous book. You will not find anything better on the parables of Jesus. Capon divides the teaching ministry of Jesus into three periods and correlating subjects: kingdom, grace and judgment. Each volume brings Jesus closer to the cross, and as it does, the intensity, drama and passion of his message grows exponentially. This as the advertisement says, is "not your Father's Oldsmobile." You will find yourself laughing out loud at the author's outrageous sense of humor, praising out loud for the divine author's generous heart, and weeping with gratitude for the mercy and grace of the crucified and risen Christ! This is the best introduction to the genius, wit and scholarship of Father Capon's works. Read this book and you will never see the gospels the same again! (For more Capon reviews and grace-based teaching, check out Real Life Ministries at http://www.rl-ministries.org)