Preaching Parables to Postmoderns
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Stiller argues that Jesus' parables, through their narrative, personal, and oral dimensions and reversal of expectations, provide unique access to Christianity for those whose experience and hopes we label "postmodern." Aligning contemporary scholarship with today's cultural assumptions, Stiller offers preachers a working knowledge of postmodern sensibilities, an understanding of the parable genre, an analysis of ten parables, and a sample of how one might preach them effectively. "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 Preface Postmodernity The Nature of Change The Premodern and Modern Ages The Postmodern Experiment Characteristics of Postmodernity 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 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 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
Brian C. Stiller
Brian Stiller (www.brianstiller.com) received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Toronto and his DMin from Gordon Theological Seminary. He is recipient of honorary doctorates from Briercrest College and Trinity Western University.
In 1967, Stiller began in ministry with Youth for Christ and later became president of YFC/Canada. Over the next sixteen years, he developed material on spiritual living and faith, which resulted in his first book, A Generation under Siege. From 1983 to 1997, as president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada, Stiller became a public advocate and voice for faith. He hosted a weekly national television program, published a bi-monthly national magazine, authored six books, and was active in public ministry, helping to move the evangelical community into the mainstream of influence and commentary.
In 1995, Stiller took on the role of rebuilding a failing college and seminary and transformed it into Tyndale University and Seminary, thus resolving the debt, expanding the seminary, and moving onto a magnificent fifty-six-acre campus. During this period, he wrote seven books and spoke in churches and at many national and local events.
In 2011, Stiller was appointed as Global Ambassador for the World Evangelical Alliance, which serves some six hundred million evangelical Christians. In this role, he traveled extensively to visit Christians and leaders, hold pastors' and leaders' conferences, assist in peace negotiations, link Evangelicals to the wider Christian community (Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants, and other religious and secular communities), and meet with government officials, law enforcement, and the diplomatic corps.
It is within this assignment that he began writing essays he called "Dispatches," documenting the countries he visited. It quickly became apparent that there was a desire to know more about the countries and their needs, what the Spirit is doing, and how Christians can respond with prayer and practical support.
He and his wife, Lily, have two children and five grandchildren and live in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.
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