Difficult Parables - Gleaning the Fields is a thought-provoking devotional for believers who want more from Jesus' teachings than the first-order interpretations. This book invites believers to step back into these well-known passages with fresh eyes, lingering over what others may have passed by. It's for those who are still unsettled by the details others may overlook.
What about the uncomfortable verses? The characters who speak only once? The cultural references we no longer catch? What if there's truth in the tension?
Inspired by the ancient practice of gleaning-gathering leftover grain from the edges of the harvest-this book invites readers to search the margins of familiar stories for deeper meaning. With a teacher's insight and an engineer's precision, the author uncovers overlooked details, frames them in context, and asks honest, challenging questions designed to deepen faith and sharpen understanding.
Inside you'll find:
- Fresh explorations of well-known parables and related gospel stories
- Cultural, temporal, and historical background to illuminate difficult passages
- "Widening the Lens" sections that connect each teaching to its broader biblical setting
- Reflection questions for personal or small group study
- Practical, spiritual insights from decades of mentoring and examination
If you've ever read a passage and thought, "That doesn't quite fit," you're not alone-and you're not wrong. There's more to the story. Let's go glean the fields together.
