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

Robert Farrar Capon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 11, 2002

Here in one volume is Robert Farrar Capon's widely praised trilogy on Jesus' parables — The Parables of the Kingdom, The Parables of Grace, and The Parables of Judgment. These studies offer a fresh, adventurous look at all of Jesus' parables, treated according to their major themes. With the same authorial flair and daring insight that have earned him a wide readership, Capon admirably bridges the gap between the biblical world and our own, making clear both the original meaning of the parables and their continuing relevance today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

An Episcopal priest and the author of many popular books, including The Supper of the Lamb (Modern Library), The Mystery of Christ . . . And Why We Don’t Get It (Eerdmans); and a widely praised trilogy on Jesus’ parables now available in one volume titled Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus (Eerdmans).

Product Details

• Paperback: 531 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; [Combined ed.] edition (March 11, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802839495
• ISBN-13: 978-0802839497
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 1.2 x 9.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #128,319 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 72 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars "Not Your Father's Oldsmobile" November 24, 2003

By Mike Nagle

Format:Paperback

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 [...] Read more ›

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All In One November 22, 2003

By Carole Thomas

Format:Paperback

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.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing March 15, 2006

By tizeye

Format:Paperback

Mr. Capon's approach to the parables is a wonderful change. His style is quite readable -- a book that anyone in the pews could engage. He is witty and not stuffy about his subject matter. And yet he is reverent -- he understands of whom he speaks! I've made use of this for sermon preparation. It preaches.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book April 13, 2007

By R. McFarland

Format:Paperback

I found out about this book from our priest's wife when we used it for a bible study group. We loved it. Boy the discussions it fostered!! That was back when the three books were seperate and I think we paid almost as much for each book as you can now buy the one combined book for. A great deal. I've given all my copies away and now will buy a couple of these new ones (I already know who I'm giving one to).

This guy is a terrific author and theologen. I love his writing style.

GET THIS BOOK!! You won't be sorry.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Good theology! March 17, 2007

By R. Hooton

Format:Paperback

This was given to me by a friend a couple of years ago, and sat on a shelf until a month ago - what a mistake! This is excellent theology - not your average interpretation of the gospel story, yet still well within the realm of "orthodoxy". It's well thought out, well presented, and very readable - can't wait to preach some of this stuff.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Something New, Something Old, Where did that come from? February 10, 2009

By Jakob E. Logan

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I had never read Capon. I didn't know what to expect. I found early on that He and I were looking at the same things with two different colored glasses. His more often than mine with perpetual rosy pink lenses! After reading this work I can't come out and say he is absolutely wrong on anything neither can I say he is right on everything. He starts out going so far to the left side of the path that I would get actually concerned he was going to go off the road into a heretical ditch of universalism but he would pull it back at the last minute just in time to keep from crashing his vehicle usually saving it with just a few sentences at the end of various parables. I felt like I was riding a roller coaster. I would actually get very concerned with where he was going fearing the worst and then he would pull it back toward orthodoxy. Needless I have a bad case of whiplash just having read the parables of the Kingdom, not to mention Grace and Judgment. Even with a sore neck from the experience I am grateful to Capon, I will never look at the parables the same. My perception of Christians and non Christians will also be forever changed because of the different insights I gleaned from this work.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Tell me again about the story of...... March 6, 2012

By cristfarm

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I highly recommend Robert Farrar Capon's "Kingdom, Grace, Judgment: Paradox, Outrage, and Vindication in the Parables of Jesus" to those looking for a new window to view Jesus' parables through. Scholarly content is plentiful, with explanations of the significance of relevant Greek words, geographical locations, and first century Palestine context. A far cry from dry textbooks, Capon's discourse feels like a conversation between a storyteller and a listener, frank, yet colorfully descriptive and relevant.

Individual parables are divided and discussed according to three major themes: kingdom, grace, and judgment. Capon does not shy away from the parts of the parables that are uncomfortable, bizarre, or harsh, but rather seizes these parts of the parables as paths by which to take you on an adventure. His style of writing asks questions of the reader, pulling you into a dialogue about parables you thought you knew well. For example, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Capon challenges the reader to re-envision this parable with a focus on the "Man-Who-Fell-Among-Thieves" rather than the Good Samaritan. With this simple shift in perspective, Capon offers an evocative path to explore the potential identity of the Christ-figure in this parable.

While not convinced of Capon's proposed interconnectedness of some parables with other passages, I appreciate actively thinking about the parables using this holistic approach. Whether you are a church leader looking for new ideas for preaching or someone intrigued by Jesus' parables, you will find this book engaging and easy to navigate. Overall, I highly encourage you to enter this dialogue with Capon.