The Parables of the Kingdom [Paperback]

Robert Farrar Capon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1991

The first volume of Capon's trilogy on Jesus' parables, The Parables of the Kingdom covers the short, almost one-sentence parables that occur in the Gospels before the feeding of the five thousand. Offering a fresh look at these parables in the light of their entire gospel and biblical context, Capon elucidates Jesus' proclamation of the kingdom of God.

Product Details

• Paperback: 174 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Pub Co (July 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802806058
• ISBN-13: 978-0802806055
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #220,588 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Capon's Book Re-discovers gospel-centeredness, August 13, 1999

By 

Amy N. Crace "thesojourner" (Glasgow, KY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Parables of the Kingdom (Paperback)

R.F. Capon's work on the parables of the kingdom is refreshing and thought provoking. He evaluates the parables basically in light of three critera. In order not to "give away" some of the neat things in his work, I would like to focus on his critera of catholicity. Any Capon reader knows that the idea of catholicity (i.e. everyone, everywhere, every time) runs through all of his works. However, in some of his other works one does not find the Scriptural backing that, I, for one, need. Not so in this work. In looking at the parables, Capon provides the Scriptural backing for his view of catholicity and ultimately a refreshing view of the Gospel as it really is: good news. Christ Himself told his followers to "Repent and believe in the gospel." Thus, by evaluating the Bible in context of history (Capon is a through and through phenomenologist) and in light of Christ's words (instead of leaning heavily on Pauline theology), Capon recovers the astonishment the early hearers must have had at Jesus' words. On a less positive note, Capon's style is not for everyone. He is not a "feel-good" writer nor is he laborious as some scholars. He steps on many toes and often goes on tangents regarding contoversial issues. However, rather than detracting from the work, I personally feel that the tangents add to one's understanding, but I also realize that this may not be true of everyone.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Buy All of Capon's Books and Start with This One First, April 22, 2000

By 

"prewbee" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Parables of the Kingdom (Paperback)

Capon will be snubbed by the head in the sand fundamentalists who think they are the only right ones...but Capon would be the first one to say, God loves them too. Excellent commentary in a non-commentary style as he says about the treasure of the Kingdom Jesus posits in parables, "as children turned loose in the treasure room of the castle--we've got more than enough to keep us fascinated forever." Capon's insights are astounding and will shake up 'modern plastic Christianity's' conventional ideas. I think Capon grasps Jesus' teaching/preaching method of inductive preaching/teaching better than anyone else. His other books are fantastic too. A worthy read, first of three about the parables. Read all three then buy 'The Mystery of Christ.' Capon is an Episcopal priest and a chef and he sure puts together some fine dishes!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A playful, breezy exposition of Jesus' shorter parables, May 25, 2001

By 

Tom Hinkle (Tulsa, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Parables of the Kingdom (Paperback)

Robert Capon likes to play around with Scripture. In the epilogue of this book, he even advocates playing with Scripture. That style of hermeneutics can open up some new vistas of spiritual insight, but it can also be somewhat dangerous. Capon sees these parables as presenting the Kingdom of God as sort of a subversive presence throughout the whole world, demonstrating what he calls "left-handed" power. He skirts dangerously close to the precipice of universalism, stopping just short of saying that everyone in the world will be saved. He does stop short, to be sure, but rather reluctantly. It's interesting how he believes that when Jesus was asked to explain a couple of his parables, he gave less than satisfactory interpretations, which Capon said he did on purpose. Now, we sure wouldn't want to be tied down by Jesus' explanation, would we?

The tone of this book is playful and almost jocular. It makes for some entertaining reading. Capon, in some areas, would be considered a conservative (he does accept the supernatural) but he has a rather liberal view of grace. Although I'm not totally comfortable with that, I still recommend this book as a very creative way of getting one to think "outside the box" when it comes to these particular parables. I'm sure I will be reading more of Capon in the future.