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GRACE BLOGS COLLECTION

An Early Look at Paul’s Next Book

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My next book is a labor of love. I have been working on it for seven years and it’s time to let you know. It’s about a subject near and dear to my heart – the parables of Jesus.

The parables of Jesus are the world’s most popular stories. Millions of people know them. Each week, the parables are taught from pulpits and in Sunday School classes all over the world.

The parables reveal the way to life, yet they are often hijacked to preach dead works and self-righteousness. Apparently the parable of the Good Samaritan is about being kind to others, and the parable of the Shrewd Manager is about giving to the poor.

There is nothing wrong with being kind and generous, but Jesus did not come to repeat religious clichés.

Some use the parables to portray God as angry and uncaring. Apparently he’s asleep (the Friend at Midnight), he’s mean and corruptible (the Unjust Judge), and he murders people (the parable of the Wedding Banquet).

Nope.

Jesus was not another old covenant preacher frightening people with a scary God. He was the herald of the new covenant which is why his stories were full of surprises and reversals. They were new. They were different.

They were unlike anything we’d heard before.

Through his stories Jesus described a right-side up kingdom where prodigals are received, tax collectors are justified, and outcasts are invited to feasts. It’s a kingdom of justice and peace, of heaven on earth.

The disciples asked Jesus why he spoke in parables. Why not speak plainly? But plain speaking often led to hostility from religious leaders and skeptical crowds. Since some weren’t ready to receive the gospel, he told stories “to create readiness, to nudge people toward receptive insight” (Matt. 13:13, MSG).

The stories of Jesus disarm us. They resonate with our spirits and awaken our hunger for the things of God.

But only if they are told right. Which they usually aren’t. To twist the stories of Jesus into an anti-grace message is surely one of the greatest harms ever inflicted.

I have read many books and heard countless sermons on the parables of Jesus and found few that interpret these stories through the lens of the new covenant. Most preach dead works or mixture. “Get busy for Jesus.” “Prove your faithfulness through endless praying.” “Turn or burn.”

Yecch.

We need to take another look at the parables of Jesus. We need to read them through the lens of grace.

For the past seven years I have been working off-and-on on a grace-based book tentatively titled The Parables of Jesus. It is one of the biggest projects I have undertaken.

When I started I had no idea how big it would grow, but the more I dig into these treasures, the more I found.

The parables of Jesus are truly the richest and most powerful stories ever told. Read them right and they will change you. They will help you experience the divine life that is ours in Christ.

It has been a long time coming, but I’m approaching the home stretch. If all goes to plan, my new book should be available by the middle of next year. I trust it will be worth the wait.

Can’t wait? Check out these sample chapters on Patreon.

Four chapters are available now, with more being released each month.

I have also put some chapters on E2R’s Supporters’ page (for monthly supporters on Donorbox).

If the parables of Jesus leave you scratching your head – What did Jesus mean by that?! – this is the book you’ve been waiting for.

Paul

An Early Look at Paul’s Next Book

by

My next book is a labor of love. I have been working on it for seven years and it’s time to let you know. It’s about a subject near and dear to my heart – the parables of Jesus.

The parables of Jesus are the world’s most popular stories. Millions of people know them. Each week, the parables are taught from pulpits and in Sunday School classes all over the world.

The parables reveal the way to life, yet they are often hijacked to preach dead works and self-righteousness. Apparently the parable of the Good Samaritan is about being kind to others, and the parable of the Shrewd Manager is about giving to the poor.

There is nothing wrong with being kind and generous, but Jesus did not come to repeat religious clichés.

Some use the parables to portray God as angry and uncaring. Apparently he’s asleep (the Friend at Midnight), he’s mean and corruptible (the Unjust Judge), and he murders people (the parable of the Wedding Banquet).

Nope.

Jesus was not another old covenant preacher frightening people with a scary God. He was the herald of the new covenant which is why his stories were full of surprises and reversals. They were new. They were different.

They were unlike anything we’d heard before.

Through his stories Jesus described a right-side up kingdom where prodigals are received, tax collectors are justified, and outcasts are invited to feasts. It’s a kingdom of justice and peace, of heaven on earth.

The disciples asked Jesus why he spoke in parables. Why not speak plainly? But plain speaking often led to hostility from religious leaders and skeptical crowds. Since some weren’t ready to receive the gospel, he told stories “to create readiness, to nudge people toward receptive insight” (Matt. 13:13, MSG).

The stories of Jesus disarm us. They resonate with our spirits and awaken our hunger for the things of God.

But only if they are told right. Which they usually aren’t. To twist the stories of Jesus into an anti-grace message is surely one of the greatest harms ever inflicted.

I have read many books and heard countless sermons on the parables of Jesus and found few that interpret these stories through the lens of the new covenant. Most preach dead works or mixture. “Get busy for Jesus.” “Prove your faithfulness through endless praying.” “Turn or burn.”

Yecch.

We need to take another look at the parables of Jesus. We need to read them through the lens of grace.

For the past seven years I have been working off-and-on on a grace-based book tentatively titled The Parables of Jesus. It is one of the biggest projects I have undertaken.

When I started I had no idea how big it would grow, but the more I dig into these treasures, the more I found.

The parables of Jesus are truly the richest and most powerful stories ever told. Read them right and they will change you. They will help you experience the divine life that is ours in Christ.

It has been a long time coming, but I’m approaching the home stretch. If all goes to plan, my new book should be available by the middle of next year. I trust it will be worth the wait.

Can’t wait? Check out these sample chapters on Patreon.

Four chapters are available now, with more being released each month.

I have also put some chapters on E2R’s Supporters’ page (for monthly supporters on Donorbox).

If the parables of Jesus leave you scratching your head – What did Jesus mean by that?! – this is the book you’ve been waiting for.

Paul

814. The 800 Club: Looking Back – The Clash Between Paul and James

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The final program in our Looking Back series revisits the subject of the apostles Paul and James … and the question of whether they were in disagreement and had different points of view on the subject of justification. We did a 21-part series on this last year.

The common mindset in the world of Christianity is that Paul and James had to be in agreement in order for the Bible to be considered completely valid. Whether coming from a legalistic perspective or one that is more based upon grace, both camps will arrive at that same assumption while trying to explain conflicting statements from the apostles in a way that fits into their narrative or doctrinal perspective. But both will also need to bend, twist and reshape Bible verses to fit the theology—whatever that happens to be. And although the explanations may vary, the purpose remains the same … convince ourselves that Paul and James could not have possibly been opposed on such an important issue as justification. Is it based upon grace? Works? A combination of both?

However, maybe there is a bigger picture to see. We quickly offer a number of things to consider on this topic—which may once again cause some of us to not only arrive at a different point of view, but to shift our thinking to an entirely different paradigm—which involves backing away from the verses for a view of the bigger picture.

Since this episode is essentially a summary of our original series, you may wish to take some time to go through the original series itself, which took place during Podcasts 778-799 (except episode 786, which was a Christmas episode).  Click here for the first episode, and then click "Newer Post" at the end of each post for each subsequent episode.  Or you can listen to the entire series via our YouTube playlist.



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784. Paul and James: The Abraham Chronicles

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How is it possible that both Paul and James quote the same passage from Genesis 15 – referring to Abraham – and come to different conclusions on how Abraham was declared justified? It might be for the same reason we often see today … in an effort to prove an assumed mindset, one of them attempts to apply the “verse” out of context. We break it down on this week’s program.

And what about those “Judaizers” who came from James to bewitch Gentile believers in Christ with requirements from the law and Jewish ceremonial customs? It caused even Peter to play the hypocrite as he feared the peer pressure, which led to “not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel.” Ultimately, Paul’s message was that justification was purely by grace through faith, apart from works. But this would be a battle he would fight even with those who were considered of high reputation and pillars of the church.



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781. Paul and James: The Elephant in the Bible Room

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Christian theologians have always been concerned about the elephant in the room – the quandary or controversy regarding what appear to be conflicting statements by Paul and James about justification, salvation and righteousness. This week, we continue looking at the apparent differences or viewpoints between them and how it does not take away from the truth within the Bible as a whole or Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. Interestingly, both men use Abraham as the example to make their case (examples in Romans 4 and James 2). They both quote Genesis 15:6 about how Abraham believed God and it was counted to him for righteousness.

Paul dives into a much longer explanation, using the context that Abraham was declared righteous by faith before any work was performed, including circumcision … when he believed God would provide a child. Whereas James jumps out of context to when Isaac was taken to the altar. If one is going to tout a mixture of faith plus works when it comes to salvation, those who hold to James’ view will need to be much more specific on exactly what type of works or action is needed to maintain their justification. That ingredient is always missing, leaving people in doubt and fear instead of peace.



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780. Faith, Works and Justification: Did Paul and James Disagree?

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We’ve all seen it. Time and time again, Paul declared the gospel is based upon justification gifted freely by faith, through the blood of Jesus, apart from works. James said something that appears to be quite the opposite. Bible teachers will fear such a contradiction diminishes the validity of the written pages and therefore, may affect the credibility of the entire Bible and bring doubt to the truth of Jesus Christ.

Teachers and ministers begin to feel the need to try and explain that there was no disagreement between the two, and that their views simply complimented each other … as both legalistic and grace teachers put their spin on trying to assure people that Paul and James were in perfect harmony. Both guys use Abraham to make their case for justification but even their context from the Old Testament is different. We attempt to bring a different perspective in considering they were not in agreement at all, and yet it takes nothing away from the truth of Jesus.



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772. Neither the Storehouse nor Abraham’s Tithe Have to Do With Supporting a Church

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The Jews brought a tithe of food to the storehouse for the priestly tribe of the Levites under the Old Covenant—who didn’t own land and were not allowed to work for their chow. Twisted religion will try to lay claim that the “new” storehouse is connected to a bank account for a non-profit corporation or church institution. When did this idea start and where does the Scriptures suggest tithing became about money? It’s just not in there.

And what about the misleading use of some verses in Hebrews Chapter 7 … where the writer intersects Abraham, Melchizedek and Jesus. Manipulators will abuse and misuse the passage as an argument for tithing and miss the bigger picture of context—which was the fact that Jesus Christ was superior to Abraham, as well as the Old Covenant and the old priesthood … and He replaced them both with something more excellent.



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770. The Tithe – It Was About Food for the Tribe of the Levites

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The tithe became part of the Mosaic law, which has now been replaced by the New Covenant of Jesus Christ. The priestly tribe of the Levites did not receive the inheritance of land to grow crops and tend to animals as the other tribes from Israel, and were not allowed to work and toil for their food. Instead, God set up the system of the tithe for the other tribes to provide for their needs when it came to food, as they gave a tenth of their produce.

The Levites were to stay focused on the work of the ministry via the priesthood. What about Abraham? It is recorded that he (once) gave a tenth to Melchizedek and that was before the law. With that argument, we should also follow his example of sacrificing animals for a sin offering … but it’s part of our conversation on this week’s program. 

A couple of tithe-related articles written by Joel are mentioned on the program:

1. Freed from Tithing, Free to Give - 10 part series, with an alternative 4 part audio/video series.
2. Abraham Gave Melchizedek a Tithe of ALL? - An article debunking the silly notion that Abraham gave a tithe of everything he possessed to Melchizedek.




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745. Hebrews 7: New Covenant High Priest College: “Melchizedek, Meet Jesus. Jesus, Meet Mel”

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Our series in the book of Hebrews has us in Chapter 7, where the writer explains how the mysterious character of Melchizedek is a type of Christ. Although Mel is only mentioned a few times in the Old Testament, he becomes instrumental with the writer of Hebrews who reveals how Jesus established a permanent priesthood, according to the order of Melchizedek.

The law which came through Moses had to come to an end — every jot and title — otherwise Jesus could not have been considered an authentic High Priest forever in this New Covenant. A complete change of law was needed.



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744. Hebrews 6: A Sure Anchor of Hope: Jesus the Forerunner Entered the Veil for Us

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In our series from the book of Hebrews, it’s important to realize the writer is bringing good news and seeks to communicate a message of assurance—not fear. Everything here revolves around a certain guarantee we receive from the person of Jesus Christ. He is the one where our hope is found … not through our behavior, religious efforts and dedication.

Some Bible verses can appear to be scary on the surface when taken out of context, so keep reading and look for the refuge of assurance found only in Christ. Abraham is a great example of faith in action as he depended upon God to fulfill a promise … which ultimately would lead to a great High Priest, appointed through an oath—not the law.



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The Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13:6–9)

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A man had a fig tree, which had been planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. And he said to the vineyard-keeper, “Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?” And he answered and said to him, “Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.” (Luke 13:6–9) John, the last of the old covenant prophets, urged the religious Jews to “Bear the fruit of repentance” (Matt. 3:8), but they didn’t listen. “The axe is already at the root of the tree,” warned John (Matthew 3:10). Still nothing. Then for three years Jesus searched Israel in vain for the fruit of faith. When Jesus entered Jerusalem at the start of his final week, the people waved branches without fruit. The next morning, Jesus cursed a fruitless fig tree (Mark 11:14). Oh, the symbolism! But what does the parable of the fig tree mean? Mr. Preterist: “The parable foreshadowed [...]

636. Summarizing the Scripture (Part 7): A Promise of Faith Contrasted With A Covenant of Works

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The promise of a covenant bringing righteousness by faith or belief as it was given to Abraham, would eventually bring what we often refer to as the New Covenant, which was ushered in through Jesus Christ. Several hundred years after God made this covenant with Abraham, another covenant would be established with the people of Israel, and would include the law which came through Moses. This law would bring a curse requiring that all of it be kept perfectly, causing God to find fault with the people in that covenant. Fortunately, that covenant of law would not nullify the covenant of promise made 430 years earlier. The promise of faith would end up kicking the law of works to “kingdom come” (because the law is not of faith). This week in our series, we’re transitioning from Abraham to Moses and the Law.



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