Understanding The Parables of Jesus Christ – Donald W. Parry & Jay A. Parry– 3 Stars

Understanding The Parables of Jesus Christ – Donald W. Parry & Jay A. Parry– 3 Stars

Title: Understanding The Parables of Jesus Christ

Author: Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry

Publisher: Deseret Book    

Year: 2006 Softcover

Rating:  3 Stars

Price and Purchasing Options: This book is not as popular as some of their earlier work, but it is sometimes found in the secondhand store options (Deseret Industries, eBay, etc.) – but it is easily available and in print on both Amazon, as well as Deseret Book.  You should be able to pick it up for around $20.

Review: Like most of their work, this book makes the topic accessible and understandable for the masses.  I would recommend this book.

I really enjoy Parry and Parry’s work together, and I love their focus.  They tend to take one specific, and somewhat complicated topic, and simplify it by focusing on it exclusively for the text.  In doing so they don’t seem to misplace or over emphasize the topic or issue… they seem to keep it in perspective, and just seek to add understanding.  They have done this with Isaiah (previously reviewed), the Book of Revelations, Death, and the Signs of the Times (to be reviewed).

This text focuses on the parables of Christ.  Each section takes the text of the parable, includes it, and then simply walks through the text.  It gives a basic overview and symbolic meaning with context, and then walks through line by line highlighting the intention of the parable.

Parry and Parry seem to add clarity to the meanings and context of the parables, while not explicitly eliminating additional interpretations.  They leave open the reader to find greater depths than explained by them, and even helps the reader learn how to find that greater depth through their analytically exercises.  The keen observer will see how they see things, and will start to find patterns that will open up their own understanding of the topic beyond what is written in the text.

I really enjoy this text, and like most of their work, it can be somewhat more of a casual read, or even a bathroom book.  The way the book is established and formatted allows for a casual reader to still get a great deal out of the book – possibility even more than the serious cover to cover reader.  By reading a section at a time, and then stepping away, the reader is able to ponder the specific parable for an extended period of time; they are also able to come to each parable fresh without the residue from the last parable, which potentially could sway context.

I would recommend this book.  It is not a book that I feel everyone needs to read, but for the topic it is probably one of the best and clearest out there.  So if this peaks your interest – pick it up.  It would be a welcome addition to your library – almost a four star book!

 

Suggestions:  Go get this book!

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Review #44

Tags: 3 Stars, History, Understanding the Parables of Jesus Christ, Scripture Commentary, New Testament Commentary, Donald W. Parry, Jay A. Parry, Scripture Commentary, LDS Book Review, Ryan Daley