Orality Missions (there are lots of terms... not going to delve into them) refers to a mission strategy/movement involved (originally) in reaching illiterate people with the gospel of Christ. By illiterate, we would be commonly refer to those who cannot read, in a people group who cannot read. Traditionally, the strategy for such a group …
Category: Parables/Allegories
Articles on the use of stories, parables, allegories, metaphors, similes (and so forth) in expressing God truth.
Sermon— Be a Good Steward of Your Future
The following sermon I will not be preaching. I wrote it up but decided that the first part of it is too focused on a missiological issue that too many in seminary may not connect with. My point is, after all, not to complain (again...) about "Fast" missions, but rather to drive home the idea …
The Fourth Servant and the Copper Coin
The master of the estate called his four servants before him. He said to them, "Tomorrow I must depart on my journey to the East. I don't know how long I will be gone... so I have decided to split up my wealth with you all to invest for me. I am placing my trust …
Eschatology and Christian Missions. Is it a Healthy Relationship? Part 2
In the previous post, I suggested that while Evangelical Christian Missions is often guided by Eschatology (the theological study of last things), it is often guided poorly. In fact, I would suggest that often it is guided by personal preferences and then justified (poorly) using poor eschatology. One of the most egregious, in my mind, …
Continue reading Eschatology and Christian Missions. Is it a Healthy Relationship? Part 2
Two Parables About Planting Trees
Here are a couple of stories on planting trees. These are stories associated with my family, and I look at them as parables or apologues. Story #1. A few years ago, a little before the Pandemic, my wife Celia was involved in a ministry. The ministry was with those who were struggling to get away …
“Footprints in the Sand” Revisited— A Story
Child look backed along the shoreLINE. The sandy beach appeared to extend to the horizon and beyond. “Hmmm….” said Child. “Yes?” asked the Companion. “Oh, it’s nothing. … I mean it is not important.” “A lot of unimportant things are still worth saying,” replied the Companion. “Well, looking back I see our footprints. They continue …
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Kites Dancing in the Skies (a parable)
A modest change to a story I wrote a few years ago: Photo by Ammar Ahmed on Pexels.com The kite hung on the back wall of the family garage. Most days it just sat there. Perhaps you might find it sad to be there so day after day in the dark. But for the kite, …
Yes… Choosing a Symbol Carefully Matters
I would like to use the example of a ministry I am involved in, to support the title of this post. Back in 2011 we founded CPSP-Philippines. CPSP (College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy) is an organization based in the United States that deals with accreditation and certification for CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) training centers, …
God as a Corrupt Judge?
One of my favorite parables of Jesus is the Parable of the Unrighteous Judge... or the Unjust Judge... or the Persistent Widow. I prefer, "The Parable of the Corrupt Judge." It is in the Gospel of Luke 18:1-8. Below is the NIV translation of the passage. Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show …
Mythic and Parabolic Functions in Stories
Here is a section from "Theo-storying: Reflections on God, Narrative, and Culture." If interested, it is available by CLICKING HERE. Definitions As I have said or implied previously, there is no real agreement on definitions for the terms “myth” and “parable.” The term “myth” was used in chapter 5, but the definition used (as supplied …