Points of Dramatic Tension in Jesus' Parables

I’m preparing a course on the parables for an adult eduction course in Belfast Bible College. It sometimes seems that there is little more light that can be shed on the parables of Jesus; we are so familiar with them and so comfortable with the stories. But when someone says that Jesus was a great storyteller they generally mean more than that he could spin a good yarn.

The parables allow for many layers and depths of interpretation. So much so in fact that even after generations we can continue to mine them with profit. Part of the course is designed to encourage students to look for the points of tension in the drama. Where are things unresolved or storylines left hanging? How does the context give rise to the story?

I’ll post up some of my core reflections.