A Progressive Feast: In Parabolic Story

HEALTHY CONVERSATIONS AROUND DIFFICULT SUBJECTS We live in a society that often finds it easier to speak past each other than to converse with each other about complex subjects. The Presbyterian Writers Guild offers an enjoyable alternative to divisive debates in a collection of parablelike stories. Jesus often told parables that challenged the assumed wisdom of society but did so in a manner that entertained as well as hooked the listener into considering alternative perspectives. In less than 320 words, Jesus engaged his listeners in probing their response to violence, bigotry, and hypocrisy in the parable of the Good Samaritan. In approximately 200 words, Jesus probed the destructive impact of materialism in the parable of the Rich Fool. The Presbyterian Writers Guild invited fifteen writers from thirteen states across the country to work together to compose modern parables that would enable people to be challenged even as they were entertained. A PROGRESSIVE FEAST OF PARABOLIC STORY (Amazon.com) gathers those stories together as a gift to the church. In addition, book offers suggestions for how a study group can explore the issues addressed in these stories. If a group feels energized and challenged by these stories, the book offers instructions for developing their own parables commenting on issues that concern them. The book suggests these new parables might be used to build community and creative conversations among neighboring churches. Here is a rich alternative to ideological debate that offers good news for ways to transcend divisions in our community.