7 episodes

Sometimes the Good Book doesn’t sound all that great. Fortunately, first impressions can be misleading, and the surprise of grace may be hiding in plain sight. Welcome to Terrible Parables, the podcast where a scholar, a pastor, and an anxious Christian look for good news in passages of scripture that appear strange or unnerving. Brought to you by Mockingbird Ministries and hosted by Cali Yee, along with Bryan Jarrell and Todd Brewer. You can find out more about Mockingbird at www.mbird.com. Audio production by TJ Hester.

Terrible Parables Mockingbird

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.9 • 24 Ratings

Sometimes the Good Book doesn’t sound all that great. Fortunately, first impressions can be misleading, and the surprise of grace may be hiding in plain sight. Welcome to Terrible Parables, the podcast where a scholar, a pastor, and an anxious Christian look for good news in passages of scripture that appear strange or unnerving. Brought to you by Mockingbird Ministries and hosted by Cali Yee, along with Bryan Jarrell and Todd Brewer. You can find out more about Mockingbird at www.mbird.com. Audio production by TJ Hester.

    Episode 1: The Unforgiving Servant

    Episode 1: The Unforgiving Servant

    Click here to read Matthew 18:21-35 (with modifications)


    Click here to read more from “Why is it so hard to forgive?,” an interview with Elizabeth Bruenig on Vox.


    Music via the JAZ archives.

    • 38 min
    Episode 2: The Good Samaritan

    Episode 2: The Good Samaritan

    Click here to read Luke 10:25-37


    Click here to read more from “Loving Thy (Diffcult) Neighbor” by Sam Bush on Mockingbird.


    Music via the JAZ archives.

    • 38 min
    Episode 3: The Sower

    Episode 3: The Sower

    Click here to read Mark 4:1-9.


    Click here to read more from Simeon Zahl's “Hiding in Plain Sight: the Lost Doctrine of Original Sin” on Mockingbird.


    Music via the JAZ archives.

    • 33 min
    Episode 4: The Wheat and the Tares

    Episode 4: The Wheat and the Tares

    Click here to read Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (with modifications).


    Click here to read more from “What Is Mercy for You?” by Nick Cave at the Red Hand Files.


    Music via the JAZ archives.

    • 35 min
    Episode 5: The Rich Man and Lazarus

    Episode 5: The Rich Man and Lazarus

    Click here to read Luke 16:19-31.


    Click here to read more from “1980-1989: The Celebrity Decade” by Cynthia Heimel in the Village Voice.


    Music via the JAZ archives.

    • 32 min
    Episode 6: The Ten Bridesmaids

    Episode 6: The Ten Bridesmaids

    Click here to read Matthew 25:1-13.


    Excertp read from Paul Zahl, Grace in Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans), p. 40-41.


    Music via the JAZ archives.

    • 35 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
24 Ratings

24 Ratings

Teddy Coffin ,

Much Appreciated Insight

I have found that it is one thing to be able to know the difference between the law and the gospel and another thing to try and apply that theological concept to a particular passage. This is especially true for the parables, which are some of the most fear inducing and confusing passages in the Bible. I am grateful for this series and the insights it provides on these important passages. It is life giving and grace filled and I highly recommend it.

DaveClay89 ,

Well worth your time

The hosts avoid easy, moralistic interpretations of the parables and instead dig into the textures and contours of these stories in order to bring Jesus’ message to life for contemporary audiences. Plus a great soundtrack. Give it a listen.

EJ+AK ,

Just So-So

I have a sense that the hosts spent more time practicing what they were going to say than deeply reading the parable over and over to understand it.

Generally I have appreciated the Mockingbird project, but for such a potentially enriching discussion these barely get past the easy cliché’s and kind of lame banter.

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