Christianity retold
The Teacher’s Voice is based on John 10:1-5
Look, I’m telling you, someone who doesn’t go in to school by the gate, but climbs over the fence: they’re a thief – or worse. Who comes in by the gate? The teacher! The receptionist is glad to let him in! Then he goes and calls his class by name; he leads them, whether it’s in school or out on a school trip.
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The Coffee Shop Assistant is based on Luke 17: 7-10
This master-servant parable can no longer be told without an explanation. Without some kind of commentary, sermon, or discussion, the hearers are likely to think that the master is cruel and demanding. The poor servant is both unfairly treated and downtrodden, with no sense of self-worth.
When there is time to unpack the parable, this is fine. When there isn’t time to unpack, to show that this isn’t the case, an ‘instantly understandable’ version might get closer to Jesus’ meaning.
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The Coffee Shop Assistant is based on Luke 17: 7-10
Suppose you went into a coffee shop, with an assistant serving behind the counter. Would you tell the assistant, “Oh, get yourself a coffee and take a break?” No, you’d say, “I want a coffee and a sandwich and bring it to my table,” because they can go on their break when they’ve done that. And would you think you owed the assistant a special favour because they filled your order correctly?
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Left in Charge is based on Matthew 24:45-51
The setting of this parable would have been understandable up to the beginning of the Twentieth Century. Nowadays, it’s more likely that people will have to handle their own catering. But, even today, fans of TV programmes like Downton Abbey could recognise the scenario – especially when ‘slave’ is translated as ‘servant’. That leaves us with the question of whether the parable even needs retelling.
[Read more…] about Commentary: Left in Charge (Matt. 24: 45-51)Left in Charge is based on Matthew 24:45-51
So who’s the responsible, sensible worker whose employer has put them in temporary charge of an entire care home? Left them in charge of making sure the residents have food and care? It’s going to be good for that worker when their employer gets back and finds them working hard. They’ll get promoted, become the new manager.
But suppose that worker was untrustworthy? That they said to themselves, ‘my employer won’t be back for ages.’ That they start ill-treating the residents, stealing their things and using the money to go drinking with their friends?
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The VIP Lounge is based on Luke 14: 8-14
The first part of the parable, in verses 8-11, definitely needs retelling. Yes, any kind of banquet will have a ‘top table’. But they’ll also have place cards and a seating plan; it would be unusual for someone to try to blag a top-table seat (people do know whether they’re the bride’s mother). And in Britain, culturally, swapping place cards is a social no-no. It’s not something that would enhance your status.
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