In the book, The Parables of Jesus the Messiah, E. Keith Howick, takes a magnified look at the masterfully taught and ever-timely doctrinal teaching stories of Jesus Christ. To learn from the Savior one must understand the manner in which he taught. Considering the frequency with which He taught in parables it would do us well to more fully comprehend this highly effective communication technique and Howick does an excellent job bringing the parables of Jesus into full veiw.
The book is broken into 12 chapters, covering 32 parables. Howick groups the parables together by theme. The first chapter simply teaching what a parable is and why it is such an effective teaching method and how parables are to be interpreted. From there he dives into the meat of the subject beginning with parables which describe the gospel itself. As in his other books from this series, Howick quotes verbatim the related passages from the New Testiment then cross references from other books of scripture as well as added insights or information from modern day prophets. The result is a well researched, documented and organized presentation of these precious verbal pictures of instuction and example from the Master himself.
From teaching about relationships in the parable of the Unjust Steward and the Wedding Guest to warnings and teachings about judgement it the parables of the Ten Virgins and the Foolish Rich Man, each story is infused with emotions that all who listen can relate to due to prior life experience that helps to bring each doctrinal message closer to home. This skillful and inspired way of communicating to all who would listen was delivered in a manner which clearly explained doctrinally abstract consepts into contrete images to those who believed and sincerely sought for his wisdom, while at the same time condeming or baffling those who were simply amused by the Savior. The true diciple understood every word and was sent away to "go and do likewise". Thanks be to E. Kieth Howick for providing yet another resource to study and better understand our most Loyal Friend and Devoted Mentor in Jesus Christ by giving us this book "The Parables of Jesus the Messiah".
