Overview

This book examines the parables of Jesus through the framework of political philosophy, focusing on the ethical question of justice: “What is the right thing to do?” It contextualizes the narratives within the socio-political landscape of first-century Palestine, highlighting how they articulate a radical vision of divine sovereignty that confronts the dominant values and juridical structures of the Roman Empire. The text offers a nuanced analysis of the multifaceted themes of justice embedded in these parables, aiming to elucidate their moral and theological complexity. Organized thematically, each chapter engages with specific parables, accompanied by analytical discussion questions designed to foster critical engagement and scholarly dialogue. Ultimately, the volume aspires to contribute to contemporary discourses on justice by providing a comprehensive interpretive framework rooted in biblical parables, serving academic audiences and informed readers interested in the ethical and political implications of Jesus’s teachings.

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9780567725356

Table of Contents

Reviews

In Justice and the Parables of Jesus, Yung Suk Kim offers fresh and imaginative insights into the parables through his analysis of justice, identifying ten distinct types. His interpretations of nineteen parables reveal that Jesus’ primary concern was the realization of human justice within society. Echoing William Herzog, Kim reminds us that the parables are not 'earthly stories with heavenly meanings but earthy stories with heavy meanings.' The kingdom of God, as Jesus envisioned it, is a world where all people experience justice and liberation in their daily lives. -- Kurt Struckmeyer * author of Justice at the Margins: Jesus Parables of Defiance and Disruption * This book goes beyond the general claim that Jesus was a prophet of God’s justice—articulated, among other ways, in his narrative parables—to explore the diverse ways that this justice unfolds in human affairs. -- Chris Marshall * Emeritus Professor of Restorative Practice at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand *

This book goes beyond the general claim that Jesus was a prophet of God’s justice—articulated, among other ways, in his narrative parables—to explore the diverse ways that this justice unfolds in human affairs. -- Chris Marshall * Emeritus Professor of Restorative Practice at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand *

Author Information

Yung Suk Kim, MDiv, PhD, is Full Professor of New Testament and Early Christianity at Virginia Union University. He has authored nearly twenty books, including How to Read the Gospels (2024), Monotheism, Biblical Traditions, and Race Relations (2022), How to Read Paul (2021), Toward Decentering the New Testament (2018, co-authored with Mitzi J. Smith), and Christ’s Body in Corinth (2008). He has also edited four volumes, including At the Intersection of Hermeneutics and Homiletics and Paul's Gospel, Empire, Race, and Ethnicity.

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