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I'm a college graduate and I had to get my thesaurus out to look up word, after word, in order to understand or interpret what the author was saying. It was not smooth, interesting, or enjoyable reading experience for me and others in my Bible study.. Everyone in my Bible study bought a copy of this book but we're not using it directly for our study of parables. I'm sure the author probably has some good insights and interpretations from a Jewish, feminist perspective but we were looking for something less complicated that made for easier reading. Sorry, but this book just wasn't what I expected from reading other 4 and 5 star reviews.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Levine is a highly regarded Jewish scholar of the New Testament, and I was looking forward to reading one of her books. This one was a disappointment. My Sunday school class chose it for discussion. We are a college educated and fairly liberal group; one is a retired sociology professor. There are nine stories. We struggled through four of them and called it quits. Comments: she goes in circles, she makes mountains out of molehills, its pedantic, she could have said that more clearly in half the space, she contradicts herself, it's boring, etc. I expected more insight into Jewish culture and thought in Jesus' time; instead it appeared more like a lawyer arguing a case by presenting evidence over and over again from different perspectives -- most seemed like straw men that she then proceeded to dismiss. I personally did not get any clear insight into the four parables we discussed based on her book. In fact, our group thought we understood the parables better before we read her book. Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Ms Levine digs into the context of these 2000-year-old stories. Jewish laws were about a thousand years old when Jesus used stories to explain them. Do not expect to hear 21 century explanations - this study book goes into alternative meanings based on old testament customs and teachings as they were in first century Palestine. Find out what Jesus really taught.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Levin makes the parables of Jesus far too complicated for Jesus' hearers. A parable should njot require a Ph D to get its meaning
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Excellent resource for my studies!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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