The complete works of a Franciscan friar turned Anabaptist theologian and a founder of the Mennonite church. This book contains all the known writings of early Anabaptist leader Dirk Philips (1504–1568), translated into English from Philips’s original 1564 Dutch volume. Annotations and introductions make it useful to both general readers and scholars. Philips’s treatises make important contributions to the literature of early Anabaptism; he writes about the incarnation, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, mission, the tabernacle, the new birth, church discipline, and marriage. This is the sixth volume in the Classics of the Radical Reformation, a series of Anabaptist and Free Church documents translated and annotated under the direction of the Institute of Mennonite Studies.

Though based in the culture of first-century Palestine, the parables Jesus told use everyday situations to illustrate timeless lessons -- and they offer vivid, easy-to-remember imagery. So putting the parables in a context modern Christians can understand is a powerful way to communicate the teachings of Jesus. This book helps preachers "prime the pump" with a wealth of informative material on each of the seven parables appearing in Cycle B of the Revised Common Lectionary. Keeney's stimulating exegesis, commentary, and illustrations leads readers to draw their own insights and applications from these fascinating stories. The material for each parable includes: * the scripture text * a discussion of its context in the church year and related scripture passages * a list of key words * a contemplation of issues the parable addresses * "homily hints" -- outlines and ideas for preaching * "points of contact" * several creative illustrations

Parables provide insights and lessons that are timeless. When they are employed in preaching, the hearer receives images that are easy to remember. "Preaching the Parables" provides a means of communicating the teachings of Jesus for modern Christians.
With each parable Keeney includes:
1. Scripture Text so readers do not have to refer to the Bible
2. The theme of the parable
3. The context of the parable
a) how it fits into the church year
b) how it relates to the other scripture passages for the day
4. Some issues that the parable addresses
5. Ideas for preaching the parable
6. Creative illustrations which can be used in preaching
William Keeney holds a Ph.D. from Hartford Seminary in Connecticut. He has been Assistant to the President and professor of Bible and Religion at Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio, and Provost and professor of Bible and Religion at Bethel College in Kansas. He has also taught Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State University. In addition to teaching he has served pastorates in Connecticut, Kansas and Ohio.

Parables provide insights and lessons which are timeless. When they are employed in preaching the hearer receives images that are easy to remember. "Preaching the Parables" provides a means of communicating the teachings of Jesus for modern Christians.
With each parable Keeney includes:
a. Scripture Text -- so readers don't have to refer to the Bible
b. Theme
c. Context:
1) of the church year
2) of the passage or verse
3) of the other lections for the day
4) of the scriptures
5) of the pericope
d. Contemplation
e. Homily Hints
f. "Point of Contact"
g. "Points to Ponder"
h. Illustrative Materials
William Keeney holds a Ph.D. from Hartford Seminary, Hartford, Connecticut. He has been Assistant to the President and professor of Bible and Religion at Bluffton College, Bluffton, Ohio, and Provost and professor of Bible and Religion at Bethel College in Kansas. He has also taught Peace and Conflict Studies at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. In addition to teaching he has served pastorates in Connecticut, Kansas, and Ohio.