Christos Karakolis

Parables Unplugged

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“With his customary incisiveness, clarity, and lack of nonsense, Lauri Thurén here analyzes the meaning of the major Lukan parables in the light of their precise function in the actual situation of argumentation within the narrative itself. The result is a set of readings that are both surprising and strikingly sensible, a breath of fresh air in an area of research that has too often been overloaded with an extrinsic search for deeper meaning." —Troels Engberg-Pedersen University of Copenhagen “Parable research focuses largely on historical, sociological, and allegorical readings—approaches that often lead to unnecessary assumptions and supplementation of information to the biblical text. Thurén, a world renowned scholar in rhetorical approaches, detaches the parables from their assumptions and existing perspectives. Focusing on the Lukan parables, Thurén experiments with a reading that respects their original function as pieces of persuasive argumentation in their own contexts. He asks, ‘What did Luke the Author, and his hero, Jesus the Narrator, want to achieve with these stories?’ Biblical scholars, pastors, and students will greatly benefit from Thurén’s fresh approach to these ancient narratives." —Gert J. Steyn University of Pretoria "In his new book Lauri Thurén has mastered a seemingly impossible task: to provide the international scholarly community with a fresh perspective on some of the most studied texts of the New Testament, namely the Lukan parables. By limiting their analysis to the literary level, Thurén rediscovers both their clarity and their persuasive power. Parables Unplugged redefines the field of parables research and will definitely remain most influential in the years to come.”

Prayer in John’s Farewell Discourse

Biblical Studies & Commentaries

“Scott Adams offers us an invaluable, in-depth, scholarly examination of the Johannine notion of prayer in its socio-historical and theological context. His richly detailed study will undoubtedly make an impact and become an essential reference work for all relevant research to follow.”