What do you think?
Rate this book
The Parables of Jesus: Made Simple
With heart-challenging explanations of the parables of Jesus, Matthew Robert Payne shares pieces of his life in the framework of the 54 parables of Jesus covered in The Parables of Jesus made simple. This collection of essays reads like a scholarly, yet genuine conversation with a good friend and is written with honesty, transparency and vigor. Matthew invites you to read the lessons of Christ, often times pleading with the reader to take hold of the weight of the words, then stepping back and offering no-nonsense applications for life. Each chapter is only four pages long, if not less,
which allows the reader to stop and reflect on the revelation shared in each chapter. This book is definitely worth bringing into your library and your life.
Angela Dicken
Freelance Writer
You don't need a PhD to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. You need selfless dedication, humility and a hunger for truth. You can feel these in Matthew Robert Payne's book on The Parables of Jesus made simple. After sixty years on this earth, I have heard a few sermons, and Mr Payne's book stands as a delightful treasure.
RC Martin
Professional Editor
If you find this book helpful PLEASE consider writing a review of it!
which allows the reader to stop and reflect on the revelation shared in each chapter. This book is definitely worth bringing into your library and your life.
Angela Dicken
Freelance Writer
You don't need a PhD to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. You need selfless dedication, humility and a hunger for truth. You can feel these in Matthew Robert Payne's book on The Parables of Jesus made simple. After sixty years on this earth, I have heard a few sermons, and Mr Payne's book stands as a delightful treasure.
RC Martin
Professional Editor
If you find this book helpful PLEASE consider writing a review of it!
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 26, 2011
538 people are currently reading
181 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 30, 2013
Before I begin, I think it is important to note that I am a Catholic, and thereby hold many beliefs shared by the author. This was a decent book. It was written clearly and with passion, but even so, it is not meant to be read quickly or skimmed over. This is a book that must be read section by section. allowing time to contemplate the meaning of what one has read before moving on to the next chapter.
Here the author has taken parables from the Bible and explained them clearly in laymen's terms. While I applaud the effort, this book had several different effects on me. First, I was impressed by the openness of the author, and with his obvious passion for his work. Then, I became a bit turned off when it seemed like every sentence ended with an exclamation point. This is hardly a serious manner, but the writing took on a fanatical aspect that dropped the book in my esteem. Finally, while I absolutely applaud the author's candidness in his work, he tells us several times that for nearly two decades he mistakenly assumed he was Christ's prophet here on earth until he was saved by mental health professionals. This is where he lost me, or almost did so. If he already knew he was mistaken for nearly 20 years, why should I believe him now? Perhaps this is just another delusion on his part. On page 151 he notes, "The chemicals in my brain do not function properly, but God still uses me . . . " While I do not doubt his sincerity, I just kept wondering whether to believe his words this time around. I will say that his main premise throughout the book is that we are here to love and support one another, period. This is a statement with which I wholeheartedly agree.
There were a few places where the author said things to which I took offense, the most notable example being on page 30 where he notes that "some Christians pray stupid prayers . . ". I found that highly offensive. Granted, some people pray for things others would never ask for, but I believe that any prayer is a connection to God, and that connection is never stupid.
I would recommend this book to a friends with the caveats I mentioned above, because I felt that the author did a nice job of summing up the mysterious parables and because I believe in his underlying message. This is a good book, but do take it with a grain of salt.
Here the author has taken parables from the Bible and explained them clearly in laymen's terms. While I applaud the effort, this book had several different effects on me. First, I was impressed by the openness of the author, and with his obvious passion for his work. Then, I became a bit turned off when it seemed like every sentence ended with an exclamation point. This is hardly a serious manner, but the writing took on a fanatical aspect that dropped the book in my esteem. Finally, while I absolutely applaud the author's candidness in his work, he tells us several times that for nearly two decades he mistakenly assumed he was Christ's prophet here on earth until he was saved by mental health professionals. This is where he lost me, or almost did so. If he already knew he was mistaken for nearly 20 years, why should I believe him now? Perhaps this is just another delusion on his part. On page 151 he notes, "The chemicals in my brain do not function properly, but God still uses me . . . " While I do not doubt his sincerity, I just kept wondering whether to believe his words this time around. I will say that his main premise throughout the book is that we are here to love and support one another, period. This is a statement with which I wholeheartedly agree.
There were a few places where the author said things to which I took offense, the most notable example being on page 30 where he notes that "some Christians pray stupid prayers . . ". I found that highly offensive. Granted, some people pray for things others would never ask for, but I believe that any prayer is a connection to God, and that connection is never stupid.
I would recommend this book to a friends with the caveats I mentioned above, because I felt that the author did a nice job of summing up the mysterious parables and because I believe in his underlying message. This is a good book, but do take it with a grain of salt.
January 18, 2015
I was given the chance to read The Parables of Jesus Made Simple by Matthew Robert Payne by inkspand in exchange for an honest review.
The book is made up of chapters. Each chapter is based on a parable, a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, told by Jesus in the Gospels of the Bible. For many the Parables of Jesus are stories told by Jesus to teach us lessons to live by. For others, the Parables are good literature meant to teach, but not necessarily as a religious message, but more a humanitarian moral lesson. I belong to the first group. I was excited to find a book with another insight for understanding what Jesus was trying to teach us by telling His stories.
I find the ways Matthew relates the Parables to the present and introduces stories about his personal life to help explain the meanings he finds. I would have never thought about telling a story about McDonald's in relation to a Parable, but it makes sense. I can relate, there were times I was working and we would hear the manager, or owner, is coming and everyone would run around like maniacs to be ready. If things were up the caliber all the time the scramble would not be necessary.
I have to disagree with Matthew's statement that people pray stupid things. Just because it may not be important to him personally, it may mean the world to the person praying. I can admit I've prayed for trivial things, but at the time it meant a lot to me. The difference is, I understand what I pray may not be what God has planned and, while important to me at the time, I realize it wasn't as life changing as I thought it might have been.
Matthew has interesting ideas about the different Parables and what they mean. He does a wonderful job of relating it to current events, as well as pulling in other Bible versus to back up his explanations. I would recommend this book to my religious friends as an addendum to their readings and a different viewpoint as they read the Bible, especially the Parables of Jesus. I also recommend this to my non-religious or non- Christian friends as a companion to the wonderful literature the Bible is.
I give this book 4 stars.
The book is made up of chapters. Each chapter is based on a parable, a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, told by Jesus in the Gospels of the Bible. For many the Parables of Jesus are stories told by Jesus to teach us lessons to live by. For others, the Parables are good literature meant to teach, but not necessarily as a religious message, but more a humanitarian moral lesson. I belong to the first group. I was excited to find a book with another insight for understanding what Jesus was trying to teach us by telling His stories.
I find the ways Matthew relates the Parables to the present and introduces stories about his personal life to help explain the meanings he finds. I would have never thought about telling a story about McDonald's in relation to a Parable, but it makes sense. I can relate, there were times I was working and we would hear the manager, or owner, is coming and everyone would run around like maniacs to be ready. If things were up the caliber all the time the scramble would not be necessary.
I have to disagree with Matthew's statement that people pray stupid things. Just because it may not be important to him personally, it may mean the world to the person praying. I can admit I've prayed for trivial things, but at the time it meant a lot to me. The difference is, I understand what I pray may not be what God has planned and, while important to me at the time, I realize it wasn't as life changing as I thought it might have been.
Matthew has interesting ideas about the different Parables and what they mean. He does a wonderful job of relating it to current events, as well as pulling in other Bible versus to back up his explanations. I would recommend this book to my religious friends as an addendum to their readings and a different viewpoint as they read the Bible, especially the Parables of Jesus. I also recommend this to my non-religious or non- Christian friends as a companion to the wonderful literature the Bible is.
I give this book 4 stars.
March 31, 2016
I had encountered the author online several years ago through my blog. At the time he had a prophetic blog that I found somewhat odd, so I was leery of reading this book. However, I decided to give it a try and found he is very candid in explaining that he has had mental health issues in the past and had some distorted ideas.
Although I don't agree with everything he said, I appreciate that he devoted a chapter to each of Jesus' 54 parables and relates the message to ordinary life today. He gave a different perspective on some of the parables and made me think.
Although I don't agree with everything he said, I appreciate that he devoted a chapter to each of Jesus' 54 parables and relates the message to ordinary life today. He gave a different perspective on some of the parables and made me think.
November 12, 2019
Interesting!
I found this to be a strange sort of book. The author says he is expanding and updating the original publication - fair enough! He then says that he no longer believes in some of his original opinions which I found confusing. This is not helped by his not explaining which points are which. My main grievance is the title, for me the author has not made the parables simple. However, when all is said and done the only way to judge the fairness of my critique is for you to read other reviews, or better still, read the book for yourself.
I found this to be a strange sort of book. The author says he is expanding and updating the original publication - fair enough! He then says that he no longer believes in some of his original opinions which I found confusing. This is not helped by his not explaining which points are which. My main grievance is the title, for me the author has not made the parables simple. However, when all is said and done the only way to judge the fairness of my critique is for you to read other reviews, or better still, read the book for yourself.
January 12, 2018
Mary Magdalene was not!
I am so bothered by the squandering of her. There were two Marys. Mary Magdalene had 7 spirits that Jesus cleansed her of and that is why she followed him. Then there was "Mary" who washed his feet with tears and anointed his feet with fragrant oil. Maybe you should do research and not just fly by the wind.
I am so bothered by the squandering of her. There were two Marys. Mary Magdalene had 7 spirits that Jesus cleansed her of and that is why she followed him. Then there was "Mary" who washed his feet with tears and anointed his feet with fragrant oil. Maybe you should do research and not just fly by the wind.
May 17, 2017
Familiarise oneself with the teaching of the Word.
The book gives a well rounded glimpse of how the kingdom operates. The book is worldly, and calls several of the metaphors that Jesus spoke poarables.
The book gives a well rounded glimpse of how the kingdom operates. The book is worldly, and calls several of the metaphors that Jesus spoke poarables.
January 3, 2018
Great book!
Truly informative and gives a greater insight into the parables of Jesus. A lot of parables are covered in real life story terms and are very helpful to becoming closer to Jesus' character.
Truly informative and gives a greater insight into the parables of Jesus. A lot of parables are covered in real life story terms and are very helpful to becoming closer to Jesus' character.
February 28, 2018
Very simple book
Some authors make following Jesus complicated. This has practical insights on helping us understand what Jesus was trying to say.
Some authors make following Jesus complicated. This has practical insights on helping us understand what Jesus was trying to say.
March 9, 2018
Daily Read
I read this chapter in a day as part of my daily devotions. Good Read. I would recommend it to others.
I read this chapter in a day as part of my daily devotions. Good Read. I would recommend it to others.
March 23, 2018
Simple, shallow and repetitive
The author goes off on many rabbit trailers, not fully addressing the actual parable., but rather always to go back into a general foundational teaching.
The author goes off on many rabbit trailers, not fully addressing the actual parable., but rather always to go back into a general foundational teaching.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews