Tell Me the Stories of Jesus: The Explosive Power of Jesus’ Parables

by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

In Tell Me the Stories of Jesus , pastor and theologian R. Albert Mohler Jr. reveals the unique power of Jesus' parables for today's readers, showing how they announce the kingdom, communicate both judgment and grace, and call every human heart toward transformation in the light of God's love. "He who has ears, let him hear…" The Prodigal Son. The Good Samaritan. The parable of the mustard seed. The stories Jesus told during his earthly ministry are packed with such memorable images and characters that they now permeate our culture's popular imagination. But what if their familiarity has muted their powerful message, causing today's readers to miss their ability to shock and transform? In Tell Me the Stories of Jesus , renowned pastor and theologian R. Albert Mohler Jr. unlocks the power of Jesus' parables for readers today. Jesus perfected the art of telling parables--short stories with a surprising twist and an explosive message that confronted his listeners with surprising (and often uncomfortable) truths about the human heart and the kingdom of heaven. But two thousand years later, modern readers may not grasp the cultural and historical context that made these stories so compelling for Jesus' original audience. Mohler brings Jesus' stories to life, uncovering the context and allowing readers to hear these stories in all their shocking, paradigm-shifting power. Readers will Every parable Jesus told contains judgment and grace. They hold up a mirror that reveals the human heart--and invites everyone to welcome Jesus' kingdom and reign. Will you have ears to hear their vital message?

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Living, Religion, Christianity, New Testament

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Dr. R. Albert Mohler Jr. serves as president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary - the flagship school of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries in the world.

Dr. Mohler has been recognized by such influential publications as Time and Christianity Today as a leader among American evangelicals. In fact, Time.com called him the “reigning intellectual of the evangelical movement in the U.S.”

In addition to his presidential duties, Dr. Mohler hosts two programs: “The Briefing,” a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview; and “Thinking in Public,” a series of conversations with the day’s leading thinkers. He also writes a popular blog and a regular commentary on moral, cultural and theological issues. All of these can be accessed through Dr. Mohler’s website, www.AlbertMohler.com. Called “an articulate voice for conservative Christianity at large” by The Chicago Tribune, Dr. Mohler’s mission is to address contemporary issues from a consistent and explicit Christian worldview.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in 2015, I listened to The Briefing every day. The world was getting crazier by the minute, and I liked the way Albert Mohler logically and evenhandedly addressed current events from a biblical worldview. I don't listen to the podcast as much as I used to, but this book reminded me of his style.

This book takes each of Jesus' parables and explains them in a frill-free way. Mohler basically explains what he believes each parable means and how it should impact us as Christians...and that's it. About two-thirds of the way through, Mohler told a personal story, and I was like "Ah, that's nice. The story makes it more relatable." I wish he would've done more of that throughout—kinda reinforces the whole concept of Jesus using stories to convey big ideas.

So, right off the bat, Mohler explains that he won't try to pick apart the parable or assign allegorical significance to each detail that Jesus mentions. Instead, he focuses on the main thrust of the story and the overall idea it's teaching.

He also maintains that each parable speaks to 3 things: God's kingdom, God's mercy, and God's judgment. He touched on all three in each chapter, which made the book feel cohesive, and maybe a little repetitive.

I don't hold to all of Mohler's theology (average me disagreeing with the genius) but I very much enjoyed this anyway.

The audiobook narrator sounded a tad robotic. I don't recommend the audio version.

"Sometimes we learn best through a story that makes us see what we would otherwise miss. Stories can drive a truth deep into the human heart when nothing else can."

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many of Jesus' parables we've heard often, the stories sticking with us because we all enjoy a good story. In this book, the author teaches us the importance of Jesus' parables and how they instruct us about God's kingdom. THough we may have heard them numerous times and think we already know what they mean, the author takes us into the cultural context and the place in scripture to help us interpret what they mean and how it applies to our lives as believers.

If you're looking to gain a better understanding of the stories Jesus taught, this will be a book for you!

[Christopher Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Tell Me the Stories of Jesus: The Explosive Power of Jesus’ Parables” by R. Albert Mohler, Jr is typical Mohler: fundamental, concise, incisive, relevant, and well-written. In this slender volume Mohler helpfully reviews the parables of Jesus in way that brings fresh insight to these well-known, well-loved stories told by our Savior.

This delightful book would be helpful for all ages and all groups within the Church. So, open the Gospels and open Mohler’s book and once again enjoy and profit from the stories of Jesus.

I would offer one minor criticism. I understand this book was written for a broad audience, but one must be forthright about one’s eschatology, especially as it relates to parables often associated with the end times. Keeping this important information vague hamstrung the author from providing a complete treatment of this aspect of the parables . Other than that corrective, I wholeheartedly commend this work. Happy reading.

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth the read. Each chapter covered one or more parables, grouped together in natural topic areas. Full of context and commentary on each parable. I will refer back to this as a resource in Bible study in the future.

[Mikhael Hayes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe 2.5 stars. This author really dried up the parables. Clearly a knowledgeable person, but so so often he’d toss in sentences or even whole anecdotes that contribute nothing to the understanding of the parables

[Susan Feaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well know author and theologian Albert Mohler’s latest work explores the parables of Jesus. Mohler defines parables as “stories and word pictures drawn from the familiar, that powerfully reveal to us the unfamiliar. Jesus starts with what we can easily see in order to help us see what only he can show us.” This book is an excellent choice for those who want to did deep into the parables.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Net Galley. The opinions are my own.
‘

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The parables of Jesus fascinates me. The more I learn about them the more I want to read more books about parables! Al Mohler, the president of Southern Seminary has written a helpful book on the parables of Jesus. It is helpful and insightful.
There’s seventeen chapters in this book. After the introduction chapter one asks and answer the question “Why do you speak Parables to them?” This is followed by sixteen other chapters that look at various parables by Jesus. Some of the parables covered include the parable of the Sower, the Good Samaritan, the Rich man and Lazarus, the shrewd manager, tax collector and the Pharisee’s prayer, etc.
The book treats the parables with sound hermeneutics and gave good interpretation. Sometimes that means the interpretation goes against what’s popularly understood about these stories from Jesus; the goal shouldn’t be going with what’s popular but what does the passage actually means. Mohler did a good job here.
My favorite parables are in Luke 15. The book at these three parables in one chapter and this include Jesus’ longest parable: The parable of the Prodigal Son. Mohler gave a good exposition though I admit I thought about MacArthur’s exposition of the same passage. I was reminded and also learned some new things from this book. For example Mohler looks at Matthew 20:16 with the Parable of Workers in a Vineyard. This parable often generate a lot of questions from people about the question of fairness, etc. Here background information and attention to details in the text matter. Back in those time people who were day laborer were working for survival. So to not be picked for work means a day without food. Mohler makes the point that if you read this parable nowhere does the passage says the workers who worked later were lazy; they just happen not to have been hired in the beginning of the day. So the man who hired them later during the day and paying these workers who worked later was showing mercy to these men. One who struggle with the passage’s fairness also need to observe how the first group of workers were not deprived their wages. It made me think about the economic phenomenon where someone at times can want it where they don’t want others to have what they have even though they themselves won’t lose out on enjoying what they have. Mohler’s main thrust in his exposition wasn’t trying to give us an economic lesson from the Bible but his observation did make me think about the economic implication from Jesus’ teaching.
There’s a lot to be gained reading this book. I recommend it.

[Michelle Kidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
The Explosive Power of Jesus’ Parables
by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
Pub Date 14 Jun 2022
Nelson Books, Thomas Nelson
Christian


Nelson Books and Netgalley provided me with a copy of Tell Me the Stories of Jesus for review:


Pastor and theologian R. Tell Me the Stories of Jesus. Using the unique power of Jesus' parables, Albert Mohler Jr. reveals the unique power of Jesus' parables for today's readers, showing how they announce the kingdom, communicate both judgment and grace, and call every human heart toward transformation in the light of God's love.



"Let him who has ears hear..." The Prodigal Son. It is the story of the Good Samaritan. This is the parable of the mustard seed. There are so many memorable images and characters in the stories Jesus told during his earthly ministry that they now permeate our culture's popular imagination. Could familiarity have muted their powerful message, causing today's readers to miss their ability to shock and transform?


With Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, renowned pastor and theologian Albert Mohler Jr. unlocks the power of Jesus' parables for readers today. His parables were short stories with a surprising twist and a powerful message that confronted his listeners with surprising (and often uncomfortable) truths about the human heart and the kingdom of heaven. In spite of this, modern readers may not comprehend the cultural and historical context in which Jesus' original audience found these stories so compelling. By uncovering the context and allowing readers to hear the stories in all their shocking, paradigm-shifting power, Mohler brings Jesus' stories to life.


Stepping into the shoes of his first-century followers and hearing his stories from his closest followers will allow readers to develop a deeper connection with Jesus; gain a deeper understanding of the gospel through Jesus' own words; and see the parables in a new light, experiencing--perhaps for the first time--their ability to draw people into Jesus' kingdom.


In every parable that Jesus told, judgment and grace are both present. The mirror they hold up reveals the human heart and invites everyone to welcome the kingdom and reign of Jesus. Will you be able to hear their vital message?


I give Tell Me the Stories of Jesus five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

First sentence from Introduction: Jesus came preaching the gospel of God--and he came telling stories. The most famous of Jesus' stories are the parables. They are not tame stories intended to deliver sentimental messages. They are not moralistic, like Aesop's famed fables. They are not fairy tales, such as the kind that abounded in medieval Europe. Nor are they stories intended for children, though children are often among the first to understand them. In the parables, Jesus was not concerned with mere self-improvement or trite moral messages. Not at all. God's own Son, God in human flesh, is who shared the parables with us. For this reason, Jesus' parables reveal nothing less than the kingdom of heaven and the power of almighty God expressed in both judgment and grace. They illuminate God's character and the hardness of sinful human hearts.

R. Albert Mohler's written a book about the parables of Jesus. He doesn't cover every single parable from all the gospels. He covers a variety of parables--of all lengths and types. Reading his insights and thoughts about the parables helped me appreciate them more. Parables--and the gospel in general--can feel too familiar to pack a punch. It is good, sometimes, to be reminded of how they felt to the original audiences--and to those hearing them for the first time. For better or worse, Christians can take so many things for granted that things that should be powerful, engaging, and sometimes shocking, just fall flat. Believers should pray for hearts to receive the gospel--not just once but every time the Word is read or preached.

Quotes:
The parables are like hand grenades. Jesus took them out and set them before his hearers. Then...he pulled the pin out. Listen carefully, because the parable explodes. If you miss the blast of the story, you have missed the power of the parable.
There is nowhere to hide when Jesus' parables come at us with their stabbing truth.
There is not one unnecessary word in any of the parables.
Only the quickening power of the Holy Spirit can open hearts that sin has made dull. Only God's work of regeneration can explain how ears now hear hear and eyes now see--and hearts now receive the gospel.
Moralism says, whether explicitly or implicitly, that God expects us to behave. But what expects of us is to believe in Christ.

[Eunice R · Rating 4 out of 5]

R. Albert Mohler, Jr. has written several books, amongst which, is this Tell Me the Stories of Jesus. It has been a privilege and a delight to read this work from such a Bible scholar and practitioner of the Word of God. As this book concentrates on the parables Jesus told while still here on the earth I was enthused to learn more and was not disappointed as the commentary is very good and in fact, I had trouble to highlight even the highlights of what I found to be so interesting because there are so many good points and down-to-earth explanations.

Mohler, Jr drills down on the essence and meaning as to what he believed Jesus was teaching His disciples and subsequently from which today's church could learn. It is interesting to note that one of Mohler, Jr's favorite word descriptions is "explosive", as much of what Jesus had to say, he explained, was rather revolutionary to the status quo of the times. Jesus' stories would harrow up and confront religious leaders, causing more than just a little stir. Mohler Jr goes on to say that his perspective of these parables stems from his doctrinal convictions and that he does not allegorize the parables.

Some of the parables commented upon are the wedding feast; the persistant widow, the Sheep and the Goats, and my favorite - the mustard seed of Matthew 13. These among many more will earn you greater perspective on the Kingdom of God and how God looks at judgment. I learned a few things about shrewdness which took me by surprize but made sense; about forgiving, especially brothers and sisters-in-Christ, and much, much more. I beleive that those of us who are "in Christ" will be well benefited to explore what Mohler, Jr has to say in this book.

~Eunice C., April 2022~

Disclaimer: This is my honest opinion based on the review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher.

[jordan Tate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed most the introduction and first chapter, where it explains the purpose of the parables of Jesus and how they are different from normal parables, and how Christians can misinterpret them. All good stuff. The rest of the chapters he goes over some of these parables by first quoting the Bible , and then paraphrasing it, which I felt like was a space filler. As he moved to interpret these parables, it was not extra scholarly. Maybe meant for laymen. After interpreting, he could have gone into some life applications but didn’t, which I consider kind of a big point to reading Christian books like this, and which I would think is even more important when writing a book explaining parables. That being said, I underlined quite a few things in this book, and I learned about parables I didn’t remember. And really, the first couple chapters are worth getting the book, 4 stars in those chapters.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Matthew 13:13 This is why I speak to them in parable ‘though seeing they did not see, though hearing they do not hear or understand’
A great exposition on the parables of Jesus.
Bringing fresh insight to these well known and loved stories as such:
The Prodigal son, The Good Samaritan, The parable of the mustard seed & The parable of the sower.
Jesus perfected the art of telling parables (short stories)to make a point or deliver a message, that confronted his listeners with uncomfortable truths about the human heart and the Kingdom of Heaven
The author brings the parables/stories to life by uncovering the context.
Thanks @albertmohler @nelsonbooks & @netgalley for the eARC

[Diane Hidey · Rating 4 out of 5]

R. Albert Mohler, Jr brings light to a selection of Jesus’ parables. Light to see/hear as Jesus explains and Light to our paths. This is a short book full of scripture, definition, explanation and application.
I could see a small group using this as their guide, but it’s equally challenging for personal study. I particularly enjoyed the parable of the mustard seed and the prodigal son story. I found challenge and application for my personal life and community life in both of them. Mohler will make you rethink the Why behind these parables.
I received an advance copy from NetGalley.

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus is an in depth review and explanation of some of Jesus's most famous parables straight from the bible with a brief and yet deeper review of what these parables meant alongside background information that one would miss just reading straight from the text. It gives a deeper and more thoughtful examination of Jesus's parables that bring knowledge and application forward and makes it easier to grasp. What a great text. I'll be looking for this in print to add to my collection.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

[Rob Haug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that may be profound in it’s simplicity. Like the gospel, regular restatement is necessary for Christians, lest we forget or wander. There really isn’t much here I haven’t heard before, but the simple truths are put down with clarity and conviction (as one might expect from Dr. Mohler).
His simple premise is that the parables of Jesus can’t be broken down into parables of grace, parables of judgement, or parables of God’s kingdom. Rather, each parable contains all of the above. By the end of the book, it’s hard to disagree.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really excellent for devotional reading. Read it with my morning devotions. Dr. Mohler's writing is extremely accessible, pastoral, and encouraging for the soul. He gives really helpful insights into some of the more confusing parables of Jesus, and draws helpful applications for both the individual Christian and the Church. Would absolutely recommend.

[Bob Greenwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a nice walk through the parables, according to Jesus Christ in the scriptures. Al Mohler unlocks the power of Jesus parables for our lives today. I like nothing else. Jesus parables revealed are mysteries of the kingdom of God and the depths of the human heart. Excellent read, and a reminder I just how important the parables are.

[Judith D Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parables

This is a good book to read and study the teachings of Jesus. It gathers the parables in one foreground. I would have liked to see even more historical understanding of how the audience of Jesus lived. The book as it stands is specific in the subject and easily understood.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Extremely repetitive, and at times redundant. 😵‍💫

On many occasions, I wondered if my audiobook somehow jumped backward, but it was just the author saying the EXACT same thing again…… this happened in most chapters. In to of that, he also rephrased things, which made it redundant and annoying.

I had high hopes for this book, but was disappointed.

[Andrew Wolgemuth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of insight into the parables Jesus taught. I came away more deeply appreciate the depth, power, and beauty of Christ's creative, memorable teachings.

(full disclosure: the agency of which I'm a partner represented Mohler on this book)

[M. Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most challenging and inspiring books I’ve ever read. Dr. Mohler’s treatise of the Parables is one thy causes me to stop and think every other page. Definitely worth the 7 months it took me to read.

[MadderMudder · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the first book I'd read by R. Albert Mohler Jr. and I don't generally lean towards religious literature, however I found this to be wordier than the actual Bible. Over Explanation isn't a good replacement for simplicity if you ask me.

[Nick Basile · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book, would be 3.5 stars if I had the option. Sound biblical teaching, just nothing earth-shattering to me, despite the subtitle. But there is a lot of good for those who haven't heard such teaching before.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many great books on the parables, but this stood out because of Mohler’s balanced approach to each of the parables and his practical explanation and application for the modern reader. I already want to go back and read it again, this time while studying the parables alongside it!

[Candice Watters · Rating 5 out of 5]

A helpful guide to understanding Jesus' parables, about which He said, "I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand" (Matthew 13:13-14).

[Ryan Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides a great inside look into the parables of Jesus, helping readers understand the fuller meaning and then applying it to our lives today. I would encourage those wanting to gain more insight into Jesus's teaching through the parables to pick this up.

[Ben Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insight. My only complaint is that Albert Mohler does not read the audible version; it would be better to read a paper copy.

[Randy]

I enjoyed reading the parables Jesus used to tell his followers about the kingdom and the father. I give this book a 3.

[Jesse Christman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great deep dive into Jesus'parables, even the short ones

[Hunter Buffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, accessible, and insightful look at Jesus’s parables.