The Parables of Judgement

by Robert Farrar Capon

Robert Farrar Capon has earned a well-deserved reputation as a provocative, insightful, humorous, and highly readable theologian. He communicates the mysteries, nuances, and profundities of the Christian faith in his inimitable style, which is more like a conversation with the reader than a theological lecture.

Having written about the so-called parables of the kingdom and the parables of grace in two earlier volumes, Capon here deals with the parables of judgment—spoken as well as acted during the last part of Jesus ministry, primarily during Holy Week.

Capon points out how Jesus message of judgment differed from the notions of both his enemies and his friends, who were looking for a strong, hell-bound condemnation of all evildoers. Jesus, in contrast, presents divine judgment against the backdrop of grace. Indeed, Capon argues, the key to the parables of judgment is inclusion before exclusion, acceptance before judgment: grace ever remains the sovereign consideration.

Including such parables as the Laborers in the Vineyard, the Raising of Lazarus, the Talents, the Cursing of the Fig Tree, the Wicked Tenants, and the Ten Virgins, Capon treats each parable in its immediate context and in the wider biblical context and message of grace. He shows how Jesus impending passion and death form a most significant subtext for the parables of judgment.

This book should appeal to a wide readership: scholars, ministers, students, and general readers alike will enjoy and benefit from Capon s stimulating exposition of Jesus last parables.

Genres: Theology, Spirituality, Christianity

181 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1989

About the author

Robert Farrar Capon was a lifelong New Yorker and served for almost 30 years as a parish priest in the Episcopal Church. His first book, Bed and Board, was published in 1965 and by 1977 left full-time ministry to devote more time to writing books, though he continued to serve the church in various capacities such as assisting priest and Canon Theologian. He has written twenty books on theology, cooking and family life.

His lifelong interest in food intersected with his writing and led to his becoming food columnist for Newsday and The New York Times and also teaching cooking classes.

Reviews

[Beth Easter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully told, scandalizing reminder that faith, and not virtue, is the opposite of sin.

Capon basically yells at the reader to revel in the divine lark of grace and forsake, once and for all, your dignified insistence on bringing some labored-over side dish of morals and good deeds to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

"We are all of us, so enthralled by a moralistic approach to the Gospel that no effort to break its hold on us can ever be too much."

It was so funny to notice my inner suspicion and caution toward this Gospel throughout the whole reading. I guess this book is exactly for me, in that case.

"Jesus came to raise the dead. He didn’t come to teach the teachable, improve the improvable, or reform the reformable.” Amen.

Updating to say that I am realizing that George Strait had been proclaiming this Gospel all along in "Love Without End, Amen." Poet, prophet, priest.

[Katherine Huiskes · Rating 5 out of 5]

now this is a Book. Capon reminds me of C.S. Lewis in that, as someone aptly described to me, he writes as a wise grandfather sitting in a chair explaining the ways of the world.

as a recovering perfectionist and self-sufficient woman, I absolutely needed the reminder that it is simply Faith, as opposed to any sort of effort, that gets us into the kingdom. He has come for us all, but saves those who have believed that they are saved.

and judgment is, as Capon describes it, quite frankly silly because why would you choose not to accept this bountiful, lavish, and free gift of an eternal Supper of the Lamb?

“the only thing we can do is give the world the living witness of our trust in his presence in its passion. we only need to act as if we really believe he meets us in leastness and death. the rest is his business, not ours.”

and honestly, accepting my acceptance, my belovedness, and the fact that I am forever reconciled with a God who has defeated death and will make all things new inspires me, in all my weakness, towards the pursuit of virtue. Virtue/Good Works, that is, being not the opposite of Sin, but of sin.

the Father didn’t ask for proof that the prodigal son got his act together before killing the fatted calf- he just waited for the son to accept his acceptance.

“Trust him, therefore. There is nothing more to do.”

I will be thinking about this book for a while.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books on the Judgment parables I have read. Capon is easy to read and understand. He has wonderfully new and fresh perspectives; well thought through and explained. This book made me do a lot of thinking. Redemptive.

[A. Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished rereading this book and the whole series. It really takes some concentration at times to follow his train of thought, but I found his perspective intriguing and reassuring. Definitely worth a read if you enjoy unique interpretations of familiar Bible passages.

[Jerry Hillyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure I'm buying it all, but it's a unique way of reading the parables. Didn't like it as much as the Parables of Grace, but still a great read. It's probably 4.5ish.

[Martin Burry · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is with great joy that I reread Capon's book on Jesus' parables of judgment. The fact that God has the effrontery to judge anything or anyone swims against the current of our cultural zeitgeist, & doubly so if one says God's judgment rests not on works or actions but on faith or unfaith in the life, death, & Resurrection of Jesus Messiah. If you want a treatise on salvation by grace alone thru faith alone disguised as a theological discourse on eschatology, this book rocks!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Completes the trilogy.

[Bill Pitcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good theology