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The Mockingbird Parables
The Mockingbird Parables takes readers on an inspiring and engaging journey through Harper Lee’s beloved 1960 literary masterpiece, introducing each character through the lens of faith. The enigmatic Boo Radley as an allegorical representation of God, “the divine, mysterious neighbor” who watches over, protects, and longs to know his children personally. The hero, Atticus Finch, as a model of faith, integrity, and even parenting. The main character, Scout Finch, and what she might teach us about the role of women in church and society.
The Mockingbird Parables compels us to ask the often-ignored questions: Do we truly love our neighbors? Are we building community? Are we influencing society for the better? By illuminating the parallels between Christian faith and Lee’s masterpiece, The Mockingbird Parables reaffirms the magnitude of a novel perhaps more relevant today than ever before.
The Mockingbird Parables compels us to ask the often-ignored questions: Do we truly love our neighbors? Are we building community? Are we influencing society for the better? By illuminating the parallels between Christian faith and Lee’s masterpiece, The Mockingbird Parables reaffirms the magnitude of a novel perhaps more relevant today than ever before.
- GenresNonfictionChristian
ebook
First published May 25, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 4, 2010
In honor of the 50th anniversary of To Kill a Mockingbird, Matt Litton released The Mockingbird Parables: Transforming Lives Through the Power of Story. This review was made possible through a complimentary copy of the book from Tyndale.
While Mockingbird was not a particular favorite of mine, I was intrigued by Litton's use of a novel to explore spiritual truths. Litton defines parables as "simply stories, and stories are not only a powerful way to deliver meaning--stories are the voice of humanity" (p. 9).
This is a welcome and accurate definition of parable in a world where we hear so much theology and spirituality in terms of discrete "facts," truths, and assertions. Litton's work emphasizes how these truths become so much truer and powerful through the parable of story.
The reader does not need to be familiar with the original novel to benefit from the book. I read Mockingbird in high school and remember only pieces of it. Litton provides enough summary to make his points. And he elaborates on the text remarkably. This book truly is a devotional that not only helps the reader understand the original better, but also God and the Christian life.
His writing style is effective and easy to read. One could read it through very quickly. However, I think a substantial amount of the meaning would be lost. This is a book that going through slowly can really make it into a very effective devotional.
Frankly, it is a more powerful devotional and theological book than most books of those genres I've read. It makes many abstract concepts real and applicable to daily life. This emphasizes the incarnational tradition of Christianity, which I particularly love. Also taking a "secular" book and gleaning spiritual truths from it is an exemplary way of representing incarnational perspectives. Many of the points Litton makes also evidence this viewpoint in understandable, effective, and biblical ways.
I highly recommend this book for people who love To Kill a Mockingbird, those who love story, and individuals who want to see God in everyday life. It's clearly organized structure also lends itself well to being used with groups.
While Mockingbird was not a particular favorite of mine, I was intrigued by Litton's use of a novel to explore spiritual truths. Litton defines parables as "simply stories, and stories are not only a powerful way to deliver meaning--stories are the voice of humanity" (p. 9).
This is a welcome and accurate definition of parable in a world where we hear so much theology and spirituality in terms of discrete "facts," truths, and assertions. Litton's work emphasizes how these truths become so much truer and powerful through the parable of story.
The reader does not need to be familiar with the original novel to benefit from the book. I read Mockingbird in high school and remember only pieces of it. Litton provides enough summary to make his points. And he elaborates on the text remarkably. This book truly is a devotional that not only helps the reader understand the original better, but also God and the Christian life.
His writing style is effective and easy to read. One could read it through very quickly. However, I think a substantial amount of the meaning would be lost. This is a book that going through slowly can really make it into a very effective devotional.
Frankly, it is a more powerful devotional and theological book than most books of those genres I've read. It makes many abstract concepts real and applicable to daily life. This emphasizes the incarnational tradition of Christianity, which I particularly love. Also taking a "secular" book and gleaning spiritual truths from it is an exemplary way of representing incarnational perspectives. Many of the points Litton makes also evidence this viewpoint in understandable, effective, and biblical ways.
I highly recommend this book for people who love To Kill a Mockingbird, those who love story, and individuals who want to see God in everyday life. It's clearly organized structure also lends itself well to being used with groups.
October 28, 2018
there were some good observations and interpretations in this book, however, after just a few pages I started to get really annoyed by the author's way of connecting literally every tiny part in the novel to christianity and god. I had no idea it was going to be influenced so heavily by religion and tbh i just started skipping the religious parts. He also shared some very private memories and parts of his own family story - i do not want to sound harsh but I am reading this book for further insight on TKaM, i do not care about the author's life story and how it made him stronger in his faith....It also had a few minor repetitions in it and i sometimes failed to understand the book's structure.
July 2, 2023
A perfect commentary to a perfect book!
July 6, 2023
Really clever book. Loved the way the story is used to form parables and then the explanation. I got a lot from this book. Loved it
November 1, 2010
This is a nice book that draws from a remarkable story for observations about what’s truly important in life and ways we as a society should express our love for mankind and community. Some of the parables are obvious, other less so, but all in all quite good at using the story of To Kill A Mockingbird to remind us of what it means to care for others. That being said, I did have a couple of issues with the way the observations and conclusions were presented.
(Full review at http://ajoyfulltime.wordpress.com/201... )
Overall, I liked the book, although, due to some inconsistencies and a more narrow viewpoint than I had expected, not as much as I had expected. However it is a good book, and one that will help you not only ponder your own world view, but also want to take a deeper look into the life of To Kill A Mockingbird, if only for a deeper perspective.
(Full review at http://ajoyfulltime.wordpress.com/201... )
Overall, I liked the book, although, due to some inconsistencies and a more narrow viewpoint than I had expected, not as much as I had expected. However it is a good book, and one that will help you not only ponder your own world view, but also want to take a deeper look into the life of To Kill A Mockingbird, if only for a deeper perspective.
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February 12, 2018It's not often that you see the Christian faith mingled with great literature, so when I saw The Mockingbird Parables, I had to pick it up. In this unique book about the Christian faith, Matt Litton uses To Kill a Mockingbird to illustrate the tenets of Christian belief.
Care for neighbors, financial responsibility, compassion, care for creation, and Christian courage are all modeled in the persons of Boo Radley, Atticus and Scout Finch, Tom Robinson, and Miss Maudie. Litton is able to draw out these parables from a classic novel without much effort. This contemporary inference could be a trite disaster if done improperly, but Litton is able to pull it off because he makes the metaphors personal.
The Mockingbird Parables is an imaginative work of non-fiction, and should enthrall readers who love great literature and want to stretch their faith.
Care for neighbors, financial responsibility, compassion, care for creation, and Christian courage are all modeled in the persons of Boo Radley, Atticus and Scout Finch, Tom Robinson, and Miss Maudie. Litton is able to draw out these parables from a classic novel without much effort. This contemporary inference could be a trite disaster if done improperly, but Litton is able to pull it off because he makes the metaphors personal.
The Mockingbird Parables is an imaginative work of non-fiction, and should enthrall readers who love great literature and want to stretch their faith.
December 8, 2015
In The Mockingbird Parables, Matt Litton walks you through To Kill A Mockingbird, offering his own interpretations to the spiritual truths hidden in the novel. At times it sounds like literary interpretation taken too far, but Litton is careful to say that it is his interpretation of the novel, and his reaction to it, rather than what Harper Lee may or may not have meant or purposed.
One thing he does well - he interprets the story through the lens of the era it was written in, providing cultural background to the Maycomb (small-town America) in the 1930's, going through the depression, leading you to understand why Lee wrote things the way she did. He then draws this out and examines it in the light of the gospel, differentiating between cultural norms and Biblical action. He doesn't excuse their bad behaviour - instead, he calls it out and points out why it was wrong.
One thing he does well - he interprets the story through the lens of the era it was written in, providing cultural background to the Maycomb (small-town America) in the 1930's, going through the depression, leading you to understand why Lee wrote things the way she did. He then draws this out and examines it in the light of the gospel, differentiating between cultural norms and Biblical action. He doesn't excuse their bad behaviour - instead, he calls it out and points out why it was wrong.
July 25, 2015
I picked up this book as a part of the excitement surrounding Harper Lee's new book, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed Matt Litton's writing. He presents several "parables" from To Kill A Mockingbird and weaves them into a beautiful bible study. I was very impressed with the biblical knowledge passed along through this book, and Litton's writing style is very easy to follow and understand. I'm so glad I chose it - it was a great tie-in to reading both To Kill A Mockingbird and the new book, Go Set A Watchman.
April 25, 2013
Litton talks about Christian character using the story of To Kill A Mockingbird. You do not need to have read that book to enjoy his exposition - it's been since junior high for me - though his writing makes the book so winsome. It was a personally challenging read, moving at times, as Litton walks through the character and virtues evident in the book's characters. Some chapters are stronger than others and there is repetition, but it is a wonderful idea, well executed.
July 9, 2015
Great Companion To Harper Lee's Classic
Parables are around every corner in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. Matt Litton's book works as a commentary to the classic, helping us to see the heart of God in our daily lives. Excellent observations that you may not get from the story reading it on your own. This book is deep and is written by someone who has spent a lot of time and reflection pouring over Lee's parables. Worth your time.
Parables are around every corner in Harper Lee's novel, To Kill A Mockingbird. Matt Litton's book works as a commentary to the classic, helping us to see the heart of God in our daily lives. Excellent observations that you may not get from the story reading it on your own. This book is deep and is written by someone who has spent a lot of time and reflection pouring over Lee's parables. Worth your time.
April 9, 2016
I started this before Harper Lee's death but her recent passing made me glad I was reading this during this time. I loved hearing Litton's thoughts on my favorite book. Many of them are similar to mine. Some were different and I love reading new insights into a book I know so well. I abandoned Go Set a Watchman last summer but think I will give it another chance.
February 16, 2016
Made me want to re-read the original or at least see the movie again. The author brings out many powerful themes that are as relevant to our times as they were when To Kill a Mockingbird was first written.
May 11, 2012
A very eloquent writing on compassion and community as told through the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird" A Christian perspective. Well worth the read.
June 5, 2012
Love To Kill a Mockingbird?? Book and movie?? This book is for you, parables set for us to follow as to the goodness and thoughtfulness and Godliness this books portrays.
February 10, 2017
If you loved "To Kill a Mockingbird" and always felt like there was so much deep spiritual truth in the words, this book is a perfect addition to your library!
October 22, 2012
This was a great companion to read while revising the amazing TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
November 19, 2015
Realistic. Superb.
June 12, 2011
Loved it!
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August 12, 2015Not bad, but I could have gone my whole life without reading it and been just fine.
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March 28, 2018Will definitely finish this book soon after I read the mockingbird thoroughly. I couldn't get to the point of view of the author because it was a tie in to the book the mockingbird and I couldn't get into it because I havent read the novel. soon I'll give it a chance to finish it.
The first chapter really got me into reading it after the chapter I don't know next what was happening haha.. The book was an easy read I finish the chapter 1 for a couple of minutes and yah, will give it a chance soon.Now, I will not rate it for the moment.
The first chapter really got me into reading it after the chapter I don't know next what was happening haha.. The book was an easy read I finish the chapter 1 for a couple of minutes and yah, will give it a chance soon.Now, I will not rate it for the moment.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews