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Surprised by the Parables: Growing in Grace through the Stories of Jesus

In the gospels, Jesus used parables to teach transformative lessons and convey deep spiritual truths about the kingdom of God. But he often used them to confront and challenge his audience as well, forcing them to open or close their hearts to the kingdom. Jesus understood the power of stories, but there are some things lost in translation when we try to interpret those same stories thousands of years removed from their original context. The unexpected twists and surprises in the parables might be missed by a modern audience because they’re unfamiliar with the underlying points of reference. In Surprised by the Parables, Michelle Lee Barnewall explores the ancient context these parables drew from. These stories of grace reveal many of the mysteries central to God’s character, and understanding the ancient world behind them will help us see the parables from a new perspective.

Paperback, eBook 176 Lexham Press 2020 ,
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Meet The Author

Michelle Lee-Barnewall

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A Longing to Belong: Reflections on Faith, Identity, and Race

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A Longing to Belong integrates a biblical worldview and personal experience on the topic of race and race relations. Lee-Barnewall writes as both a New Testament scholar and an Asian American, seeking to understand her experiences through the lens of the New Testament and what it has to say to us today about our Christian calling and our identity in Christ as members of his one body. A Longing to Belong spurs readers to consider what it means to live together as racially distinctive people in the redeemed Christian community. Rather than arguing for one “side,” Lee-Barnewall shares examples rooted in her own experience in light of an overarching kingdom theology.

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Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate – Audiobook

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Regarding gender relations, the evangelical world is divided between complementarians and egalitarians. While both perspectives have much to contribute, the discussion has reached a stalemate. Michelle Lee-Barnewall critiques both sides of the debate, challenging the standard premises and arguments and offering new insight into a perennially divisive issue in the church. She brings fresh biblical exegesis to bear on our cultural situation, presenting an alternative way to move the discussion forward based on a corporate perspective and on kingdom values. The book includes a foreword by Craig L. Blomberg and an afterword by Lynn H. Cohick.

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Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate

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Regarding gender relations, the evangelical world is divided between complementarians and egalitarians. While both perspectives have much to contribute, the discussion has reached a stalemate. Michelle Lee-Barnewall critiques both sides of the debate, challenging the standard premises and arguments and offering new insight into a perennially divisive issue in the church. She brings fresh biblical exegesis to bear on our cultural situation, presenting an alternative way to move the discussion forward based on a corporate perspective and on kingdom values. The book includes a foreword by Craig L. Blomberg and an afterword by Lynn H. Cohick.

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Paul, the Stoics, and the Body of Christ

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At first glance, Paul’s words to the Corinthians about being the body of Christ seem simple and straightforward. He compares them with a human body so that they may be encouraged to work together, each member contributing to the good of the whole according to his or her special gift. However, the passage raises several critical questions which point to its deeper implications. Does Paul mean that the community is ‘like’ a body or is he saying that they are in some sense a real body? What is the significance of being specifically the body of Christ? Is the primary purpose of the passage to instruct on the correct use of spiritual gifts or is Paul making a statement about the identity of the Christian community? Michelle Lee examines Paul’s instructions in 1 Corinthians 12-14 against the backdrop of Hellenistic moral philosophy, and especially Stoicism.

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Beauty Is Soul Deep

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Being a teenage girl is tough–beyond the stereotypical issues of hair, clothes, and boys. Under the surface of a girl’s life, you’ll find her dealing with a wild mixture of low self-esteem, jealousy, temptation, frustration, depression, fear, and longing. She daily fights the battle of image, searches for authentic relationships, and longs for unconditional acceptance and love. In this collection of one hundred eighty poignant and moving devotionals, leading Christian women–some teenagers themselves–address key issues and offer relevant guidance to nurturing a relationship with God. . .and consequently a rich inner life. Includes selections from singers Rebecca St. James and Stacie Orrico, 9/11 widow Lisa Beamer, author Shirley Dobson, best-selling teen fiction author Robin Jones Gunn, Mother Teresa, and many others.

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2021 ECPA Christian Book Award Finalist for Bible Study

Jesus’ parables can’t simply be interpreted, they must be experienced.

In the gospels, Jesus used parables to teach transformative lessons and convey deep spiritual truths about the kingdom of God. But he often used them to confront and challenge his audience as well, forcing them to open or close their hearts to the kingdom.

Jesus understood the power of stories, but there are some things lost in translation when we try to interpret those same stories thousands of years removed from their original context. The unexpected twists and surprises in the parables might be missed by a modern audience because they’re unfamiliar with the underlying points of reference.

In Surprised by the Parables, Michelle Lee Barnewall explores the ancient context these parables drew from. These stories of grace reveal many of the mysteries central to God’s character, and understanding the ancient world behind them will help us see the parables from a new perspective.

Editorial Review

Written with passion and candor, Michelle Lee-Barnewall investigates the parables’ historical setting and invites readers to ponder their teachings in light of their own circumstances. She explains the puzzles in the parables as she develops their lessons on discipleship. This beautifully written exploration of the parables draws the reader to the feet of Jesus.
Lynn Cohick, provost and dean, professor of New Testament, Denver Seminary

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