Amazon reader review: This incredible little book opens the door to the Sermon on the Mount. Chambers emphasizes that Christ's teachings are not just good words to live by - but a radical view of life that goes against our natural way of doing things. He makes that point throughout that the only way to live the life Jesus outlines is by knowing Him and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Chambers takes of the religious trappings of this teaching and covers it in a way that makes it real and meaningful.

Amazon reader review: There's an old saying: "Familiarity breeds contempt." So it is with the parables of Jesus. Everyone thinks they know what he is teaching. So much so, that the contempt committed is against the very heart of the gospel message. Instead of radical, liberating, and scandalous good news, we end up with warmed over ethics, served up on a bed of moralistic legalism, and covered with a layer of heavy-handed, rule laden religion. But that isn't what you get with Capon! Instead of showing age old contempt for the gospel of grace, Father Capon leads his readers to a new awareness of the eternal truth of God's generosity in Christ. It is like a rich delightful meal, that you savor along the way. Once you've feasted there, you can never go back to the "greasy spoon" theology so popular in the Christian sub-culture today. This is three books in one. Previously published in three separate volumes, Kingdom, Grace and Judgment was released in 2002 as one marvelous book. You will not find anything better on the parables of Jesus. Capon divides the teaching ministry of Jesus into three periods and correlating subjects: kingdom, grace and judgment. Each volume brings Jesus closer to the cross, and as it does, the intensity, drama and passion of his message grows exponentially. This as the advertisement says, is "not your Father's Oldsmobile." You will find yourself laughing out loud at the author's outrageous sense of humor, praising out loud for the divine author's generous heart, and weeping with gratitude for the mercy and grace of the crucified and risen Christ! This is the best introduction to the genius, wit and scholarship of Father Capon's works. Read this book and you will never see the gospels the same again!

 

Following up on his Parables of Grace (LJ 7/88), Capon applies his wit and erudition to the parables of judgment Jesus spoke and acted out as his earthly life was ending. As usual, Capon's theology is an odd evangelical/universalist hybrid: we are saved by faith alone, never by works, he insists; yet Jesus' judgment is a "grand sacrament of vindication" based on "inclusion before exclusion," and only "party poopers" who refuse to enjoy the fun wind up being shown the door. There is something very incongruous about seeing "salvation (as) slapstick." Still, agree or disagree, readers are bound to be stimulated and entertained.