USING BIBLICAL PARABLES TO CRAFT COMPELLING ACCOUNTS ACROSS CULTURES
Introduction - Everyone craves an experience when they can listen to an account that will make the illusion of anothers’ reality seem like their own. Africans particularly appreciate a teacher who can heighten their sense of reality by comparing extremes of emotion, truth, and actions of God and men.
African culture is keenly sensitive to the relationships between their physical realities and those of the supernatural - both good and evil. There is a genuine hunger in Africas’ young and old for connections between that which is real and that could be their ideal. To be able to close the gap between the real and the ideal is a continual struggle in all facets of African life. To provide that experience for students, families, or communities, a communicator needs to master the use of Biblical parables in crafting compelling accounts that transcend cultural barriers, many have tried, but few have mastered the art.
Since cultural realities have a way of shaping one’s values, we need to be sensitive to the various types of folktales in Africa. As you read the following Yoruba parable see if you can understand how this narrative of imagined events is used to illustrate moral and spiritual lessons. But also take special notice of how the writer chooses African situations to solve problems that are central to the key values of the people. Examine how the author of the folktale dramatically portrays the struggles of all the players. See if you can pick out the major themes, assumptions, and perspectives of the story. It is taken from Bakare Gbadamosi’s "A Wise Man Solves His Own Problems," O.R. Dathorne’ Africa in Prose, Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1969):
Case Study - "In the older days there lived a man Alatishe. He had huge money and many wives. The first wife had borne him three children. The rest were yet childless. One day Alatishe’s eyes began to pain him, and he began to spend money to cure his eyes, but all was in vain and he became blind.
Then a second misfortune befell him that brought even greater sadness than the first. He became impotent and lost the privilege of sleeping with his wives. He ran from one herbalist to another, who told him lies and robbed him of much money. Still he continued, thinking, a man who refuses to buy lies will never buy a truth. When his money came to an end, all his wives left him except for the senior wife and the junior one. The senior wife thought in her stomach, ’Now only my children will remain to divide Alatishe’s land after his death. But the junior wife loved him and wept with him for his sorrows.
One day Alatishe was sitting in front of his house when a wood pigeon flew into his lap, panting and frightened, "My blind father," it said, ’Do not suffer me to die a hot death. Save me from the hawk that pursues me. If you help me, I will open your eyes again." Immediately Alatishe hid the bird in his robes.
Then the hawk appeared. "I am dying of hunger," he said, "If you give me the pigeon I shall give you great power to sleep with your wives again."
Alatishe was confused. Was it good to have many children but never see them? Or to see his beautiful young wife but not be able to enter her?
Then he called his senior wife and asked her advice. Immediately she answered, "You must save the pigeon. It is not good to walk in darkness. Your children shall bear you children and that is enough. You shall have eyes to see them. If your power returned you would lost it in growing old. Let the hawk find other food. Save the pigeon from the bitterness of death."
This did not satisfy Alatishe, so he called for his junior wife. She said, "I beg of you, my husband, give up the pigeon and regain your power with a woman. I want to bear you children. And what is the sun, moon, and stars to you compared to sons and daughters?"
Alatishe hung his head like a banana leaf thinking of the different advice from his two wives. He said to himself, "I, Alatishe, must solve my own problem." Then wisdom entered his head. He sent his young wife to buy another pigeon and hid it under his cloak. Then he said to the hawk, "If I satisfy your hunger with a pigeon will you fulfill your promise?" "Yes," cried the hawk, and pounced instantly on the offered bird. Alatishe, to his delight, felt his blunt knife grow sharp again. Then he freed the first pigeon and regained his sight. When all his wives heard that he had regained his sight and strength they returned and bore him many children.
Thus the man who succeeds in the end is always the wise one who does not listen to much advice from others, but who knows how to solve his own problem. For no other person ever has your own interest fully at heart. Even your own wife may not care whether you go blind or impotent!
This parable tells us a great deal about the value of children, wives, and human cleverness in Africa. But even more importantly, the folktale teaches us about the power of a well told fable. In traditional societies, basic assumptions of belief, perspectives, and preferred behavior are taught to succeeding generations through such legends. Not only does the African parable presuppose certain allegiances and themes, but it captivates the attention of young and old in powerful prose. The story is told with a dramatic twist. This use of irony and surprise makes the parable all the more compelling to listen to. A strong revelation of the human conditions are linked with transcendent principles that can be integrated in many problem-solving situations. In similar ways, Jesus used parables to tie together the realities that were familiar to the people in His day and eternal concepts that can apply in any culture, at anytime, and to any person.
To successfully use parables you must teach, write, and speak with a sense of urgency that pulls your audience from their realities to the ideals of scripture - but how is this accomplished? Begin by involving your listeners in a world that excites their sense of curiosity while at the same time pointing out deficiencies in their relationships with God and men. Create an instantly accessible story that is tangible in its description of real people stimulates your listeners sense of wonder. You begin to arouse your hearers dissatisfaction with their present conditions through analogies of shocking stories of failure, disappointment, and heartbreak like the five virgins who were not allowed to enter into the kingdom found in Matthew 25:1-13. Real life dramas pull your followers into a story that is so compelling natural distractions can not tear them away. Instilling such a sense of immediacy in your parables through proper contextualized applications can be accomplished through proper structure, description, analysis, application, interpretations, observations, evaluations, and correlations.
Here are some general tips to follow in crafting compelling accounts of New Testament parables for cross-cultural evangelism:
1. Point out the aspects of conflict in the parable and in contemporary lifestyles. Action proceeds from character in conflict with people, ideas, circumstances, values, or goals. When you are able to stimulate your listeners sense of dramatic encounters then you are on your way to generating desires for change. Try to find the causes and multiple effects of the conflicts in the parables and in contemporary society. Examine the motives of the people in the parable like the Levitical priest who refused to care for the man attacked by robbers along the road in Luke 15. Search the hindrances that he must have struggled with in resisting the ordeals of days of ceremonial cleansing required after touching a dead body. Focus on the reasons why the rich man simply passed on the other side to avoid associating with the helpless man. Look deep into the reasons why the good Samaritan went out of his way to rescue the man, transport him to the inn, and pay for his expenses without any guarantee of repayment. What motivated the man to risk so much for a man he had never met?
Conflicts manifest themselves in parables through cultural values, spiritual belief systems, misaligned priorities, character flaws, and behavioral aberrations in most parables. Conflicts have a way of bringing out many dynamics of the fights, struggles, and clashing principles in the people and contexts of every parable. By pointing out the aspects of dissonance between the ideals and the realities in the parables you can craft compelling accounts that will yield great results in any cultural context.
2. Allow dialogue to carry the weight of your description in parables. Nothing solicits attention better than conversations. Discussion between people bring out feelings, ideas, and opinions like a picture brings out multiple perspectives of the truth hidden in reality.
In Luke 16:3-9 the wasteful manager says to himself, "What shall I do now that my employer is about to deprive me of my managership? I have not strength to dig: I am ashamed to beg. I know what I shall do so that when I am discharged from my management, they may welcome me in their homes." So, calling in each one of his master’s debtors, he said to the first, "How much do you owe my master? He replied, ’A hundred barrels of oil. the manager then said to him. ’Take your bill, sit down quickly and write fifty..... The master commended his dishonest manger for acting shrewdly; for the sons of this world are more astute than the sons of light in their own generation. And I tell you to use unrighteous wealth so that you win friends who when it fails, may welcome you into eternal dwellings. He who is faithful in the least is faithful also in much while he who is unreliable in the least is unreliable in much also."
Jesus uses the conversation to describe people who are irresponsible, dishonest, but shrewd in their planning. Jesus was not teaching that His disciples should be dishonest, but he taught that they should be prudent with material things for future spiritual benefits. "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is there will your heart be also, Jesus explained in Matt. 6:19,20. Jesus taught at least three things from this parable that can be applied to cross-cultural communications of scriptural truth:
a. Believers should use all wisdom in using material goods, money, and investments to win people into the kingdom of God. He even suggests that the people of this worldly system have something to teach the children of light in regards to handling their finances. We may have to invest a great deal of money in our time, talents, energies, and educations to enhance our ability to communicate across cultures. Winning trusting friends costs, but its worth it.
b. Believers should be set apart from the dishonest tactics of the men of this world. Jesus does not commend the man for his fraudulent practices, but he commends him for his cleverness. Disciples of Christ should learn how to use their goods to promote the gospel through film shows, evangelistic crusades, music ministries, theological schools, church planting ministries, and church growth efforts. To be trusted with greater things demands that one show faithfulness in little things. One cannot expect God to give us greater responsibilities unless we have demonstrated competence, commitment, and the right attitudes toward what we have. It is not just enough to hate the evils of dishonesty, we must pursue the paths of honesty in advancing Christ’s kingdom. The Pharisees, like many hypocritical men of our day, scoffed at Jesus for they loved money more than God. But Jesus taught that God knows everyones heart and will reward people on the basis of our motives and actions together not in isolation.
c. Jesus taught that no one can serve both God and money, they must make a choice. Many believers have been distracted, disqualified from the ministry, and diminished in their effectiveness as a result of seeking after money, power, and prestigious positions. Paul told Timothy that those who seek after riches have pierced themselves with many heartaches. Wealth should be a servant not the master of man. The disciples were to use money to gain friends to catalyze the propagation of the gospel. This way many in heaven would welcome and be eternally grateful to them.
All of these truths are gotten by analysis of the background, characters, and atmosphere taken from the dialogue in the parable. It is a rich reservoir of insights for all who are willing to plummet its depths. By comparing and contrasting the various points of view you get multiple dimensional analysis of the truths of scripture. Many points of identifications will enhance your audiences’ ability to latch on to the characters’s words, emotions, and predicaments.
3. Emphasize how the parable effects change internally and externally. A person who gets married changes his life in attitudes, behaviors, and responsibilities. Similarly, when one is converted to faith in Christ, he undergoes drastic changes. This is best seen in the parables of the sower and the seeds from Mark 4:1-21. Jesus described four different people at different stages of readiness to change, the processes of change, and their resulting responses. The processes of change will vary dramatically from one individual to the next. This fascinating evolution is filled with some of the following aspects to look for in parables:
a. Social changes - What differences in relationships has or will the person experience? What new challenges or difficulties will the person experience as they undergo the transformation to his new social status? What new cultural demands will be placed on the person after accepting the change? What suggestions could be offered to the person before they accept the change socially?
b. Psychological changes - What needs does the person have influencing his desire to change? What needs go unmet by those who refuse to change? What mental reasons do you suppose affect the way people think about the change? What mental resistances do you think people use in rejecting change?
c. Experiential changes - What anxieties do people face in making changes for Christ? What spiritual and cultural realities stand in the way of more people making changes for Christ and His kingdom? What historical experiences would tend to shed light on the kinds of changes advocated in Christ’s parables?
d. Developmental changes - What moral, cognitive, affective, behavioral, or maturity levels of development are the people at in the parables? What are the contributing or hindering factors to helping people move up the different ladders of development? What identities would you assign people in your community on the various developmental levels - i.e. social, moral, cognitive, spiritual maturity etc.?
e. Spiritual changes - What are the reasons why Jesus encourages people to change in the parable? Who is Jesus addressing the changes to? What kind of changes does Jesus recommend? How does Jesus indicate that the changes should best happen? What are the problems that Jesus foresees in the change process? What were the problems encountered by Jesus and the people of his day in seeing change through the message and ministry of God’s kingdom?
Notice how Jesus used a parable to indicate how change occurs through some of these dimensions. For example in the parable of the great supper in Luke 14:16-24 there is an invitation to a great banquet. Jesus pointed out that there was a wrong presuppositions about the kingdom and wealth. Apparently, many assumed, as some do today, that a person’s wealth was a sign of God’s blessing in return for his righteous living. Jesus took advantage of the Pharisees wrong attitude to correct any wrong assumptions about who would enter the kingdom of God. Jesus paralleled the feast to explain that many of the people who thought they would enter the kingdom of God will be sadly disappointed. He said that the host invited many guests. However all those gave excuses for not coming. Some said, "We need to see about a recently purchased field." Others said, "We have purchased some cattle and we need to see if they are all right." Still others said, "We have married a wife and for this reason we can not come." These excuses made the host very angry and he immediately said, "Command the people in the streets and alleys of the town, the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame to come." Jesus was referring to the members of the Jewish community who were rejected by the majority and were considered inferior and ceremoniously unclean. However, then something unexpected happens in the story. When the master learns that there are still empty chairs at the banquet table he says, "Go out to the roads and hedges and force them to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited shall taste of my supper." Here Jesus was referring to God’s acceptance of the Gentile believers and the rejection of the unbelieving Jews. The people who had originally been offered a share of the kingdom had rejected it, so now the message of salvation was freely offered to the Gentiles. The excuses that seemed so valid are now inadequate before Jesus’ invitation to the kingdom. Jesus is saying, "No excuse is acceptable for rejecting my offer for eternal life.
Nothing is so important as accepting God’s invitation given in Rev. 3:20,
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone listens to my voice and opens the door I will come into to him and dine with him and he with me." Anyone who rejects God’s invitation will be sent to the flames of hell for eternity. (John 3:36)
4. Notice how Jesus used parables filled with irony and surprise to sustain the audience’s attention and solicit their response. Irony is an expression of the opposite or different tendencies. It is a different arrival of an event or circumstances from what one would naturally suppose. By this use of satire or twist or meaning, people are affected with greater intensity. For example in the parable of the wheat and the tares, (Matt. 13:24-30) Jesus teaches how Satan counterfeits the gospel with his own brand of religions.
These may include brands of African Traditional Religions, Secret Societies, or nominal Christian churches. People with genuine faith and those with false professions of faith will sometimes be hard to distinguish. This is because Satan is busy sowing weeds as Christians are sowing wheat. As a result, the weeds are allowed to grow up alongside of the wheat. While the weeds appeared to be prospering on earth they were headed for a sudden shocking surprise. However, harvest time is coming when God will do the separating of the wheat and the weeds. Vengeance belongs to God and He will repay the unbelievers with an eternity of judgment in hell - the ultimate surprise for many supposed believers.
5. Jesus used stories that were true to the facts and experiences of the lives of the people. For example, Jesus said, "I am the door for the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them, I am the Door. Whoever comes in through Me will be saved: he will go in and out and find pasture. The thief’s only purpose in coming is to steal, to slaughter and destroy. I have come so they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:7-10)
The closer you can relate the facts of the parables to the realities of the people’s experiences, the more powerful impact you will make. We have a serious problem with thieves in Nigeria. Armed robbers are terrorizing people on the highways. They are controlling the evening hours throughout cities of 88 million people. Thieves are often times demon possessed. For example, two years ago I was attacked by demon possessed thieves on a road to Ilorin. While they tried to steal our car, they killed three people who dodged their roadblock. As I was forced to lay down by the side of the hot asphalt road, the thief fired his shotgun inches from my head attempting to scare me into starting the car. Only by the grace of God were their efforts foiled. Yet, they made away with a large sum of money, personal identification papers, and keys to our households. Later that month they travelled 400 miles to Jos to attempt to break into our homes. While these experiences may not correspond to the realities of an average Westerner, most Africans easily identify with the wickedness of thieves.
The thieves were false shepherds in Jesus’ day. They pretended to care about the flock, but only for their selfish gain. The robbers attempt to steal sheep so that they may feed on them and the fruits of the labors. Jesus was referring to the leaders of the nation who cared not for the spiritual good of the people, but only for themselves. Jesus, in contrast, provides security, provisions, and blessings - in this life and the next. Then Jesus continues the relationship to the people’s realities in verses 11-15 when He describes the dangers of the evening in Palestine. At night danger lurked around every rock. Lions, wolves, jackals, panthers, leopards, bears, and hyenas were common in the countryside. People knew that the life of a shepherd involved protecting his flock from the fierce animals of the night. Today’s equivalent might be thieves, evil spirits, or intruders. Truly, the life of a protector - Pastor is a dangerous job. That is why Jesus said, "I am the Good Shepherd who owns, cares, feeds, leads, protects, and dies for His sheep. He is not like the hired hand who does the work only as long as his wages are paid. He does not have the same level of commitment of the Good Shepherd. When trouble comes, he runs away and his selfishness causes the flock to scatter. The temporary guard cares nothing for the sheep. Just as Israel had many false prophets in Jesus day, so there are many half-hearted leaders who are causing many to suffer in Africa today.
6. Jesus used parables not just for moral instruction, but for radical spiritual transformation. There is a move throughout Africa to teach Christian Religious Knowledge as moral instruction. It would have been unthinkable for Jesus to use parables simply as lessons in morality. Instead, He used parables as windows for radical revolution within individuals and then communities. His main vehicle for introducing the kingdom of God came through his message of the reign of God in the hearts, minds, and belief systems of the people. Jesus’ parables met the need of people who were hungry for change. Most of these were people who knew that better morality would not solve their problems. The most morally upright people in the world, may not be born again. Their morality is not able to understand the things of the Spirit of God. (I Cor. 2:14-16) They wanted a whole new perspective on life.
For example, when Jesus told the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl of great price, people anticipated radical changes. (Matt. 13:44-66) Jesus compared the kingdom of heaven to precious treasure hidden in a field. When the man discovered the treasure, he bought the whole field so that he could have it for himself. That hidden treasure is the church. When God wanted it, He sent Jesus to die on the cross to purchase it with His own blood. He sold all He had to redeem us to Himself. Similarly, pearls are formed after an irritation inside the tender belly of an oyster. The church was formed out of the wounds of Christ. He made it possible by His death and sacrifice for the church to be born. Again, the merchant, Christ, sold everything he had in order to buy the prized pearl. It is for this reason that one day, Christ will redeemed His church as a spotless, blameless, and holy possession. All of this presupposes radical re-birth and not just moral modification upon the hearers of parables.
7. Jesus used parables to disclose the meanings of mysteries hidden for ages. Mysteries are previously unknown, but now revealed truths. Everyone loves a good mystery for it explains secrets in a suspenseful manner. The Jews were longing for the mysteries of the ages to be revealed, but refused to see it through Jesus and His teaching. Just as Africans look to men with divine powers to reveal the secrets of the supernatural, so Jesus told the disciples that many men have longed to have the powers you disciples enjoy in understanding the mysteries hidden for long ages past, but now have been revealed. To be able to unravel a mystery is exciting and rewarding for the investigator. People will pay large sums of money to have their mysteries cleared up all over the world. Thousands of dramas are written every year about mysterious secrets that unlock the doors to great treasures hidden in the earth, under the ocean, or in mens’ hearts.
The Old Testament concept of a secret is that of the counsels of God which He reveals to His people. It refers to the revealing of the insights of both good and evil. Revelation of a mystery comes only through supernatural means in the scriptures. This can only be disclosed through spiritual eyes given to those who are indwelt by the Spirit of God. Often times the gospel is referred to as the mystery revealed, as in Matt. 13:11-17 where Jesus is asked by His disciples, "Why do you speak to them in parables? To which He replies,
"To you it is granted to know the secrets (mysteries) of the kingdom of heaven, but it is not granted to them. For whoever has will receive superabundantly, but whoever has not will be deprived of whatever he has. For this reason I speak to them in parables, because they look and see nothing; they listen and neither hear nor understand. You will listen and listen but not at all understand.... But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For I assure you that many prophets and upright men have longed to see what you see and did not and to hear what you are hearing but did not."
Notice that Jesus did not speak of any mysteries concerning the kingdom until the Jewish nation rejected Him. The leaders of the Jews was made when they attributed His divine power to Satan in Matt. 9:34;12:22-37. Several Old Testament Prophets predicted that Jesus would deliver Israel and establish His kingdom on earth. Jesus made this offer in Matt. 4:17, but the nation rejected Him. (Matt. 12:24) The secrets of the kingdom revealed by Jesus would now be revealed to the Gentiles in lieu of the Jews rejection of the Christ.
Mysteries are designed to keep the unbelieving from gaining privileged information as well. Jesus spoke in parables to hide the truth from unbelievers. Secrets of the kingdom of God were for the ears and eyes of His disciples. The religious leaders would continue in their positions void of any supernatural power because of their pride. Even the truths that they had previously known, would no longer be clear to them as Jesus said, "But whoever has not will be deprived of what he has." Failure to understand and act on God’s may cause a hardening, diminishing, and confusing effect on those who have once known the truth. By using parables in public, Christ could reach the masses, but find out who really expressed a hunger to know God. This sense of mystery in parables enhances God’s purposes in cross-cultural communication through deepening the insights of the believing and diminishing the effectiveness of the cynics.
8. Parables provide variety on a wide range of topics for discussion in solving problems close to African world views. According to many Africans, people live in a religious universe so that natural realities and all of life are intimately associated with God. They come from God but they also give testimony to God’s nature. As a result Africans’ view of God is strongly influenced by their surroundings and contexts. Man looks at history not just as interesting information but a reflection of God. Since parables form a valuable part of this historic revelation, they can provide valuable insights into a range of problem-solving insights into the will and person of God.
Jesus spoke about God’s message to the people through the parable of the patched cloth and the wine skins (Matt. 9:16-17; Mark 2:21-22; Luke 5:36-38) Just as new cloth is not yet shrunk and when an old garment is patched with it, shrinkage tends to make the tear worse. Christ points out through this vivid mental picture that He has come with a new message of grace, as opposed to the old legal order; this new teaching requires a new approach and new forms in the church. Salvation and forgiveness of sin are demonstrated through the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son (Luke 15). These were aimed at hypocritically righteous people who tried to justify themselves in the eyes of men. Jesus compared the 99 sheep, the nine coins, and elder brother to the Pharisees of His day. These were men who considered themselves spiritually safe because of their positions. Instead, Jesus preferred to minister to the sick, lame, publicans, and sinners who recognized their need for forgiveness. The cursing of barren fig and the strait gate and the shut door (Luke 13:23-30) teach us about the salvation of God and His judgment for failure to receive His grace. Witnessing and discipleship are addressed in the parable of the man who tried to build a tower without first counting the costs to figure if he had enough to finish the job. (Luke 14:28-30). Similarly, the king calculates his military strength before impulsively rushing into battle. So should a disciple prepare himself to live a life of sacrifice in accomplishing His master’s work. Even fellowship with God through prayer is covered in the parable of the importunate friend (Luke 11:5-8) and the unjust judge (Luke 18:1-8). Both give us a picture of the way God hears the prayers of the patient, persevering, and consistent believers. When these parables are taught in our seminary chapel, new insights are garnered afresh upon each inspection. Whenever a problem comes up in a committee meeting at our seminary, a reference to a parable has a medicinal effect in solving an array of complex issues. The nature of God’s word is such that one will never exhaust the vast reservoir of its riches, depths, or blessings. Jesus taught on a multitude of subjects through 35 parables each with enough wisdom to last anyone a lifetime.
9. Use parables as tools for both inspiration and supplying information. Africans love teachers who have the ability to balance both preaching and teaching skills. There is something special about a person who has the ability to make learning enjoyable and effective. Learning how to use parables in both their art form with its subjective common sense appeals and their scientific objective realities, is a vital skill to acquire for cross-cultural communicators.
Parables have a way of reaching your audience both inductively (From an experience to a principle) and deductively (Starting with a principle and then giving stories as examples). Whenever Jesus taught he adjusted his style to best suit the learning styles of his audience. With the multitudes he often preached inductive lessons using life stories, experiences, analogies, and figurative language. By beginning with the hearers’ needs he often began with questions. For example, he describes His enemies in the parable of the wicked husbandmen in Matthew 21:33-41. He compares the vinedressers who failed to fulfill their responsibility of keeping the vineyard (Israel) for their landlord (God). Their maltreatment of the servants (The prophets) of the landlord. Eventually, they killed the son (Jesus Christ) of the landlord and for this God would destroy them. The farmers thought they were clever in slaying the Son. They reasoned that as soon as the land owners only Son was killed, the land would become theirs. They were using human logic rather than spiritual wisdom. Failure to acknowledge God’s right over our lives, relationships, and possessions will result in great loss. When the Jewish leaders had Jesus killed they lost everything - without even realizing it. Parables bring out the tragedies and triumphs by combining drama with didactics. Parables can be used with both linear and circular reasoning patterns. Learn to use parables by relating them to the people’s needs, experiences, and problems inductively and deductively.
10. Use parables for communicating effectively to both formally and non-formally educated. Whereas the formally trained mind prefers hypostatic learning (Subordinating points in linear fashions under one main principle), the traditionally non-formal African trained mind prefers a symbiosis of many illustrations into one unifying theme. Parables can provide insights to both kind of thinkers. For example, in taking the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matt. 20:1-6), Jesus teaches that God will reward work well done, but according to His sovereign will. While a Western man would attempt to compose a three point sermon outline from the parable, an African would prefer a problem-solution approach to the parable. Both approaches are valid, but the latter will yield greater results with most non-formally oriented thinkers. Show the people how they can take their problems to the parables and find lasting solutions. Focus on the testimonies of the people in the parable.
For example, when the evening time came, the foreman called the workmen in order to pay them their wages. However, some unusual thing happened which perplexed the laborers. When those who began around five o’clock came they got a penny each; and when the first workmen came they thought to themselves, ’Oh great. If these people along worked for one hour and got a whole penny, we will get at least eight pennies for our eight hours of hard work. But they too, received just one cent. When they received it, they grumbled against the owner and said, "These last have worked one hour and you have ranked them equal with us who endured the arduous toil and the scorching heat of the day.’ But the master answered one of them, ’Friend. I am not wronging you. Did you not agree with me on a penny? Take what is yours and go. I choose to pay this last one the same as you. Have I no right to do with my belongings as I please? Or do you look resentful because I am generous?’ So the last will be first, and the first last."
Jesus teaches all of us here about how the sovereignty of God works. The Lord is the one who has the right to do whatever He wishes with his creatures and creation. He is the potter and we are the clay, as Paul reminds us in Romans 9. Many who have prominent houses, positions, and talents should not be boastful as everything they have they were given by God. The Lord is the one who promotes one and demotes another, according to His perfect plan for our lives. (Jer. 29:11). Those who find themselves suffering in lowly positions of poverty, deprivation, and little resources should thank God as well. He is working out His perfect plan for you and for His kingdom’s growth in and through you. And the many people who wonder why they have to suffer seemingly endless frustration at their poor talents, will one day see the perfect reason, if they trust God for the end results. One day, they will be at the head of the class in heaven. It is always God’s analysis of any person, situation, or idea that carries the greatest weight!
Notice how parables can emphasize relationships for the more non-formally educated while stressing doing God’s will for the more formally trained thinkers. Avoid allowing syncretism to creep into your teaching with the non-formally educated who will be tempted to compare the parables with their traditional religious beliefs. However, the formally trained listeners should be cautioned not to rely solely on parables for their only sources of knowledge about God, His will, or His principles of truth. To the non-formally educated, truth is not only in what you say, but how you say it. In contrast, to the formally educated, what you say is more important than how it is said or communicated.
Use parable to stress both practical truths through illustrations and theory through the correct correlations of scripture with doctrinal sections of the Bible. Give plenty of opportunities for interaction concerning the parables with the non-formally educated. However, provide the formally educated with opportunities to personally apply the principles, concepts, and theories that run through the stories of Jesus. Provide the non-formally trained listeners with links from the parables to the real similarities in their cultural contexts. Give the formally educated, at the same time, principles in sequences that can be covered point by point in depth.
Conclusions - Parables are powerful tools in crafting compelling lessons across the boundaries of culture. By pointing out the essential aspects of conflict in the parables, a teacher can relate transcendent principles to any life reality. Using the dramatic portrayal of truth in the lives of people allows people to learn in ways that are most captivating and multi-sensories. While parables provide a wide variety on a range of topics in the scriptures, you can draw upon a large resource of material to fit the greatest problems of your listeners. This affords you the opportunity to use parables like keys that will unlock a whole variety of doors to the people you are addressing. Furthermore, this kind of teaching sensitizes both the teacher and the pupil to look for modern day parables that correspond to the 35 told by Jesus. By learning how to communicate effectively to both the formally and non-formally educated trained thinkers you can widen and deepen the effects of your ministry. Using parables allow you to reveal secrets through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in ways that give your teaching greater human and spiritual success!
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Fritz, Paul How To Successfully Study, Preach, and Communicate the Scriptures, p. 104-124 Great Commission Publishers, Jos, Nigeria, 1991
2. Madden David How To Craft Compelling Stories, Writer’s Digest, 1989 Fall, p. 32-34,
3. Mbiti, John African Religions and Philosophy, p.48-53, Heineman, Halley Court, Oxford, England, 1978, 13th edition.
4. Mickelson, A. Berkeley Interpreting The Bible, p. 212-216, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1979.
5. Pfeiffer, Charles Wycliffe Bible Encyclopedia, Moody Press, Chicago, 1978
6. Walvoord, John and Zuck, Roy The Bible Knowledge Commentary of the New Testament, Victor Books, Scripture Press , 1988, eighth edition
