Possibility

RIC_2406-1, a photo by rchoephoto on Flickr.

The power of Jesus's parables challenge and enabled his followers to co-create with God a world of justice and love, peace and nonviolence. The power of Jesus' historical life challenged his followers by proving at least one human being could cooperate fully with God. And if one, why not others? If some, why not all? "Ashes denote," wrote Emily Dickinson, "that fire was." And if fire ever was, fire can be again.

John Dominic Crossan, 

The Power of Parable: How Fiction by Jesus Became Fiction about Jesus

A Parable

RIC_1939-1, a photo by rchoephoto on Flickr.

     A parable, that is, a metaphorical story, always points

     externally beyond itself, points to some different and

     much wider referent. Whatever its actual content is, a

     parable is never about that content. Whatever is internal

     subject, a parable always points you toward and wants

     you to do to some external referent.

       John Dominic Crossan,

       The Power of Parable: How Fiction by Jesus Became Fiction about Jesus