First work originally published: The parables of the kingdom, 1985 ; 2nd work originally published: The parables of grace, 1988 ; 3rd work originally published: The parables of judgment, 1989.

A Word about Parables -- The Parables of the Kingdom. 1. Right-handed and Left-handed Power. 2. The Frame of the Gospel Picture. 3. The Temptation and the Ascension. 4. The Ministry before the Parables. 5. The Sower: The Watershed of the Parables. 6. The Sower, Continued. 7. The Lamp and the Growing Seed. 8. The Weeds. 9. The Mustard Seed and the Leaven. 10. The Interpretation of the Weeds. 11. The Treasure and the Pearl. 12. The Net -- The Parables of Grace. 1. Introduction: A Parable of Theology and Faith. 2. Death and Resurrection: The Touchstone of the Parables of Grace. 3. The First Parable of Grace: The Coin in the Fish's Mouth. 4. Losing as the Mechanism of Grace: The Lost Sheep. 5. Death, Resurrection, and Forgiveness: The Unforgiving Servant. 6. Losing as Winning: The Prologue to the Good Samaritan. 7. The First of the Misnamed Parables: The Good Samaritan. 8. Grace More Than Judgment: From the Friend at Midnight to the Rich Fool. 9. Fruitfulness out of Death: The Watchful Servants and the Barren Fig Tree. 10. Interlude on an Objection: Why Not Life Rather Than Death? 11. Back to Death, Lastness, and Lostness: The Mustard Seed, the Yeast, and the Narrow Door. 12. Death and the Party: The Transition to the Great Banquet. 13. The Party Parables: The Great Banquet and the Prodigal Son. 14. The Hardest Parable: The Unjust Steward. 15. Death and Faith: Lazarus and Dives. 16. The Scandal of the Gospel: The Returning Servant, the Ten Lepers, and the Vultures. 17. God as Anti-hero: The Unjust Judge. 18. Death and Resurrection One Last Time: The Pharisee and the Publican -- The Parables of Judgment. 1. Introduction: Inclusion before Exclusion as the Touchstone of the Parables of Judgment. 2. The Sovereign Light: Jesus as the Uncondemning Judge. 3. Death as the Engine of Judgment: The Man Born Blind; The Good Shepherd; Jesus on Divorce and Celibacy; Jesus and the Little Children; The Rich Young Man. 4. A Rhapsody of Unsuccess: The Curse of Riches; The Eye of the Needle; The Laborers in the Vineyard. 5. Resurrection and Judgment: The Raising of Lazarus. 6. The Onset of the Hurricane: The Final Prediction of the Passion; James and John; Blind Bartimaeus; Zacchaeus; The Parable of the Coins. 7. God's Action in History: Palm Sunday; The Weeping over Jerusalem; The Cleansing of the Temple; The Cursing of the Fig Tree. 8. The Eye of the Hurricane: The Question of Jesus' Authority; The Two Sons; The Wicked Tenants. 9. The Deluge of Judgment by Mercy: The King's Son's Wedding. 10. The Waters of Judgment Rise: The Authorities Challenge Jesus; The Synoptic Apocalypse. 11. The Flood of Judgement by Mercy: The Fig Tree; The Flood; The Faithful Servant and the Bad Servant. 12. The End of the Storm (I): The Wise and Foolish Virgins. 13. The End of the Storm (II): The Talents; The Sheep and the Goats. 14. Epilogue.