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Gary M. BurgeGary M. Burge
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Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller (Ancient Context, Ancient Faith Book 2) Kindle Edition
by Gary M. Burge (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars (62)
Part of: Ancient Context, Ancient Faith (7 books)
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Storytellers made history, and Jesus was the greatest of them all. But how can modern readers know what he actually meant in such iconic parables as the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan? Jesus, the Middle Eastern Storyteller combines the readability of a popular novel and the authority of scholarship to uncover the hidden meaning of references too often misinterpreted or left shrouded in mystery. The first volume in the Ancient Context, Ancient Faith series drives to the heart of readers’ desire to know the culture behind the Scriptures. Colorful maps, photos, and illustrations enhance the context of the times that shaped Jesus’ vivid communication of core truths. This expert guide is an invaluable resource for study groups, teachers, leaders, and inquiring Christians who want to dig deeper and enrich their spiritual life.
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Ancient Context, Ancient Faith
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113 pages
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SpareOom
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 June 2022
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
I learnt so much reading this. I am going to have to read the others! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
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mamapingouin008
5.0 out of 5 stars Très bon livre
Reviewed in France on 3 November 2014
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C'est un très bon ouvrage pour remettre les paraboles de Jésus dans le contexte de l'époque. Ce livre donne de nombreuses indications sur la culture de l'époque et les paraboles prennent parfois un autre relief.
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J. M. Magrini
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent interpretation of Jesus' parables w/photos...
Reviewed in the United States on 14 November 2025
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This is the second book by Gary M. Burge that I have read (see my review of his Interpretting the Gospel of John), and I am better for having done so. I highly recommend Jesus, The Middle Eastern Storyteller to all interested in New Testament interpretation – especially those who are drawn to hermeneutic readings of Jesus’ parables.
Burge takes an interpretive approach that is relatable to the work of Crossan, Sanders, and Crossley (it is also a method found in the ancient Greek classicism of Detienne and Vernant), namely, an approach merging cultural anthropology, archeology, history, linguistic analysis (koine Greek & Hebrew), and incorporating ancient texts, all of which shed crucial light on 1st century Middle Eastern life. Such an approach produces new and rich readings of the parables, with at times, shocking results!
The book includes well-placed color-plates depicting artifacts and geographic locations where the historical Jesus, or Jesus of the New Testament, would have lived, loved, and ministered, and died. Gaining an understanding of the ancient life and customs practiced by the ancients adds a unique depth to Burge’s reading, which also includes the judicial use of personal narrative.
To offer but one vivid example, when Jesus asks: “When a son asks his father for an egg, what person would provide a scorpion in its place?” Here Burge informs curious readers that Israeli scorpions (ominously pictured on page 40!) are white, and when hiding, they roll themselves up into a ball, mimicking the appearance of an egg…The scorpion pictured is frighteningly creepy!
One idea that is unique to Burge’s interpretation is the stress he places on the notion, within 1st Century Middle Eastern life, that the culture was grounded in “shame-and-honor,” and not “sin-and-redemption,” the latter, of course, is a far later development within the Christian or religious culture. Jesus lived in a place and time where it was the act of “seeing” and “being seen” by others that defined a person’s value and worth. Incidentally, this idea of the inner workings of social relationships was also present to the interactions of the ancient Greeks, and this perhaps speaks to the undeniable Hellenic influences at work shaping elements within the Gospels.
To conclude, I thought the use of color plates and the fine attention to aesthetic and decorative graphics was masterful! The book, in addition to a scholarly achievement, is a Bonafide work of art! It made reading it, while taking in the pictures, a joy. And, as a reader of many New Testament studies and historical Jesus analyses, this is the first time an approach like this has been used by a publishing house – Zondervan Books. The photos added a new dimension of imaginative “reader-involvement” with the text.
Dr. James M. Magrini
Former: Philosophy/ College of DuPage
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B. Gilmore
5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on 10 January 2020
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I bought this book to prepare for a trip to Israel. It really helps to put the passages of the Bible in a context so it makes more sense.
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Brother David
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish it was longer!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 February 2019
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A wonderful insight into the parables Jesus told, giving background and context to the culture and customs of those times. I recommend this book to any Christian that really wants to understand the Bible.
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Jeff Martin
4.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful but room for improvement
Reviewed in the United States on 20 September 2012
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I have the Kindle version, and have enjoyed very much reading this book. It has great cultural insights into the Gospels. So I heartily recommend this book to anyone. One minor point I would like to disgree with Dr. Burge on.
When he says that Jesus' prayer was conversational, and casual that is not so. Notice how similar the following are to the Lord's prayer.
One of the Jewish prayers of that time was called the Kaddish - here is a sample
May His great name be exalted and hallowed is God's great name. in the world which He created according to His will! May He establish His kingdom...May the prayers and supplications of all Israel be accepted by their Father who is in Heaven; And say, Amen
What follows are either contemporary to Jesus or earlier records of Jewish prayers and Scripture which make it obvious that Jesus took from already established tradition. Perish the thought! (sarcasm)
A prayer of R. Eliezer (1st cent.): "Do Thy will in heaven above and give rest of spirit to those that fear Thee on earth, and do what is good in Thine eyes. Blessed be Thou who hearest prayer!" (Tosef., Ber. iii. 7).
"Forgive your neighbor the hurt that he hath done unto you, so shall your sins also be forgiven when you pray," says Ben Sira - Sirach 28. 2).
I Chronicles 29:11 - Yours O LORD are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all
Yetzer Hara - morning prayer - lead us not into temptation and do not let the evil inclination rule over us
It would be better when talking about the Lord's prayer to say that Jesus took from various traditions and put together what he thought was the most importaant aspects
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magic reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended for Bible teachers
Reviewed in the United States on 27 October 2012
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Book received in even better condition than advertised. . .
most pleased with book and service. . I am an adult Sunday School teacher and this book gives a new fresh approach to the understanding of the Middle Eastern mind-set and a new insight into the parables of Jesus Christ- an excellent read!
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KJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Eyes Opened !
Reviewed in the United States on 20 August 2019
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The culture of the time that Jesus lived is most important to understand the Bible. This book has opened my eyes to understanding and interpreting the meaning of scripture as it was written from the Hebrew culture. Not from Western interpretation & culture. Highly recommend this for group Bible study.
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Kindle customer B. Meinke
5.0 out of 5 stars Understanding Jesus and His parables
Reviewed in the United States on 14 July 2013
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
We have just finished the first 2 chapters. We are finding it is giving us insites about Jesus ministrywe hadn't
considered. My Sunday School class is using this book, we are finding this book is providing a good
basis for discussion. It is helping us to understanding some of the parables, from the prospective of Jesus'times and not just reading the words.
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cyhair4u
5.0 out of 5 stars book on parables
Reviewed in the United States on 15 February 2012
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This is an excellent book. We are reading it together and studying the parables. This book give deep insight to the time and place where it was written. Very very good.
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Charles N. Rieber Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars A Teller of Tales
Reviewed in the United States on 16 February 2013
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This is one of my favorites of the series. It elaborates on Jesus' ability to take common place things and make a spiritual application.
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skandi
3.0 out of 5 stars Great new cultural and language background info with photos
Reviewed in the United States on 22 December 2019
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Content was over the top. The new cultural background info increased the accuracy and my understanding of Jesus' brilliance. I especially enjoyed the banquet and Good Samaritan parables. I recently visited the site of the Good Samaritan memorial on the road in Israel and Burge's info enhanced that experience. The photos and other added stories and analogies were instructive. The reason for the 3 star rating is the glossy paper of the pages that reflect the light and the background artwork were distracting and made it difficult for me to read.
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Cheri Cochran
4.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening teachings
Reviewed in the United States on 30 July 2018
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I really enjoyed learning more about the context of Jesus’ parables and what they would have meant to those He taught. The author helps reconnect the parables to the culture in which they were shared, which gives a whole new meaning to many of them for me. Really enjoyed this easy read.
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V. Fried
4.0 out of 5 stars Another easy-read by Gary
Reviewed in the United States on 2 April 2011
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This book was helpful in getting more insight from the gospel stories we read all of the time - but miss some of the key elements imbedded in the stories. Not a heavy read, like a college text might have. This is a nice weekend-by-the-fire read.
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Kyle Price
4.0 out of 5 stars A good read!
Reviewed in the United States on 17 April 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
The author has a working knowledge of the cultural background of the Bible. From this he is able to shed light on Scriptural passages-some that are misunderstood, and some that are simply misunderstod. It's quite fascinating!
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Peter Huzen
4.0 out of 5 stars Great insights on cultural background of Jesus' stories.
Reviewed in the United States on 5 December 2012
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book will deepen your understanding on the stories Jesus told. The writer gives explanation of the honor-shame culture. It will help you understand the Bible better.
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L. Bobbitt
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 25 September 2017
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Excellent service! Highly recommend!
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CEE
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 8 May 2018
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great book
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Jjebby
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus, The Middle Eastern Story Teller
Reviewed in the United States on 18 October 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Item purchased as a Gift for a Friend. This item is wonderful and was received in short time. Very Happy.
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Rev. Luis-Alfredo Cartagena Zayas
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 29 December 2014
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Satified
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JAMES B ILTEN
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 10 July 2015
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An excellent background for the parables of Jesus recoded in St. Luke's Gospel.
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Joe D. Edmiston
3.0 out of 5 stars Meh...
Reviewed in the United States on 11 August 2013
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This book didn't really absorb my attention. I didn't feel like I learned anything I hadn't heard before. I didn't find the pictures particularly useful either.
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Midwesterner
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 4 November 2014
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Love it!
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