The Kingdom of God Is Like . . . Baseball: A Metaphor for Jesus's Kingdom Parables
Ebook
Jesus used parables to teach his disciples certain truths about the gospel. The parables employed word pictures, such as of planting seeds and other agricultural images, that were familiar to his listeners. What kind of imagery could be used today to talk about the gospel? Baseball, "America's pastime," might be one source of such familiar images. In this book Currie has attempted to find theological themes and to describe the gospel in the sport of baseball.
"From Jim Currie's superbly assembled community of historical
baseball players, baseball aficionados, and biblical parables and
characters, God's grace, light, healing, and new life emerge, even
to those who may think they have little in common with either
baseball or the Bible. Readers will smile, belly laugh, remember
struggles and losses, and nod affirmatively, deeply grateful for
many new insights received."
-Ted Foote
"Jesus' kingdom parables are few and short, and I long for more.
That desire is satisfied in these pages: provocative, enticing,
enriching, inviting. Those who love God, baseball, either, or both
will find interwoven in this book refreshing gifts from God's
kingdom in Currie's love for the game's people and story and his
grounding in grace and holy texts. The line between them is shown
gloriously blurry, a joyous new parable . . . and home run."
-Howard Reed
"Baseball fan and theologian, Jim Currie, gives us a wonderful look
at ways the national pastime embodies themes that form the fabric
of Christian faith. Each chapter is filled with delightful baseball
lore that brings memories flooding back to baseball fans. But
Currie goes on to relate these stories, events, and sentiments to
what matters most in life: what Jesus said and did when he talked
about the kingdom of God. No fan with faith should miss this
book!"
-Donald K. McKim
"James Currie's The Kingdom of God Is Like . . . Baseball is
theologically intriguing and fascinatingly written for the
Community of Saints. As one who has 'used' baseball as a place to
go and mourn, to be 'lost' and, therefore, to be comforted until,
on each occasion, I made my way back 'Home,' I relished each
comparison. Centered on the parables of Jesus, each chapter draws
the reader in to react, to make choices, to find the 'Holy' in the
'ordinary' Game of Life. We who call ourselves followers of Jesus,
get 'Home' when we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear the
word of God."
-Ann Weems
Product Details
- Title : The Kingdom of God Is Like . . . Baseball: A Metaphor for Jesus's Kingdom Parables
- Author: Currie, James S.
- Publisher: Cascade Books
- Publication Date: 2011
- ISBN: 9781621893219
James S. Currie has been a Presbyterian minister since 1979 and currently serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pasadena, Texas. He is the author of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: Completing a Century of Service (2002) and Planting Trees: A History of the Presbyterian Pan American School (forthcoming).