Topics:
×
Parables and Miracles

Methods for Interpreting and Applying the Miracles and Parables of Christ

Curated from a lecture series by Vern Poythress
Share

Course Introduction

About Dr. Vern Poythress

Rev. Dr. Vern Poythress (PhD, Harvard; DTh, Stellenbosch) is professor of New Testament interpretation at Westminster Theological Seminary, where he has taught for 39 years, and is editor of the Westminster Theological Journal.

Dr. Poythress’s academic interests include how Christianity and the Trinitarian nature of God impact all areas of life. He has also spent much of his career studying and teaching biblical interpretation and hermeneutics. For those who are new to Dr. Poythress’s writing and teaching on these interests, he recommends several resources as places to start. Regarding Christianity in relationship to all areas of life, consider his books Redeeming ScienceRedeeming Philosophy, or Chance and the Sovereignty of God. A related book is In the Beginning Was the Word, which looks at the Trinitarian foundations for language. Another recent publication in this area is Redeeming Mathematicsconsider both his interview on the book and blog on the topic.

Regarding hermeneutics and biblical interpretation, he would recommend starting with his books Symphonic Theology and The Returning King. Other related books include Inerrancy and Worldview, The Shadow of Christ in the Law of Moses, and God-Centered Biblical Interpretation.

Many of Dr. Poythress’s books are available in digital formats online for free.


  • IntroductionRuntime: 80 min

Literary Form & Systematic Theological Concerns

  • Literary Form & Systematic Theological ConcernsRuntime: 79 min

Critical Methods

  • Critical MethodsRuntime: 78 min

    Source, Form, and Redaction Criticism

General Principles in Approaching Parables

  • Part 1Runtime: 77 min
  • Part 2Runtime: 21 min

The Parable of the Sower

  • Part 1Runtime: 59 min
  • Part 2Runtime: 56 min

Exegesis of Matthew 13:34-35

  • Part 1Runtime: 22 min
  • Part 2Runtime: 21 min
  • Part 3Runtime: 21 min

    A second look at the Parable of the Sower


Maxims for Interpreting Parables

  • Part 1Runtime: 35 min
  • Part 2Runtime: 76 min
  • Part 3Runtime: 79 min

Analogical Analysis

  • Analogical AnalysisRuntime: 64 min

Miracle Stories

  • Part 1Runtime: 16 min
  • Part 2Runtime: 80 min
  • Part 3Runtime: 57 min

    Examples