Terrible Parables

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Christianity
**Terrible Parables**

Sometimes the Good Book doesn’t sound all that great. Fortunately, first impressions can be misleading, and the surprise of grace may be hiding in plain sight. Welcome to Terrible Parables, the podcast where a scholar, a pastor, and an anxious Christian look for good news in passages of scripture that appear strange or unnerving. Brought to you by Mockingbird Ministries and hosted by Cali Yee, along with Bryan Jarrell and Todd Brewer. You can find out more about Mockingbird at www.mbird.com. Audio production by TJ Hester.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 12: The Sinkhole of Works Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

In the finale of season two, Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the "faith without works is dead" passage in James 2:14-26.

Click here to read the passage.

Click here to read the article they reference, "The Optimization Sinkhole" by Anne Helen Petersen.

Episode 11: The Fear of Spending Money You Have Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30.

Click here to read the passage.

Click here to read the article they mention, "The Well-Off People Who Can’t Spend Money," by Olga Khazan in The Atlantic.

Episode 10: There Are No Divine Landmines Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit in Mark 3:22-30.

Click here to read the passage.

Click here to read the article they mention, "Why We Ghost," by Alice Fleerackers

Episode 9: The Foolishness of Grace Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the Parable of the Unjust Servant in Luke 16:1-13.

Click here to read the passage.

Click here to read the article they discuss, Emma Green's "The Party Is Cancelled".

Episode 8: Not All Sunsets and Rainbows Jul 09, 2025

Show notes

Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the Sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19.

Click here to read the passage.

Episode 7: The Hawaiian Shirt Guy at a Wedding Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

The long awaited second season is here! First up, Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14.

Click here to read the passage.

Episode 6: The Ten Bridesmaids Jun 22, 2022

Show notes

Click here to read Matthew 25:1-13.

Excerpt read from Paul Zahl, Grace in Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans), p. 40-41.

Music via the JAZ archives.

Episode 5: The Rich Man and Lazarus Jun 22, 2022

Show notes

Click here to read Luke 16:19-31.

Click here to read more from “1980-1989: The Celebrity Decade” by Cynthia Heimel in the Village Voice.

Music via the JAZ archives.

Episode 4: The Wheat and the Tares Jun 22, 2022

Show notes

Click here to read Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (with modifications).

Click here to read more from “What Is Mercy for You?” by Nick Cave at the Red Hand Files.

Music via the JAZ archives.

Episode 3: The Sower Jun 22, 2022

Show notes

Click here to read Mark 4:1-9.

Click here to read more from Simeon Zahl's “Hiding in Plain Sight: the Lost Doctrine of Original Sin” on Mockingbird.

Music via the JAZ archives.

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