In this episode, Taylor and Denver dive deep into the intriguing and puzzling world of Luke 16. The teachings of Jesus in this chapter can seem pretty bizarre on the surface. From the Parable of the Shrewd Manager to the comment about people "forcing their way into" the kingdom to the story of The Rich Man and Lazarus, there's a lot going on in this passage.

Denver and Taylor discuss how they would tackle a puzzling text like Luke 16 - including questions they would ask, phrases they would analyze, and resources they would consult. Little by little, they begin to slowly work out how these seemingly unrelated teachings might work together to form a coherent (and convicting) portrait.

Can people force their way into the kingdom of God? What does divorce and remarriage have to do with gospel proclamation? How can a dishonest manager who "cooks the books" provide wisdom for how Christians relate to their own wealth? Are we really supposed to buy friends?

All these questions and more will be discussed in this new episode of the Learning Laborers.

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Stories with Intent (Klyne Snodgrass)
• Audience Criticism and the Historical Jesus (Arthur Baird)

00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview

00:37 Discussing the Presence of the Spirit

01:07 Introducing the Passage: Luke 16

01:45 The Puzzling Verses: Luke 16:16-18

03:02 The Role of Commentaries in Understanding Scripture

03:58 Reading and Analyzing Luke 16:16-18

07:39 Exploring the Broader Context of Luke

09:27 The Relationship Between Law and Gospel

23:59 The Connection to John the Baptist

28:56 The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

36:30 Exploring Cultural Parables

39:07 The Shrewd Manager's Wisdom

41:43 Hospitality and Friendship in Ancient Times

42:37 Jesus' Teachings on Wealth and the Kingdom

52:50 The Rich Man and Lazarus

57:49 Interpreting Jesus' Parables in Context

01:05:34 Applying Biblical Teachings Today

01:08:19 Conclusion and Reflections