Our image of God reveals not only God’s character, but our own.
Jesus’ parables reveal a God who is intentionally available to those who seek him. They invite the listener to enter the narrative and engage with God one-on-one to expand our understanding of faith and of ourselves.
The image of God in the New Testament takes at least three forms: The person of Jesus, Jesus' teaching about the kingdom of God with the parables, and the founding of the church on Pentecost by the Holy Spirit. In this book I will focus on the image of God the Father found in the parables.
The authenticity of the parables as Jesus' own words is seldom questioned, in part, because Jesus' parables are unique, a genre unto themselves, but not a typical genre. A typical genre might adhere to a particular structure or story form, but not a parable.
Image of God in the Parables is written in a devotional format with a reflection, prayers, and questions for study.
Cover art by C. Hiemstra (2023), The Lost Sheep, Used with Permission
Hear the words; walk the steps; experience the joy!
Author Stephen W. Hiemstra (MDiv, Ph.D.) is a slave of Christ, husband, father, author, and volunteer pastor. He lives in Centreville, Virginia with Maryam, his wife of more than thirty-five years. They have three grown children
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Clear, well-researched, and innovative, Hiemstra has produced an important work investigating the defining feature of humanity—the Image of God.
Paul Lauerman, Pastor
Image of God in the Parables introduces you to a different perspective of God that you might not have considered before, an intimate God that seeks you out to have a relationship of Creator with created.
Nohemi Zerbi
The book will deepen your spiritual walk with the Lord as He continues to disciple us daily through His written word and many of life’s experiences.
Eric Teitelman, Pastor
In Image of God in the Parables, Stephen Hiemstra uncovers the image of God as Jesus taught in his parables
Sarah Hamaker, Author
Stephen W Hiemstra helps us deepen the truths of the Kingdom of our beloved God.
Julio Martinez, Pastor
Stephen reminds us that: “We can never fully comprehend God, but he invites us to try. When we do, the forms that lead us to him, like the parables and worship, no longer constrain us. They simply launch us into this new dimension available only through faith.”
Briane Pittman Kairns
“Jesus’ parables are like the water offered to desert traveler lost, faint-hearted, and close to death.“ The Image of God in the Parables is a drink from the Living Water for the seeker who longs to quench his thirst for God in the arid desert of modern materialism.
Sharron Giambanco