Parables and readings. Reception of Narrative Parables from the Gospel of Luke, Chapters 10-15, in the Church of Sweden Guidelines, 1985-2013.

How do parables from the Gospel of Luke make impact on sermon guidelines?

My thesis project investigates a sample of parables in the Gospel of Luke and their present (from the 1983 lectionary onwards) impact on sermon guidelines, published in two periodicals aimed mainly at Church of Sweden clergy.

Reception studies rarely investigate present-day ecclesial use of the Bible, and sermon guidelines as a genre is virtually unexplored. The parables are explored in terms of events, characters, settings, symbolism and narrative patterns and how expected and unexpected of the vehicle impacts on the tenor. Sermon guidelines are explored in terms of what is received (and not received), how it is received and why reception is as it is.

Guidelines are bridging the gap from past to present mainly by means of summaries within parables and of traditional interpretations rather than taking parables themselves or consistent views of parables as points of departure. Achieving impact on present-day readers akin to that on the implied reader would benefit from interpretation prioritising events rather than characters.