Throughout his ministry, Jesus used parables to explain how many of his primary teachings should be understood. This reflex to employ story (rather than abstraction) is characteristically Jewish and is even known today in the Middle East. However, this story-telling technique also used cultural codes that only Jesus’ ancient audience understood. And many of them are lost to us today. This series will examine why and how Jesus taught in parables. We will then study a series of parables as we unlock their cultural codes. Expect to discover things about Jesus, his world, and his message that you have not seen before.

Originally from Southern California, Gary Burge was an undergraduate at the University of California, Riverside, and The American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He attended Fuller Theological Seminary and King’s College, The University of Aberdeen, Scotland, earning a Ph.D. in New Testament. He served on the faculties of King College (Tennessee), North Park University (Illinois), and after 25 years at Wheaton College (Illinois), he joined the faculty of Calvin Theological Seminary (Michigan) in 2017.

Gary speaks widely in churches and conferences in the United States and various countries. He has traveled extensively, particularly in the Middle East. He is ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA, and served as a military chaplain (USNR). For over 15 years, he was a regular teacher at Willow Creek Community Church in S. Barrington, IL.