The Mockingbird Parables: Transforming Lives through the Power of Story

by Matt Litton

Overview

The Mockingbird Parables takes readers on an inspiring and engaging journey through Harper Lee’s beloved 1960 literary masterpiece, introducing each character through the lens of faith. The enigmatic Boo Radley as an allegorical representation of God, “the divine, mysterious neighbor” who watches over, protects, and longs to know his children personally. The hero, Atticus Finch, as a model of faith, integrity, and even parenting. The main character, Scout Finch, and what she might teach us about the role of women in church and society.
The Mockingbird Parables compels us to ask the often-ignored questions: Do we truly love our neighbors? Are we building community? Are we influencing society for the better? By illuminating the parallels between Christian faith and Lee’s masterpiece, The Mockingbird Parables reaffirms the magnitude of a novel perhaps more relevant today than ever before.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781414348346
Publisher:	Tyndale House Publishers
Publication date:	08/19/2010
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	5.84(w) x 11.04(h) x 0.16(d)

Table of Contents

To Kill a Mockingbird and the Power of Parables 1

The Parable of Boo Radley: Discovering Our Divine Mysterious Neighbor 15

The Parable of House Fires and Church Collections: Our Responsibility to Care for the Neighborhood 35

The Parable of Scout Finch: The Role of Women in Faith 57

The Parable of Miss Maudie's Azaleas: Our Responsibility to Care for Creation 81

The Parable of Atticus Finch: The Model of Christian Courage 99

The Parable of the Missionary Tea: Our Responsibility to the Global Neighborhood Begins at Home 121

The Parable of the Great Depression: The Christian Ethic of Financial Responsibility 139

The Parable of Tom Robinson: How Compassion Can Overcome Our Differences 157

The Parable of Raising Jem and Scout Finch: Parenting for Compassion 179

The Parable of the Last Word: Communicating to Build Community 199

Afterword: Compassion in Action 221

About the Author 224

Parable Reflections 225

Acknowledgments 229

Notes 231

What People are Saying About This

Daniel Taylor

Matt Litton’s story-laced and deeply insightful reflections call us to be as wise and courageous in putting our own values into action as do the characters in Harper Lee’s timeless novel.
— Daniel Taylor, English Professor, Bethel University

Scot McKnight

You’ll be enchanted by The Mockingbird Parables...
— Scot McKnight, Religious Studies Professor, North Park University

Editorial Reviews

For many of us, To Kill a Mockingbird was the first book to evoke a moral and spiritual stirring. Perhaps we read it for a high school English class or at the urging of a friend, never imagining how powerful a story could be. By the end, we were left wondering whether we had even a shred of Atticus Finch’s courage, Scout’s faith in goodness, or Dill’s innocence.
In The Mockingbird Parables, Matt Litton journeys through Harper Lee’s beloved 1960 literary masterpiece, introducing each character through the lens of faith. The enigmatic Boo Radley as an allegorical representation of God, “the divine, mysterious neighbor” who watches over, protects, and longs to know his children personally. The hero, Atticus Finch, as a model of faith, integrity, and even parenting. The main character, Scout Finch, and what she might teach us about the role of women in church and society.
The Mockingbird Parables compels us to ask these often-ignored questions: Do we truly love our neighbors? Are we building community? Are we influencing society for the better? By illuminating the parallels between Christian faith and Lee’s masterpiece, Litton reaffirms the magnitude of a novel perhaps more relevant today than ever before.

From the Publisher