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. In the Image of God in the Parables , Stephen Hiemstra teaches us about the person of Jesus, His teaching about the kingdom of God with the parables, and the church's founding on Pentecost by the Holy Spirit. In a world where humanity constantly seeks to understand itself apart from God, Stephen shows us that by discovering who God is in scripture, we discover who we are in Him. Our true identity will always be determined by God's divine nature and how He created us. Similar to other books in Stephen's series, this book is written in a devotional format with a reflection, prayers, and questions for study. 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. I highly recommend this book and all the others Stephen has written. Eric Teitelman House of David Ministries 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. The questions at the end of each chapter help you think more deeply about what you have read. But the prayers are the crown jewel of each reflection. Deep and personal, these prayers help you align your heart with God's heart and will. Stephen Hiemstra truly takes you to a special place with God through his new book. Nohemi Zerbi Bridging the gap between the academic and the personal, Hiemstra unites expert research and incisive practical observation. To his credit, his book would work as well as a text for a church Bible study as it would for a first-year seminary class study group. Clear, well-researched, and innovative, Hiemstra has produced an important work investigating the defining feature of humanity—the Image of God. Paul Lauerman Pastor, Centreville Presbyterian Church One of my passions is studying Scripture through varying lenses and topics. Consequently, I was pleased when Stephen W. Hiemstra asked me to review and endorse his book, The Image of God in the Parables . The title intrigued me, and the book is a lovely gift. Stephen has structured a thought-provoking devotional that uses the parables to view five different aspects of the Image of God: mercy, grace, patience, love and faith. Each chapter concludes with a prayer as well as questions for reflection that solidify the focus of the chapter. Both of these encourage the reader to take in the content slowly and intentionally in order to thoroughly absorb key points. As I read each chapter I frequently said Wow! out loud as Stephen presented God's character in a parable in new and fresh ways. I especially enjoyed the linguistic insights that add depth and richness to his insights. The book concludes with some excellent insights about who God is not. 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." Stephen has offered just such a new dimension in this lovely book. 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. Dr. Hiemstra offers insight into God the Father in the parables of Jesus. He mines deeply in the culture and languages of the Old and New Testament and presents diamonds of spiritual treasures for those of us who long to understand more of Scripture. Sharron Giambanco Wanting to seek God in a deeper way helps us to relate to Him in a more effective way. It is precisely what this great book offers us. The possibility of finding through the parables a much deeper revelation of the essence of Jesus Christ. Stephen W Hiemstra helps us deepen the truths of the Kingdom of our b