The Kingdom of God Is Like . . . Baseball: A Metaphor for Jesus's Kingdom Parables

Jesus used parables to teach his disciples certain truths about the gospel. The parables employed word pictures such as of planting seeds and other agricultural images that were familiar to his listeners. What kind of imagery could be used today to talk about the gospel? Baseball Americas pastime might be one source of such familiar images. In this book Currie has attempted to find theological themes and to describe the gospel in the sport of baseball. From Jim Curries superbly assembled community of historical baseball players baseball aficionados and biblical parables and characters Gods grace light healing and new life emerge even to those who may think they have little in common with either baseball or the Bible. Readers will smile belly laugh remember struggles and losses and nod affirmatively deeply grateful for many new insights received. -Ted Foote Jesus kingdom parables are few and short and I long for more. That desire is satisfied in these pages: provocative enticing enriching inviting. Those who love God baseball either or both will find interwoven in this book refreshing gifts from Gods kingdom in Curries love for the games people and story and his grounding in grace and holy texts. The line between them is shown gloriously blurry a joyous new parable . . . and home run. -Howard Reed Baseball fan and theologian Jim Currie gives us a wonderful look at ways the national pastime embodies themes that form the fabric of Christian faith. Each chapter is filled with delightful baseball lore that brings memories flooding back to baseball fans. But Currie goes on to relate these stories events and sentiments to what matters most in life: what Jesus said and did when he talked about the kingdom of God. No fan with faith should miss this book! -Donald K. McKim James Curries The Kingdom of God Is Like . . . Baseball is theologically intriguing and fascinatingly written for the Community of Saints. As one who has used baseball as a place to go and mourn to be lost and therefore to be comforted until on each occasion I made my way back Home I relished each comparison. Centered on the parables of Jesus each chapter draws the reader in to react to make choices to find the Holy in the ordinary Game of Life. We who call ourselves followers of Jesus get Home when we have the eyes to see and the ears to hear the word of God. -Ann Weems James S. Currie has been a Presbyterian minister since 1979 and currently serves as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Pasadena Texas. He is the author of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: Completing a Century of Service (2002) and Planting Trees: A History of the Presbyterian Pan American School (forthcoming).