1. Don't we already understand the Gospel of Matthew well enough?

Ever since the Scriptures were written, there have been thousands upon thousands of men and women searching them. These ancient, inspired Biblical texts are rich with secrets and hidden meanings, some of which will remain concealed until they are revealed by God, Himself in eternity. Those who study the Scriptures do so because they want to press into the wisdom located within the ancient repository, a place where the plan of God is revealed. The Parable Discovery seeks to press into God's wisdom, revealed through His Son, Jesus Christ, and presented by His student, Matthew. Does The Parable Discovery claim to be the end all for the Gospel of Matthew? Absolutely not. We must all continue to seek this wisdom and realize that it will not come without a price. That price? Your time and effort and your unwillingness to allow the Holy Spirit peace until you receive what you seek.

2. What is the difference between The Parable Discovery and a western understanding of Matthew?

A western understanding of the Gospel of Matthew does not take into account, for the most part, the absolute Jewishness of this gospel. Western Christians read the gospel as if it were a western document written to a western people, though nothing could be further from the truth. Shocking, I know. But The Parable Discovery, in complete contrast, applies the ancient Jewish teaching techniques, along with the ancient Hebraic literary conventions to a gospel that was written by a Hebrew, to Hebrews. Our western ways of looking at the text, of understanding it, and applying it, are definite detriments to our getting back to its original meaning, as the Apostle intended. The Parable Discovery seeks to help the reader of this gospel garner a more accurate understanding by explaining and applying the first century techniques. Ignoring the fact that the Gospel of Matthew was a book written by a Hebrew to Hebrews keeps us from obtaining all we can from this magnificent work. The difference between the western way of interpreting the text and The Parable Discovery way (taking into consideration the Hebrew methods of the first century) is huge. This difference must been seen to be understood.

3. Is this a new teaching?

Yes and no. For more than a century now, western scholars have been studying the ancient methods of literary organization in the Old Testament. This study has proven to be quite fruitful in uncovering the mysterious ways in which the Hebrews organized their writings. It is becoming evident that their methods were far different than our own. One of the most intriguing facts being uncovered is that the Hebrews used particular literary conventions to communicate particular meanings within the texts. Scholars are making great strides in this area. One such scholar is David Dorsey (author of The Literary Structure of the Old Testament and professor of OT at the Evangelical School of Theology in Meyerstown, PA) who has been involved in this pursuit for over twenty years. Also, the study of the ancient Hebrew teaching methods has, only in the very near past, been seriously undertaken. The ancient teaching method known as mashal/nimshal is the key to understanding the Jewish parables, from the time of Nathan the prophet up until the time of the Kabalistic writings, somewhere near the end of the first millenium. One scholar involved in understanding the mashal/nimshal technique is David Stern (author of Parables in Midrash and Associate Professor of Postbiblical and Medieval Hebrew Literature at the University of Pennsylvania). So is The Parable Discovery a new teaching? No, not really. When you understand that there are many scholars who are documenting the very same literary and teaching patterns in Old Testament and in other Jewish writings, the basis for The Parable Discovery was already in place. But yes too, in that, to the author's knowledge, TPD is the first attempt to understand the Gospel of Matthew by applying these particular literary and teaching methods in a comprehensive and thorough way. Once again, The Parable Discovery seeks to understand the Gospel of Matthew from the vantage point of a first century Hebrew.

4. Are there any early church fathers that corroborate this sort of understanding?

"Wherefore the holy mysteries of the prophecies are veiled in the parables-- preserved for chosen men, selected to knowledge in consequence of their faith..." (St. Clement of Alexandria, Stromata 6:15).

As for Mark, then, during Peter's stay in Rome he wrote an account of the Lord's doings, not, however, declaring all of them, nor yet hinting at the secret ones, but selecting what he thought most useful for increasing the faith of those who were being instructed. But when Peter died a martyr, Mark came over to Alexandria, bringing both his own notes and those of Peter, from which he transferred to his former book the things suitable to whatever makes for progress toward knowledge. Thus he composed a more spiritual Gospel for the use of those who were being perfected. Nevertheless, he yet did not divulge the things not to be uttered, nor did he write down the hierophantic (which means 'sacred mysteries') teaching of the Lord, but to the stories already written he added yet others and, moreover, brought in certain sayings of which he knew the interpretation would, as a mystagogue, lead the hearers into the innermost sanctuary of that truth hidden by seven veils. Thus, in sum, he prepared matters, neither grudgingly nor incautiously, in my opinion, and, dying, he left his composition to the church in 1, verso Alexandria, where it even yet is most carefully guarded, being read only to those who are being initiated into the great mysteries (Clement of Alexandria).

For Matthew, who had at first preached to the Hebrews, when he was about to go to other peoples, committed his Gospel to writing in his native tongue, and thus compensated those whom he was obliged to leave for the loss of his presence (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, Book III, Chapter XXIV).

There is no doubt that Clement was in contact with and received from Pantaenus a secret esoteric Christian tradition, which he claims had been "derived directly from the holy Apostles Peter, James, John and Paul."< 9> Clement writes further: The Lord... allowed us to communicate of those divine Mysteries, and of that holy light, to those who are able to receive them.... The Mysteries are delivered mystically, that what is spoken may be in the mouth of the speaker; rather not in his voice, but in his understanding....< 10> ... It is requisite, therefore, to hide in a Mystery the wisdom spoken, which the Son of God taught.< 11> (Clement, Miscellanies, Bk. 1)

5. Why should there be anything hidden in the Bible? Shouldn't everything be plain and understandable?

Let's understand something from our own experience: Which has become more valuable, something simply given to you or something you earned by the sweat of your own brow? The Holy Scriptures were designed to make you think. They were designed to cause you to have to ruminate and meditate just to understand them. Why? It's all about relationship. God wants a relationship with you... not just your ear. If it were easy, it wouldn't require your participation. And this is the exact reason why Jesus used parables, or that which would require a relationship with Him in order to be understood, that is, to obtain the understanding. There are many mysteries in the Bible and they are all purposeful... God desires an inquisitive and interactive relationship with you.

6. Were all the Gospels written this way?

The key to understanding this is to realize that these four works (the Gospels) were written in the first century. The Parable Discovery seeks to understand Matthew from the first century Hebrew reader's vantage point. Why? Because it was to that reader that Matthew - and all the other gospel writers - wrote. They wanted to communicate a message to their audience, sometimes overtly, and at others more covertly, to draw from their readers interaction with the text. It is critical to understand and then remember that they were first century Hebrews and we are 21st century Gentiles. The difference between our world and their world is immense. So yes, to one degree or another, the Gospel texts were written utilizing many of the same techniques Matthew used, though none of the others (with the possible exception of John) were written as instruction manuals. Understanding the Hebrew techniques will undoubtedly change the way you see the OT and the Gospels alike.

7. What difference might this make in my Christian 'walk'?

From a biography, many lessons can be learned though they must be extrapolated. Understanding how to use the Gospel of Matthew as it was intended, that is, as a discipleship manual, will allow you to see and experience the actual first century lessons delivered by one who was taught by Jesus, Himself. Matthew has ordered his Gospel so that you, when you understand the teaching and writing methods of the first century, will be able to be trained to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. When you think about pulling lessons from a 'biography' of Jesus, things become somewhat haphazard. The questions are raised, 'What really constitutes a disciple? What does one do and what does one 'look' like? But once you've understood how Matthew organized his Gospel, you can realize that he provided seven basic lessons regarding discipleship, that when mastered, will allow you to become like the original Teacher, Jesus Christ. It is the literary pattern that Matthew left behind that is the key; it will reveal the exact first century lessons of discipleship, therefore allowing you to become a student of Matthew and not a student of Jeff Curry. There is no one more qualified, living or dead, as one of Jesus' own original Apostles to provide such a manual. I only want to help you understand how the First Gospel works. If you want to be a disciple and eventually a discipler, then The Parable Discovery will help you get there.

8. How tall do I have to be to ride this ride?

38.5 inches tall, though if accompanied by a parent you will be allowed to ride with them.