Athens State University Religious Studies Program

What happens when we stop asking, “What is the lesson?” and start asking, “How does the story work?”

In this episode of Everything Is Interpreted, Dr. Robert White and Dr. Tony Moyers explore one of Jesus’ most familiar—and most challenging—parables: The Good Samaritan.

Using a literary approach to interpretation, we look beyond the surface of the story to examine its setting, characters, surprises, and reversals. Why does Jesus choose a Samaritan as the hero? Why does he answer a question with a story? And how does the structure of the parable itself challenge the way we see neighbors, strangers, and ourselves?

Join us as we demonstrate how reading the Bible as literature can deepen our understanding of Scripture and reveal meanings we might otherwise miss.

Everything is Interpreted-Jeremiah's Temple Sermon