"Capon points out how Jesus' message of judgment differed from the notions of both his enemies and his friends, who were looking for a strong, hell-bound condemnation of all evildoers. Jesus, in contrast, presents divine judgment against the backdrop of grace. Indeed, Capon agrues, the key to the parables of judgment is inclusion before exclusion, acceptance before judgment: grace ever remains the soveriegn consideration. Including such parables as the Laborers in the vineyard, the Raising of Lazarus, the Talents, the Cursing of the Fig tree, the Wicked tenants, adn the Ten virgins, Capon treats each parable in its immediate context and in the wider biblical context and message of grace. He also shows how Jesus' impending passion and death form a most significant subtext for the parables of judgment." -- from cover.