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Terrible Parables

Mockingbird·Hosted by Cali Yee, Bryan Jarrell and Todd Brewer·13 episodes

ChristianityReligionSpiritualityCo-hostedBible discussionGrace-focusedStandalone episodes35-50 minChristian theology

Sometimes the Good Book doesn’t sound all that great. Fortunately, first impressions can be misleading, and the surprise of grace may be hiding in plain sight. Welcome to Terrible Parables, the podcast where a scholar, a pastor, and an anxious Christian look for good news in passages of scripture that appear strange or unnerving. Brought to you by Mockingbird Ministries and hosted by Cali Yee, along with Bryan Jarrell and Todd Brewer. You can find out more about Mockingbird at www.mbird.com. Audio production by TJ Hester.

Why listen

Terrible Parables takes unsettling Bible passages and asks whether grace is hiding inside them. Cali Yee, Bryan Jarrell, and Todd Brewer bring a scholar, a pastor, and an anxious Christian perspective to each conversation, making the show especially good for listeners who like theology that is thoughtful, honest, and not afraid of awkward scripture.

Episodes

50 min
Sep 3, 2025Episode 12
The Sinkhole of Works

In the finale of season two, Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the "faith without works is dead" passage in James 2:14-26. Click here to read the passage. Click here to read the article they reference, "The Optimization Sinkhole" by Anne Helen Petersen.

38 min
Aug 19, 2025Episode 11
The Fear of Spending Money You Have

Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. Click here to read the passage. Click here to read the article they mention, "The Well-Off People Who Can’t Spend Money," by Olga Khazan in The Atlantic.

40 min
Aug 5, 2025Episode 10
There Are No Divine Landmines

Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the Blasphemy Against the Holy Spirit in Mark 3:22-30. Click here to read the passage. Click here to read the article they mention, "Why We Ghost," by Alice Fleerackers

39 min
Jul 22, 2025Episode 9
The Foolishness of Grace

Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the Parable of the Unjust Servant in Luke 16:1-13. Click here to read the passage. Click here to read the article they discuss, Emma Green's "The Party Is Cancelled".

47 min
Jul 9, 2025Episode 8
Not All Sunsets and Rainbows

Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the Sacrifice of Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19. Click here to read the passage.

47 min
Jun 24, 2025Episode 7
The Hawaiian Shirt Guy at a Wedding

The long awaited second season is here! First up, Cali, Bryan and Todd discuss the parable of the Wedding Banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. Click here to read the passage.

35 min
Jun 22, 2022Episode 6
The Ten Bridesmaids

Click here to read Matthew 25:1-13. Excerpt read from Paul Zahl, Grace in Practice: A Theology of Everyday Life, (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans), p. 40-41. Music via the JAZ archives.

32 min
Jun 22, 2022Episode 5
The Rich Man and Lazarus

Click here to read Luke 16:19-31. Click here to read more from “1980-1989: The Celebrity Decade” by Cynthia Heimel in the Village Voice. Music via the JAZ archives.

35 min
Jun 22, 2022Episode 4
The Wheat and the Tares

Click here to read Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 (with modifications). Click here to read more from “What Is Mercy for You?” by Nick Cave at the Red Hand Files. Music via the JAZ archives.

33 min
Jun 22, 2022Episode 3
The Sower

Click here to read Mark 4:1-9. Click here to read more from Simeon Zahl's “Hiding in Plain Sight: the Lost Doctrine of Original Sin” on Mockingbird. Music via the JAZ archives.

38 min
Jun 22, 2022Episode 2
The Good Samaritan

Click here to read Luke 10:25-37 Click here to read more from “Loving Thy (Diffcult) Neighbor” by Sam Bush on Mockingbird. Music via the JAZ archives.

38 min
Jun 22, 2022Episode 1
The Unforgiving Servant

Click here to read Matthew 18:21-35 (with modifications) Click here to read more from “Why is it so hard to forgive?,” an interview with Elizabeth Bruenig on Vox. Music via the JAZ archives.

3 min
Jun 20, 2022
Season 1 Trailer

Sometimes the Good Book doesn’t sound all that great. Fortunately, first impressions can be misleading, and the surprise of grace may be hiding in plain sight. Welcome to Terrible Parables, the podcast where a scholar, a pastor, and an anxious Christian look for good news in passages of scripture that appear strange or unnerving. Brought to you by Mockingbird Ministries and hosted by Cali Yee, along with Todd Brewer and Bryan Jarrell.