Scholars have often proclaimed that each of Jesus' parables makes only one main point. Classic analyses by Adolf J licher, C.H. Dodd, Joachim Jeremias and Robert Stein decry the overly allegorical approaches of medieval commentators, who saw spiritual significance in every detail. But scholars do not agree on what the one main point of each parable is. Several points often vie for priority.
Some scholars try to generalize the lesson so much that the parable teaches little at all.
In the first half of his book, he surveys ancient and contemporary approaches, effectively challenges the prevailing consensus and offers a moderate approach. In the second half, he applies his principles to Jesus' 36 parables, giving helpful summaries of different scholars' views on each parable and concisely summarizing the parables' teaching. A major reason is that no consensus could be reached on what each of the details represented. Clearly all of these views recognized that the father gave the robe to the prodigal to indicate his restoration to the family. But it was impossible to agree on how to match the robe with one particular aspect of a new Christian's relationship with his heavenly Father.