March 23, 2025
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The 2025 Sizemore Lectures at Midwestern Seminary featured renowned Bible scholar Peter Williams, principal and CEO of Tyndale House, Cambridge.
Williams delivered two lectures on March 4 and 5 and joined Midwestern Seminary President Jason Allen for a special Q&A luncheon with the seminary community. Williams’ lectures and Q&A focused on the depth and brilliance of Jesus’ storytelling as demonstrated in the story of the prodigal son.
President Allen commented, “Beyond his academic credentials and expertise in the biblical languages, Dr. Williams is a dear brother, a lover of the church and of the gospel, mindful and devoted to the Great Commission, and just the type of person that we enjoy having on this campus. Most of all, he is a warm-hearted follower of Christ in whom the joy of the Lord is so very evident.”
In his first lecture, Williams explored the genius of Jesus’ storytelling, focusing on His literary techniques illustrated in the story of the prodigal son.
He opened by saying, “What I want to show you is how brilliantly crafted this story is. There is no unnecessary detail—every word has a purpose. Jesus is the most brilliant storyteller ever.”
Williams highlighted several key aspects of Jesus’ storytelling, including His use of:
Through these elements and more, Williams argued, “We build up a picture of who the speaker is here. This is not Luke’s inventing stories—this is someone from the land of Jesus, speaking as Jesus is elsewhere attested to speak, and who knows the Old Testament incredibly well. This could be no one other than Jesus Himself.”
He then reflected on the story’s message, saying, “The first 62% of this story emphasizes that if you’re an outsider, you are welcome. The Father welcomes you—whether you’re a tax collector or a sinner, you will be received immediately and fully. There is no probation.”
However, he also noted the challenge Jesus presented to those who “see themselves as insiders”: “The older son, like the scribes and Pharisees, must accept that tax collectors and sinners can be their brothers. Only then can they fully experience the celebration. This is how Jesus’ storytelling works—it invites and challenges us simultaneously.”
In his second lecture, Williams continued his exposition of the story of the prodigal son, showing how Jesus’ storytelling was designed to engage different audiences.
He illustrated how the parable challenged the scribes and Pharisees, drawing direct parallels between this story and key figures in Genesis, including Jacob and Esau, Abraham, Judah and Tamar, and more. In demonstrating multiple connections, he said, “it is the same artistic mind behind both stories.”
He then revealed a warning from Jesus in the passage: “If you’re a scribe, you are thinking that if you despise your younger brother, you can lose your inheritance.”
Williams emphasized that biblical scholars and experts would recognize the subtle but profound intertextual references Jesus used:
“If you’re a Bible expert, you should notice the echoes—an old man running, a father with two sons, a great famine, a ring and a robe, years of service. All of these themes are deeply rooted in Genesis. And when you see them, you realize—this is truly amazing storytelling.”
As Williams concluded his lectures, he challenged the audience to see themselves in Jesus’ story:
“Each of us fits into one of the categories in the story of the two sons. If you are far from God, the message is clear—no matter how distant you feel, He is there, ready to receive you.”
He continued, “The first 62% of this story emphasizes the welcome of the Father to outsiders. That has long been the main takeaway—and rightly so. But in recent years, there’s been a shift to focus more on the end of the story. I believe we can strike a balance, recognizing both the deep beauty of God’s grace to the lost and the challenge this parable presents to those inside the church.”
Following the lectures, President Allen hosted a luncheon and Q&A with Williams, giving faculty and students an opportunity to learn more about Williams’ background, his work at Tyndale House, and his insights on biblical studies.
Williams shared his faith journey, recounting how he grew up in a Christian home, experienced doubt during his years in university, and ultimately found confidence in biblical truth through the guidance of scholars like D.A. Carson and Mark Dever. His academic path led him to study Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and Aramaic, eventually bringing him to Tyndale House, where he now serves as principal and CEO.
He described Tyndale House as an evangelical research institute with a world-class biblical studies library, offering a scholarly community for Ph.D. students, faculty, and researchers. He highlighted its global impact, including supporting Bible translation efforts in Romania, Cuba, and Egypt.
The conversation also touched on his upcoming book, Can We Trust the Old Testament?, scheduled for 2028, which aims to demonstrate the historical reliability of the Old Testament. Williams emphasized the need for strong biblical scholarship, global pastoral training, and engaging academia with a faithful, intellectual witness.
To listen to the 2025 Sizemore Lectures with Peter Williams, visit mbts.edu/chapel.
