Appearances can be deceptive. This is a small book with the cosiest of titles – The Parable of the Dog – and you might assume that it isn’t deep. Presumably, Jesus’ listeners felt the same when he started to tell parables of straying sons, mustard seeds or mugged Samaritans. Be warned! As with the biblical parables, this soothing appearance disguises the sharpest of steel. This is an important, inspiring and relevant parable that addresses a critical issue in today’s church.