Barbara Brown Taylor Wheat and Tares Explained

Barbara Brown Taylor is a renowned spiritual teacher, preacher, and author who has captivated readers with her profound reflections on faith, doubt, and the human experience. Her book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, is a thought-provoking exploration of spirituality that encourages readers to embrace the darker aspects of life, both literally and metaphorically. Within this exploration, the biblical parable of the wheat and tares plays a key role, offering a lens through which we can examine duality, coexistence, and the intricate relationship between light and darkness.

This blog takes a closer look at the themes in Taylor’s work, with a focus on how the wheat and tares parable deepens her message. If you’re someone who has been searching for ways to grow spiritually, find meaning in life’s complexities, or appreciate the interplay of dualities like light and shadow, this post is for you.

The Parable of the Wheat and Tares Explained

The parable of the wheat and tares is one of Jesus’ teachings in the New Testament, recounted in Matthew 13:24–30. It tells of a farmer whose good seed grows into wheat, but an enemy secretly sows tares (weeds) among the crop. When the wheat and tares grow together, the farmer advises his workers not to uproot the weeds prematurely, as doing so might harm the wheat. Instead, both are left to grow until the harvest, when they will be separated.

This parable has traditionally been interpreted as a story about good and evil coexisting in the world, with God ultimately differentiating between the two at the final judgment. However, Barbara Brown Taylor goes beyond the surface meaning to explore deeper questions about the duality of life, the coexistence of opposites, and the lessons spiritual seekers can draw from this analogy.

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Wheat and Tares as a Symbol of Light and Darkness

A central theme in Taylor’s Learning to Walk in the Dark is the interplay between light and darkness. While many religions and spiritual traditions focus on the symbolism of light as divine, pure, and enlightening, they frequently regard darkness as the opposite—dangerous, evil, or void of meaning. Taylor challenges this binary view, redefining darkness as a space of growth, reflection, and spiritual depth.

By using the wheat and tares parable as a metaphor, Taylor illustrates how good and bad often grow intertwined in our lives, just as wheat and tares do in the field. Attempting to separate them prematurely can lead to unintended consequences. This analogy reveals that darkness—or the parts of our lives we often try to avoid, like uncertainty, struggle, or doubt—might hold as much value as the light in shaping who we are.

Lessons from the Parable in Taylor’s Perspective

Acceptance of Duality – Life is a mix of wheat and tares, light and dark, joy and sorrow. Acknowledging this duality helps us live more authentically.
Patience in Uncertainty – Rushing to eliminate all ambiguity or discomfort may strip away valuable lessons. Much like the farmer advises patience, Taylor encourages readers to sit with life’s complexities.
Wholeness over Perfection – Spirituality isn’t about living in constant light, but about learning to walk in the shadows and integrating all aspects of our experiences.

Barbara Brown Taylor’s Approach to Modern Spirituality

Barbara Brown Taylor’s writing resonates deeply with contemporary readers because she does not shy away from the messiness of life and faith. Instead of presenting a rigid framework of spirituality, her work offers a refreshing openness that acknowledges uncertainty as part of the sacred experience.

Her approach is particularly relevant for people who feel disconnected from traditional religious practices but still yearn for spiritual depth and meaning. Taylor’s philosophy of holding space for ambiguity speaks to the soul of modern seekers, who often struggle with questions that evade easy answers.

By intertwining the profound imagery of the wheat and tares with her reflections on light and darkness, Taylor presents a spirituality that is not only relatable but also transformative. Rather than striving for an unattainable perfection, she invites readers to explore the ways in which both blessings and challenges can coexist to create a fuller life.

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How This Message Resonates Today

Taylor’s embrace of duality makes her message more relevant than ever in a world that often demands extremes—whether it be in opinions, identities, or decisions. The wheat and tares metaphor serves as a reminder that not everything has to be sorted neatly into boxes of right and wrong, good and evil.

For spiritual seekers and philosophy enthusiasts, this perspective can be liberating. It challenges readers to leave behind rigid frameworks and instead meet life with curiosity and openness. Learning to Walk in the Dark has inspired countless readers to redefine their relationship with both faith and humanity, emphasizing that growth can come from the darker moments of life.

Reflecting on Your Own Spiritual Journey

What areas of your life might you be tempted to divide into “good wheat” and “bad tares”? Are there parts of your spiritual or personal growth that you’ve been quick to reject because they seemed like weeds?

Barbara Brown Taylor’s work encourages us to reconsider these impulses. By fostering patience and compassion for ourselves and others, we can begin to harvest the wisdom that comes from seeing life as a blend of light and darkness.

Steps for Reflection and Growth

Journal about a recent challenge and identify the lessons hidden within it.
Meditate on the idea of holding dualities—joy and sorrow, success and failure—without needing to resolve them right away.
Read a passage from Learning to Walk in the Dark and reflect on how it applies to your life.

Find the Light in the Darkness

Barbara Brown Taylor’s reflections on the wheat and tares parable remind us that spirituality is not about eradicating darkness but learning to walk in its depths. Life’s dualities are not to be feared, but embraced as integral to growth.

If her work resonates with you, consider exploring her books or joining discussions with others seeking a deeper understanding of life and faith. This collective exploration may just be the light you need to guide your path.