The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

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  The Prodigal God by Tim Keller is a short book that focuses on Luke 15 and the parable commonly known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Keller teases out the implications of how both sons (the younger and the older) see the world and see the Father.

  From page 45:

  The gospel is distinct from the other two approaches (religion or irreligion): In its view, everyone is wrong, everyone is loved, and everyone is called to recognize this and change. By contrast, elder brothers divide the wor... (show more)

  The Prodigal God by Tim Keller is a short book that focuses on Luke 15 and the parable commonly known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Keller teases out the implications of how both sons (the younger and the older) see the world and see the Father.

  From page 45:

  The gospel is distinct from the other two approaches (religion or irreligion): In its view, everyone is wrong, everyone is loved, and everyone is called to recognize this and change. By contrast, elder brothers divide the world in two: "The good people (like us) are in and the bad people, who are the real problem with the world, are out." Younger brothers, even if they don't believe in God at all, do the same thing, saying: "No, the open-minded and tolerant people are in and the bigoted, narrow-minded people, who are the real problem with the world, are out."

  But Jesus says: "The humble are in and the proud are out" (see Luke 18:14). The people who confess they aren't particularly good or open-minded are moving toward God, because the prerequisite for receiving the grace of God is to know you need it. The people who think they are just fine, thatnk you, are moving away from God. "The Lord ... cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud" (Psalm 138:6).

  When a newspaper posed the question, "What's Wrong with the World?" the Catholic thinker G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: "Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G. K. Chesterton." That is the attitude of someone who has grasped the message of Jesus.

  This is an excellent short book! (show less)

   

   

  by Todd Hessel on Mar 18, 2009 at 07:20PM

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  I highly recommend this small book by Dr. Tim Keller (senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City) on the parable of the Prodigal Son. Starting with a definition of the younger son's problem (prod-i-gal: 1. recklessly extravagant, 2. having spent everything), Dr. Keller proceeds to focus more intensely on the plight of the older son in the parable, singling out "religious moralism as a particularly deadly spiritual condition" (p.13). Dr. Keller sums up the dile... (show more)

  I highly recommend this small book by Dr. Tim Keller (senior pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City) on the parable of the Prodigal Son. Starting with a definition of the younger son's problem (prod-i-gal: 1. recklessly extravagant, 2. having spent everything), Dr. Keller proceeds to focus more intensely on the plight of the older son in the parable, singling out "religious moralism as a particularly deadly spiritual condition" (p.13). Dr. Keller sums up the dilemma of both sons as two basic ways people try to find happiness and fulfillment: "One is by breaking all the moral laws and setting your own course, and one is by keeping all the moral laws being very, very good" (p.44). And he goes on to say that, "To truly become Christians we must also repent of the reasons we ever did anything right" (p.78). The part that most resonated with me was the anger the older son exhibited upon the younger son's return and conversion. Keller sagely notes, "If you think goodness and decency is the way to merit a good life from God, you will be eaten up with anger, since life never goes as we wish" (p.52). This angst also evidences itself in our prayer life when we find ourselves consumed with prayers that are "a recitation of needs and petitions, not spontaneous, joyful praise" (p.65). There so many spiritual jewels in this small book, it is hard to adequately summarize. My recommendation is to get a copy of this book and read it yourself - - it will be a tremendous blessing! (show less)

   

   

  by Facebook User on Jan 02, 2010 at 05:20AM

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