The Prodigal God: Christianity Redefined Through the Parable of the Prodigal Sons

by Timothy Keller

book data

185 ratings, 4.47 average rating, 66 reviews (more data...)

rating	frequency	%
5		57%
4		31%
3		10%
2		0%
1		0%

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published

October 30th 2008 by Dutton Adult

binding

Hardcover

isbn

0525950796 (isbn13: 9780525950790)

description

Newsweek called renowned minister Timothy Keller a C. S. Lewis for the twenty-first century in a feature on his first book, The Reason for God. In th...more

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06/09/09

Janice Kooken rated it:

Read in June, 2009

recommends it for: linda korbus

Most people understand the parable of the Prodigal Son as the story of the younger brother who requests his inheritance and squanders it on wild living, only to later come back and beg for forgiveness. Keller approaches the parable differently, examining the life of the older brother, and this hits modern day Christians much closer to home! The older brother uses the "system" by being the good boy that follows all the rules to justify himself, and he therefore represents in us, our own...more

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06/07/09

Judy rated it:

This book is based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son which the author sees as a drama in two acts. He feels that when commentators concentrate on the reckless behavior and return of the younger brother, they miss the real message of the story. Keller believes that both brothers represent a different way to be alienated from God. The younger brother was alienated from his father by his reckless behavior and the older brother was alienated from his father by his moralistic view of the world. ...more

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02/26/09

Dru rated it:

Read in February, 2009

My mom gave me this book. It's like a hundred pages long. Actually, she gives Tim Keller's books to everyone; this one and The Reason for God, which I'd like to read. This book here is actually more for people who are heavy church-attendees (which is not me--although he addresses the other side as well) and basically tells them that living life by these Christian rules makes you neither morally superior nor a good Christian. Tim Keller is an extremely unique author of "Jesus Books" in ...more

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01/11/09

Tyler rated it:

Read in January, 2009

Keller insightfully describes how Jesus' parable that he appropriately renames "The Two Lost Sons" is a quintessential Gospel narrative. Tim's analysis of the passage in Luke opened my eyes and heart to a more complete, contextual, accurate meaning of what Jesus was getting at in telling this moving story. Jesus hinted that there are two ways that the world attempts to achieve happiness: the path of unbridled self-discovery (the younger brother), or the road of moralistic legalism (the...more

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02/14/09

Paulina rated it:

Read in January, 2009

I will give this a 3.5 out of 5. Here is a book review that I wrote in haste:

Keller opens his book by correcting two commonly held misconceptions of “The Prodigal Son” parable. He does this by first clarifying the term “prodigal” (i.e., extravagantly wasteful), and by noting that the parable’s oft-used title is not entirely descriptive: the parable begins with the words, “a man had two sons,” not just one. Afterwards, Keller shifts our focus to the two types of sons, and ...more I will give this a 3.5 out of 5. Here is a book review that I wrote in haste:

Keller opens his book by correcting two commonly held misconceptions of “The Prodigal Son” parable. He does this by first clarifying the term “prodigal” (i.e., extravagantly wasteful), and by noting that the parable’s oft-used title is not entirely descriptive: the parable begins with the words, “a man had two sons,” not just one. Afterwards, Keller shifts our focus to the two types of sons, and what they demonstrate.
The younger son, brazenly rebellious, is contrasted with the elder son, who is hard and unyielding. Many readers have already studied and grown familiar with the character of the younger son; fewer still look at his older brother, who is crucial to the entire story and increasingly relevant today. What is tragically true is that the character of the elder son, bound up closely with his ideas of what ought to be, has become emblematic of many church goers today. Too many, Keller argues, have passed off grace and compassion for blind moral self-justification.

Keller makes his case convincingly, of which I have only covered the bare bones. However, he made either a strange title choice or made a marked omission. Missing from the book is a developed explanation on the concept of a “prodigal God,” a Father who is excessively loving and overly gracious. The concept is, after all, the book’s namesake and the touchstone to which Keller holds the sometimes excessively wordy brother comparison. Of course, Keller doesn’t leave an explanation out completely, but because of its brevity, the book just doesn’t finish on as triumphant a note as it could have. Or rather, as it should have.

I don’t know what to rate it. 3/5? 4/5? Something like that. Keller is a gifted orator and pastor, and is an excellent writer (see The Reason for God, for an example of something I really enjoyed), but The Prodigal God just shows the beginnings of what could be something greater.(less)

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01/15/09

Rebecca rated it:

bookshelves: missionary-apprentice-curriculum

Read in January, 2009

Interesting to me that the UK edition's subtitle is not Christianity Refined....but "Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith." And I think I like that better. Keller wrote this after The Reason For God as a complement to his other book, I believe to paint a picture for what exactly IS the gospel. The way he re-told this story was really convicting to me as I saw myself in both brothers. Keller reminded readers of the intentional missing element of Jesus's parable, which was "t...more

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01/03/09

Beth rated it:

Has a copy to sell/swap — Read in January, 2009

Keller expands our understanding of the parable of the prodigal son in a couple of ways. First, in addition to addressing the lost condition of the younger son, he focuses on the self-righteous lostness of the older son. He demonstrates how the gospel applies to both and how many in the church are like elder brothers. This discourages younger brother types who are seeking Christ but are put off by the self-righteousness of the elder brothers they meet. The other way he expands the understand...more Keller expands our understanding of the parable of the prodigal son in a couple of ways. First, in addition to addressing the lost condition of the younger son, he focuses on the self-righteous lostness of the older son. He demonstrates how the gospel applies to both and how many in the church are like elder brothers. This discourages younger brother types who are seeking Christ but are put off by the self-righteousness of the elder brothers they meet. The other way he expands the understanding of the parable is simply by defining prodigal as recklessly extravagant, having spent everything. Yes, it applies to the younger son, but as we think about God and the gospel, certainly this adjective applies to God, who spent everything on our behalf by sending Jesus to the cross to purchase our salvation. Hence the title of the book: The Prodigal God.

My favorite part of the book is the last chapter where Keller outlines four ways in which we appropriate the gospel and live out changed lives: salvation is experiential;salvation is material; salvation is individual; salvation is communal. In this chapter, he uses the picture of a feast. The father threw a feast for the prodigal son and urged the also lost elder brother who was resistant and angry to come into the feast. We look forward to a feast with God, the heavenly banquet, the wedding supper of the lamb, in the future. How do these pictures of "feasting" help us understand both the striving after righteousness and the joy of bliss of communion with the Lord? Keller helps us to see that by using one of my favorite movies, Babette's Feast, to demonstrate the point. He explains how the movie raises the question of how the sensual (but lost) living of the younger brother and the ethical (but also lost) striving of the elder brother meet in the feast. He quotes the general at the feast who says, "mercy and truth meet, righteousness and bliss have kissed one another."

I liked what Keller did in this chapter because it did two things, one big and one small. First and big, it helped me think more about how grace and works come together in the gospel and how feeding on the bread of Christ supplies both freedom from sin and access to God as well as the sustenance we need to serve and work. Second and small, I liked that he talked about Babette's Feast because I'd always been a little confused about the ending of that movie and didn't quite understand what was going on. I sort of "got it" but was puzzled. So, Keller has helped me appreciate the movie more too - very much a side benefit but nice, nonetheless.

This is a good read, a quick read, but one that should be pondered as it is read.

I have added The Reason for God, another by Keller, to my to-read list. Coty owns it so I'll get to it sometime in the next few months. On a side note...dear Rob goes to Keller's church in NYC and loves to hear him preach.

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12/13/08

BJ rated it:

Read in December, 2008

Tim Keller's re-telling of the "Prodigal Son" is relentlessly Gospel-centered. I was very moved in several sections as well as convicted. Keller's approach is wonderfully balanced he uses the Gospel to cut through the idol's of legalism, license, liberalism, conservatism, gnosticism, materialism, fanatacism, stoicism, etc. He has this way of being radically balanced: radical in showing the beauty and wonder of the Gospel and balanced in being holistic and not sacrificing one truth f...more

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01/22/09

Bfeyen rated it:

Read in January, 2009

An interesting look at the prodigal parable, focusing more on the older son. It helps you to examine your desire to "control" God. It also reinforces the fact that we can do nothing to gain God's favor, He already accepted us as we are and what we do is or should be out of gratitude, not trying to gain His favor. I found the book both reassuring and unsettling, especially because I am not currently very involved in our local church currently and the author states: "You must be dee...more

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12/31/08

Wade rated it:

bookshelves: christian

Read in December, 2008

This is a great book on the story of the Prodigal Son, or the story of the “Two Lost Sons” as Keller calls it. I was very convicted by how much I am like the Elder Brother in this story. My legalism and anxiety and panicking every time something in my life goes wrong are all symptoms of this Elder Brother mindset. I was also very convicted, and encouraged, about my prayer life and not just approaching God in petition but spending time in adoration and thanksgiving, to simply be with God a...more

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06/10/09

Hannah rated it:

Read in June, 2009

Before reading this book, someone told me that I seemed like an "Eldest Son" as described by Keller. The the more I read, the more offensive that comment became. But past about the halfway mark, I stopped caring about the bad picture it painted of me and really thinking about what it could mean for my understanding of God and my relationship with him. Keller's perspective is certainly thought-provoking, and I think that it's something I'll be absorbing into my life for a while. I w...more

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04/05/09

Kate rated it:

Read in May, 2009

the prodigal god

Synopsis from Amazon:

In THE PRODIGAL GOD, New York pastor Timothy Keller uses the story of the prodigal son to shine a light on the central, beautiful message of Jesus: the gospel of grace, hope and salvation.

Keller argues that the parable of the prodigal son, while Jesus’ best-known parable, is also his least understood. He introduces the reader to all the characters in this timeless story, showing that it concerns not just a wayward...more the prodigal god

Synopsis from Amazon:

In THE PRODIGAL GOD, New York pastor Timothy Keller uses the story of the prodigal son to shine a light on the central, beautiful message of Jesus: the gospel of grace, hope and salvation.

Keller argues that the parable of the prodigal son, while Jesus’ best-known parable, is also his least understood. He introduces the reader to all the characters in this timeless story, showing that it concerns not just a wayward son, but also a judgemental older brother and, most importantly, a loving father.

This short but powerful book is a reminder to the faithful, an explanation to the seeker, and finally an invitation to all – both older and younger brothers – to enter in to the ‘unique, radical nature of the gospel’: the reckless, spendthrift love of God.

This is the first Tim Keller book I have read, and I found it very useful in my walk with God. Keller looks at an alternative way of looking at the parable of the prodigal son. He looks at the elder brother - the one who didn't take his inheritance, run off and shame the family. In that parable, the father shows amazing grace and love and forgives the younger son completely. The elder brother however, does not. Keller explains how Christianity is not a religion - where you follow rules, like the elder brother to get into heaven. He explores how it is by God's grace and Jesus' death and resurrection that we are saved. The elder brother did not have a relationship with his father, he was bitter - just like the pharasees. He followed rules and was into legalism. Keller explains how that is something we need to break out of - that won't bring us salvation.

This is a short book that clearly explains the Gospel message and how to adapt ourselves to live in relationship with the Father. I did dip in and out of this book, which was not a problem. It is a book that will get re-read. I did find however that when I was reading it, to take it in I had to give the book my full attention.

My fiancee started the book this afternoon and is already half way through - that is a good indication of how readable it can be - especially as he is not a big reader.

8/10
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05/01/09

Mike rated it:

bookshelves: light-reading, theology

Read in April, 2009

A very good book on the Parable normally called the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Pastor Keller covered the younger son as usual, but spent a great deal of time pointing out things about the older son and father that we need to hear. Especially poignant was Tim's comment that we often take prodigal younger sons into our churches and turn then into older sons. It is a lot like Jesus' warning to the pharisees that they turn their converts in to twice the sons of Hell they are (Mt. 23:15). And of course...more

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05/10/09

Jill rated it:

Read in May, 2009

A pretty amazing take on an old tale. Keller gives new meaning to the story of the Prodigal Son by examining all of the players -- the elder son, the younger son and the father-- and our place in it. It changed the way I thought about rebellion, following the rules, and expecting something in return for obedience. There has never been anything we can add to the cross, and there never will be. Lostness comes not just from straying, but from trying to follow the rules too closely.

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02/14/09

Mark rated it:

Read in February, 2009

A tremendous re-thinking of the interpretation & application of the Parable of the Prodigal Son - Keller renames it "The Parable of the Two Lost Sons" and does a splendid job of re-framing the story to help us see clearer the grace & goodness of God to both younger brothers (those who indulge in immoral behavior) and elder brothers (those who use their good behavior in an attempt to obligate God to perform for them).

Highly recommended.

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04/14/09

Keith rated it:

Read in April, 2009

If you want a fresh look at Luke 15 with an open mind to reviewing what you believe about the gospel, this is your book. Without question, Tim Keller has done the evangelical world (and those searching for genuine Christian truth) a great service by writing this book. It speaks to the heart, mind and convictions of anyone who is open to the truth of the gospel! Highly recommended!!

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02/26/09

Joanna rated it:

bookshelves: theology

Read in February, 2009

One of my favorite aspects of "Reason for God" was the hard-hitting blows he gave to self-righteous hypocrisy within the church. This book takes that whole element and expounds on the dangers and pitfalls of this sin by elaborating on the parable Jesus gives of the two sons. It was engaging, thought-provoking, gospel-centered, challenging, and grace-filled. I loved it.

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12/28/08

Julia rated it:

bookshelves: apologetics, discipleship, to-read, wishlist

Read in December, 2008

Bought it as a gift for someone but snuck in a few pages myself (40 of them) before wrapping. It was amazing! The message of this book (and the parable it's based on) has power to bridge a great divide between liberal and conservative people. Looks like another great read from the author of "The Reason for God"."

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04/22/09

Brae rated it:

Excellent, excellent, excellent. Read it again, and again, and again.

Basically, the heart of the Christian life is that God is bountiful and even wasteful with his love towards us. Prodigal literally means wasteful, which the book uses to mean overflowing rather than using the negative connotation of the word.

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04/27/09

Colleen rated it:

Read in January, 2009

I thought this was a very challenging book in terms of understanding what it really means to be a Christ-follower. How many of us occupying the pews on Sunday morning have an older brother relationship with God? Encouraged me to think about my own life and what I think constitutes "salvation".

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