NCLA Review - Sermons on the Parable of the Prodigal Son usually focus on the younger son. The Prodigal God focuses on God’s prodigal grace toward both sons who today are represented by the irreligious, those turned off by religion, and the morally upright. Timothy Keller is founder and pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, and author of the bestseller The Reason for God. Pastor Keller’s insights are convicting and culturally relevant. Keller points out that Jesus’ teaching consistently attracted the irreligious sinners while offending the religious people of his day. He goes on to say that our churches today tend to attract conservative, moralistic people, just the opposite effect of Jesus’ message. If our churches are not attracting the younger brothers, is it because they are full of the older brothers? If you are searching for your next great book for group discussions, this is it! A study guide is also available. Rating: 4 —BM ( )

I understand that I am going completely against the grain in my less than enthusiastic review of The Prodigal God. In actuality, I join with the majority in extolling the book for its trenchant application of the parable of the Prodigal to the lost state of humanity as well as its depiction of the immeasurable grace of God in saving sinners but two dangerous weaknesses hold me back from recommending it with enthusiasm.
I found in The Prodigal God an unfortunate weakness in its presentation of man's sin problem. When comparing the plights of the two brothers Keller contrasts the younger son's prodigious sinful life with the self-righteous Pharisies who were equally lost. So far, this is fine. But when describing the condition of the Pharisies, Keller made it seem as if they actually did keep the law of God perfectly. Jesus debunked this faulty approach to the law and salvation through outward piety in his Sermon on the Mount which exposed the wicknedness of the heart which causes every man to violate the law of God even in our thoughts. Keller failed to show this and, by implication, failed to show the depths of fallen man's condition before God.
What disturbed me most, however, was Keller's reinforcement of a dangerous false dichotomy that is so prevalent in society and even the evangelical world today. One may have religion or one may have Jesus. The Pharisies were deeply religious but lost in their religiosity; therefore religion is bad. Although in the last chapter Keller urges believers and seekers to belong to a church, he only stresses the need for community. Keller is right about that but he ignores the necessity of partaking in the "religious" activities - the means of grace - that are available only through the Church by Christ's appointment. These are not options but Christ's requirements of all believers. To be Christian requires us to be religious, but with our hearts engaged along with our tongues, hands, and feet. Keller misses this and subsequently encourages an antinomian approach to the Christian life which the Scriptures condemn.
Had it not been for these two detractions, I would have a much easier time in recommending The Prodigal God, for there remains within its 135 pages a very powerful message that is often overlooked in expostions of this great parable. ( )

Ably walking the reader through the historical, cultural, and theological contexts of Jesus’ parable of the Lost Sons (or, more commonly, the Prodigal Son), Keller sheds new light of this cherished story and unlocks a depth of meaning that is often overlooked by contemporary teachers and scholars. Unpacking this rich parable, Keller calls his reader to redefine sin, lostness, hope, and salvation. Keller reminds the reader that at the heart of the gospel is a God who is lavish in grace – a must read! A ( )

"This short book is meant to lay out the essentials of the Christian message, the gospel." So begins Timothy Keller's new book The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. Keller targets both seekers who are unfamiliar with the gospel and longtime church members who may not feel the need for a primer on the gospel.

Keller's book, as the provocative title suggests, is built on one of Jesus' most famous stories: the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15). Keller consents that "on the surface of it, the narrative is not all that gripping." But, he contends that "if the teaching of Jesus is likened to a lake, this famous Parable of the Prodigal Son would be one of the clearest spots where we can see all the way to the bottom." Keller has taught from this passage many times over the years, and says, "I have seen more people encouraged, enlightened, and helped by this passage, when I explained the true meaning of it, than by any other text."

The book is laid out in seven brief chapters which aim to uncover the extravagant (prodigal) grace of God, as revealed in this parable. Keller shows how the parable describes two kinds of "lost" people, not just one. Most people can identify the lostness of the "prodigal son," the younger brother in Jesus' story, who takes his inheritance early and squanders it on riotous living. But Keller shows that the "elder brother" in the parable is no less lost. Together, the two brothers are illustrations of two kinds of people in the world. "Jesus uses the younger and elder brothers to portray the two basic ways people try to find happiness and fulfillment: the way of moral conformity and the way of self-discovery." Both brothers are in the wrong, and when we see this, we discover a radical redefinition of what is wrong with us. "Nearly everyone defines sin as breaking a list of rules. Jesus, though, shows us that a man who has violated nothing on the list of moral misbehaviors may be every bit as spiritually lost as the most profligate, immoral person. Why? Because sin is not just breaking the rules, it is putting yourself in the place of God as Savior, Lord and Judge just as each son sought to displace the authority of the father in his own life." As these quotes hint, Keller's exposition of the two sons lays the groundwork for a penetrating analysis and critique of both moral relativists on the liberal left and religious moralists on the conservative right, showing that the latter are just as lost as the former. What both need is Jesus, whom Keller presents as "the true elder brother," the one who comes to our rescue at his own expense. Through his grace, we are given hope and invited to the great feast of the Father.

As with Keller's preaching, this book is intelligent and winsome, combining thoughtful reflection on both text and culture with searching heart application. Keller's book is effectively illustrated with a liberal use of stories and quotations from literature, movies, and the arts. Most imporantly, the book orients the reader's heart to the hope of the gospel of God's grace revealed in Christ.

One more note: for readers who may have felt intimidated by Keller's recent book The Reason for God, don't shrink away from The Prodigal God. It is probably only 1/3 of the length and much easier to read. I highly recommend it to unbelievers, seekers and established Christians. ( )

I would highly recommend this book to all. Tim Keller unfolded the story in such a way that ALL can see that we are sinners and in need of God's mercy through Christ. It also reminds me that I live for Him because not so I can earn His merit but just because I love Him. ( )