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Using his characteristic intellectual approach to faith issues, Keller uncovers an unexpected message in the familiar---and often misunderstood---New Testament parable of the prodigal son. Seekers and believers alike will see Christianity in a whole new way when they learn how Christ's followers are supposed to love, so they can join him in heaven. 176 pages, hardcover from Penguin.
Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 176
Vendor: Penguin Putnam Inc.
Publication Date: 2008
| ISBN: 0525950796
ISBN-13: 9780525950790
Availability: In Stock
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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 that book, he offered a rational explanation of why we should believe in God. Now, in The Prodigal God, he uses one of the best-known Christian parables to reveal an unexpected message of hope and salvation.
Taking his trademark intellectual approach to understanding Christianity, Keller uncovers the essential message of Jesus, locked inside his most familiar parable. Within that parable Jesus reveals God’s prodigal grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic. This book will challenge both the devout and skeptics to see Christianity in a whole new way.
Timothy Keller was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and educated at Bucknell University, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Westminster Theological Seminary. He was first a pastor in Hopewell, Virginia. In 1989 he started Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, with his wife, Kathy, and their three sons. Today Redeemer has nearly six thousand regular attendees at five services, a host of daughter churches, and is planting churches in large cities throughout the world.
There is an old saying which rings true as it states ‘familiarity breeds contempt’; and this is especially true about parts of the Bible which are very familiar, like Jesus parable of the prodigal son. Many of us have read this parable or heard it taught, preached and explained so much that it has lost it’s luster, and it’s power.
A new book by Timothy Keller is designed to reverse this trend. The book, released in October and titled The Prodigal God, takes this all too familiar parable (Luke 15:11-31) and opens it up in such a way so as to help 21st century readers grasp it in it’s power and point; and the result is a fresh understanding of it which recaptures the heart of the gospel message. I found The Prodigal God compelling for many reasons. Let me explain three of them here.
First, the title of the book is captivating in and of itself. Most of us understand what is meant by a ‘prodigal son’ or daughter. But Keller applies this term, which is usually understood in a negative sense, to God. Some readers may be put off by this, but don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. As the meaning of ‘prodigal’ is defined more clearly, I came to see how God is indeed prodigal, in the best sense of the term; and the good news of Jesus flows to us because he is. For more detail on that point you will have to read the book. This is only one of many gems found within the pages of this short work.
A second gem gleaned from this book is in the first chapter. Keller shows how, when Jesus was here on earth, his teaching and life consistently attracted those who were not religious at all while offending those who prided themselves on how religious and righteous they were. After showing this, Keller makes the point that “if the preaching of our ministers and the practice of our parishioners do not have the same effect on people that Jesus had, then we must not be declaring the same message that Jesus did” (page 16). Being the pastor of a Bible centered evangelical church, this statement caused me to stop and think about the kinds of people we draw to our churches; and I concluded that Keller was onto to something important in his book. And desiring to see people know Jesus, I was compelled to read further.
A third gem, which was particularly helpful to me as I read Keller’s explanation of the parable was what he draws out as Jesus’ the main point. Having been a Christian for near forty years, I have heard the point of this parable explained as being the love of the Father for sons gone astray, the awesome forgiveness which the Father extends, and even the sacrifice the Father makes to receive his son back, after this prodigal son went so far astray. I have even preached this parable from one or more of these angles. But Keller shows, on the other hand, how all of these truths, true as they are, are only the back drop to Jesus main point.
And what was Jesus’ main point? Who was this parable really directed to? Jesus focus in the parable, according to Keller’s understanding, was not so much the younger son, nor even the Father and his forgiveness but rather the older son; and his purpose was to shock the Pharisees and anyone else who carries the attitudes of the older brother in the story into realizing that, as wrong as the prodigal was, they, too, are in a seriously bad position before the Father, which is made worse by the fact that, trusting in their own righteousness, big brother types do not even grasp their eternal danger. The parable is an appeal to ‘the righteous’ to grasp and grab by faith, the salvation even they need. Keller then expands this and makes relevant applications of Jesus’ parable to people and churches today.
When all is said and done, Keller’s book The Prodigal God is a home run in my view. The book is short and yet thorough; it is easy to understand and yet profound; and it carries a much needed message for the church, and for those outside the church today.
I recommend the book highly and see it as a ‘must read’ for anyone desirous of seeing the good news that is Jesus Christ spread to the masses or even to the neighbor next door. Often, we Christians make the faith complex. Timothy Keller, in The Prodigal God puts the heart of the gospel to the bottom shelf and makes it easy for anyone to grasp. May the Lord use this little book to draw many people to Jesus, for their good and for His glory. - Pastor Mike Burchfield, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
Pastor of a Manhattan Presbyterian church that draws more than 5,000 weekly attenders, Keller (The Reason for God) reinterprets one of Christianity's best known parables, that of the prodigal son. While most understand "prodigal" as a description of the spendthrift son in the familiar story, Keller construes "prodigal" differently. The father who unhesitatingly and generously receives his son back into the family fold is in fact the prodigal, because his forgiveness and bounty is free, unconditioned and abundant. The father of the parable stands for the prodigal God of the title, and the father's true son—Jesus—will reconcile humans to the father from whom they are estranged and ultimately welcome them back home. Like a provocative sermon, Keller's short, easy to read book challenges received wisdom and reminds Christians that redemption has brought them hope. Keller's clarity and intelligence, manifest in a wide range of references from the Bible, but also literature, theater and film, adds to the persuasiveness of his original interpretation. He offers serious Christians food for re-thinking this familiar story. (Oct. 30)Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 16 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews) 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Nikii Frank (Mclean, VA), November 12, 2009 A friend introduction me to this amazing book by Timothy Keller. I simply had to share it with my friends and loved ones and have bought it as Christmas gifts! 1 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kevin Puffer (Haskins, OH), November 01, 2009 Mr. Keller has sounded a bell in the dormitory of the sleepy church with the title of his latest pros, The Prodigal God. Readers will enjoy reading his insight into the broader significance of this well read parable. Considering the audience of the original telling, Mr. Keller brings to light and elaborates on the normally overlooked sting of this parable; a warning to those who like the older self-righteous brother may feel God’s extravagant grace to be unfair. This part of the book is worth the cost of admission. Unfortunately, Mr Keller only hints at the reason for the name of the book and fails to undergird the outlandish title with truth. Reasoning that God is “prodigal” because the definition of the word contains the idea of being lavish is like saying God is likewise foolish because the definition of “foolish” carries with it the idea of being easily taken advantage of. In the English language, being prodigal means being reckless, wasteful, careless, and having disregard for consequences. None of these qualities describe The One Holy God Almighty. While using a shocking title may sell books in the short term, I would not want to be Mr. Keller when he finally comes home and sees our Father holding this book in his hand. I gave this book 4 stars for his insight into the older brother and then took three away for his prodigal use of poetic license in the title. 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Clarence Reynolds (Spicewood, TX), September 08, 2009 Dr. Keller adds a dimension to this parable that is often overlooked or ignored. His unolding of the story includes nearly every Christian, not merely those who have led "misspent" youths. 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David Gough (Alexandria, VA), August 14, 2009 I give very few "5-star" ratings, but Tim Keller deserves it for his "Prodigal God." His treatment of this passage is biblically sound and immensely practical. My favorite book is Henri Nouwen's "Return of the Prodigal Son." That work and this one are great places to begin a serious study of the prodigal son. I cannot recommend either highly enough. 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Tommy Barnhart (Laddonia, MO), August 07, 2009 Best book, next to the Bible, that I've read in 10-years--and I read constantly. Excellent. 3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Mary L Williamson (Austin, TX), July 15, 2009 I haven't read it all, but what I have read I like. I think it will make this long-time believer relate to the Holy Spirit in a new way. My counselor suggested this and I am finding this book an asset to the Bible. 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David R. Bess (Charleston, WV), July 04, 2009 Upon first reading this title, many people would think, "How is God a Prodigal?" "Wasn't the younger son the prodigal in this famous story, going to a far land and living in sin until he came to his senses and returned to his father? Is the author saying something derogatory about the nature of God?" When the author gives the true definition of prodigal however, the rest of the book opens the reader’s eyes to the wonder and awe-inspiring mercy of God. Keller defines prodigal as "recklessly extravagant, having spent everything."
The author is also quick to note that the focus of this parable as Jesus told it was not on younger son, but on the elder. Both sons came to grips with the love and extravagant mercy of their father in entirely different ways. There is a powerful message in this book to the organized church, which often possesses many of the same attitudes as the elder brother.
This book provides a fresh new insight into the extravagant love and mercy of God -- it’s a very inspiring title. 5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Rick Harrington (Haverhill, MA), June 09, 2009 Keller has become a new favorite of mine. If you love grace, you will love Keller's explanation of the prodigal. Very readable (more so than 'The Reason for God', which I loved as well). Excellent! View all 16 Reviews
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