The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

Parable of the Lost Son
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. ...

20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’

22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet....24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, ...

28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. ...


31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Luke 15:11-32 (paraphrased)

I encourage you look up the passage in your Bible and read it in its entirity.

I was searching for a good, thought provoking book to read.  As I was scanning the bookshelves I came across The Prodigal God:Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, by Timothy Keller.  It was on loan from a friend.  As I began to read, I was challenged in my faith.  The auther, Timothy Keller, explores the parable of The Prodigal Son, challenging us to think beyond the obvious message of the lost younger son.  Keller addresses the lost condition of the elder son - yes, the perfect elder son who seemed to do everything right was just as lost as the younger.  His relationship with his father is not what it appeared to be.  His motives were far from pure.  He only walked the straight and narrow for all those years, pleasing his dad in order to gain his father's wealth.  And when his misbehaving little brother repented and returned, elder brother's true colors came out.  It wasn't a pretty sight.

The elder son was a representation of the Pharisees in Jesus' day.  On the outside, their words and actions painted the perfect picture of obedience and faith.  But on the inside their motives were not pure. 

Both the younger son and the elder son in the story wanted the worldly things their father could give them - wealth.  However, they both harbored rebellious hearts.  Their manipulative motives were at the core of their actions, both good and bad.  Sadly, neither brother desired nor were concerned with what their father really wanted - a loving relationship with him and with each other.  Though the younger son finally did restore a relationship with his father, the story leaves us hanging as to the relationship between the elder son and the father.  Did the elder son repent?  Was he restored to a right relationship with his father?  What happened next? 

What kind of response should this stir in our hearts?

Keller challenges us to examine our hearts - are we simply going through the motions of Christianity as a way to live a 'charmed' life.  Are our motives for living moral, obedient lives just a way for us to "get leverage over God, to control him, to put Him in a position where we think He owes us?" (pg 38)

Quite honestly, I saw myself in the elder brother of this parable and not in a good way. 

This book has got me reexamining the condition of my own heart.  It has me questioning my motives.  Am I serving God and living for Him because I simply love and adore Him?  Or am I simply going through the motions, playing the Christian game in a pitiful attempt to manipulate God, earn the favor of others and prestige, and to 'fit in' with the Christian crowd?

Let's just say that I am being challenged by the thought provoking questions of this book in a way I have not been challenged before.

Pick up this book, I guarantee it is far more than a good read.

Peace!
In His Love, Cathy