I finally got round to finishing Tim Keller’s ‘The Prodigal God’, it’s not a long book, I’m just a slow reader and easily distracted! If you want a summary of the book, I would say… Tim Keller through the Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15) exposes how we look for hope in the world – through the emptiness of sensual living (like the younger son) or through the folly of moral obedience (like the elder son), he shows us how living in these ways cause us to be lost. But he shows us the hope of a third way, the hope of the gospel, the hope that comes only from God’s lavish grace given in Jesus.
Here’s some reasons why I like the book, other than the previous sentence:
- It helps you to see things differently – particularly in exposes the true cost of bringing the younger son back and the true heart of the elder brother
- There are loads of little mini Bible overviews of themes running throughout; the Father, the true elder brother, Sin, forgiveness, repentance, exile, lostness, Hope, Home, feasts
- Keller does faithful exposition, practical, relevant application and Biblical overview all in the same chapter
- I don’t really read novels, but it’s great for people who do… Keller seamlessly interweaves the narrative of secular novels by way of illustration into his writing
- Keller’s assertions are backed up through the writings of philosophers, it’s intellectually robust
Finally I loved Keller’s concluding acknowledgement to the influence of Edmund Clowney in his ministry:
“He also taught me that it was possible to be theologically sound and completely orthodox and yet unfailing gracious – a rare and precious combination.”
This is a definite must-read, go and get it – £10 from the Good Book Company.
