While on vacation I finished reading the best book I have read in recent memory. It's called The Prodigal God, written by Tim Keller. (Tim will be speaking at the Leadership Summit hosted by Lakeside Church in August. Don't miss him or it.)
The Prodigal God is the clearest re-telling of the so-called Prodigal Son story I have ever seen or heard. I don't know who first called Jesus' parable The Prodigal Son. It is a funny title and somewhat less than accurate. First of all, the story is not about just one son. The father had two sons. Which one was the story really about?
The second challenge is that somehow we have come to the idea that prodigal means lost. But, as Keller points out, prodigal actually means recklessly spendthrift. Yes, the younger son was recklessly extravagant with his inherited money. But the father was far more extravagant with his wealth. Of course, this father represents our Father in heaven, and he is indeed extravagantly reckless with his grace. I love Keller's title. I love what our Father has done for us, for all of us.
See, the story is not primarily about the younger son. Jesus told the story for the elder brother types in the crowd: the people who followed all the religious rules and looked down on all the younger brothers who did not. My problem is that I am far more like the elder son than the younger. I like to keep the rules, and I want to make sure every one else does too. When they don't, I feel a sense of righteous indignation. At least I tell myself it is righteous. Usually it is just my pride revealing my self-righteous indignation. I have elder-brother-itis. And I desperately need God's grace.
OK, I can't tell you any more without writing the whole book. So, I'll let it go. Read the book. Then let's talk.
Hey Richard, I read the story of your journey, and the questions about the Emperor's clothes. I'm glad you are on the path coming back to the Lord. That's awesome. I'd encourage you to check out some more churches. There is a lot more innovation out there than you have seen so far.
Grace.
Posted by: Brad | June 22, 2009 at 05:44 PM
I know after more than 25 years of running from God, this former minister saw God RUN toward him like the father in the story. My story:
http://ProdigalReturns.com
Posted by: Richard | June 18, 2009 at 12:12 PM