Summary

In "The Prodigal God," Timothy Keller uses the parable of the prodigal son to reveal the essentials of the Christian message. Keller unveils how this familiar story encapsulates the gospel's transformative power for both those who consider themselves outsiders and those who are established members of the faith.

Keller begins by setting the scene, describing the two groups who came to listen to Jesus: the "tax collectors and sinners," and the "Pharisees and teachers of the law." He argues that the parable is primarily directed at the latter group, the religious insiders, challenging their self-righteousness and blindness. Keller emphasizes that Jesus's message is not merely about assuring "wayward sinners" of unconditional love, but about shattering the categories that nearly everyone holds about God, sin, and salvation.

The book delves into the characters of the two sons, portraying them as representing two fundamental ways people seek happiness: moral conformity and self-discovery. The younger son embodies the path of self-discovery, seeking freedom and autonomy, while the elder son embodies moral conformity, adhering strictly to rules and traditions. Keller argues that both paths are ultimately flawed, as they both stem from a desire to control one's own destiny rather than loving and serving God for His own sake.

Keller redefines sin, presenting it not just as breaking rules, but as putting oneself in the place of God. He explores the concept of "elder-brother lostness," characterized by anger, superiority, slavishness, and a lack of assurance of God's love. He contrasts this with the more obvious "younger-brother lostness," urging readers to recognize the dangers of both paths.

The book introduces the concept of a "true elder brother," one who is willing to pay the ultimate cost to bring the lost home. Keller reveals that Jesus is the true elder brother, who paid the debt for our sins on the cross, offering grace and forgiveness to all. Keller emphasizes that genuine repentance involves not only remorse for wrongdoing but also a recognition of our self-centeredness and desire to be our own Savior and Lord.

Ultimately, "The Prodigal God" offers a message of hope and transformation, inviting readers to experience the feast of the Father—a life shaped by grace, love, and gratitude. It also challenges the cultural perception of the materialistic world and explains that we can and will use it to glorify God's name.

Keller emphasizes that salvation is experiential, material, individual, and communal. It is not merely a legal verdict but a transformative encounter with God's love that fills our senses and appetites. It also leads to a commitment to justice and compassion in the material world, individual growth in grace, and deep involvement in a community of believers. Keller ends the book by referencing Isak Dinesen's "Babette's Feast", a story that also shows how the two most common ways to live both have spiritual dead ends.

The end goal of the book is to give people a clear understanding of what The Gospel is and what it means to them.