The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

In his groundbreaking book, The Prodigal God, Timothy Keller offers a fresh and compelling vision of the Christian faith. Drawing on the parable of the prodigal son, Keller argues that God is not a distant, judgmental figure, but a loving Father who longs to welcome us home.

A Different Kind of God

Keller begins by challenging our traditional understanding of God. He argues that we often think of God as a harsh judge who is waiting to punish us for our sins. But this is not the God of the Bible. The God of the Bible is a loving Father who is full of compassion and mercy. He is not waiting to condemn us, but to forgive us and welcome us back into his family.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Keller uses the parable of the prodigal son to illustrate God's love for us. In this story, a young man rebels against his father and leaves home. He squanders his inheritance on wild living and ends up in poverty. But when he finally comes to his senses, he decides to return home. His father sees him coming from a distance and runs to meet him. He embraces his son and welcomes him back home with open arms.

Keller argues that this parable is a picture of God's love for us. No matter how far we have wandered from him, he is always waiting to welcome us back. He is not interested in punishing us, but in restoring us to relationship with him.

The Heart of the Christian Faith

Keller argues that the heart of the Christian faith is not about following a set of rules or beliefs. It is about having a relationship with God. When we come to know God as our loving Father, we are transformed. We are no longer afraid of him, but we love him and want to please him. We are also motivated to love others and to serve them in his name.

A Call to Repentance

Keller concludes by calling us to repent of our sins and to return to God. He reminds us that we are all prodigal sons and daughters who have wandered away from our Father. But he also assures us that God is waiting to welcome us back with open arms. If we will only turn to him, he will forgive us and restore us to relationship with him.

Why You Should Read This Book

The Prodigal God is a powerful and moving book that will change the way you think about God. It is a book that will give you hope and encouragement, and it will inspire you to live a life of love and service to others.

If you are looking for a book that will challenge your faith and help you grow closer to God, I highly recommend The Prodigal God. It is a book that you will not soon forget.